DEATH IN CHRIST OR WITHOUT.
Acts 12.1-2
Here is depicted the very first execution of the disciple of Christ - James, brother of John, besides execution of Stephen. Perhaps Herod not himself killed James by the sword but gave the order to executioner to do it, to please the leaders of the Jews and keep his domain in peace and avoid any kind of disturbance or rebellion concerning Christians.
This is also means that no one is safe among Christians, and if GOD allowed one of His dedicated and faithful to die in such way, this shall be taken without any regret, anger, frustration, or disappointment in GOD, and reaction of John on the death of his dear brothers was exactly reaction of the true Christian. John was not angry and disappointed in GOD but continued to believe in Him and serve Him.
Other people usually losing their faith in GOD after such tragedies and even starting hating GOD because He did not answer their prayers and did not save one of His own. This happening because those who are angry with GOD and lost their faith in Him have never been true believers in Him but expected only good of Him and not suffering and death.
Those who do not understand GOD cannot be His true believers and followers, because only in suffering, misery, and death in the Name of Christ is the key to be His true follower (true Christian) and true servant, to suffer and to die for Him as Christ Himself suffered and died for us.
In suffering and misery and in death for the name of Christ indicates and shows spiritual rebirth of a person whose soul and all his/her being fully faithful, loyal, and truly dedicated to Christ. In other words, born again as a true Christian.
Suffering and death of Stephen, James, and many others like them is the most honorable suffering and death that only exist on Earth, no greatest honor exist on Earth than the honor and worthiness to suffer and die for the Christ and in the Name of Christ, because it is written,
"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10.39, 16.25) (Mark 8.35) (Luke 9.24, 17.33) (John 12.25).
So, the death of his dear brother James did not discourage John to continue to be disciple and servant of Christ and to follow His path to the end. This is a good example for all who call themselves Christians, to accept everything that comes from the Lord without any complains, disappointment, and anger against GOD.
"10. But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from GOD, and not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." (Job 2.10).
Of course, GOD also saves, but not as much as the physical body but the soul. Physical body can be restored, resurrected, or replaced at any time, but the soul cannot be replaced or resurrected, if it dies, its existence (life) vanishes forever.
Verses 6-17 probably give good example of it when GOD sent His angel and release Peter from prison in order to save his body (his physical life) from next day execution. But as we all know, everything has its time and has to die sooner or later. The difference is how person dies, from natural causes, or from accident or violence, or in the Name of Christ.
Concerning death of Herod (verse 23) who entitle himself as god, the angel of the Lord kill him for his arrogance, cruelty, and evil, and he is not just died ordinary way, but died the most disgusting and horrible way, and died in the view of the entire assembly who received him as god.
In this case, figuratively speaking, Herod already was dead in his soul, the soul that never accepted GOD, fear Him or worship Him, and the only thing left for Herod is to die physically, in order not to have any kind of life at all, nor spiritual and nether physical.
Acts 12.1-2
Here is depicted the very first execution of the disciple of Christ - James, brother of John, besides execution of Stephen. Perhaps Herod not himself killed James by the sword but gave the order to executioner to do it, to please the leaders of the Jews and keep his domain in peace and avoid any kind of disturbance or rebellion concerning Christians.
This is also means that no one is safe among Christians, and if GOD allowed one of His dedicated and faithful to die in such way, this shall be taken without any regret, anger, frustration, or disappointment in GOD, and reaction of John on the death of his dear brothers was exactly reaction of the true Christian. John was not angry and disappointed in GOD but continued to believe in Him and serve Him.
Other people usually losing their faith in GOD after such tragedies and even starting hating GOD because He did not answer their prayers and did not save one of His own. This happening because those who are angry with GOD and lost their faith in Him have never been true believers in Him but expected only good of Him and not suffering and death.
Those who do not understand GOD cannot be His true believers and followers, because only in suffering, misery, and death in the Name of Christ is the key to be His true follower (true Christian) and true servant, to suffer and to die for Him as Christ Himself suffered and died for us.
In suffering and misery and in death for the name of Christ indicates and shows spiritual rebirth of a person whose soul and all his/her being fully faithful, loyal, and truly dedicated to Christ. In other words, born again as a true Christian.
Suffering and death of Stephen, James, and many others like them is the most honorable suffering and death that only exist on Earth, no greatest honor exist on Earth than the honor and worthiness to suffer and die for the Christ and in the Name of Christ, because it is written,
"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10.39, 16.25) (Mark 8.35) (Luke 9.24, 17.33) (John 12.25).
So, the death of his dear brother James did not discourage John to continue to be disciple and servant of Christ and to follow His path to the end. This is a good example for all who call themselves Christians, to accept everything that comes from the Lord without any complains, disappointment, and anger against GOD.
"10. But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from GOD, and not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." (Job 2.10).
Of course, GOD also saves, but not as much as the physical body but the soul. Physical body can be restored, resurrected, or replaced at any time, but the soul cannot be replaced or resurrected, if it dies, its existence (life) vanishes forever.
Verses 6-17 probably give good example of it when GOD sent His angel and release Peter from prison in order to save his body (his physical life) from next day execution. But as we all know, everything has its time and has to die sooner or later. The difference is how person dies, from natural causes, or from accident or violence, or in the Name of Christ.
Concerning death of Herod (verse 23) who entitle himself as god, the angel of the Lord kill him for his arrogance, cruelty, and evil, and he is not just died ordinary way, but died the most disgusting and horrible way, and died in the view of the entire assembly who received him as god.
In this case, figuratively speaking, Herod already was dead in his soul, the soul that never accepted GOD, fear Him or worship Him, and the only thing left for Herod is to die physically, in order not to have any kind of life at all, nor spiritual and nether physical.
Last edited by a moderator:
