Looking for a City ∙∙

Looking for a City ∙∙

They were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. – Hebrews 11:16

Hebrews 11:8-10

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith – for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.

Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

The Discovery of the Lost Golden City of Luxor

For centuries, the allure of uncovering ancient cities hidden beneath shifting sands has captivated explorers and archaeologists alike. A monumental discovery was announced on April 10, 2021: the Lost Golden City of Luxor. This archaeological breakthrough had eluded researchers for decades because of a lack of clear historical records about its exact location. Archaeologists had to rely on educated guesses and limited evidence. Once a thriving city of great importance in ancient Egypt, Luxor was abandoned and lost to history, entombed beneath layers of sand for an incredible 3,400 years.

A Glimpse into the 18th Dynasty

The archaeological site in question dates back to the remarkable 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, a time characterized by significant economic prosperity and remarkable cultural accomplishments. This era saw the construction of Luxor, primarily under the reign of Amenhotep III, who ruled from 1386 to 1353 BC. His rule is often regarded as a golden age, marked by immense wealth, influence, and opulence, which laid the foundation for the splendor associated with ancient Egyptian civilization. Following him, his son, Amenhotep IV, ascended the throne and ruled from approximately 1353 to 1336 BC.  

Akhenaten’s Radical Shift

Amenhotep IV led a religious and cultural revolution. He abandoned traditional polytheism. And switched to monotheism and the exclusive worship of the sun god, Aten, as the supreme and only God. This shift represented a major break from centuries of established religious practices. In a strong demonstration of his faith, he took the name Akhenaten, meaning “Devoted to Aten” or “Servant of Aten.” He made the bold move of moving Egypt’s political and spiritual center from Luxor to a new capital called Akhetaten, now known as Amarna.

In this city, Akhenaten and his influential wife, Nefertiti, promoted the worship of Aten. However, after Akhenaten’s death, his young son, Tutankhamun, commonly known as King Tut, became ruler at just nine years old. Once in power, King Tut quickly rejected his father’s “unorthodox” faith in a single god and restored the traditional gods that the Egyptian people had worshipped for centuries. His reign signaled a return to established religious practices, ultimately leading to the abandonment of Akhetaten.

Luxor: A Snapshot in Time

Because Luxor was abandoned rather than destroyed, its remnants are remarkably well-preserved, similar to those of Pompeii. Salima Ikram, head of the American University in Cairo’s Egyptology unit, described it as “very much a snapshot in time, an Egyptian version of Pompeii.” This unique feature of Luxor allows visitors and scholars alike to gain invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian civilization as it remains preserved in its historical context, offering a vivid glimpse into the daily life, culture, and architecture of that era.

The Promised City of God

The Father has made many promises to His people, including the long-awaited City of God. He assured Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants of a land and a city built by His own hand. Where is this city?

Many of these promises have been partially fulfilled throughout history, while others await their complete realization in the future. As Scripture reminds us in Hebrews 11:10: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” The exact timing of the fulfillment of these prophecies is known only to the Father. Still, we can trust that His promises will come to pass. As Joel Rosenberg correctly states, “We cannot be certain exactly when or precisely how the prophecies would come to complete fulfillment. But we can be confident that they will be.”

REFLECT & PRAY

In our throwaway society, junk is usually stuff we no longer need and consider worthless. Conversely, the Father sees value in what others ignore. He does not create junk, and His promises are unconditional and eternal.

Father, thank You for Your unwavering promises that will one day be fully realized. Encourage us to walk by faith, as those who came before us, seeing Your promises from “afar.” Thank You that You know we are but dust.  

INSIGHT

The Ancient Patriarchs and Their Heavenly Vision

The ancient patriarchs lived with their eyes fixed on a promised city, a heavenly homeland prepared by the Father. As described in Hebrews 11:16: “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.” Although they never witnessed the realization of these promises during their earthly lives, they remained unwavering in their faith, trusting deeply in God’s ultimate plan.

Faith That Sees Beyond the Present

Through their unwavering faith, the patriarchs perceived the promises from a distance, clinging to the belief that the Father’s word would ultimately come to fruition. Hebrews 11:13 reveals that “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off.”

They lived their lives anchored in this faith, never fully experiencing what had been promised to them. Yet, they remained resolute in their trust, demonstrating a remarkable steadfastness.

The Father’s promises are never empty; they are forever reliable. But His perfect timing decides when they come to pass. The children of the King, as described in the book of Hebrews, lived in tents, temporary dwellings. However, their focus was not on their current circumstances; instead, they looked ahead to the eternal city built for them by the Father.

How can this be understood? Moses was given the power to see the unseen and believe

in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. As Hebrews 11:27 highlights, “By faith . . . he saw him who is invisible.” As children of the King, we, too, are empowered to see the invisible. We, too, are enabled to believe in eternal promises. Dr. George Morrison insightfully noted, “The important thing is not what we live in, but what we look for.” The partial realization of the Father’s promises offers us a glimpse of the greater blessings yet to come.

Faith That Honors the Father

The Father honors faith because faith honors Him. As declared in 1 Samuel 2:30: “I will honor those who honor me.” Children of the King demonstrate their faith not only in their words but also in their actions, and the Father was pleased to associate Himself with them. Hebrews 11:16 affirms this truth: “God is not ashamed to be called their God.”

The Father’s Unwavering Commitment to His Children

The Greek word translated as “ashamed” in this passage is epaischunomai. Its root, aisch, initially referred to “something ugly or disgraceful,” and later came to mean feeling shame, embarrassment, or guilt.” The Father, however, is not ashamed of His children. He is fully aware of our shortcomings and flaws, yet His unwavering love and dedication remain unchanged. This enduring commitment shows not only His grace but also the deep relationship He maintains with us, as He accepts our imperfections without judgment. We are loved unconditionally, despite our human faults.  

Psalms 103:10-14 beautifully captures this assurance: “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

The Lord embodies the essence of a caring father, exuding tenderness and compassion toward those who revere Him. He keenly understands our human frailty, acknowledging that we are but dust, and offers us grace despite our limitations.

The Father does not create junk, nor does He make mistakes in His design. He recognizes our vulnerabilities and embraces us as His beloved children, tenderly guiding us toward the realization of His promises. His love is unwavering, His compassion knows no bounds, and His promises endure through time. In His embrace, we find a wellspring of hope and assurance.

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© Dr. H 2025