We should not be overly concerned if persecution happens to us, for He will be with us to comfort and inspire us in our answers. The truth we will speak will be so wise and right that our persecutors will have no retort. This may incite them to more violence, even to killing us, but if we patiently endure it, we will surely save our eternal life. Our entrance into God's Kingdom is what truly matters. If we are martyred for it, our reward will reflect our unflinching faithfulness to God and His way of life. We need not fear the coming days when our religious freedom will be stolen, though they will be dreadful and dark, and some will lose their lives. If we commit ourselves to living righteously, we have the assurance of our faithful Creator that we will receive salvation and great reward in His Kingdom.

Persecution and martyrdom, though not popular topics, are undeniable realities of Christian life, ranging from severe historical persecutions to modern social or employment challenges. The apostles in the New Testament addressed persecution with courage and a matter-of-fact attitude, viewing it as an inevitable part of the journey to be endured with dignity and patience. The apostle Paul, who endured significant persecution, affirmed this reality by stating that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, and he encouraged believers with the assurance that the Lord delivered him from all his trials. Similarly, Peter advised Christians to face expected persecutions with joy, faith, grace, and patience. In the vision of the fifth seal, the apostle John hears the souls under the altar cry out to God, asking, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" This cry is not for vengeance but for justice and an indication of when Christ will return to reward His saints and judge His enemies. This question, "How long?" echoes through both Old and New Testament writings, reflecting a persistent plea during times of intense persecution and cultural decline, seeking to know the duration of suffering before God intervenes on behalf of His servants. God responds to the martyred souls by giving each a white robe, symbolizing purity, righteousness, joy, victory, and perfection, as a sign of salvation. He tells them to rest a little while longer until their fellow servants and brethren, who are also to be killed, complete their course through suffering and death. This ambiguous timeframe offers comfort, assuring that God's vengeance will fall justly on the guilty, and His saints will be freed from suffering and receive their promised reward. Though time may pass, the judgment inherent in the fifth seal remains, as God, the Sovereign Lord, holy and true, promises to avenge His faithful servants. This assurance provides comfort to Christians, knowing that any sacrifice, even martyrdom, will not be in vain.

Martyrdom represents a profound aspect of Christian dedication, illustrating the ultimate sacrifice for faith in God and His Word. It underscores the seriousness of Christianity as a life and death endeavor, where devotion to Him never wavers, even if it leads to horrific ends such as being torn by beasts, burned at the stake, or facing other brutal deaths. God grants rapturous joys and unmeasured blessings, yet sometimes He calls His followers to endure horror and possibly martyrdom through vicious persecution. Many early Christians suffered as witnesses before the world, beaten, stoned, torn by lions, or fed to fires, giving their lives as a testimony to their faith. In contrast, most modern believers in America have not faced such extreme persecution, living under the protection of religious freedom, though the time for such trials may yet come as part of His plan. Martyrdom is not a frivolous act; He ensures it serves a purpose, occurring at a precise moment in history to maximize its witness before the world. Those martyred for righteousness' sake, for holding fast to His Word and testimony, provide a powerful witness against the ungodly systems of this world, and He promises to avenge them when the full number of such witnesses is complete. Suffering persecution for His sake is seen as a gift of His grace, a sign of His favor and kindness, indicating worthiness for His Kingdom. If He allows persecution, it is a controlled act of His will, meant to refine and elevate His followers, potentially leading to a better resurrection and higher responsibility in His Kingdom. The expectation is not to seek out martyrdom, but to accept it as part of His will if it comes, striving always to live righteously and be prepared to make a fitting witness under such trials.