Heb.10:32-35 – But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Paul is describing the source of strength in his life that caused him to persevere with joy in the worst circumstances imaginable. In this passage he mentions the chains of imprisonment but we can’t forget all of the other suffering he endured. There was scourging, whipping with a cane, he was stoned, shipwrecked, facing the beasts in Ephesus, and countless betrayals of false brethren. The church in Jerusalem had also persevered in trial in their early days but that was a long time ago. Paul is attempting to bring them back to a place of remembering how they persevered with joy and victory in those days of persecution. This is how Murray describes this.
“In reminding them of the past a very remarkable expression is used to indicate what the power was that enabled them at first to endure so bravely. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye yourselves have a better and abiding possession. The Christian stands between two worlds; each offers him its goods as possessions. In unceasing conflict the two compete for mastery. The one has the advantage of being infinitely more worthy than the other-giving infinite satisfaction, and lasting for ever. The other is in no wise to be compared with it-it cannot satisfy, and it does not last. But, in the conflict, it has two immense, two terrible advantages. The one is it is nearer; it is visible; it has access to us by every sense; its influence on us is natural and easy and unceasing. The other, that our heart is prepossessed; the spirit of the world is in it. And so it comes that the possessions of this world with the most actually win the day, even against the better and abiding possession.”
In the case of the Christians in Jerusalem their faith had cost them. They had possibly lost jobs, homes, and opportunities for provision as a result of their testimony. In the early days they were willing to do without some of those earthly pleasures but time has a way of wearing people down. What was the solution to a return to that life of joyful perseverance? It was receiving a taste from heaven of life behind the veil. That taste is a promise of our incredible eternal inheritance, this is the key to endurance, a taste of the joy to come.