Just finished reading a bit about Church history, specifically the stories of key individuals throughout the centuries...many of whom endured harsh persecutions and even death. It's hard to take in...to even attempt to grasp the reality of stories whose main character is not only real and as normal as you and I...yet they had to face unspeakable horror. Torn apart by lions, burned alive at stacks, tortured, killed by sword...some made to watch as their children, and spouse were killed before them. Horror beyond anything the modern American mind can comprehend. It's disturbing on a level I can hardly bring myself to face.
What did they die for? How could they face this kind of end when, in many cases, all it would have taken to be spared would have been to simply recant. How could they exhibit this kind of courage, strength and resolve when staring unspeakable pain and certain death right in the face? The answer is in the reason they died: They were never alone. The one they were dying for had already **died for them**...The One they so loved, had first loved them. Jesus the Christ already endured suffering, torture, and horrific death...death He could have stopped yet submitted to willingly. Pain he bore, because it was the *only way* to redeem his people. Not only did he die, he defeated death...victorious in the Resurrection giving us a hope and a strength based on the fact that now, we do not have to fear death. Death has been defeated by the one they died for. He who resurrected and ascended to God on high will most certainly resurrect their own dead bodies and bring them to his same glory on high.
In Hebrews 11 in the great Hall of Faith chapter is speaks of those before Christ who died for faith in God in such beautiful words:
... "Some were tortured, refusing
to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Yet as the final line says, God provides something even better for us who came after the cross because we have Christ to look back on...and many have suffered the same kind of end but now for someone who *first died for them*. We even see the souls of those who have died for faith in Christ in scripture in Rev. 6:
"I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been."
God never promises that if we have faith we will prosper and no evil shall befall us...that is a lie of Satan. In fact, in the last line of the Revelation passage there, there it is in black and white. More will be called to die for faith.
What can we learn from those who the Spirit worked so powerfully in that they could face what they did?
The biggest lesson I learn is this: The same Spirit at work in them to enable them to face such things, also lives in me...lives in you....indwells and seals securely all who are His people. We have the same Lord, the same Truth to look to. We have faith that if the same circumstances should befall us, we too could face it. Not by any strength or goodness of our own...but because of Him who works within us to 'will and to do of his good pleasure'. Because of the One who first loved us...who first died for us...who defeated death for us...we too have something, SOMEONE worth dying for...worth our *everything* and more.
To God be the Glory forever and ever, amen.
