CONTINUING IN SUFFERING
Hebrews 11 35:40
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Heb 11:31-40 NAS)
ELIJAH BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE THE CHILD OF THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH (1 KINGS 17:8-23), AND HIS SUCCESSOR, ELISHA, DID THE SAME FOR A SHUNAMMITE WOMAN’S SON (1 KINGS 4:18-37). These mothers and these prophets believed God for resurrection, and He performed it.
THE WOMEN SUFFERED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE PAIN WAS ALLEVIATED WHEN THEIR CHILDREN WERE RESTORED TO LIFE. GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK IN THIS WAY, HOWEVER. Many of the afflictions mentioned in Hebrews 11:35-38 were long-term, even lifetime. God gave power through faith to see some of His people through these problems, not to escape them. Just as it is sometimes God’s will for His people to conquer in a struggle, it is also sometimes His will for His people to continue in their suffering. He will give them victory, too, but it may only be spiritual – the only kind of victory. He guarantees. It often takes more courage to hold on than to fight on, and where there is need for more courage, there is need for more faith.
GOD DOES NOT PROMISE HIS SAINTS DELIVERANCE FROM ALL SUFFERING. TO THE CONTRARY, JESUS TOLD US TO TAKE UP OUR CROSSES AND TO FOLLOW HIM (MARK 8:14), AND THAT “IF THEY PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU (JOHN 15:20). Both Paul (Phil.3:10) and Peter (1 Pet. 4:213) advise us to rejoice in our sufferings for Christ’s sake. Paul told the Corinthian believers, “I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction” (2 Cor. 7:4).
SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABED-NEGO WERE PERFECTLY CONFIDENT THAT GOD WOULD SAVE THEM FROM THE BLAZING FURNACE. “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king” (Dan. 3:17). But their greatest faith was not shown in their certainty of deliverance. They went on to say, “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (v. 18). Their primary concern was not for the safety of their lives but for the safety of their faith. Physical deliverance or not, they would not forsake their trust in God.
COUNTING ON SALVATION (Hebrews 11:39-40)
AND ALL THESE, HAVING GAINED APPROVAL THROUGH THEIR FAITH, DID NOT RECEIVE WHAT WAS PROMISED, BECAUSE GOD HAD PROVIDED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US, SO THAT APART FROM US THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT. (11:39-40).
TRUE FAITH HAS THE COURAGE TO COUNT ON SALVATION. THESE FAITHFUL SAINTS HAD TO LIVE IN HOPE. THEY KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE NATURE OR THE TIME OR THE MEANS OF GOD’S SALVATION. But they knew it was coming and this was the basis of their trust. They had abiding confidence that one day God would do the necessary thing to redeem them and reward them. What happened to them before that time was not consequential. They did not receive what was promised but they had gained approval through their faith. Their faith was not in some immediate fulfillment, but in the ultimate fulfillment of the promises. Here is where faith is most tested and where it most matters.
GOD HAS PROVIDED THIS “SOMETHING BETTER” FOR US, THAT IS FOR THOSE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS WHY APART FROM US THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT. That is, not until our time, the time of Christianity, could their salvation be completed, made perfect. Until Jesus’ atoning work on the cross was accomplished, no salvation was complete, no matter how great the faith a believer may have had. Their salvation was eased on what Christ would do; ours is based on what Christ has done. Their faith looked forward to promise; ours looks back to historical fact.
YET, THOUGH THEIR SALVATION WAS NOT COMPLETED IN THEIR LIFETIME, THESE WERE NOT SECOND-RATE BELIEVERS. THEY WERE BELIEVERS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. They courageously struggled, suffered, and counted on salvation. They believed all of God’s Word that they had, which is what counts with Him. How much less faith do we often have, in spite of our much greater light. “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29). – MacArthur
Professor Thomas A. Rohm
