The Church of God's Elect

The Armies of Jehovah
The Church of the God's Elect
Sorely tempted, sorely tried,
But still would not defect.

With trials of cruel mockings
Bonds and imprisonment
They suffered long, and suffered well
And came out innocent.

Though Rome tortured and killed them
They never would not fight back
Against the growing onslaught
Of enemy attack.

They had no carnal weapons,
For they were Kingdom heirs,
And fought the flesh and devil
Through scripture, faith, and prayers.

And they arose victorious
Eternal life to win
Having conquered hell, and death,
The devil, flesh, and sin.

They sought no earthy honor,
No temporal reward,
For they had glimpsed the glory
Of the coming of the Lord.

They were fed to the lions,
And they were sawn in parts,
For the testimony
They had upon their hearts.

They deferred not to do this!
They gladly gave their lives,
And faced the executioner
With their children and wives.

Many were beheaded,
And some were crucified.
They counted it an honor
To die as Jesus died.

They tied them up and burned them,
But earthy fire was not
As powerful as Holy Ghost
And could not burn as hot.

For they looked unto Jesus,
Their Captain, gone above,
And met earth's cruel hatred
With heaven's unbound love.

In eagerness to enter
The way that is called, "Strait"
They left their mortal flesh and blood
Upon the wicket gate.

They gave all their possessions,
And came to violent ends,
To be as their Master,
And to be called His friends.

Lord, grant Your latter church this grace,
    To die just as You died,
And press through heaven's gate with force
    That will not be denied. 

January 24, 2013