Ultimately and in the long run, who is better off? On the face of it
no one would really want to be a Martyr.  I mean after all,  to die for
your belief?  And not die easy either.  These folks usually are tortured
and killed with hatred and extreme prejudice.  But they WILL be in Heaven,
guaranteed.  So what of the "form" Christian?  A form Christian is a
church goer, a Bible believer, and all around  good person.  He may even
be a "tither" and sing in the choir, but he lacks a personal, one on one
relationship with the HOLY SPIRIT.  Where does his fellow stand as far
as his surety of Heaven is concerned? What does the Bible (actually JESUS)
say concerning our "form" fellow? Is he the guy that gets spewed out of
CHRIST'S mouth? If you were to ask this guy if he thinks there might be a
chance that he is one to be "spewed", he would attack you in denial and
I mean ferociously. Hit a nerve did we? If he were NOT a "spewee" he would
smile and say, "JESUS is a friend of mine and we know each other and HE
has told me HE would never deny me as I am one of HIS SHEEP".  Now
there is the answer we're looking for!  How about you?  Are you one of
HIS SHEEP? Do you hear HIM Speaking to you with words of surety?
      Let's get back to the Martyrs.  There are TWO types:  Those killed
BECAUSE of HIS name and those killed IN HIS NAME.  BOTH are going
to Heaven.  What's the difference between the two? First we have the folks
that are killed because they are of the Christian Faith ( and won't deny it
even if they're even given that chance). The Roman Coliseum comes to
mind.  Then we have the others that are killed IN HIS NAME. They are not
Christians but are killed because they are not. The Spanish Inquisition is an
example of this.  Note: There may be some argument on the latter ex. which
"I" choose to ignore.  Believe me, those killed "in HIS name" get a pass. You
know what is really scary ? The "Coliseum" scenario is going to be visited
upon the Earth again, and real soon from what I can gather.  WoW !  Makes
you want to look into the SHEEP thing doesn't it? I don't want to be a Martyr
or a "spewee".  How about you ? Is JESUS talking to you?  HE will you know.
Try the Honestly Humble and Truly Repentant approach and keep at it as if
your very Eternal Destiny depends on it.  It works !  You have HIS WORD on it.

           MARANATHA !

                     TH