06/08/2026
Astonishing! Can you imagine being chained to a wooden stake to burn alive, and turning to your ex*****on partner to joyfully declare that you are about to have supper with the Lord?
On July 1, 1555, the ex*****on grounds of Smithfield in London were prepared for a horrific spectacle.
The dry wood was stacked high, and the heavy iron chains were drawn tight.
Two men were brought forward to face the fierce flames together.
One was John Bradford, a brilliant and highly respected former royal chaplain.
His "crime" was boldly preaching that salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ alone and rejecting the Catholic Mass.
Standing right beside him was John Leaf...
A young, ordinary apprentice who held absolutely steadfast to that exact same uncompromising faith.
Though they came from completely different walks of life, they were about to share the exact same fiery death.
As they were led to the wood, Bradford didn't panic or beg for his life.
He actually knelt down and kissed the very wooden post he was about to be tied to!
Once they were fastened tightly to the same stake, Bradford turned and warmly embraced the younger believer beside him.
Over the noise of the gathered crowd, Bradford spoke an immortal sentence of supernatural courage to the young apprentice:
"Be of good comfort, brother; for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night."
The ex*****oner's torch was set to the wood.
The agonizing flames began low, scorching their feet before violently climbing the post.
Thick smoke rose around them, and the heavy iron chains grew searing hot against their skin.
Yet, witnesses recorded that Bradford prayed aloud...
Lifting his eyes directly heavenward as long as he had breath in his lungs, while the young apprentice stood completely firm right beside him.
Two men - one famous, one unknown — were bound by iron on earth, but they were bound much stronger by their unshakeable faith!
The fire completely consumed their physical bodies, but it could never extinguish their testimony.
In Smithfield that day, their lives were offered not in defeat, but in ultimate, glorious triumph!
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