Faith is the divine lens through which men and women of God have always looked at life. It is the ability to see beyond what the eyes can behold—to embrace the invisible realities of God’s promises. Scripture describes faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). By faith, countless believers across the centuries stood firm, endured persecution, and sacrificed everything, because they saw something far greater than the fleeting pleasures of this world.
The Apostles and Early Martyrs
The first witnesses of this unwavering faith were the apostles themselves. From Peter who was crucified upside down, to James who was executed by the sword, to Paul who was beheaded in Rome—they all sealed their testimonies with their blood. Why? Because they had caught a glimpse of something beyond the physical. They saw a crown of glory that no earthly king could grant, and a kingdom that no empire could destroy.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, saw heaven open and Christ standing at the right hand of God as stones rained upon him (Acts 7:55-56). His persecutors only saw death, but Stephen saw life eternal.
The Martyrs Through the Ages
As centuries rolled by, countless others followed the same path. The early church fathers—Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, and many more—chose flames, lions, and swords rather than denying Christ. They saw beyond the Roman arenas; they saw the eternal embrace of their Savior.
During the Reformation, men like William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English, and John Huss who challenged corruption, were burned alive. Yet, they looked not at the fire consuming their bodies but at the light of truth illuminating the nations.
In more recent times, missionaries like Jim Elliot and his companions were speared to death by the Auca tribe in Ecuador. His words still echo: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” They saw what their murderers could not see—the eternal salvation of souls.
Even today, in regions of persecution, Christians are still imprisoned, tortured, and killed for the gospel. Yet their faith remains unshaken because they see something the world cannot see: Christ glorified, heaven secured, and eternal joy awaiting.
The Vision Beyond This World
What united all these martyrs—ancient and modern—is not their suffering, but their vision. They saw something:
- Beyond physical pleasure, they saw eternal joy.
- Beyond carnal wisdom, they saw divine truth.
- Beyond the best of this world, they saw the glory of the next.
- Beyond pain and death, they saw life everlasting.
Their persecutors only saw loss, but they saw gain. Their enemies only saw defeat, but they saw victory. Their bodies were broken, but their spirits soared into eternal rest.
A Call to You
And now, the question comes to you: Have you seen something beyond the physical?
- Have you seen how fleeting the wealth, pleasure, and systems of this world are?
- Have you considered how suddenly death knocks at the door?
- Have you realized that all man-made solutions fall short of the soul’s deepest need?
- Have you heard the call to repentance through Christ, but ignored it?
Do not be blind to the eternal. God’s wrath will soon be poured upon all who reject His mercy. But today is the day of salvation. Christ’s arms are wide open—ready to welcome, forgive, and restore you.
Come to Jesus if you have not yet come. Return to Him if you have wandered. Hold fast to the faith if you are growing weary. For those who see by faith, there awaits a joy, peace, rest, and glory that far outweighs anything this world can offer.
They saw something beyond the physical—will you?