After the Hall of Faith listing (see yesterday’s post), there is an impressive, unattributed list of faithful actions in Hebrews 11.33-38, taken by those who believed in God and sought Him.   Through faith, they:

                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

                Received back their dead by resurrection

                Were tortured, refusing to accept release

                Suffered mocking and flogging

                Suffered chains and imprisonment

                Were stoned

                Were sawn in two

                Were killed with the sword

                Went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated

                Wandered about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth

All these unnamed people were commended for their faith (Hebrews 11.39).  And none of these heroes received what we have – the sure historical truth of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, Messiah.