The Persecuted Church 100 313 A D The

The Persecuted Church 100 – 313 A. D. The Smyrna Church The Second Seal

Jesus continually walks among the churches.

Revelation 7 Churches 7 Seals 7 Trumpets

Martyrdom Peter 31 – 100 A. D. Andrew Bartholomew

The First Generation Peter John Andrew Paul

The “Apostolic Fathers” Clement of Rome The nd 2 Generation Ignatius of Antioch Polycarp of Smyrna

Clement of Rome Pope Clement I ?

Martyred in 99 A. D.

Ignatius of Antioch, Syria in Middle Ages

Martyred in 110

Polycarp of Smyrna

• Rejected Authority of Bishop of Rome • Kept the Seventh-day Sabbath

Martyred in 155

Third Generation Leaders Irenaeus of Lyon Justin Martyr of Neapolis

Apostolic Succession John Polycarp Irenaeus

Papal Succession Peter Clement I Benedict XVI

The Second Seal “When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ Then another horse came out – a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a sword. ” -- Revelation 6: 3, 4 The Red Horse

Persecution – 200 yrs.

Pontifex Maximus From an Ancient Roman Fountain Emperor’s Pontifex Symbol Caesar Augustus

Trajan Hadrian Marcus Aurelius

Persecution Coliseum in Rome

“They are abused, and they bless; they are reviled, and are justified. They are insulted, and they repay insults with honor. ”

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. ” --Tertullian Catacombs

Ebio nite s s t s i t e c o D s n a i c r a M Mon tan ists

Gnostic Gospels Thomas Judas Mary Magdalene

Discovery at Nag Hammadi, Egypt

Erroneous Doctrines

The Eucharist (Mass) Transubstantiation

Letter to Smyrna “These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. ” -- Revelation 2: 8 -11

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you a crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” -- Revelation 2: 8 -11

Tests of Loyalty

Edict of Milan (313) Diocletian Worst 10 Years of Persecution 303 - 313 Constantine Ends Persecution

The Compromised Church