Ivan was a soldier in the Red Army
and a Christian who put his faith in God. The Communists had called him so many
times to the headquarters tried to talk him out of his faith in God. The
Communists were not successful. Then he was called in to meet the Major Gidenko's
office, who was the head of the Political Directive Committee. Gidenko was sure
that he could solve the problem by threatening him to back away from his faith.
After a long talk and questionings with Ivan, Major Gidenko finally gave an
order for him to stand in the street near the barracks, with the temperature of
13 degrees below zero. Ivan went out after 10 p.m. until 3 a.m., wearing only
summer uniform and it was snowy, icy blast of wind.
Ivan prayed a long time, but soon prayer did not come easily. Ivan was worried how long he could stand all night, wondering if he could freeze to death. Soon after, he remembered the angel who had visited him that early morning, and said, "Do not be afraid, I am with you!" Ivan knew the angel was with him even though he did not see the angel. So he began to pray fervently.
At 12:30 a.m., three officers were bundled by their overcoats, hats and boots, came to Ivan, and asked him if he had changed his mind to come in and get warm. Ivan replied, "No, comrade officers. As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I cannot. I will never agree to remain silent about God." Ivan noticed three officers were already shaking from the cold. They were stamping their feet, and slapping their hands, impatient to return to their heated barracks. Ivan checked his hands--they were cold, but not too cold. He still could move his toes easily. It was a miracle!
One senior officer mumbled to Ivan, "You'll feel differently in another hour," and he quickly left. Ivan continued to pray until he was dozing while standing on his feet. It was 3:00 in the morning, the senior officer woke him up to return to barracks. For the next 12 nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks. Miraculously, he did not freeze; he did not beg for mercy.
Ivan continued to speak about his faith to his comrades and officers. He sang about the glory of God, Jesus Christ in barracks, though it was strictly prohibited. Soldiers around him were converted, and impressed by his strong faith in God. The Communists continued to torture Ivan and tried to get him to deny Jesus, but they were not successful.
Finally, Ivan's body was returned to his family. His body showed that he had been stabbed six times around the heart. There were signs of beatings on the whole body. Then he had been drowned. Colonel Malsin, his commander said, "Ivan Moiseyev died with difficulty. He fought with death, but he died as a Christian." Ivan's father was proud of his son, the Christian hero, who should be an example for all faithful youth that they should love Christ as Ivan, his son had loved Him. Note: Ivan wrote his last letter to his family before he died, gave them comforts that he was ready to go and be with the Lord Jesus Christ (He was only 20 years old).
Dorothy: Ivan gave the "Good News" to the soldiers. They were converted and turned their faith in God. Ivan had "harvested" more souls to Jesus through his suffering. Ivan died as a "Soldier of the Cross" and the song seems to fit him well.
Ivan prayed a long time, but soon prayer did not come easily. Ivan was worried how long he could stand all night, wondering if he could freeze to death. Soon after, he remembered the angel who had visited him that early morning, and said, "Do not be afraid, I am with you!" Ivan knew the angel was with him even though he did not see the angel. So he began to pray fervently.
At 12:30 a.m., three officers were bundled by their overcoats, hats and boots, came to Ivan, and asked him if he had changed his mind to come in and get warm. Ivan replied, "No, comrade officers. As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I cannot. I will never agree to remain silent about God." Ivan noticed three officers were already shaking from the cold. They were stamping their feet, and slapping their hands, impatient to return to their heated barracks. Ivan checked his hands--they were cold, but not too cold. He still could move his toes easily. It was a miracle!
One senior officer mumbled to Ivan, "You'll feel differently in another hour," and he quickly left. Ivan continued to pray until he was dozing while standing on his feet. It was 3:00 in the morning, the senior officer woke him up to return to barracks. For the next 12 nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks. Miraculously, he did not freeze; he did not beg for mercy.
Ivan continued to speak about his faith to his comrades and officers. He sang about the glory of God, Jesus Christ in barracks, though it was strictly prohibited. Soldiers around him were converted, and impressed by his strong faith in God. The Communists continued to torture Ivan and tried to get him to deny Jesus, but they were not successful.
Finally, Ivan's body was returned to his family. His body showed that he had been stabbed six times around the heart. There were signs of beatings on the whole body. Then he had been drowned. Colonel Malsin, his commander said, "Ivan Moiseyev died with difficulty. He fought with death, but he died as a Christian." Ivan's father was proud of his son, the Christian hero, who should be an example for all faithful youth that they should love Christ as Ivan, his son had loved Him. Note: Ivan wrote his last letter to his family before he died, gave them comforts that he was ready to go and be with the Lord Jesus Christ (He was only 20 years old).
Dorothy: Ivan gave the "Good News" to the soldiers. They were converted and turned their faith in God. Ivan had "harvested" more souls to Jesus through his suffering. Ivan died as a "Soldier of the Cross" and the song seems to fit him well.
Song: Am I a Soldier of the Cross
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith's discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
[Isaac Watts wrote the hymn in 1721 to accompany his text message on
1 Cor. 16:13, "Watch ye, stand fast, quit you like men, be strong."
On January 8th, 2008 I woke up at 3 a.m. The Lord urged me to read the book, "Jesus Freaks,” dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus. I read one article about Ivan, the soldier of the Red Army and I was so impressed with Ivan's stand for Christ.
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith's discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
[Isaac Watts wrote the hymn in 1721 to accompany his text message on
1 Cor. 16:13, "Watch ye, stand fast, quit you like men, be strong."
On January 8th, 2008 I woke up at 3 a.m. The Lord urged me to read the book, "Jesus Freaks,” dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus. I read one article about Ivan, the soldier of the Red Army and I was so impressed with Ivan's stand for Christ.
May God bless you!
Dorothy
[Jan. 8, 2008 revised for Nov. 13-16, 2015 Manna]
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