Hebrews 11:13-16
13 “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
Verse 13: These faithful individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11, including Abraham, Sarah, and others, lived their lives with unwavering faith in God. Although they did not see the complete fulfillment of God’s promises during their lifetime, they embraced them from a distance. We, however, embrace the reality of what they saw from a distance. The New Covenant began at Christ’s death and we experience the blessings of it the moment we believe.
Verse 14: By acknowledging their status as foreigners and strangers on earth, these faithful individuals demonstrated that they were seeking a heavenly country, a place that God had prepared for them. Their focus was not on earthly possessions or achievements, but on the eternal promises of God.
Verse 15: These faithful individuals had the opportunity to return to their previous homeland, but they chose not to. They understood that their true home was not in the earthly realm, but in the heavenly realm. They were willing to let go of the familiar and embrace the promises of God, even if it meant leaving behind their earthly comforts.
Verse 16: The focus of these faithful individuals was on the heavenly country, the city that God had prepared for them. Their longing was for a better and eternal home. Because of their unwavering faith and their desire for the things of God, God is not ashamed to be called their God. This city represents the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises and the eternal dwelling place for those who have put their faith in him. It is a place of perfect fellowship with God, where His presence is fully experienced.