Proverbs: Kingship, Household Wisdom, and Warning

Unseen Things - Part 1

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2022-10-09

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver preaches on the nature of faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, using Hebrews 11:1-3,6 as the primary text. He explains that unseen things—such as God, angels, future judgments, and eternal realities—are more real and enduring than the temporal, visible world. Faith is the God-given faculty that enables believers to perceive these unseen realities, including God's coming judgment on the wicked. Using Noah as an example, Weaver emphasizes that faith sees future judgment and leads to obedient action, while the world remains blind. The sermon calls believers to walk by faith, not by sight, and to trust in God's promises and warnings.

[John Weaver] Let's open our Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews 11. We're going to read the first three verses and then verse 6.

[John Weaver] There will be a follow-up message next Sunday, Lord willing, that will be part two. The title of this message is, Unseen Things. Unseen Things. So notice if you would, Hebrews 11 verses 1 through 3. The scripture says, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

[John Weaver] Now skip down to verse 6. "'But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.'" When you begin discussing unseen things, the subject could be rather disturbing or encouraging depending upon the topic of the discussion. A bump in the middle of the night might cause a little anxiousness until you realize it's your 150-pound mastiff coming in to check on you, and then it happens to be encouraging. While we're on the topic of unseen things, let me just make something exceedingly clear. I do not believe in ghosts.

[John Weaver] And there's a good reason for that. 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 8 says this we are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord So if you are a child of God When your soul is separated from your body you go into the presence of the Lord The opposite would be for those who are unsaved when their soul is separated from their body They would go to the place of condemnation and to the place of judgment And so therefore there is a place for saved and the unsaved, and therefore I don't believe there's any place for disembodied human spirits floating around somewhere with no place to go.

[John Weaver] And yes, there are indeed evil spirits, and the Bible does indeed speak of these often. And there are also angelic spirits, angelic beings, which the Bible also speaks of. And the Bible teaches very clearly that the angels are ministering spirits sent to minister those who are the heirs of salvation. So, if you look in Hebrews chapter 1, at verses 13 and 14, the Bible says this, Hebrews 1 verse 13, But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be the heirs of salvation." So, no ghosts for me, because I do not believe the Bible allows for such. Now, it is true that evil spirits and angels may manifest themselves according to the will of God.

[John Weaver] However, you must remember this, that there is always a limitation placed upon what they can do. God has absolute and total control over each one. You also must remember that when Satan wanted to attack Job, in the book of Job, God gave Satan permission, but he also placed a limitation upon what he could do, and so Satan could go so far, but he could go no further.

[John Weaver] So angels, then, the Bible says, happen to be ministering spirits who follow God's commandments, and they hearken unto His voice. You'll find that in Psalm 103 in verse 20, where the Bible says, Bless the Lord, you his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto his words. So it's just like you and I are sitting around, angels are sitting around and standing around just waiting for God to speak to them, and then they certainly go out and obey.

[John Weaver] So this brings me to another point. No matter how many paintings that you see, No matter how old those paintings are, no matter how those paintings were painted by one of the great masters, the truth of the matter is this, angels do not have wings. Because angels are spirit beings. The Bible says in Psalm 104 and verse 4, who make his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. So, moreover, when an angel is revealed in the Bible, when he's manifested, he is always manifested as a man. There are no female angels, neither are there any baby angels. Hebrews chapter 13, if you will turn there very quickly, and look at verse 2. Hebrews 13 and verse 2. This is why I'm telling you that any time an angel is manifest in the Bible, He was always manifest as a man. Read about the angels that came to Abraham. They were men. Read about the two angels that came to Lot. They were men. Anytime you find angels manifested, they are always manifested as men, and they look no different from us.

[John Weaver] So, in Hebrews 13 in verse 2, the Bible says, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, For thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Stop and think about that. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. That means a stranger might happen to be an angel. And that means an angel would have to look just the way we look. It's just that simple.

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing is this. If I get a knock on my door and I open my door, And there stands someone in a long flowing white robe with wings sticking out of his back. He ain't getting into my house. At least not without a fight. Because the Bible says that strangers look just exactly the way we look. Now, angels look the way we do since we would count them a stranger. But also, children that die in infancy do not become angels. Angels are a created species. They do not marry.

[John Weaver] Neither are they given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce. There is a limited number of angels.

[John Weaver] Now, it is true when I said earlier that angels do not have wings, but the Seraphim do. In fact, the Bible says the Seraphim has six wings. With twain they cover their face, with twain they cover their feet, with twain they do fly, and they cease not saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty. And then there are the Cherubim. The Cherubim each have two wings. covering the ark, if you will remember. But angels, he says, are spirits, and they do not marry. So in Matthew chapter 22 and verse 30, our Lord says this, for in the resurrection, talking about the saints, they neither marry or are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God. So the angels of God do not marry nor given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce.

[John Weaver] So interestingly, when we're talking about unseen things, Usually when we were children if we ever went camping there was always the campfire and there was always the ghost stories To scare everyone and get everyone kind of upset Before they went to bed and it didn't really matter if you were talking about Bigfoot or the dog man or the moth man or some other creature that no one has ever seen You know, it was it was sufficient that particular time to scare everybody There were plenty of imaginary creatures. In fact, every child has imagined creatures under his bed, in his closet, all the way around just so often and so many times. But there are some imaginary creatures that have not only been made for recreation and fun, but also for education as well.

[John Weaver] So let me give you a good clear illustration of that. when especially my two older grandchildren were, say, two and three years old. Back then, there was no mandatory car seats, and the kids just rode in the car like everyone else. Usually, when those grandkids were with me traveling in the truck, they would always like to stand up because they would get tired of sitting. And every time they would stand up in the truck and their head would be turned, I would reach over my fingers and I'd pinch their little bottom. And they'd turn around and look at me and say, Papa, you did that.

[John Weaver] I said, no, that was not me. That was Alexander the Alligator. He lives under my truck seat. And whenever you stand up, he will always nip you on the buttocks. So you have to stay seated. And I would pinch them every time they would stand up. And finally, when they got to be five or six and got a little more thought about them, I would tell them, you know, that was Alexander the Alligator. Papa, that's not so. Papa, that was you. There's no Alexander the Alligator.

[John Weaver] And I would say, yes, there is. Alexander the Alligator is a real figment of my imagination. No, he's not. I said, well, you just admitted that he's real, because I just told you he's a real figment of my imagination. And so the funny thing is, now that they're married and have children, Alexander the Alligator still lives. And, of course, they're always telling their children about what they were taught from Alexander the Alligator. So it's an interesting thing and fun sometimes, but you have to understand that these things were totally imaginary.

[John Weaver] Now, what our problem is today is this. We think, normally, if something is not seen, that it's not real. Well, we know better than that, because most of us have never actually seen an amoeba. We've never seen a protozoa. We've never seen bacteria. We've never seen a virus. And yet we know basically those things are real, even though we cannot see them. So let me show you.

[John Weaver] I want you to hold Hebrews chapter 11, but look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 4, 2 Corinthians chapter 4, at verses 17 and 18. 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verses 17 and 18. Look what the Apostle says. 2nd Corinthians 4 verse 17. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Now watch verse 18. For we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." So Paul now makes it exceedingly clear that the things which you and I see are only temporal. The things which we cannot see are eternal. So the things which we see are temporal, they are passing, they have no substance about them. Now Paul uses a very interesting word for look. In verse 18, he says, while we look not.

[John Weaver] The Greek word is skopeo, which means to observe, to contemplate, to fix one's eyes upon, and to direct one's attention toward. Now each one of us understands the purpose of a scope, whether or not it's a microscope, or a telescope, or even a rifle scope. A scope usually magnifies something for us and brings it closer to us so that we can inspect it, observe it, and direct it, and fasten our eyes upon it. In fact, usually, if I ask Steve or someone to go check a place out, they'll usually say, I'll go scope it out for you. In other words, I'm going to observe it, I'm going to look it over. Well, this is what the apostle is saying in verse 18, while we scope not out, while we do not fasten our eyes upon, while we are not directing our attention upon the things which are seen. And he tells you why, because he said the things which are seen are temporal. Now the word for temporal there is prokairos, proskairos. Pros happens to be a preposition which actually means for or to, and kairos is the Greek word for time.

[John Weaver] So the word temporal there means for a while, for a time, for a season. It refers to that which is only temporary and fading away. So he says, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are passing away, but the things which are not seen are eternal. And the word eternal is the Greek word eonos, which refers to that which is eternal. everlasting and forever.

[John Weaver] So here's what Paul is saying in verse 18 particularly. Substance and reality can only be found in that which is not seen. The shadow is seen by our eyes. That's what we can see. So what you and I can see is not real. What we cannot see is real. Now Spurgeon said on verse 18, listen to this carefully. He said, the substance is beyond the river. The shadows are here. God help us to look for the substance and claim it as our own and let none of us grasp the shadows, which would be worthless if we could ever hold them in our hands. So that's exactly what Paul is saying. What we see is actually worthless. What we cannot see is eternal. So here's an excellent question. How can we see that which is invisible? How can we see that which we cannot see? And the answer is we see by faith. That which cannot be seen is discerned only by faith. And the works of faith and the exercise of faith manifest its reality and yet faith itself is unseen.

[John Weaver] So look back if you would in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 1. Watch carefully. He says, now faith is the substance of things hoped for. the evidence of things not seen.

[John Weaver] Now, when you stop and think about faith, faith is not blind belief. No, not at all. First of all, the word faith is the Greek word pistos, which literally is translated in our Bible as faith, assurance, belief, and fidelity. It actually refers to a conviction truth and reality that we hold in our minds and so if you look in verse 6 here's a good illustration of faith which is of truth and reality when he says but without faith it is impossible to please him that is God for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him so we're taught in this verse first of all that it is impossible to please God without faith, because faith is a conviction of the truth and reality that is only found in God. Secondly, he says in verse 6, that faith is evidenced by believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So, if you do not believe that God is revealed in Scripture, then you do not believe the promises that are revealed in scripture.

[John Weaver] If you do not believe the promises that are revealed in scripture, then you don't believe the God who is revealed in scripture. In other words, the person who does not believe the scripture and the person who does not believe in God has absolutely no faith whatsoever. If he had faith, then he would believe in the promise and he would also believe in the promisor as well. So, faith while it is unseen, is real and genuine."

[John Weaver] Now, go back to verse 1 and look at it. He says, now, faith is the substance. Isn't that amazing? Faith is the substance. That is, it is the subsistence, it is the basis, it is the foundation of things hoped for. The same word is translated as confidence, Hebrews 3 in verse 14. Now, the Greek word happens to be hupostasis, and it is translated as substance. We think of subsistence. We also think about that which is a foundation. So what he is saying is this, now faith is the foundation of things hoped for. And what is a foundation?

[John Weaver] It's what you build upon. And you cannot build without having a foundation. So he says faith is indeed the foundation. It is a substance. Faith is that spiritual faculty of the soul which deals in spiritual realities and enables us to see that which is unseen. So it is through faith that we see. And faith is a real, present, confident ascent of the soul of a believer in the person of God and in the promises of God. which would also include the warnings of God and the threatenings of God as well. So faith then is real and genuine. And faith in the promise will always lead to the one who gave the promise. And the one, when you have faith in the one who gives the promise, then you also have faith in the promise as well. So you cannot divide these things.

[John Weaver] So let me give you an illustration. John 12 verse 48. In that passage, our Lord said this, He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judges him in the last day, even the word that I have spoken shall judge him. Now stop and think about that passage. Our Lord said, He that rejecteth me, that is the living word, and receiveth not my words, that's the written word, hath one that judges him in the last day. So our Lord said, you cannot separate me from my word because the living word gave us the written word. And if you deny the written word, you deny the living word. If you deny the living word, you deny the written word as well. And our Lord said it's something similar, something similar in John 5 and verses 46 and 47.

[John Weaver] Listen to what he said to those Jews. He said, for had you believed Moses, you would have believed me, for he wrote of me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?" So he said, if you don't believe in the inspiration of the Old Testament, if you don't believe in the authority of the Old Testament, he said, how can you believe my words? How can you believe anything? In other words, you cannot divide the promisor and the promise. You cannot divide the living word from the written word. They are one. So if you have no faith in God, you will have no faith in his word. You will have no faith in his promises. If you have no faith in his promises, you will have no faith in him.

[John Weaver] However, the opposite is also true. If you have faith in God, you're going to have faith in his word. If you have faith in his word, you're going to have faith in God.

[John Weaver] Now look, if you would, in verse one again, he says, now faith, is the substance or the foundation or the title deed of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now he says, for by it, that is faith, the elders obtained a good report.

[John Weaver] Now, the rest of this chapter goes on to prove the effectiveness of faith by showing us the manifestations and fruits and results of faith in the promises of God and belief in God. So look in verse 3, here's another illustration of unseen things and also of seen things. He says, through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. So the things which we see were made of unseen things. If you would read Genesis 1 and 2, you will find out that there was absolutely nothing until God spoke. That is, we believe that the world was created ex nihilo, that is, out of nothing. God simply spoke the world. He spoke the universe into existence. So God said, let there be light. There was light.

[John Weaver] Let there be land, and there was land. If you'll look in your Bibles, holding Hebrews 11, but look in your Bibles to Psalm 33. Psalm 33. And let's begin reading there with verse 6. Psalm 33 and verse 6. Psalm 33, verse 6. Look what the Scripture says. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

[John Weaver] He gathered the waters of the sea together as a heap. He layeth up the depth and the storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Why? For he spake, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood fast." stood fast. Do you realize that everything that was accomplished in Hebrews chapter 11 was accomplished by faith? Again, it is the fruits of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 that demonstrates the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of His promises. Now, I certainly do not have time to go through the entire chapter.

[John Weaver] But what I want to do is pick out a couple things to share with you in relation to unseen things. And Lord willing, I will finish up on this next Sunday. But let me point something out that may surprise you. And here it is. That future judgments are unseen with the eyes. future judgments must be seen by faith. So if you look in verse 7, the Bible says, by faith, Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness, which is by faith. Now, I want you to pay close attention to what is said in verse 7. By faith, Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet."

[John Weaver] What is that referring to? It's referring to the flood and the destruction of the old world. So here's an interesting truth. Future judgments can only be seen by faith. While we look at the principles of the Word of God, it is still faith that must see those judgments. Listen carefully. Even present judgments, in one sense of the word, are only seen by faith. That does not mean that present judgments cannot be seen with the eyes. They just cannot be seen as being from God. In other words, present judgments, unless viewed by faith and through faith, are not going to be seen as the wrath and the justice of God. Here's a good illustration.

[John Weaver] I don't care how many storms are sweeping the earth. I don't care about the floods that are now happening in Kentucky and Missouri and West Virginia or the droughts that are happening out West. Or the fires that are ravaging out in California. Or the tsunamis that are happening somewhere. Or the tornadoes that are coming. All of these things are attributed to Mother Nature. And or climate change.

[John Weaver] Or it's got to be some difference in the way the weather is sent to us. If these things were viewed as the justice of God and the wrath of God, it'd be a call to repentance. But where they're not viewed as coming from God, there is no need to repent because it just happens. Let me show you. Hold Hebrews 11, but turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 26. Isaiah 26. In Isaiah 26, Let's begin reading there with verse 8. Isaiah 26 and verse 8. Look at this. Isaiah 26 and verse 8. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee. The desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. Now look what he says. With my soul have I desired thee in the night, Yea, with my spirit within me will I seek the early. For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."

[John Weaver] Then he makes this statement. Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. when thy hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see in their destruction and be ashamed of their envy at thy people yea the fire of thine enemy shall devour them so he says oftentimes when God's judgment is in the earth demanding righteousness and and justice they will not see although they see so many then or blind to present judgments even though they see with their eyes. So many times even present judgments as well as future judgments can only be seen by faith.

[John Weaver] So look back if you would to Hebrews 11 and look at verse 7. Because the Bible says, By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, move of fear prepared an ark to the saving of his house. by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." So think about this phrase, by faith, Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet. So now we're talking about the coming flood and the destruction of the old world. Now, if you look in your Bibles, whole Hebrews 11, we're coming right back there, but look in Matthew chapter 24, because there's a reference here to Noah, by our Lord in Matthew chapter 24 beginning there with verse 37 look what he says Matthew 24 verse 37 and we'll read through verse 39 but as the days of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be for as in the days that were before the flood what were they doing they were eating drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and knew not until the

[John Weaver] flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." So Noah was a preacher of righteousness which I'll quote a little bit later and he preached 120 years never had one convert People back then were just eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage and sinning because the Bible says that God saw that the imaginations of the heart of man was only evil continually he told Noah the whole world was corrupt before him and People just pretended like things were going to go on forever. Just like that Now in light of this just think if you would of the perversity the wickedness the rebellion and the downright exhibitions of depravity in our day and time. And everybody thinks everything's normal, everything's okay, and we're just going to continue like this. Nothing's going to happen to us. And so most people are just simply blind as to what is in store for them.

[John Weaver] And unhappily, there's many professing Christians in that boat as well. So, here's another good question. How do we know that God will judge the wicked? And the answer is, we know that God is going to judge the wicked, not only in eternity, but in time and history as well, because we have faith in His Word, we have faith in Him, and we believe exactly what He has told us.

[John Weaver] So, let me give you, I'll quote one and then I want you to see the rest of them. Here's a good passage, Galatians 6, 7, and 8. Where the scripture says, be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Now listen to what he said, be not deceived, God is not mocked.

[John Weaver] So when we think that we can thumb our noses in the face of God, when we can defy Him, deny Him, When we can hate Him and mock Him and ridicule Him and do everything that He commands us not to do and that we're going to escape judgment, if we think that, we're deceived. We're just deceived. And it should be not deceived because God is not going to be mocked. God is going to take care of those wicked people who refuse to bow to Him and refuse to listen to Him.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you another way. I want you to turn, hold Hebrews 11, we're coming back there, but I want you to turn, if you would, to Proverbs 11 and look at verse 31. You see, Scripture teaches that God is not only going to judge the wicked in eternity, He will judge them in time and history as well. So in Hebrews, not Hebrews, but Proverbs 11, note if you would please at verse 31. Proverbs 11, verse 31. Look at this truth. He says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked in the center.

[John Weaver] Now think about what is being said here. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth. The principle that I've taught you in time past is this. Blessings always follow obedience, and curses always follow disobedience. Okay? Now he says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth. And the word recompense means to be paid or to be paid back. So here's a good question. Do we have to wait until we get to eternity to be blessed by God?

[John Weaver] And the answer is no. We get blessings every day. We have blessings all of our lives. And the more obedient we are, the more blessings we're going to have. That's all there is to it. So he says, behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, that is while we are alive in time and history. And then he says this, much more the wicked and the sinner. So if God is going to reward and pay his children in time and history, he asked how much more is he going to do that to the wicked in time and history.

[John Weaver] So you can mark it down. God's going to get the wicked in time and in history as well as in eternity.

[John Weaver] Now, let's go in our Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 7. Deuteronomy chapter 7 and let's begin reading there with verse 9. Deuteronomy 7 and verse 9. Look at what scripture says in verses 9 and 10. know therefore that the Lord thy God is the God is is he is God the fateful God which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations and repayeth them that hate him to their face to destroy them he will not be slack to him that hateth him he will repay him to his face wow God will repay them that hate him to their face. He will destroy them. He will not be slack to them that hate him. He will repay him to his face. Look in your Bibles if you would please. To Deuteronomy 32. Deuteronomy 32.

[John Weaver] Here then is one of God's treasures. that is sealed up by Him and with Him. Deuteronomy 32, beginning there with verse 34. Look at this question. Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my treasures? So what is laid up in store with Him? What is sealed up among His treasures? Here it is, verse 35. To me belonging vengeance and recompense. And look what he says about the wicked.

[John Weaver] Their foot shall slide in due time, for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. God says, this is one of my treasures. It's laid up in store by me, and that is my righteous justice and vengeance, and I'm going to show you that the foot of the wicked shall slide in due time. Yes, they will fall. For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."

[John Weaver] If you would turn in your Bibles to Psalm 7. Psalm 7. And look if you would please at verses 15 and 16. Psalm 7.

[John Weaver] Look if you would at verses 15 and 16, talking about the wicked. He made a pit and digged it, and it's fallen in the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. The pate is the top of the head, it's the crown of the head. So God says, he that digs a pit is going to fall into it himself. and his mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon the crown of his head." It'll hit him in the head. Look, if you would, in Psalm 57 and verse 6. Psalm 57 and verse 6.

[John Weaver] Here we have the same truth in light of what David said. Psalm 57 verse 6. David said, They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They have digged a pit before me into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." So God is going to make sure that they fall into their own pit. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that wonderful? You know, when I was a child, I loved the Roadrunner. and Wile E. Coyote. But have you ever noticed everything the coyote tried to do to the roadrunner always came back on him? Always. And this is what God is saying. It is going to ultimately come back on them. Now, I want you to go back, if you would, to Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 7.

[John Weaver] And let me show you something that I think is very astounding. The Bible says, by faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Noah was warned of God. So let me ask you a question. How was Noah warned of God? Well, the Bible gives us the answer. For in Genesis 6 and verse 13, the Bible says, and God said unto Noah, God spoke to him. God said, the end of all flesh has come before me. I want you to build an ark. So let me ask you, what if Noah had said to God, I don't believe this. I just don't believe this. If Noah denied and disbelieved and discredited God, here's a good question.

[John Weaver] Would that have blocked, hindered and stopped the judgment? Of course not. All it means is, Noah would have been consumed with the rest of the unbelievers and those who denied and hated God as well. So, here's another thing. Think about this. How difficult was it for Noah to believe God?

[John Weaver] Now, humanly speaking, it would really be impossible. Why? Because the Bible says by faith, Noah being warned of God. And we know that faith is the gift of God. So, if God had not given Noah faith, Noah would have never believed him to begin with. But God gave him faith and Noah believed. But even the fact that God gave Noah faith, how difficult would it be for Noah to believe this? Well, notice. The Bible says by faith nor being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his house Why did he prepare the ark? because in Genesis 7 and verse 4 Here's what God said for yet seven days.

[John Weaver] I Will cause it to rain upon the earth 40 days and 40 nights and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth? You say, I don't understand the question, how difficult it is to believe that. Well, you see, when we think of rain, we think of nothing about rain, because we've seen it all of our lives. By Noah's time, it had never rained. A mist came up from the ground and watered the earth.

[John Weaver] In Genesis chapter 2 verses 5 and 6, listen. And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth. And there was not a man to till the ground, but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. So Noah had never seen rain. He had never seen a flood.

[John Weaver] He had no first-hand knowledge of the windows of heaven. He had no first-hand knowledge of the foundations of the deep. And yet, He believed God. And the Bible says in 2 Peter 2 and verse 5, And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing the flood in upon the world of the ungodly. So, here's what I'm trying to tell you.

[John Weaver] sees that which is coming down the road. Faith sees the hand of God in judgment coming upon the wicked and wickedness. Faith can see the destruction of our economic system. Faith can see the corruption and the injustice that's in our judicial system, faith can see that we've been thumbing our noses at God for so long, and somehow we think that we're going to escape His judgment, and that God will never avenge Himself, and God would never ever do anything like judge us, which is certainly untrue, because God will judge.

[John Weaver] And this is what we are reading about in Hebrews 11 and verse 7. God did destroy the earth with a flood.

[John Weaver] Now, the Bible says in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, A prudent man foreseeth evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. Stop and think, anyone with one eye and half sense can see Our food supply and our food system being destroyed. I saw a video this past week of cattlemen in Texas selling their cattle because of the drought. They had nothing to feed them. They could not afford to feed them.

[John Weaver] And the line to the stockyards was 30 miles long. I also read where one company just dug a hole and buried a thousand cattle. I'm just simply saying the prudent man perceived the evil and hid it, but the simple pass on and punished. So let me make this application. I'm going to show it to you from the scripture. Will God judge the wicked? And the answer is yes. One objects and says, but it looks as if they're going to escape, they're getting by with everything. No, they're not getting by and they're not going to escape. I don't care how powerful, I don't care how rich the politicians are, they're not going to escape. I don't care how they fortified themselves, they are not going to escape.

[John Weaver] And when you try to tell me, well, it looks as if I remind you we do not walk by sight, we walk by faith. And the faith says that God is going to destroy them. God is going to judge them. I want you to turn in your Bible, the one last passage, I want you to turn to Psalm 73. Psalm 73. You see, Asap wrote Psalm 73, and he had a problem.

[John Weaver] And the problem that he had is similar to the problems that many have today. When you look around at the wicked, and you see how they are prospering, and you see the money they have, the opportunities they have, and how they use all of their wealth to destroy anything and everything that is righteous and holy and godly, well, we'll look at it. Psalm 73 verse 1. Asap writes, God is good to Israel even as such as are of a clean heart But it's for me My feet were almost gone. My steps had well not slipped. I like the loss of these said Why for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked So he got to looking at the temporal not the eternal watch He says in verse 4 for there are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm They're not

[John Weaver] in trouble as other men. And neither are they plagued like other men. Think of all the crimes our politicians are getting away with. And if you and I did them, we'd have been under the prison house. He says in verse 6, Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain, violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish.

[John Weaver] They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression. They speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue walketh through the earth. They'll curse God and man. They don't care. Therefore his people return hither and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, here's what the wicked say, how does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, he said, These are the ungodly who prosper in the world. They increase in riches. Now Asap was a godly man.

[John Weaver] And look what he said, if you would, in verse 13. Verily, I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. See, in other words, he said, I'm suffering. I'm doing without. Look at the ungodly, and look at me. Verse 14, for all the day long I've been plagued and chastened every morning. I can't get away with anything. If I say I will speak thus, behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. Look what he said, when I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.

[John Weaver] Lord, I don't understand this. Here I am. I'm suffering. I'm doing without. I'm trying to be holy and godly and obedient. And Lord, all I do is get affliction and look at the ungodly, look at the wicked, look how they prosper. He said, when I thought to know this, it was just too painful for me. So here's his problem. He was looking at things which are temporal.

[John Weaver] Now watch if you would the change in verse 17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God, then understood therein.

[John Weaver] Now he begins to look at the eternal. Watch. Surely thou did set them in slippery places. Thou castest them down into destruction. How they are brought in desolation, as in a moment they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream, when one awakeneth, O LORD, so, O LORD, when thou awakenest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

[John Weaver] So foolish was I and ignorant. I was as a beast before thee." The words, Asap said, Lord, I'm sorry. I was so stupid to look at things which are seen. I need to look at that which is eternal. Surely thou did set them in slippery places. Thou castest them down into destruction as in a moment, as a dream when one awakeneth, O Lord. So when thou awakenest, thou shalt despise their image." Wow. Yeah.

[John Weaver] The wicked shall be punished. So here's what I want you to understand and take home with you today, and that is this. You must remember that faith is the substance of things hoped for. and the evidence of things not seen." Our faith is not baseless. Our faith is our foundation upon which our lives are built. Our faith is real, and true, and genuine. And it is this foundation of faith upon which the promises of God, the judgments of God, and the threatenings of God stand. And just as surely as His promises, threatenings, and warnings are true, So God also is true. And it's only by faith that we see what is coming down the road. And if we can't see it, we're blind. We're not walking by faith because faith says God cannot be mocked and will not be mocked. So Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, we need faith to see what is going to come upon us and what is going to come upon the wicked, because we will be here when that happens, or at least some of us will be here.

[John Weaver] Maybe not all of us. And we need to be the prudent man who foresees the evil and hides himself, and not as simple, who pass on and are punished. It will come. You may count on it, because it is the Word of God. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee, and we ask Thee, Father, for faith to see, faith to see that which is unseen, Lord, there are more unseen things that are eternal. May we not focus upon that which is temporal, but upon that which is eternal. Make us wise, Lord, and give us thy divine wisdom and help us be able to discern and help us to see and understand your principles and apply them to our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen. ♪ ♪ you

Unseen Things - Part 1

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	t2Cj2hxZ5gE
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: Kingship, Household Wisdom, and Warning
Genre	Sermon
Date	2022-10-09
Dictation Name
Book	Book 124: Unseen Things — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	74

Formatted Transcript

Introduction to Unseen Things

Weaver introduces the topic of unseen things, clarifying that he does not believe in ghosts because the Bible teaches that souls go immediately to the Lord or to judgment, leaving no disembodied spirits. He distinguishes between evil spirits, angelic spirits, and human souls.

Let's open our Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews chapter 11. We're going to read the first three verses and then verse 6.

There will be a follow-up message next Sunday, Lord willing, that will be part two. The title of this message is, "Unseen Things." So notice if you would, Hebrews 11 verses 1 through 3. The scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:1-3

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Now skip down to verse 6. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." When you begin discussing unseen things, the subject could be rather disturbing or encouraging depending upon the topic of the discussion. A bump in the middle of the night might cause a little anxiousness until you realize it's your 150-pound mastiff coming in to check on you, and then it happens to be encouraging. While we're on the topic of unseen things, let me just make something exceedingly clear. I do not believe in ghosts. And there's a good reason for that. 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 8 says this: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." So if you are a child of God, when your soul is separated from your body, you go into the presence of the Lord. The opposite would be for those who are unsaved: when their soul is separated from their body, they would go to the place of condemnation and to the place of judgment. And so therefore there is a place for saved and the unsaved, and therefore I don't believe there's any place for disembodied human spirits floating around somewhere with no place to go.

And yes, there are indeed evil spirits, and the Bible does indeed speak of these often. And there are also angelic spirits, angelic beings, which the Bible also speaks of. And the Bible teaches very clearly that the angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation. So, if you look in Hebrews chapter 1, at verses 13 and 14, the Bible says this:

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 1:13-14

"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be the heirs of salvation?"

So, no ghosts for me, because I do not believe the Bible allows for such. Now, it is true that evil spirits and angels may manifest themselves according to the will of God.

The Nature of Angels

Angels are ministering spirits without wings, always manifesting as men. They do not marry or reproduce, and are a created species distinct from Seraphim and Cherubim. Believers may entertain angels unaware.

However, you must remember this, that there is always a limitation placed upon what they can do. God has absolute and total control over each one. You also must remember that when Satan wanted to attack Job, in the book of Job, God gave Satan permission, but he also placed a limitation upon what he could do, and so Satan could go so far, but he could go no further. So angels, then, the Bible says, happen to be ministering spirits who follow God's commandments, and they hearken unto His voice. You'll find that in Psalm 103 in verse 20, where the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 103:20

"Bless the Lord, you his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word."

So it's just like you and I are sitting around, angels are sitting around and standing around just waiting for God to speak to them, and then they certainly go out and obey.

So this brings me to another point. No matter how many paintings that you see, no matter how old those paintings are, no matter how those paintings were painted by one of the great masters, the truth of the matter is this: angels do not have wings. Because angels are spirit beings. The Bible says in Psalm 104 and verse 4,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 104:4

"Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire."

So, moreover, when an angel is revealed in the Bible, when he's manifested, he is always manifested as a man. There are no female angels, neither are there any baby angels. Hebrews chapter 13, if you will turn there very quickly, and look at verse 2. Hebrews 13 and verse 2. This is why I'm telling you that any time an angel is manifest in the Bible, he was always manifest as a man. Read about the angels that came to Abraham. They were men. Read about the two angels that came to Lot. They were men. Anytime you find angels manifested, they are always manifested as men, and they look no different from us.

So, in Hebrews 13 in verse 2, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:2

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Stop and think about that. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. That means a stranger might happen to be an angel. And that means an angel would have to look just the way we look. It's just that simple.

Now, the interesting thing is this. If I get a knock on my door and I open my door, and there stands someone in a long flowing white robe with wings sticking out of his back, he ain't getting into my house. At least not without a fight. Because the Bible says that strangers look just exactly the way we look. Now, angels look the way we do since we would count them a stranger. But also, children that die in infancy do not become angels. Angels are a created species. They do not marry.

Neither are they given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce. There is a limited number of angels. Now, it is true when I said earlier that angels do not have wings, but the Seraphim do. In fact, the Bible says the Seraphim has six wings. With twain they cover their face, with twain they cover their feet, with twain they do fly, and they cease not saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." And then there are the Cherubim. The Cherubim each have two wings, covering the ark, if you will remember. But angels, he says, are spirits, and they do not marry. So in Matthew chapter 22 and verse 30, our Lord says this,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 22:30

"For in the resurrection,"

talking about the saints,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 22:30

"they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God."

So the angels of God do not marry nor given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce.

So interestingly, when we're talking about unseen things, usually when we were children if we ever went camping there was always the campfire and there was always the ghost stories to scare everyone and get everyone kind of upset before they went to bed. And it didn't really matter if you were talking about Bigfoot or the dog man or the moth man or some other creature that no one has ever seen. You know, it was sufficient that particular time to scare everybody. There were plenty of imaginary creatures. In fact, every child has imagined creatures under his bed, in his closet, all the way around just so often and so many times. But there are some imaginary creatures that have not only been made for recreation and fun, but also for education as well.

Imaginary vs. Unseen Realities

Weaver contrasts imaginary creatures with real unseen things like bacteria and viruses. He uses a personal story about 'Alexander the Alligator' to illustrate how imaginary things can serve a purpose, but emphasizes that unseen spiritual realities are genuine.

So let me give you a good clear illustration of that. When especially my two older grandchildren were, say, two and three years old, back then, there was no mandatory car seats, and the kids just rode in the car like everyone else. Usually, when those grandkids were with me traveling in the truck, they would always like to stand up because they would get tired of sitting. And every time they would stand up in the truck and their head would be turned, I would reach over my fingers and I'd pinch their little bottom. And they'd turn around and look at me and say, "Papa, you did that." I said, "No, that was not me. That was Alexander the Alligator. He lives under my truck seat. And whenever you stand up, he will always nip you on the buttocks. So you have to stay seated." And I would pinch them every time they would stand up. And finally, when they got to be five or six and got a little more thought about them, I would tell them, "You know, that was Alexander the Alligator." "Papa, that's not so. Papa, that was you. There's no Alexander the Alligator."

And I would say, "Yes, there is. Alexander the Alligator is a real figment of my imagination." "No, he's not." I said, "Well, you just admitted that he's real, because I just told you he's a real figment of my imagination." And so the funny thing is, now that they're married and have children, Alexander the Alligator still lives. And, of course, they're always telling their children about what they were taught from Alexander the Alligator. So it's an interesting thing and fun sometimes, but you have to understand that these things were totally imaginary.

Now, what our problem is today is this. We think, normally, if something is not seen, that it's not real. Well, we know better than that, because most of us have never actually seen an amoeba. We've never seen a protozoa. We've never seen bacteria. We've never seen a virus. And yet we know basically those things are real, even though we cannot see them. So let me show you.

The Temporal vs. the Eternal

From 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Weaver explains that seen things are temporal and passing, while unseen things are eternal. Faith is the means by which believers perceive the eternal, substantial realities.

I want you to hold Hebrews chapter 11, but look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 4, 2 Corinthians chapter 4, at verses 17 and 18. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 17 and 18. Look what the Apostle says. 2 Corinthians 4 verse 17:

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Now watch verse 18:

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

So Paul now makes it exceedingly clear that the things which you and I see are only temporal. The things which we cannot see are eternal. So the things which we see are temporal, they are passing, they have no substance about them. Now Paul uses a very interesting word for "look." In verse 18, he says, "while we look not."

The Greek word is skopeo, which means to observe, to contemplate, to fix one's eyes upon, and to direct one's attention toward. Now each one of us understands the purpose of a scope, whether or not it's a microscope, or a telescope, or even a rifle scope. A scope usually magnifies something for us and brings it closer to us so that we can inspect it, observe it, and direct it, and fasten our eyes upon it. In fact, usually, if I ask Steve or someone to go check a place out, they'll usually say, "I'll go scope it out for you." In other words, I'm going to observe it, I'm going to look it over. Well, this is what the apostle is saying in verse 18, while we scope not out, while we do not fasten our eyes upon, while we are not directing our attention upon the things which are seen. And he tells you why, because he said the things which are seen are temporal. Now the word for temporal there is proskairos. Pros happens to be a preposition which actually means "for" or "to," and kairos is the Greek word for time.

So the word temporal there means for a while, for a time, for a season. It refers to that which is only temporary and fading away. So he says, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are passing away, but the things which are not seen are eternal. And the word eternal is the Greek word aionios, which refers to that which is everlasting and forever.

So here's what Paul is saying in verse 18 particularly. Substance and reality can only be found in that which is not seen. The shadow is seen by our eyes. That's what we can see. So what you and I can see is not real. What we cannot see is real. Now Spurgeon said on verse 18, listen to this carefully. He said, "The substance is beyond the river. The shadows are here. God help us to look for the substance and claim it as our own and let none of us grasp the shadows, which would be worthless if we could ever hold them in our hands." So that's exactly what Paul is saying. What we see is actually worthless. What we cannot see is eternal. So here's an excellent question. How can we see that which is invisible? How can we see that which we cannot see? And the answer is we see by faith. That which cannot be seen is discerned only by faith. And the works of faith and the exercise of faith manifest its reality and yet faith itself is unseen.

Faith Defined and Illustrated

Faith (pistis) is the substance (hypostasis) or foundation of things hoped for. It is a conviction of truth that enables believers to see the unseen. Faith in God and faith in His Word are inseparable; to reject one is to reject the other.

So look back if you would in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 1. Watch carefully. He says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Now, when you stop and think about faith, faith is not blind belief. No, not at all. First of all, the word faith is the Greek word pistis, which literally is translated in our Bible as faith, assurance, belief, and fidelity. It actually refers to a conviction of truth and reality that we hold in our minds. And so if you look in verse 6, here's a good illustration of faith which is of truth and reality, when he says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him," that is God, "for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." So we're taught in this verse first of all that it is impossible to please God without faith, because faith is a conviction of the truth and reality that is only found in God. Secondly, he says in verse 6, that faith is evidenced by believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So, if you do not believe that God is revealed in Scripture, then you do not believe the promises that are revealed in Scripture.

If you do not believe the promises that are revealed in Scripture, then you don't believe the God who is revealed in Scripture. In other words, the person who does not believe the Scripture and the person who does not believe in God has absolutely no faith whatsoever. If he had faith, then he would believe in the promise and he would also believe in the promisor as well. So, faith while it is unseen, is real and genuine.

Now, go back to verse 1 and look at it. He says, "Now, faith is the substance." Isn't that amazing? Faith is the substance. That is, it is the subsistence, it is the basis, it is the foundation of things hoped for. The same word is translated as confidence in Hebrews 3 in verse 14. Now, the Greek word happens to be hypostasis, and it is translated as substance. We think of subsistence. We also think about that which is a foundation. So what he is saying is this, now faith is the foundation of things hoped for. And what is a foundation?

It's what you build upon. And you cannot build without having a foundation. So he says faith is indeed the foundation. It is a substance. Faith is that spiritual faculty of the soul which deals in spiritual realities and enables us to see that which is unseen. So it is through faith that we see. And faith is a real, present, confident assent of the soul of a believer in the person of God and in the promises of God, which would also include the warnings of God and the threatenings of God as well. So faith then is real and genuine. And faith in the promise will always lead to the one who gave the promise. And the one, when you have faith in the one who gives the promise, then you also have faith in the promise as well. So you cannot divide these things.

So let me give you an illustration. John 12 verse 48. In that passage, our Lord said this,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

Now stop and think about that passage. Our Lord said,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"He that rejecteth me,"

that is the living word,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"and receiveth not my words,"

that's the written word,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"hath one that judgeth him in the last day."

So our Lord said, you cannot separate me from my word because the living word gave us the written word. And if you deny the written word, you deny the living word. If you deny the living word, you deny the written word as well. And our Lord said something similar in John 5 and verses 46 and 47.

Listen to what he said to those Jews. He said, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" So he said, if you don't believe in the inspiration of the Old Testament, if you don't believe in the authority of the Old Testament, he said, how can you believe my words? How can you believe anything? In other words, you cannot divide the promisor and the promise. You cannot divide the living word from the written word. They are one. So if you have no faith in God, you will have no faith in his word. You will have no faith in his promises. If you have no faith in his promises, you will have no faith in him.

However, the opposite is also true. If you have faith in God, you're going to have faith in his word. If you have faith in his word, you're going to have faith in God. Now look, if you would, in verse one again, he says, "Now faith is the substance," or the foundation or the title deed, "of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Now he says, "For by it," that is faith, "the elders obtained a good report."

Creation and the Unseen

Hebrews 11:3 teaches that the visible world was made from invisible things by God's word. Psalm 33:6-9 confirms that God spoke creation into existence ex nihilo.

Now, the rest of this chapter goes on to prove the effectiveness of faith by showing us the manifestations and fruits and results of faith in the promises of God and belief in God. So look in verse 3, here's another illustration of unseen things and also of seen things. He says, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." So the things which we see were made of unseen things. If you would read Genesis 1 and 2, you will find out that there was absolutely nothing until God spoke. That is, we believe that the world was created ex nihilo, that is, out of nothing. God simply spoke the world. He spoke the universe into existence. So God said, "Let there be light." There was light.

"Let there be land," and there was land. If you'll look in your Bibles, holding Hebrews 11, but look in your Bibles to Psalm 33. Psalm 33. And let's begin reading there with verse 6. Psalm 33 and verse 6. Look what the Scripture says.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 33:6-9

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."

"He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Why? For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Do you realize that everything that was accomplished in Hebrews chapter 11 was accomplished by faith? Again, it is the fruits of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 that demonstrates the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of His promises. Now, I certainly do not have time to go through the entire chapter.

Future Judgments Seen by Faith

Noah, warned by God of things not yet seen (the flood), moved with fear and built the ark. Future judgments, and even present judgments as acts of God, are only perceived by faith. The world attributes disasters to nature or climate change, not to God's justice.

But what I want to do is pick out a couple things to share with you in relation to unseen things. And Lord willing, I will finish up on this next Sunday. But let me point something out that may surprise you. And here it is. That future judgments are unseen with the eyes. Future judgments must be seen by faith. So if you look in verse 7, the Bible says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Now, I want you to pay close attention to what is said in verse 7. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet."

What is that referring to? It's referring to the flood and the destruction of the old world. So here's an interesting truth. Future judgments can only be seen by faith. While we look at the principles of the Word of God, it is still faith that must see those judgments. Listen carefully. Even present judgments, in one sense of the word, are only seen by faith. That does not mean that present judgments cannot be seen with the eyes. They just cannot be seen as being from God. In other words, present judgments, unless viewed by faith and through faith, are not going to be seen as the wrath and the justice of God. Here's a good illustration.

I don't care how many storms are sweeping the earth. I don't care about the floods that are now happening in Kentucky and Missouri and West Virginia or the droughts that are happening out West. Or the fires that are ravaging out in California. Or the tsunamis that are happening somewhere. Or the tornadoes that are coming. All of these things are attributed to Mother Nature. And or climate change.

Or it's got to be some difference in the way the weather is sent to us. If these things were viewed as the justice of God and the wrath of God, it'd be a call to repentance. But where they're not viewed as coming from God, there is no need to repent because it just happens. Let me show you. Hold Hebrews 11, but turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 26. Isaiah 26. In Isaiah 26, let's begin reading there with verse 8. Isaiah 26 and verse 8. Look at this. "Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee." Now look what he says. "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."

Then he makes this statement. "Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them." So he says oftentimes when God's judgment is in the earth demanding righteousness and justice, they will not see, although they see. So many then are blind to present judgments even though they see with their eyes. So many times even present judgments as well as future judgments can only be seen by faith.

God's Judgment on the Wicked

Scripture repeatedly affirms that God will judge the wicked both in time and eternity. Passages from Proverbs, Deuteronomy, and Psalms show that the wicked will fall into their own traps and face God's vengeance. Noah's faith condemned the world.

So look back if you would to Hebrews 11 and look at verse 7. Because the Bible says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." So think about this phrase, "by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet." So now we're talking about the coming flood and the destruction of the old world. Now, if you look in your Bibles, hold Hebrews 11, we're coming right back there, but look in Matthew chapter 24, because there's a reference here to Noah, by our Lord in Matthew chapter 24 beginning there with verse 37. Look what he says. Matthew 24 verse 37, and we'll read through verse 39. "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the

flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." So Noah was a preacher of righteousness, which I'll quote a little bit later, and he preached 120 years, never had one convert. People back then were just eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and sinning, because the Bible says that God saw that the imaginations of the heart of man was only evil continually. He told Noah the whole world was corrupt before him. And people just pretended like things were going to go on forever. Just like that. Now in light of this, just think if you would of the perversity, the wickedness, the rebellion, and the downright exhibitions of depravity in our day and time. And everybody thinks everything's normal, everything's okay, and we're just going to continue like this. Nothing's going to happen to us. And so most people are just simply blind as to what is in store for them.

And unhappily, there's many professing Christians in that boat as well. So, here's another good question. How do we know that God will judge the wicked? And the answer is, we know that God is going to judge the wicked, not only in eternity, but in time and history as well, because we have faith in His Word, we have faith in Him, and we believe exactly what He has told us.

So, let me give you, I'll quote one and then I want you to see the rest of them. Here's a good passage, Galatians 6, 7, and 8. Where the scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 6:7-8

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Now listen to what he said,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 6:7-8

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked."

So when we think that we can thumb our noses in the face of God, when we can defy Him, deny Him, when we can hate Him and mock Him and ridicule Him and do everything that He commands us not to do and that we're going to escape judgment, if we think that, we're deceived. We're just deceived. And it should be not deceived because God is not going to be mocked. God is going to take care of those wicked people who refuse to bow to Him and refuse to listen to Him.

Now, let me show you another way. I want you to turn, hold Hebrews 11, we're coming back there, but I want you to turn, if you would, to Proverbs 11 and look at verse 31. You see, Scripture teaches that God is not only going to judge the wicked in eternity, He will judge them in time and history as well. So in Proverbs 11, note if you would please at verse 31. Proverbs 11, verse 31. Look at this truth. He says, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner."

Now think about what is being said here. "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." The principle that I've taught you in time past is this. Blessings always follow obedience, and curses always follow disobedience. Okay? Now he says, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." And the word recompense means to be paid or to be paid back. So here's a good question. Do we have to wait until we get to eternity to be blessed by God?

And the answer is no. We get blessings every day. We have blessings all of our lives. And the more obedient we are, the more blessings we're going to have. That's all there is to it. So he says, "Behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth," that is while we are alive in time and history. And then he says this, "much more the wicked and the sinner." So if God is going to reward and pay his children in time and history, he asked how much more is he going to do that to the wicked in time and history.

So you can mark it down. God's going to get the wicked in time and in history as well as in eternity. Now, let's go in our Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 7. Deuteronomy chapter 7 and let's begin reading there with verse 9. Deuteronomy 7 and verse 9. Look at what scripture says in verses 9 and 10.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 7:9-10

"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face."

Wow. God will repay them that hate him to their face. He will destroy them. He will not be slack to them that hate him. He will repay him to his face. Look in your Bibles if you would please, to Deuteronomy 32. Deuteronomy 32.

Here then is one of God's treasures that is sealed up by Him and with Him. Deuteronomy 32, beginning there with verse 34. Look at this question.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 32:34-35

"Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?"

So what is laid up in store with Him? What is sealed up among His treasures? Here it is, verse 35.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 32:34-35

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence."

And look what he says about the wicked.

"Their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." God says, this is one of my treasures. It's laid up in store by me, and that is my righteous justice and vengeance, and I'm going to show you that the foot of the wicked shall slide in due time. Yes, they will fall. For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. If you would turn in your Bibles to Psalm 7. Psalm 7. And look if you would please at verses 15 and 16. Psalm 7.

Look if you would at verses 15 and 16, talking about the wicked. "He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." The pate is the top of the head, it's the crown of the head. So God says, he that digs a pit is going to fall into it himself. And his mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon the crown of his head. It'll hit him in the head. Look, if you would, in Psalm 57 and verse 6. Psalm 57 and verse 6.

Here we have the same truth in light of what David said. Psalm 57 verse 6. David said, "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." So God is going to make sure that they fall into their own pit. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that wonderful? You know, when I was a child, I loved the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote. But have you ever noticed everything the coyote tried to do to the roadrunner always came back on him? Always. And this is what God is saying. It is going to ultimately come back on them. Now, I want you to go back, if you would, to Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 7.

And let me show you something that I think is very astounding. The Bible says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Noah was warned of God. So let me ask you a question. How was Noah warned of God? Well, the Bible gives us the answer. For in Genesis 6 and verse 13, the Bible says, "And God said unto Noah," God spoke to him. God said, "The end of all flesh is come before me. I want you to build an ark." So let me ask you, what if Noah had said to God, "I don't believe this. I just don't believe this." If Noah denied and disbelieved and discredited God, here's a good question.

Noah's Faith and Our Application

Noah believed God despite never having seen rain. Faith sees coming judgment and leads to action. Believers must be like the prudent man who foresees evil and hides himself, not the simple who are punished. The sermon concludes with a call to walk by faith, not by sight.

Would that have blocked, hindered and stopped the judgment? Of course not. All it means is, Noah would have been consumed with the rest of the unbelievers and those who denied and hated God as well. So, here's another thing. Think about this. How difficult was it for Noah to believe God?

Now, humanly speaking, it would really be impossible. Why? Because the Bible says by faith, Noah being warned of God. And we know that faith is the gift of God. So, if God had not given Noah faith, Noah would have never believed him to begin with. But God gave him faith and Noah believed. But even the fact that God gave Noah faith, how difficult would it be for Noah to believe this? Well, notice. The Bible says by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house. Why did he prepare the ark? Because in Genesis 7 and verse 4, here's what God said: "For yet seven days,

I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth." You say, I don't understand the question, how difficult it is to believe that. Well, you see, when we think of rain, we think of nothing about rain, because we've seen it all of our lives. By Noah's time, it had never rained. A mist came up from the ground and watered the earth. In Genesis chapter 2 verses 5 and 6, listen. "And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." So Noah had never seen rain. He had never seen a flood.

He had no first-hand knowledge of the windows of heaven. He had no first-hand knowledge of the foundations of the deep. And yet, he believed God. And the Bible says in 2 Peter 2 and verse 5, "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly." So, here's what I'm trying to tell you. Faith sees that which is coming down the road. Faith sees the hand of God in judgment coming upon the wicked and wickedness. Faith can see the destruction of our economic system. Faith can see the corruption and the injustice that's in our judicial system. Faith can see that we've been thumbing our noses at God for so long, and somehow we think that we're going to escape His judgment, and that God will never avenge Himself, and God would never ever do anything like judge us, which is certainly untrue, because God will judge.

And this is what we are reading about in Hebrews 11 and verse 7. God did destroy the earth with a flood. Now, the Bible says in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." Stop and think, anyone with one eye and half sense can see our food supply and our food system being destroyed. I saw a video this past week of cattlemen in Texas selling their cattle because of the drought. They had nothing to feed them. They could not afford to feed them. And the line to the stockyards was 30 miles long. I also read where one company just dug a hole and buried a thousand cattle. I'm just simply saying the prudent man perceiveth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. So let me make this application. I'm going to show it to you from the scripture. Will God judge the wicked? And the answer is yes. One objects and says, but it looks as if they're going to escape, they're getting by with everything. No, they're not getting by and they're not going to escape. I don't care how powerful, I don't care how rich the politicians are, they're not going to escape. I don't care how they fortified themselves, they are not going to escape.

And when you try to tell me, well, it looks as if, I remind you we do not walk by sight, we walk by faith. And the faith says that God is going to destroy them. God is going to judge them. I want you to turn in your Bible, the one last passage, I want you to turn to Psalm 73. Psalm 73. You see, Asaph wrote Psalm 73, and he had a problem.

And the problem that he had is similar to the problems that many have today. When you look around at the wicked, and you see how they are prospering, and you see the money they have, the opportunities they have, and how they use all of their wealth to destroy anything and everything that is righteous and holy and godly, well, we'll look at it. Psalm 73 verse 1. Asaph writes,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 73:1-20

"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

So he got to looking at the temporal, not the eternal. Watch. He says in verse 4,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 73:1-20

"For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not

in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men." Think of all the crimes our politicians are getting away with. And if you and I did them, we'd have been under the prison house. He says in verse 6, "Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish." "They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth." They'll curse God and man. They don't care. "Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches." Now Asaph was a godly man.

And look what he said, if you would, in verse 13. "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." See, in other words, he said, I'm suffering. I'm doing without. Look at the ungodly, and look at me. Verse 14, "For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning." I can't get away with anything. "If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children." Look what he said, "When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me." Lord, I don't understand this. Here I am. I'm suffering. I'm doing without. I'm trying to be holy and godly and obedient. And Lord, all I do is get affliction and look at the ungodly, look at the wicked, look how they prosper. He said, when I thought to know this, it was just too painful for me. So here's his problem. He was looking at things which are temporal.

Now watch if you would the change in verse 17. "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." Now he begins to look at the eternal. Watch. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins."

"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee." The words, Asaph said, Lord, I'm sorry. I was so stupid to look at things which are seen. I need to look at that which is eternal. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction as in a moment, as a dream when one awaketh, O Lord. So when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image." Wow. Yeah. The wicked shall be punished. So here's what I want you to understand and take home with you today, and that is this. You must remember that faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Our faith is not baseless. Our faith is our foundation upon which our lives are built. Our faith is real, and true, and genuine. And it is this foundation of faith upon which the promises of God, the judgments of God, and the threatenings of God stand. And just as surely as His promises, threatenings, and warnings are true, so God also is true. And it's only by faith that we see what is coming down the road. And if we can't see it, we're blind. We're not walking by faith because faith says God cannot be mocked and will not be mocked. So Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, we need faith to see what is going to come upon us and what is going to come upon the wicked, because we will be here when that happens, or at least some of us will be here.

Maybe not all of us. And we need to be the prudent man who foresees the evil and hides himself, and not as simple, who pass on and are punished. It will come. You may count on it, because it is the Word of God. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee, and we ask Thee, Father, for faith to see, faith to see that which is unseen. Lord, there are more unseen things that are eternal. May we not focus upon that which is temporal, but upon that which is eternal. Make us wise, Lord, and give us thy divine wisdom and help us be able to discern and help us to see and understand your principles and apply them to our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Reality of Unseen Things

Summary: Unseen spiritual realities—God, angels, eternal things—are more real and enduring than the visible, temporal world.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Substance and reality can only be found in that which is not seen. The shadow is seen by our eyes... What we cannot see is real.' (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Faith as the Means of Perceiving the Unseen

Summary: Faith is the God-given faculty that enables believers to see and trust in unseen realities, including God's promises and judgments.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'How can we see that which is invisible? ...we see by faith. That which cannot be seen is discerned only by faith.'

The Inseparability of Faith in God and Faith in His Word

Summary: To reject God's Word is to reject God Himself; faith in the promises implies faith in the Promisor.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'If you have no faith in God, you will have no faith in his word... If you have faith in God, you're going to have faith in his word.'

God's Judgment on the Wicked

Summary: God will judge the wicked both in time and eternity; this judgment is certain and should be perceived by faith.

Evidence: Weaver cites multiple scriptures (Proverbs 11:31, Deuteronomy 7:9-10, Psalm 73) to show that God repays the wicked.

The Example of Noah's Faith

Summary: Noah believed God's warning of an unprecedented flood and acted in obedience, demonstrating that faith sees future judgment and responds.

Evidence: Hebrews 11:7: 'By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark...'

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Summary: Believers must focus on eternal, unseen realities rather than the apparent prosperity of the wicked or temporal circumstances.

Evidence: Weaver concludes, 'We do not walk by sight, we walk by faith. And the faith says that God is going to destroy them.'

Key Arguments

Angels are spirit beings without wings, always appearing as men.

Summary: Weaver argues from Scripture that angels are spirits (Psalm 104:4), do not have wings, and when manifested, always appear as men (Hebrews 13:2).

Evidence: He says, 'angels do not have wings. Because angels are spirit beings... any time an angel is manifest in the Bible, he was always manifest as a man.'

Seen things are temporal; unseen things are eternal.

Summary: From 2 Corinthians 4:18, Weaver argues that what is visible is passing and without ultimate substance, while the invisible is eternal and real.

Evidence: He states, 'the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.'

Faith is the foundation of hope and the evidence of the unseen.

Summary: Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance (hypostasis) or foundation of things hoped for, providing conviction about unseen realities.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'faith is the foundation of things hoped for... It is a substance. Faith is that spiritual faculty of the soul which deals in spiritual realities.'

Rejecting God's Word is rejecting God.

Summary: Using John 12:48 and John 5:46-47, Weaver argues that the living Word (Christ) and the written Word are inseparable; to deny one is to deny the other.

Evidence: He says, 'you cannot separate me from my word because the living word gave us the written word.'

Future judgments are only seen by faith.

Summary: Noah was warned of the flood—a future event he had never seen—and believed by faith. Similarly, present judgments are not recognized as from God without faith.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Future judgments can only be seen by faith... present judgments, unless viewed by faith... are not going to be seen as the wrath and the justice of God.'

God will repay the wicked in time and history.

Summary: Scripture teaches that God's recompense is not limited to eternity; the wicked will face judgment in this life as well (Proverbs 11:31, Deuteronomy 7:9-10).

Evidence: Weaver says, 'God is going to get the wicked in time and in history as well as in eternity.'

Noah's faith was remarkable because rain was unknown.

Summary: Noah had never seen rain or a flood, yet he believed God's warning and built the ark, demonstrating that faith trusts God's word over experience.

Evidence: Weaver notes, 'By Noah's time, it had never rained. A mist came up from the ground... So Noah had never seen rain. He had never seen a flood.'

The prosperity of the wicked is temporary; their end is destruction.

Summary: From Psalm 73, Weaver argues that Asaph's envy of the wicked was corrected when he understood their ultimate destruction, teaching believers to focus on eternal outcomes.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'He was looking at things which are temporal... Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.'

Scripture References

Hebrews 11:1-3

Context: Primary text: defines faith as substance and evidence, and states that the worlds were framed by God's word.

Hebrews 11:6

Context: Without faith it is impossible to please God; one must believe that He is and rewards those who seek Him.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Context: Absent from the body, present with the Lord; used to argue against ghosts.

Hebrews 1:13-14

Context: Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve the heirs of salvation.

Psalm 103:20

Context: Angels excel in strength, do God's commandments, and hearken to His word.

Psalm 104:4

Context: God makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire.

Hebrews 13:2

Context: Some have entertained angels unawares, indicating angels look like men.

Matthew 22:30

Context: In the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Context: Light affliction produces eternal glory; we look at unseen eternal things, not seen temporal things.

John 12:48

Context: He who rejects Christ and does not receive His words will be judged by that word.

John 5:46-47

Context: If they believed Moses, they would believe Christ; if they don't believe Moses' writings, how will they believe Christ's words?

Psalm 33:6-9

Context: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; He spoke and it was done.

Hebrews 11:7

Context: By faith Noah, warned of things not seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark.

Isaiah 26:8-11

Context: When God's judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants learn righteousness; but the wicked will not see.

Matthew 24:37-39

Context: As in the days of Noah, people were eating and drinking until the flood came; so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Galatians 6:7-8

Context: Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will reap.

Proverbs 11:31

Context: The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner.

Deuteronomy 7:9-10

Context: God keeps covenant and repays those who hate Him to their face.

Deuteronomy 32:34-35

Context: Vengeance and recompense belong to God; the foot of the wicked shall slide in due time.

Psalm 73:1-20

Context: Asaph envied the wicked until he understood their end; they are set in slippery places and brought to destruction.

Historical References

Noah and the Flood

Context: Noah was warned by God of a coming flood, built an ark, and preached righteousness for 120 years without converts. The flood destroyed the old world.

Charles Spurgeon

Context: Weaver quotes Spurgeon on 2 Corinthians 4:18: 'The substance is beyond the river. The shadows are here.'

Job and Satan

Context: Satan needed God's permission to attack Job, and God placed limitations on what Satan could do.

Abraham and Lot entertaining angels

Context: Angels appeared as men to Abraham and Lot, demonstrating that angels manifest as men.

Recent natural disasters (floods in Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia; droughts; fires in California; tsunamis; tornadoes)

Context: Weaver mentions these as examples of events people attribute to Mother Nature or climate change rather than God's judgment.

Cattlemen in Texas selling cattle due to drought

Context: Weaver cites a video of cattlemen selling cattle because of drought, illustrating the destruction of the food supply.

Important Quotes

Substance and reality can only be found in that which is not seen. The shadow is seen by our eyes. That's what we can see. So what you and I can see is not real. What we cannot see is real.

Significance: Summarizes the central thesis that unseen eternal things are more real than visible temporal things.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Significance: The key verse defining faith as the foundation of hope and conviction of unseen realities.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Significance: Illustrates how faith perceives future judgment and leads to obedient action.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Significance: Paul's contrast between the temporary visible world and the eternal invisible realm.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Significance: Warns that God's judgment is certain and cannot be evaded.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Significance: Application: believers should foresee coming judgment and take refuge in God.

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Significance: Asaph's turning point from envying the wicked to understanding their ultimate destruction.

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Significance: God's sovereign placement of the wicked in precarious positions leading to sudden ruin.

Discussion Questions

How does the distinction between temporal and eternal things affect your daily priorities and decisions?

Context: Based on 2 Corinthians 4:18 and the sermon's emphasis on focusing on the unseen eternal.

In what ways can we cultivate a faith that truly 'sees' the unseen realities of God's promises and warnings?

Context: The sermon stresses that faith is the means of perceiving the unseen; how do we strengthen that faith?

Why is it impossible to separate faith in God from faith in His Word? What are the practical implications of this?

Context: Weaver argues from John 5 and 12 that rejecting Scripture is rejecting Christ.

How should the certainty of God's judgment on the wicked influence our prayers, our witness, and our own conduct?

Context: The sermon repeatedly affirms that God will judge the wicked; how does this truth shape Christian living?

Noah believed God despite never having seen rain. What 'unseen things' is God calling you to believe and act upon today?

Context: Application of Noah's faith to contemporary believers.

How can we avoid the error of Asaph in Psalm 73, who envied the prosperity of the wicked?

Context: The sermon uses Psalm 73 to illustrate the danger of focusing on temporal prosperity.

What does it mean to be a 'prudent man' who foresees evil and hides himself in our current cultural context?

Context: Proverbs 22:3 is applied to discerning and responding to coming judgment.

How does the biblical teaching on angels (as ministering spirits, appearing as men) correct common misconceptions?

Context: Weaver spends significant time correcting popular ideas about angels.

Applications

Focus on eternal, unseen realities rather than temporal circumstances.

Summary: Believers should direct their attention and hope toward the eternal promises of God, not the passing visible world.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.'

Trust God's Word completely, even when it contradicts experience or sight.

Summary: Like Noah, believers must act on God's warnings and promises by faith, even when they have no visible evidence.

Evidence: Noah had never seen rain, yet he believed God and built the ark.

Recognize God's hand in present judgments and respond with repentance.

Summary: Instead of attributing disasters to natural causes, believers should see them as calls to repentance and righteousness.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'If these things were viewed as the justice of God and the wrath of God, it'd be a call to repentance.'

Do not envy the wicked or be deceived by their prosperity.

Summary: The apparent success of the ungodly is temporary; their end is destruction. Believers should trust God's justice.

Evidence: Psalm 73 shows Asaph's correction when he understood the end of the wicked.

Be a prudent person who foresees evil and takes refuge in God.

Summary: In light of coming judgment, believers should live wisely, preparing spiritually and practically.

Evidence: Proverbs 22:3: 'A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself.'

Walk by faith, not by sight, especially regarding God's justice.

Summary: When it seems the wicked are escaping judgment, faith clings to God's promise that He will repay.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'we do not walk by sight, we walk by faith. And the faith says that God is going to destroy them.'

Examine your faith: does it produce obedience and fear of God?

Summary: True faith, like Noah's, moves with fear and leads to action that saves and condemns the world.

Evidence: Hebrews 11:7: Noah 'moved with fear, prepared an ark.'

Entertain strangers with hospitality, as some have entertained angels.

Summary: Since angels can appear as ordinary people, believers should show kindness to all.

Evidence: Hebrews 13:2: 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T15:32:25Z

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Clean Transcript

Unseen Things - Part 1

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Let's open our Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews chapter 11. We're going to read the first three verses and then verse 6.
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There will be a follow-up message next Sunday, Lord willing, that will be part two. The title of this message is, "Unseen Things." So notice if you would, Hebrews 11 verses 1 through 3. The scripture says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
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Now skip down to verse 6. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." When you begin discussing unseen things, the subject could be rather disturbing or encouraging depending upon the topic of the discussion. A bump in the middle of the night might cause a little anxiousness until you realize it's your 150-pound mastiff coming in to check on you, and then it happens to be encouraging. While we're on the topic of unseen things, let me just make something exceedingly clear. I do not believe in ghosts.
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And there's a good reason for that. 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 8 says this: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." So if you are a child of God, when your soul is separated from your body, you go into the presence of the Lord. The opposite would be for those who are unsaved: when their soul is separated from their body, they would go to the place of condemnation and to the place of judgment. And so therefore there is a place for saved and the unsaved, and therefore I don't believe there's any place for disembodied human spirits floating around somewhere with no place to go.
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And yes, there are indeed evil spirits, and the Bible does indeed speak of these often. And there are also angelic spirits, angelic beings, which the Bible also speaks of. And the Bible teaches very clearly that the angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation. So, if you look in Hebrews chapter 1, at verses 13 and 14, the Bible says this: "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be the heirs of salvation?" So, no ghosts for me, because I do not believe the Bible allows for such. Now, it is true that evil spirits and angels may manifest themselves according to the will of God.
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However, you must remember this, that there is always a limitation placed upon what they can do. God has absolute and total control over each one. You also must remember that when Satan wanted to attack Job, in the book of Job, God gave Satan permission, but he also placed a limitation upon what he could do, and so Satan could go so far, but he could go no further.
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So angels, then, the Bible says, happen to be ministering spirits who follow God's commandments, and they hearken unto His voice. You'll find that in Psalm 103 in verse 20, where the Bible says, "Bless the Lord, you his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." So it's just like you and I are sitting around, angels are sitting around and standing around just waiting for God to speak to them, and then they certainly go out and obey.
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So this brings me to another point. No matter how many paintings that you see, no matter how old those paintings are, no matter how those paintings were painted by one of the great masters, the truth of the matter is this: angels do not have wings. Because angels are spirit beings. The Bible says in Psalm 104 and verse 4, "Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire." So, moreover, when an angel is revealed in the Bible, when he's manifested, he is always manifested as a man. There are no female angels, neither are there any baby angels. Hebrews chapter 13, if you will turn there very quickly, and look at verse 2. Hebrews 13 and verse 2. This is why I'm telling you that any time an angel is manifest in the Bible, he was always manifest as a man. Read about the angels that came to Abraham. They were men. Read about the two angels that came to Lot. They were men. Anytime you find angels manifested, they are always manifested as men, and they look no different from us.
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So, in Hebrews 13 in verse 2, the Bible says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Stop and think about that. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. That means a stranger might happen to be an angel. And that means an angel would have to look just the way we look. It's just that simple.
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Now, the interesting thing is this. If I get a knock on my door and I open my door, and there stands someone in a long flowing white robe with wings sticking out of his back, he ain't getting into my house. At least not without a fight. Because the Bible says that strangers look just exactly the way we look. Now, angels look the way we do since we would count them a stranger. But also, children that die in infancy do not become angels. Angels are a created species. They do not marry.
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Neither are they given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce. There is a limited number of angels.
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Now, it is true when I said earlier that angels do not have wings, but the Seraphim do. In fact, the Bible says the Seraphim has six wings. With twain they cover their face, with twain they cover their feet, with twain they do fly, and they cease not saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." And then there are the Cherubim. The Cherubim each have two wings, covering the ark, if you will remember. But angels, he says, are spirits, and they do not marry. So in Matthew chapter 22 and verse 30, our Lord says this, "For in the resurrection," talking about the saints, "they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God." So the angels of God do not marry nor given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce.
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So interestingly, when we're talking about unseen things, usually when we were children if we ever went camping there was always the campfire and there was always the ghost stories to scare everyone and get everyone kind of upset before they went to bed. And it didn't really matter if you were talking about Bigfoot or the dog man or the moth man or some other creature that no one has ever seen. You know, it was sufficient that particular time to scare everybody. There were plenty of imaginary creatures. In fact, every child has imagined creatures under his bed, in his closet, all the way around just so often and so many times. But there are some imaginary creatures that have not only been made for recreation and fun, but also for education as well.
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So let me give you a good clear illustration of that. When especially my two older grandchildren were, say, two and three years old, back then, there was no mandatory car seats, and the kids just rode in the car like everyone else. Usually, when those grandkids were with me traveling in the truck, they would always like to stand up because they would get tired of sitting. And every time they would stand up in the truck and their head would be turned, I would reach over my fingers and I'd pinch their little bottom. And they'd turn around and look at me and say, "Papa, you did that."
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I said, "No, that was not me. That was Alexander the Alligator. He lives under my truck seat. And whenever you stand up, he will always nip you on the buttocks. So you have to stay seated." And I would pinch them every time they would stand up. And finally, when they got to be five or six and got a little more thought about them, I would tell them, "You know, that was Alexander the Alligator." "Papa, that's not so. Papa, that was you. There's no Alexander the Alligator."
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And I would say, "Yes, there is. Alexander the Alligator is a real figment of my imagination." "No, he's not." I said, "Well, you just admitted that he's real, because I just told you he's a real figment of my imagination." And so the funny thing is, now that they're married and have children, Alexander the Alligator still lives. And, of course, they're always telling their children about what they were taught from Alexander the Alligator. So it's an interesting thing and fun sometimes, but you have to understand that these things were totally imaginary.
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Now, what our problem is today is this. We think, normally, if something is not seen, that it's not real. Well, we know better than that, because most of us have never actually seen an amoeba. We've never seen a protozoa. We've never seen bacteria. We've never seen a virus. And yet we know basically those things are real, even though we cannot see them. So let me show you.
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I want you to hold Hebrews chapter 11, but look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 4, 2 Corinthians chapter 4, at verses 17 and 18. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 17 and 18. Look what the Apostle says. 2 Corinthians 4 verse 17: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Now watch verse 18: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." So Paul now makes it exceedingly clear that the things which you and I see are only temporal. The things which we cannot see are eternal. So the things which we see are temporal, they are passing, they have no substance about them. Now Paul uses a very interesting word for "look." In verse 18, he says, "while we look not."
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The Greek word is skopeo, which means to observe, to contemplate, to fix one's eyes upon, and to direct one's attention toward. Now each one of us understands the purpose of a scope, whether or not it's a microscope, or a telescope, or even a rifle scope. A scope usually magnifies something for us and brings it closer to us so that we can inspect it, observe it, and direct it, and fasten our eyes upon it. In fact, usually, if I ask Steve or someone to go check a place out, they'll usually say, "I'll go scope it out for you." In other words, I'm going to observe it, I'm going to look it over. Well, this is what the apostle is saying in verse 18, while we scope not out, while we do not fasten our eyes upon, while we are not directing our attention upon the things which are seen. And he tells you why, because he said the things which are seen are temporal. Now the word for temporal there is proskairos. Pros happens to be a preposition which actually means "for" or "to," and kairos is the Greek word for time.
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So the word temporal there means for a while, for a time, for a season. It refers to that which is only temporary and fading away. So he says, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are passing away, but the things which are not seen are eternal. And the word eternal is the Greek word aionios, which refers to that which is everlasting and forever.
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So here's what Paul is saying in verse 18 particularly. Substance and reality can only be found in that which is not seen. The shadow is seen by our eyes. That's what we can see. So what you and I can see is not real. What we cannot see is real. Now Spurgeon said on verse 18, listen to this carefully. He said, "The substance is beyond the river. The shadows are here. God help us to look for the substance and claim it as our own and let none of us grasp the shadows, which would be worthless if we could ever hold them in our hands." So that's exactly what Paul is saying. What we see is actually worthless. What we cannot see is eternal. So here's an excellent question. How can we see that which is invisible? How can we see that which we cannot see? And the answer is we see by faith. That which cannot be seen is discerned only by faith. And the works of faith and the exercise of faith manifest its reality and yet faith itself is unseen.
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So look back if you would in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 1. Watch carefully. He says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
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Now, when you stop and think about faith, faith is not blind belief. No, not at all. First of all, the word faith is the Greek word pistis, which literally is translated in our Bible as faith, assurance, belief, and fidelity. It actually refers to a conviction of truth and reality that we hold in our minds. And so if you look in verse 6, here's a good illustration of faith which is of truth and reality, when he says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him," that is God, "for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." So we're taught in this verse first of all that it is impossible to please God without faith, because faith is a conviction of the truth and reality that is only found in God. Secondly, he says in verse 6, that faith is evidenced by believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So, if you do not believe that God is revealed in Scripture, then you do not believe the promises that are revealed in Scripture.
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If you do not believe the promises that are revealed in Scripture, then you don't believe the God who is revealed in Scripture. In other words, the person who does not believe the Scripture and the person who does not believe in God has absolutely no faith whatsoever. If he had faith, then he would believe in the promise and he would also believe in the promisor as well. So, faith while it is unseen, is real and genuine.
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Now, go back to verse 1 and look at it. He says, "Now, faith is the substance." Isn't that amazing? Faith is the substance. That is, it is the subsistence, it is the basis, it is the foundation of things hoped for. The same word is translated as confidence in Hebrews 3 in verse 14. Now, the Greek word happens to be hypostasis, and it is translated as substance. We think of subsistence. We also think about that which is a foundation. So what he is saying is this, now faith is the foundation of things hoped for. And what is a foundation?
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It's what you build upon. And you cannot build without having a foundation. So he says faith is indeed the foundation. It is a substance. Faith is that spiritual faculty of the soul which deals in spiritual realities and enables us to see that which is unseen. So it is through faith that we see. And faith is a real, present, confident assent of the soul of a believer in the person of God and in the promises of God, which would also include the warnings of God and the threatenings of God as well. So faith then is real and genuine. And faith in the promise will always lead to the one who gave the promise. And the one, when you have faith in the one who gives the promise, then you also have faith in the promise as well. So you cannot divide these things.
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So let me give you an illustration. John 12 verse 48. In that passage, our Lord said this, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." Now stop and think about that passage. Our Lord said, "He that rejecteth me," that is the living word, "and receiveth not my words," that's the written word, "hath one that judgeth him in the last day." So our Lord said, you cannot separate me from my word because the living word gave us the written word. And if you deny the written word, you deny the living word. If you deny the living word, you deny the written word as well. And our Lord said something similar in John 5 and verses 46 and 47.
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Listen to what he said to those Jews. He said, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" So he said, if you don't believe in the inspiration of the Old Testament, if you don't believe in the authority of the Old Testament, he said, how can you believe my words? How can you believe anything? In other words, you cannot divide the promisor and the promise. You cannot divide the living word from the written word. They are one. So if you have no faith in God, you will have no faith in his word. You will have no faith in his promises. If you have no faith in his promises, you will have no faith in him.
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However, the opposite is also true. If you have faith in God, you're going to have faith in his word. If you have faith in his word, you're going to have faith in God.
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Now look, if you would, in verse one again, he says, "Now faith is the substance," or the foundation or the title deed, "of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Now he says, "For by it," that is faith, "the elders obtained a good report."
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Now, the rest of this chapter goes on to prove the effectiveness of faith by showing us the manifestations and fruits and results of faith in the promises of God and belief in God. So look in verse 3, here's another illustration of unseen things and also of seen things. He says, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." So the things which we see were made of unseen things. If you would read Genesis 1 and 2, you will find out that there was absolutely nothing until God spoke. That is, we believe that the world was created ex nihilo, that is, out of nothing. God simply spoke the world. He spoke the universe into existence. So God said, "Let there be light." There was light.
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"Let there be land," and there was land. If you'll look in your Bibles, holding Hebrews 11, but look in your Bibles to Psalm 33. Psalm 33. And let's begin reading there with verse 6. Psalm 33 and verse 6. Look what the Scripture says. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."
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"He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Why? For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Do you realize that everything that was accomplished in Hebrews chapter 11 was accomplished by faith? Again, it is the fruits of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 that demonstrates the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of His promises. Now, I certainly do not have time to go through the entire chapter.
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But what I want to do is pick out a couple things to share with you in relation to unseen things. And Lord willing, I will finish up on this next Sunday. But let me point something out that may surprise you. And here it is. That future judgments are unseen with the eyes. Future judgments must be seen by faith. So if you look in verse 7, the Bible says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Now, I want you to pay close attention to what is said in verse 7. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet."
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What is that referring to? It's referring to the flood and the destruction of the old world. So here's an interesting truth. Future judgments can only be seen by faith. While we look at the principles of the Word of God, it is still faith that must see those judgments. Listen carefully. Even present judgments, in one sense of the word, are only seen by faith. That does not mean that present judgments cannot be seen with the eyes. They just cannot be seen as being from God. In other words, present judgments, unless viewed by faith and through faith, are not going to be seen as the wrath and the justice of God. Here's a good illustration.
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I don't care how many storms are sweeping the earth. I don't care about the floods that are now happening in Kentucky and Missouri and West Virginia or the droughts that are happening out West. Or the fires that are ravaging out in California. Or the tsunamis that are happening somewhere. Or the tornadoes that are coming. All of these things are attributed to Mother Nature. And or climate change.
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Or it's got to be some difference in the way the weather is sent to us. If these things were viewed as the justice of God and the wrath of God, it'd be a call to repentance. But where they're not viewed as coming from God, there is no need to repent because it just happens. Let me show you. Hold Hebrews 11, but turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 26. Isaiah 26. In Isaiah 26, let's begin reading there with verse 8. Isaiah 26 and verse 8. Look at this. "Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee." Now look what he says. "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."
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Then he makes this statement. "Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them." So he says oftentimes when God's judgment is in the earth demanding righteousness and justice, they will not see, although they see. So many then are blind to present judgments even though they see with their eyes. So many times even present judgments as well as future judgments can only be seen by faith.
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So look back if you would to Hebrews 11 and look at verse 7. Because the Bible says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." So think about this phrase, "by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet." So now we're talking about the coming flood and the destruction of the old world. Now, if you look in your Bibles, hold Hebrews 11, we're coming right back there, but look in Matthew chapter 24, because there's a reference here to Noah, by our Lord in Matthew chapter 24 beginning there with verse 37. Look what he says. Matthew 24 verse 37, and we'll read through verse 39. "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the
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flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." So Noah was a preacher of righteousness, which I'll quote a little bit later, and he preached 120 years, never had one convert. People back then were just eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and sinning, because the Bible says that God saw that the imaginations of the heart of man was only evil continually. He told Noah the whole world was corrupt before him. And people just pretended like things were going to go on forever. Just like that. Now in light of this, just think if you would of the perversity, the wickedness, the rebellion, and the downright exhibitions of depravity in our day and time. And everybody thinks everything's normal, everything's okay, and we're just going to continue like this. Nothing's going to happen to us. And so most people are just simply blind as to what is in store for them.
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And unhappily, there's many professing Christians in that boat as well. So, here's another good question. How do we know that God will judge the wicked? And the answer is, we know that God is going to judge the wicked, not only in eternity, but in time and history as well, because we have faith in His Word, we have faith in Him, and we believe exactly what He has told us.
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So, let me give you, I'll quote one and then I want you to see the rest of them. Here's a good passage, Galatians 6, 7, and 8. Where the scripture says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Now listen to what he said, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked."
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So when we think that we can thumb our noses in the face of God, when we can defy Him, deny Him, when we can hate Him and mock Him and ridicule Him and do everything that He commands us not to do and that we're going to escape judgment, if we think that, we're deceived. We're just deceived. And it should be not deceived because God is not going to be mocked. God is going to take care of those wicked people who refuse to bow to Him and refuse to listen to Him.
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Now, let me show you another way. I want you to turn, hold Hebrews 11, we're coming back there, but I want you to turn, if you would, to Proverbs 11 and look at verse 31. You see, Scripture teaches that God is not only going to judge the wicked in eternity, He will judge them in time and history as well. So in Proverbs 11, note if you would please at verse 31. Proverbs 11, verse 31. Look at this truth. He says, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner."
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Now think about what is being said here. "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." The principle that I've taught you in time past is this. Blessings always follow obedience, and curses always follow disobedience. Okay? Now he says, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." And the word recompense means to be paid or to be paid back. So here's a good question. Do we have to wait until we get to eternity to be blessed by God?
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And the answer is no. We get blessings every day. We have blessings all of our lives. And the more obedient we are, the more blessings we're going to have. That's all there is to it. So he says, "Behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth," that is while we are alive in time and history. And then he says this, "much more the wicked and the sinner." So if God is going to reward and pay his children in time and history, he asked how much more is he going to do that to the wicked in time and history.
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So you can mark it down. God's going to get the wicked in time and in history as well as in eternity.
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Now, let's go in our Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 7. Deuteronomy chapter 7 and let's begin reading there with verse 9. Deuteronomy 7 and verse 9. Look at what scripture says in verses 9 and 10. "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face." Wow. God will repay them that hate him to their face. He will destroy them. He will not be slack to them that hate him. He will repay him to his face. Look in your Bibles if you would please, to Deuteronomy 32. Deuteronomy 32.
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Here then is one of God's treasures that is sealed up by Him and with Him. Deuteronomy 32, beginning there with verse 34. Look at this question. "Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?" So what is laid up in store with Him? What is sealed up among His treasures? Here it is, verse 35. "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence." And look what he says about the wicked.
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"Their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." God says, this is one of my treasures. It's laid up in store by me, and that is my righteous justice and vengeance, and I'm going to show you that the foot of the wicked shall slide in due time. Yes, they will fall. For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
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If you would turn in your Bibles to Psalm 7. Psalm 7. And look if you would please at verses 15 and 16. Psalm 7.
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Look if you would at verses 15 and 16, talking about the wicked. "He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." The pate is the top of the head, it's the crown of the head. So God says, he that digs a pit is going to fall into it himself. And his mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon the crown of his head. It'll hit him in the head. Look, if you would, in Psalm 57 and verse 6. Psalm 57 and verse 6.
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Here we have the same truth in light of what David said. Psalm 57 verse 6. David said, "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." So God is going to make sure that they fall into their own pit. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that wonderful? You know, when I was a child, I loved the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote. But have you ever noticed everything the coyote tried to do to the roadrunner always came back on him? Always. And this is what God is saying. It is going to ultimately come back on them. Now, I want you to go back, if you would, to Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 7.
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And let me show you something that I think is very astounding. The Bible says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Noah was warned of God. So let me ask you a question. How was Noah warned of God? Well, the Bible gives us the answer. For in Genesis 6 and verse 13, the Bible says, "And God said unto Noah," God spoke to him. God said, "The end of all flesh is come before me. I want you to build an ark." So let me ask you, what if Noah had said to God, "I don't believe this. I just don't believe this." If Noah denied and disbelieved and discredited God, here's a good question.
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Would that have blocked, hindered and stopped the judgment? Of course not. All it means is, Noah would have been consumed with the rest of the unbelievers and those who denied and hated God as well. So, here's another thing. Think about this. How difficult was it for Noah to believe God?
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Now, humanly speaking, it would really be impossible. Why? Because the Bible says by faith, Noah being warned of God. And we know that faith is the gift of God. So, if God had not given Noah faith, Noah would have never believed him to begin with. But God gave him faith and Noah believed. But even the fact that God gave Noah faith, how difficult would it be for Noah to believe this? Well, notice. The Bible says by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house. Why did he prepare the ark? Because in Genesis 7 and verse 4, here's what God said: "For yet seven days,
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I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth." You say, I don't understand the question, how difficult it is to believe that. Well, you see, when we think of rain, we think of nothing about rain, because we've seen it all of our lives. By Noah's time, it had never rained. A mist came up from the ground and watered the earth.
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In Genesis chapter 2 verses 5 and 6, listen. "And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." So Noah had never seen rain. He had never seen a flood.
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He had no first-hand knowledge of the windows of heaven. He had no first-hand knowledge of the foundations of the deep. And yet, he believed God. And the Bible says in 2 Peter 2 and verse 5, "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly." So, here's what I'm trying to tell you.
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Faith sees that which is coming down the road. Faith sees the hand of God in judgment coming upon the wicked and wickedness. Faith can see the destruction of our economic system. Faith can see the corruption and the injustice that's in our judicial system. Faith can see that we've been thumbing our noses at God for so long, and somehow we think that we're going to escape His judgment, and that God will never avenge Himself, and God would never ever do anything like judge us, which is certainly untrue, because God will judge.
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And this is what we are reading about in Hebrews 11 and verse 7. God did destroy the earth with a flood.
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Now, the Bible says in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." Stop and think, anyone with one eye and half sense can see our food supply and our food system being destroyed. I saw a video this past week of cattlemen in Texas selling their cattle because of the drought. They had nothing to feed them. They could not afford to feed them.
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And the line to the stockyards was 30 miles long. I also read where one company just dug a hole and buried a thousand cattle. I'm just simply saying the prudent man perceiveth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. So let me make this application. I'm going to show it to you from the scripture. Will God judge the wicked? And the answer is yes. One objects and says, but it looks as if they're going to escape, they're getting by with everything. No, they're not getting by and they're not going to escape. I don't care how powerful, I don't care how rich the politicians are, they're not going to escape. I don't care how they fortified themselves, they are not going to escape.
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And when you try to tell me, well, it looks as if, I remind you we do not walk by sight, we walk by faith. And the faith says that God is going to destroy them. God is going to judge them. I want you to turn in your Bible, the one last passage, I want you to turn to Psalm 73. Psalm 73. You see, Asaph wrote Psalm 73, and he had a problem.
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And the problem that he had is similar to the problems that many have today. When you look around at the wicked, and you see how they are prospering, and you see the money they have, the opportunities they have, and how they use all of their wealth to destroy anything and everything that is righteous and holy and godly, well, we'll look at it. Psalm 73 verse 1. Asaph writes, "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." So he got to looking at the temporal, not the eternal. Watch. He says in verse 4, "For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not
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in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men." Think of all the crimes our politicians are getting away with. And if you and I did them, we'd have been under the prison house. He says in verse 6, "Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish."
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"They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth." They'll curse God and man. They don't care. "Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches." Now Asaph was a godly man.
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And look what he said, if you would, in verse 13. "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." See, in other words, he said, I'm suffering. I'm doing without. Look at the ungodly, and look at me. Verse 14, "For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning." I can't get away with anything. "If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children." Look what he said, "When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me."
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Lord, I don't understand this. Here I am. I'm suffering. I'm doing without. I'm trying to be holy and godly and obedient. And Lord, all I do is get affliction and look at the ungodly, look at the wicked, look how they prosper. He said, when I thought to know this, it was just too painful for me. So here's his problem. He was looking at things which are temporal.
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Now watch if you would the change in verse 17. "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end."
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Now he begins to look at the eternal. Watch. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins."
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"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee." The words, Asaph said, Lord, I'm sorry. I was so stupid to look at things which are seen. I need to look at that which is eternal. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction as in a moment, as a dream when one awaketh, O Lord. So when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image." Wow. Yeah.
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The wicked shall be punished. So here's what I want you to understand and take home with you today, and that is this. You must remember that faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Our faith is not baseless. Our faith is our foundation upon which our lives are built. Our faith is real, and true, and genuine. And it is this foundation of faith upon which the promises of God, the judgments of God, and the threatenings of God stand. And just as surely as His promises, threatenings, and warnings are true, so God also is true. And it's only by faith that we see what is coming down the road. And if we can't see it, we're blind. We're not walking by faith because faith says God cannot be mocked and will not be mocked. So Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, we need faith to see what is going to come upon us and what is going to come upon the wicked, because we will be here when that happens, or at least some of us will be here.
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Maybe not all of us. And we need to be the prudent man who foresees the evil and hides himself, and not as simple, who pass on and are punished. It will come. You may count on it, because it is the Word of God. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee, and we ask Thee, Father, for faith to see, faith to see that which is unseen. Lord, there are more unseen things that are eternal. May we not focus upon that which is temporal, but upon that which is eternal. Make us wise, Lord, and give us thy divine wisdom and help us be able to discern and help us to see and understand your principles and apply them to our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T15:32:25Z

Unseen Things - Part 1

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver preaches on the nature of faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, using Hebrews 11:1-3,6 as the primary text. He explains that unseen things—such as God, angels, future judgments, and eternal realities—are more real and enduring than the temporal, visible world. Faith is the God-given faculty that enables believers to perceive these unseen realities, including God's coming judgment on the wicked. Using Noah as an example, Weaver emphasizes that faith sees future judgment and leads to obedient action, while the world remains blind. The sermon calls believers to walk by faith, not by sight, and to trust in God's promises and warnings.

Introduction to Unseen Things

Let's open our Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews chapter 11. We're going to read the first three verses and then verse 6.

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:1-3

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 1:13-14

"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be the heirs of salvation?"

So, no ghosts for me, because I do not believe the Bible allows for such. Now, it is true that evil spirits and angels may manifest themselves according to the will of God.

The Nature of Angels

Scripture Reading — Psalm 103:20

"Bless the Lord, you his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word."

So it's just like you and I are sitting around, angels are sitting around and standing around just waiting for God to speak to them, and then they certainly go out and obey.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 104:4

"Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire."

So, in Hebrews 13 in verse 2, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:2

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Scripture Reading — Matthew 22:30

"For in the resurrection,"

talking about the saints,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 22:30

"they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God."

So the angels of God do not marry nor given in marriage, and therefore they do not reproduce.

Imaginary vs. Unseen Realities

The Temporal vs. the Eternal

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Now watch verse 18:

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Faith Defined and Illustrated

So let me give you an illustration. John 12 verse 48. In that passage, our Lord said this,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

Now stop and think about that passage. Our Lord said,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"He that rejecteth me,"

that is the living word,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"and receiveth not my words,"

that's the written word,

Scripture Reading — John 12:48

"hath one that judgeth him in the last day."

Creation and the Unseen

Hebrews 11:3 teaches that the visible world was made from invisible things by God's word. Psalm 33:6-9 confirms that God spoke creation into existence ex nihilo.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 33:6-9

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."

Future Judgments Seen by Faith

God's Judgment on the Wicked

So, let me give you, I'll quote one and then I want you to see the rest of them. Here's a good passage, Galatians 6, 7, and 8. Where the scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 6:7-8

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Now listen to what he said,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 6:7-8

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked."

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 7:9-10

"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face."

Here then is one of God's treasures that is sealed up by Him and with Him. Deuteronomy 32, beginning there with verse 34. Look at this question.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 32:34-35

"Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?"

So what is laid up in store with Him? What is sealed up among His treasures? Here it is, verse 35.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 32:34-35

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence."

And look what he says about the wicked.

Noah's Faith and Our Application

Scripture Reading — Psalm 73:1-20

"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

So he got to looking at the temporal, not the eternal. Watch. He says in verse 4,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 73:1-20

"For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not

Unseen Things - Part 1

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	t2Cj2hxZ5gE
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: Kingship, Household Wisdom, and Warning
Genre	Sermon
Date	2022-10-09
Dictation Name
Book	Book 124: Unseen Things — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	74

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction to Unseen Things: Weaver introduces the topic of unseen things, clarifying that he does not believe in ghosts because the Bible teaches that souls go immediately to the Lord or to judgment, leaving no disembodied spirits. He distinguishes between evil spirits, angelic spirits, and human souls.
The Nature of Angels: Angels are ministering spirits without wings, always manifesting as men. They do not marry or reproduce, and are a created species distinct from Seraphim and Cherubim. Believers may entertain angels unaware.
Imaginary vs. Unseen Realities: Weaver contrasts imaginary creatures with real unseen things like bacteria and viruses. He uses a personal story about 'Alexander the Alligator' to illustrate how imaginary things can serve a purpose, but emphasizes that unseen spiritual realities are genuine.
The Temporal vs. the Eternal: From 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Weaver explains that seen things are temporal and passing, while unseen things are eternal. Faith is the means by which believers perceive the eternal, substantial realities.
Faith Defined and Illustrated: Faith (pistis) is the substance (hypostasis) or foundation of things hoped for. It is a conviction of truth that enables believers to see the unseen. Faith in God and faith in His Word are inseparable; to reject one is to reject the other.
Creation and the Unseen: Hebrews 11:3 teaches that the visible world was made from invisible things by God's word. Psalm 33:6-9 confirms that God spoke creation into existence ex nihilo.
Future Judgments Seen by Faith: Noah, warned by God of things not yet seen (the flood), moved with fear and built the ark. Future judgments, and even present judgments as acts of God, are only perceived by faith. The world attributes disasters to nature or climate change, not to God's justice.
God's Judgment on the Wicked: Scripture repeatedly affirms that God will judge the wicked both in time and eternity. Passages from Proverbs, Deuteronomy, and Psalms show that the wicked will fall into their own traps and face God's vengeance. Noah's faith condemned the world.
Noah's Faith and Our Application: Noah believed God despite never having seen rain. Faith sees coming judgment and leads to action. Believers must be like the prudent man who foresees evil and hides himself, not the simple who are punished. The sermon concludes with a call to walk by faith, not by sight.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Angels are spirit beings without wings, always appearing as men.

Weaver argues from Scripture that angels are spirits (Psalm 104:4), do not have wings, and when manifested, always appear as men (Hebrews 13:2).

He says, 'angels do not have wings. Because angels are spirit beings... any time an angel is manifest in the Bible, he was always manifest as a man.'

Seen things are temporal; unseen things are eternal.

From 2 Corinthians 4:18, Weaver argues that what is visible is passing and without ultimate substance, while the invisible is eternal and real.

He states, 'the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.'

Faith is the foundation of hope and the evidence of the unseen.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance (hypostasis) or foundation of things hoped for, providing conviction about unseen realities.

Weaver explains, 'faith is the foundation of things hoped for... It is a substance. Faith is that spiritual faculty of the soul which deals in spiritual realities.'

Rejecting God's Word is rejecting God.

Using John 12:48 and John 5:46-47, Weaver argues that the living Word (Christ) and the written Word are inseparable; to deny one is to deny the other.

He says, 'you cannot separate me from my word because the living word gave us the written word.'

Future judgments are only seen by faith.

Noah was warned of the flood—a future event he had never seen—and believed by faith. Similarly, present judgments are not recognized as from God without faith.

Weaver states, 'Future judgments can only be seen by faith... present judgments, unless viewed by faith... are not going to be seen as the wrath and the justice of God.'

God will repay the wicked in time and history.

Scripture teaches that God's recompense is not limited to eternity; the wicked will face judgment in this life as well (Proverbs 11:31, Deuteronomy 7:9-10).

Weaver says, 'God is going to get the wicked in time and in history as well as in eternity.'

Noah's faith was remarkable because rain was unknown.

Noah had never seen rain or a flood, yet he believed God's warning and built the ark, demonstrating that faith trusts God's word over experience.

Weaver notes, 'By Noah's time, it had never rained. A mist came up from the ground... So Noah had never seen rain. He had never seen a flood.'

The prosperity of the wicked is temporary; their end is destruction.

From Psalm 73, Weaver argues that Asaph's envy of the wicked was corrected when he understood their ultimate destruction, teaching believers to focus on eternal outcomes.

Weaver says, 'He was looking at things which are temporal... Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.'

Scripture References

Hebrews 11:1-3: Primary text: defines faith as substance and evidence, and states that the worlds were framed by God's word.
Hebrews 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please God; one must believe that He is and rewards those who seek Him.
2 Corinthians 5:8: Absent from the body, present with the Lord; used to argue against ghosts.
Hebrews 1:13-14: Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve the heirs of salvation.
Psalm 103:20: Angels excel in strength, do God's commandments, and hearken to His word.
Psalm 104:4: God makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire.
Hebrews 13:2: Some have entertained angels unawares, indicating angels look like men.
Matthew 22:30: In the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18: Light affliction produces eternal glory; we look at unseen eternal things, not seen temporal things.
John 12:48: He who rejects Christ and does not receive His words will be judged by that word.
John 5:46-47: If they believed Moses, they would believe Christ; if they don't believe Moses' writings, how will they believe Christ's words?
Psalm 33:6-9: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; He spoke and it was done.
Hebrews 11:7: By faith Noah, warned of things not seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark.
Isaiah 26:8-11: When God's judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants learn righteousness; but the wicked will not see.
Matthew 24:37-39: As in the days of Noah, people were eating and drinking until the flood came; so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Galatians 6:7-8: Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will reap.
Proverbs 11:31: The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner.
Deuteronomy 7:9-10: God keeps covenant and repays those who hate Him to their face.
Deuteronomy 32:34-35: Vengeance and recompense belong to God; the foot of the wicked shall slide in due time.
Psalm 73:1-20: Asaph envied the wicked until he understood their end; they are set in slippery places and brought to destruction.

Historical References

Noah and the Flood: Noah was warned by God of a coming flood, built an ark, and preached righteousness for 120 years without converts. The flood destroyed the old world.
Charles Spurgeon: Weaver quotes Spurgeon on 2 Corinthians 4:18: 'The substance is beyond the river. The shadows are here.'
Job and Satan: Satan needed God's permission to attack Job, and God placed limitations on what Satan could do.
Abraham and Lot entertaining angels: Angels appeared as men to Abraham and Lot, demonstrating that angels manifest as men.
Recent natural disasters (floods in Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia; droughts; fires in California; tsunamis; tornadoes): Weaver mentions these as examples of events people attribute to Mother Nature or climate change rather than God's judgment.
Cattlemen in Texas selling cattle due to drought: Weaver cites a video of cattlemen selling cattle because of drought, illustrating the destruction of the food supply.

Important Quotes

Substance and reality can only be found in that which is not seen. The shadow is seen by our eyes. That's what we can see. So what you and I can see is not real. What we cannot see is real.

Summarizes the central thesis that unseen eternal things are more real than visible temporal things.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The key verse defining faith as the foundation of hope and conviction of unseen realities.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Illustrates how faith perceives future judgment and leads to obedient action.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul's contrast between the temporary visible world and the eternal invisible realm.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Warns that God's judgment is certain and cannot be evaded.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Application: believers should foresee coming judgment and take refuge in God.

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Asaph's turning point from envying the wicked to understanding their ultimate destruction.

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

God's sovereign placement of the wicked in precarious positions leading to sudden ruin.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does the distinction between temporal and eternal things affect your daily priorities and decisions?

[Context]

Based on 2 Corinthians 4:18 and the sermon's emphasis on focusing on the unseen eternal.

[Question]

In what ways can we cultivate a faith that truly 'sees' the unseen realities of God's promises and warnings?

[Context]

The sermon stresses that faith is the means of perceiving the unseen; how do we strengthen that faith?

[Question]

Why is it impossible to separate faith in God from faith in His Word? What are the practical implications of this?

[Context]

Weaver argues from John 5 and 12 that rejecting Scripture is rejecting Christ.

[Question]

How should the certainty of God's judgment on the wicked influence our prayers, our witness, and our own conduct?

[Context]

The sermon repeatedly affirms that God will judge the wicked; how does this truth shape Christian living?

[Question]

Noah believed God despite never having seen rain. What 'unseen things' is God calling you to believe and act upon today?

[Context]

Application of Noah's faith to contemporary believers.

[Question]

How can we avoid the error of Asaph in Psalm 73, who envied the prosperity of the wicked?

[Context]

The sermon uses Psalm 73 to illustrate the danger of focusing on temporal prosperity.

[Question]

What does it mean to be a 'prudent man' who foresees evil and hides himself in our current cultural context?

[Context]

Proverbs 22:3 is applied to discerning and responding to coming judgment.

[Question]

How does the biblical teaching on angels (as ministering spirits, appearing as men) correct common misconceptions?

[Context]

Weaver spends significant time correcting popular ideas about angels.

Applications

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