TUESDAY April 28, 2026
The Faith of the Persecuted
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
Hebrews 11:35-36
Notice how verse 35 opens with the power of the Resurrection: Women received their dead raised to life again. The hope of the Resurrection was a comfort to those who understood that conflict was a part of life for the Christian––torture and death were commonplace. Again, what was the key focus for Christians enduring torture? It was the hope of the Resurrection!
Even today, Christians endure suffering, mockings, scourgings, chains, imprisonments and even death. Communist and Islamic nations do not tolerate Christianity. Believers endure persecution, knowing their hope is in Jesus Christ, who has the power to raise the dead! Let me remind you of His words spoken to those who were seeking Him:
“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:39-40).
As believers, we are comforted by Jesus’ words. We are given assurance that when we die, the moment we take our last breath, His angels will take us to be with the Lord. Our earthly body is buried, but our spirit goes into the presence of God in heaven. When do we receive our new resurrected body? 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 uncovers that mystery for us:
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Every single day of our lives, we are to live by faith, knowing that one day we will be forever comforted, resurrected and never tormented again.
Princes, kings, and other rulers of the world have used all their strength and cunning against the Church, yet it continues to endure and hold its own.
~John Foxe~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
