Lighthouse Trails Research Journal 11
“ This Book Is My Life !”— continued from page 32
The soldier forced my hand open and grabbed it . Holding it high over his head he started to tear it apart , sneering and mocking .
My mind raced . Could I let him do that to God ’ s Word ? No ! I snatched the Gospel from his hands . “ This is God ’ s Word !” I said . “ I won ’ t let you tear it apart !”
The soldiers were furious . Such open defiance was unheard of ! The soldiers had the right to handcuff , put into a straitjacket , or even execute any prisoner who defied their authority . They could have shot me on the spot . The prisoners still waiting to be searched silently held their breath in fear and anticipation of the horror they were sure to witness .
“ I ’ m going to make you tear up that book with your own hands !” one of the guards snarled . “ Then I ’ ll make you eat it !”
I gripped the little Gospel even tighter . “ This book is my life !” I said , looking him straight in the eyes . “ I ’ d rather be executed than tear it up !”
The convoy officer heard the commotion and ran into the search room . “ What ’ s going on ?”
The soldiers moved away from me and started to explain that I was being insubordinate and had almost started a riot against them . How could I let the officer understand what was really happening ? Quickly I opened my hand .
“ This is my Gospel ,” I said , showing it to the officer . “ It ’ s my life , my faith ! These soldiers wanted me to tear it up . Because I believe in this book , I was sentenced to ten years in prison . I would never tear up this book .” “ Give it to me ,” he said quietly . I handed the tiny book to the officer and he left the car . The soldiers continued searching me .
“ Now you ’ re in for it !” one of them jeered . “ He ’ ll teach you how to fight for your ‘ rights ’!”
My search was over , and they went on to others . But I had to stand and wait for the officer . Everyone was certain that I would be severely punished because of that Gospel .
About ten minutes later , the officer returned . “ This is your Gospel ,” he said . “ You can keep it .”
I thanked him . The soldiers looked confused . As I was taken back to my cage , the prisoners ’ hands started reaching out . “ Show us the Gospel !” they cried . One of them asked me to read it out loud .
“ Let me take a little break first ,” I answered . I closed my eyes and leaned back . Oh , Lord , how I thank You for Your amazing intervention , I prayed . Then I began reading the Gospel , first quietly and then louder and louder so that the prisoners in the next cell could hear about God ’ s love .
Georgi Vins , while imprisoned
The soldier who had kicked the old man and threatened to tear up my Gospel stood nearby , listening silently .
I recalled Stepan ’ s words : “ Truth is defenseless , but it is also invincible .” Not only had the Lord preserved the little Gospel of Mark , but He gave me an opportunity to openly proclaim its truth .
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies ; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies . . . . Princes have persecuted me without a cause : but my heart standeth in awe of thy word . ( Psalm 119 : 157 , 161 )
Georgi Vins is the author of The Gospel in Bonds and Moscow Express . You can learn more about him by visiting his website at : www . georgivins . com .
Death to Life — continued from previous page
the Inquisition . In that position , he headed the commission that wrote the official Catechism of the Catholic Church . This Catechism was approved by Pope John Paul II . In that Catechism , that same uncertainty of salvation and eternal life is stated . 2
Yet those of us who are born-again know with absolute certainty what eternity holds for us :
And this is the record , that God hath given to us eternal life , and this life is in his Son . He that hath the Son hath life ; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life . These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God ; that ye may know [ with settled and absolute knowledge ] that ye [ already ] have eternal life , and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God . ( 1 John 5:11-13 )
ENDNOTES : 1 . New York Times , February 1 , 1980 , B4 . 2 . Dave Hunt , “ Death of a Pope ” ( The Berean Call ; http :// mmoutreachinc . com / cult _ groups / pope . html ).
Volume 5 — No . 6 November / December 2017