Martyrs
Are you aware of how highly heaven esteems martyrs? Consider what occurred at the stoning of young Stephen, the first martyr following Jesus’ resurrection. While being stoned to death, he looked heavenward and saw the King of kings and Lord of lords—Jesus Christ—rise from\ His throne to welcome him home.
Around 155 A.D., Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, faced martyrdom at the hands of the Roman proconsul. When pressed to denounce Christ and swear by Caesar, he replied, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who
hath saved me?" When threatened to be burned at the stake, he replied, "Fire burns only for a little while, but the fire of the coming judgment is eternal.”
Shortly thereafter, Tertullian, a North African Christian theologian, wrote in his Apologeticus, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
Most recently, on September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, a Christian apologist and debater, was assassinated before a crowd of some three thousand students. The voice of evil drove Tyler Robinson to silence
Charlie’s voice. Tertullian’s words proved to be true, however, and the shot that ended Charlie’s life ignited a major spiritual awakening across America and beyond.
Let us look at a short span during and after WWI. Among the millions who died, here are the estimates of those martyred.
- Assyrians: It is estimated that two thirds of the Assyrian nation
(possibly 750,000) were martyred during WWI. The Assyrian
nation may hold the highest percentage of martyrs of all other
people groups. - Armenians: An estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million Armenians were
killed during the Armenian Genocide, which took place from 1915
to 1917. - Greeks: Estimates of Greek deaths during this period range
from 300,000 to 1.2 million.
These daunting numbers are only a fragment of the entire historic picture. Today, a new wave of martyrdom is sweeping worldwide, America included.
What does the word “martyr” mean? Mr. Sabro Bengaro, an Assyrian scholar answers that question. “The Greek word martyr means witness and identifies a person who voluntarily suffers death rather than deny their faith in Jesus Christ. Their death is considered the ultimate testimony to the truth of the Gospel.
“For instance, during the genocide of 1915, many Assyrians were given a choice: either convert to Islam and live or refuse and die. Their profound response was, ‘We would rather die in the name of Jesus.’ A martyr's death is viewed as the highest form of imitating Christ—it is not a tragedy, but a participation in His passion, fulfilling the call to ‘take up your cross and follow me’” (Matthew 16:24).
During Roman days “martyr” (Greek: 
) meant one who testified truth in a court of law as well as one who testified truth by the surrender of life. Research reveals that “In Scripture…a witness is accountable before God to state the truth and, if necessary, to seal that testimony with life itself.”
Now, we must rush past statistics and academics to focus deep concern for the surviving family and friends who bear the weighty aftermath of such evil imposed upon their souls. Mr. Bengaro, who has interviewed many such people, made this clear by sharing this gripping story.
“After many days of hesitation, one man in his nineties finally agreed to be interviewed. Before Mr. Bengaro could ask the first question, however, the old man unexpectedly pointed two fingers toward his eyes, and asked, “What do you see?” “Your eyes,” Bengaro replied. “When I was a small boy,” the man continued, “These eyes were forced to watch as men abused my mother and murdered my older brother, all because they would not renounce their faith, and I was unable to do a thing to stop it.
“After the man recovered from deep sobbing, Mr. Bengaro gently asked, ‘Sir, that happened nearly one hundred years ago. Why are you still feeling so strongly?’ His response, ‘For you it was nearly one hundred years ago. For me, it was last night’s nightmare. I am tormented to think there was nothing I could do.’”
How can people fiendishly delight in taking the life of one while destroying the life of another? Jesus forthrightly answered that question, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Showing the emptiness of the hatred, He said, “But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.”
The world’s solution for feeling guilt for killing is to either deny God’s existence or create an imaginary god that blesses their destructive desires.
They are often empowered by three forces: family, government and culture. Brainwashed in hate, they fulfill Jesus’ words, “Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 1:2). Thus, they kill with confidence and sleep in comfort.
All the while, however, the martyrs’ willingness to lay down their lives demonstrates that their love for God is far greater than the killers hate for Him.
You may have unknowingly met a survivor bearing the burden of their loss. Rarely do they reveal the sorrow behind their smile. It is difficult to find value in life when evil appears to win over good. Despite the whirlwind of emotions that provoke questions, however, their faith in God often grows remarkably stronger.
If you are one such person, the Bible supports you with stellar hope. The following verses reveal highlights of the martyr’s prophetic trip into the future.
Mankind is the highest of all creation. To steal one’s life is a crime against heaven that cannot be concealed. After Abel murdered Cain, God said, “The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.” Isaiah wrote, “…and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it.” Earth’s soil, moist from the martyrs’ blood, will release this evidence before the Judge of the universe. The gavel will be heard to fall as the guilty are banished forever.
On the other hand, those martyred have given the ultimate gift to God—their testimony of loyalty to Jesus Christ. It is one thing to give tithe unto God but quite another to give one’s life. Those who honored God by such loyalty of faith will gain immeasurable rewards.
In Revelation 6:10, John gives a rare glimpse into the martyrs’ world. Alive, aware and well, they dwell “under the altar.” Since altars suggest sacrifice, we can safely view the martyrs living under “The Altar of Self-Sacrifice.”
Anticipating justice, the martyrs cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
The answer came quickly as each was handed a white robe. The robes signified that their hearts were made pure by the blood of the Lamb. Then, a calming voice said, “…rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves were killed.” (Revelation 6:11).
Such precise monitoring of their number indicates a purpose too great for disclosure today. Clearly, their deaths were neither random nor meaningless.
Over twenty-seven hundred years ago, the famed prophet Isaiah addressed martyrs’ families, saying, “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise” (Isaiah 26:19). Now, the families of the “white robed army of righteousness” knew that a vibrant future awaited their kin who will soon return to the world’s stage.
Then, the prophet exuberantly called for music, “You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy.” With that, millions assembled from all ages past to harmonically exalt God’s glory. This majestic worship belongs to God alone.
The prophet’s heart may have inflated with joy to poetically declare, “For your dew is a dew of light…” What could this mean? Perhaps as sparkling dew reflects the early rays of the rising sun, so the shimmering presence of the martyrs may announce Jesus’ entrance for His millennial enthronement.
Finally, Isaiah affirms the martyrs’ return to earth, “…and the earth will give birth to the dead.” As our planet cradles dying seeds until they germinate new life, so the incorruptible bodies of the martyrs will rise to fulfill their divine mission.
In benediction, the prophet turns to us who remain on earth to say, “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.”
The apocalypse is coming. The word "apocalypse" derives from the Greek word
apocalypses, meaning "revelation" or "unveiling." John declares, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen” (Revelation 1:7).
In that day, not one drop of innocent blood will go unnoticed. Not one last breath on earth will hinder eternal life in the heavenlies. Not one martyr will go unrewarded. Not one hidden evil will go undisclosed. Judgment will fall upon the wicked, and the martyrs may be sent throughout the world to administer true justice during the millennial reign of Christ.
The martyrs will return. Just wait a little longer.
About FaithWalk Radio & TV with Ron Susek
The ministry’s flagship television program “FaithWalk” launched in March of 2022 to an audience of millions of potential viewers around the world. Anchored by Dr. Susek’s more than 50 years of extensive
study of God’s word, his preaching of the “pure and simple Gospel of Jesus Christ” remains central to the heart of the weekly 30 minute programming series. “FaithWalk” brings the Word of God and the lens of spiritual interpretation into understanding today’s global headlines—
focusing on topics that are vital, relevant and spiritually essential to salvation in the challenging times in which we live. Our mission through television is to prepare hearts, equip the Body of Christ, and win souls.
Dr. Ron Susek authored The Assyrian Prophecy: A Betrayed and Broken Nation Destined to Rise Anew from the Martyr’s Blood. He is championing the Assyrian cause to see her reestablished as a sovereign state in her original homeland. He believes that Assyria, along with Israel and Egypt, will ultimately act as a gyro stabilizing peace throughout the world.
Contact information
Website resource: www.theassyrianproject.org
Media Contact for Interviews and Review Books:
CONTACT #1: Jackie Monaghan, 615-390-0792, [email protected]
CONTACT #2: Sherrie Stohler, 717-337-1170, [email protected]
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