Martyrs: How The Apostles Died

I'm sure most of us heard of this word before; however, some may despise it or look down upon it. Whereas, they might not have the understanding or they don't know. So what is a Martyr? A Martyr is a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause. For instance; Jesus Christ, The Black Messiah, he was martyred and endured great sufferings for his people. Although honorably noted as an Israelite that's a beautiful thing. I jump for joy knowing that, and we can't diminish what the Lord has done for the nation of Israel. Amen.

Christ himself walked on this earth preaching and teaching the gospel along with twelve disciples who followed him earnestly. Of course; with the exception of the notorious, controversial and treasonous demon: Judas Iscariot. Who betrayed our Lord and savior for thirty pieces of silver, had him arrested and martyred. Why? The answer is quite simple: his message. How? Popular persuasion by the elders, chief priests and scribes they got infuriated by Jesus' establishment and claims to Lordship, his demeanor of authority, the fact he said He's the I am. He exercised Messiahship, taught presumably to forgive, and the way in which Christ puts himself in the center of Israel’s history. He embodied wisdom when he taught the commandments, the acceptance of worship, and the audacity of man being God. So they sought to kill him; as it is written, smite the shepherd and the sheep scatter. Let's meditate on this for a minute. As the disciples scattered into hiding why didn't they keep silent? Knowingly; speaking out about Jesus meant the disciples risked being tortured, even killed. So why didn't they keep silent? Here's a scenario:

(You're a disciple who walked with Christ for three years. In which you have witnessed numerous miracles, He prophesied about his death, burial and resurrection which came to pass. Then "you" saw him afterwards and was seen by hundreds of others. In addition to this; you witnessed an absolute phenomenon when Christ ascended into a chariot!).

Could you have stayed silent? If you really believed, you could not stay silent. These disciples risked their lives to speak out about what they had no doubts about. That Christ had risen from the dead, that he's a so-called black man from the Tribe of Judah, salvation is for Israel and that God does not love everybody. Proving that he was everything he claimed to be, the Son of God. Moreover; Christ gave them a commandment to go into all nations and teach, because Israel is scattered throughout the four corners of the earth. Same thing going on today. The prophets are back and they're black! The Prophets of today are flooding the earth with this truth to the Most High's chosen seed: the so-called Blacks, Hispanics and Native Indians. So just as Christ and the apostles were martyred, the prophets today are following in the same footsteps. They travel throughout the earth teaching the laws of God without fear!

1. The Apostle Matthew Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.

2. The Apostle Mark Died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.

3. The Apostle Luke Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.

4. The Apostle John Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. It was there he wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation. The Apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.

5. The Apostle Peter He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

6. The Apostle James brother of Christ The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club. * This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.

7. The Apostle James the Son of Zebedee He was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched in amazement as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

8. The Apostle Bartholomew Also known as Nathaniel was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

9. The Apostle Andrew Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it". He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.

10. The Apostle Thomas Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Sub-continent.

11. The Apostle Jude Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

12. The Apostle Matthias The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.

13. The Apostle Paul Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters formed a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us Israelites that are walking in truth. The ones traveling throughout the world teaching this gospel, the ones on the highways and hedges crying aloud sparing not. In the face of oppression: betrayals, slander, defamation, cointelpro, propaganda and all manner of madness, wickedness and folly the prophets cease not to do the will of God. So what then; do we fear these things that the prophets of old had to go through? Absolutely not! The Most High never gave us the spirit of fear! Christ was the ultimate sacrifice unto Israel; therefore, we have our minds girded to do the same if and when that day comes. Remember we don't die, we multiply, whosoever have ears to hear let them hear.

Revelation 12:11

11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Psalms 116:15

15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Dying for the testimony of Christ there's no greater feat, you'll get the Kingdom guaranteed! So fear not; comfort one another with these words Israel, for some of us will have to die. Until then I encourage you: brothers love the brotherhood and likewise sisters love the sisterhood. Be stedfast, be perfect, strive in truth, pray without ceasing, run with certainty and endure until the end.

Never Get Too Comfortable!

2 Corinthians 13:5

5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates

Scenario 1

Do you feel sleepy in prayer? But stay awake through a 3 hour movie!

Scenario 2

Do you feel bored when you read the Bible? But find it easy to read other books!

Scenario 3 Do you find it hard to engage in a message about God? Yet you forward pics, make comments and likes on Social Media!

Scenario 4

Do you study precepts?

But you know every stats of your favourite athlete!

Shalawam,

Written by Shamgar Israel

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