This week I cannot do so.
Yesterday, I preached on Revelation 6-7 which contains shocking descriptions of the persecution of believers in the end times. The fifth seal in 6:9-11 is a picture of those who are/were/will be slain for their commitment to Christ. They ask God "how long?" until he avenges their deaths and he responds by honoring them and telling them to wait "until the number of their fellow servants who were to be killed as they had been was completed."
It is astonishing and humbling, but also hard to swallow - that God's plan would involve his saints being killed for their faith. But that's how it works. His terrifying and overwhelming judgment will only be a fair judgment if the depravity of humanity has reached a certain point (see 6:1-8).
And while these martyrs have their lives taken from them, they are abundantly repaid with honor and peace and their ultimate salvation (6:11, 7:1-17).
I preached on that complex and awe-inspiring passage, and then came home to read of this:
ISIL left no doubt why they were killed, announcing this was "A Message signed with blood to the nation of the cross". As Hebrews 11:38 says, "the world was not worthy of them".
In honor of them, I present this Music Monday selection - may all followers of Jesus embrace a greater commitment to Him:
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