Revelation 2:10
Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.
FEAR NOTHING WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Having been called to salvation and sanctification, we find ourselves called to suffer, as well. Unseen targets are now on our person and our soul. Not just on our backs, where we cannot see who is aiming for us, but also on our minds {attacking how we think, how we reason and what we think about}. Targets are on our hearts attack our emotions (in the physical realm) and our spiritual fruit (in the spiritual realm).
It is why we are warned at every turn of life to be wary, be alert, be aware. However, even knowing who and where our enemies might lie, is not enough to forego being a believer. We find we are able to both stand and fight this spiritual battle that is now raging around us, instead of in us. The darkness tries to take us out, because our lights are turning people to Jesus Christ.
When we are accosted, we are to speak Jesus. When we are assaulted for His Name's sake, we are to respond in silence or in love, however The Spirit leads us. When we are lied about, we do not retaliate. Nor do we sling mud in their direction. We do not rise up in anger, nor do we engage in physical assaults with those who seek our demise. God will fight for us in many cases. But sometimes God will allow our deaths to take place, when we die proclaiming our faith in The Name of Jesus Christ.
For when God's people die speaking The Name of Jesus, many times the people who are doing the killing of us come to Jesus. Such faith and obvious love of God draws people to this loving God Whom we have put our hope and trust in. Physical death is a minor inconvenience. Spiritual death is permanent.
FEAR GOD ONLY
Luke 16:19-31 tells us of two men who died. One went to Paradise and one went to hell. And while not much is known of Lazarus' time in Paradise, much is known of the rich man's time in hell. We do know that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. So in reading this passage, we are made aware of Lazarus' comforts and the rich man's lack of comforts.
Verse 23: He was aware in hell. He was in torment. He could see into Paradise, but could not get there. He recognized Lazarus and Abraham, even though the first he never acknowledged and the second he never knew. He could move and see.
Verse 24: He could speak in hell. He was still selfish. He knew thirst, he knew pain.
Verse 25: He could hear in hell.
Verse 26: He was made to understand his position: no one in hell can cross into Paradise and no one in Paradise can cross into hell. Death is final.
Verse 27, 28: He begged for Lazarus to be sent back to his family to warn them of the dangers of not believing.
Verse 29-31: He was informed by Abraham that that desire, too, was not going to be done. Those who will not listen to Moses and the prophets of God have only themselves to blame for their ignorance and unbelief.
Verse 30: The rich man in hell thought that if someone was risen from the dead, then surely his brothers would believe. He labored under a false hope.
For we know that Someone has risen from the dead. That Someone is Jesus Christ. However, not everyone believes that Jesus Christ is God's Only Begotten Son. Nor do they believe that He rose from the dead. The lie from then persists even now: his disciples came in the night and stole His body away [Matthew 28:11-15]. Therefore, too many people have died in their sins, including the sin of unbelief, and now await their final judgment in hell. They cannot get out. Don't find yourself in their predicament. Come to Jesus today.
BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
Revelation 12:11
They have conquered him by The Blood of The Lamb and by The Word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
Have you ever read Jesus Freaks? I have. The squeamish may have difficulty reading it. But once you start reading it, it is hard to stop. Foxe's Book of Martyrs lists the names of many who had died for the sake of the cross and the resurrection in his time. When Faith Is Forbidden is on my shelf as we speak. It is underlined, bookmarked and highlighted. At the end of each chapter is a missionary's request for how to pray for them.
You are all in my prayers. And I pray for your faith to be strong in these trying times. I pray for your families, your churches, your testimony to be a strong witness of the saving power of God through Jesus Christ. I plead the blood of Jesus over each and every one of you in your walk with Christ.
"Fear not, for I Am with you; Be not dismayed, for I Am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of My Righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
