By Faith Conquering

If you walk into a visitor center of most National Battlefields, say for example Fort Necessity or Gettysburg here in Pennsylvania, you will find one or more dioramas where you can stand and see the whole of the battle played out before your very eyes. As the author of Hebrews is concluding his sermon in letter form, he senses he is running out of time. Having gone into detail about Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses, he needs to speed up his sermon, so he gives us a bird’s eye overview of the entire time between Moses and Christ—A great diorama of the battle of faith fought by the Heroes of Faith from Moses to Christ. Let’s read our text:

Hebrews 11:30–12:2 ESV

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I include the first two verses of Hebrews 12 because the “therefore” that begins that verse clearly links chapter 12 to chapter 11. Rather than using the illustration of a diorama, the author of Hebrews uses the illustration of a “cloud of witnesses’ to describe the birds eye view we get of the period between Moses and Jesus. Either way the point is clear: As we look at their example we are to be inspired to follow their faith and endurance as we fight our spiritual battles. So, what do we see as we gaze upon this great panorama or “cloud of witnesses”? We see three things:

Sometimes They Conquered Through Success

Sometimes They Conquered Through Suffering

Always They Conquered Through Christ

Let us look at the First Point:

Sometimes Conquering Through Success (11:30-35a)

Verses 30-35a contain the description of mighty acts of faith and victory. The individuals and events are what we most commonly think of as “heroic”. We live in a day and age that is biased against the supernatural. In addition, because of the abuses of “miracle working” preachers I think most of us shy away for the possibility of the miraculous. This is a mistake. Christianity is a supernatural religion. Moreover, as Calvinists we affirm the sovereignty and providence of God. Therefore, nothing happens apart from the supernatural power of God. While the unbeliever sees the hand of man or of blind fate, we see the hand of God!

God is at work in powerful ways in our lives. Our prayers move mountains! Now often times we don’t see it. This is because the real battle ground is in the unseen realm. Paul reminds us of this when he writes:

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

I believe each of us have won spiritual victory far more impressive than that of Joshua at Jericho or David over Goliath. Someday, we will all be amazed as Daniel was when he learned from the angel that a great spiritual battle lasting 21 days had occurred as a result of Daniel’s prayers. Right now, a great battle is going on over the souls of many of you. By prayer and faith, you are joining in these battles.

We are not just overlooking the victories in the unseen realm, but the seen realm as well. This is because God chooses to work His supernatural power through providence more often than though the miraculous. By definition a “miracle” is something out of the ordinary.

To help us understand the difference between providence and the miraculous, let me use the great military victories of Joshua at Jericho and David over Goliath. City walls do not fall down because people march around a city for seven days blowing trumpets, this was clearly a miracle. However, by David’s own admission he was quite skilled at killing wild animals with his sling. There is nothing extraordinary about a sling, a stone and a skilled slinger. The person who does not have faith can quite easily explain David’s victory over Goliath to skill or luck.

The person of faith sees things differently, they know that God guided David’s hand and aim so that the stone hit Goliath in his soft spot. This is providence and divine providence is just as powerful and just as supernatural as a miracle, the only difference is that providence is common, and a miracle is uncommon. It has been said, “Expect a miracle,” but what should be said is, “Expect providence and be open to a miracle.” When we pray, God moves. Sometimes He moves in ways we don’t expect, but He always moves. Which brings us to the second point:

Sometimes Conquering Through Suffering (11:35b-38)

Verse 35 is a transition verse. Let me read it again so you can see it:

Hebrews 11:35 ESV

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.

As you can see, resurrection is the key concept that links Conquering Through Success with Conquering Through Suffering. Only two recorded resurrections happened under the Old Covenant. One occurred during the ministry of Elijah and the other under the ministry of Elisha. Each of these were miraculous victories in this life.

The last half of verse 35 focuses on those who suffered torture in this life in hopes of the resurrection that will take place at the end of the age. Here the victory looks much different in this life, but it is no less miraculous. These men and women who willingly suffered torture did so because they had faith in God’s promise of a future resurrection. Without eyes of faith, the easy and sensible thing to do would be to give into the demands of their torturers. In the eyes of unbelievers, the promises of God are nonsense. Even the Apostle Paul admits that if the promises of God are not true it would be foolish to suffer for our faith. He writes the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

1 Corinthians 15:32 ESV

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

“But in fact, the dead are raised,” he goes on to say, because Christ has been raised and all those who have been given eyes of faith see the risen Christ and the final resurrection that God has promised to His people. Verses 36-38 go on to list other types of suffering the Old Covenant people were willing to endure for the sake of inheriting the promised resurrection of the dead.

This type of faith is miraculous, because only God can give us eyes of faith. Earlier in this letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Not only is faith in the face of suffering miraculous, it is conquering! The great battle, (of which all other battles are but smaller battles) is the battle between God and Satan. Satan’s goal is to steal glory from God by destroying His elect. By standing firm in the faith, we defeat Satan and bring glory to God.

The suffering and death of Christ is the greatest example of this. As Jesus was being led to the cross, Satan thought he had won his greatest victory, little did he know he was suffering his greatest defeat. The same is true for Christ’s followers. As Satan rages against us “like a roaring lion” he is only sowing the seeds for his ultimate defeat. This is what the book of Revelation is all about. The church conquers by “remaining faithful, even unto death.”

Perhaps you have dreamed of doing something great for God. Perhaps some infirmity or old age prevents you from doing what you would like to do. Don’t you realize that Satan is attacking you right now at your point of weakness? He is attempting to tempt you by discouraging you and led you to unbelief. Stand firm! Be faithful even unto death and by doing so “God will crush Satan under your feet”! (Romans 16:20)

We now turn to the last and most important point, whether we conquer by success or suffering we...

Always Conquering Through Christ (11:39-12:2)

Hebrews 11 closes with these words:

Hebrews 11:39–40 ESV

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

All the Old Covenant heroes of the faith died before the coming of the Promised Messiah. God has privileged us to live after the coming of Christ and it is in union with Christ and his New Covenant people that the Old Covenant people of God are made complete. That is what the word “perfect” means in this text—completion.

Seeing that we are in such a privileged position, we have all the more reason to faithful fight the fight of faith. Chapter 12 beings with these words:

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest of the Faith Heroes. He has blazed the trail which we are all to follow. Just like Him we are to look in faith to the joy set before us, endure suffering so that we may share in His glory!

If you have the eyes of faith, you will see that you too are a Faith Hero. Someday you will be wearing the victor’s crown and under your feet will be the crushed body of Satan. I know this to be true because God has promised it!

Romans 16:20 ESV

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Yes, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, go out and conquer!

Let us pray.

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