Tortured for Christ

Many years ago when I first started following Jesus, I read the book Fox's Book of Martyrs. This is a book I believe every Christian should read at least once, maybe more if you often find yourself feeling abused or are complaining. There are written accounts of saints who paid a horrific price for their faith in Jesus and His teachings. They had an incredible passion for God, His Word and His people, that would put many people today to shame who call themselves Christians. If we had their kind of passion, this modern world would look much different than it currently does.

Yet, there is still hope for us, for things are about to change. God is about to unloose a whole new breed of saints who will not cower in the presence of the enemy. This new breed will come with anointing never seen before. They will stand up for truth, just as millions of other Christian men, women and children are doing in 0ther parts of the world who are being persecuted, tortured and killed daily. Yet, such atrocities are seldom heard about in the USA media.

I recently started a book called, Tortured for Christ, and also a special issue of The Voice of the Martyrs. As I read them, I had mixed feelings; how happy and blessed we are to live in the United States, where there is still freedom to worship and to own a Bible. But, I also wept, because so many of us have taken so much for granted regarding our faith in God. We can, for the most part, freely witness and carry a Bible in public, even though there have been some restrictions in recent years. Yet many Christians, especially in the US, are more interested in things they want or possess, than what other parts of the world don't even have, including our freedom. People need to place a higher value on things that are eternal.

We also need to let go of many of the temporal things and ideas, so we can help the poor and our brothers and sisters who are suffering. For Christ's sake, we need to wake up. Because "when one member suffers we all suffer." (1 Cor. 12:26). Do we seriously ask God how we can help Him and others? I pray that this is our desire and for it we will be blessed.

Lastly, we should pray for their enemies and our enemies (torturers, persecutors, etc.), that their minds and hearts be open to the truth. There is so much hatred in the world today because of religious beliefs. I pray and believe for God to raise up, within those countries with much persecution and oppression, spiritual men and women with supernatural power and authority that will stay the hand of the enemy. I also pray that they take back what satan has stolen, and that God release healing and restoration to their lands.

I also pray that God will raise up more saints within our country who will be willing to lay down their lives. Salvation doesn't come cheaply, and neither does restoration. A sacrifice is always required and it only comes from the blood and prayers of faithful saints who stay the course until their mission is complete. Jesus set the example for all of us to follow. He did not shrink back, but boldly and freely gave up His life, yielding to the will of His Father.

Christians, young and old in those oppressed countries, know the true cost of living out one's faith. No other group around the world are being singled out and persecuted as they are. Yet, true followers of Jesus only want to love God, help the needy, and share God's love to other people. They do not force anyone to accept Christ; salvation is a free gift. They are brave and fearless in the face of the enemy because their strength comes from the Lord. The "underground" Church is alive and well and it's about to come out in full power.

Note: The purpose of the sufferings of Christ is to produce growth in our spirit (maturity) and it helps prepare us for a harvest of souls (to bear fruit), and brings the Body of Christ together in unity, just like the Early Church did. Revival or spiritual outpourings come from God through intercession and oppression (physical and/or spiritual). In the United States, suffering is mostly spiritual because governmental laws protect us and the grace of God. We are still blessed more than we deserve in the USA. Yet, by the grace of the Heavenly Father, we are about to see a mighty move of Heavenly Father's love and power here and around the world.

The King is coming with power and authority, and He is coming back through a multi-membered man as to bring true freedom to all who want to be free—freedom from physical bonds and freedom from the spiritual bonds of sin. He's also coming to establish the Kingdom of God within the hearts and minds of people for all eternity. Amen!
Click on above picture (or here) to purchase book, "Foxe's Book of Martyrs."