Another example of elders' faith that we can imitate: elders that have been serving for many decades and they have thought the end would
have come by now but despite unfufilled expectations they don't give up. How glad those elders will be when the end does come. Can we imitate that expression of faith?
I understand faith as JW as this and I qoute from the Watchtower September 1st 1969 page 532.
Jehovah has made many promises of things yet to occur, One may hope that such things will come to pass, but such expression may only be a whimsical wish, not real faith. Faith is more than just an expectation. It is expectation that is assured to such a degree that it is able to support , uphold and guarantee that what is hoped for will become a reality. (italics are in the Watchtower) This is the meaning of hypostasis, a word common in ancient papyrus business documents in reference to guarantees placed on the transactions.
Commenting on this first verse, chapter eleven, of Hebrews, Marcus Dods says: “Substantially the words [hy.po’sta.sis and e’leg.khos] mean that faith gives to things future, which as yet are only hoped for, all the reality of actual present existence,; and irresistibly convinces us of the reality of things unseen and brings us into their presence.” The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Vol.IV page 352.
People talk about their faith in God and quote the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus explained that God feeds the birds and clothes the vegetation and would certainly provide for his people; but still they do not rest easy until their insurance policy is paid and they have money in the bank. This kind of faith is only a veneer not the kind that would move mountains or let a man walk on water,
In paragraph two it mentions that ‘Thus Christendom prays for God’s kingdom to come, but discounts it by saying it is only a condition of the heart, or if it is real, it will not come in our time’ This I believe is a reference to Luke 17:21 which is mentioned at the end of the study article.
24 The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered them, saying: “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness“ To wait until we see it would be too late; therefore faith is required now to go ahead with the preaching work. But Jesus assures us: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away,” So just as we have confidence in the permanence of the heavens and earth, we can have confidence in the permanence of God’s Word and in the wonderful prospects for future life under his Kingdom rule of righteousness. Luke 17:21; Matt. 24:34,35 (underlining mine)
24. What assurance for our faith did Jesus give?
Having faith in the good news is important and the good news is according to the
Insight on the Scriptures Vol. 2 (Watch Tower 1988) page 987 Under the heading ‘Good News’
‘It includes all the truths about which Jesus spoke and the disciples wrote.’and
and so my fathers family's faith may well have been adversely affected by this brothers good news that he would never die of old age.