“A Martyr For Christ”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

In my office, I have a picture of several preachers of the gospel from the late 1800s and early 1900s. I have heard of some of these men, and many I haven’t. However, one man stands out in that picture. This is a man named W. M. King. He stands out because, above his picture, there is a caption that reads, “A Martyr For Christ.” I know nothing about that man, but that inscription alone speaks volumes!

            This simple yet moving epitaph for brother King reminds me of the statement made about Antipas in Revelation 2:13: “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” Just as in the case of the picture, I know little about Antipas, but what God chose to reveal in Scripture speaks volumes! Of course, Antipas and bro. King are not the only ones who have died because they were faithful to God. What can we learn from these (and other) martyrs?

 

A Martyr Is A Living Example Of Revelation 2:10.

            “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Being “faithful unto death” (KJV) means be faithful to the very taking of your life. This is what martyrs do! When faced with the possibility of losing their lives or losing favor with God, people like Antipas and bro. King chose to lose their lives! Their bravery in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring.

            In addition to Antipas and brother King, another example of a martyr for Christ is a man named Polycarp. Polycarp was contemporary with the apostle John and suffered death due to his faith. When threatened with death for his refusal to renounce God and worship Caesar, he responded thusly before being burned at the stake: “For eighty-six years I’ve served Jesus, and he has never wronged me in any way. How, then, can I possibly curse my very King and Savior?”¹

            Christians must be faithful to God to the very taking of our lives. Martyrs for the cause of Christ show us just what it means to be faithful.

 

A Martyr’s Example Abides.

            Solomon wrote, “I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity” (Ecc. 8:10). In contrast with the evil ones that are often forgotten after their death, years after the death of various martyrs for Christ, we are still talking about them! Their example remains. The apostle Paul taught that the good works of the faithful cannot be hidden (I Tim. 5:25). Besides the martyrs we have mentioned, don’t forget Stephen, the first martyr for Christ (Acts 7). Indeed, he left an enduring example that not only teaches us, but it had to have also made an impression on Saul of Tarsus (Acts 7:58)! Stephen, when he knew he was going to be killed, did not apologize, change his teaching, or in any way compromise to “live another day.” His example abides and teaches us bravery in the face of man’s wrath.

 

A Martyr Has Vision.

            In addition to martyrs named explicitly in the Bible, remember that Hebrews 11:35-38 lists the things that happened to the Lord’s faithful in years gone by. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) ….” One’s life ending in a cruel death is not what people desire. Yet, these folks died such deaths, knowing that they would have a “better resurrection”! They understood that true meaning and purpose in life is not found here on earth but with God!

            Hebrews 11:35-38 is one section of Scripture where we see the vision of the faithful. Their principles would not allow them to forsake the Lord. Therefore, they accepted the consequences of being the friend of God and an enemy of the world (cf. Jas. 4:4; Jn. 15:18-20). Hebrews 11:13-15 certainly applies to them because they, like Abraham, Noah, and others, “now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” The man who has his eyes only upon the “here and now” will not have the vision necessary to see the “city” that is yet to come! Let us thank God for those who were faithful to the very taking of their lives and died in service to God.

 

Conclusion

            As we witness the realities of what our predecessors have endured for God and the cause of Christ, let us take a moment to examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5). Are we truly faithful to the Lord? Does I Corinthians 15:58 describe us? If not, why not? Are we standing strong and enduring (Matt. 10:22; Eph. 6:10)? If not, why not? Let us not compare our struggles to those of the martyrs, but rather learn from their unwavering faith and commitment. As the apostle said, we have not yet 'resisted unto blood' (Heb. 12:4), and we pray it will not be so in this land. However, many are enduring such trials and afflictions to this day. Let us pray for them and then prepare ourselves.

            May the words of Hebrews 10:38-39 ring in our ears and settle in our hearts so that we live it in our lives! The Holy Spirit said, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Endnotes:

1. Bercot, David, Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up, p. 2