“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:11)
Throughout history, there has been a select group of individuals who have received the highest honor by following most closely in the footsteps of Yeshua their Lord and King. The world was unworthy of them, but heaven received them with great honor and awe. A few notable figures stand out as examples of those who embodied the character of Yeshua, their King.
First is Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, whose devotion to King David was so profound that he refused to sleep with his wife after exhausting service in the king’s army. Despite this loyalty, Uriah was betrayed when the commander, under David’s orders, withdrew from him in battle, leaving him vulnerable. His death was a tragic and unjust martyrdom—killed to cover the sins of adultery and theft (2 Samuel 11).
Next, we have Stephen, a young man who distinguished himself as a servant in the early Church. He boldly proclaimed the truth of Yeshua in a public assembly, speaking with such wisdom and grace that those who heard were convicted and enraged, leading them to unjustly stone him to death.
Then there is John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets and cousin to Yeshua, who heralded a great revival in Israel, baptizing for the repentance of sins and preparing the way for Yeshua’s ministry. John was imprisoned and beheaded at the vengeful request of Herod’s stepdaughter, prompted by a foolish oath during a drunken feast.
Of course, Yeshua’s own surrender to death on a Roman cross is the greatest and most unjust sacrifice of all, through which He purchased freedom from sin and death for all believers. His resurrection after three days is the ultimate proof of this victory.
There are many more, unnamed but equally faithful, who have surrendered their lives for the cause of God. In recent history, during the rise of ISIS, several former Muslims who had accepted Yeshua as Lord and Savior were martyred, beheaded in the most gruesome and unjust acts, which were sadly broadcasted worldwide.
Finally, the ongoing tragedy of over seventy million unborn babies being aborted in the United States, at the request of their own mothers, remains a grievous injustice. This horrifying slaughter—at the hands of those entrusted by God to protect and nurture these children—continues to cry out for justice. Yet, rest assured, God is not unaware, and He will reward those who have given their lives for His sake in eternity. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.”
(Psalm 116:15)
Discover more from The Conservative Christian Apologist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
