“Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35 NIV).
The closing portion of Hebrews 11:35 speaks of “others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept release [offered on the condition of denying their faith], so that they would be resurrected to a better life” (AMP). While these individuals might have sought to escape that terrible fate, they clearly preferred the eternal value of an honorable death before God.
As mentioned earlier, this passage serves to remind us that faith does not guarantee our deliverance in every instance. The Biblical letter of 1 Peter builds upon that reminder and helps us maintain the right perspective…
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV).
We can also gain insight into this portion of Hebrews with a look at one of Jesus’ parables…
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24:27).
It’s important to note that the same storm descended upon each of these homes. This implies that a life that is built upon the foundation of Christ is not necessarily immune from the common storms of life.
For instance, consider a scenario where God’s people never suffered through a financial issue, a physical ailment, an employment problem, or a business reversal. What would happen if a follower of Christ never wrecked an automobile, failed at school, or lost a loved one? Under those circumstances, Christianity would undoubtedly hold a far greater appeal for many. That appeal would have little or nothing to do with Jesus, but would simply serve as a vehicle to secure an easier life.
However, a life built on the secure foundation of Christ can stand against the storms of life and thus serves to encourage those who seek “…to deserve a more honourable resurrection in the world to come” (Phillips).