In This Issue

• PERSECUTION GUARANTEED
• A MARTYR
• DANIEL… NOT THE ONLY ONE TO BE IN A “LION’S DEN”
• HOORAY FOR LENELL MARIN, JR!
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PERSECUTION GUARANTEED

Jesus forewarned His apostles that persecution would be severe. “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Mark 13:12-13).

Earlier, in His sermon on the mount, He had said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12). Note, He did not say if they persecute you. He said when they persecute you.

Again He taught His apostles the same lesson when He sent them out on the “limited commission” to speak to the lost sheep of the house of Israel in Matthew 10. But their most severe persecution would come after they began to preach that Jesus was the Messiah.

Almost as soon as they began their work of being witnesses of the resurrected Christ, the persecution began. The preaching started in Acts chapter 2 and the persecution began by chapter 4 with the arrest of Peter and John. The Jewish authorities commanded that they cease teaching in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:18.

Faced with the decision to obey Jesus’ command in Mark 16:15-16 or that of the Jewish council in Acts 4:18, they correctly chose to obey Jesus. They chose to preach the gospel so that those who would believe it and be baptized could be saved from their sins. Not surprisingly, the persecution continued.

In Acts 7, Stephen, a companion of the apostles, was murdered. In chapter 12, James the son of Zebedee was executed. Historians say that by the end of the first century all the apostles except John had been persecuted to the death. But they remained faithful to the end, and secured for themselves the crown of life as promised in Rev. 2:10 and Mark 13:13.

Of course, the persecution did not stop with the apostles and their immediate companions. At the time John wrote the book of Revelation, the seven congregations in Asia Minor addressed in that book were experiencing persecution. And it would get worse before it got better, Rev. 2:10.

Shortly before the apostle Paul was persecuted to the death, he wrote to Timothy, a young gospel preacher, and sought to brace him for the persecution he would face, in order that he, in turn, might prepare others. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). In our age, persecution takes different forms from those that were most common in the first century, but those who take their stand on the word of God will continue to be persecuted in one way or another. Jesus promises that the blessings will out-weigh the costs, even in the face of the most severe persecution. Our faithfulness will be rewarded with a crown of life. 

-Clarence R. Johnson

A MARTYR

“For whosoever will save his life will lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's the same shall find it" - Mk 8:35 (KJV).

A martyr as revealed by the word of God, is one who is persecuted for what he believes and is eventually killed by his oppressors, because he refused to denounce what he believes (Acts 12:2. Rev 2:13. Rev 6:9. 
Rev 20:4). In Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:1-60, and Acts 22:20, we read of the martyrdom of Stephen, a godly man who single handedly stood up against the haters of the good news and didn't back down. Those wicked 
people really hated him because of his stand for the truth, so they arrested him and had him stand before a mock court, only to attack and kill him afterwards because he wasn't intimidated by them. The closing statement of his life was, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit", (KJV). So this gentle peaceful man died a martyr, for he didn't deserve this violent death, yet he gave his life so that Jesus could be glorified.

John the Baptist was also a martyr; his crime was telling Herod "It is not lawful for thee to have her" - Matt 14:4 (KJV). John the Baptist refused to back down, and as a result, he was thrown into jail by wicked Herodias, and that eventually cost him his head. (Literally)

More martyrdom can be found in Heb 11:36-40, where we can read of the faithful being tortured, enduring mock trials, being cut asunder, etc.etc. The motives of the martyr can be seen in the closing words of verse 35, "Not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection." (KJV) These people knew that what they stood for wasn't popular and would probably get them killed at some point, however, they considered the promises of God better than anything in life. 

The apostle Paul was also a martyr, for he said in Acts 21:10-14, " I'm not only willing to go to Jerusalem and be arrested, but also willing to die for the Lord Jesus". I find it interesting that Paul is only speaking of the death of himself. We read nothing about Paul planning to cause the deaths of others, and then claim martyrdom. In 2 Tim 4:6-8 (KLV), Paul continues to inform men of his death, "For I'm now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand". Notice that he didn't say, "my departure and the departure of those who want to kill me". He said that he alone would die at the hands of those who hate the gospel of Jesus Christ. So the interesting thing we learn about martyrdom is, the person dies himself, and he doesn't plan or seek to cause the death of others, whether they be his oppressors or just innocent people. Let me repeat just in case someone didn't quite understand; a martyr is someone who is suffering based on what he has believed, and is finally killed because of that belief. The martyr dies alone, not plotting the death of others. A martyr is a righteous person in good favor with God, and isn't a fanatic or homicidal. You won't see him walking into a crowded mall and murdering shoppers when his backpack explodes. So what about these people who explode bombs in shopping centers, airports, trains, etc? Some said they died as martyrs. But is that really true? 

I say no. I say such is no different than a fired employee who goes back to the job from which he was dismissed and begins shooting former bosses and coworkers, and then turns the gun on himself when the police close in. Did that person die a martyr? Did the local news media address the shooter as a martyr? Of course not and rightly so, because the news media said such actions are homicides. Those people we hear about on the news who have been blowing up buses, planes, and other crowed areas, are cold-blooded killers. They aren't martyrs, because the word of God doesn't teach for the faithful to kill people who refuse to accept the Lord. When it concerns acceptance of God, Jesus leaves it up to each person to decide for himself (Matt 11:28-30).

Wanting to murder people because they don't accept ones belief is not martyrdom, but the spirit of the Devil. Consider what Jesus had to say to James and John after they became angry at the villagers who refused 
to show hospitality to Christ. These men asked Christ for his permission to command fire from heaven to burn up the villagers! Jesus responded by saying, "You know not what manner of spirit ye are of; for 
the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" - Luke 9:51-56 (KJV). Jesus is interested in people living and not dying, for even when people have rejected his message, he sends the sun and rain on the just and unjust (Matt 5:45). Jesus gave no command for his followers to strap on bombs and blow up or behead the "infidels!" (Al-Qaeda) Only Satan would deceive men into committing such murderous acts in the name of God (John 8:44). Rather than kill unbelieving people, Jesus said, "Let both grow together until the harvest" - Mark 13:30 (KJV).

-James Baker

DANIEL…NOT THE ONLY ONE TO BE IN A “LION’S DEN”

The most famous story found in the book of Daniel is of Daniel being put into a den of lions, Dan. 6:10-23. The book begins with Daniel as a teenager being taken into captivity. But by the time of this section he is a man in his 80’s. A trap has been set by his enemies, and he is cast into a den of lions.

Just as the “eyes of the world” were on Daniel to see how he would react, so the world is watching us today who are God’s children. Anyone can do good when things are going right, but how do we react when we find ourselves in the “lion’s den”? There are a number of things you may face:

1. Disappointment. The dreams you’ve had for years may be shattered by an accident, an unfaithful mate, or the death of a loved one.

2. Pain. Some disease or painful injury may put you to the test.

3. Financial Reversal. Many have been wiped out by poor investments, changes in the economy, or the bottom dropping out of certain commodities.

The important thing is, “Who’s in the lion’s den with you?” In Daniel’s case it was God, Dan. 6:21. In our case, God has promised his presence with us too, Heb. 13:4-5. With God by your side you can turn this “lion’s den” into a blessing.

Good things can happen as a result of the way you handle this test. In Daniel’s case the king put out a decree that “people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel” (Dan. 6:26). What do people say about your God as a result of you being in your “lion’s den”? This world is watching us. Let’s turn this “bad situation” into a platform on which God can do great things in our lives.

-Dick Marcear, 16th St. Bulletin, Clovis, NM

HOORAY FOR LENELL MARIN, JR!

Martin is a professional bass fisherman who quit the BASS tournament circuit because he would not wear a Busch beer patch on his fishing shirt. Martin’s religious beliefs keep him from being associated with alcohol and beer advertising—even though he lost a great deal of money for his stand. I’m always amazed at Christians who wear clothing advertising ungodly companies or ungodliness. Lenell Martin understands that what he wears says something about him and refuses to make a statement for sin. 

What does your clothing say about you? 

-Mark Roberts, Abundant Life, June 2004

``One of the best forms of spiritual exercise is to touch the floor regularly with your knees.''

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