After the “Lamb” (Jesus) opened the book bound with seven seals, John, standing among “four animals”, the 24 elders, and thousands of angels, saw the following. When the first seal was opened, John heard thunder. A lion-like animal shouted, “Come!” John saw a white horse and a rider with a bow appear. The rider was given a
The following writing dates from around 203 AD. It so closely relates to Tertullian's Ad Martyras, it grew to be known as the "appendix" to Ad Martyras. THE MARTYRDOM OF PERPETUA AND FELICITAS. PREFACE. IF ancient illustrations of faith which both testify to God's grace and tend to man's edification are collected in writing, so that by the
The Epistle of the Church at Smyrna goes by several names including The Martyrdom of Polycarp and The Letter of the Smyrneans. John, the last of the Twelve Apostles, ordained Polycarp bishop of Smyrna. Shortly after Polycarp was martyred for his beliefs at the age of 86-years-old, this "Christian Martyrology" was written, probably sometime between
The Letter to the Romans by Ignatius, an early-second-century Bishop of Antioch, was written during his transport from Antioch, Syria, to his execution in Rome. One of seven extant epistles written by Ignatius, Romans is Ignatius’ most detailed explanation of his views on martyrdom. Note: As with any apocryphal writing, Christians must take care to recognize