And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:10,11, ESV).
Remember to Take Heart
From time to time, I receive a special report from the Voice of the Martyrs, and in this report, they shed light on the church in a part of the world suffering for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A few days ago, a special report came concerning Mozambique and the brutal persecution they are facing in the body of Christ there.
Men, women, and children are not exempt from such suffering, and pastors there are losing their families and their homes while still praising God and serving the Lord still in the midst of loss.
One pastor testified of having to leave his village in 2020 as insurgents came through. He lost track of his two young children and has yet to reunite with them. When he returned to his village, he found the homes and the church burned to the ground along with many slain, including children.
A mixture of emotions overwhelms while reading accounts like these, along with what fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are facing across the world. There is sadness and joy in the salvation of the Lord.
There is anger over such evil taking place, and there is a cry for mercy, not only for those who know the Lord Jesus Christ but also for those who do not know Him. There is gratitude for the simplicity taken for granted of being able to worship God freely in our country.
I cannot comprehend this level of persecution for the sake of Christ and the gospel. I cannot comprehend the realization of victory in the loss of one’s own life. Jesus told His disciples, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
We know in this passage Jesus is referring to dying to self. Following Christ comes at a cost. Those in areas of severe persecution and hardship have died to the love of their own life in exchange for the love of their Lord and Savior.
They realize faith in Christ and the promise of eternal life is too precious. They do not squander the gift that God gives. This life is but a vapor, and an eternity with God awaits. They pour themselves out like a drink offering to the glory of God.
The world sees such a thing as victory on behalf of evil, but it is not. In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Sweet Victory in Loss
What the world calls loss, we understand to be victory because as believers in Christ, we understand this world is passing away and is fleeting. We know the things endured in this world are temporal.
Paul encouraged the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
He goes on in chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians to remind them of the promise of eternal life with the Lord.
Paul understood victory in loss. He lost his life for the sake of the gospel as did all the apostles except for John. We understand it is foolishness to the world. It makes no sense because in our human understanding, to win means you do not suffer loss.
To win means there is gain for all to see and to envy. From a carnal mindset, there is nothing to envy in suffering. There is a part of us who have never faced such persecution for Christ’s sake breathing a sigh of relief, and we grieve for those who do.
I meditate upon passages in Scripture telling of those who died for the sake of Christ. I think upon accounts of martyrs through the years who have willingly suffered, refusing to deny Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:11 brings pause when reading it. “They did not love their life unto death.” They loved Him more than life itself. It is convicting when you think about it, and it causes us to stop and ponder our own lives and to reflect as Christians.
Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would face trouble in this world. He prepared them for being imprisoned, beaten, and killed. He told them they would be hated and to remember that He was hated first. He also gives them His peace. He tells them to not be afraid.
He encourages them by saying, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He promises His peace in the midst of trouble and hardship.
He does not forsake His own. He guarantees victory in loss. As Christians, we should understand this life is fleeting, and for those of us in the body who are not facing such grave circumstances as in Mozambique and other countries of the world, circumstances change with time.
We have great hope and promise in Christ alone, and we are not to cling to this life, but we are to cling to Him. He is faithful in every circumstance.
A Closing Prayer
Prayer for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Father, I humbly come before You, and I thank You for Your faithfulness and Your steadfast love. I praise You in all Your ways, and I offer thanksgiving to You in all things because You alone are worthy of praise and glory.
I lift up my brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world You created those who have placed their faith in You alone for salvation and eternal life. I weep with them in their suffering. I rejoice with them in the victory over death and the grave by Your Son, Jesus Christ.
I ask for You to strengthen those who are facing hardship and difficulty because of their faith. I pray their faith in You would embolden them to proclaim Your precious gospel unashamed and unafraid.
I pray the gospel goes forth and is fruitful in these areas where darkness seems to invade, but Your Word says the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I pray for those whose hearts are hardened and are lost, and I ask for Your mercy in softening their hearts and opening their ears by Your Spirit to hear the truth and to come to saving faith in Christ alone for their sins.
I pray that Your children are comforted in trial and tribulation, knowing from where their help comes. I ask for provision for them in times of need. May You be glorified in all things. I bless Your holy Name. I ask all these things in Jesus’ Name, amen.
For further reading:
Does Jesus Calm Our Storms in Life?
What Is a Martyr? Definition and Meaning
Why Does the Christian Life Lead to Suffering?
What Did Jesus Mean That We Will Have Trouble in This World?
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