Heb. 11:36-40– And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we find many named who exercised great faith. Here we find many who remain nameless yet their faith propelled them beyond great suffering. They trusted God implacably despite having no Bible and many died before there was the indwelling Spirit of God! The passage concludes with the indictment that God has provided something better for us.
Something Better!
*we have better…
Propitiation!
I John 4:9-10– In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Promises!
Heb. 8:6– But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Provisions!
Heb. 6:9– But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Gal. 5:22-23– But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Peace!
Heb. 7:19– For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Eph. 2:13-14– But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Phil. 4:7– And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Proof!
Heb. 7:22– By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Place!
John 14:1-3– LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
We have been blessed with so much more than those folks and we face so much less persecution. Perhaps it’s because they were feared more than us because they truly lived by faith! May God convict us to utilize all that He’s given us to reach many for Him regardless of the circumstances or fallout! –Pastor Doug Foster