So Bishop Latimer’s words come ringing down through the ages to us. Bishop Ridley would need that comfort. HIs death was drawn out and excruciating compared to his compatriots rather swift demise. On October 16, 1555, these two faithful saints were marched in front of the gate of Balliol College in Oxford, England to be burned at the stake. Their crime was preaching the Gospel. Their punishment was par for the course. Heretics and traitors were burned at the stake, that their deaths might serve as a warning to the onlooking crowd. Their backs to one another and lashed to the rough timber, these old friends stood in a long line of faithful martyrs (witnesses) to the faithfulness of Christ. They finished their earthly sojourn like another faithful bishop, some 1400 years earlier.

Polycarp was the faithful Bishop of Smyrna (modern day Izmir, Turkey). Unwilling to bow the knee and worship the emperor, he was a wanted man. In his eighties as the soldiers tracked him down, Polycarp fed and lodged his pursuers before going willingly into their captivity. As he entered the stadium in Smyrna, a voice from heaven rang out with those words, “Play the man, O Polycarp!” And so he did. Unbending in the face of threatened tortures, Polycarp would not revile his Lord and so he went to the stake. As the fires were lit, he was not consumed but began to glow. And the aroma was not that of burning flesh but of baking bread. A sweet aroma before the Lord and before men.

Every year as October turns to November we celebrate All Saints’ Day. We read off the names of those who have died in the Lord and are reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness to His promises. “He who began a good work in you is faithful to bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) All Saints’ Day is a reminder that Jesus is faithful. His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. While the caesars of this world rage and plot in vain, Christ is on His throne and His saints forever sing His victory song. We are almost home.

Faithful saints who have gone to be with the Lord this year now raise their voices with Bishops Latimer, Ridley, and Polycarp, forever singing the hymn of heaven: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne. And unto the Lamb! Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen!”
Will you join them in their song?

Salvation Belongs to Our God
Almost Home

Pastor Josh