Last Words of Polycarp before burned at the Stake: “Eighty six years I have served him and he has done me no wrong! How can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten men with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.” Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna. (69-155 A.D.)
Tag: smyrna
Power in the Name! (Continued)
The Church at Smyrna is the second of seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. (Revelation 2:8-11). If you look at an old world map it is second closest church to the island of Patmos. The Greek name for this city Smyrna means; “Anointing oil.” Jesus commended this church and found nothing wrong with it! I wonder why? Smyrna was the suffering church! When you suffer for Christ and his Kingdom there is an anointing from him that comes over your life! We do not look for suffering but if you follow Christ it will come to you! Jesus told them he saw their tribulation, poverty and the blasphemy of their oppressors! He commended them for being put in prison for his name! He encouraged them to be faithful unto death! He told them a crown of life awaits them and that they will escape the second death! Jesus said we must be born again! This is how you escape your first death! Then Jesus has taken your judgment for sin for you and then you escape the second death! Remember God’s whole Kingdom is based on suffering and sacrifice! So what evidence would there be that I am saved and in Christ? If I would sacrifice my own life for others! If you are not saved you will sacrifice others for yourself! Just the opposite behavior! Look at your own life! Which is it? We are not saved by our works but the works of Christ however my works will reflect who I am following! Jesus or Satan? Satan has sacrificed you with his sin! Jesus has sacrificed himself for your sin over 2000 years ago on a Cross at Calvary! You cannot save yourself but by his power and his name all things are possible! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Who was Polycarp? A.D. 69-155
He was a disciple and personal companion of the Apostle John. As a youth he studied at the Apostle’s feet and was ordained as Bishop of Smyrna. Some scholars believe that the Angel of the Church at Smyrna mentioned in the Book of Revelation was referring to Polycarp. Our Lord had no criticism for the Church at Smyrna and told them that they were rich! Their tribulation and poverty was translated into wealth of spirit! Polycarp lived to be about 87 years old and was martyred in 155 A.D. To escape martyrdom he only would have had to say, “Caesar is Lord.” Polycarp was a powerful leader both living and dying! Who is your Lord? Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Just Say, “Caesar is Lord!”
Reply; “Eighty six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong! How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Polycarp who was a disciple of the Apostle John was burned at the stake in 156 A.D. in Smyrna Turkey. Remember the message Jesus gave to the church in Smyrna some 60 years earlier? Revelation 2:9– “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Another Caesar Constantine about 150 years after Polycarp bowed his knee and confessed Jesus Christ as Lord! Christianity then became the official religion of the Roman Empire! Recently thousands of Christians have been martyred across the world before being asked, “Just say Mohammad is Lord!” Who is your Lord? My Bible says, “One day every knee must bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” For you make that one day today! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com