Can we know for sure that we are going to heaven?
Oct 4, 2010
The Base for Grace: part fifteen in a study of the book of Hebrews
By Mike Gaudet
Can we know for sure that we are going to heaven?
“When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” Hebrews 6:13-20
God told Abraham, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”
God promised Abraham that he and his descendants would live underneath the canopy of His blessing. Adding an oath to His promise was God’s way of assuring Abraham that He would fulfill what He promised. “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.” With this assurance in mind Abraham left his home and followed God.
The promise and the oath were given to Abraham and his “descendants.” This is where we come in. Paul wrote, “Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.” Galatians 3:7
“Those who believe” in Jesus Christ become beneficiaries of God’s promise and oath.
In a perfect world we could believe that promises made to us would always be fulfilled. However, we don’t live in a perfect world. All of us have experienced unfulfilled promises.
In first century Israel, when a “promise-receiver” doubted that a “promise-maker” would fulfill the promise, the “promise-maker” swore an oath. The oath satisfied the “promise-receiver” because “the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.”
God is the “promise-maker.”
We are the “promise-receivers.”
God’s oath confirms that He will do what He promised to do.
Life can be turbulent. Waves of difficulty can threaten to overwhelm us. Knowing that God promises to be with us and bring us to a good place provides a sense of security in uncertain times…“we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.” This assurance can be a strong encouragement when life becomes stormy.
God’s promises are like “an anchor for the soul”. . . an anchor that “enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” The “curtain” mentioned here was found in the Temple in Jerusalem (The Romans destroyed this temple in 70 AD). The temple consisted of courtyards within courtyards. The innermost courtyard was called the “inner room” or “Most Holy Place.” A thick curtain separated this room from the rest of the temple. This is where God dwelt.
This is also where our hope is anchored . . . where God dwells. God wants us to know that faith in Christ assures us of eternity with Him. He swore an oath in order to assure us that He will never change His mind.
Jim Elliot was gripped by the assurance that he would spend eternity with God. He invested his life in telling others that they could place their faith in Jesus Christ and enjoy this assurance as well. His life was cut short while attempting to bring the good news to Huaroani Indians in Ecuador.
On October 28, 1949, a week before his death, he penned these words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Where is Jim now?
He has entered the presence of God. The anchor held. God kept His promise.
You don’t need to be a missionary to be one of Abraham’s children.
Believe in Jesus Christ . . .
you will enter God’s presence . . .
. . . your anchor will hold.