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