The Persecuted Church The Persecuted Church 100 – 313 100 – 313 A.D.A.D.
The Smyrna ChurchThe Smyrna Church
The Second SealThe Second Seal
Jesus continually Jesus continually walks amongwalks among the the
churches.churches.
7 Churches7 Churches
7 Seals7 Seals
7 Trumpets7 Trumpets
RevelationRevelation
PeterPeter
AndrewAndrew
BartholomewBartholomew
MartyrdomMartyrdom
31 – 10031 – 100A.D.A.D.
The First GenerationThe First Generation
PeterPeter
JohnJohn
AndrewAndrew
PaulPaul
The “Apostolic Fathers”The “Apostolic Fathers”
Clement of RomeClement of Rome
Ignatius of Ignatius of AntiochAntioch
Polycarp of Polycarp of SmyrnaSmyrna
The 2The 2ndnd Generation Generation
Pope Clement I ?Pope Clement I ?
Clement of RomeClement of Rome
Martyred in 99Martyred in 99A.D.A.D.
Antioch, Syria in Middle AgesAntioch, Syria in Middle Ages
Ignatius of AntiochIgnatius of Antioch
Martyred in 110Martyred in 110
Polycarp of SmyrnaPolycarp of Smyrna
• Rejected Authority of Rejected Authority of Bishop of RomeBishop of Rome
• Kept the Seventh-day Kept the Seventh-day SabbathSabbath
Martyred in 155Martyred in 155
Third Generation LeadersThird Generation Leaders
Irenaeus of LyonIrenaeus of Lyon Justin Martyr of NeapolisJustin Martyr of Neapolis
Apostolic SuccessionApostolic Succession
JohnJohn
PolycarpPolycarp
IrenaeusIrenaeus
PeterPeter
Clement IClement I
Benedict XVIBenedict XVI
Papal SuccessionPapal Succession
““When the Lamb opened the second When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ Then another horse came say, ‘Come!’ Then another horse came out – a fiery red one. Its rider was given out – a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him to make men slay each other. To him
was given a sword.”was given a sword.”
-- Revelation 6:3,4-- Revelation 6:3,4
The Second SealThe Second Seal
The Red HorseThe Red Horse
Persecution – 200 yrs.Persecution – 200 yrs.
From an Ancient From an Ancient Roman FountainRoman Fountain
Pontifex MaximusPontifex Maximus
Caesar AugustusCaesar Augustus
Emperor’s Emperor’s Pontifex SymbolPontifex Symbol
TrajanTrajan
HadrianHadrian
Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius
Coliseum in RomeColiseum in Rome
PersecutionPersecution
““They are abused, and they bless; they are reviled, and They are abused, and they bless; they are reviled, and are justified. They are insulted, and they repay insults are justified. They are insulted, and they repay insults
with honor.”with honor.”
CatacombsCatacombs
““The blood of the martyrs is the seed of The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”the Church.”
--Tertullian--Tertullian
EbionitesEbionites
Docetists
Docetists
MarciansMarcians
Montanists
Montanists
Gnostic GospelsGnostic Gospels
ThomasThomasJudasJudas
Mary MagdaleneMary Magdalene
Discovery at Nag Discovery at Nag Hammadi, EgyptHammadi, Egypt
Erroneous DoctrinesErroneous Doctrines
The Eucharist (Mass)The Eucharist (Mass)
TransubstantiationTransubstantiation
““These are the words of Him who is the First These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who you are rich! I know the slander of those who
say they are Jews and are not, but are the say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” synagogue of Satan.”
-- Revelation 2:8-11-- Revelation 2:8-11
Letter to SmyrnaLetter to Smyrna
““Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you a crown of life. He who has an ear, will give you a crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the
second death”second death”
-- Revelation 2:8-11-- Revelation 2:8-11
Tests of LoyaltyTests of Loyalty
Diocletian Diocletian Worst 10 Years of Worst 10 Years of
Persecution Persecution 303 - 313303 - 313
Constantine Constantine Ends PersecutionEnds Persecution
Edict of Edict of Milan (313)Milan (313)
The Compromised The Compromised ChurchChurch