As of late I have been reading a book titled "Foxe's Book of Martyrs", you may have heard of it...you may not have. Anyways, I have greatly enjoyed it so far. I am about half way through.
The book is about many of the well known martyrs from shortly after Christ up until (I think) 1558. The first chapter is titled "The persecution of the early Christians", and is about the apostles and disciples who where brought to their deaths because they proclaimed Christ and would not reject Him, even unto death.
It was under Tiberius that the first persecution started. In the reign of Tiberius, Pilate (who condemned Christ to be crucified), was apprehended and sent to Rome, deposed, and then banished to a town in Dauphiny, where he took his own life. Shortly thereafter Tiberius died and was succeeded by Caligula, Claudius Nero, and Domitius Nero; all people of Rome. Caligula thought himself to be god and commanded that he be held as so, placing his image in all the temples, even in Jerusalem. By this man, Herod Antipas, the murderer of John the Baptist, was condemned to perpetual banishment where he died a miserable death. During the reign of Caligula, Caiaphas also was removed from the high priest's room an Jonathon made to take his place. The tribune, finally being able, slew the tyrannical leader in the fourth year of his reign.Claudius Nero came after him, reigning thirteen years with cruelty. His succesor was thardly to be compared to Claudius, for Domitius Nero reigned fourteen years with such tyrant and cruelty that he bro8ught the most part of the senators to death and demolished the the whole order of the knighthood in Rome. Under this leader half of Rome was set a blaze and then promptly blamed on the Christians. At long last the senate declared him an enemy to mankind and would have him executed.
Thirty years after our Lord, Titus and Vespasian sought to destroy the Jews, killing the greater of eleven hundred thousand (Which is the number given in the book). Many were sold into slavery, slain by beasts or by sword.
After the martyrdom of Stephen, James the apostle of Christ (the brother of John) suffered next. When before the tribunal seat, the man who brought about Jame's trouble saw that such a godly man was condemned to death, came to repentance and confessed his new faith in Christ. Both were brought to the place of execution, whereupon the man asked forgiveness of James. Being wholeheartedly forgiven by the apostle, both were beheaded together, A.D. 36.
Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Carmanians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians and Magians. He suffered and died in Calamina, India having been slain with a dart.
Simon was crucified.
Mark preached the gospel in Egypt. He was martyred by being drawn with ropes into fire. This was done under the reign of Trajan the emperor. Barholemew also preached unto the Indians and was said to have translated the gospel of Matthew into the native tongue. He was beaten with staves, crucified and beheaded.
Andrew spoke to the Scythians, Sogdians, and the Sacae. He was crucified and buried in a city of Achaia, Patrae. He went to his death singing praises to the Lord and giving thanks for his ability to suffer as Christ suffered.
Matthew wrote his gospel to the Jews in the Hebrew language. After converting much of Ethiopia and Egypt, one was sent of Hercanus (their king) to run him through with a spear.
Philip was crucified and stoned to death.
James, the brother of the Lord was looked up to by many. he was called "The Just" and "The safeguard of the people". In that time, the Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees saw danger in the people looking to Jesus as the Christ. Thus, they gathered together and brought James to them and asked if he would stand at the roof of the temple and restrain the people with words and 'right teaching' about Jesus. they hoped for him to tell the people that Jesus was not the Christ, and that they were all wrong to think of Him to be the messiah. They set him at the pinnacle of the temple and called to him, "Thou just man, whom we all ought to obey, this people is going astray after Jesus which is crucified." Ja,es answered by saying, "Why do you ask me of Jesus the Son of Man? He sitteth on the right hand of the Most High, and shall come in the Clouds of heaven." many in the throngs below looked to heaven and believed, glorifying God. The scribes, seeing the mistake they had made sought to throw him from the temple roof. The fall did not kill him and so he knelt and prayed for his persecutors. They stoned him thereafter.
The book goes on to tell about the persecution by the Romans, the Roman Catholic Church, etc.
This is only the beginning of the story. So many have given their lives for Christ. There is not a more just cause to lay down one's life.
Think about what you face today. Think about what has been placed in your path. Is it death? I doubt it, though God has this for some. Have you seen suffering for your faith? Have you been able to praise the name of the Lord even in the small trials? Where will your strength come, if you have not practiced being faithful in the little things? Will you go to your death praising the Lord?
This book has put into perspective what it means to be a believer and what it means to stay true to one's faith and Savior.
I hope you will read this book.
