When we speak of Abraham, we call him the Father of Faith. Because of what kind of faith he had in his God, even though he had to wait many years for the son God had promised. Even though age had advanced for both him and his wife, and it seemed impossible he did not give up hope. He continued to believe and waited patiently until God fulfilled His promise. And then, in his old age, God tested him again: He asked Abraham to offer that very son as a sacrifice. Yet Abraham did not waver he obeyed. This courageous obedience moved God.
But was that alone enough for God to make Abraham the Father of Faith the example for all believers, including you and me? No. There is something deeper we must understand, which I want to speak about today.
When you read the book of Hebrews, you’ll see another dimension of Abraham’s faith. For example:
Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:9–10 – “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
If you look closely at those verses, you’ll see that Abraham had his eyes fixed on something more than just what God had promised him physically. And that is why, through his life, he was undisturbed by delays (like waiting for a child) or by extreme tests (like being asked to offer his son). He was living with a longer‑term vision.
Look again at verse 9: “By faith he made his home … like a stranger in a foreign land.” He didn’t cling to the earthly promise as though it were his ultimate home.
Remember: God had called Abraham from the land of Ur of the Chaldeans and brought him into Canaan the place God promised him: a land of blessing, a nation strong, descendants numerous, riches, power. Imagine: God tells you, “Through you nations will be blessed, you will be a mighty offspring… you will possess the gates of your enemies…” You could feel special, privileged, maybe even entitled. You could easily live as though the promise was all about you, your fame, your comfort.
But Abraham didn’t. He had a different focus. He didn’t place his hope on the physical blessings alone on having many children, great wealth, or a grand empire. He pondered quietly: “If God could make me a great nation, if the land is mine, then why the delay? What lies behind all this promise?” He realised his life was a picture of something yet to come beyond this world. He understood that his life was a lesson, a voice of God speaking about things to come, the things behind the curtain.
That’s why even after having the material blessings Abraham lived in the very land that was his by promise, but as someone passing through. The Scriptures say he lived in tents with his wife Sarah, as if this land were not his permanent home. A wealthy man, yet he didn’t build palaces. What does this tell us? It shows that he lived as a pilgrim on this earth.
Was he unimportant in God’s eyes? Not at all. But his focus was not the temporal. He was looking ahead. He looked for “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). He didn’t build it himself. He lived in the promise, but he looked beyond the promise.
That city is none other than the New Jerusalem — the heavenly city, the Bride of Christ.
And it is this mindset, this vision, that made God pleased with Abraham and made him a model for everyone who is to come.
Dear friend, maybe you’ve been waiting for God to fulfill a promise a child, a home, provision, healing. Perhaps you already have it. But are you convinced that this is all God intends for you?
Don’t mistake earthly fulfilment for the fullness of God’s will. Yes, God keeps His word. But unless you have the understanding Abraham had, you risk missing the greatest inheritance. As Jesus said:
Matthew 8:11–12 – “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
You see? Not everyone who calls themselves a believer will sit with Abraham. Not everyone will enter the heavenly city. Only those who live with that higher vision.
The New Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ the redeemed, purified, perfected ones. Not everyone who claims the name “Christian” qualifies. Just as not all Israelites were true Israel, not all believers will be part of the Bride. There is a distinction between outward profession and inward transformation, between the visible fellowship and the genuine pilgrimage.
Those who will inhabit the city are described this way in Scripture:
Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Isaiah 35:8 – “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
If you sense that something’s missing in your life, there is still time. The city is being prepared, the door remains open — but not forever. Let not the treasures of this world, or the distraction of earthly gain, keep you from the greater journey.
Revelation 21:1–4 – “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. … I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. … Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people. … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
The foundations of that city are not built on wealth, fame, or earthly success. They are built on apostles and prophets — God’s Word. The materials reflect holiness, calling, purity. Precious stones. Pure gold. Light from God. Nothing unclean will enter.
So, I ask you: Are you part of that Holy City? Is your life aligned with the Bride of Christ? If He returned today, are you completely ready to go with Him? Are you living with a heavenly perspective, or just earthly comfort?
Have you been washed, born anew, baptized (fully immersed) in the Name of Jesus Christ? And if you have — does your life reflect holiness? Because Scripture warns:
Without holiness no one will see the Lord.
If you find that something is lacking — this is your moment. While there is time — while the door of grace remains open — pursue the higher calling. Let your waiting not be for the land only, but for the city whose builder and maker is God Himself.
Isaiah 35:8 (again) — “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness…”
My prayer for you: That you will repent today, that you will be washed clean, clothed in Christ, and empowered to live in holiness and purity.
May you be richly blessed.
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