God's Saints Martyred - Part 1
Revelation 13:7-10 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. The above passage of scripture takes place around the midpoint, (31/2 years) of the 7 year tribulation that is outlined in the Book of Revelations. For those who believe the church will be raptured before the tribulation starts, I recommend that you still continue to read. There are saints living on the earth at this time and it is imperative that we see what they will be experiencing and how they should respond. The principle set forth in this passage is applicable to all of earth’s history and not just for this end time passage.
The Antichrist will come into reign about halfway through the tribulation. Verse 7 states” and it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given unto him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” Notice it is given to him to make war with the saints. God allows Satan to give the antichrist this power. In v 15 … and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Many of the saints will be martyred by the forces of evil during this time period. The book of Daniel makes a similar prophecy; see the following passage. Daniel 7:2126 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
This realization brings many questions. How will the saints survive? Why doesn’t God come to their rescue? Why does God allow the forces of evil to wear out the saints? Isn’t God purpose defeated when His Only Son or one of His children physically dies?