79 – The Protectors of the Apostolic heritage – Hall of Faith (1)

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude 1:3 KJV

From the time of Adam, there were men and women who roamed the earth and lived their lives as everyone else. There were also those whose names were of note in the holy scriptures. Many of these saints were listed in Hebrews 11, saints who moved against the tide to lay hold on a promise given to them. For this promise, they regarded this world as nothing, looking for a promise of a better kingdom. Jesus came as a fulfillment of the promise given to man in the garden, to set up a kingdom where man will finally have full dominion and reign in life with God, having subdued his enemy the serpent, Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 3:14. In His coming, He formed a church and delivered to His apostles this faith that has been passed down to us. This is the apostolic heritage.

This apostolic heritage is the bone of contention we are to fight for. It is the ancient way that we are to seek, the true gospel of the Kingdom. In a world where it seems the church is getting worldly and the world churchy, there are a symbolic 7000, the elect, that will not bow their heads to Baal (the god of this world). Since the beginning of creation, while many roam through life without direction, God has been raising men to protect this faith. There have been men who have laid down their lives for the gospel. We are in a time now, where the Lord is looking for people, men who will lay down their lives for the truth of God’s word. Like a relay race, we have a whole cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and the batton is being passed to the next generation, Hebrews 12:1-2. Today, we will consider some of these saints and the characteristics of these elects that hold the fort.

1. Like Abel, these men know to offer an acceptable sacrifice: Abel was the first listed on the list in Hebrews 11. He must have paid attention to the stories his father had told him because he knew exactly what to offer that will be pleasing to God. After Adam and Eve had sinned in Genesis 3, God cursed the ground and he clothed them with skin from a slain animal. When it was time for sacrifice in Genesis 4, Abel did not go to ground that was cursed to sacrifice to God, like cain did. He offered blood. Hebrews says without blood there is no remission of sin, Hebrews 9:22. In blood there is life, Leviticus 17:11. Romans 12:1 shows that the only reasonable sacrifice we can offer is to give up our live and take on his. We are to live and serve Him based on His strength and provision, not self imposed penance and trying to serve God in the flesh. That is nausuating to God, Isaiah 64:6.
2. Like Enoch, they please God: Without faith it is impossible to please God. Enoch walked with God and was the first one to have the testimony of pleasing God. He must have believed God in such a way that no man else in his time did, such that he escaped the curse of death pronounced on all men. These protectors of the faith are those who truly believe that nothing is impossible with God. These men know that God is faithful to reward those that seek Him, so they make that their life pursuit.
3. Like Noah, they are not afraid to go against the tide, even if they are the only ones. Genesis 6-8 shows that Noah was a perfect man in his generation. Imagine being told to build an ark for a flood when no one had ever seen rain before, talk more of a flood. He was also not building this close to a river, if not it would have been more sensible. Noah was moved with fear based on what he knew was coming and he built the ark for close to a century faithfully. To these people, the Word of God is law. These men are often misfits; it is the fear of the Lord that makes them like that.

The World will see Jesus, however, they will see Him in a body of people who have dedicated their lives to guard and preserve this faith that has been handed down by the apostles. They will see Him in men who have heard, seen, touched, and handled the Word of life. In subsequent meditations, we will consider other traits of these saints. However, because the Word of God stands sure and endures forever and because Christ has made it so that his body is made of men, there must be men who will preserve this faith till the very end. Determine in your heart to be one of them and the Lord will help you. It is His good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Prayer for today: Abba Father, thank you for calling me and choosing me. Lord, I choose to be among your faithful who will follow you wherever you go. Help me to diligently seek You and to believe you completely. Instill in me Your fear, that I may walk before you and be blameless all the days of my life. I accept the call to contend for the faith handed to me by Your Holy apostles. Strengthen me, that I may make You proud!