"And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."
Hebrews 11:36-38
Just what did these individuals do in order to receive such abuse? Very simply, they proclaimed the truth with boldness and conviction. They were so certain of what they believed that threat of death was no deterrent in shutting their mouths. Just as the religious world covered its ears when Stephen the first martyr proclaimed his message, they close it on the same message today. This bunch of God-fearing men upset the status quo! They turned the world upside down. They did not carry a familiar message, but one which was foreign to what people wanted to hear. The New Testament saint carried on with a similar message. Not much has changed. A little religion is acceptable in our world. A ten minute sermonette on tulips is acceptable in our churches. But waved off is the man who comes forth with a message demanding repentance from sin, and a display of righteous fruits in the lives of those who claim to know Christ. Dare a man of God call for those who name the name of Christ to "depart from iniquity." He will be reprimanded, scolded, accused of judging, shunned, and written off as an outdated dinosaur. The message the prophets, the message of Jesus, the disciples, the apostles, and those truly called of God throughout the ages has always been rejected by the world, and most often within the church that proclaims His name.
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