A tweet written by Christian journalist Kenji Goto, four years before his death has been shared over 30,000 times on social media site Twitter.

The message which is written in Japanese, reads: "Closing my eyes and holding still. It's the end if I get mad or scream. It's close to a prayer. Hate is not for humans. Judgment lies with God. That's what I learned from my Arabic brothers and sisters."

目を閉じて、じっと我慢。怒ったら、怒鳴ったら、終わり。それは祈りに近い。憎むは人の業にあらず、裁きは神の領域。－そう教えてくれたのはアラブの兄弟たちだった。

— 後藤健二 (@kenjigotoip) September 7, 2010

The account, which now has almost 40,000 followers has been verified by his friend Toshi Maeda, from Tokyo-based venture Pacific Bridge, which created the mobile-video application Goto used for some of his reports from Syria.

Kenji Goto was killed by Islamic State militants after Japan refused to pay a ransom for his release.

Later a prisoner exchange failed to materialise into his release.

The 47 year old was captured in Syria in October last year. It's believed he was there trying to secure the release of a friend.

Speaking about his death, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I condemn what appears to be the despicable and appalling murder of Kenji Goto. It is a reminder that Isil [IS] is the embodiment of evil, with no regard for human life."