John the Baptist, the last minister of the Old Testament died as a martyr. John the Baptist the first minister of the New Testament died a martyr. We must never forget that preachers and the message of Christ and of God's witnesses – that's all of us – are not accepted by all people. I have heard of, or known of, people in high places, who at some time in their lives have been affected by the gospel, and they have had natural convictions. They have said so when they were concerned about life and eternity, and they were convicted about their sin. But then they left it all behind. You find this all reflected here.
When we preach, we make enemies. There are people who are hostile; it’s always the case. It's called the offence of the cross. Here is the message of God: salvation, forgiveness, eternal life, and the human heart naturally resents it. ‘You can't tell me I'm a sinner. You can't tell me I deserve eternal condemnation. You can't tell me these things’, and they repudiate it and us. So it will always be to the end of time. It was for Christ; it was for John the Baptist; it was for the apostles, and so it is in all times.
May God work in every heart, so that the conviction that you have about your need of salvation, and your need of forgiveness, is real and deep, and you respond to it. A conviction not responded to, is a conviction that dies. A desire for Christ that isn't pursued with repentance and faith in him, and yielding the life to him, is a desire that fades away. Don't let convictions fade away. Never delay with God. If you are convicted of your need, and you see what Christ has done, and what this message is, come with all your heart, and come as soon as you can, lest Satan should have a good day and seize his opportunity and tear you away.