1. Lesson One
    Overview of Hebrews
    15 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. LESSON TWO
    Hebrews' Christology (Hebrews 1–3, 5, 8–9)
    18 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. LESSON THREE
    The Old Testament in Hebrews (Hebrews 4, 7, 11)
    20 Activities
  4. LESSON FOUR
    Exhortations in Hebrews
    17 Activities
  5. LESSON FIVE
    Persecution
    14 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment
Lesson 4, Activity 7

In | The Future Inheritance of Believers

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While Hebrews acknowledges that believers are currently “tasting the heavenly gift … and the powers of the coming age” (Hebrews 6:4-5 NIV) and are in the process of “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28 NIV), it looks forward to a more complete fulfillment in a future age. The language of sight, of “looking” and “seeing,” features heavily in Hebrews’ anticipation of a future inheritance for believers. What they long for already exists but is as yet “invisible” or “unseen.” 

Read Hebrews 11:1-31. If you are logged into a YouVersion account, highlight all the references to the future inheritance of believers that is as yet unseen. (If you don’t have a YouVersion account, use your Bible or another online Bible with a highlighting or underlining feature.)

In your reading of Hebrews 11:1-31, you might have highlighted the verses below, and perhaps others depending on your approach. These passages recall some of the “not yet” aspect of Paul’s theology. They remind us that while we are already located in Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of this membership is still beyond our view.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible
Hebrews 11:3 (NIV)

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. 
Hebrews 11:7 (NIV)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 
Hebrews 11:13 (NIV) 

Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 
Hebrews 11:16 (NIV)

He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward
Hebrews 11:26 (NIV) 

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible
Hebrews 11:27 (NIV) 

Reference: Donald Hagner, Encountering the Book of Hebrews, 2002, p. 137.