Revelation 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

This verse needs to be read in parallel with Revelation 12:11, or it might make people even more hesitant to testify of their salvation and Christ Jesus their Lord. It is quite true that, down through the centuries and now more than ever before, people have been and are being killed because of being outspoken Christians. A clear testimony makes non-Christians uncomfortable! This is increasingly evident in the US today, with the homosexual and pro-abortion groups being increasingly vehement against any expression of Christian faith. Most Americans probably thought Christian persecution could never happen in the US, but it is indeed going on, though at nowhere near the rate as in some other countries. Nigeria has been adding to the “souls under the throne” almost daily recently, and there is no end to similar stories from other countries as well. What is called for is an eternal perspective. We need to remember that physical death isn’t necessarily defeat. 12:11 says, “They overcame 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.” When we have that perspective, we will stand firmly on the Word of God and proclaim that Jesus is Lord.

I have commented before that I don’t feel like I’ve ever been persecuted for my faith, but I have been yelled at, ridiculed, and generally put down for it. The flesh doesn’t even like that! I do not know what the future holds, for me or for the flock in my care, but I do know that a heavenly perspective will help us rise above unpleasant circumstances, whatever they might be. In Japanese, today’s verse says, “the testimony they themselves had raised up.” I need to give the believers the desire to establish strong testimonies, and to help them in doing that. If I succeed, that will be a strong testimony for me as well!

Father, thank You for this Word. I do pray for my persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. There are so many of them! I can understand that they would be crying out, “How long, O Lord!” I pray for protection, provision, comfort, and patient endurance for them. Help me be faithful in my prayers, and faithful as a witness in my own circumstances. May we as a church be an effective demonstration of Christ to those around us, so that as many as possible may be brought from darkness to light, from death to life, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!