“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” ~ 2 Peter 3: 11 – 12a

I was reading yesterday in The Move of the Holy Spirit in the 10/40 Window by Bush and Pegues (page 24). The book is older and did not have current statistics. However, the number of Christian martyrs is staggering! “Between 1900 and 1980, approximately 26 million, more than half of all Christian martyrs ever, were killed.’

As I read about another disaster in the paper this morning, I thought, again, about how the Lord may return soon. Just like “birth pangs,” the disasters and persecutions are coming closer together and greater in intensity. (See Matthew 24: 3 – 11).

I can hasten the Lord’s return by living a holy life but also, obviously, by spreading the Gospel. He is waiting that “none should perish.” One of those He is waiting for may be someone I know or meet today.

It is relatively easy to share our faith in America. I would rather do it now than wait for witnessing to become life-threatening! I would also not want to have to apologize to the martyrs for not opening my mouth because I was inconvenienced or embarrassed.

These are good reminders to me of the urgency of our times!