Shalom Dear Brothers and Sisters The Cry of the Martyrs I felt led to go into Revelations today and as I was reading Chapter 6:9-11 stood out to me. Especially vs.11, "then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and brethren, would be killed as they were, was completed". With everything that is going on in the world today we realize it's not long before our King returns. But before that happens scripture clearly points out many will be killed for their faith and their testimony. There are already many people in different countries who are being severely persecuted and even killed for their belief in Yeshua and following after the God of Israel. We have it very easy here in the West we are free to gather together in our homes or in congregations openly without much persecution. But it has begun in small ways. Even we who profess Christianity yet choose to only follow the biblical feast of our God and choose to abide by God's Torah are chastised by the mainstream church. Why because they too have been taught down the centuries a false doctrine and little by little slowly the enemy has caused division and strife amongst the people of God. So we always need to be on our guard even when we are questioned as to why we're going back and celebrating what was taught in the Torah that we share our convictions with love and compassion. Praying for those who would persecute us verbally and extending grace mercy and love the fruits of the Spirit. Saying all of that the other thing that struck me was they were killed for their testimony. It caused me to think and ponder about what my testimony was. Do I have one that would stand the test of time and bring glory to my Father. Could I stand and face death for my faith with a forgiving heart as Steven did, I believe I could I want to believe that I would. Saying that and looking at it that way it should be even easier to forgive someone who insults me verbally! The key is to keep our eyes on the Lord and in the Word of God. Spending time in His presence developing that one on one relationship where we pour our hearts out to Him and then listen to what He has to say to us! He is our Good Shepherd and His sheep will hear His voice. We will hear it only if we are listening. Listening means sitting quietly and concentrating on Him taking our eyes and ears off of everything that's going on around us, our circumstances. That's why many times we need to actually find a quiet place away from everyone and everything. Is this not what Yeshua did? He would go away in the early hours of the morning and spend time with the Father so that He would know what to do. If it was necessary for the very Son of God how much more is it important and necessary for us to do the same! It is in this way as we enter into the last days and our freedoms are slowly taken away or we are discriminated against we will be able to stand on the Word of God. It will be written on our inward parts we will have memorized it and applied it to our lives so that when asked why we are not afraid we can answer in love. Because we are grounded and rooted in the author of love! Then we will have a witness and a testimony that will bring glory to our God. In the process those who are without Messiah will desire what we have. It will shine forth like the morning sun, Isaiah 58.
B'Shem Yeshua Hamashiach, Amen In His Love, Theresa
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