Others were tortured ... that they might obtain a better resurrection. 11:35
11:1-401 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Faith is believing without evidence
what you hope to be true, but haven't seen. [1]
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
By faith, Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain,
which proved that he was righteous. [2]
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
By faith, Enoch didn't die - God translated him. [3]
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
You can't please God without faith. [4]
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith, Noah made an ark
after God warned him about unseen things.
He saved his family, while God condemned the world. [5]
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
By faith, Abraham left not knowing where he was going.
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
He looked for a city made by God.
11 Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
By faith, Sarah conceived [6]
when she was too old to conceive.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Giving Abraham, who was as good as dead,
as many offspring as the stars in the sky
and the sand on the seashore. [7]
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
By faith, Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac,
his only begotten son. [8]
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
By faith, Moses didn't fear the king. [9]
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith, Moses kept the passover and sprinkled blood,
so he wouldn't be killed with firstborn Egyptians. [10]
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
By faith, they passed through the Red Sea while the Egyptians were drowned. [11]
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down. [12]
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
By faith, the harlot Rahab wasn't killed with the other nonbelievers. [13]
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 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.
What more can I say?
I don't have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets. [14]
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 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.
Others were tortured so they'd get a better resurrection. [15]
If you're not a Christian, it's impossible to please God.
DWB: The Flood of Noah: All flesh died that moved upon the earth
OK, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.
And that was a good thing? How messed up is that?
The Israelites kept the passover and sprinkled blood on doorposts so that God wouldn't kill their firstborn children (like he did the Egyptians in Exodus 12:29)
The heroes of faith: Gideon, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel. It would be hard to find a more monstrous group than these guys.
