The Underground Church

I just finished reading a small book called "Torchured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand. I don't know how I got the book but it was in my possession for years. I was afraid to open it. The copyright is from 1990. He (the author) was imprisoned for fourteen years suffering torture in a Communist prison. It is his life story and that of others he witnessed in prison during the years of the Communist takeover in Romania. It was riveting, gruesome, and very humbling to read but a necessary read for people who take Christianity seriously. We have to read about the hard things people in the world are going through. Our family does support "The Voice of the Martyrs" which is organized to help the Underground Churches that are thriving in China and Russia and other parts of the world where there is no freedom to share your faith or even have access to a Bible. I am so blessed to live in my country and hope that I could die for my faith if I were put to the test.

Saw him speak years ago.
May we all be as faithful.

Good topic.
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I have been working with Christian leaders..involved in pioneering mission/ministry..
- in persecuted/restricted countries..
- many years.

I have worked with the Little Flock, the underground home church in China and I was involved in training missionaries to go to Russia, I helped train about 50 brothers and sisters that went to Russia.

Everyone needs the attitude of a martyr. Then whether it is physical torture, or the cancel culture, or losing your job, or whatever, everyone of us must go outside the camp to the cross, bearing the shame.

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

These Bible verses made me weep. Thank you for sharing. I will try hard to memorize these. (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Many decades ago, as a small child of about 5, I prayed for our church (in the US) to be persecuted. Of course, at that age, I didn't really understand what I was asking, although I had been saved at the age of 3 and knew Jesus would take all the believing martyrs to Heaven. We had been learning about the persecuted church in Sunday school and I wanted to see miracles, have a really strong church, and have a chance to die for Jesus because He died for me. God answers all prayers of His children, but it took him a long time to answer this one. But it's in His perfect time and season. Persecution of Christians in the US is still generally soft and subtle, except for those, who must keep it a secret from family due to the family's culture or religion.

These days, I pray that if I'm to be martyred for my faith that I die well, as a good witness to the truth of The Gospel, instead of as a howling, screaming, crying, begging, sniveling coward.

May God bless us all with courage in our weakness to stand fast in faith in Him and trust The Holy Ghost when the time comes.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen.


4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Luke 12:4-12, KJV

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, KJV



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Thank you kindly for the reminder of servanthood to Him.
blessings