And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u2014Rev. 17:6<\/i><\/p>\n
3336<\/b> Origin Of Word \u201cMartyr\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
The word \u201cmartyr\u201d originally meant simply witness, but as the early witnesses sealed with their own blood their testimony to the faith, the first meaning was readily merged into the second. <\/p>\n
At Lyons, A.D. 177, those who had been scourged, branded, and exposed to wild beasts, humbly disowned the name \u201cmartyrs,\u201d preferring to confine that exalted title to Christ (Rev. 1:5; 3:14) and to say of themselves: \u201cWe are but mean and lowly confessors.\u201d<\/p>\n
3337<\/b> The Catacombs<\/b><\/p>\n
During the years of the martyrs Christians fled into the underground caverns outside Rome in almost 600 miles of molelike tunnels. <\/p>\n
Ten generations of Christians were buried in the catacombs during approximately 300 years of suppression. No one knows the exact number, but archaeologists estimate between 1,750,000 and 4,000,000 Christians were interred in the dark tunnels. <\/p>\n
Inscriptions of Scripture can still be seen on the catacomb walls. One of the most frequent inscriptions is the sign of the fish. But the inscription which best describes their faith says: \u201cThe Word of God is not bound.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Selected<\/p>\n
3338<\/b> Inscriptions On Future Life<\/b><\/p>\n
There were two sets of expressions found in the Catacombs which indicated the most cherished beliefs of the early Christians regarding the state of their loved ones in the hereafter. The first \u201cIn peace\u201d or \u201cIn sleep,\u201d was repeated in almost every epitaph. The second set of expressions which usually occurred after the mention of \u201cpeace\u201d referred to the life which follows sleep. The terms used were \u201cLive in God,\u201d or \u201cThou livest in God.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014James Burns<\/p>\n
3339<\/b> Martyrdoms Past And Present<\/b><\/p>\n
It is estimated that more than 50 million Christians died for their faith in the Dark Ages. It is estimated that a million Christians died for their faith when the Communists seized China. Unnumbered thousands died as martyrs in the revolutions and civil wars in Africa. <\/p>\n
3340<\/b> The Builder Of Coliseum<\/b><\/p>\n
Years ago, a Roman empenr said to a Greek architect: \u201cBuild me a Coliseum, and when it is done, I will crown you, and I will make your name famous through all the world.\u201d The work was done. The emperor said: \u201cNow, we will crown that architect. We will have a grand celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Coliseum was crowded with a great host. The emperor was there and the Greek architect, who was to be crowned for putting up this building. And they brought out some Christians, who were ready to die for the truth and from the doors underneath were let out the hungry lions. <\/p>\n
The emperor arose amid the shouting assemblage and said: \u201cThe Coliseum is done, and we have Christians at the mouth of these lions, and we have come here to honour the architect who has constructed this wonderful building. The time has come for me to honour him, and we further celebrate his triumph by the slaying of these Christians.\u201d Whereupon, the Greek architect sprang to his feet and shouted: \u201cI also am a Christian.\u201d<\/p>\n
And they flung him to the wild beasts, and his body, bleeding and dead, was trumpled into the dust of the amphitheatre. <\/p>\n
\u2014Talmage<\/p>\n
3341<\/b> Last Martyr Of Coliseum<\/b><\/p>\n
After three centuries, notwithstanding the spread of Christianity, gladiatorial combats continued to be the favorite pastime of a large proportion of the Roman citizens. Constantine prohibited them. The populace persisted. To avoid an insurrection they were allowed to have their will. Honorious re-enacted the prohibition. It was also in vain. <\/p>\n
One day, as the gladiatorial fight was about to commence, Telemachus rushed down into the arena and separated the combatants. Then the spectators, indignant at this interruption, tore up the marble benches and hurled them down upon him \u201cfrom the amphitheatre, which seemed crowded with so many demons raging for human blood.\u201d<\/p>\n
But on his death the benevolent monk Telemachus was victorious\u2014rage yielded to admiration\u2014and gladiatorial combats ceased for ever. He became the last martyr of the Coliseum. <\/p>\n
\u2014Newman Hall<\/p>\n
3342<\/b> Forty Wrestlers For Christ<\/b><\/p>\n
In the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, there lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the \u201cEmperor\u2019s Wrestlers.\u201d Fine, stalwart men they were, picked from the best and the bravest of the land, recruited from the great athletes of the Roman amphitheater. <\/p>\n
In the great amphitheater they upheld the arms of the emperor against all challengers. Before each contest they stood before the emperor\u2019s throne. Then through the courts of Rome rang the cry: \u201cWe, the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victor\u2019s crown.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the great Roman army was sent to fight in far-away Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many Roman soldiers had accepted the Christian faith. Therefore, this decree was dispatched to the centurion Vespasian: \u201cIf there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christian, they must die!\u201d<\/p>\n
The decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen inland lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian, the centurion, read the emperor\u2019s message. <\/p>\n
Vespasian called the soldiers together and asked the question: \u201cAre there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward!\u201d Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted, and stood at attention. Vespasian paused. He had not expected so many, nor such select ones. \u201cUntil sundown I shall await your answer,\u201d said Vespasian. Sundown came. Again the question was asked. Again the forty wrestlers stepped forward. <\/p>\n
Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said, \u201cThe decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice, and I shall leave you there to the mercy of the elements.\u201d<\/p>\n
The forty wrestlers were stripped and then, falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake of ice. As they marched they broke into the chant of the arena: \u201cForty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor\u2019s crown!\u201d Through the long hours of the night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came to him fainter and fainter the wrestlers\u2019 song. <\/p>\n
As morning drew near one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; in the extremity of his suffering he had renounced his Lord. Faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: \u201cThirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor\u2019s crown!\u201d<\/p>\n
Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire. Perhaps he saw eternal light shining there toward the center of the lake. Who can say? But off came his helmet and clothing, and he sprang upon the ice, crying, \u201cForty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory\u201d and from Thee, the victor\u2019s crown! <\/p>\n
\u2014Paul Tassel<\/p>\n
3343<\/b> They Would Not Trample Cross<\/b><\/p>\n
During the terrible Boxer Rebellion in China the insurgents captured a mission station, blocked all the gates but one, and before this placed a cross flat on the ground. Then the word was passed to those inside that any who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life, but that any refusing would be shot to death. <\/p>\n
Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free. But the eight student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act. Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose, and moved carefully around the cross and went out to face the firing squad. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to death. <\/p>\n
\u2014Forward<\/i><\/p>\n
3344<\/b> Martyrdom Of Polycarp<\/b><\/p>\n
Polycarp, venerable bishop of Smyrna was a personal friend and pupil of John the Apostle. When he was age 86, he was urged by the Roman proconsul to reproach Christ and be set free. <\/p>\n
\u201cEighty and six years have I served Him and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?\u201d<\/p>\n
The proconsul said: \u201cI have respect for your age. Simply say, \u201cAway with the Atheists\u201d and be set free.\u201d Polycarp solemnly said, \u201cAway with the Atheists\u201d\u2014pointing to the pagan crowd.<\/p>\n
He joyfully went to the stake, thanking God for counting him worthy to be numbered among the martyrs. <\/p>\n
3345<\/b> John Huss\u2019 Death<\/b><\/p>\n
John Huss, the courageous pastor of Prague, was arrested, condemned, and sentenced to be burned by a church council in 1415. When Huss heard his sentence pronounced, he fell to his knees and prayed, \u201cLord Jesus, forgive my enemies.\u201d Then when he was chained to the stake, he prayed, \u201cIn Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed.\u201d Then flames snuffed out the life of \u201cThe Morning Star of the Reformation.\u201d<\/p>\n
3346<\/b> \u201cNone But Christ\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
On July 1st, 1555, John Bradford was burned to death. He was chaplain to King Edward Sixth of England, and was one of the most popular preachers of his day. But he was a martyr to his faith. As he was being driven out to Newgate to be burned, permission was given him to speak, and from the wagon in which he rode to his death the entire way out from West London to Newgate he shouted: \u201cChrist, Christ, none but Christ!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Aquilla Webb<\/p>\n
3347<\/b> \u201cThink Further\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
The persecutors of Bishop Hooper, at his martyrdom, offered a pardon upon his recantation, saying: \u201cConsider that life is sweet and death is bitter.\u201d \u201cTrue,\u201d said he, \u201cbut the death to come is more bitter, and the life to cnme is more sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n
3348<\/b> Cyprian\u2019s Thanksgiving<\/b><\/p>\n
Having been banished, Cyprian suffered martyrdom in Carthage in 258. When the sentence of death was read to him he said, \u201cI heartily thank Almighty God who is pleased to set me free from the chains of the body.\u201d<\/p>\n
3349<\/b> Welcoming Love<\/b><\/p>\n
Elizabeth Folkes the martyr, embracing the stake, said: \u201cFarewell, all the world! Farewell, faith; farewell, hope; and welcome, love!\u201d<\/p>\n
3350<\/b> More Last Words Of Martyrs<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Henry Vos\u2014\u201cIf I had twin heads, they should all be off for Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 Castilla Rupea\u2014\u201cThough you throw my body down off this steep hill, yet will my soul mount upwards again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 John Buisson\u2014\u201cI shall have a double jail delivery: out of my sinful flesh and out of the loathsome dungeon I have long lain in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 Taylor\u2014\u201cNow lack I but two steps, and I am even at my Father\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 Carpenter\u2014\u201cAll Bavaria is not as dear to me as my wife and children, but, for Christ\u2019s sake, I gladly forsake them.\u201d<\/p>\n
See also:<\/b> Deaths, Saints\u2019 ; Persecution ; Matt. 10:39; 24:9; Luke 9:24; 17:33; 21:16; John 12:25; I Cor. 15:55; Rev. 6:9, 11; 7:14; 11:7; 12:11; 18:24; 20:4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. \u2014Rev. 17:6 3336 Origin Of Word \u201cMartyr\u201d The word \u201cmartyr\u201d originally meant simply witness, but as the early witnesses sealed with their own blood … Continue reading “MARTYRDOM”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5145"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5145\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}