No, it wasn't for nothing. You have taught me that well Kosta. Their martyrdom did give Christianity strength but we shouldn't all be martyrs. Fighting and/or standing our ground will also give it strength and respect. If we were all martyrs there would be no Christianity. Then who would teach the others?
Why does it matter if you firmly believe you get to go to heaven? The early Christians thought -- the sooner the better. But we have come to "love the world" and are attached to things and people more than to God, aren't we? Let God decide when it's our time, and we should worry to follow in His steps.
Although we profess that God's bliss is infinitely better than anything we can possibly have, we would rather extend our stay here a little longer...a lot longer...what kind of a faith is that? It's our faith, on our terms, and on our time. Why, I don't think it's faith at all! It seems to me, not even the most publicly pious are eager to meet God.
The NT tells us
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him -- Phil 1:29
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps -- 1 Pet 2:21