In the Face of Death

Throughout the Bible many of Jehovah's people have faced death because of their faith. Three examples come to mind, Sha´drach, Me´shach and A·bed´ne·go. Their example of faith is outstanding! Why? Their answer to King Neb·u·chad·nez´zar shows the depth of their faith. 17 If it is to be, our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue [us]. 18 But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship.” This statement by them shows that they knew Jehovah would rescue them even if they had to die. They obviously had a strong faith in the resurrection of the dead! They knew they had to stay faithful even to death and Jehovah would reward them with life. Christ said this was important at.... (Luke 17:33) Whoever seeks to keep his soul safe for himself will lose it, but whoever loses it will preserve it alive. (John 12:25) He that is fond of his soul destroys it, but he that hates his soul in this world will safeguard it for everlasting life. This is a VERY important lesson for us who will experience this same circumstance during the time of the end. Just like King Neb·u·chad·nez´zar's image of gold was set up and demanded worship, so will the image of the beast be set up and it will demand worship. 11 And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon. 12 And it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. And it makes the earth and those who dwell in it worship the first wild beast, whose death-stroke got healed. 13 And it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. 14 And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. 15 And there was granted it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast. 16 And it puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, that they should give these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, 17 and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. 18 Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six. When this image is set up ALL PERSONS will be required to worship it or face death. Neb·u·chad·nez´zar's image and the faith of the three Hebrews is a prophetic drama for all of us to learn from. We must have the faith that Jehovah can save us even if it means we have to die. Many of our brothers and sisters experienced this kind of threats before during the Nazi regime. Many died under severe tests of faith. Their faith in Jehovah was strong and they will be back in the resurrection. These words proved true for them........ (Psalm 27:1) Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I be in fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be in dread? (Isaiah 12:2) Look! God is my salvation. I shall trust and be in no dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and [my] might, and he came to be the salvation of me.” (2 Corinthians 1:10) From such a great thing as death he did rescue us and will rescue us; and our hope is in him that he will also rescue us further. 10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection. Saved from harm