Faith at the End of the Age

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
(Hebrews 11:1)

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25)

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The word used for “faith” (confidence in God) may change depending on context (“hope” is used in Romans 8), but there is one concept that is common to all three passages – the absence of sight, “ . . . certain of what we do not see”, “hope for what we do not see”, “by faith, not by sight”. When we are young Christians much of our faith is based on what we see God doing for us or others. Our faith seems to rest on our increasing awareness of God’s activity and faithfulness to His word. But the faith of the mature saint, the faith that glorifies the Lord most, is faith that does not require sight to support it.

In spiritual maturity faith and sight are often mutually exclusive. Faith is based solely on God’s word, on His integrity, not on what He does or does not do for us. Why is this so important in our generation?

At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

It is my personal belief that we are living in the time described in this prophetic passage of scripture. The final “shaking” predicted by the author of Hebrews has begun, so faith in the midst of the storm is more important than ever.

As Jesus said in Luke 18:8, “Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” This becomes the ultimate criteria for the church in the last generation – will we be strong in faith when both the earth and heavens have been shaken to the core? Whether we are talking about spiritual, emotional, cultural, social or political realms, all will be shaken to discover what has eternal value, to see what will “remain”.

In addition it’s important to remember that the antichrist and those who precede and prepare his way are operating by an opposite principle of faith. The spirit of antichrist provides “sight” in abundance. They deceive the world by “miracles, signs and wonders”,

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:9)

This lawless one will stimulate the faith of the masses because of what he does in their sight. At a time like this, only the spiritually mature believer who requires no “sight” will remain unfazed, undeceived, because he will know in Whom he has believed and nothing will shake his resolve to remain true to Him. If in your life, personally, there seems to be an absence of God combined with the presence of overwhelming pressure (“shaking”) God has not abandoned you, He is preparing you for this very unique time in history. The world pursues a faith supported by evidence, but the only evidence the mature saint needs is God’s word. The spiritually mature child of God walks by faith, not by sight, and is able to say with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).