Two weeks ago, I posed the question, “Are you prepared to stand in the gap for your nation?” With all that has happened over this past week, my question this week is, “Are you prepared to be an end time martyr for your faith in Jesus Christ?”
The sad assassination of Christian, Charlie Kirk, in America has shocked the world. I will be honest, I hadn’t heard of him before he was killed, but now I see how he shared boldly and unapologetically about his faith, and the truth of scripture to many young people and was killed because of it. He is a modern-day martyr who died for his faith in Jesus and because of his beliefs in the bible. There are many around the world living under persecution that are being martyred every day, but this is in the Western world. Is this a turning point in the West?
End Time martyrs
We are living in the End Times, and I believe that Jesus will return in our lifetime. When you observe what is happening in our world and society and turn to the bible, we are seeing signs that we are at the end of the story. What happened to Charlie Kirk is only the beginning. We will experience more persecution if we continue to stay silent.
Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This doesn’t say “which you may suffer”, it says “which you are about to suffer”. It is inevitable. When tested, will you remain faithful even until death? The time is coming when we must decide whether we love Christ enough to die for Him as He died for us or love our own life. That is the turning point. That is surrendering your life completely to Jesus and turning, or repenting, from worldly things and ideologies.
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Revelation 12:11 NASB
I believe we will see more martyrs and more persecution in the West. This must take place to see the fulfilment of prophecy in the bible for the second coming of Jesus.
We pray for those that are facing persecution for their faith. We pray for hope in suffering and a boldness to witness and share our testimony at all costs. We pray that we will stay faithful until death, and we rejoice that we will be given a crown of life and an eternity with Jesus.
If you have read this and want to find out more about turning your life around and living for Jesus, visit our I’m new page and find out how you can find hope in Jesus.
Natasha Ruddock is the Communications Manager for the World Prayer Centre Birmingham. She is also co-leading Victory Outreach Church Birmingham with her husband Colin.
