Today, we will take a quick look at the life of one of those true saints! A saint, who chose to count the reproach of Christ as the greatest of all riches!
“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26 KJV)
Who was the saint? His name is Nathanael, he was one of our Lord’s precious apostles and when given the choice, he chose death over failing our Lord.
Nathanael (Bartholomew)
As one of our Lord’s precious apostles, Nathanael walked with our Lord, he lived in the presence of our Lord and he witnessed our Lord’s miracles first hand! Miracles that the precious John states; were so many that they could not be contained by the world if written in books.
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25 KJV)
Just as all of our Lord’s apostles, Nathanael was to go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. A command known as the Great Commission and given by our Lord and Savior himself:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)
Extreme PERSECUTION
The extermination of Christianity was the mission during Nathanaels time and like his brothers and sisters in Christ; Nathanael would face extreme persecution. The persecution would lead Nathanael to being captured, tortured, tormented and martyred for Christ!
And, as those defined by Hebrews eleven; Nathanael was unwilling to accept deliverance.
“Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35 KJV)
Final WORDS
Nathanael would spend his final seconds on this earth hanging upside down while being skinned alive! As he hung there, watching the skin being peeled from his body; he did not cry out or denounce our Lord and Savior. Instead, he used the precious time that he had left in this world to follow our Lord’s Great Commission!
Nathanael would use his final words to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his would be murderers!
Power of Conviction
The POWER of CONVICTION would begin to fall upon Nathanael’s would be murderers and one by one each man(with the exception of one) would drop his tools and walk away.
This left one torturer and when he could no longer take the words that were coming out of this precious saints mouth; he cut off Nathanael’s head!
Nathanaels name would be recorded in the Heavens as another saint slain for the Word of God and Nathanael would go on toward the better resurrection that was awaiting him.
"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (Revelation 6:9 KJV)
What would you do?
Now that you have read Nathanael’s story, the question is, what would you do? Just as in Nathanael’s day, precious saints are being tortured, tormented and martyred for Christ today! Right now, somewhere in the world, a saint is losing their life for our Christ!
As you ponder this, let’s end with how we began today: esteeming the reproach of Christ as being greater than all riches!
“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26 KJV)
Nathanael understood this and when given the choice he chose death over denying our Christ! Nathanael, one of those saints slain for the Word of God and one of whom the world was not worthy.
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If you are reading this and you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; now is the time! Confess and believe in the Lord Jesus, while you still have time!
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)
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Download my FREE eighteen day devotional titled At the Voice of the Son of God. At the Voice of the Son of God, is an eighteen day devotional written to remind a generation that we must all stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ!! Here is the link: FREE 18 Day Devotional: At The Voice of the Son of God
Read more about our Lord and Savior by clicking on any of the many blogs that can be found on atabran. Here are few quick links:
CHRIST! Throwing FUEL on the FIRE!
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