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Feast of Tabernacles - Day Six - The Righteousness of Faith
October 5, 2023

We look forward to the Kingdom of God at all times of the year and especially during the Feast of Tabernacles. Looking at the pages of prophecy of what will be one day, we realize it is through faith we will have the righteousness needed for the Kingdom of God, and sometimes this is revealed to us through prophecy, as it is in the Book of Revelation, including a description of the dragon which gave power to the beast who was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies to continue forty-two months, or three and a half years. The beast speaks blasphemy against all that is God and is able to make war with the saints and overcome them through what appears to be captivity and death. The passage concludes with a reflective thought, that here the patience and faith of the saints is summarized in the idea that those who lead into captivity will go into captivity and those who kill with the sword will be killed with the sword.

Revelation 13:2-10
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The patience and faith of the saints is linked to understanding that God will avenge His people when they are wronged for the sake of the truth. Later in Revelation, patience and faith are again linked to the saints who are described as keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus knowing those who worship the beast and his image, and who receive the mark of his name will receive the wrath of God.

Revelation 14:9-13
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

We later see in Revelation how the ten kings who receive power through the beast will make war with the Lamb and be defeated by the Lamb. Those who are with the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Prior to the Kingdom of God, and in order to survive every attempt by the beast to have us surrender eternal life, we will need faith. We will also have to be numbered among the called, chosen, and faithful.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they knew the day of the Lord would come as a thief in the night, where when peace and safety is promised, sudden destruction comes upon them. Paul reminded them of the need to watch, to be vigilant, to be spiritually sober, and along with love and the hope of salvation, to remember to put on the breastplate of faith so that we can obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

It was to the Romans that Paul mentioned the gentiles had obtained the righteousness which is of faith and contrasted that to what Israel had sought, which followed after the law of righteousness, and how they hadn’t attained that standard. Paul explained that faith was the key when Israel looked to the works of the law without faith, and works is compared to a stumbling stone.

Romans 9:30-33
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Some might read the words of Paul and think we do not need to worry about works because Paul is writing that works without faith is nothing more than a stumbling stone, but the Book of James, which we will read later today makes it clear that without works, faith is dead.

Paul would go on in other letters to contrast the difference between the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith, and how as a member of the tribe of Benjamin, he was well versed in the righteousness, which is in the law, but how through Jesus he became well versed in righteousness which is through faith. He also explained that the righteousness of the law is something we have for ourselves. The righteousness of the law comes through things we do. He showed how the righteousness we need is through the faith of Christ, which is of God by faith, if we want eternal life.

Philippians 3:5-11
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

After having just read what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, Romans, and Philippians, we can see how we cannot confuse obedience with faith. If we have faith, we will have obedience, but obedience of and by itself is not faith. In his first letter, John tells us that it is our faith that overcomes this world. John also mentions that if we love God we will keep His commandments, the obedience, but John doesn’t say keeping the commandments is the victory that overcomes the world. John tells us it is our faith which overcomes the world, and when we overcome the world by our faith, there is righteousness because that faith comes through Jesus Christ and God our Father.

1 John 5:1-4
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Hebrews eleven defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, and how without faith it is impossible to please God because if we want to be part of the Kingdom of God, we have to foundationally believe that God exists and rewards those who diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:1-6
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In the Book of Mark, Jesus used a fig tree to teach the disciples about faith. Jesus and His entourage were traveling from Bethany and very hungry when they thought they would find fruit on a fig tree, but found no fruit, just a tree covered with leaves. Jesus told the tree no person would ever eat of its fruit again.

Mark 11:12-14
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it.

The next morning, when the group passed by the fig tree, they say the tree which the day before had been covered in leaves, was today totally dried up, and when this was brought to the attention of Jesus, he replied, “Have faith in God.” He then showed how faith was crucial in prayer adding that if we want to be forgiven our sins, me must forgive others for what they have done to us.

Mark 11:20-26
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Great faith is not always found where we might expect it. For instance, Jesus was once approached by a Roman centurion asking him to heal his servant of a serious illness. In approaching Jesus, the same centurion also acknowledged that he was not even worthy to have Jesus come to his house, but still asked for his servant to be healed. Jesus used this to explain that gentiles will be part of the Kingdom of God, but many of the children of Israel would not be. Seeing the faith of the Roman centurion, Jesus healed his servant right then and there.

Matthew 8:5-13
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Knowing that faith is essential to our future place in the Kingdom of God, we can never surrender our faith even in the face of extreme persecution, like what will come through the beast of Revelation. Jesus also warned of offences, sharing that in life, from time to time, people will be offended, and that there is a need to forgive even in the face of offences. Hearing this, the disciples asked that Jesus increase their faith. Jesus used the faith of a grain of a mustard seed to tell the disciples that through faith they could cause a tree to be replanted. He then linked faith to effort showing that faith must be linked to doing more than what is expected, not just doing the minimum of what is expected.

Luke 17:1-10
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Jesus used a parable of how people ought to always pray and not spiritually fall asleep. In this parable, a widow came to a judge who completely disregarded God, and the widow asked the judge to be avenged of her adversary. The judge didn’t immediately act on her request but then considered how because this widow was a constant annoyance, he would avenge her of her adversary so she could stop bugging him. Jesus then explained that God will also avenge His own elect. Jesus then asked a rhetorical question, that when He returns, will He find faith on earth.

Luke 18:1-8
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

We know Jesus will find faith on the earth, but with the choice of righteousness of the law or righteousness of faith, will we connect righteousness to faith? Paul reminded the Corinthians in his first letter that when he visited them, he was with them in weakness, fear, and trembling so that whatever words he spoke was not a demonstration of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Holy Spirit, so that faith would not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God, knowing that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has man conceived the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. Today it is essential as we look toward to the Kingdom of God that our faith is not linked to a man but to the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1-9
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul added to his thoughts explaining that even though we have this physical body, our physical body is good to show the excellency of the power of God. Through the ebb and flow of our life with our physical body, we have periods of time when we are healthy, and when we are sick, when we are in our peak physical condition, and when we physically are weak. The Holy Spirit is not limited by our physical body even though we are limited by our physical body, and because of this our physical body even when we are sick and not in peak physical condition can show the excellency of the power of God.

Paul went on and explained that we have the same spirit of faith. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of Faith, knowing that just like Jesus was resurrected from the dead, so shall we, and so we have this righteousness which is of faith.

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

In that same second letter to the Corinthians, Paul told them to examine themselves to determine if they were in the faith, the faith of righteousness, so that they would not simply be reprobates masquerading as Christians. Even though it is through faith we are saved, we know we will also keep the commandments of God.

2 Corinthians 13:5-9
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Paul chided the Galatians for not obeying the truth and asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit through the works of the law or by the hearing of faith. He wanted to know if they had received the Holy Spirit if they were better Christians through the works of the law. He asked if their ministers spiritually fed them and worked miracles through the works of the law or the hearing of faith. It was because Abraham believed God, not because Abraham had works of the flesh that it was accounted to him for righteousness. If we want to have righteousness accounted to us today so that we can be part of the Kingdom of God later on, it must come through faith, not simple acts of obedience.

Galatians 3:1-9
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Though we live in physical bodies, the battles we fight are spiritual battles waged against Satan the Devil, who won’t be part of the Kingdom of God, and who desperately wants to keep us from the Kingdom of God as well. As we fight spiritual fights in our life, and each of us will fight spiritual fights, Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God to withstand evil so that we are not overcome by evil. We encircle ourselves with truth using righteousness as a breastplate, being well-versed in the gospel of the Kingdom of God, using faith as a defensive shield, looking forward to salvation, and using the word of God as our spiritual offensive weapons.

Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Did Paul mention perfect and complete obedience to everything that is in the Bible in his list? He did not. Perfect complete obedience is the final result we achieve through everything we do spiritually, but perfect complete obedience does not necessarily mean a person understands what the truth is, or that they are righteous, understand the Kingdom of God, or have faith. To be in the Kingdom of God, we have to have the righteousness of faith.

Having the righteousness of faith in no way diminishes any part of what is written in the Bible. We cannot have faith while disregarding what God tells us to do, because even the demons who do not obey God know there is a God. Likewise if we do what God expects but otherwise do not have the Holy Spirit, there would be no immediate reward awaiting us at the return of Jesus Christ. To be part of the Kingdom of God at the return of Jesus Christ we must have the Holy Spirit and have the righteousness that comes through faith, and with the righteousness that comes through faith, we will do what God expects of us.

James 2:14-26
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Even though the Church of God is splintered in different groups, we all have to endeavor to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit through peace knowing there is one body of believers, one Holy Spirit, and one hope in our calling. There is one Jesus Christ, one faith-the righteousness of faith, one baptism, and one God who is our Father. We all have access to forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, and how God works here on earth through people is so those who are called may become spiritually mature, to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God, to help and strengthen the church until we all come to the unity of the faith-the righteousness of faith and are no longer tossed about with every wind of doctrine, but speaking the truth in love, can become like Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-16
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Faith, the righteousness of faith, is what we need to endure to the end, to be part of the Kingdom of God. As we celebrate this Feast of Tabernacles, let us grow in the righteousness of faith.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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