They "Saw" the Things Promised

THEIR FAITH BECAME STRONGER WHEN THEY IMAGINED THE FUTURE

Abel was the first man who had faith in Jehovah's promises. He knew what Jehovah said to the serpent after Adam and Eve sinned:  "I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike him in the heel." (Genesis 3:14, 15) Abel did not know exactly how this would happen.  But he must have  thought a lot about what God had said. Abel could have thought,  "Who would be the one injured by the serpent and help humans to become perfect again?  Abel had faith that whatever Jehovah promised would come true, and when he offered a sacrifice, Jehovah was pleased with it. -Read Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 11:4. 

Enoch was another man who had strong faith in God. He lived among wicked people who said "shocking things" against God. But Enoch was courageous and preached God's message. He told people that Jehovah was going  to  destroy the wicked.  (Jude 14, 15)  What helped him to do this?  Enoch may have imagined what the world would be like when everybody served Jehovah. -Read Hebrews 11:5, 6. 

Noah had faith in Jehovah, so he was not destroyed in the Flood.  (Hebrews 11:7) And then because of his faith, Noah sacrificed  animals to Jehovah.  (Genesis 8:20) After the Flood, the world became wicked again. Nimrod began ruling and wanted people to rebel against Jehovah.  (Genesis 10:8-12)  But Noah's faith stayed strong. Like Abel, he was sure that God would one day remove sin and death.  Noah may also have thought about the time when there would be no cruel rulers.  We too can imagine this wonderful time, which is now very close! -Romans 6:23. 

Next time: They "Saw" the Things Promised - THEY IMAGINED THE TIME WHEN GOD'S PROMISES WOULD COME TRUE 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015