In the Old Testament, the heroes of faith were known for their victories over their enemies, for their achievements, and for provoking the manifestation of God’s power.

However, when mentioning the heroes of the past, the author of the letter to the Hebrews makes it clear that, despite their extraordinary achievements, they did not receive “the promise” (Hebrews 11:39). This is because he understood that something greater was missing, which could not come from the result of specific acts of faith or earthly achievements. In other words, they longed for a “higher homeland”.

It is interesting to note that when the Lord Jesus wanted to use a great testimony as an example, He would mention John the Baptist. John was a man who had no “human testimony” to offer, but who was said to be “the greatest of all men” (Luke 7:28). And why say this if John “only” prepared the way for the Lord Jesus and died by beheading?

In the New Testament, the greatest glory and testimony one could give was to serve the Lord Jesus in such manner, and even to have the privilege of being killed for His sake.

When the Lord Jesus said, “You shall be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8), it was as if He was saying, “The world will be perplexed and will wonder, ‘Who is this Jesus that people believe in so much, that they are willing to abandon everything to live for His sake and even to die for Him in joy?'”

The greatest testimony we can give is to show the world that everything that is visible, tangible, human – whether things or people – are infinitely inferior to what is prepared in eternity with God. This is exclusively reserved for those who are able to exchange the tiny, passing “supposed glory” of this world for the sublime, real and eternal pleasure of living forever in the heavenly kingdom of the Most High and Mighty.

The apostle John heard and wrote down what came from a strong voice from heaven:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11

May the Holy Spirit help us to open the eyes of those who are blindly attached and limited to the achievements of this world. These things are important, but glorifying God, truly, is far beyond them.