“More Love to Thee Pastor Kim and his congregation North Korea 1950s For years, Pastor Kim and 27 of his flock of Korean saints had lived in hand-dug tunnels beneath the earth. Then, as the Communists were building a road, they discovered the Christians living underground. The officials brought them out before a crowd of 30,000 in the village of Gok San for a public trial and execution. They were told, “Deny Christ, or you will die.” But they refused. At this point the head Communist officer ordered four children from the group seized and had them prepared for hanging. With ropes tied around their small necks, the official again commanded the parents to deny Christ. Not one of the believers would deny their faith. They told the children, “We will see you in heaven.” The children died quietly. The officer then called for a steamroller to be brought in. He forced the Christians to lie on the ground in its path. As its engines revved, they were given one last chance to recant their faith in Jesus. Again they refused. As the steamroller began to inch forward, the Christians began to sing a song they had often sung together. As their bones and bodies were crushed under the pressure of the massive rollers, their lips uttered the words: “More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee Thee alone I seek, more love to Thee Let sorrow do its work, more love to Thee Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise This be the parting cry my heart shall raise; More love, O Christ, to Thee.” The execution was reported in the North Korean press as an act of suppressing superstition. Throughout history, Jesus Freaks have sung during their final moments on earth. To the astonishment of their tormentors, they joyfully raised their voices in praise to God. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right noe; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet see. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. - Paul the Apostle, written after having been imprisoned, stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, and tortured numerous times by those who opposed him (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 NLT) (Copyright © Jesus Freaks by Dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs)
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000
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