Angela Carpenter
April 26, 1999

To all my brothers and sisters in the Lord, I greet you in the name of out Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My name is Sarah. I am a Christian woman who is a firm believer that only what you do for Christ will last. I felt led by the Holy Spirit of God to write this letter and offer my words of encouragement to you. I also hope this letter will cause Christians who have decided not to follow the traditions and teachings of Jesus to turn back to the ways of the Lord.

We are all fully aware of the doings of Flavius Domitian. He has made the Senate declare him lord and god, and has made the people bow to him. On judgement day, we know that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11). This includes Domitian. Domitian has tried to force his laws on us by having his face put on the money so that we would reverence him as god. However, the most heartbreaking and troubling thing he has done is have Christians persecuted who would not convert to his ways and demands. I find comfort in knowing that "they that plow in iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same" (Job 4:8). Therefore, God will judge Domitian accordingly.

My heart is so heavy for you who have chosen to follow Domitian and go along with his demands. I understand that you do it out of fear of losing your lives. However, you must say what I and so many other Christians say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb. 13:6). You have to remember that God will see you through every situation. Do not feel that worshipping Domitian is your only hope for staying alive. God will take care of his own. It would be better for you to die in this world, having not served Domitian, and end up in Heaven, than to serve Domitian and have your soul lost in Hell. God commands "thou shall have no other gods before me' (Exod. 20:3). Thus, it is time for those of you who have bowed to Domitian to ask God for mercy and begin to take a stand for God.

I commend my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are determined to live for God and God alone. I know that this is not an easy task to fulfill, but "Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord" (I Chron. 28:20). A great reward will await us in Heaven for our faithfulness.

Whenever you feel all alone, or that maybe God has forgotten about you, remind yourself of the story of Thecla. Thecla would not let go of what she believed. She stood strong in her belief and was determined not to give in to the ways of others. Even when her enemies tried to destroy her with fire and wild beasts, she still did not go against her beliefs. God protected her because of her faithfulness and allowed nothing to harm her. So whenever you are faced with danger, remember God always makes a plan for escape. "No weapon formed against thee shall prosper" (Isa. 54:17).

My brothers and sisters, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:32). We can endure this phase of our lives because God is with us. If we just continue to live as God wants us to live, and stay true and faithful to Him, something better will await us. So "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (II Thess. 2:15). I leave you peace and love.

Your sister in the Lord,

Sarah