# 659 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:9 "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
The disciples have asked Jesus about the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the signs of the end of the world. In these verses He tells His precious twelve what lies ahead for them and the early church.
The beauty of this passage is you can read of it's complete fulfillment in the Book of Acts. This is exactly what happened to these “heralds” of the Good News. They would be tested in the most severe way because of their faith.
First of all, they will be dragged before Jewish councils where they will be flayed because they keep preaching Jesus as the Messiah, the only way to the Father. Then they would be brought to civil authorities and portrayed as troublemakers. These civil authorities would be used by God (who controls the heart of the king) to further advance His kingdom, whether it be through Paul shackled to guards in Rome, or those whose blood was shed in martyrdom at the hands of the state.
These unwavering testimonies in the midst of intense persecution, will be used against the enemies of Christ on the Last Day, for they heard the Good News, but their actions proved their rejection, and their mouths will be stopped when they are condemned.
Father, thank You for these martyrs, may their witness continue through our lips and lives as we seek to bring their testimony of Christ to the world.
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