Where Do You Stand?
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
- Revelation 6:9
Are you standing up for the Word of God? Do people know where you stand as a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you express your opinion openly?
In Revelation 6, John wrote that he saw "the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held" (verse 9). These are people who will come to Christ during the Great Tribulation period. After the church is removed, they will come to believe in Jesus. They will realize what has happened, will commit their lives to Christ, and will stand up for their faith.
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There are two reasons these people will be martyred: "for the word of God and for the testimony which they held." Because they are true followers of Jesus, they will stand up for God's Word, which the Antichrist will not like. They also will be known for their testimony.
Do you have a good testimony? Do people know the story of how you came to faith in Christ? If you are speaking up for the Word of God and have a good testimony, then you will face something similar to what these people will face. I am not necessarily saying that you will be put to death for your faith-though in some parts of the world you could be. What I am saying is that you will face persecution in some way, shape, or form.
The Bible says, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).
So if you were to say, "Greg, I am never persecuted. I get along with everyone. No one ever disagrees with me," then I would say that something is wrong with you.
If you are living a godly life, then you will be persecuted.
