The Pilgrim's Confession
Herman Hoeksema's exposition of Hebrews 11:13 explores how Old Testament saints died "according to faith"—the standard of faith defined in Hebrews 11:1 as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"—by confessing themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth. The sermon argues that believers are fundamentally alienated from earthly existence due to election and regeneration, which orient their hearts toward heavenly realities and the consummation of God's covenant promise in Christ, rather than earthly citizenship. Contemporary Christians share this same confession, recognizing their temporary earthly sojourn while awaiting final fellowship with God in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), thereby conquering the fear of death through faith in Christ's redemptive work.
What does the Bible say about being a pilgrim and stranger on the earth?
The Bible teaches that believers are pilgrims and strangers on the earth, awaiting the fulfillment of God's promises.
Moreover, the distinction of being a stranger implies that believers do not conform to the worldly values and language since their identities are rooted in Christ. As we journey through life, we rely on the faith that assures us of Christ's promise, leading to spiritual fulfillment that is not bound to earthly experiences.
Ultimately, the believer's hope transcends this life, focusing on the heavenly city prepared by God. This assurance helps believers embrace their role as pilgrims, living faithfully even amidst challenges, as they set their hearts on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones.
Hebrews 11:13, Colossians 3:1-2, Revelation 21:2
Why is the concept of election important for Christians?
Election is crucial for Christians as it affirms God's sovereignty and the assurance of eternal fellowship with Him.
Through election, believers receive the promise of regeneration, which transforms them and aligns their hearts with God's purposes. This calling emphasizes that they do not belong to this world; rather, they are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. It instills hope, encouraging believers to live in faith while awaiting the fulfillment of their glorious inheritance.
The assurance of election eliminates fear of abandonment; it assures believers that they will dwell in the presence of God eternally, culminating in the new creation where God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:2). This belief fosters a profound sense of belonging and purpose as they navigate their earthly pilgrimage.
Ephesians 1:4-5, Revelation 21:2
How do we know that the promises of God are true?
The promises of God are validated through faith and His faithfulness, demonstrated in Scripture and the lives of believers.
The truth of God's promises is also reinforced through the fulfillment of prophecies, the historical accounts of the Israelites, and the testimony of the New Testament concerning Christ. As believers experience God’s faithfulness personally, it strengthens their conviction that He will fulfill every promise made.
The culmination of all promises is found in Christ, who embodies the ultimate hope of redemption and fellowship with God. Romans 8:28-30 echoes this theme of assurance, ensuring that all things work together for good to those who love God. Thus, believers can confidently await the full realization of God’s promises in the age to come, where every tear will be wiped away in His everlasting presence.
Hebrews 11:1, Romans 8:28-30
I was home again today and listened to another sermon by Herman Hoeksema. It was on Hebrews 11:13 and titled the same as the blog title, “The Pilgrims Confession”. He always brings out such rich detail even from one verse and so I am always edified in the Word of God when I listen.
Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth”
In context the saints in chapter 11 are said to have all died IN faith and they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. HH interprets the word ‘in’ to read the verse in the way that says this; “They all died according to faith”, or according to the standard of faith, the standard of faith being the very first verse in Hebrews.
“Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.
The point of verse 13 being then that they placed their hope and all expectations on the promise of the Gospel, they had assurance of the promise, embraced and confessed it! They feared not death and conquered and overcame it by faith and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the land.
If we make this verse personal we may use the words in the way that we expect to die by faith and have no fear of death, for death is not our enemy but our friend as death leads us to our heavenly home. We can confess the same thing as Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, although they saw the promises afar off and we see them nearer we have not yet finally received the fullness of the promises and we are strangers and pilgrims in the earth, just as they were.
A stranger is one who does not fit and so we are strangers on the earth, we do not speak the language of the earth, we do not hear it or understand it and so our life does not fit in this earth anymore. A pilgrim comes from another country into the strange country and is passing through. A pilgrim moves in for awhile but passes through to go back to his own country. Because we are the people of God we temporarily live in this earthly country, we stay for awhile; we are on the earth as earthy beings. We speak earthly language; have earthly thoughts and earthly needs such as drink and food. We have earthly relationships with our families (some are blessed in spiritual relationships as well) and we are citizens for a time of the earth.
But principally speaking, we do not belong because we come from another world. The deepest cause of why we don’t belong is because of election. We have been chosen in Christ by election and the end of that election is the everlasting blessed covenant fellowship with our God. Subjectively we do not belong because of regeneration and the calling of God. God called Abraham and He didn’t give him a foot in Canaan but He dwelt with them in tents and Abraham waited for the city which has foundations and whose builder and maker is God. Through regeneration we have new life and that new life is not earthy and it doesn’t fit here.
We speak the new language, the heavenly language, the spiritual. We speak the language of the Scripture, the Word of God. We no longer set our hearts on things on the earth but on things above (Colossians 3:1&2) and we seek them. We long for the things above and we long for the day that the tabernacle will be with us. We make the same confession as those saints in Hebrews chapter 11; we confess that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
The promise is always Christ and all His fullness and the final blessing is eternity in the tabernacle of God with men, that Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev. 21:2)
Even so....come Lord Jesus!
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