From about 288AD to 306AD there was no clear emperior
of the Roman Empire. Sometimes there were up to six
emperors ruling part of the Empire. Finally Constatine
won. Some of the claiment Emperors let their followers
persecute Christians. So it wasn't really a religious persecution
but a political persecution.
Some of the meaner persecuters of Christians would
interview someone (under torture, of course). Some
would Lapsi (deny Christ is Lord). The meanies would
say something like "Well, you hang out with Christians,
you can die with Christians" and be thrown to the
wild beasts.
Alright, a person does all of Romans 10:9 right.
Under torture they deny Christ is their Lord (i.e. Lapsi).
Then they get martyred (basically killed, you know).
Have they been faithful to the death?
Have they done been lost & go to eternal hell fire?
Sorry, if you think they go to hell then your god is an ol'
meanie

The God who created the universe, the God who sent
His only begotten son to die for your sins is going to
burn you in eternal hell fire cause you had a temporary
lapse under torture*.
* BTW, some people don't understand torture. If it was
good for you they would call it 'Sunday School picnic'
not 'torture'. My studies (one of those five each 1/2 of a Master's
Degree that I have) on torture indicate that 999,990 of each
million people bow to the dictates of the torturer, 9 have
enough control over their body to kill themselves (can you
spell SUICIDE?), 1 out of a million will not submit.
God don't grade on the curve. Jesus saves - not we ourselves
lest any person should bost.