From Orange Jumpsuits to White Robes

Guest post by my wife Suzy Tawfik

Artwork by: Wael Mories

“And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” -Revelation 6:10-11

Take up your cross and follow Me

Immediately upon hearing that my fellow Copts were beheaded, the humanity within me reacted with anger and frustration, tired of the innocent bloodshed, the pain, and the emotional turmoil. In the words of Tertullian (3^rd Century),

“If the martyrs of the whole world were put on one arm of the balance and the martyrs of Egypt on the other, the balance would tilt in favor of the Egyptians.”

Before Terrorism, There Was Rome—for Christians, Just More of the Same

As the world watches in horror and dismay at the brutality displayed by modern-day terrorists, I cannot help but think to put this in perspective and recall to memory the slew of Christians who suffered similarly (or arguably worse) under the Roman Empire.