The Power of Bold Faith

Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 2 This testimony of faith is what previous generations[a] were commended for. 3 Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated[b] by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.

4 Faith moved Abel[c] to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.

5 Faith lifted Enoch from this life and he was taken up into heaven! He never had to experience death; he just disappeared from this world because God promoted him. For before he was translated to the heavenly realm his life had become a pleasure to God.[d]

6 And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God.[e] For we come to God in faith[f] knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.

7 Faith opened Noah’s heart to receive revelation and warnings from God about what was coming, even things that had never been seen. But he stepped out in reverent obedience to God and built an ark that would save him and his family. By his faith the world was condemned, but Noah received God’s gift of righteousness that comes by believing.

Faith of the Patriarchs

8 Faith motivated Abraham to obey God’s call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith. 9 He lived by faith as an immigrant in his promised land as though it belonged to someone else.[g] He journeyed through the land living in tents with Isaac and Jacob who were persuaded that they were also co-heirs of the same promise.

10 His eyes of faith were set on the city[h] with unshakable foundations, whose architect and builder is God himself. 11 Sarah’s faith embraced the miracle power to conceive even though she was barren and was past the age of childbearing, for the authority of her faith[i] rested in the One who made the promise, and she tapped into his faithfulness.

12 In fact, so many children were subsequently fathered by this aged man of faith—one who was as good as dead, that he now has offspring as innumerable as the sand on the seashore and as the stars in the sky!

13 These heroes all died still clinging to their faith, not even receiving all that had been promised them. But they saw beyond the horizon the fulfillment of their promises and gladly embraced it from afar. They all lived their lives on earth as those who belonged to another realm.[j]

14 For clearly, those who live this way[k] are longing for the appearing of a heavenly city.[l] 15 And if their hearts were still remembering what they left behind, they would have found an opportunity to go back. 16 But they couldn’t turn back for their hearts were fixed on what was far greater, that is, the heavenly realm![m]

So because of this God is not ashamed in any way to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

17 Faith operated powerfully in Abraham for when he was put to the test he offered up Isaac. Even though he received God’s promises[n] of descendants, he was willing[o] to offer up his only son! 18 For God had promised,

“Through your son Isaac your lineage will carry on your name.”[p]

19 Abraham’s faith made it logical to him that God could raise Isaac from the dead, and symbolically,[q] that’s exactly what happened.

20 The power of faith prompted Isaac to impart a blessing to his sons, Jacob and Esau, concerning their prophetic destinies.

21 Jacob worshiped in faith’s reality at the end of his life, and leaning upon his staff he imparted a prophetic blessing upon each of Joseph’s sons.[r]

22 Faith inspired Joseph and opened his eyes to see into the future, for as he was dying he prophesied about the exodus[s] of Israel out of Egypt,[t] and gave instructions that his bones were to be taken from Egypt with them.[u]

Moses

23 Faith prompted the parents of Moses at his birth to hide him for three months,[v] because they realized their child was exceptional[w] and they refused to be afraid of the king’s edict.

24 Faith enabled Moses to choose God’s will, for although he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he refused to make that his identity, 25 choosing instead to suffer mistreatment with the people of God. Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures. 26 He found his true wealth in suffering abuse for being anointed,[x] more than in anything the world could offer him,[y] for his eyes looked with wonder not on the immediate, but on the ultimate—faith’s great reward![z] 27 Holding faith’s promise Moses abandoned Egypt and had no fear of Pharaoh’s rage because he persisted in faith as if he had seen God who is unseen.[aa]

28 Faith stirred Moses to perform[ab] the rite of Passover and sprinkle lamb’s blood,[ac] to prevent the destroyer from harming their firstborn.[ad]

29 Faith opened the way for the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to cross they were swallowed up and drowned!

Jericho and Rahab

30 Faith pulled down Jericho’s walls after the people marched around them for seven days!

31 Faith provided a way of escape for Rahab the prostitute, avoiding the destruction of the unbelievers, because she received the Hebrew spies in peace.

More Faith Champions

32 And what more could I say to convince you? For there is not enough time to tell you of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 Through faith’s power they conquered kingdoms and established true justice. Their faith fastened onto their promises and pulled them into reality! It was faith that shut the mouth of lions, 34 put out the power of raging fire, and caused many to escape certain death by the sword. In their weakness their faith imparted power to make them strong![ae] Faith sparked courage within them and they became mighty warriors in battle, pulling armies from another realm into battle array.[af] 35 Faith-filled women saw their dead children raised in resurrection power.

Yet it was faith that enabled others to endure great atrocities. They were stretched out on the wheel and tortured,[ag] and didn’t deny their faith in order to be freed, because they longed for a more honorable and glorious resurrection!

36 Others were mocked and experienced the most severe beating with whips; they were in chains and imprisoned. 37 Some of these faith champions were brutally killed by stoning, being sawn in two or slaughtered by the sword. These lived in faith as they went about wearing goatskins and sheepskins for clothing. They lost everything they possessed, they endured great afflictions, and they were cruelly mistreated. 38 They wandered the earth living in the desert wilderness, in caves, on barren mountains and in holes in the earth. Truly, the world was not even worthy of them, not realizing who they were.

39 These were the true heroes, commended for their faith, yet they lived in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised them. 40 But now God has invited us to live in something better than what they had—faith’s fullness! This is so that they could be brought to finished perfection alongside of us.  ~The Passion Translation (TPT)

HEAVEN REJOICES SAYING HALLELUJAH

Revelation 19 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Heaven Rejoices
19 After this I heard what seemed to be the roar of a great multitude of voices, saying:

“Hallelujah!
    Salvation and glory and power to our God!
2 All his judgments are right and true,
    For he has judged the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality.
    He has avenged on her the blood of his loving servants.”

3 And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!
    The smoke from her destruction goes up
    forever and ever!”

4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell facedown and worshiped God, who sits on the throne, saying in agreement:

“Amen! Hallelujah!”

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God, all you his loving servants
    and all who reverence and honor him—
    those who are lowly and those who are great!”

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, crying out:

“Hallelujah!
    For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns![a]
7 Let us rejoice and exalt him and give him glory,
    because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come.[b]
    And his bride has made herself ready.[c]
8 Fine linen, shining bright and clear,
    has been given to her to wear,
    and the fine linen represents
    the righteous deeds of his holy believers.”[d]

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write these words: Wonderfully blessed are those who are invited to feast at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” And then he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell facedown at the angel’s feet to worship him, but he stopped me and said, “Don’t do this! For I am only a fellow servant with you and one of your brothers and sisters who cling to what Jesus testifies. Worship God. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”[e]

The Bridegroom-King on the White Horse
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and suddenly a white horse appeared. The name of the one riding it was Faithful and True,[f] and with pure righteousness he judges and rides to battle. 12 He wore many regal crowns,[g] and his eyes were flashing like flames of fire. He had a secret name inscribed on him that’s known only to himself.[h] 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title is called the Word of God. 14 Following him on white horses were the armies of heaven, wearing white fine linen, pure and bright. 15 A sharp sword came from his mouth with which to conquer[i] the nations, and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter.[j] He will trample out the wine in the winepress of the wrath[k] of God. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he had inscribed a name: King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Wild Beast Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to all the flying birds of the sky, “Come and gather for God’s great supper! 18 Come and devour the flesh of the kings, generals, and soldiers, the flesh of horses and their riders, the flesh of all people, slave or free, lowly or famous.”

19 Then I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to wage war against the rider on the white horse and against his armies. 20 The wild beast was captured, as was the false prophet who had performed miracle-signs in his presence. (It was by these miracle-signs that he had deceived those with the mark of the wild beast and those who worshiped its image.) The wild beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur, 21 and their armies were killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the white horse. And all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh.

Footnotes:
Revelation 19:6 The Aramaic adds a clause that is missing in the Greek: “the One and Only for all.”
Revelation 19:7 The imagery of the wedding celebration of the Lamb reinforces and expresses the beautiful intimacy that Jesus shares with his beloved bride. See Hos. 2:19; Eph. 5:26-27.
Revelation 19:7 The Aramaic can be translated “And his bride loves him!”
Revelation 19:8 The Aramaic can be translated “and the fine linens are the blessings of the holy ones.”
Revelation 19:10 That is, the essence of prophecy.
Revelation 19:11 See Rev. 1:5; 3:14.
Revelation 19:12 Jesus has absolute sovereignty over every nation and every heart.
Revelation 19:12 See Rev. 3:12.
Revelation 19:15 Or “to strike down.”
Revelation 19:15 See Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27 and the first footnote; 12:5.
Revelation 19:15 Or “strong passion.”

A Loving Servant of Jesus

Jude 1:1 Or Jude. The Greek is Judas. This was a common Hebrew/Aramaic name during the time of Jesus, and there were two of the Twelve who had this name.
Jude 1:1 The Greek word doulos implies a close and lasting relationship to a master; love is implied.
Jude 1:1 This James was the brother of our Lord Jesus. Jude is not asserting his family ties to Jesus but to James, as a sign of his humility. Instead of introducing himself as the half-brother of Jesus, he chose to describe himself simply as a “loving servant of Jesus . . . and brother of James.” Jude is not boasting of a physical commonality with Jesus but a spiritual relationship he has with the risen Christ. See Matt. 13:55, where he is named as a (half) brother of Jesus.
Jude 1:1 Or “by.”
Jude 1:2 Jude adds the word love to the typical greeting of mercy and peace.
Jude 1:2 Or “be multiplied in you.”
Jude 1:3 Or “keep adding to the contest” or “repeatedly participate fully in the race course.”
Jude 1:3 Although the Greek here is “the faith” or “on behalf of the faith,” it is clear that Jude is not speaking of faith as simply believing in God. The Christian faith encompasses the body of truth we receive from the inspired Word of God. It is possible that Jude wrote his letter after the death of Peter and was referring to 1 and 2 Peter, a few of Paul’s early letters, or even Mark’s Gospel.
Jude 1:4 See Acts 20:29-30; 2 Peter 2:1.
Jude 1:4 Or “written.” It is possible that Jude is referring not only to Old Testament prophecies but also to the New Testament book of 2 Peter.
Jude 1:4 Or “debauchery.” See Rom. 6:1; Titus 2:11-14. The gospel of grace is beautiful to our ears. God’s grace empowers and equips us to live an ascended life so that we are not distracted or detoured by our former life of sin.
Jude 1:4 Or “deny.”
Jude 1:4 Or “Sovereign” (God). They deny the authority, glory, and sovereignty of our Master (God) and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:5 Some reliable manuscripts have “the Lord,” while other very reliable early manuscripts have “Jesus.” This translation, for the sake of clarity, includes both Lord and Jesus. This is an incredible reference of the preincarnate Jesus, who powerfully delivered the Hebrew people before he was even born.
Jude 1:6 Or “their own principality” or “their native state.”
Jude 1:6 See Gen. 6:1-4; 2 Peter 2:4-8. This episode is referring to angels who abandoned the heavenly realm to come to earth to have intercourse with women in order to corrupt the godly lineage of Seth. Cain had already gone into the darkness of sin, but the godly line of Seth would one day bring forth Noah, and from his seed (Shem) Jesus would eventually be born. The rebellious rank of angels mentioned here had sex with women who then gave birth to the Nephilim (mighty giants). Ancient references to this can be found in the writings of early Jewish writers, including Josephus and Philo of Alexandria, as well as early church fathers, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Ambrose of Milan, Athenagoras, Tertullian, Eusebius, Lactantius, Jerome, Augustine of Hippo, and Sulpicius Severus. All of them, along with the Septuagint, identified these sons of God as the offspring of angels. See also 1 Enoch 10. This sin was one of the significant causes for the flood.
Jude 1:7 This would include Admah and Zeboyim (Deut. 29:23).
Jude 1:7 Or “strange flesh.” This is homosexuality, but it includes any sexual deviation or immorality. In the pseudepigraphal book The Testament of Naphtali, 3.3.4–5 refers to sexual relations between the women of Sodom and these fallen angels, called “Watchers.” The Book of Jubilees makes mention of holy angels sent by God to punish the “Watchers.” Second Enoch describes the people of Sodom as committing abominations such as pedophilia, sorcery, magic enchantments, and the worship of many gods. First Enoch 6–10 indicates there were two hundred of these “Watchers” who came to earth, lusting after the women of Sodom who had offspring (Nephilim) from their sexual relations with them. Both humanity and angels violated the boundaries God had set in place.
Jude 1:7 Jude gives us three examples from ancient history in vv. 5–7, pointing to those who experienced wonderful privileges from God but terribly abused God’s grace and so were punished. Sodom and Gomorrah was described as fertile, fruitful, “like the garden of the Lord” (Gen. 13:10). Each example cited (Israel’s exodus, angels that sinned, and the cities of sexual perversion) serves as an example and a warning that God judges sin. There is an eternal punishment of fire awaiting all who refuse to hide themselves in the love and grace of God, which is expressed through Christ toward us.
Jude 1:8 Or “blaspheming reputations”; that is, angelic beings.
Jude 1:9 See Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Rev. 12:7. Michael is one of the highest angelic messengers, who is seen as leading the angelic host in war against the devil and his angels.
Jude 1:9 Moses’ death is mentioned in Deut. 34:5-6.
Jude 1:9 As translated from the Aramaic.
Jude 1:9 See 2 Peter 2:10-12. It is obvious here that Michael the archangel had a measure of respect for spiritual powers, even toward the devil. A possible translation of the Greek word epitimao is “to hold in high regard” or “to respect.” Most scholars believe that Jude is quoting from the book of The Assumption of Moses, as cited also by some church fathers (Clement of Alexandria and Origen).
Jude 1:10 There is an implication that they are like animals in heat, following their natural instincts.
Jude 1:11 Or “A curse is on them.”
Jude 1:11 See Gen. 4:3-8. The way of Cain was to reject the blood sacrifice that God desired and instead offer the fruit of his own labors (works). False teachers will insist on adding something to the gospel, polluting it with human works.
Jude 1:11 Or “poured out” (themselves).
Jude 1:11 Balaam’s error was an abuse of the prophetic gift for financial gain. See Num. 22–24; 31:16.
Jude 1:11 See Num. 16. Korah led 250 men in rebellions against the leadership of Moses. The earth opened up and swallowed Korah alive. In a similar way, the “things of this earth” enticed these false teachers and they would be “swallowed up” by their greed for what this world can offer. Jude gives us three illustrations of wicked men who did as they pleased and suffered greatly: Cain, Balaam, and Korah.
Jude 1:12 “Love feasts”! What a beautiful description of what our church gatherings are meant to be. We celebrate the love of Christ through our communion, worship, teaching, prophesying, and fellowship together in our love for one another.
Jude 1:12 See 1 Cor. 11:17-22.
Jude 1:12 Or “shepherds who care for only themselves.” The Aramaic can be translated “they submit their souls to no one.”
Jude 1:12 Rain in the Bible is often a symbol of revelatory teaching (Deut. 32:2).
Jude 1:12 Both in Hebrew and in Aramaic, the word Jude uses for “winds” is spirits—“swept along by the spirits.”
Jude 1:12 Autumn trees are often quite stunning in beauty, but these false teachers are bearing no fruit. They have the appearance of being true, but there is no fruit connected to their lives and ministries.
Jude 1:12 They are dead in appearance and dead in reality—dead through and through.
Jude 1:13 The Aramaic can be translated “They manifest their confusion.”
Jude 1:13 Stars were seen as navigational tools for seamen. But these false teachers could not be depended on and would give disastrous guidance. The word misleading is found in the Aramaic.
Jude 1:13 This is an Hebraic expression that is meant to convey the place of future eternal punishment, the farthest away from God that anyone could ever be.
Jude 1:14 That would be Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, and Enoch.
Jude 1:14 Or “prophesied against them.”
Jude 1:14 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek can also be translated “The Lord has come” (proleptic [or futuristic] aorist).
Jude 1:15 See 1 Enoch 1:9.
Jude 1:16 Or “admiring faces [of the rich] for their own [financial] gain.”
Jude 1:18 The last days began at Pentecost and have continued for more than two thousand years. We have been living in the last days since the Holy Spirit was poured out. See Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:2.

Jude 1:18 See Acts 20:29; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:2-3; 2 John 7.
Jude 1:20 Or “faithfulness.”
Jude 1:20 Paul uses this phrase “praying . . . in the Spirit” to refer to praying in tongues. See Rom. 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 6:18. It can also mean “pray as led by the Spirit,” “pray in the Spirit’s realm,” or “pray by means of/power of the Spirit.”
Jude 1:21 Or “By constantly and progressively building each other up on the foundation of your most holy faith, and by praying every moment in the Spirit’s power, you will keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus, who gives eternal life.”
Jude 1:22 Or “Show mercy to those who are still undecided.”
Jude 1:23 Or “hating even the garment [‘snake skin’ or ‘coating’] of the pollution of the flesh [the natural realm].” In other words, we do all we can to bring others to Christ, but not at the expense of becoming like them in ignoring sin. Jude, in closing, gives us seven commands: (1) Keep building up your inner life on the foundation of faith. (2) Pray in the Holy Spirit. (3) Fasten your life to the love of God. (4) Receive more mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ. (5) Have compassion on the wavering. (6) Share the gospel with those who are lost. (7) Hate any compromise that will stain our lives.
Jude 1:24 The Greek word aptaistos, a hapax legomenon, is translated in classical Greek as “to keep from harm.”
Jude 1:25 The Aramaic adds “The end of the letter of the apostle Judah, the brother of Jacob and Joseph.”