The Path of Tribulation Heb. 10:32–34. (130)
- “Knowing in yourselves that we have in heaven a better and enduring substance” (v. 34). This is showing the ground of their joy. Faith looked away from things seen to those unseen, reckoning that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Rom. 8:18; “For our light affliction…worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2Cor. 4:17. Where the heart’s affections are truly set upon things above Col. 3:2) few tears will be shed over the loss of any earthly baubles. True, it is natural to mourn when rudely deprived of material possessions, but it is supernatural to rise above such grieving. The true riches of the Christian are not accessible to human or Satanic plunderers. Men may strip us of all our worldly possessions, but they cannot take from us the love of God, the salvation of Christ, the comforts of the Holy Spirit, the hope of eternal glory. When business is bad, bonds deteriorate, and banks smash, the child of God has been begotten unto an inheritance which is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven” 1Pet. 1:4, Matt. 6:19, 20; 2Cor. 5:1, Col. 1:5; 3:2–4, 1Tim. 6:19, 2Tim. 4:8, 1n. 3:2.
- “What was it that enabled them thus to bear up under their sufferings? They knew in themselves that they had in heaven a better and a more enduring substance. Observe, First; the happiness of the saints in heaven is ‘substance,’ something of real weight and worth—all things here are but shadows. Secondly, it is a better substance than anything they can have or lose here. Thirdly, it is an enduring substance; it will outlive time, and run parallel with eternity. They can never spend it; their enemies can never take it from them as they did their earthly goods. Fourthly, this will make a rich amends for all they can lose and suffer here. In heaven they shall have a better life, a better estate, better liberty, better society, better hearts, better work, everything better” Matthew Henry.
- “Knowing in yourselves that we have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” “Let us now weigh carefully the first three words of this clause: these Hebrew saints had a firm conviction of heart concerning their heavenly portion. It does not say, “knowing from God’s promises,” but “knowing in yourselves.” It is quite true that the foundation of our confidence is the written Word, but that is not the only ground, this fact must be in our heart. “Knowing in yourselves.” The one who is following on to know the Lord Hos. 6:3, not only has the testimony of God’s Word without, but he has also the witness of the Spirit within him. Rom. 8:16, 17. In his regeneration and begun experimental sanctification, he has received “the first-fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8:23. Faith purifies his heart Acts 15:9. He has received the Spirit of adoption, whereby he cries “Abba Father.” From what he finds in his own heart, he knows that he is heaven-born and heaven-bound. Let those who are strangers to a supernatural work of grace in their own hearts mock and scoff all they please, let them sneer at introspection, call it mysticism, or any thing else they wish, but one who is scripturally assured of the Spirit’s work within him, refuses to be laughed-out of his surest proof that he is a child of God.” Pink A. W.
- Granted that many have been and are deluded: acknowledging that the unregenerate heart is “deceitful above all things”; admitting that the Devil has lulled thousands into hell by means of happy feelings within them; yet none of these things alter or affect to the slightest degree the fact that it is both the duty and privilege of every genuine Christian to know in himself that he has passed from death unto life. Provided he be denying self, taking up his cross, and following Christ in the path of obedience, he will have cause for rejoicing in the testimony of a good conscience 2Cor. 1:12. It is as if he had said, ‘Why shrink from suffering for Christianity now? Were you not exposed to suffering from the beginning? When you first became Christians, did you not willingly undergo sufferings on account of it? Are you willing to lose all the benefit of the sacrifices you have made, and the sufferings you have sustained? And they will all go for nothing if you endure not unto the end!’ These are well calculated to induce them ‘to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering”.” John Brown.
