In "A City Which Hath Foundations," Don Fortner explores the theological doctrine of faith and hope in the resurrection, specifically as it pertains to the believer's expectation of eternal life in the heavenly city, referenced in Hebrews 11:10. He argues that faith is not merely a search but a confident expectation in God's promises, much like Abraham, who looked beyond earthly trials and giants to the assurance of the New Jerusalem. Fortner points to several Scripture passages, including John 3:14-16 and Colossians 1:12, to demonstrate that faith in Christ assures believers of their inheritance in glory. The doctrinal significance lies in understanding that the foundations of this eternal city are rooted in the sovereignty of God, His covenant of grace, and the teaching of the apostles, which solidifies the believer's hope and perspective in an often troubled world.
Key Quotes
“Faith lives in expectation of eternity looking for that which God has promised.”
“Abraham looked not at the giants but at the promise of God and fully expected God to fulfill his promise in spite of the giants.”
“The foundations of the city have inscribed upon them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
“Let us ever keep the City in sight... but set your heart on things above.”
What does the Bible say about faith and hope in eternity?
The Bible illustrates that faith is grounded in the hope of eternal life, as demonstrated through Abraham's expectation of the heavenly city promised by God.
Hebrews 11:10, Romans 8:28-30
How do we know God's promises are true?
God's promises are established on His immutable character and faithfulness, demonstrated through scriptures like John 3:14-16.
John 3:14-16, Colossians 1:12
Why is the concept of a city with foundations important for Christians?
The idea of a city with foundations symbolizes the eternal stability and security found in God's promises, contrasting the transient nature of earthly life.
Hebrews 11:10, Ephesians 2:20
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. - Hebrews 11:10“A City Which Hath Foundations”
"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11:10
Faith lives in expectation of eternity, looking for that which God has promised. The life of faith is a life of hope, the hope of glory. Abraham sojourned here; but he lived for eternity. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." That keeps things in perspective!
“Heaven hath foundations,” wrote John Trapp, “earth hath none, but is hanged upon nothing, as Job speaketh. Hence things are said to be on earth, but in heaven.”
The spies who went in to spy out the land with Joshua and Caleb saw nothing but giants in the land. They were terrified by what they saw. Abraham looked not at the giants but at the promise of God and fully expected God to fulfill his promise in spite of the giants. He believed God. He saw the same thing John saw, The New Jerusalem. He walked with it ever before him, seeing it as a City that hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God!
Faith’s Expectation
When God the Holy Spirit tells us that Abraham “looked for a city’, he does not mean for us to understand that Abraham was searching for that city, but that he expected it. He fully expected to enter into and take possession of the heavenly Jerusalem as a rightful heir to it. This was not a matter of presumption, but of faith. You see Abraham really did believe God. Do we?
Has not God promised eternal life and heavenly glory to every sinner who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ? Indeed, he has (John 3:14-16). Does the Lord God not declare that every sinner washed in Christ’s blood and robed in his righteousness is worthy to enter into and take possession of the inheritance of the saints in heaven? He clearly does (Col. 1:12). It is, therefore, most reasonable that we should expect all the fullness of heavenly glory if we trust the Son of God, just as Abraham did.
The City’s Foundations
What are the foundations of that City? We are told that the foundations of the city have inscribed upon them the names of “the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:14). That is to say, the City of God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, is a city built upon that which the twelve apostles of Christ taught, the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in him.
Heaven is a city built upon the foundation of God’s everlasting purpose of grace in Christ (Rom. 8:28-31; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Tim. 1:9). The foundation of the City is God’s everlasting love for his elect, his eternal covenant of grace, his sovereign election, his absolute predestination, his unalterable Word, the precious blood of Christ, and his almighty, free grace. In a word, the foundations of the City are those foundations of grace and truth in Jesus Christ crucified (Eph. 2:20). Let us ever keep the City in sight! Don’t look at the giants in this dark land, but set your heart on things above (Col. 3:1-5, 15-17).
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