Soon after Jesus ascended to heaven, countless martyrs began spilling their blood in allegiance to Christ. Even while tortured, beaten and burned, they remained faithful until death. Just as the living God stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace, so He dwelled with the early believers in the flames and at the stake.
These martyrs possessed such devotion for Christ that the flames seemed cool to them. Polycarp was one of these martyrs. By remaining steadfast for Christ, Polycarp became one of the most prominent church heroes of the second century.