“After my marriage, I only kissed two men; my husband and the man that murdered my family”
Christ, the embodiment of God, commanded that the redeemed are to love their enemies. Sabina and her husband Richard Wurmbrand, founders of ‘VOICE OF THE MARTYRS’, take this command to its extreme. As Romanian Jews during WW2, they are persecuted by the Fascist NAZI’s and when the Russians took over, they were persecuted for being Christians.
Romania was under NAZI rule for 4 years (1940-1944) and then under the Communists for 18 years (1947-1965). Under both administrations, Sabina and Richard were targeted for prosecution. They survived by loving their neighbour, and their enemies.
Richard converted to Christianity amid a mortal battle with TB. In his preparation for death, he hoped there was a God, and found HIM.
“GOD, I know you don’t exist, but if you do, it’s up to you to reveal yourself to me!”
‘Sabina’,the movie, covers the ‘NAZI years; when they met and married. They had been secular intellectuals with financial success, both reckless party people. The movie follows, their conversion and their commitment to a higher will. Richard changes his career from stock broker to pastor. From reckless to fearless they navigate the treacherous rule of the Iron Guard and the NAZI’s.
A follow up movie that documents the Communist era is ‘Tortured for Christ’ where Richard is tortured and imprisoned for 14 years. Both the Fascists and the Communists made a common enemy of God.
“I am not afraid for those Jews (the murdered), God will surely compensate them for what they suffered. I am anguished when I think, what will happen to their murderers when they stand before God.”
Snatching souls from the eternal torment of Hell is paramount in their minds and both are willing to suffer to save a soul. Sabina and Richard face their persecutors with two fundamental foundations of their faith.
‘If your enemy is hungry give him something to eat, if he is thirsty give him some water.’
and
‘Whoever will save his life shall lose it and whoever will lose his life for my sake, will save it.’
Sabina was an unwilling convert initially, but as Richards commitment persisted, her resolve submits after a party where she is confronted by the immorality of her peers.
Whist a third of Romanian Jews were murdered, including 11,000 in one day, Sabina and Richard survive the NAZI years, by loving their neighbours. Her family does not, they are taken to the camps to meet their end, including her young 14 year old brother.
The path of Christianity is marred by demonic institutions, at every turn, but the Wurnbrand’s rise to the occasion, not only to confront their enemies but also to comfort them. Both knew that death was not a fearful transition for them; they had the golden ticket to Heaven, and no-one could snatch away their prize.
In ‘Tortured for Christ’, (the Communist era); a guard that had been torturing Richard see’s him praying, in frustration he yells..
“Your wife (Sabina) is in prison and your son is an orphan, who are you praying for?”
melbourne press 