Beheaded for Christ

Devotion for the Martyred

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:9-10

Dear brothers and sister in Christ,

May the voice of the martyred or soon to be martyred individuals always remain in your prayers.

Grace and peace be unto you, from our Father, creator of the heavens and the earth and our Lord and Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ.

Let us humbly direct our attention to the book of Acts 7:51-60. The apostle Stephen, whose name means “crown” was the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death for his testimony of faith in our Lord Yeshua/Jesus Christ. Soon after James one of the twelve disciples was slain by King Herod in the book of Acts 12:1-2, in the days of unleavened bread.

The disciple Peter also, according to historical studies, was crucified on a Roman cross, under the reign of Nero, about 33-34 years after the death of our Saviour; however, Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward."

This topic should really open our eyes and realize that the Bible, in fact, is forbidden, in nearly 50 countries. Some restricted nations include countries such as, China, North Korea, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iraq, and Syria Libya and Algeria just to name a few, are where government policy may have anti-Christian laws or practices that prevent Christians from obtaining Bibles or other Christian literature. This can lead to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their faith. In hostile areas, such as India, Ethiopia, Turkey, Indonesia, Columbia, Nigeria, and Nepal, governments consistently attempt to provide protection for the Christian population from being victims of violence because of their faith.

    

If we take a moment and turn to Hebrews 13:3 it reads, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”

Sometimes we don’t realize how privileged we are here in North America to have the freedom to read and/or carry our Bibles in the library, in the restaurant, at the park, in an airport, or while riding in the train. We can read and take our Bibles when ever and where ever we choose to take them. We don’t have to read the Bible underground, or read via candlelight, or sneak into a basement. What’s really the reality of it all is people are being thrown in jail, beaten, tortured and decapitated, for praying to our Father, delivering Bibles to others, starting churches in small villages, or speaking our Saviour’s name.

It is important for Christians to read your Bible and to stay in our Father’s Word. Once you have acquired the knowledge and have read the Bible in the Spirit it will read like a novel to you. You will begin to read scriptures that you have read before, but now they will make sense. We will never know everything; for our Father’s wisdom is just way too much above our comprehension; however, he will guide us to what He wants us to learn. 

Now, the Bible tells us that persecution must occur before this generation has ended. Let’s look at Mark 13:9. In this chapter our Saviour is referring to the tribulation in the last days. Yeshua’s/Jesus’ disciples asked him what will be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled and the sign for the end of the world? Jesus answers by saying, “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” So although it’s not happening here in North America this is happening in other parts of the country.

Let’s read Matthew 24: 9 again referring to the prophecy of the end and again Jesus says, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” Also, in Luke 21:12 Jesus says, “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.”

So let us remember, just because we are not seeing this happen here in North America it does not mean that this is not happening, it may not make the 6:00 or 11:00 p.m. news but it is happening everyday. There are evangelists secretly baptizing new Christians in Vietnam. These evangelists and Christians hike to muddy mountain trails to share and hear the gospel with tribal groups.

There are evangelists who have been threatened, fined, arrested and thrown in jail for ministering to ethnic groups in remote areas of Vietnam. Yet, they continue to share the good news of the gospel of our Saviour. There are evangelists that have been arrested for making copies of the Bible. These individuals are risking their lives and freedom for the Word.

Evangelists in Mauritania, continue introducing Muslims to Yeshua/Jesus Christ despite death threats; unfortunately, some were killed by Muslim extremists. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Our Saviour laid down his life for us so we should not hesitate to lay down our life for him without question.

A few years ago, 70,000 Christians in India had their homes destroyed; and Hindu radicals killed many pastors and burned Bibles all because they do not want them to convert to Christianity. There were 70,000 people displaced during that incident.

We are extremely fortunate here in North America to be able to read our Bibles, go to or start a church of our choice. We can openly pray, spread the gospel of Yeshua/Jesus Christ without reproach. Let’s not take that for granted any longer.

In those countries they want to hear the Word so desperately. There is a huge famine in their land, not a famine of food, but a famine of the Word; a famine of the Word of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ.  These individuals are risking their lives to fellowship with other believers; rather they fellowship in homes, in basements, in the woods, in caves, or on mountain tops, it doesn’t matter. They want to hear and read the Word of our Lord Yeshua/Jesus Christ. Matthew 18:20 tells us, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Yeshua/Jesus Christ is right there in the midst of the two or three of you. He’s with you in the cave, mountain, basement, or the like. He’s right there listening. We should never pass up a time to fellowship with someone wherever the mood may strike.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:39 “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”  Are you a fan of Yeshua/Jesus Christ or a follower? Will you lose your life for Him, or keep your life for this world? Please continue to keep the voice of the martyred in your thoughts and prayers.

May our heavenly Father bless you with His love, grace, peace and mercy; protect you from the hour of temptation and fill you with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:

Our sources are from The Voice of Martyrs magazine and website at: http://www.persecution.com or www.prisonalert.com