“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” – Philippians 1:21
Charlie Kirk is a Christian martyr. Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Charlie was not merely murdered because of his political views but for His Christian beliefs which were the foundation of all he believed. He was a national treasure not only for his cogent Christian worldview, but because he was trying to get people to dialogue about their differences. He ended up being the irrefutable evidence of his belief that, “When people stop talking, bad things happen.” We are heartbroken.
No matter what your political views are, the ruthless shooting of Charlie Kirk, in front of his wife and children, should grieve you. When a 31-year-old brilliant founder of a youth outreach organization called Turning Point[1] , husband, father of two, patriot, and most importantly one who proclaimed and stood for Jesus, is executed in the prime of life, it grieves our soul deeply. If such a violent hateful act doesn’t grieve and disturb you there’s something deeply wrong with you. If you’re a self-proclaimed Christian and it doesn’t, I doubt you have a spiritual pulse.
Jesus said there would be tares among the wheat, or kernels of wheat that appeared to be good wheat on the outside, but when you opened them, they are found to be empty (Matthew 13:24-30). The Charlie Kirk assassination is a punch in the gut to couch potato Christians. It is a wakeup call to those who hold to a brand of “Christianity” where the cost of following Jesus are things like their perceived inconvenience of attending church or reading the Bible on a regular basis. It is a wakeup call to those who have succumbed to hate while still claiming to be Christians.
The Apostle John, also known as the Apostle of Love, made some very clear statements about who was and who was not a true follower of Jesus, a Christian. It would be well for us to take these into account. Let me just summarize these distinctions.
- Love is the evidence of spiritual life – 1 John 3:14-15; 4:7-8.
- True love is Christlike sacrifice of life – 1 John 3:16.
- It’s all about Jesus and believing in and living for Him 1 John 3:22-23.
- The Holy Spirit gives spiritual life – 1 John 3:24.
- Christians speak truth, unbelievers speak error, two different languages – 1 John 4:4-6.
- Christians need not fear death – 1 John 4:7-19.
- Hate is the sign of spiritual death and any person claiming to be a “Christian” who hates, is a liar – 1 John 4:20-21.
These are truths every “Christian” needs to take to heart.
Authentic Christianity is attending church and is regularly reading your Bible, but it is so much more. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:14-15). “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). It is impossible for any true Christian to unlovingly cheer, gloat, or sneer at the death of Charlie Kirk, his family, and his followers. Check your Christian heart for a pulse if you do.
When that bullet pierced young Charlie’s body, everything changed. I believe it truly was a turning point. Martyrdom has been steadily on the rise, but mostly in third world countries. [2] September 10th, 2025, just may have been a door swung open for martyrdom to enter our land. We are entering a time when people will literally have to count the cost. In that counting, the tares and the wheat will be distinguished.
Hostility toward Christians is on the rise throughout the world. We see that especially in the media outlets of the world.[3] Media commentators who have largely been educated (I.e., indoctrinated) in educational institutions saturated with not merely liberal worldviews, but with radical leftist worldviews are going to reflect those views in their reporting. The days of Walter Cronkite, Chet Huntley, and David Brinkley just reporting the news are over. Since President Obama pushed through the Smith-Mundt “Modernization” Act (2011), news reporting has become more propaganda and slanted opinion than it is actual reporting of events. This has led to reports regarding Christians being colored with negative epithets like “hateful,” “haters,” “racist,” “fascist,” “Nazi,” and other various opinionated negativity toward Christians. The media throws a match of accusation out into the listening masses and when a deranged demonically driven person is set ablaze to do the unthinkable, they posture surprise. It’s the height of hypocrisy.
Anyone outside the “accepted” worldview opinion of the media is a target of their venom. Thankfully, since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Senator Mike Lee of Utah has introduced legislation to restore Smith-Mundt under a new title, “The Charlie Kirk Act.” [4] Hopefully some truth can return to the media arm of society.
There is a strategy to all of this. As Christians are marginalized and painted as the cause of the ills of the nations and the world, it becomes more acceptable to attack them. It is a tactic like that of the Nazis against the Jewish community. Couple this with the persecution of Christians by Islam, and it’s becoming an increasingly dark time in history for Christians.
As the world points to Christians as the pariahs and cause of their problems, it will become more socially acceptable for Christians to be attacked, persecuted, marginalized, martyred. If that is the case, it would behoove us to be prepared to cope with martyrdom. What is martyrdom? Why does God allow martyrdom? How can we cope when Christians are martyred? What should the Christian response be? These questions will be addressed in this study.
What is Martyrdom?
The word “martyr” (Greek martus) means a witness, a record. A martyr is someone who gives their life for what they believe in. The concept of giving one’s life for what they believe in communicates a great deal about the environment in which such a sacrifice is made.
Ten of the original Twelve Apostles were martyred. Judas committed suicide. John died of old age. But the others were martyred and gave their lives for Christ. We can’t be dogmatic about the nature of the deaths of the Apostles in terms of how they were martyred, but we can be pretty sure they were martyred. It’s believed Peter was crucified upside down. Andrew was crucified too. James brother of John was executed with a sword. Philip was likely beheaded. Bartholemew was flayed and beheaded. Thomas was stabbed with spears. Matthew was either burned, stoned, stabbed, or beheaded. James brother of Jesus was thrown off the pinnacle of the temple. Jude was hewed to death. Simon the Zealot was crucified. Paul, not one of the Twelve, was beheaded in Rome. [5]
But martyrdom is not restricted to giving one’s life for the cause of Christ. Martyrdom includes other various ways Christians are discriminated against. International Christian Concern provides examples:
- Detention without trial: In countries like Eritrea, Iran, and China, Christians — especially those worshiping in house churches — are arrested arbitrarily and detained for months or years without due process.
- Attacks on property: Thousands of churches, homes, and Christian-run schools are vandalized or destroyed each year, particularly in conflict zones like the Middle East and parts of Africa.
- Forced displacement: In regions such as Myanmar, northern Nigeria, and parts of India, Christians are forced to flee their homes due to violence or mob pressure, leading to mass internal displacement and refugee crises.
- Surveillance and digital targeting: Authoritarian states are increasingly using technology to monitor Christian leaders and confessors of the faith, restrict online religious content, and shut down virtual gatherings.
- Social discrimination: In many parts of the world, being Christian can mean denial of jobs, exclusion from public education, harassment by neighbors, or rejection from one’s family or community. [6]
In light of this, martyrdom may be even more common than we first perceive.
How Can We Cope When Martyrdom Occurs?
How can we cope with martyrdom?
- Remember – This World is Not Our Home
The Living Bible paraphrase of Hebrews 13:14-15 expresses this well when it states:
Hebrews 13:14-15 (LB) 14 For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.15 With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name.
Our citizenship is first and foremost, in heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV) – 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Sometimes we get lulled to sleep spiritually and live as though this world really was our only home. Martyrdom smacks us in the face and reminds us this world is not our final home. Martyrdom awakens us from such lethargy to remind us this world is not our home.
- Remember – We Live in a Fallen Sinful Ugly Wicked Corrupt Sinful World
This world is the consequence of rejecting God:
Romans 1:28-32 (NKJV) – 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
The shooter of Charlie Kirk may have grown up in a conservative home, but at some point he allowed himself to be deceived and lured into a radical worldview and a relationship with a trans individual. Reports are beginning to surface that Tyler Robinson did not act alone.[7] He may have been a part of a larger Trans Terror Cell.[8] This is a product of the times. The ideology and sinful selfish worldview taught in our schools, promoted in social media, radicalizes our youth and promotes hating not debating opposition. Because of lawlessness, the love of many has become very cold (Matthew 24:12).
- Remember – We are Sheep for the Slaughter, but Love is Still Stronger than Evil.
We need to always remember that even though at times it seems as though we are lambs led to the slaughter, nothing, not even death and martyrdom can separate us from the love of God:
Romans 8:31-39 (NKJV) – 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, nothing.
- Remember – Sometimes it is Necessary and God’s Will that Christians Suffer
Some would like to package the Gospel and coming to Jesus as a fix all for every problem. They would evangelize by saying, “Come to Jesus and He’ll fix everything.” But this simply is not true. Christians suffer and sometimes they suffer as part of God’s will. The Apostle Peter, no stranger to suffering and who would eventually be a martyr himself, wrote in his first epistle:
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NKJV) – 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Sometimes it is God’s will for Christians to suffer. What happened this week is proof positive that the everything-will-be-roses-if-you-accept-Jesus understanding of Christianity is a spiritually shallow and an inaccurate unscriptural definition of Christianity.
- Remember – There are Unseen Factors We are Unaware Of
There are often unseen factors that only God knows. A good example of this is found in the book of Job. In Job, the main character is a righteous blameless believer in God. He’s doing everything right and lives to please God. He tries to ensure his family does the same. God even boasts of Job to the devil. That begins an eye-opening account of a spiritual battle that overflows into the life of Job. Job loses everything except his life. Then for most of the book of Job he and his friends argue back and forth trying to reason why Job is suffering. They are confused and at a loss because, they do not consider the spiritual dimension of his predicament. We the reader have the context of Job 1-2, they do not. And so they are lost as a result and ultimately rebuked by God for their shortsightedness.
We often do the same thing. I admit, there are things about the assassination of Charlie Kirk which I struggle with, e.g., that he was only 31 years old, in the prime of life, brilliant, married, a father, a patriot, a Christian, being greatly used by the Lord, and yet succumbed to an assassin’s bullet. Why Lord? I have learned over my nearly half a century walk with the Lord that, When you come to something you don’t understand in the Lord’s plans, lean on what you do know about the Lord. We do know God is faithful and true (Revelation 3:14). Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne (Psalm 89:14). He loves us (John 3:16). He gave Himself for us (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19). Therefore, while we can’t answer the “Why?” of Charlie Kirk’s demise in terms of God’s plans, we can be satisfied that whatever God’s reason for allowing Charlie to be taken so violently, it was just, true, necessary, and ultimately loving.
We must understand there is an unseen world of good versus evil like we see in the Book of Job. Therefore, we shouldn’t be like Job and his friends who pointed fingers and tried to explain circumstances they did not have the adequate information to explain. The Bible instructs us:
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) – 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Remember – We Will Encounter Hate
Jesus said, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). We will be hated for standing with Jesus. Jesus said there would be false teachers in the Latter Days. There would be those who claim to be Christians, who even fill pulpits in churches, but who aren’t true Christians. Some of these will be the greatest haters of all when it comes to targeting Bible believing Christians. Just because someone claims to be a “Christian” doesn’t necessarily mean they are a Christian. Jesus will one day look at some “Christians” and say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23). What will Jesus say about you?
- Remember – We Should Not Respond in Hate
The Bible states, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). It would be easy to return evil for evil, hate for hate, blow for blow. That is the natural, sinful inclination of our fallen nature. But Christians have a higher holier calling. There is a Gospel response we should consider. On the Conservative Twins FB page was this profound insight:
If Tyler Robinson (i.e., the assassin of Charlie Kirk) were to repent, Charlie Kirk would embrace him in heaven. That’s how radical the gospel is. The demonic left cannot even begin to comprehend it. Now – forgiveness doesn’t erase justice. Tyler Robinson must be tried, convicted, and publicly executed for his crimes. But as Christians, we also know that even he could repent and believe before he faces his Maker. And the wildest part? Charlie would welcome him as a brother in glory. The gospel is foolishness to the world, but it is the power of God to those who believe.
The Gospel is powerful because it can change lives (Romans 1:16). It can change enemies into evangelists like it did Saul into Paul (Acts 8-9).
Instead of looking to get even with your enemy, look how to do good in response. Remember the insightful words of Christian philosopher Soren Kierkegaard who said, “The tyrant dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his rule begins.” What would the Lord have you to do in response to the evil assassination of Charlie Kirk?
We must never forget the instruction of Jesus who said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t assess truth, weigh evidence, reason, and even debate differing positions with people. What Jesus was saying here is that we shouldn’t put ourselves in the position of God judging someone to condemn them to hell. Only God can make that determination and judgement. We inspect the fruit in a person’s life (Matthew 7:15-20). We should always pray and hope and reason with them that they come to salvation through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is always hope for the sinner to repent and be saved as long as there is breath in their lungs. Pray they are turned from darkness to light, from Satan to God, and that they would be saved from their sins and have an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Jesus (Acts 26:18).
- Remember – Be angry, but don’t sin.
Anger? Yes. Anger is a God given emotion that motivates us to action. The Bible states, “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,” (Ephesians 4:26). Anger is a God created emotion. It is fuel for the fire of the engine that moves us forward to make changes, overcome enemies, and resolve problems. It is possible to be angry and not sin if we funnel anger to motivate and move us forward in righteous responses to the evil around us.
The heinous acts of evil should be justly treated, e.g., assassins should be justly tried and executed according to Genesis 9 and Romans 13. Forgive the offender because not doing so only further hurts us and gives the criminal more power over victims. (Ephesians 4:32). But don’t get bitter because bitterness spreads like cancer (Hebrews 12:15).
I think Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk is processing and coping in the right direction when she stated to the assassin:
You have no idea the fire you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die.
- Remember- Sometimes Christians are Called Upon to Give Their Lives for the Cause of Christ
Jesus said:
John 12:23-28 (NKJV) – 23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
Martyrs are a seed planted. “The blood of the saints is the seed of the gospel” Church Father Tertullian once said. Jesus stated clearly what His followers needed to accept. He said:
Luke 9:23-26 (NKJV) – 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor who was executed by Nazis in World War 2, was willing to give his life for Christ’s purposes. He famously said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” [9]
Are you ready to give your all for Jesus? Before you respond, keep in mind that God doesn’t give us grace and courage to die, until it is our time to die. Because of this we may look at death now, before it is our time to die, with trepidation and fear. But we can trust that at our point of death God’s grace will be sufficient for whatever we need (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Why Martyrdom?
But why is martyrdom a part of God’s plan? Why martyrdom? Martyrdom gives us an incentive to call on the name of Jesus and look to Him as our Shepherd (John 10:27-28). Martyrdom creates an incentive to put our spiritual armor on (Ephesians 6:11-18). Pain and even sorrow are the birth pangs of something God is birthing (John 16:20-21).
Probably the most important and even exciting reason for martyrdom is that martyrdom is often the sign of the beginning of revival. Many Christians have been praying for revival. I know I have been praying for revival for a long time. A previous book I wrote points beyond political solutions to revival as the most eternally beneficial solution to our world’s ills.[10]
Martyrdom marks the beginning of revival. When we look at the context of scripture we see how the spread of the gospel is linked to martyrdom. When we look at the Book of Acts, which is a history of the early Church, its birth and spread, we see its beginnings closely linked with martyrdom. Jesus died on the cross as the propitiation for our sins. He rose from the dead. His death and resurrection are the heart and foundation of the Gospel (Acts 1:22; 2:31; 4:2 and 33; 17:18, 32; 23:6, 8; 24:15, 21; 28:31). Jesus gave His life as an example for us. Martyrdom is following the example of Jesus. So we see Stephen (Acts 7), and then James the brother of John gives their lives in martyrdom (Acts 12:1-5).
Martyrdom marks the beginning of the cycle of revival. Following the death of Stephen we se ethe persecution of the Church by Saul (Acts 8:1-4). This persecution creates a dispersion of the Church where the persecuted Christians go “everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). A great enemy of the Church and gospel names Saul is then powerfully and surprisingly converted to Christ (Acts 9). And from that point on the gospel and the Church spreads. New converts to Christianity are “multiplied” (Acts 9:31; 12:24), “strengthened” (Acts 15:40-41), “increased in numbers daily” (Acts 16:5), and “grew and mightily prevailed” (Acts 19:20). The fiery revival of the early Church was set ablaze by the match of martyrdom.
The Blessing of Martyrdom
We look at the pains of the martyr and are tempted to pity them. But when we look at scripture we discover a tremendous blessing. A Christian is never closer to Jesus than when martyred. Jesus did question Saul about why he persecuted Him through his persecution of the Church (Acts 9:4). But Jesus by no means had a sullen or sad view of martyrdom. In fact, Jesus taught that persecution and martyrdom are a means of great blessing. Jesus said:
Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) – 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
These words are true! When we look at the account of Stephen, we see someone who is rejoicing!
Acts 7:54-60 (NKJV) – 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen, in the midst of his martyrdom, was filled with the Holy Spirit and enveloped in the glory of God. He saw “Jesus standing at the right hand of God” ready to welcome him into glory! So stupendous and magnificent was this martyr’s vision that all temptation for vengeance and recompense to his persecutors was released. “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” That’s incredible. That is Christlike (Luke 23:34). All Stephen was focused on was, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He was never in all his life as close to Jesus as he was in the midst of his martyrdom.
There’s a reason why Paul, who had received a glimpse into heaven (2 Corinthians 12), said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). There’s a reason why he could be persecuted, imprisoned, and targeted for martyrdom and still keep his priorities eternally focused. “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to the earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20). There is a closeness to Jesus that only suffering brings (Philippians 3:7-11). There is a hope that overrides any fear or loss of this world:
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV) – 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
When in the midst of martyrdom, though the martyr is isolated, the Lord is always there:
2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NKJV) – 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Yes, to God be the glory!
So, though we weep and sorrow at the martyrdom of our brother Charlie Kirk, we don’t sorrow as those who have no hope. We need to remember that while his life was taken from him, Charlie was never closer to God than when he took that last breath of life.
With open doors of ministry, there will be adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). But that cannot deter us. We must pray and rely on the empowerment and leading of the Holy Spirit. If we are called upon to give our lives, let us not face it with fear, but with faith and insight that we are about to become closer to Jesus than ever before in our lives.
To God be the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
[2] https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/13-christians-killed-day-average/
[3] https://washingtonstand.com/news/hostility-towards-christianity-increasing-in-us-and-europe-experts-warn
[4] https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/09/sen-mike-lee-file-bombshell-legislation-crush-deep/
[5] https://overviewbible.com/how-did-the-apostles-die/
[6] https://persecution.org/2025/07/03/beyond-the-grave-why-counting-christian-persecution-incidents-is-harder-than-counting-deaths/
[7] The Charlie Kirk case just took a HUGE TURN.
[8] Dems PANIC as Tyler Robinson’s Social Media History Just Got EXPOSED!!! – YouTube
[9] Dietrich Bonheoffer, The Cost of Discipleship (London: SCM Press, 1948/2001), 44.
[10] https://www.amazon.com/Your-Greatest-Patriotic-Duty-America-ebook/dp/B0DT7G3GHM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GJ326UWOD81N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.j8MVH-icflDVNw_QEIPq9w.ycoC_FCZ4RhyUsFU6dAiS09pavYduY6Rbpt8yv-529c&dib_tag=se&keywords=your+greatest+patriotic+duty+by+claude+t+stauffer&qid=1758026606&sprefix=your+greatest+patriotic+duty+by+claide+t+stauffer%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1