Are You Ready for Martyrdom

Even as you watch this there is a gathering storm, the time is short and a great darkness is approaching, a darkness such as never been seen before, there is a great flood of evil approaching the gates of Zion, its thunderous noise not only shaking the city but shaking the whole world. And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto death. Brothers and sisters are you ready for that scripture? Are you ready to live that scripture? Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of our brothers and sisters who went before who loved not their lives unto death? This could be the generation that is called to do that. Listen to the words of a brother who was martyred in 1557 in Rome, his name was Algerius and he spent three years in a dark dungeon never denying the faith and at the end of that three years they boiled him and then they burned him alive. This is the words and the testimony of how the Lord came to him right where he was in the darkest dungeon. To my beloved brethren and fellow servants of Jesus Christ who have gone out of Babylon unto Mount Zion whose names I do not omit without cause, grace and peace and mercy from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour Amen. In order somewhat to sweeten or take away the pain which you suffer on my account I would communicate to you the sweetness which I experience that you may rejoice with me and shout for joy with thanksgiving in the presence of the Lord. I will tell the world an incredible thing namely that I have found infinite sweetness in the bowels of the lion and who will in any wise believe what I am going to relate here? Who can believe it? In a dark hole I have found pleasure, in a place of bitterness and death rest and hope of salvation, in the abyss or depths of hell joy, where others weep I have laughed, where others fear I have found strength, who will believe this? In a state of misery I have had very great delight, in a lonely corner I have had most glorious company and in the severest bond great rest. All these things my fellow brothers in Jesus Christ the gracious hand of God has given me. Behold he that at first was far from me is now with me and him in whom I knew but a little I now see clearly, to whom I once looked from afar praise the Lord him I now behold as present. He for whom I long now offers me his hand, he comforts me, he fills me with joy, he drives me from bitterness and he renews within me strength and sweetness, he makes me well, he sustains me, he helps me, he strengthens me, oh how good is the Lord who does not suffer his servants to be tempted above which they are able, oh how easy, pleasant and sweet is his yoke. Is there any like our God the most high who sustains and refreshes those who are tempted? He heals them that are bruised and wounded and restores them all together, none is like him. Learn most beloved brethren how sweet the Lord is, how faithful and merciful, who visits his servants in trials, who humbles himself and condescends to be with us in our huts and humble abodes, he gives us a cheerful mind and a peaceful heart. Those were the words of brother Algirius from a dark dungeon that had no good ending, he knew what was coming but he loved not his life unto death and he glorified the Lord Jesus Christ even in the very depths of the dungeon. O Jacob, thy tabernacle is like a lily of the valley, O Jacob, thy tabernacle is like a lily of the valley, God shall cover you, the dead, and in thy great compassion, I will come into your stead.