By Jack Weaver
For centuries man has misunderstood or misinterpreted many words in God’s Holy Scripture. “Scholars” debate the meanings of Biblical words and we must determine whether such interpretations are errors or truth. If errors, whether they are accidental or deliberate. Let’s take the wonderful and exhilarating word “Hope” and see if we can understand it. Of course this writing will be an abbreviated explanation of the word but it is a start.
One may say, “I hope it will not rain today.” “I hope my car will start when I have an emergency.” “I hope my children will grow up to be great citizens.” “I hope. I hope. I hope.”
The standard dictionary definition, and one that is generally accepted by most of the world is “to FEEL that something desired MAY happen:” The words “feel” and “may” are two very indefinite and vague words, but such a definition of “hope” exemplifies the thinking of most people.
The dictionary definition of the word “hope” is NOT the Biblical Hope of which we speak.
Let us investigate the Old and New Testament meanings of the word “Hope.”
Psalm 33:22
“Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”
Hope in this verse is the Hebrew word, “yachal” meaning “trust.”
Psalm 130:7
“Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.”
Again this is the same Hebrew word, “trust.”
Psalm 39:7
“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”
Here we see a slightly different Hebrew word “towcheleth“ but with the same root but meaning “expectation.” These and many, many more verses illustrate the Psalmist’s reliance upon the trustworthiness of the Lord. The Lord CAN be trusted. He WILL keep His promises.
Now, in the New Testament we see the word “Hope” in several verses. This word “Hope” is an absolute, a guarantee without a doubt. It is the Greek word “elpis” meaning “to expect or anticipate with pleasure.”
Romans 5:2
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
We rejoice in the glory of God, not with uncertainty but with joyful anticipation — guaranteed.
Colossians 1:5
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;“
The Hope of Heaven is not a maybe — but an absolute and definite guarantee by the Word of the Truth of the Gospel.
Titus 1:2
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
Eternal life — guaranteed and promised by the God of the Universe. He cannot lie.
Titus 2:13
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
Every believer in Jesus Christ may look with confidence to the glorious appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. No doubt!
Titus 3:7
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
We are Justified by God’s grace, guaranteed — Rendered innocent or free by God’s Grace, eternal life guaranteed!
As you read this, I want you to have that Hope or guarantee personally. God offers you this by His Grace.
Just briefly, no one deserves to live in Heaven or have eternal life with the Righteous God (Revelation 21:27). We are all sinners by nature and deed. Simply put, we have all sinned and come short of the mark of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). All sin requires a payment that must be paid — and that penalty is spiritual death, being apart from God in Hell (Romans 4:23).
By God’s Grace and Love He provided a Sin Bearer in the person of Jesus Christ, God in the Flesh, who was crucified for our sin, was buried and rose again. This Grace is available to the whole world — including you personally (John 3:16). It is not determined by how good you are — or how hard you try — or by your good works, but by Grace alone, which means “undeserved mercy.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
How can we KNOW that Hope is real?
1 John 5:13
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
You can KNOW. God promises Heaven, the Hope (guarantee) of eternal life is when you trust that Jesus paid the death penalty for sin in your place. He promises — and all you need do is to trust Jesus as your Savior. Believe His Word — He died for you.
If you have never trusted Jesus alone as your Savior, do that right now. Believe His promises of eternal life which are yours the very moment you trust Jesus as YOUR Savior.
Remember and believe this:
Jesus died — That is history. Jesus died for ME — that is salvation.
When you make that simple decision, your eternity in Heaven is secure in Jesus Christ. It is God’s guarantee, thus your HOPE of Heaven is guaranteed eternal. You are immediately declared righteous before a Holy God with no possibility of losing His Gift of salvation. Eternal life is ETERNAL — without end, beginning the moment you trust Christ as your personal Savior.
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek [gentile].”
Please, trust Jesus Christ as your Savior NOW! God has no strings attached! Claim that wonderful gift of HOPE.
Notes From A Retired Preacher 
Eromosele, welcome and thanks for your comment. The post to which you are responding was written by the late Jack Weaver, the founder of this ministry. We are thankful that you have found it to be a blessing.
Thank you for your message. I stumbled on it while researching for my bible study class on Hope. It is a great blessing.
Awww.. I look back on this and pray that this older Gentleman did understand and believe, it’s sweet to see that Jack also prayed for this. Maybe they have met each other. If it is who I ‘think’ it is (from 4 years ago), it may have been the Old gentleman who was sick in the nursing home my dad was in. It is a reminder to me that we are on a mission field wherever we are sent, and I pray that I may walk wisely with any I run across, both in Adam’s skilled nursing facility, or with contractors etc. that we are working with, or with any we run across as we get our home ready to sell.
Holly,
Thanks — we pray this person will understand and believe the Gospel of our Savior.
Sorry you had a commenting glitch earlier..
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
I came to share this yesterday with someone who doesn’t have long to live, so I pray that the Word of God will revive his heart and strengthen him. Thanks Jack, may the good Lord bless you and yours today…
Holly,
It is interesting to revisit some older posts even for me to read again. God’s Grace is still God’s Grace!!!
Glad to have you still around.. we appreciate you.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Jack, made me smile to see this was one of the first posts I commented on, although I was reading some before.
Lorraine, you have come out of Mormonism?
Or you just have a Mormon relative? Go public with what?
This is from rapturegirl777. I was Saved at 17. CCC never made me fall away. But I was depressed. But the joy of the Lord has returned. And the joy of the Lord is my strength. I even have a relative from way back who is named Nehemiah. Imagine that! My non Mormon relatives did a Bailey genelogy. My 2nd cousin married a Mormon, that’s my only Mormon relative. You are such sweet dear Christian people! You are truely doing God’s work on your web site. Pray for me as I go public, I need all the help I can get. Lk 8:17 For there is nothing hidden shall not be disclosed. Lk 9:60 …go&publish…Amplifed Bible.Neh 8:10 The joy of the Lord is my strength. More Amph Bible. Love you, Lorraine
Holly,
Welcome to ExPreacherMan. So very happy to have you aboard. You will find many like-minded Free Grace friends here.
Thanks for the associated verses. This is the most-read post on our web site.
Drop back by any time.. you know you are welcome.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
This article made me think of this passage, thank you.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom 5:1-5
Alex,
Thanks for the reply,
You need to state clearly “What IS the Gospel and how do we appropriate it.”
Just a couple of thoughts — we do not make Jesus our Lord in order to be saved – He is already The Lord God Almighty; we must believe that He is God in the Flesh before we can trust him as Savior.
You did not answer whether or not you are Charismatic — as is Prince.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Hi Pastor Jack,
Thank you for your feedback. I just started this site this week. I am 100% for the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior we are guaranteed eternal life. I will have to update my site if it wasn’t clear. And we also believe that our focus should be on Jesus Christ and none on ourselves (men, or our flesh) in every area of our lives.
Jesus’ Beloved, Alex
Alex,
Thanks for visiting.. Your site and testimony are interesting.. and we pray you will continue to grow in Grace and knowledge of God’s Word. But I could not find The Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ anywhere on your site — nor a statement of your beliefs/faith.
Honestly your site appears Charismatic — as well as your recommended Joseph Prince. We disagree with what appears to be Prince’s Charismatic message and prosperity “gospel.”
I will pray you see that the Gospel is the Power of God — not events, our experiences or feelings.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (The Gospel). 1 Corinthians 2:5
Thanks for visiting — we will be praying for you and your wonderful family in your new venture for our Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Pastor Jack, as I studied the words Hope and Blessing I came upon your site. And it brings me great joy to read what you have written. It lines up with what the Holy Spirit has been showing me. I came upon this definition in the Greek “Joyful, confident expectation”. And your explanations lines up with that.
God has been taking my wife and I through an awesome period of the revelation of Grace over the last year. It is nothing short of incredible.
God has called us to spread His gospel and the things that He is showing us in His Word are preparing us for what is to come. God has given me this passion for His church and I have started my own blog this week. It would be an honor if you took some time to check out my posts and provide some feedback. My site is gracerevelation.wordpress
Jesus’ Beloved, Alex
Robyn,
Thanks for your encouraging note. Of course you are welcome to print copies of “Hope” for your Bible study.. In fact you may print thousands and pass them out all over Orange Park. 😉
Please include the link to the Blog so they may visit the web site.
We appreciate your concern for the lost and pray you will see much fruit for the Lord by your efforts.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack n Shirley
Dear Pastor Jack & Shirley, the Lord has been asking me to invite all the ladies on our street to a Bible study on HOPE. There are 32 ladies on our street and a few go to church. I’m praying that they will all come and that the Lord keeps them wanting to come back for more. I wondered what I would talk about so I googled hope and you popped up. I’m going to send a copy of your message home with them. Thank you for explaining it so well. The ladies are coming over tomorrow night, I will contact you Tuesday to tell you how it went. God bless you both, you are good soldiers of the cross.
In His Service, Robyn Armstrong Orange Park Florida
Elijah,
Thanks for dropping by.. I am glad the article on Hope was useful. It just so happens it is the most read article on my Blog since it was written and I have received notes from folks all over the world who have used it in Bible studies. I only use the KJV because I believe it to be the most accurate translation. The newer ones seem to miss some Doctrinal essentials.
The Lord has blessed us for which we are thankful.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
I just wanted to say thank you. I am going to Bible School right now and I chose to write my end of the year thesis on hope. This covered the basic stuff I was needing. And I also wanted to thank you for using the King James version Bible.
Brittany,
We are happy you feel safe — and pray that your assurance in in Jesus Christ alone. HE is the Savior and the only One in whom we can feel safe and secure.
We will pray for you as you become more and more assured in your faith by God’s Word. Please stay in touch.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
For the first time in a while, I feel safe. Your words are so comforting.