- Apr 14, 2012
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The Martyrdom of Polycarp:
"And, looking to the grace of Christ, they despised all the torments of this world, redeeming themselves from eternal
punishment by [the suffering of] a single hour. For this reason the fire of their savage executioners appeared cool
to them. For they kept before their view escape from that fire which is eternal and never shall be quenched, and
looked forward with the eyes of their heart to those good things which are laid up for such as endure; things “which
ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have entered into the heart of man,” but were revealed by the Lord to them,
inasmuch as they were no longer men, but had already become angels. And, in like manner, those who were
condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful tortures, being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and subjected
to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them
to a denial [of Christ]."
As far as I'm aware, and please correct me if I am mistaken, the Bible doesn't indicate that Christians become angels when they die. And yet this idea is believed quite readily by some.
Would this be the earliest indication of such a belief, that at least for martyrs if not more generally?
"And, looking to the grace of Christ, they despised all the torments of this world, redeeming themselves from eternal
punishment by [the suffering of] a single hour. For this reason the fire of their savage executioners appeared cool
to them. For they kept before their view escape from that fire which is eternal and never shall be quenched, and
looked forward with the eyes of their heart to those good things which are laid up for such as endure; things “which
ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have entered into the heart of man,” but were revealed by the Lord to them,
inasmuch as they were no longer men, but had already become angels. And, in like manner, those who were
condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful tortures, being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and subjected
to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them
to a denial [of Christ]."
As far as I'm aware, and please correct me if I am mistaken, the Bible doesn't indicate that Christians become angels when they die. And yet this idea is believed quite readily by some.
Would this be the earliest indication of such a belief, that at least for martyrs if not more generally?
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