I debated for some time whether I should record 4 Maccabees, as it describes, in grisly detail, the torture and death of a Jewish woman and her seven sons by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes for refusing to renounce their strict adherence to Judaism.
Chapters 5 – 12 are not for the faint-hearted.
But the torments they endured, as “they loved not their lives unto death” remind us of the multitude of God’s children, throughout the entire span of history, who have endured all kinds of tortures rather than deny their faith. The Bible and history are full of such examples, not least Jesus Himself. And there will be any more martyrs between now and the end of days.
This reading of 4 Maccabees is a tribute to the multitudes of God’s children, “who were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Hebrews 11:35) For those of us who have thus far led comfortable Christian lives, let the story of these brave martyrs be a reminder that we too may yet be called to make the ultimate sacrifice.
But although there are some difficult passages to digest, 4 Maccabees is above all a tale of triumph, where faith and courage triumph over tyranny. It is a gripping testament to the power of faith, reason, and resilience and paints a vivid portrait of a people united in their unwavering devotion to their traditions, their faith, and their determination to stand firm in the face of unimaginable tribulations. as they confront the ultimate test of their faith.
(From Wikipedia: 4 Maccabees, also called the Fourth Book of Maccabees and possibly originally known as On the Sovereignty of Reason, is a book written in Koine Greek, likely in the 1st or early 2nd century. It is a homily or philosophic discourse praising the supremacy of pious reason over passion. It is a work that combines Hellenistic Judaism with influence from Greek philosophy, particularly the school of Stoicism.
The work is largely an elaboration of the stories of martyrdom in the book 2 Maccabees: that of the woman with seven sons and the scribe Eleazar, who are tortured to death by Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes in an attempt to make them renounce their adherence to Judaism. What 2 Maccabees covered in one chapter and a half, 4 Maccabees extends to a full 14 chapters of dialogue and philosophical discussion. 4 Maccabees recasts the story as one of reason and logic: the martyrs will be rewarded in the afterlife, so it is rational to continue to obey Jewish law, even at the risk of torture and death.)
💬 What stood out to you the most about 4 Maccabees? Share your key insights in the comments below.
*********
✅ Visit my Shopify Store: https://christopher-glyn.myshopify.com/
🥇 Support on Patreon: / christopherglyn
✨ And don’t forget to subscribe to the Channel!
https://www.youtube.com/@christopherg...
*********
📖 Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Christopher Glyn, where the timeless beauty of ancient and sacred texts meets the modern art of narration.
➡️ As a seasoned Christian broadcaster and narrator, Christopher brings to life the rich tapestries of biblical and apocryphal literature. Here, you'll find beautifully narrated audiobooks like the books of Enoch, Jasher, Jubilees, the Apocrypha, and key selections from the King James Bible, including the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of John.
➡️ Accompanied by read-along texts, these narrations are paired with insightful devotionals from revered authors like Charles Spurgeon and J.R. Miller. With one or two new videos posted each week, there's always something to deepen your understanding and enrich your faith.
Your support on this channel also aids in distributing audio Bibles in various African languages. So, subscribe and ring the bell (🔔) to never miss a video.
*********
📲 Let’s Connect!
Follow Christopher Glyn on Facebook ➡️ / christopherglynaudiobooks
Visit the official website ➡️ http://www.chrisglyn.net/
*********
#christopherglyn #lostbooksofthebible #apocrypha #maccabees #fourthmaccabees
Информация по комментариям в разработке