"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. . . .
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
yes.
An Orthodox Christian perspective:
1. The man was Jordanian, and thus perhaps Orthodox. Any pious Orthodox Christian knows the implication of denying Christ. The scripture references that others have posted clearly apply.
2. Had the man cofessed that he is a Christian, recited the Nicean Creed (1st Ecumenical Council), who could doubt that he would then die a martyr and be numbered among the saints of The Church?
3. I make no judgement about the man...God alone judges. But he now lives knowing the scripture and fearing the dread judgement. He chose that unknown over martyrdom. He will be thinking about this for the rest of his life.
4. Also, it appears this all transpired upon the feast of Pentecost (one of the 13 major feastdays of the Orthodox Church); when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.