The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 327

irreBtest importBnce to us which nre conncctro with the life :md work, tho suffering and denth, the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ-the great facts in the nccomplishments of humnn redemption. These were witnessed by many, but to us they nre invisible. Our attitude in relation to them is a thing of the utmost moment to us. If we accept them, it must be by faith. (2) There 11.re important future events whioh Are invisible to us 11.t present. 'fhe heRven into which our Lord ha.s entered, and whera God is l'Ilthroned, is at present hidden from our eyes. .And Ha.des, the great world of depRrted spirits, is impenetrably veiled from men in the flesh. The great and solemn judgment, and the different abodes and states of men after the judgment, are as yet inYisihle to our ~enscs. Now, faith is the evidence, the "demonstration," the'" actual proof," of these invisible things which are declared in the sacred. Scriptures. "It is an net which itself gives the knowledge and proof of the existence of those things not seen." "The essential meaning of the word," says Mr. Matthew .Arnold," is' power of holding on to the unseen.'" It is a deep and intense conviction of the existence and reality of tLiugs and persons which are not apprehensible by the senses. II. F AITll IS THE ASSURANCE OF DESIRABLE POSSESSIONS. ".NOW faith is· the substance of things hoped for ; " Revised Version, " the assurance of things hoped for." It is a firmly grounded confidence of things hoped for. Two observations are suggested : 1. Some of these invisible things which are apprehended by faith are regarded as desirable and attainable. They are "hoped for." Hope is the "desire of good with u. belief that it is obtainable;" it is" well-grounded desire." We hope to receive in this present life Divine grace and guidance, provision and preservation, spiritual help in our daily work and warfare, and illuminating and sanctifying influences. .And in the life that ie to come, we hope for heaven and all its blessedness; its entire freedom from sin and suffering ; its perfect purity and peace ; the holy and delightful fellowship of glorified saints; the perpetual presence of our adorable Saviour and Lord ; and the enrapturing mauirestation of God (1 John iii 2, 3). We regard these things ae attainable because they are promised to the sincere believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. .And we hope for them through him. 2. Faith gives assurance of these desirable and attainable things. It appropriates such of them as may be obtained at present, and confidently anticipates those that are reserved for the future. It was well said by Am brose, " 'fhe heir must believe his title to an estate in reversion before he can hope for it; faith belie.ves its title to glory, and then hope waits for it. Did not faith feed the lamp of hope with oil, it would soon die.n And more, it brings future blessings into our present experience, and it gives to us foretastes of heavenly blessedness, which are a pledge and an earnC11t that our holiest and brightest hopes will meet with full and glorious fruition....... "Where faith is sweetly lost in ~ight, .And hope in full, snpreme delight, And everle.sting love." ·w.J. Ver. 3.-Tl,e creation of the visible univei·se. "Throu~h faith we understand that the worlds were framed," etc. The text suggests : 1. That God ezisted before the visible universe. .AB the architect must have, lived before the edifice which he designed was built, so he who designed and "built all things" existed before any of his creations. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world," etc. 2. That God!a existenc:e is distinct from and independent of the visible universe. God and nature are not identical. Nature is not God. God is not a poetic name for an infinite and impersonal spirit of the universe. He thinks, wills, and works; and the universe is the expression and embodiment of his thoughts. The painter does not lose his personality in the productions of his imagination and his pencil. And the Divine .Artist existed before his works, and exists independently of his worke. 'l'he text teaches : 3. That God is the Creator of the visible universe. "'l'he worlds were framed by the Word of God," etc. Very early in this Epistle this truth is asserted. "Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavent1 are the works of thy hands." Our text brings before our notice- !. THE ABSOLUTENESS OF THE CREATION. "Tliinge which are seen were not mado of things which do appear.'' 'J'his statement implies: 1. That matter is not eternal. 'J'hu univen;e was not n,ade uy God out _of pre-cidstciit 1naterials, 2, 7.'hat the viaible CJH. XI. 1-4.0.] 'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 319