REMEMBERING THE CHRISTIAN MARTYRS OF OLD (PART 4)
TEXT:
"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:" ( 2nd Timothy 2 verse 12, King James Version).
Indeed, apart from the cases of Stephen (see Acts chapter 6 verse 8 to chapter 8 verse 2) and James (see Acts 12 verses 1 to 2), the Bible hasn't recorded for us the very numerous cases of Christian martyrdom, which began in 67 AD when emperor Nero began to reign. The cases of Apostles Paul and Peter, who suffered martyrdom during his reign weren't even mentioned in the Bible!
Nevertheless, the Lord did enable men like John Foxe (who lived between 1516 and April 18, 1587) to record some of the incidents of Christian martyrdoms, for our learning and admonition (see 1st Cor 10 verse 11). As a Christian, I will encourage you to read the book "Foxe's Book of Martyrs", from which the following accounts have been taken:
"Maximus, governor of Cilicia, being at Tarsus, three christians were
brought before him; their names were Tarachus, an aged man; Probus, and
Andronicus. After repeated tortures and exhortations to recant, they, at
length, were ordered for execution.
Being brought to the amphitheater, several beasts were let loose upon them; but none of the animals, though hungry, would touch them. The keeper then brought out a large bear, that had that very day destroyed three men; but this voracious creature and a fierce lioness both refused to touch the prisoners. Finding the design of destroying them by the means of wild beasts ineffectual, Maximus ordered them to be slain by the sword, on the 11th of October, A. D. 303."
"Susanna, the niece of Caius, bishop of Rome, was pressed by the emperor Diocletian to marry a noble pagan, who was nearly related to him. Refusing the honour intended her, she was beheaded by the emperor's order."
"Dorotheus, the high chamberlain of the household to Diocletian, was a
christian, and took great pains to make converts. In his religious labours, he was joined by Gorgonius, another christian, and one belonging to the palace. They were first tortured and then strangled."
"Peter, a eunuch belonging to the emperor, was a christian of singular
modesty and humility. He was laid on a gridiron, and broiled over a slow
fire till he expired."
Agatha was a beautiful and pious Sicilian lady. "Quintian,governor of Sicily, became enamoured of her, and made many attempts on her chastity without success. On her confessing that she was a christian, he determined to gratify his revenge, as he could not his passion. Pursuant to his orders, she was scourged, burnt with red-hot irons, and torn with sharp hooks. Having borne these torments with admirable fortitude, she was next laid naked upon live coals, intermingled with glass, and then being carried back to prison, she there expired on the 5th of Feb. 251."
May these incidents and many more untold serve to strengthen our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, especially in these last days. If these men and women could suffer and pay the ultimate price for their faith in Christ, it shouldn't be difficult for us, at least to be committed and dedicated Christians in our generation!
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me never to give up on You, no matter what I face in life, in Jesus name.