From Anticipation to Fulfillment
By Faith- 2
TITLE: From Anticipation to Fulfillment
TEXT: Hebrews 11:39-40
THESIS: The faith of the OT saints, while deeply rooted in the promises of God, ultimately pointed toward the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose death, burial, and resurrection fulfilled those promises and established the foundation for our own salvation and resurrection, highlighting the unity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history.
TRUTH: We are gathered this morning to celebrate the resurrection of the Jewish Messiah, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is God who came in the flesh and bore the sins of many. His incarnation was miraculous, His earthly ministry impeccable, His death brutal, His burial brief, and His resurrection glorious. Today, we proclaim, “Christ has indeed risen from the dead, and He reigns forevermore.” He is here with us now, ready to bless and receive our worship.
His resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the first fruits of our own resurrection. Because He has risen gloriously from the dead, He will return in His own way. Are you prepared to meet Him? Have you truly received God's gift of faith and placed that faith in Christ alone for your salvation?
One of the things I want to do today is explain the significance of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to the OT saints. We have an interesting verse at the end of the “Hall of Faith” which states, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” We will do this by answering a series of questions.
I. Who are the “these” the author is referring to?
All these, that is, the whole succession of men and women of faith, named and unnamed, who witnessed and endured in the centuries leading up to the coming of Christ, persons well attested by their faith in that their faith, so far from being extinguished, was constant and prevailed in the face of the severest testing and opposition and thus declared the genuineness of their profession—all these did not receive what was promised; for though they received and set their hope on the divinely given promises, yet during their earthly pilgrimage they did not see the glorious fulfilment of those promises, since it was in Christ that they were to be brought to reality (2 Cor. 1:20). [1]
The reference is to all spoken of in the previous parts of the chapter, and by necessary inference, to all believers before the incarnation of Christ who exhibited a true faith. The words “these all” are restrictive, excluding others who did not have the faith here mentioned. “Many more than these lived before Christ was exhibited, yea, lived in the time and place that some of these did, yet received no good report. Cain lived and offered a sacrifice with Abel, yet was none of these. Ham was in the ark with Shem; Ishmael was in Abraham’s family with Isaac; Esau was in the same womb with Jacob; Dathan and Abiram came through the Red Sea with Caleb and Joshua: many other wicked unbelievers were mixed with believers, yet they obtained not any such good report. Though their outward condition was alike, yet their inward disposition was much different” (W. Gouge).[2]
Then there were others who knew very little about the nature of God’s salvation, whose faith was not in some immediate fulfillment, but in the ultimate fulfillment of the promises. Individuals like Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham exemplify profound faith through their deep connections with God. Abel's sincere sacrifice set a standard for true worship, while Enoch's intimate walk led to his unique ascension without death. Noah's unwavering trust amid skepticism and Abraham's adventurous journey into the unknown reflect the courage and obedience that genuine faith entails.
Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph further illustrate the transformative power of faith. Sarah’s doubt turned to joy with the promise of a child, and Isaac’s quiet strength during his near-sacrifice showcased trust in God's plan. Jacob's blessings amidst deception and Joseph’s resilience through betrayal highlight that faith remains steadfast even in life's complexities.
Moses, the Israelites, Rahab, and others demonstrate that faith often requires courage and action. Moses inspired a nation by trusting God's promises, while the Israelites' bold steps into the Red Sea exemplified faith in the unknown. Rahab’s risk for the spies and Gideon's decisive actions further affirm that true faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes, emphasizing action and perseverance through trials as seen throughout the biblical narrative.
Though the Old Testament faithful walked in shadows, their faith paved the way for the radiant light of the Messiah’s promise realized in Jesus. “Many of them never received the land. Sometimes they had earthly victory, sometimes they did not. Sometimes their faith saved them from death; sometimes it brought them death. No matter. They knew that God had provided something better.” [3]
II. What was the promise they “did not receive”?
The promise mentioned in Hebrews 11:39 can be traced back to the various covenants that God established throughout the Old Testament. One of the most significant of these promises is found in Genesis 3:15, known as the Protoevangelium. In this passage, God promises that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, foreshadowing the coming of a Savior.
Additionally, the Abrahamic Covenant (found in Genesis 12, 15, and 17) includes promises of a nation and blessings that would ultimately lead to the Messiah arising from Abraham's lineage. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7) promises that a descendant of David would establish an everlasting kingdom, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament saints anticipated these promises and the coming of the Messiah, but they did not see their full realization during their lifetimes. They had faith in God's plan, but the complete understanding and fulfillment of these promises came with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is what Hebrews 11:39 refers to as something they did not receive.
III. What are the “better things” God provided for us?
The “better” things God promised us, as referenced in Hebrews 11:39-40, can be understood through a theological lens that highlights the fulfillment of God's overarching redemption plan through Jesus Christ. In the context of the passage, the author of Hebrews contrasts the faith of the Old Testament saints with the New Covenant established in Christ, which provides a complete and more perfect fulfillment of God’s promises.
One of the primary "better" gifts is the complete revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament saints had glimpses of God's character and purposes, it is in Christ that God’s nature is fully revealed (John 1:14). This revelation allows believers to have a personal relationship with God, something that was more limited in the Old Testament era.
The second reason for the term relates to the sacrificial system established in the Law, which provided the Israelites with a means to maintain their relationship with God. However, these sacrifices were ultimately inadequate for achieving complete atonement. In contrast, Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection represent the perfect sacrifice, reconciling humanity with God and offering eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16). This gift of salvation is a crucial aspect of the "better" promise.
Third, unlike the Old Testament saints who experienced the presence of God in specific moments or through the prophets, believers today have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). This ensures that God’s guidance, comfort, and empowerment are accessible at all times, enabling believers to live in accordance with God’s will and to carry out His purposes in the world.
Fourth, in Jeremiah 31:31-34, God speaks of a new covenant that He will establish with His people, characterized by internal transformation rather than mere external adherence to the law. This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who takes the law from an external set of rules and writes it on the hearts of believers, enabling a deeper, intrinsic motivation to live righteously.
Fifth, the resurrection of Christ also provides believers with the hope of their own resurrection and eternal life. The promise of eternal life is a significant “better” reality that transforms the way Christians view suffering, life, and death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). This eternal perspective inspires hope and endurance in the face of trials, knowing that earthly struggles are temporary.
Sixth, the establishment of the Church as the body of Christ provides another dimension of the "better" promises. Believers are invited into a global community that supports, encourages, and holds one another accountable in faith. This community reflects the love and unity of Christ and serves to further God's mission on Earth.
Seventh, Jesus promised that those who believe in Him would do the works He did and even greater works (John 14:12). This empowerment signifies not only the continuation of His mission but also an expansion of influence as believers carry forth the gospel in a world that desperately needs it, reflecting the transformative power of faith in action.
The "better" things God promised us offer a richer understanding of His purpose and kingdom, effectively bridging the significant gap between the Old and New Covenants.
IV. Who are the “us” and how do they make others perfect?
In Hebrews 11:40, the term “us” refers primarily to the New Testament believers, those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ after His resurrection. This group encompasses all people who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, thereby becoming part of the new covenant established through His death and resurrection. The phrase emphasizes a community of believers who have uniquely and completely received God's grace and truth, especially in contrast to the Old Testament saints mentioned earlier in the chapter.
The “them” in this context refers to the Old Testament saints—figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and others listed in the Hall of Faith. These individuals demonstrated profound faith in God and were commended for their trust and obedience. However, the verse notes that they did not receive what had been promised—the fullness of salvation and the ultimate revelation of God's plan through Christ.
The perfection referred to in verse 40 is spiritual completion or fulfillment that comes through Christ. The Old Testament figures understood and anticipated the coming of the Messiah, but they lived before its fulfillment. Their faith was directed toward a future hope—that in the fullness of time, God would redeem His people through Jesus.
The completion of their faith and the making perfect of the Old Testament saints occur through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through His work that all believers, both those from the Old Testament and New Testament, find their ultimate redemption and connection to God.
In what sense are both OT saints and NT “made perfect?”
They are made perfect, first, by the taking away of sin—which makes man most imperfect—and the clothing him with the robe of righteousness, in which he may appear perfect before God. Second, the subduing of the power of indwelling sin, enabling those justified to walk in the paths of righteousness, which is through the enabling of the Spirit. Third, the Spirit enables those who are united to Christ to stand against all assaults and to persevere in spiritual growth; in this, also, the O. T. saints were not “made perfect without us.” Fourth, the receiving of the soul to Glory when it leaves the body: this also was common to O. T. and N. T. saints alike. Fifth, the resurrection of the body. In this, the whole Family of Faith shall share alike, and at the same time: “In Christ shall all be made alive; but every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:22, 23). Sixth, the reunion between the soul and body, which takes place at Christ’s appearing. Seventh, the entrance into eternal glory, when O. T. and N. T. saints alike shall, all together, be “forever with the Lord.”[4]
Therefore, the “us” in Hebrews 11:40 signifies New Testament believers who are made perfect through the redemptive work of Christ. This perfection is achieved as Christ’s sacrifice provides the necessary atonement for sin, fulfilling the hopes and promises of the Old Testament saints, and allowing them to be counted among the redeemed in God’s eternal plan. This interconnectedness illustrates the continuity of God’s redemptive story throughout both covenants, culminating in the person and work of Jesus.
TIE-UP: The practical application can best be summed up in a quote by John Calvin, “If they on whom the light of grace had not as yet so brightly shone, displayed so great a constancy in and during evils, what ought the full brightness of the Gospel to produce in us! A small spark of light led them to heaven; when the sun of righteousness shines over us, with what pretense can we excuse ourselves if we still cleave to the earth?”
After portraying the mockery, mistreatment, destitution, alienation, homelessness, abuse, torture, and death of believers, our cultural contexts, as well as our own hearts, often incline us to weigh the “pros” and “cons” of entrusting ourselves wholly to Jesus. When the reward is distant, and the price to be paid is very present and painfully high, we feel pressured to conform and blend in. But Jesus called His followers to swim upstream against the downward current of the culture around them. The ancients, despite all their flaws, held fast to a hope in things not yet seen, considering the God who promised to be faithful.[5]
1. With greater revelation and knowledge comes greater responsibility.
2. What holds you back from fully pursuing spiritual faithfulness?
3. Envision what your life could look like if you fully embraced the Gospel.
[1] Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), 516.
[2] Arthur Walkington Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1954), 870.
[3] John MacArthur, Hebrews Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1983), 369.
[4] Arthur Walkington Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1954), 875–876.
[5] Dennis E Johnson, Expository Commentary: Hebrews-Revelation (Wheaton: Crossway, 2018), 182.
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