In the myriad ways these people sang their praises to Him, a varied and individual cacaphony that blended into a sweet sound of love for Him; love that He initiated. It is also expressed in the variety of ways we indulge our prideful hatred for a loving, but just, Creator.
I guess some people were lucky enough to get eaten so love could be expressed?
You're not too far off the mark. Substitute "blessed" for "lucky".
Still have a hard time understanding something that could compel someone to let themselves get eaten
"Seek and you shall find. Ask and it shall be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened." Compel is definately the wrong term also. There is a range of emotions spelled out in Foxe's "Book of Martyrs", but the sullen compliance of some one being forced to the executioner's dock is not mentioned.
I guess missing the banquet would be compelling enough for you?
Absolutely. And I pray that it never comes to that. I do love my life. But, if my conduct in dying for Him brings but one person to Christ, than it is worth it.
We all die. I know where I am going, whether I die in my sleep, or am martyred in horrible way. The sacrifice of a few years, in exchange for being the final eye opener of some one coming to truth and eternal fellowship with Him is quite a fair exchange in my book (and in G-d's).