A Vision of Heaven
And when we were clear of the world below, we saw a great light, and I said to Perpetua, “This is what the Lord promised us. We have received His promise.’ “We came upon a great open space, which was rather like a garden, with rose trees and all kinds of flowers… In the garden were four angels who were more glorious than the others. When they saw us, they paid homage and said to the other angels, ‘Here they are; here they are.’ Trembling, the four angels which were carrying us set us down… “We came near to a palace the walls of which were built as it were of light, and before the gate of that place four angels were standing.
As we entered, they clothed us in white robes. We went in and heard a sound as of one voice saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy’ without ceasing. And we saw sitting in the same place One…with hair as white as snow and with the face of a youth…. “As we entered we stood in wonder before the throne, and the four angels lifted us up, and we kissed Him, and He stroked our faces with His hand. “We went out…and we began to recognize many brethren there, martyrs too amongst them. We were all fed on a fragrance beyond telling, which contented us. Then in my joy I awoke.
Facing the Arena
The day of their victory dawned, and the martyrs went from the prison to the amphitheater as if they were on their way to heaven. Their faces were radiant. Perpetua followed at a gentle pace, as a great lady of Christ. The power of her gaze forced the spectators to lower their eyes. She sang a hymn of triumph.
At the beginning of the show, two of the men were attacked by a leopard and then mauled by a bear. A wild boar was then let loose on Saturus, but the boar turned on the one who unleashed him, goring him in the stomach. Saturus was only dragged on the sand. Then he was tied up on the bridge in front of a bear, but the bear refused to come out of his den. So for the second time Saturus was left unhurt.
Perpetua and a young woman named Felicitas were put in the arena with a bull. Felicitas fell, seriously wounded. Perpetua was tossed in the air, and her robe was torn. As soon as she got up, she ran to Felicitas and gently raised her from the ground. When the bull refused to attack them again, they were removed from the arena.
The show was almost over; Saturus was put in the arena one last time, the leopard was let loose, and with one bite, Saturus was mortally wounded. Finally, those who were still alive were brought back in to be killed by gladiators. First, they gave one another the kiss of peace. Then all remained still and received the sword in silence.
Faith Above All
Perpetua was assigned a young, untried gladiator, who was not used to such scenes of violence. He stabbed her weakly several times between the ribs, but did not kill her, so Perpetua guided his wavering hand to her throat.
Perpetua had it all: noble birth, wealth, a fine family, education, intelligence, youth, and beauty. But none of these things, not even her love for her baby, compared to her love for Jesus. Obeying His will for her life was her first priority. She was a Jesus Freak! She wrote these final words to her family:
Do not be ashamed by my death. I think it is the greatest honor of my life and thank God for calling me to give my life for His sake and in His cause. “He gave the same honor to the holy prophets, His dearly beloved apostles, and His blessed, chosen martyrs. I have no doubt that I am dying for God’s cause and the cause of truth.”
If we endure, we will also reign with him… 2 Timothy 2:12.
Date: 2nd September 2023
Martyr: Perpetua, Saturus, and Felicitas
Location: Carthage, North Africa, 202 AD
Source: Jesus Freaks
Author: DC Talk and The Voice of Martyrs
Suffering Saturday 054
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