Prisoner for the Lord Emelyan Burak

October 22, 2013 · Vancouver, Persecution, Exodus, Denunciations, Vestibule, Pentecostals, Religious Mafia, Testimonies, Contemporary Persecution, Salvation, Subbotniks

Who Are the Prisoners?

(Hebrews 13:3)

Prisoners are persecuted for the Word of Elohim by authorities, false religion, or even by a false church that hates pure truth. Prisoners in all generations have carried the truth of the Torah to us. They rejoice in truth, love, and faithfulness to Yahweh, ready for the lowest humiliations, even death, only not to betray Yahweh and His Word. The hope of prisoners is always alive and the reward unfading, because it is founded on justice and truth. As Yahweh is unchanging in His Word, so truth endures forever. For it is impossible to serve two masters — Elohim and mammon. “Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Yahweh (James 4:4).

Testimony

I, Burak Emelian Nik, born in 1960, come from Moldova, Singerei district, village of Novaya Singereya. I have 7 brothers and 3 sisters. My parents called themselves Orthodox, but did not go to church. My older sister Raya came to believe in God and married the grandson of a presbyter — Kosovan Sergey Ivanovich. From them I learned a lot about the Scriptures. Despite the difficulties in life, because of daily drunkenness, our family was deprived of peace and tranquility. When I was 14, the Word of God was sown in my heart. Many questions arose and an interest in delving deeper into the Bible. Investigating various denominations, I became convinced that each of them does not adhere to the whole will of God. If some believe in the sacrifice of Christ but do not keep God’s commandments, then others keep God’s commandments but do not believe in the baptism of the Spirit and the gifts. Still others believe in the baptism of the Spirit but do not keep God’s law. In this, despite the various teachings, I confirmed my faith on the Word of God. I thought that when we all act according to God’s will, only then will we achieve unity, peace, and joy in God. I saw much injustice in this world and even in our family. And I became convinced that you will not find justice in this world. Being sincere, I decided to choose the narrow path, knowing that one must enter the Kingdom of God through many sufferings. 1 Timothy chapter 3 says that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, and in Luke 14:25 it is written — “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, brothers and sisters cannot be my disciple.” Since my parents and brothers are unbelievers, I understood that I must hate their evil deeds. And when we live according to the Word of God, trials and temptations come, in which we are tested for faithfulness and betrayal. Christ gave His life that He might take it up again. But we may not give our lives, yet we lose it forever (John 10:17). May our God help and give us wisdom. He will assess our calling, justification, and faithfulness. Amen.

One who is practiced in patience from childhood, God saw fit to lead through the furnace of humiliation, to further purify and test my faith. In 1979, I was arrested for the Word of God under Article 77 and was deprived of liberty for 3 years of imprisonment.

Parental Home

Although it is not easy to testify about our family, especially about negative actions, I will try to share a few incidents. Perhaps it will be edifying for someone. I remember when Father was drinking at the table with friends, my younger brother came to Father complaining about me, claiming that I had offended him. And Father, without investigating, took a soldier’s belt and struck me with the iron buckle on the back. Even now I feel a lump and the itching of congealed blood. Another time when Father and Mother went visiting for the whole day and left me, as the eldest, at home to manage the household. My younger brother was very capricious and nervous. When I called him to obedience, he became agitated to the point that he took a knife and almost pierced my heart. When our parents returned, they took no measures; on the contrary, I was the one blamed. My elder believing sister and her husband Sergey, who helped me much spiritually, were always accused of spoiling me with their religion and agitation. I cannot understand how they did not see their own bad deeds such as drunkenness, smoking, fighting, and quarreling. My repentance was worse to them than all these.

As a child of God, I did not eat pork. Mother several times cooked food with pork and deceived me, saying there was no pork. But when I began to eat, I realized there was pork. And I had to have my own dishes and cook food myself.

And because I did not work on Saturdays, and Father saw that I stood firm, he said to me — “What, you’re going to celebrate two days a week? This won’t work.” And on the first day of the week Father sent me to the field to work the garden.

In our home there was always noise, shouting, drunkenness, and fights. But our believing neighbors always had quietness and peace. And I always thought how happy they were and I very much wanted to live such a life.

Why I Decided to Testify

(Psalm 65:16) Come, hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Much time has passed since the camp imprisonment. And many have forgotten atheistic godlessness. When they forbade believing in God and confiscated Bibles, and active brothers were put in prisons. For more than ten years Christians have lived without oppression and without fear from unbelieving forces. And in this freedom spiritual life is greatly decaying. When the heart and thoughts are occupied with the gods of this world and the Word of God is neglected, then recounting what the Lord did with me even in my parental home, when difficulties and trials were impossible to bear, I turned to God in need and received the answer that through patience, fasting, and prayer you will overcome everything. And after that, everything immediately became easy and joyful.

The second case, of imprisonment, where I passed through many dangerous circumstances, the angel of the Lord was beside me and protected and comforted me. And the rest of the time, as a disciple of Christ, following His example, attacks from false brothers occurred. God forewarned and showed me how to act. When I recall the great mercy of God shown to me, I ask myself, what am I better than others? Whose merit is this? The Bible reveals that God’s love paid for my guilt with His Son, so that believers in Him would not perish but have eternal life. If God gave His Son for my salvation, then I also must do everything in my power for perishing souls. Amen.

Our Community

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Luke 13:14). During the communist era it was not easy to teach the youth, because it carried the threat of prison. Therefore leaders of the communities allowed a crack in the law, permitting faint-heartedness, loving themselves and their children more than the word of God. This was considered wisdom in Christ. By avoiding the sufferings of the Lord, they lost blessedness, while the “fools” for Christ’s sake went to suffering, not consulting with the flesh. The “wise in Christ” considered those who had not made a covenant with God through water baptism and were not baptized with the Spirit to be unbelievers. They neglected the Lord’s command to teach the law to children: when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, and when you lie down or rise up (Deut. 11:19). Even if the scribes did not do, they at least taught. But the teachers of these last times in our community neither practiced themselves nor taught others. (Amos 5:12) For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. And God takes no pleasure in such actions. Lord forbid, I am not writing this to reproach anyone.

There is a God; with Him there is forgiveness, salvation, but this is how it was. Therefore, living in a country where believers are not persecuted, it is easy to be a hero. The “wise in Christ” are ready to forget altogether about the prisoners; their hearts do not ache, as it is written. They see the speck but do not notice the log in their own eye. Let us be honest: all prisoners who stood up for the Lord’s truth—let us call them by their proper name, and those who do not respect them, let us regard as being on the side of those who persecute them. But that it might not be so, there is still great grace to repent before God. From the parables we see that salvation is not forced, but individual and conditional. So, if you have bought the truth, never betray it.

Refusal

Four times I was granted a deferment, and I thanked God that I remained free. In our village, when someone was sent off to the army, they held big farewell gatherings, and for the parents they were filled with much fuss.

I warned my parents in advance that I would not hold an evening gathering, and they agreed and were content. A summons came stating that I was to appear on November 18 at 6 a.m. at the assembly point. I delayed and went later. At home my parents became worried, but I calmed them, saying that I was going to the military enlistment office and would sort things out there.

When I arrived at the enlistment office, I wrote on the summons that on the basis of my faith, I refuse to serve in the army. They released me to go home and warned that my case would be sent to the prosecutor.

Arrest

“Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking as a fool—I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again” (2 Corinthians 11:23). About a month after I wrote my refusal at the military enlistment office, I received a summons to appear at the prosecutor’s office with one of my parents. And since a mother’s heart is always closer to her children, my mother wanted to go with me. I knew that I might be locked up, but I said nothing to my mother. She hoped that she would speak well of me and weep before them, and they would let me go. The prosecutor first questioned my mother, then called me in. He said that according to USSR law, I was obligated to serve in the army, and if I did not, Article 77-I would judge me. I answered that as a believer, I could not go into the army and take an oath, because I had voluntarily promised to serve God, and the gospel says one cannot serve two masters, and it forbids waging war against flesh and blood (Eph. 6). And when the prosecutor saw that I stood firmly on the word of God, he announced that I was arrested. A police car arrived and took me to the K.P.Z., while my dear mother went home alone in tears.

K.P.Z. (Pre-trial Detention Cell)

After my arrest they brought me to the K.P.Z. It was January 2, and they locked me in a cell on the north side. The window was broken, and although I was still wearing home clothes, I felt the cold well during those three days. After a conversation with a lawyer, on the fourth day I was told that your brothers had come to persuade you to give up your faith, warning that otherwise I would bring shame upon them, and if I refused, they would disown me. I replied to them, let them do as they wish, but I cannot betray my God. During those three days of solitary confinement I was in cold and hunger, not knowing what would happen next. My neighbor Victor Vezdeutsan worked in the militia, and I asked him to transfer me to another room. He did as I asked. It was warmer there, and I could talk with the other detainees. That way the time passed more quickly.

Under Investigation

“This charge I entrust to you, my son Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies once made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, as a good soldier” (1 Timothy 1:18).

After the KGB, I was taken to the prison in the city of Bălți. They put me in a cell with those under investigation, a cell no bigger than with two-tier bunks for 24 people. As is usual for those entering prison for the first time, in the evening the inmates’ law is to administer an “oath.” A kind man came up to me and another brother—who had been arrested with me, Brother Petya, a schoolboy—and began secretly telling me some prison rules. Then another man from Drochia said he would tell them not to give us the oath. I am very grateful to God that He saw my heart, that this oath was not to my liking. Every time new prisoners arrived, they were given the oath in the evening. Some rejoiced, others groaned. It is surprising that no matter what a person was like, he had to follow the prison code, and if someone was at fault, then again there would be sorting-outs, a judge, a lawyer, witnesses, and the punishment was a carrot made from a wet towel. The operational unit tried to dissuade me from my faith, but God gave me strength and wisdom to be a steadfast Christian. After a few days, Brother Petya and I were separated into different cells. Then a messenger from the operational unit came up to me and said, “Do you know that your friend Petya is already free?” I calmly replied that that was his business. But it was all a lie. In prison we were able to tell many inmates about God. A month later, I was notified of my court date. The trial was open, in my village of Sîngerei. Before the trial I was offered a lawyer, but I refused. I did not plead guilty, and I was sentenced to three years of general-regime camp. After the trial, believers shouted after me that I should remain firm and faithful to the end, and this greatly supported and encouraged me.

Life in the Zone

The zone is the place where prisoners serve their sentences. From the Bălți prison, they sent me on a transport at night. They took me to the railway station, put me on a train, and took me to the Chișinău prison. From Chișinău, a few days later, they sent me to the zone—the village of Ghidighici. When I passed through customs, they assigned me to Detachment No. 3. There our brothers, previously convicted, met me with great joy. But for us, in prison, it was “prison.” The first thing I want to share is hunger. Although the food in the zone was poor, even what they gave us we did not eat, because of our faith. We tried to complain, but no one paid attention to us. In the morning they gave a piece of lard with porridge cooked with combi-fat, and at lunch—borscht with pork bones, so for us all that was left was to take the bread ration and a mug of boiling water, and go to work like that. Brother Seryozha Bodnar, who had been convicted before, received 7 rubles at the camp store and bought sweets instead of sugar and divided them among four people for a month. In the first year we lost a lot of weight, and the second year was still ahead. But we meditated on the words of God, that He said He would give bread as in a dream and not break our bones, even though we were going through hunger. We trusted only in God, not knowing what would happen in another two years, but we remained faithful to the Word of God. The world is not without kind people, and God did not give us more than we could bear. We approached the cooks and explained that we do not eat pork, and whenever possible they gave us porridge without combi-fat. With what we earned in a month we could buy 9 rubles’ worth from the store. After a year and a half, we were allowed to receive a 5 kg parcel every three months, and little by little we revived. I was given a good job in the workshop—sewing pockets onto suitcases—but not for long. They forced me to work on Saturdays, and when I refused they immediately locked me in the SHIZO (punishment cell). It is very cold there and the dampness severely aches the bones. And dressed poorly, hungry and sleepless, the days pass very slowly. The head of the DPK was very angry and played a trick, deliberately locking me in a cell with the ‘offended’ ones. I knocked on the door and asked to be transferred, and he transferred me to another place. After that, the operational unit got serious with us; they forced us to work on Saturdays, threatening SHIZO from one to three times, and then P.K. But the Word of God says we cannot work, no matter what threatens. As for the work, we completed our plan for five days and for Saturday. Seeing our firmness, the detachment commander said that our case would be decided by the political officer and the operational unit, and then they would give an answer as to what they would do with us. But glory to God that He softened the hearts of the authorities, and no more questions arose about Saturday. Many inmates told us that it was better for us here than in the army. There was a case: Warrant Officer Valera Strashnik, his nickname was Bogomol (Praying Mantis), because he especially persecuted believers over trifles. He evidently dreamed of promotion. Once I tried to talk with him in defense of a brother in faith. From that moment he began to watch me, every step, looking for a pretext. The first time he began to suggest that if I pleaded guilty, he would release me. And if not, he would lock me up for 15 days, and they would mock us so that we would not come out normal people. He often talked about this subject. It was not easy for me to endure this; it all weighed on my psyche. Like him, there were many others where it was necessary to be very careful. One day, after a great deal of nervous strain, I began to write a letter. The warrant officer on duty came up, took my letter, and read it. I had touched a little there on what I was going through; he took another letter, and there was spiritually edifying content written there. Astonished, he began to check all my letters, and in the letters I kept picture postcards with verses from the Bible and the Gospels, divided into parts. He found them and jumped for joy, and I had just received a parcel; he gathered up the food and took it from me, then took me and led me to the duty officer of the column. Reading a verse from the Bible, for example, “The devil prow

In the camp there were various prisoners, such as teachers, and we talked with them about God, and the operations department found out, summoned us to the office, and forbade speaking about God. So it’s clear that believers were great enemies to the communists; they were considered spies. But I saw it differently: when God touches people with the Holy Spirit, they begin to change, and enmity between God and Satan is revealed. There’s a proverb: “It is easier to attack than to retreat.” And indeed, by attacking it’s easier to do evil, while the prisoners are those who yield, and that is harder. But thanks be to God, He helped us in everything. There were different denominations in the camp, but we lived in harmony, holding meetings while walking along the road so as to be less suspicious. There was an occasion when God baptized with the Holy Spirit, others repented, many spoke the Word of God. Many prisoners endured greater sufferings than we did, those who could not write, but we will learn about them in the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Liberation

Many times I dreamed about being set free. And then God gave that day when the iron gates opened to let me go free. I cannot describe the feelings I had as I walked out; they were tears of joy. The earth and everything around me were very precious to me. I imagine what it will be like when the redeemed come to the new heaven and the new earth. What joy there will be where there is no evil. Going out to freedom, I had great zeal and a desire to do God’s work. But after a little while, I became convinced that one can live in freedom, yet the spirit that persecutes God’s children will not cease until Christ comes. If in my youth there were difficulties from my family — an unbelieving father and brothers — then when I grew up, trials came from the authorities. And when I was released, I hoped for freedom, but the wheel turns on that road where the same voice is heard again: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). The KGB went after me again, even through my relatives. I could not find a job; I tried to flee from a second punishment, but the Lord stopped me. And it was said, “Call upon Me for help, and I will work a miracle and deliver you.” Then I resolved to give myself into God’s hands in fasting and prayer. God gave a wonderful revelation, and it was confirmed in life. Probably God heard the prayers of many prisoners who longed for freedom and brought perestroika, and the persecution of believers lost its force, but only for a time. And for this many sincere children of God should give thanks and value freedom for God’s glory. But God’s children have another enemy in these last days — religiosity. As we read in 2 Timothy 3:5 — “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” Christ rebuked the religiosity of the Pharisees, that they speak but do not do. That they took away the key of knowledge; they did not enter in themselves, and those who were entering they hindered (Luke 11:52). Religiosity in our time is even worse, because they neither speak nor do. Deprived of God’s power and led by their own spirit. Out of pride, rejecting all that is sound, they perish themselves and hinder others. When they are in leadership, they stop and become entangled, but God’s mercy is great even in such a state. God is ready to forgive and accept those who return with zeal to serve God. If Christ does not live in us, then even freedom is a prison. A church where there is only religion and a form of godliness — have nothing to do with such.

Thanksgiving

When I think about the years I have lived, then I remember bad people as good. And there is one conclusion — we must give thanks for everything. Cruel people helped us to run to God more often with our needs. The kind ones were like answers to prayers and a comfort. May God forgive and have mercy on those who do not know Him, and we were like that too. I especially want to thank and ask God’s blessing upon the kind people — brothers and sisters who were not ashamed of our chains (2 Timothy 1:16). Gratitude to my sister Raya and her husband Sergei. He greatly supported me through letters of spiritual edification. And she, with all her might, did everything she could to ease our suffering and help us survive. When needed, she found time and money, the necessary clothes and food. She, like a hero of faith, burning with love, brought blessing to the prisoners. She hitchhiked home. In winter, despite the danger, she brought parcels. Also gratitude to kind fellow prisoners, cooks, and warrant officers, and most of all — to God, for the undeserved gift. Revealing His will through sufferings, directing us to heaven.

Whom Do I Believe In?

I believe in the One God of Israel; His name is Jehovah — the Existing One. For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us. (Isaiah 33:22). I believe that the law of Jehovah, which was given to Israel with power, is for all peoples even today. If there were no law, there would be no sin. And when there is no sin, then a sacrifice is not needed. God’s law is holy, just as our God is holy. God’s law is unchanging, as is God. He established the law as a light for the Gentiles. And the embodiment of knowledge and truth in the law (Rom. 2:20). I believe in Yeshua the Messiah, who is the son of Joseph according to the flesh, from the tribe of Judah. Out of love for fallen man, God provided a ransom through His Son, by His blood. He came in the name of the Father, the Existing One, and fulfilled His will. Yeshua Himself says, “I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” This is likened to a bird with two wings — the law and the sacrifice, which is Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts we read that the apostle Paul repented before God and believed in Yeshua the Messiah. Yeshua is the end of the Law, but in the beginning were animals. The sacrifice of animals could not save man, but it was only a shadow of things to come, pointing to Yeshua. That is why John the Baptist called for repentance and pointed to Christ, saying that His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn (Matthew 3:12). Yeshua did not come as a Lawgiver, but as a sacrifice for sin (our Savior).

I believe in the Holy Spirit, who is sent from God. This is the third Person of the Godhead, who comforts, convicts, teaches, and declares things to come. The Holy Spirit operates with gifts in the church, for the perfecting of the saints. I believe everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets. And I preach every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. For it is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Whose Merit Is This?

Whose merit is it — that God enlightened One to resolve to walk the thorny path. Do not fear death and reproach from loved ones, From authorities and religious leaders.

Whose merit is it — to accept the path of foolishness In humility and patience — to find delight. To consider the glory of the world — the pride of deceit Suffering for truth, only looking to Him.

Whose merit is it — great suffering, When for a time left without protection. Such was His plan to melt away the gold, To deem the faithful worthy of a great reward.

Whose merit is it — for the gift of justification When I wandered, You gave me comfort. From slavery to sin, You made me a slave of righteousness, This is Your gift, which You have given to all.

But those who in arrogance and pride, Intend to serve two masters, By their actions they forfeit salvation. Those rejecting His gift of salvation — go to condemnation.

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