This Day in History October 28, 1949

Today's feature is something that is indeed humbling to me, and I have heard about this amazing story since I was very young.  Have you ever heard of Jim Elliot?  Maybe you are familiar with his wife's work Through Gates of Splendor.  If not, let me tell you just briefly about Jim Elliot.

He was October 8, 1927, in Portland, Oregon.  He became a Christian at a young age, and he attended Wheaton College in Illinois.  He knew he was called to be a missionary, and although he met his future wife, they held off pursuing a relationship due to what they believed was God's will.  They did marry finally in October 8, 1953, as they had discovered it was God's will that they should marry.

Elliot and four other missionaries believed God had called them to the native peoples of Ecuador.  The Waodani people had not been reached with the gospel at this point.  January 8, 1956, he and the other missionaries' bodies were found.  The peoples had killed them.  You might be interested to know that his wife (now widow) had the privilege of leading the one who killed her husband to the Lord.  Talk about an absolute miracle!

It was on this date in 1949, that Jim Elliot wrote one of the most profound sayings that have impacted people all over Christendom.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

For more information, please check out:
http://www.christianheroes.com/people/christian_heroes_jim_elliot.asp
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4jelliot6ra.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Elliot
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/october28.html

This Day in History July 17, 180 A.D.

As I searched for a topic this morning, I was quite amazed to read about this story.  On this date in 180 A.D., twelve North African Christians were executed for their beliefs.  They are known as the Scillitan Martyrs, and their names were Speratus, Nartzalus, Cintinus (Cittinus), Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata, and Secunda (5 women, 7 men).  


Speratus was the principal spokesman, and according to his account, the twelve individuals led a quiet life, paid their dues, and they tried to live at peace with all.  When they were asked to swear and oath of allegiance to the emperor, he was the one who answered, "I recognize not the empire of this world; but rather do I serve that God whom no man hath seen, nor with these eyes can see."  They were offered a 30-day reprieve where they could consider changing their minds, but none of them did.  They were beheaded.


When I read things like this, I am always cut to the quick.  God has never asked me to suffer like this.  I realize that the time may come when He does, and I can only say that should I have to face this, I will respond like these men and women of faith.


For more information, please check out:
http://www.bartleby.com/210/7/172.html
http://www.antiochian.org/content/scillitan-martyrs-north-africa
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/timeline/North_Africa
http://www.dacb.org/stories/tunisia/speratus_.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scillitan_Martyrs
https://homepaddock.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/july-17-in-history-4/

This Day in History May 30, 1416

Jerome Prague was born in modern day Czech Republic (Bohemia) in 1379.  He was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and university professor who became a church reformer.  His teachings emphasized that the teachings of God were directly accessible to Christians without a church leader's aid.  This was contrary to the teachings of the Catholic church.  He was a supporter of Wycliff and Hus (martyrs), but his physical ailments did cause him to denounce them and recant his contrary views.

Huss (Jerome's mentor) was eventually burned at the stake.  Jerome denounced the church yet again, and on this date in 1416, he was burned at the stake.  His final words from the throes of the fire were:

"O Lord God, Father Almighty, have mercy upon me, and be merciful unto mine offences, for thou knowest how sincerely I have loved thy truth."

Whenever I read of martyrs such as this, I am reminded of what freedoms I have in this country and at this point in history.  I can only hope and pray that those freedoms will not be taken from me.

For more information, please check out these sites:
http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=prague
http://www.exclassics.com/foxe/foxe108.htm
http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Jerome_Of_Prague
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_of_Prague