Does Scripture promise believers will not be killed by the sword?
No. Scripture does not promise believers will be spared death by the sword. Paul was beheaded and not spared the Roman sword, and nothing in the passage says believers will be. The secure promise is that tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword cannot separate believers from God's love.
Les explains that Romans 8 lists tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. He points out that many believers experienced famine and probably died of starvation, yet that did not separate them from the love of God. Paul himself went through nakedness, cold, thirst, and peril. When it came to the sword, Paul was beheaded; he was not spared the Roman sword. Les emphasizes there is nothing saying believers will be spared such things, but the promises remain secure that none of these can separate us from the Lord. Our security rests not on who we are or what we merit, but on the finished work of Christ.