The Jews accused Stephen of blaspheme, of seeking to undermine the Law of God, and of speaking against the Temple. It was all lies, but the High Priest interrogates him any way.
Taking advantage of the situation, Stephen preaches a message about their history, reminding them how they turned to other gods and how God judged them.
Acts 7:54-55 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
They drag him outside the city, throw rocks at him, tearing his skin, bruising his muscles, and breaking his bones. During this time Stephen looks up and sees the Glory of God as he passes through The Shadow of the Valley of Death into the very presence of the Lord.
Not everyone walks out of Death Valley alive. Whether we walk out to victory or wake up in the presence of our Lord, the Lord is with us. The death of Saints is not a bad thing. That was my thinking when I had breast cancer twenty years ago.
