We are still in our marching mode here in Hebrews 11 and the horizon of the finish line is in sight, however that does not mean anything for us. Because each day is a new beginning in the LORD Christ just as each day brings mercy afresh so is our learning of Him and our relationship in that status of oneness. A relationship that never grows old, gets tired or stale.
Hebrews 11:32-38, 39-40 "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; That they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 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; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (KJV)
Hebrews 11:32-38, 39-40 "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." (ESV)
Hebrews 11:32-38, 39-40 "And so the list of faith-heroes continues to grow. There is not enough time to tell the stories of Gideon and Barak and Sampson and Jephtah, of David, Samuel and the Prophets. There are they who conquered kingdoms by his faith. (Gideon, like Rahab, was in no position to claim any credit for his achievements; faith (dare I say Christ) nullifies boasting [look at Romans 3:27, Judges 6:11-16]) They accomplished righteousness by that same faith (Christ) and thus secured the promise [by Christ that is faith and not by performance]. ( Deborah told Barak the son of Abinoam that, although he would deliver Israel, he would not get the honor, since a woman would do it for him. [look at Judges 4:21] In the principle of righteousness by (Christ's) faith, the flesh will take no glory. Barak, means to worship in adoration, and Adinoam means, "my father's delight" or "grace.") By faith they shut the mouths of lions. (Samson, whose mighty achievements were immediately accredited to the Spirit of the LORD, that is to say, Christ moved upon him. Again there was no occasion to glory in the flesh.) Their faith extinguished powerful fires. They escaped from fierce battles. They were empowered in spite of their frailty. They became heroes in battle and caused hostile armies to flee before them. (Jephtah whose own friends disinherited him because his mother was a prostitute became the captain of the army of Israel.) By faith women received again their children back from the dead. (in 1Kings 17:18-24, 2Kings 4:32-34) Others were severely tortured for their faith and refusal to accept release when it was offered them on condition that they would renounce their opinions. To have accepted deliverance then could have saved their lives, but their faith saw a more honorable and glorious resurrection ahead for them. Still others were severely mocked and ridiculed for their faith: they were beaten, shackled and imprisoned. While some were stoned to death, others ( like Isaiah the Prophet) were sawn asunder with a wood saw. There were yet others who were tempted by the promise of possible release from their tortures, and then they were brutally slaughtered with a sword. Many became wandering refugees with nothing but sheep and goatskins for clothing. They lost everything and were harassed and tortured. The world did not realize their value. These faith-heroes were often driven from their homes and forced to live in the deserts and mountains; sleeping like animals in caves and holes in the ground.
Their lives were trophies to their faith, as the substance of what was invisible but visualized in their hope, and the evidence of things their natural eyes never saw. GOD saw the prefect picture in us as in them; we now complete the history of their lives. (Everything that the shadows prefigured have now found its substance in us through Christ in us.) (The Mirror, with editing)
We shall soon see the stage set for all these faith heroes are the crowd in the heavens who cheer on! Until our next visit may the LORD give us a glimpse into this heavenly realm that lays ahead.
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