Their Blood Cries Out

When one thinks of a martyr for the faith , most Christians in general think of those long  ago . Perhaps those who died under Roman rule or even up to the reformation time frame.  In reality those who who have been put to death for their faith in Jesus Christ in the last 100 or so years ,outnumber all the martyrs of the past 1900 years.

In the west , we have been blessed with a free and open democratic society , the product of Christian influence . For over 100 years we have lived in relative safety . The rest of the world in the east is a different story . From China to the middle east , Christians have been imprisoned , tortured and killed because of their allegiance to the Saviour , Jesus Christ. To openly share the gospel , possess a Bible and assemble to worship ,can openly leave one a target . 

If you want to read a moving account of those killed for their faith , go to http://www.challies.com and read the story of John and Betty Stam . It is a story that will leave you in tears and praise at the same time . 

After I read their story , it made me wonder about me . If I was placed in a situation that to openly proclaim Christ would mean persecution and possible death , what would I do? I don't think we need to seek it , as Paul reminds us that if possible , live in peace but at the same time a society can turn to the point that just sharing the gospel will be hated and despised. Read the stories of missionaries who even though they were helping feed the poor and needy , were killed solely because they were Christian.  

I hope and pray that if ever faced with that day , I would honor my Lord , who gave His life that I might have life. Christians need not fear the sword for nothing can separate from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus . 

For now God is allowing it to occur . Sometimes we cannot understand but there is coming a day when the day of grace is over . 

Revelation 6:9-11

[9] When he opened the fifth seal, 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. [10] 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?” [11] 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. 

Those who have killed the Lord's sheep ,will face a day and on that day they will wish they have never been born . As the martyrs cry out to the Lord , when will you avenge our blood , they are promised that day will come but for now they rest before His throne. A day of reckoning is coming when Jesus Christ comes again in all His holy wrath  against  those who oppose Him and have harmed His sheep. Till then we need to remain faithful , pray for those in countries where the persecution is happening and support them in whatever ways we can. May we stand firm with them  , sharing the gospel with those who are their persecutors. May we not forget our brother and sisters who are in peril . To our shame if we do. 

Verse Of The Day : I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

(John 16:33 ESV)