SPECIAL PRÉCIS ON THE ULTIMATE TEST: POLYCARP AND GOD’S DIVINE POWER MANIFEST FOR THE MARTYR’S CALL (WITH VIDEO)

THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “I can do ALL things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace].” – PHILIPPIANS 4:13, AMP

KEY TERM: “STRENGTHENS.” ‘Endunamoó’ [ἐνδυναμοῦντί]: “To [supernaturally] empower or enable; to make strong out of weakness.” NOTE: “Strong’s Greek 1743 portrays God-given empowerment that enables believers to fulfill Divine Purposes. In every occurrence the strengthening comes from the Lord, never from human resolve alone, and it results in effective Witness, Endurance, or Obedience.”

QUOTATION. “But the Proconsul was insistent, and said, [to Polycarp], ‘Swear the oath and I will let you go! Revile Christ!’ ‘Eighty–six years I have served Him, and He has never wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’” – CHURCH FATHERS, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, 2^nd Century AD; edited

COMMENTARY. “It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian Sympathy [or ‘Empathy’] is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. ‘The Apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it.’ Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances.

‘Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a Special Grace to have an equal temper of mind always.’ And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust His Providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want.

The Apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. ‘Through Christ we have Grace to do what is Good, and through Him we must expect the Reward; and as we have all things by Him, let us do all things for Him, and to His glory.’”– MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

II. TEACHING

Three days prior to the horrifying events of September 10, 2025, and its turbulent, militant Aftermath, I sensed a profound stirring in my inner man concerning the entire matter of ‘TRUE’ CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM.

This in stunning contrast to the ‘FALSE “CHRISTIAN” MARTYRDOM’of CHARLIE KIRK, being paraded about the entire Nation and even throughout the whole World holding ‘Sacrilegious Vigils’ for him!

This persisted in being brought to my attention, so I began to ponder it rather seriously and began with this Prayer of Confession.

“Father, I am willing to suffer and even die for you so far as I know myself. ‘But one fear I have: To fail You if the manner of my suffering is too severe for me.’”

HIS PROMISE. “Son, as you recall the many painful trials that I have already brought you through in your long life, what makes you think I would fail you at your most Critical Moment? ‘Indeed, I shall be with you all the more, all the more, at such a time!’”

There are at least THREE SCRIPTURES that anchor this Promise to the Bedrock of the Biblical Canon. Each is rendered in the Amplified Classic Edition Bible.

ISAIAH 54:17. “‘But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification],’ says the Lord.”

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13. “For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.”

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9. “But He said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!”

DK’S TAKE. Beloved, should we be honored with God’s selection of us for a Martyr’s Death, He shall have been preparing us for it all of our lives. I love the way RYAN STEVENSON put it in his book, Eye of the Storm: Experiencing God When You Can’t See Him (2020): “The fire doesn’t burn you, it forges you. God, the Consuming Fire, is not about burning you, but about burning away everything that isn’t you!”

The Sacred Caveat: But you must ‘Be willing’ for Him to burn away all the dross and darkness and dissolution, beloved. Indeed: ‘You must Invite Him to have ALL of you!’ Unto Life, or even unto Suffering and Death.

III. THE MARTYRDOM OF POLYCARP

Now to an unusual Interlude if you will. As I kept reading the various accounts of the extraordinary Martyrdom of Bishop Polycarp of the Church at Smyrna – the Persecuted Church (Revelation 2:8-11) – I decided to read the entire Account of the Church Fathers cited earlier.

It is that important and instructive to us my friends.

“Now the most admirable Polycarp was not dismayed when he first heard about it [that is, that people were calling for his arrest], but wanted to stay in the city. But the others convinced him to leave. So, he went out to a little country house not far from the city and stayed there with a few friends. Night and day, he did nothing but pray for everyone, and for the churches around the world, as was his usual practice.

While praying he had ‘A Vision’ three days before his arrest and saw his pillow blazing with fire. He turned and said to those with him, ‘It is necessary for me to be burned alive.’

Since they kept searching for him, he moved to another country house. But almost at once his pursuers arrived. When they didn’t find him, they seized two young slaves, one of whom confessed under torture. For it really was impossible for him to stay hidden, since those who betrayed him were from his own household. And the Chief Constable, who just happened to have the same name as Herod, was determined to bring him into the stadium—that Polycarp might fulfill his appointed destiny by becoming a partner with Christ, while those who BETRAYED him receive the ‘Punishment of Judas’ himself.

They took the young slave with them. It was Friday around the time of the evening meal. The pursuers headed out, mounted on horses and brandishing their regular weapons as though they were pursuing an armed rebel. Closing in on him late that evening, they found him in bed in a little upstairs room. He still could have escaped from there to another place, but he was unwilling.

‘May God’s will be done,’ he said.

When he heard that they had arrived, he went downstairs and talked to them. Those who were present were amazed at his age and composure, and wondered at the insistence that such an old man be arrested. Right away he ordered food and drink be set before them at that hour—as much as they wanted—but he requested that they give him an hour to pray undisturbed. When they consented, he stood and prayed. He was so full of the Grace of God that for two hours he was unable to stop speaking, to the amazement of those who heard. Many REGRETTED that they had come after such a godly old man.

He finally finished his prayer, a prayer in which he remembered everyone he had ever met, whether small or great, well–known or unknown, as well as all those of the True Church throughout the world. The Time to Depart had come, so they seated him on a Donkey and brought him into the city, on the day of the Great Sabbath. The Chief Constable, Herod, along with his father, Nicetes, came out to meet him.After transferring him to their carriage, they sat beside him and tried to persuade him, saying, ‘Why, what’s so bad about saying, “Caesar is Lord,” offering the incense, doing whatever else is required, and so saving yourself?’

Now at first he didn’t answer them. But when they persisted, he said, ‘I am not about to do what you want me to do!’ So, since they failed to persuade him, they started to threaten him. They hurried him out of the carriage so fast that he bruised his shin. But without even turning around—as if nothing had happened—he went along with them willingly and resolutely as they led him to the stadium. When he came into the stadium, the uproar was so intense that no one could hear anything.

But as Polycarp entered the stadium, a voice from Heaven came to him, ‘Be strong, Polycarp—BE A MAN!’ No one saw the speaker, but our people who were there heard the voice.

When he was finally brought forward, there was a huge uproar when they heard that Polycarp had been arrested. After he was brought forward, the Proconsul asked whether he was Polycarp. When he confessed that he was, the Proconsul tried to persuade him to recant, saying, ‘Have respect for your age,’ and all the other things they usually say: ‘Swear by the genius of Caesar! Turn away! Say “Away with the atheists!’”

Polycarp looked solemnly at the whole crowd of Lawless Heathen who were in the stadium, motioned toward them with his hand, then groaned as he looked toward Heaven and said, ‘Away with the atheists!’ But the Proconsul was insistent, and said, ‘Swear the oath and I will let you go! Revile Christ!’

Polycarp replied: ‘Eighty–six years I have served him, and he has never wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’

But the Proconsul continued to insist, saying, ‘Swear by the genius of Caesar!’ So, Polycarp replied, ‘If you vainly expect that I will swear by the genius of Caesar, as you say, and pretend that you do not know who I am, then listen carefully: I am a Christian! Now if you want to learn the teaching of Christianity, appoint a day, and give me a proper hearing.’ The Proconsul replied: ‘Persuade the people.’

But Polycarp said, “You I could count worthy of a response, for we have been taught to appropriately respect rulers and authorities appointed by God AS LONG AS it does us no harm. As to bringing a defense to them, I do not consider them worthy.’

The Proconsul said, ‘I have wild beasts. I will throw you to them unless you turn away!’ He said, ‘Call them. Repentance from better to worse is impossible for us; but it is good to turn away from those things that are evil and toward those that are righteous.’

Again he said to him, ‘I will have you consumed by fire since you don’t care about wild beasts. Unless you turn!’ Polycarp replied, ‘You threaten with fire that burns for an hour then soon is extinguished, for you do not know about the coming Judgment and the Eternal Punishment reserved for the Ungodly. So why do you delay? Bring on what you want!’

As he spoke these and many other words, he was filled with Courage and Joy, and his face was filled with Grace. So not only did he not collapse in terror at the things said to him, but on the contrary, the Proconsul was astonished, and sent his own herald into the middle of the stadium to announce three times:

‘Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian!’

When this was announced by the herald, the entire crowd—both Gentiles and Jews who lived in Smyrna—cried out with uncontrollable anger and loud shouting, ‘This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the destroyer of our gods, who tells many not to sacrifice or worship!’ They said such things and shouted demands that Philip the Asiarch let loose a lion on Polycarp. But he said that it was not lawful for him to do so because the animal sports were already finished.

Then it occurred to them to shout at the same time for Polycarp to be burned alive. For it was necessary that The Vision he had received about his pillow be fulfilled—when he was praying and saw it burning and then turned and spoke prophetically to the believers with him, ‘It is necessary that I be burned alive.’

Then everything happened so quickly, quicker than can be told—the crowds hastily gathering wood and kindling from the workshops and baths—the Jews, as usual, being especially eager to assist. When the Pyre was ready, he removed all his clothes and took off his belt. He also tried to take off his own shoes, even though he was not used to doing so since the believers always vied with each other to be the first to touch his skin. For he had always been honored—even before his martyrdom—for his holy life. Right away, the materials for the fire were placed around him. They were about to nail him, but he said, ‘Leave me like this, for the One who gives strength to endure the fire will also give me strength to remain unmoved on the Pyre without the security you get from nails.’

So, they did not nail him but tied him instead. After his hands were tied behind him, he looked like a Splendid Ram from a great flock, a burnt offering ready and acceptable to God. He gazed toward heaven and spoke:

‘Lord God Almighty, Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through Whom we have received knowledge of You, God of angels and powers and every created thing, and of the whole race of the righteous who live in Your Presence. I bless You because You have counted me worthy of this day and hour, to take a place among the number of the Martyrs in the Cup of your Christ, to the Resurrection of Eternal Life, both of soul and body, in the Incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among them in Your Presence today as a rich and acceptable Sacrifice, just as You previously prepared and now have fulfilled, oh undeceiving and true God. I praise You for this and for everything. I bless You, I glorify You, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through Whom to You with Him and the Holy Spirit be glory both now and in the Ages to come. Amen.’

When he had offered up the ‘Amen’ and finished the prayer, the men attending to the fire lit it. As the great flame blazed we saw a Miracle (that is, we to whom it was given to see). We have been preserved so that we can relate to others what happened. For the fire took the shape of an arch, like the sail of a ship filled by the wind, encircling the body of the martyr. He was there in the center of it, not like burning flesh, but like baking bread or like gold and silver being Refined in a Furnace. For we perceived such a sweet aroma like the smell of incense or some other precious spice.

Eventually, when those Lawless Men realized that his body could not be consumed by fire, they ordered the executioner to go up to him and stab him with a dagger. When he did this, a Dove along with a large quantity of blood came out, so that the fire was extinguished! The entire crowd was astonished that there would be such a difference between unbelievers and the Elect. Certainly, he was one of the Elect, the marvelous Polycarp, who during the time he was among us proved to be an Apostolic and Prophetic Teacher and Bishop of the True Church in Smyrna. For every word that came out of his mouth was fulfilled and will be fulfilled.” – From DR. KENNETH BERDING, “Polycarp’s Final Days and Martyrdom,” Blog, Mar. 20, 2023; edited

IV. LAST THOUGHTS

THE FIFTH SEAL. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Smyrna write: ‘These are the words of the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God] who died and came to life [again]: I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship].

Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw SOME OF YOU into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death (the lake of fire).’” – REVELATION 2:8-11, AMP

As to the CONCLUSION of this important discussion, I want you to look at the dramatic Graphic of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah (later named Mount Zion or known today as ‘Temple Mount’) 4,000 years ago.

With this in mind, also note the powerful passage in Revelation cited above describing ONE of only Two Churches that Christ commends, by extension, in the Last Days:

Smyrna and Philadelphia.

TWO COROLLARIES give us much comfort as we contemplate these weighty matters.

FIRST COROLLARY. The reason I highlighted the words, “Some of you” in Revelation 2:10 is that there will only be a limited or comparatively small numbers of martyrs to the Cause of Christ in this later phase of the Seven Seal Judgments. This is dramatic, even stunning contrast to the ‘Multitudes’ that will be killed by Antichrist by beheading in the Seven Year Tribulation period (Revelation 20:4).

SECOND COROLLARY. As with Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah in Genesis 22:12, the Angel of the Lord [the Preincarnate Christ] shouted at the last minute: “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” The Point:

NOTE: God desires only those who are WILLING to die for Him, though most shall not be required to actually be martyred for Him. Selah.

THE MARTYR’S COVENANT. “And they overcame and conquered him [the Antichrist] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.” – REVELATION 12:11, AMP

This then is our GOD’S BOTTOM LINE: If we cannot make this Solemn Pledge to Him with a sincere, albeit trembling heart, we cannot be considered His True Disciple.

“And he who does not take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me.” – MATTHEW 10:38, AMP

CODA. ‘Play Church is over, the American Gospel has been laid to final rest, and only “Christianity for Grownups” remains!’ Settle this, beloved, once and for all – before both Heaven and Hell collide as He rips open that thunderous Sixth Seal that triggers the Last Seven Years of human history as we have known it.

In His Own Words: “If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” – JOHN 12:26, AMP

The Word of the Lord, now and then forever, Amen.

MEDIA

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/i6mIjdnlohc