Martyrdom and the Furtherance of God’s Plan

Introduction

This work deals with how God’s purpose is furthered through the martyrdom event, appealing primarily to Scripture in formulating a conclusion. The construal, which appears to best summarize the biblical evidence, is the following:  Martyrdom, in respect to its contribution to the plan of God, can be described as a moment of climax or clarification in the ongoing struggle between the kingdoms of God and Satan, where the best and worst are brought out in all participants in the event; as a point of crescendo in the musical score of salvation history, where the full vibrancy of each instrument is clearly heard; as a foretaste of the so-called “Great Divide,” where the dramatic polarization between good and evil takes place; and, consequently, as a “reality check” for observers or hearers of the event, reminding them that there is no middle ground between the kingdom of God and the domain of darkness.  

This conclusion was reached by examining the significance of martyrdom for all participants and observers (or later learners) of the event—namely, for the martyr himself or herself, for the persecutor, for God, for Satan, and for both believing and unbelieving observers. It can be demonstrated that each participant has a dramatic, even climatic experience: (1) the martyr experiences the ultimate test of faith, the ultimate identification with Christ, and gives the ultimate expression of devotion to Him, (2) the persecutor displays blatant hatred and rejection of God, which provides solid grounds for divine judgment, (3) the power of God’s grace is brilliantly displayed through the martyr’s endurance, and (4) Satan is publicly disgraced through his inability to overcome the martyr’s perseverance. Thus, martyrdom can be rightly termed a moment of climax.  The effect on observers, subsequently, is to challenge to conversion (unbelievers) or to radical commitment (believers), forcing a polarization between those who side with God, and those who side with Satan. Hence, martyrdom, for observers or learners of the event, provides a moment of clarification.