Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet Outreach

Revelation of Hope

The Bible reveals to us a world of hope and promise.

THE COMFORT OF SCRIPTURES
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Romans 15:4]

In the Bible, the word HOPE isn’t used in the popular sense: a wish with little basis in fact. The word HOPE is presented as truth about a loving, omnipotent Lord who cares about us, who’ll provide for us, and who offers us the promise of a new existence in a new world.

The Bible speaks about the condition of Humanity, that we’re all sinners (Romans 3:10) and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The struggle for Humanity’s salvation may be summed up by this: O, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24) The answer is found in YHWH and His Son-made-flesh, Yahushua. Because of His love, the Son came to this world, lived as a human being, and died the death that was intended for us. The Bible points us to the hope of salvation; the Just shall live by Yahushua’s faith — not our own faulty conception of “hope” or “faith.”
At the cross, the Son of YHWH bore in Himself the penalty for our sins. Why would He have gone through so much for us, if there wasn’t something incredibly worthwhile at the end?

REVELATION OF HOPE: FORGIVENESS
Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us unto the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. [Colossians 1: 12-14]

As fallen beings, we’ve all done wrong. Even people who don’t believe in the Bible have a sense of right and wrong, and often feel guilty when they do wrong. For many, guilt leads to terrible despair — for themselves as well as for others. But there’s hope — and it’s revealed in Scriptures.

As to the extent of forgiveness, Scripture represents YHWH as saying He’s removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12); that He’s cast them into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19); that He’s blotted them out or swept them away (Psalm 51:1; Isaiah 43:25); and that He’ll remember them no more (Jeremiah 31:34). Indeed, it was for the entire world that Yahushua Messiah died as an atoning sacrifice, efficacious through faith (Romans 3:24-26).

The hearing of YHWH’s word — the real hearing by the heart — increases faith. The more we feed upon it and practice it in our lives, the more faith grows…and it’s by faith that we draw near to the Lord and have His forgiveness and cleansing: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:13).

REVELATION OF HOPE: OVERCOMING SIN
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [2 Peter 1:3, 4]

Although we may fall, there is hope — hope we can rise again (Proverbs 24:16) and are not cast away from YHWH. And though we might sin, we have a Mediator, Yahushua Messiah (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). Moreover, through the power of the Spirit, we can have victory over sin.

It’s one thing to claim the promises of forgiveness — and there are many. But what about promises for victory over sin? Are they not just as real and important? Here are Scripture-based steps to victory:
Always begin with prayer to Father YHWH for His guidance!

1. Believe on Yahushua Messiah as your atoning sacrifice for sin (e.g., John 3:16; 8:30, 31; Acts 16:31, 32)
2. Confess your weakness (you can’t overcome sin in your own strength) (e.g., John 15:4, 5; Colossians 1:23)
3. Repent of your weakness (e.g., Luke 24:46, 47; Romans 2:4) — this means turning aside; turning in the opposite direction from your sin
4. Believe the Lord has given you victory to overcome (e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9)
5. Claim the promise of “death” to self in the Messiah (e.g., Romans 6:11; Galatians 2:20)
6. Take concrete, practical steps to avoid things that lead you to sin (e.g., Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16)
7. Live in the attitude of praise and prayer to YHWH, who gives the power to overcome sin (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 7:25; 1 John 5:4).

REVELATION OF HOPE: PROVISION AND PROTECTION
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. [Psalm 37:25]

As Creator of the universe, YHWH certainly has filled the earth with His wonderful bounties. The ravages of sin, however, have taken their terrible toll and so not everyone has access to these bounties. Yet, even amid the rampant wealth or abject poverty, we have the promises of YHWH that He’ll provide what we need.
At the same time, the Lord also gives hope of protection. We’re not under “the tyranny of chance” — meaning our life is ruled by some unconscious force that has no purpose in mind. Though bad things do happen, those who love YHWH have wonderful promises that can give great hope despite calamity.

The Lord gives wonderful promises regarding His loving care and protection. There are many examples in the Bible of how wonderfully — even miraculously — He’s protected His people. Yet we also find examples of suffering and dying (e.g., Matthew 14:10; Acts 7:59; Hebrews 11:35-39). Did the promise of the Lord fail in these examples? Or can we — because of these promises — know that when bad things happen, we can trust He’s still in control, and we can have hope for the future despite trials and sufferings?

REVELATION OF HOPE: EVERLASTING LIFE
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. [John 6:40]

Throughout history, people have wondered what happens after death. What’s beyond the grave? Can the dead communicate? Spiritualism is very popular and many attempt to find meaning through psychics and mediums. But the answer to the mystery of death is found only in Scripture. No matter who we are — how rich, powerful, famous, educated; regardless of race, origin or creed — we all face death. Life here, in and of itself, is always a losing proposition. Psalm 13:3 says, Consider and hear me, o YHWH my god; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. Death is a peaceful sleep. There is no consciousness of the passage of time in the grave. Fortunately, Scriptures show us what nature, science, history and philosophy never can: death doesn’t have to be the final word!

There’s a different “story ending” for those who believe in YHWH and on His Son, Yahushua. The grave isn’t a prison from which there’s no deliverance. Yahushua went into the grave and came out triumphant; and, thanks to His triumph over death, we too are victorious. That’s how powerful Messiah’s ministry was; that’s how efficacious it is for us today — even death can’t beat it!

This is the hope we find in Scripture: the account of Yahushua and what He’s done for us — and what He will do for us. In Scripture we find the hope that death doesn’t have to be the last stop. Hosea 13:14 says, I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction. Individuals do not “go” to heaven or hell upon death; all sleep in the grave until the return of the Savior (commonly known as “The Second Coming”). Through Him, all who’ve died will be raised — some to eternal life (ie., individuals who followed the Lord), some to eternal death (ie., those who rejected the message and offer of salvation).

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? […] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 15:55, 57]