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‘FAITH’ - This Mysterious Thing We All Need.
Some encouragement as we steer our way through the
oceans of news & ideas, & the challenges of life & even
possible future suffering as Believers!
(Offered in love, by Suzanna)

THE WORD ‘FAITH’
1. This can be used as a noun.
It refers in peoples’ minds, as a name for any religious dogma, or form of ideology. E.g. ‘Islamic Faith’, the ‘Christian Faith’, etc. In modern times it is fashionable for famous Leaders, like the Pope, or ex-president Clinton, or King Abdullah ll of Jordan, to talk about ‘Inter-Faith’ dialogue - seeking to bring various religions together.

[Note, within each Religious ‘Faith’, there are many ‘sections’ or ‘denominations’. So if someone asks ‘what is your Faith’ - for us, it is the ‘Christian Faith’, but expressed in different worship & organisational forms, such as; Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and many more. Islam has Sunni & Shi’ite etc, & Judaism also has many divisions, as every ‘Religion’ does.] We use the name ‘Believers’ as a way of emphasising and bringing together our understanding that we can all be one Family, by believing in the whole Truth of God in the Judeo-Christian Bible. (The most basic belief is that we can only be in God’s true Family through faith in all that His Son; Jesus/ Yeshua/ Isa has done for us including His life, death, resurrection & ascension to Heaven, where He lives to pray for us.) Are you a ‘Believer’ this way? We trust so!

This is a better name even than ‘Christian’ because it emphasises our FAITH in Jesus.

2. Faith as a verb, or ‘action’ word.

GOD VALUES OUR FAITH/ TRUST IN HIM - AS GOLD!
For this writer, gold, is a good ‘picture’ or symbol of true, Biblical faith.


Firstly because the whole world’s economy can be measured by actual gold, although equivalent values of ‘goods & services’ or commodities, are frequently used. Gold is the final ‘measurement’ of wealth.
Secondly because gold is hard to find, and takes enormous effort to ‘dig it out’!
Thirdly, gold has to be refined by very great heat. The more refining it goes through the more valuable it becomes.

>The spiritual meanings of these will be clear to most Christians!
ONLY GOD CAN CREATE & PURIFY THE ‘GOLD’ OF OUR FAITH.


A Biblical definition of Faith.
Our title about ‘faith’ being mysterious is because we may find it hard to understand it if we only use Earthly concepts. But it is far higher & better than any human can define. Fortunately we have a perfect explanation in the letter to Hebrew Believers, in chapter 11! Verse 1, in the Jewish N.T. says it so clearly, “’Trusting’ is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things that we do not see.” That is; we accept Spiritual truths, which cannot be seen or proved, except by experiences based on our trust/faith. This is only a brief article, so we will not enlarge on this special fact here. Your own further study would be exciting!

To have a true relationship with our God, El Shaddai ADONIA - Almighty God it is essential to have faith! See Hebrews 11:6, JNT.
“And without trusting it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches Him must trust that He does exist and that He becomes a Rewarder to those who seek Him out,” This is witnessed to as the criteria of every godly person told about in the Tanakh/O.T. “It was for this [their trust/faith] that Scripture attested to the merit of the people of old,” The rest of the chapter gives 18+ examples of how ‘faith’ was the key factor in the lives of so many O.T ‘saints’, or Believers! These people chose to believe God and take Him at His Word, not by seeing God or even the end result of their actions. Their faith was what made them ‘right with God - ‘righteous people’.

It will never, never change - no one [Jew or Gentile] can be in
God’s family without trust/faith - ever!


So we have a responsibility to make a response to God, by faith!

Romans 12:2 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12: 4. “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.”

Job said, (23:10): “When He has tested me. I will come forth as gold.”

However it is still true that God helps our faith!

>So we can work together with God as He creates,
and purifies our individual trust.


SINCE GOD DESIGNED FOR ‘FAITH’ TO BE SO IMPORTANT,
HE HAS THE LOVING RIGHT TO WANT TO MAKE IT PERFECT.


1. This is ONE reason for ‘suffering’ in the life of Believers.
The brother of Yeshua/ Jesus wrote about this in the first part of his letter, “Consider it joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops… [us].” James chapter 1: verses 2 - 18 are so good, & important for you to read carefully for yourself. In the victorious list of famous O.T. leaders and people, in Hebrews 11, there is a sudden change in the example of what having faith meant to some, in verse 35… “But other people were stretched on the rack & beaten to death… others underwent the trials of being mocked and whipped, then chained and imprisoned. They were stoned, sawed in two, murdered by the sword; they went about in sheepskins & goatskins, destitute, persecuted, mistreated, wandering about in deserts & mountains, living in caves & holes in the ground.
The world was not worthy of them!”

2. However we know, that the whole world is coming up for ‘final tests’ like never before! This is called the ‘time of Tribulation’, and Jesus Himself was most concerned for this as He said in Luke 18:8, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the Earth?” A very serious question. Jesus will be looking for Believers - with faith!

This is the main focus of this Ministry, [The Gethsemane Olivet Fellowship], -seeking, not to be ‘scare-mongers’ but to try to prepare others for a future of great tests, just like many of our fellow Believers are already facing! We believe Yeshua/ Jesus was not asking us to “WATCH’ to be ‘entertained’ or in order to be experts on the events of the future,
but by being prepared in the renewing of our minds,
with the Holy Spirit’s help, we will be able to stay true, by faith,
even through terrible distress, “to the End”.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME TO ‘HAVE FAITH’?


Every person on Earth has some sort of ‘faith’.
Faith/ trust is behind almost everything we do.

> There is faith in natural laws.
If we let go of something above ground level, we know it will fall to the ground, because of the ‘Law of Gravity’. This kind of faith influences our understanding of our environment in our world, from considering the weather or birth, life & death, in plants, animals & people, and in every aspect of our lives. We exercise faith even in growing plants from seeds or bulbs!

> There is faith in the natural laws harnessed by modern technology.
When we operate a switch on any electrical equipment or wired up area, we expect a reaction, because we have faith in the electrical current being activated by the switch/button. We have faith in cars, aeroplanes, telecommunications, household utilities, computers and myriads of other examples of developed technology.

> There is some level of faith in human relationships.
These can be trust in people; from personal family & friends to people in every kind of public office. Instructors: (teachers, professors, etc,) governing bodies: politicians/leaders of organisations of all kinds on the local, national or worldwide level. Emergency helpers, (doctors, police, firemen, etc.) We may not always like those involved, or have chosen them, but like it or not, we are forced into some kind of faith in people - even shop keepers, bankers, journalists, neighbours & many people - in this world!

> There is faith, which people hold in unseen philosophies (also called ‘Faiths’). These exist all over the world and throughout history. Some well known ones are: Buddhism, Communism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Judaism, etc. Sadly, some forms of ‘blind, uninformed Faith’ can lead to death!

We want this to be a brief article so we are now talking about the philosophy, called ‘The Christian Faith’. This is based on an understanding of what we read in the Bible. Allowing for all the variations that are known of, we [in the G.O.Fellowship] are grateful to be part of a very widely accepted form of Christianity, briefly described as evangelical and fundamental and expressed in some basic creeds, such as the ‘Apostle’s Creed’. We believe in the whole Biblical story and teachings.
[You could check our ‘Doctrinal Statement’ if you like.]


MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT HAVING A PERSONAL
‘FAITH’ in BIBLICAL TRUTH.


1. It seems there are different LEVELS of Faith for many Christians.
a) Some people have a very sure faith in the simple, basic Truth of the Gospel. Because - it is - the starting point in what we call ‘Salvation”, it is also the most essential. This is: that we are ALL sinful people. Sin demands punishment by death being such a serious ‘infection’, but Jesus Messiah died to take the punishment for us, so that by repentance, total trust and commitment to Him, we have wonderful Salvation! Many children, or those that are unfortunately in under-developed parts of the world, have a wonderful, simple, secure faith like this. Some people do have a kind of ‘blind faith’ rarely questioning but accepting God’s Word - often as it has been taught to them. God understands this as is demonstrated in the gracious words of Jesus to the ‘dying thief’. (But good Bible teaching is vital to daily living!)

b) A development towards a mature faith takes a lifetime of humble, daily “walking with God”, whereby we read the Bible, learn, study and try to apply the full range of truths and guidelines to our lives. This is called ‘Applied Faith’ or “a Belief that guides our behaviour”, enabling us to trust in God to teach, lead, guide and provide for us in every way! This can also lead to different areas of understanding and enjoyment for those who are able to study, read and learn about what are now divided into separate ‘topics’ we call ‘Doctrines’. These are very precious, but need to be looked at in a genuine attitude of humility. [There is real concern at many web sites, books and others resources, which are teaching some questionable doctrines, including recognised heresies that have developed into cults. It could be worth you looking at www.christiananswers.net and other web-sites.]

2. Undergirding Biblical truth with scientific facts.
We are so fortunate to live in a time when there are very good investigations in real scientifically acceptable ways; in analysis of biology, chemistry, and related topics, as well as study of historical documents, and archaeology. This is where we have to leave you to check these out. A recently accepted branch of study is called, ‘intelligent design’, as even the most simple forms of life are now known to be amazingly complex in their DNA structure, leaving the question of what or Who could be responsible for it. Of course, we believe it can only be resolved by accepting by faith, that the ‘Intelligent Designer’ was the Creator ~ the God of the Bible/ the Tanakh. Fulfilled prophecy is another scientifically based verification of the Bible, which helps our faith to be strong.

3. There are five basic Truths, which MUST be accepted by Faith.
These are the areas of Biblical Truth that cannot be fully understood and explained, by human minds, because we are not equal to God, Who alone has all wisdom and knowledge. Our mental capacity can only accept illustrations of these truths.
These are:

An example of the 3rd one listed above is how illustrations
can help us accept a basic Truth, by faith, even though our
tiny minds can NEVER fully understand it!


The Tri-unity of God. (But, remember, illustrations are not definite scientific proof.)
a) Our belief is that God is One, but has made Himself known to us, as God the Father, Jesus Messiah & the Holy Spirit of God. One illustration is; that the Father could be likened a little to the Sun; the rays of Light, remind us of Jesus being the Light of truth; and the Holy Spirit by the infused warmth and reality of light’s power brings spiritual Life and fruitfulness & beauty which we see as proof.
b) Another (illustration only) is the fact that the same water, can be expressed in a fluid, solid or gas form - yet it is one. [Some Cults will NOT, just ‘believe’ this truth, of the Tri-unity of our God, so they are belittling God by trying to mentally explain what HAS to be accepted by faith alone.]


CAN WE KNOW ABOUT EVENTS IN THE FUTURE?


There is room for much confusion here, which makes us very sad and constantly prayerful. There should not be any confusion. So would you pray with us, as we remember Jesus own words, to His disciples especially, “when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth; for He will only say what He hears. He will also announce to you, the events of the Future.” John 16: 13. We believe that the word ‘you’ meant primarily the disciples God used to write the books of the ‘New Testament’, but it can also mean ‘you -plural’, but only those who by humble faith have received the Holy Spirit into their lives.

Many parts of our Bibles are clearly devoted to explaining future events, and the fact that so many ‘prophecies’ were exactly fulfilled in the life of Yeshua/ Jesus is a clear vindication of the truth of the Bible. It seems God does want us to know some parts of the Future. That is why almost one quarter of the Bible is prophetic - explaining literal, future events, many of which - up to 80% - have happened! So now we briefly discuss the ones still to happen.


DANGERS IN PUTTING FAITH IN THE FUTURE, INSTEAD OF GOD.

1. Questions of Prophetic insights: getting to know our Future in God’s End Time Plans.
What are the dangers and possibilities of having a true knowledge?
There are several dangers for Believers in this desire ‘to know the Future’
The most important danger is in connection with our motives!

Quite frankly - we would like to know what the Future really will be, and we would really like to know because somehow, we feel we could face it better. This is both natural and spiritual. So if our motive is based on genuinely wanting, as Believers in God’s Word to obey and trust, but also to be alert to the warnings given in the Bible that is good. There is a danger of not being prepared & watching because it doesn’t seem to matter. Therefore some understanding could save us from some dangers in wrong beliefs. God will honour true faith in His Word and bless us with the Truth He longs to share.

It seems that many writers of web-sites, especially, but even speakers and teachers of all kinds, give surprisingly dogmatic explanations (studies) which in many cases have proved not to be true - especially when dates of ‘future events’ have been given. It is dangerous to give dates, or be emphatic about details. There is very much we cannot know till it happens. Humility is very important! Just because a theory is popular (as described in the ‘Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory’, etc), does not make it true.

Sometimes it almost seems that the ‘teachers’ are really trying to gain some kind of fame for themselves in what they say. Many times false ideas are simply copied and passed on as factual truths, when they are actually not true at all. If this is done in a cosy way as a readable fictional story, like the ‘Left Behind’ or ‘Davinci Code’ books, (which people accept as being based in Scriptural truth), it is very, very sad. It is even sadder when it brings huge monetary gains to these writers. Escape from suffering, though it is a very popular idea, does not seem to us to be a good basic criteria for Believers in the Saviour Who suffered for us, to be a guide of faith & our lives. In Timothy 2: 17 it says; “Here is a trustworthy saying: if we died with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”


2. GOD will honour a prayerful longing by faith, for clear concepts, & a compass for the future, by leading us into Truth.

For Bible-reading, genuine Believers in the Sovereign LORD there is much to distress us about the times we are living in, even sometimes to the point of disheartenment at our own inability to handle it all. So much sorrow is engendered through simply not understanding the differences between first: the ‘Time of Tribulation’ as depicted in the Trumpet events, (of Revelation 8 & 9 & 11, from verse 15) and later the ‘Time of God’s Wrath’ described in the outpouring of the ‘bowls of wrath’, (Revelation 16). We believe God will sovereignly protect His own Believers who are still on the Earth, in that second period of the “seven bowls of God’s wrath/anger.”

3. So can we expect any place of protection for Believers here in the Tribulation?

The first question asked above, does not mean we doubt God’s loving ability to protect us or even remove us from a place of testing or sorrow if He chooses that for us. Actually we believe God will provide a place of safety for all Jews in the time of Tribulation in a restored Land & holy Nation of Israel. See Revelation 12, linked to Zechariah 8:23 indicating that some Gentile Believers will be able to go there too. But this will not be by removing all Believers from the Earth in a secret ‘rapture’.

> We would rather be unpopular by warning Gentile Believers of the privilege of risking by faith, to “refuse to worship the image” knowing the consequences further outlined in that chapter of Revelation 13, “to be killed.” Physical death is not the greatest problem for the true Believer, but loss of faith is! The only sin God will not forgive is unbelief! (Matthew 12:31 & 32, Luke 12:46. Hell will be full of unbelievers.) So we need to KNOW that we are ‘Believers’ - God’s children through repentance and faith in the total payment for sin, paid for in the death of our LORD Jesus Christ. Are you sure of that? When we do know we are God’s royal family we will endure suffering for Him knowing it is not wrath we need to fear ever, at all!

> We also do have encouraging stories in the Tanakh of righteous people who were protected in this world, like Noah, Lot, and others. Isaiah 57: 1 & 2 tell us that God will take some godly faithful saints (mainly in their old age) to be with Him, by dying a natural death. “The righteous perish… devout men are taken away, & no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” We believe they will be in the presence of their LORD Yeshua/ Jesus, immediately.

4. But for all other Believers we can have a faith that we will never suffer God’s condemnation, or ‘punishment’!

“Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom.8:1. So our faith can always be in God’s sovereign will for us no matter what it may be. In a time of the actual anger & judgements of God - later on -as depicted in the “bowls of God’s wrath”, we believe God will sovereignly protect all Believers “we, who are still alive” on the Earth. [1 Thessalonians 4; 17 indicates there will still be Believers here.] See Revelation 16: 2 “sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the Beast & worshipped his image,” -but not the few who had not taken the mark or worshipped Satan.


THEREFORE WE END TIME BELIEVERS
CAN BUILD UP OUR FAITH NOW.


> There is no question really!
God has not left us in a vacuum of total ignorance. He does want us to have faith. But a faith based on the whole of his words of explanation, examples and teaching throughout the whole Bible. It is possible to have some clear knowledge of God’s Plans for the Future. This article is not for outlining these, [but we invite you to see our other articles in other sections, ‘End Time Events’ & ‘Jesus Second Coming’, etc.] God has given us many warnings and clear guidelines in His written Word! We can know much of what to expect, in these ‘Last days’ & right up to, and including the Glorious great, joyful, Last DAY!

> Some of Jesus own words.
In response speaking of the future, Jesus gave some wonderful words to those who He knew would face persecution for HIS sake, “You will be brought before kings & governors and all on account of My Name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and the will put some of you to death. All men [especially in the Tribulation] will hate you because of ME. But not ‘a hair of your head’ [spiritually speaking - though sometimes literally - God chooses] will perish. By standing firm you will gain LIFE!”


SO, THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT WILL BE A STRONG FAITH!
There is and always will be - a need for persistent, genuine faith in God!


Let it be clear it is not faith in faith - but a genuine, patient trust remembering, His Word. No need to hide somewhere. No need to try to be self protected & supplied.

Psalm 62 spells it out so well! [Note words like ‘rest’ and ‘hope’ = faith!]

My faith & belief in God:
“My soul finds rest in GOD alone, my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock & Salvation, He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken.”

What my faith does about this belief:
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
My hope comes from HIM.
He alone, is my Rock & my Salvation: He is my Fortress, I will not be shaken.
My Salvation [safety] & my honour depend on God;
HE is my mighty Rock, my Refuge.
Trust in HIM at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart to Him for He is our Refuge.”

So tribulation or wrath, this is what we know:
“One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:
1...That You, O GOD, are STRONG, & that
2...You, O LORD, are LOVING.
Surely You will reward each person, according to what he has done.”
[Only by faith!]

Loving LORD GOD, please give the writer, the readers and
all we love & pray for, the courage to have faith ,
and so to trust You day by day, and right through to the
Last , glorious Day - with YOU!
AMEN.


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