Faith in the Flames

IN MEMORY OF THE FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE—A.D. 320

Forty Brave Soldiers

When the pagan Licinius ruled the eastern half of the Roman Empire (307-323 AD), it was his evil intent to eliminate Christianity from the lands under his control, and especially, for fear of treason, among the troops. One of his supporters was a cruel man by the name of Agricola who commanded the forces in the Armenian town of Sebaste, in what is now eastern Turkey. Among his soldiers were forty devout Christians who wielded equally well the sword of battle and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). These men formed an elite bodyguard. When it came to Agricola's attention that they were Christians, he determined to force them to renounce their' faith and bow down to the pagan gods. He gave them two alternatives:

"Either offer sacrifice to the gods and earn great honors, or, in the event of your disobedience, be stripped of your military rank and fall into disgrace."

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.

They were put in jail to think things over.

During this time they prepared themselves for the trial of martyrdom. One of them, Cyrion by name, exhorted his fellow soldiers:

"God so ordained that we made friends with each other in this temporary life; let us try not to separate even in eternity; just as we have been found plea sing to a mortal king, so let us strive to be worthy of the favor of the immortal King, Christ our God."

The next officer came to review the situation and attempt to have the men recant.

Licius repeated Agricola's arguments of persuasion, alternating between threats and flattery. When he saw that words were of no avail, he ordered the soldiers sent to jail while he thought up a form of torture sure to change their minds.

After prayers that night, for a second time the soldiers heard the voice of the Lord:

"He who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. Be bold and have no fear of short-lived torment which soon passes; endure...that you may receive crowns."

Since they refused to recant, the commander ordered them to be stripped of their clothes and placed upon the ice of a frozen lake until they froze to death.

Tom Green wrote a song about the psalms and chant the man sang to encourage each other during their martyrdom.

40 brave soldiers of Jesus, 40 Brave soldiers for Christ, we will be true to our God. We will stare death in the face though we perish on this lake of ice. 40 Brave soldiers for Christ.

At the same time the commander 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.

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 . . ."

Seeing this, the rest of the soldiers prayed the more earnestly to God: "Help us, O God our Saviour, for here we stand in the water and our feet are stained with our blood; ease the burden of our oppression and tame the cruelty of the air; O Lord our God-on Thee do we hope, let us not be ashamed, but let all understand that we who call upon Thee have been saved."

Their prayer was heard. In the third hour of the night a warm light bathed the holy martyrs and melted the ice. By this time all but one of the guards had fallen asleep. The guard who was still awake had been amazed to witness the death of the soldier who had fled to the baths and to see that those in the water were still alive. Now, seeing this extraordinary light, he glanced upward to see where it came from and saw thirty-nine radiant crowns descending onto the heads of the saints, immediately, his heart was enlightened by the knowledge of the Truth. He roused the sleeping guards and, throwing off his clothes, ran into the lake shouting for all to hear, "I am a Christian too!" His name was Aglaius, and he brought the number of martyrs once again to forty.

Their voices gained strength again as they sang out Forty Brave Soldiers for Christ.

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

The names of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste are Acacius, Aetius, Aglaius, Alexander, Angus, Athanasius, Candidus, Chudion, Claudius, Cyril, Cyrion, Dometian, Domnus, Ecdicus, Elias, Eunoicus, Eutyches, Eutychius, Flavius, Gaisus, Gorgonius, Helianus, Heraclius, Hesychius, John, Lysimachus, Meliton, Nicholas, Pholoctemon, Priscus, Sacerdon, Servian, Sisinus, Smaragdus, Theodulus, theophilus, Valens, Valerius, Vivanus, and Zanthias.

Daniel 3:1 (NASB95)

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

Daniel 3:12–18 (NLT)

12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

1. Courageous Christian faith brings true life. (God can save our bodies and our souls. Only Christ embodies the reality of the spiritual claim of everlasting life and historic resurrection. v. 17-18)

a. Throughout history, religious freedom turns out to be rare.

All the great advancements of human liberty, freedom, and economic mobility came through the countries and societies that either were built upon Christian principles or honored the ethics of the Faith that all people image God. But that has not been the case, nor is it truly the case today.

b. Without God, science, democracy, nor philosophy, have any resolve to oppose human pride and tyranny.

Nebuchadnezzer called together a meeting of his ambassadors and trainees on the plain of Dura. He wanted more than competency and loyalty to his ADMINISTRATION, he wanted absolute devotion.

And we see that constantly throughout history. And name one nation where Christianity does not have roots or where Christianity is despised, that you would want to trust their government now or long-term? China? Russian? North Korea? Venezuela? Australia? Afghanistan? Just to name a few… And Europe is falling very quickly under the shadow of those totalitarian governments. Why? Nothing to oppose their tyranny. No religion, no eternal perspective. It’s all materialism and over confidence in mere human goodness.

I had lunch with a young man from one of the Southern most parts of the world this week. I asked, why do you want to come to America and come through legal channels? Because America is the best country, there’s no other place in the world with the opportunity for my family.

Now, I don’t believe we’ve risen to the level of Nebuchadnezzer, but we see the claws of tyranny, human pride and control dig into our “elected” leaders and nation during the pandemic especially. Unnecessary rules and regulations have lead to shortages of supplies, jobs, and more importantly dictating what should be personal decisions.

By the way, these young men demonstrate the answer to our culture. Much of the absolute craziness in our world today would end if people would be courageous. Just stand up and don’t cave. Don’t cave to the idea that there are only oppressors and victims. Don’t cave to the idea that you having a different opinion that is physical violence. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have compassion for true injustice or a person’s mental health. But we cannot allow truth and conscience be dictated by crazy. Because they’re not crazy. They are simply people playing a role in order to CONTROL you, your thoughts, and life. People fear stating biological truth men can’t have babies or millenia of precedence that marriage is simply man and woman. But, the threat is that you will be cancelled if you don’t. And that begins to affect other areas of your soul as well. It’s the chip, chip, chipping away of your soul that is occuring. And it’s truly demonic as you watch it.

A Cato Institute study reveals

A recent Cato Poll: 62% of Americans Say They Have Political Views They’re Afraid to Share

By Craig Bannister | July 22, 2020 | 4:35pm EDT

But here’s the bigger question, if people fear even mentioning an idea or opinion that SOMEONE might be offended by in the political or cultural realm, how many more are afraid to talk about Christ and their faith.

Understand, that’s the ultimate goal of the Enemy. And he doesn’t care how he gets there. He’ll take the slow road. He’ll run the ball each play and just wear you down.

A recent Probe Religious Views Study 2020 – Do Christians Believe in Christ as the Only Savior of the World?

Indicated that 70% of young Born Again Christians do not believe Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Do you think Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo had any qualms declaring Yahweh, or Jesus would be the only way to heaven?

Even after going through Nebuchadnezer University and Living in Nebuchadnezer Tower, they didn’t lose their faith or conviction.

These men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendigo stood out from the crowd. They could easily be identified for who they were and what they believed. They did not flop over like jelly fish, but they stood with backbones of steel.

No matter who reads this story, these men receive admiration. I know many people who say they want to be strong. They long to be strong. And when they cave, they feel that weakness in their chest. They feel that emptiness. They thought a little compromise won’t cost them much. That’s the lie of the devil.

Henry David Thoreau: The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

Why? They are not true to themselves and they have no God to guide them.

Many people will surrender their conscience and faith for perceived security. I don’t think all the people on that plain really thought Neb had become a god. Some might have. Some may have thought he had favor from God. But, I think that their primary thought was, I’m riding on his coat tails. If he’s happy with me, I have a better life. If my wallet gets fat, what do I care about bending to some statue. It may be god, he may be godlike. What good would thinking about it too much do? If I upset his ego in any way, I’ll be miserable or dead. So, I’m just going to keep my head down and go with the flow.

Here’s an old saying remixed:

IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING, YOU’LL BOW TO ANYTHING.

2. God wants you to Determine (Beforehand) not to COMPROMISE your faith or your character.

a. Work on the Discipline that grows your faith.

1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB95

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

J.C. Ryle wrote “Every fresh act of sin lessens fear and remorse, hardens the heart, blunts our conscience, and feeds our evil intents.”

Every stand of faith builds your courage, strengthens your resolve, cements your convictions and breaks the chains of hell that blinds so many. Courageous faith becomes the beacon the Holy Spirit uses to call others to Christ. -Jim Bohrer

Your emotions go up and down. You need to know God and His Word. You need a creed to live by, a family to belong, and a Father in heaven who will gather you to Himself. You need to keep God in the forefront of your mind and heart so when the Devil comes to knock you down, trips over you. Make certain you stand firm where God wants you.

God doesn’t need any more fans. He wants you to be on the field playing for Him. Far too many waste their heart and energy on issues God doesn’t care too much about. He really doesn’t care if Clemson wins. He cares if Christians at Clemson want to win hearts for Him.

b. Consider God first. Stop worrying about getting Facebook or Twitter “likes”. The only thumbs up you need is from the 4th man in that furnace, the Lord Jesus!

John 12:42–43 NASB95

42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

There will be no disloyal people in Heaven.

Revelation 21:8 NASB95

8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Daniel 3:24–29 NASB95

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. 27 The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.”

Walking in the fire is a known image of the gods in the First temple times that had broad reference in literature throughout the Ancient Near East. We see it in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 28:14 NASB95

14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.

Seeing the Lord in the furnace would have been unprecedented. Note that the abode of God is heaven, which at times gets referred to as His Holy Mountain. But, here Neb sees the imagery of God before him.

Hell, where are your shackles, Death, where is your sting? They can not hold the King or His companions.

No fire can harm you, no sin can hold you because Jesus is the Lord of the miraculous.

3. God’s Math is Miraculous.

a. Not only can He make 3 become 4, He can nullify death! Death is not a problem for the believer, it’s just a shadow until the Dawn of Christ in the New Age.

b. He can fill the womb of a virgin.

c. He can zero out the furnace and the TOMB.

4. Give the Holy Spirit credit for Supernatural means as well as when He uses the ordinary means of faithful followers. (v. 28)

a. Nebuchadnezzar's rage towards the men’s faith became ADMIRATION for God and them.

Imagine if they hadn’t stood strong? What witness would that have been? What if they kept silent about their faith? God would not have been glorified in the miracle.

b. The Faith that will stand in the End Time will be a faith that Stands in the Mean-Time.

APPLICATION

Be prepared for challenges to your faith.

1 Peter 3:15 NASB95

15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Do your best! Your excellence will give you a platform to share Who centers your life.

Proverbs 22:29 NASB95

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

b. Wish the best for others.

Free Guy, don’t have a good day, have a great day. I don’t want people to have a good religion, I want them to KNOW THE GREAT GOD. I want them to know that Jesus is not one God among equals, but that HE IS UNEQUALED. HE IS THE MOST HIGH GOD.

That whatever you imagine God to be, Jesus is not merely better, HE IS THE BEST AND GREATEST.