Well Done
Jeannie Yates
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’’” Revelation 2:12-13
I remember being moved to tears and greatly inspired by the testimony of Jim Elliot when I first heard it as a child. Jim was a Christian missionary called to bring the Gospel of Jesus to the Auca Indians, a cannibal tribe in Ecuador. After several successful plane-to-ground “trades” with the tribesmen, Jim, along with four other missionaries, made a plan to land the plane and meet the tribe face to face. On the day the five missionaries landed the plane, they were met by hostile tribesmen with spears. They gave their lives trying to share the hope and love of Jesus with courageous faith.
Revelation 2:13 says, “I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Here we see the church of Pergamum receives affirmation for having the same kind of unwavering faith. Even though they were surrounded by evil and those being martyred for the faith, they stood strong and made the choice to not deny the name of Jesus.
I have often thought about what I would do if I was faced with the choice of denying Christ or dying for Him. Would I take a stand like Jim Elliot and the church in Pergamum? Am I seeking to just get by and live for this life or am I living to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” from Matthew 25:21? I pray we can encourage each other as Paul did Timothy, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
Jim Elliot’s legacy did not end with his death; in fact, that was only the beginning. His wife, Elizabeth, along with the other widows, continued to make peaceful contact with the tribe until their eyes were opened and salvation came to the hearts of the Auca people. It is a beautiful story of the overwhelming mercy and grace that can only be found in the Gospel. I strongly encourage you to read Jim’s story written by his wife, Elizabeth, in the book, “Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot.”
I’m waiting my whole life for that day
I will live my life to hear You say
Well done, well done; My good and faithful one
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done; My beloved child
You have run the race and now you’re home
Welcome to the place where you belong
“Well Done” by The Afters