Unwavering Faith
In Revelation 6:9, John wrote of the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. Martyrs who surrendered their lives because of their unwavering faith in Jesus. In Revelation 7:9, John wrote, I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. The white robes signify purity, those whose sins have been forgiven, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). The palm branches are waved to acknowledge the victory of the King. These are God’s people worshiping at the throne of God. A number so great so as to be innumerable, from every nation, tribe, people group, and language.
Make no mistake, the great multitude without number that worships God at the last is directly related to those who surrendered their lives with steadfast faith. The word “martyr” in the original language of Revelation means “witness.” The martyrs were witnesses to the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Fourth-century church leader Augustine preached, “The earth has been filled with the blood of the martyrs as with seed, and from that seed have sprung the crops of the church. They have asserted Christ’s cause more effectively when dead than when they were alive. They assert it today, they preach him today; their tongues are silent, their deeds echo round the world.”
With the death of the martyrs, the Gospel spread. It continues today. Everywhere persecution is great, the power of God’s Spirit is greater. The Apostle Paul said, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
For those of us who endure little persecution, we must lift up our brothers and sisters who suffer greatly. And we must imitate their unwavering faith so that we too would manifest the life of Christ.
