Forty Brave Soldiers

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In Armenia around 320 AD, there was a company of forty Roman soldiers known as the Thundering Legion. When the Governor discovered they were Christians, he was very angry and threatened to have them killed. But the governor was also anxious to spare them because these soldiers were amongst the bravest in the army. He promised them money and honors if they would only consent to worship the gods which the Emperor worshipped.

One responded, "You offer us money that remains behind, and glory that fades away." They told him that they would rather die than renounce their faith.

This answer further enraged the governor so he ordered them to die a slow painful death. He commanded them to be stripped of their clothes and placed upon the ice of a frozen lake until they froze to death. At the same time he gave orders that a large tank of warm water should be placed at the side of the ice, so that if any of them should wish to renounce Jesus Christ and save his life, he might be taken off the lake and put into the warm water.

When these good soldiers were put upon the ice, they encouraged each other to not be afraid of dying. "One night of suffering," they said, "and then an eternity of happiness in Heaven." They prayed that their number would remain 40 and they could all persevere to the end.

I heard a song about these soldiers some 20 years ago by Tom Green. In the song's chorus, they encourage each other by singing, "Forty soldiers for Jesus, Forty brave soldiers for Christ . . ." They endured this torture for many hours and then the cold finally became too much for one of them. He asked for one of the soldiers guarding them to carry him to safety and the warm bath. No sooner had he been put into the bath than he died.

The shivering soldiers became discouraged and saddened that now there were 39 instead of the 40 they had prayed for. They began to sing with less enthusiasm, "Thirty-nine soldiers for Jesus . . ."

Suddenly one of the 'pagan' guards who had observed the soldiers, tore off his clothes and ran onto the lake singing, "FORTY brave soldiers for Jesus!"

As the next day dawned, 40 brave soldiers stood before their true King and heard Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servants."

. . . stripped of their clothes and placed upon the ice . . .

This is just one of many inspiring stories from a book by DCTalk and the Voice of the Martyrs. "Jesus Freaks" is filled with testimonies of thousands who have courageously and willingly given their lives for Jesus. Interestingly, the English word 'martyr' comes from the Greek word for 'witness.' The stories span the early disciples of the 1st century to Columbine High's Cassie Bernall. Most stories are from the last 40 years. Don't wait for the movie, read the book!

Another inspirational book I want to recommend is "Glimpses of Truth" written by my friend Jack Cavanaugh. He dedicates his newest book to the memory of Anne Askew (1520-1548) who at the age of 28 was burned at the stake. Her crime? She read an English version of the Bible.

It is an exciting, romantic, fictional adventure based on true incidents that happened to Christians as they struggled to translate the Bible into English so every one could read it. Many died so we could have the Bibles we do and then all too often we don't even read them. How sad if you consider they gave their lives so we could have the greatest book of all time and we let it sit gathering dust.

 

"Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do ! And all heaven applauds." -Jesus (Matthew 5: 11,12 -The Message)

"All who live Godly in Jesus Christ WILL suffer persecution." -Apostle Paul - Martyred in Rome, 65 AD (II Timothy 3:12)


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