Then over the years, reading and
believing the scriptures about going home or the
resurrection, has helped.
It helped strengthen my faith in that,
which over time, began to diminish my fear if death.
Also, over the years, I worked in some
Islamic and Communist countries.
I was concerned what might happen
because of witnessing or giving people tracts or Bibles.
The thought of the instant that a blade
severed my head, wasn’t the concern, as previously
mentioned.
However, the thought of torture,
especially severe and long protracted torture, that
greatly concerned me.
Now we may eventually face things like
that, even right here in the US.
Does the thought of torture trouble me?
I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t
afraid of that.
Having the more sensitive parts of my
body rigorously burned with a blowtorch really troubles
me.
How did Christians over the years face
the fear of torture?
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt
suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of
you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have
tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I
will give thee a crown of life.
Yet, Jesus told the Christians in
Smyrna to fear none of those things which they were to
suffer.
It would seem that this included
torture.
Why would Jesus tell people to do that
which is really humanly impossible to do?
Perhaps it is like telling a blind man
to open his eyes and see.
Or like telling a man sick of the
palsy, “Rise up, and walk”.
Or like when Jesus was walking on the
water, and he said to Peter, “Come”.
Is it in his saying it, that makes all
the difference?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So is it, that the only way to not fear
torture, is by faith?
And does that faith only come from
hearing the word of God?
Clearly when we read it, aren’t we
hearing it in our mind?
So, the only way to not fear torture,
is for Jesus to say, “Fear none of those things which
thou shalt suffer”?
Then for us to believe those very
words, which will bring forth great faith the moment
that we need it?