This article is a continuation of the previous article titled:
In the previous installment of the prophetic significance of John’s letter to Smyrna, it was noted that persecutions against the early church came swift and harsh. Jewish religious authorities had rejected their Messiah – thinking that their cruelty was appropriate. They were sure that the general population would soon forget about Jesus. However, quite the opposite occurred. Just seven weeks after the crucifixion of Jesus, belief in him began to explode throughout the land. The Sanhedrin were amazed at the popularity of the early church and openly frustrated at the thousands of converts. It was not long until their collusion against believers also influenced Roman politicians. This intolerance became the theme of the prophetic letter to Smyrna supernaturally given by Christ to John on the island of Patmos. Jesus gave the epistle to John for distribution, in which the Savior said in no uncertain and very prophetic terms …
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty …” (Revelation 2:9).
As noted in the previous two articles and all of the articles in this series on the letters to the seven churches that they were prophetic overviews of the Dispensation of the entire Church Age from the 1st century, or what is commonly also called “The Dispensation of Grace,” that began at the time of Christ and his crucifixion until the present. This time around, we shall see how early church leaders suffered at the hands of evil men. Crimes against Christians continued until the “Edict of Toleration” was issued by Constantine in A.D. 314.
There were ten waves of persecution generated in the Roman Empire during this time. They are believed to be the fulfillment of a cryptic statement made in Christ’s prophetic and supernaturally given letter to Smyrna through the Apostle John …
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
In this installment, it will be but a touch upon the atrocities committed against Christians during the fulfillment of those “ten days.” They were not ten 24-hour days, but ten periods of great hardship suffered by the early church.
For historical authority, the writings of the Reverend John Foxe were consulted as presented in his classic work under the title, “History of the Acts and Monuments of the Church.” It was published in Latin at Basle, Switzerland in 1554 and in English in 1563. Foxe had been expelled from from Oxford and accused of heresy because of his research into the tragic and shameful treatment of Christians.
During the early life of John Foxe, England was under the religious control of the Vatican. Foxe had to flee to Switzerland, where he lived in a community with other English dissidents. Eventually, he returned to England, appreciated for his courage by the English throne. Today, his work is remembered as “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.” This classic history includes a chapter on “The Ten Primitive Persecutions” that befell the Church during the first three centuries:
- Under Nero – A.D. 67
- Under Domitian – A.D. 81
- Under Trajan – A.D. 108
- Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus – A.D. 162
- Under Severus – A.D. 192
- Under Maximus – A.D. 235
- Under Decius – A.D. 249
- Under Valerian – A.D. 257
- Under Aurelian – A.D. 274
- Under Diocletian – A.D. 303
John Foxe reported historical accounts drawn from the early writings of church and Roman historians. Foxe suggested that Nero initiated the first persecution.
1. Under Nero – A.D. 67
History has credited Nero with the burning of Rome. With the city in flames, he went up to the “tower of Macaenas” and was heard plunking on his harp and singing about the burning of Troy. He openly declared that “he wished the ruin of all things before his death.” Most of the palaces and houses were destroyed and “thousands perished in the flames, smothered in the smoke, or buried beneath the ruins.” The burning continued for nine days. But before the facts were fully known, the sixth emperor of the empire began to blame the Christian community and set about to exterminate their leaders. Foxe tells us that Nero “gave way to the greatest extravagancy of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities.” His lies against Christians were so convincing that the citizens were also persuaded to vent their rage against believers. The persecution that followed was unspeakably horrible.
Nero had some Christians sewn up in skins of wild beasts and fed to vicious dogs. Others were dressed in shirts made stiff with wax and tied to poles. They were staked around the perimeters of Nero’s garden parties and set on fire to provide light for his evening revelries. During this time, Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified. Among the martyrs were Erastus, chamberlain of Corinth; Aristarchus, the Macedonian; and Trophimus, an Ephesian converted by Paul. Also killed were Joseph, commonly called Barabas; and Ananias, bishop of Damascus.
The atrocities of Nero soon caught up with him, however, and the Roman Senate banished the emperor for his crimes. Though Roman history claims that Nero fled the city and committed suicide, Jewish historians say that he defected, faked his death, married a Jewish woman and lived out his life near Jerusalem. In modern yeshivas (schools), Jewish children are taught that Nero was a good and kindly man, and that the famous Rabbi Meir claimed to be a direct descendant.
The strange circumstances that surrounded his mysterious”suicide” gave rise to speculation that Nero was alive. Early church historians suggested that Lucifer was keeping Nero in his youthful state until the time was right for him to return and become the Antichrist.
2. Under Domitian – A.D. 81
The second persecution erupted under the reign of Domitian, son of Vespasian and brother to Titus, the conqueror of Jerusalem. Domitian was naturally inclined to cruelty. He killed his infamous brother in order to rise to the Roman throne; then executed several Roman senators and confiscated their estates. He commanded all of the lineage of David be put to death. Among the many martyrs were John, who was boiled in oil, and afterward banished to Patmos where he had his supernatural vision from which came the book of Revelation; Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and Flavia, the daughter of a Roman senator, who was banished to Pontus. A law was passed “that no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion.” If any Roman province was effected by famine, pestilence or earthquake, blame was laid upon the Christians.
One well-known martyr was Dionysius, the Areopagite, an educated Athenian who had traveled to Egypt in order to study astronomy and learn about the strange darkness that prevailed over the earth at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. He was loved and respected for his faith and was appointed to the office of bishop of Athens.
John Foxe reports that Nicodemus, “a benevolent Christian of some distinction,” suffered in Rome. Protasius and Gervasius were martyred at Milan. Timothy, bishop of Ephesus, was beaten with clubs by pagans during a celebration of their “feast of Catagogion.” He was so wounded that he died of the bruises two days later.
3. Under Trajan – A.D. 108
Trajan, the emperor who ruled the Roman empire at the turn of the second century, launched the third persecution. The historian, Pliny the Second, took pity upon the Christians and wrote to Trajan explaining that thousands were being put to death who had done nothing contrary to Roman law. He said that their only crime against the state was that they met before daylight each week to worship Christ and “to bind themselves by an obligation not to commit wickedness; never to commit theft, robbery, adultery or falsify their word; and never to defraud any man.” He said that they only met to “partake in common of a harmless meal.”
Among the martyrs of this third persecution was Ignatius, appointed bishop of Antioch after Peter. Ignatius was arrested, taken to Rome and fed to wild beasts for sport. As he traveled through Asia, “being under the most strict custody of his keepers, he strengthened and confirmed the churches through all the cities, both with his exhortations and preaching of the Word of God.”
While at Smyrna, Ignatius wrote to the church at Rome, asking them not to try to save him, “lest they deprive him of that which he most longed and hoped for. ‘Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ Jesus!’
“And even when he was sentenced to be thrown to the beast such was the burning desire that he had to suffer, that he spake, what time he heard the lions roaring, saying, “I am the wheat of Christ; I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread.”
After Trajan, Adrian ascended the Roman throne and continued the third persecution against the Church. Alexander, bishop of Rome, along with two of his deacons, Quirinus and Hernes, their families, and what seems to be his entire congregation of ten thousand, were slaughtered. Thousands more were killed throughout the empire. Many were executed in the regions of Mount Ararat. The patience of the Christians and the cruelties of their sufferings caused Caloccerius, a pagan, to proclaim, “Great is the God of the Christians!” For his moment of admiration and ecstasy, he was arrested and executed as well.
Quadratus, bishop of Athens, appealed to the emperor to halt the cruelties against Christians in Greece. The philosopher Aristides also joined him by writing a letter in favor of the Christians and Adrian began to relax his reign of terror. Antoninus Pius succeeded Adrian in A.D. 138 and ended the third persecution.
Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus – A.D. 162
A Hollywood movie released on May 1, 2000 titled “The Gladiator,” portrays Marcus Aurelius as an admired and beloved emperor. In reality, however, he was very fierce towards Christians and launched the fourth persecution. His cruelties were such that spectators shuddered with horror. Christians were made to walk over thorns, nails and sharp shells. They were scourged until their sinews and veins lay bare. John Foxe reported that they “were destroyed by the most terrible deaths.” One young Christian, Germanicus, showed astonishing courage as he was fed to wild beasts. His courage and faith actually brought about the conversions of several pagans.
Polycarp, pastor of the church at Smyrna, tried to escape the manhunt, but was discovered by a child. After providing a meal to the guards who arrested him, he was given an hour to pray. Upon hearing the fervency of his prayer, the guards regretted that they had been instrumental in taking him. Nevertheless, they delivered him to the proconsul where he was condemned and tied to a stake in the market place. The proconsul urged him saying, “Swear, and I will release thee! Reproach Christ!” Polycarp answered, “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, who hath saved me?”
His captors only tied him to the stake, rather than nailing him, because of their favor toward him. Also, he had promised to stand immovable and not try to escape. The flames encircled his body like an arch, but would not touch him.
Then, to end his life, the executioner drove a sword through his body, and his blood extinguished the fire. Friends of the bishop retrieved his body and gave him a Christian burial.
John Foxe reported the following …
“Metrodorus, a minister who preached boldly, and Pionius, who made some excellent apologies for the Christian faith, were both burned at the stake. Carpus and Papilus, two worthy Christians, and Agathonica, a pious woman, suffered martyrdom at Pergamopolis in Asia.”
“Felicitatis, a godly Roman lady of a prominent family, and the most shining virtues, was a devout Christian. She had seven sons whom she had educated with the most exemplary piety. Januarius, the eldest, was scourged and pressed to death with weights. Felix and Philip, the next two, had their brains dashed out with clubs. Silvanus, the fourth, was murdered by being thrown from a precipice. and the three younger sons – Alexander, Vitalis and Martial were beheaded. The mother was then beheaded with the same sword.”
The celebrated philosopher, Justin Martyr, was born in Neapolis (modern Nablus), in the region of Samaria, sometime between A.D. 103 and 114.
He was noted for his investigations of the Stoic, Peripatetic, Pythagorean and Platonic philosophies. He was converted to Christianity at the age of 30 and, for the first time, perceived the true nature of philosophy. As he grew in the faith, he wrote several great works on Christianity, traveled extensively, and finally moved to Rome where he opened a public school and influenced many children to become great men.
Being a man of renown, he convinced the emperor to publish an edict in favor of the Christians. Eventually, however, his writings gave occasion for the cynic, Crescens, to prejudice the emperor against him. Justin and six of his friends were arrested and commanded to sacrifice to pagan idols. When they refused, they were condemned, scourged and beheaded.
There are at least sixty catacombs beneath the city of Rome where many of the martyrs were buried. John Foxe wrote …
“The galleries are about eight feet high and from three to five feet wide, containing on either side several rows of long, low, horizontal recesses, one above another like berths in a ship. In these, the dead were placed and the front closed, either by a single marble slab or several great tiles set in mortar. On these slabs or tiles, epitaphs or symbols are engraved or painted.”
“When the Christian graves have been opened, the skeletons tell their own horrible tale. Heads are found severed from the body; ribs and shoulder blades are broken; bones are often calcined from fire. But despite the awful story of persecution that we may read here, the inscriptions breathe forth peace, joy and triumph.”
Here are a few:
“Here lies Marcia, put to rest in a dream of peace.” “Lawrence to his sweetest son, borne away of angels.” Victorious in peace and in Christ.” Being called away, he went in peace.”
The most frequent Christian symbols on the walls of the catacombs are the good shepherd with the lamb on his shoulder, a ship under full sail, harps, anchors, crowns, vines, and above all, the fish.
5. Under Severus – A.D. 192
Here is the story of a true politician – one who aspired to favor the Christians, but allowed the pressure of public office to dictate otherwise. Severus once recovered from a severe illness through the faithful service of a Christian. He knew that his recovery was due to the prayers of the saints. However, in A.D. 192, the prejudice of others caused him to restore some obsolete laws once passed against Christians.
During this time, the church historian, Tertullian, wrote that if the Christians had collectively withdrawn themselves from the Roman territories, the empire would have been greatly depopulated.
Victor, bishop of Rome, was executed in A.D. 201. Leonidus, the father of Origen, was beheaded for being a Christian. Many of Origen’s followers also suffered martyrdom. Foxe tells us that one lady, Rhais, had boiled pitch poured on her head and was then burned along with her mother, Marcella, and sister, Potainiena. While imprisoned, Rhais was able to convert Basilides, the Roman officer charged with her execution. Later, as an officer, he was required to take a certain oath and refused, admitting that he could not swear by Roman idols now that he was a Christian. His superiors were astonished at his claim and at first refused to believe it. However, once convinced, they had him arrested, dragged before a judge, committed to prison and quickly beheaded.
Two of Polycarp’s students were Irenaeus (A.D. 120 – 202) and Pothinus. In the latter half of the second century, Pothinus moved to the community of Lyons, located on the Rhone River near the southeastern border of France, to shepherd a growing congregation of Christians. Later, Irenaeus joined his friend as an associate. While there, he learned of heresies that had been accepted by the church in Rome. Irenaeus traveled to Rome to confront the problem and bring those early church leaders back to a pure faith and doctrine.
While Irenaeus was in Rome, Marcus Aurelius launched a terrible persecution against Christians in southeast France (A.D. 177) and killed Pothinus. Upon his return, Irenaeus became the bishop of Lyons. The works of Irenaeus, including “Irenaeus Against Heresies,” is a recommended reading.
The ministry of the great peacemaker, Irenaeus, ended in tragedy when in A.D. 202, under the onslaught of the wicked Roman emperor, Severus, the congregation at Lyons was massacred and Irenaeus was beheaded.
Persecutions spread to Africa as well during that time. Thousands were persecuted and slaughtered. A young twenty-two year-old wife, Perpetua, and a pregnant mother, Felicitas, were among the many Christian slaves brought to Rome for sport in the Coliseum. Both were stripped and thrown to a mad bull, which first attacked Perpetua, stunning her, then gored Felicitas terribly. Having not been killed by the bull, an executioner cut them to pieces with a sword. This martyrdom occurred on March 8, A.D. 205.
In A.D. 222, Cecilia, born of a good family in Rome and married to a gentleman named Valerian, was stripped and thrown into a scalding bath. Her death was not swift enough, so a swordsman cut off her head. The Roman officer who led her to the place of execution was converted and soon suffered the same fate.
Calistus, bishop of Rome, was martyred in A.D. 224, and Urban bishop of Rome met the same fate in A.D. 232.
6. Under Maximus – A.D. 235
The sixth persecution came quickly on the heels of the fifth when Maximus came to power. Pontainus, bishop of Rome, and his successor, Anteros, were killed because they recorded the emperor’s atrocities against Christians. John Foxe wrote that they collected the “… acts of the martyrs, Pammachius, and Quiritus, Roman senators with all their families and many other Christians; Simplicius, senator; Calepodius, a Christian minister who was thrown into the Tyber; Martina, a noble and beautiful virgin; and Hippolitus, a Christian prelate, was tied to a horse and dragged until he expired.”
During his persecution, untold numbers of Christians were slain without trial and buried indiscriminately in heaps, sometimes fifty or sixty being cast into a pit together. This tyrant, Maximus, died in A.D. 238 and was succeeded by Gordian; who was succeeded by Philip; and for about ten years, the persecutions were abated. But in A.D. 249, another violent persecution broke out in Alexandria without the knowledge of the emperor.
Under Decius – A.D. 249
It is reported that emperor Philip was a Christian. When Decius ascended the throne, partly by the hatred he bore to his predecessor, he set about to exterminate Christianity from his empire. By this time, many errors had crept into Church doctrine and ministers were divided among themselves. The problems of self-interest and pride, along with the acceptance of heresies and factions weakened their influence.
One of the first Christians to suffer under this new wave of persecution was Fabian, the bishop of Rome. When Emperor Philip was alive, Fabian was respected. Philip had even entrusted the minister with his treasure. But Decius had him arrested and beheaded on January 20, A.D. 250.
Chrysostom wrote that a man from Cilicia, whose name was Julian, was arrested for being a Christian, put into a leather bag together with serpents and scorpions and thrown into the sea.
Another young Christian, Peter, was condemned for refusing to sacrifice to Venus. He was stretched upon a wheel until all his bones were broken, and then beheaded.
Eusibius informs us that two Christian men from Alexandria, Alexander and Epimachus, were beaten with sticks, torn with hooks, then burned at the stake. Following their execution, four other Christian women were beheaded on the same day.
Two eminent men, Trypho and Respicius, were imprisoned at Nice. Their feet were pierced with nails; they were dragged through the streets, scourged, torn with iron hooks, scorched with torches, and finally beheaded on February 1, A.D. 251.
Agatha, noted for her faith and beauty, lived in Sicily. Quintian, the governor, became enamored with her and made many attempts to seduce her. Because she refused his advances on the basis that she was a Christian, he had her scourged, burned with red-hot irons, torn with sharp hooks, laid upon live coals intermingled with glass, and then carried back to prison where she died on February 5, 251.
Then there was Cyril, 84 years old, bishop of Gortyna, who was arrested by the order of Lucius. the governor, and ordered to perform sacrifices to idols. The Christian minister replied that as he had long taught others to save their souls, he should only think now of his own salvation. He showed no regret as he heard his fate and walked cheerfully to the place of his execution.
Origen (A.D. 185-254), originally from Alexandria, suffered during the reign of terror under Decius. His writings are still available today. At the age of 64, he was arrested, thrown into a prison and bound in fetters in the city of Tyre. His feet were placed in stocks and his legs extended painfully for several days. He was threatened with fire and tormented with every conceivable means. During Origen’s imprisonment, Decius died and Gallus ascended the Roman throne. Origen was released and died five years later at 69 or 70 year of age.
Under Valerian – A.D. 257
The eighth persecution began in April, A.D. 257, under the reign of Emperor Valerian and continued for three and one half years. Thousands of Christians were mercilessly tortured and executed.
Among those who suffered martyrdom were Rufina and Secunda, two lovely and accomplished ladies. Rufina the elder was engaged to Armentarius, a young nobleman. Secunda the younger was expected to marry Verinus, a person of rank and wealth. However, when the persecutions began, both men, fearful of losing their fortunes, renounced their faith and tried to persuade the ladies to do the same. Both of them informed Roman authorities against the sisters. Rufina and Secunda were arrested and brought before Junius Donatus, governor of Rome, who condemned them both and had them executed.
Saturninus, bishop of Toulouse, was tortured by having his feet tied to the tail of a bull. The animal was driven down the steps of a pagan temple, bashing the bishop’s head against the descending steps until his brains fell out of his skull.
Stephen, bishop of Rome, was beheaded. Sextus succeeded him as head of the congregation. His great fidelity, singular wisdom and uncommon courage distinguished him as a great leader. But in the year A.D. 258, Marcianus, a cold-blooded politician, procured an order from Valerian, to execute all Christian clergy in Rome. Sextus and six of his deacons were put to death.
Lawrence, the treasurer of the church at Rome, was arrested and scheduled for torture. The Roman guard assigned to him thought he could force the godly Lawrence to tell him where the church treasure could be found. Lawrence asked him for three days to prepare his reply. In the meantime, he contacted several poor Christians to attend his inquisition and when the third day arrived, the persecutor returned for his answer. John Foxe tells us that the “… valiant Lawrence, stretching out arms over the poor, said: ‘These are the precious treasure of the Church; these are the treasure indeed, in whom the faith of Christ reigneth, in whom Jesus Christ hath his mansion-place. What more precious jewels can Christ have than those in whom he hath promised to dwell! For so it is written, I was an hungred, an ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in. And again, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. What greater riches can Christ possess, than the poor people in whom he loveth to be seen?’
“Oh, what tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the tyrant’s heart! Now he stamped, he stared, he ramped, he fared as one out of his wits: his eyes like fire glowed, his mouth like a boar foamed, his teeth like a hellhound grinned. Now, not a reasonable man, but a roaring lion, he might be called. “Kindle the fire (he cried) – of wood make no spare. Hath this villain deluded the emperor? Away with him, away with him: whip him with scourges, jerk him with rods, buffet him with fists, brain him with clubs, Jesteth the traitor with the emperor? Pinch him with fiery tongs, gird him with burning plates, bring out the strongest chains, and the fire-forks, and the grated bed of iron: on the fire with it; bind the rebel hand and foot; and when the bed is fire-hot, on with him: roast him, broil him, toss him, turn him: on pain of our high displeasure do every man his office, O ye tormentors.’
“The word was no sooner spoken, but all was done. After many, cruel handlings, this meek lamb was laid, I will not say on his fiery bed of iron, but on his soft bed of down. So mightily God wrought with his martyr Lawrence, so miraculously God tempered his element the fire, that it became not a bed of consuming pain, but a pallet of nourishing rest.”
In Africa the persecution raged with unspeakable violence. Thousands were slaughtered under orders of the Roman government. A special tragedy worth noting occurred in the city of Utica, located in northern Africa near Carthage (the modern Tunis, capital of Tunisia, on what was once known as the Barbary coast). Three hundred Christians were forced to stand around the perimeter of a burning lime-kiln. A pan of coals and incense was prepared whereby each Christian might offer a sacrifice to Jupiter or be thrown into the boiling cauldron. All three hundred Christians refused to renounce their faith in Christ and bravely jumped into the pit.
Sanity and common sense does not permit the telling of all the accounts of suffering on record (or else I would be here typing until the rapture with no sleep or opportunity to eat), but the tyranny of Valerian was not to last. It would eventually bring God’s judgment upon the Roman emperor. The death of Valerian is traditionally known as one of the most dramatic and unfortunate of all the deaths of the Roman emperors. The widely accepted story is that Valerian wanted to end the war with the Sassanians by offering them money. The Sassanian king, Shapur I, sent the ambassadors back to Valerian with a message that he wanted the emperor to come and appeal to him in person. When Valerian went to Shapur with a small retinue, he was seized by the Sassanians. According to Byzantine historian Zosimus, Valerian ended his days in the capacity of a slave among the Persians. The emperor of Persia captured him after luring him into their territory for his much wanted end to Rome’s conflict with them.
Valerian was captured by Sapor, emperor of Persia, and taken to that country as a slave. Sapor treated him with unexampled indignity, making him kneel down and using his back as a stepping stool to mount his horse. After keeping him in slavery for seven years, Sapor had Valerian’s eyes put out, even though the ex-Roman emperor was 83 years old. Still, this did not satisfy Sapor’s desire for revenge. The Persian monarch ordered Valerian to be flayed alive and rubbed with salt, therefore, killing him. Thus fell one of the most tyrannical emperors of Rome and one of the greatest persecutors of Christians.
9. Under Aurelian – A.D. 274
The first Christian to suffer martyrdom under the tyranny of Aurelian was none other than Felix, the bishop of Rome. He was beheaded on December 22, A.D. 274. Another martyr was Agapetus, a young gentleman who lived in Praeneste, a city within a day’s journey from Rome. He was noted for his generosity to the poor. He was arrested and beheaded for simply being a Christian.
These are the only martyrs on record during the reign of Aurelian, which was cut short in a palace coup. He was murdered by one of his servant. Aurelian was succeeded by Tacitus, who was followed by Probus, who was followed by Carus, who was followed by his sons, Carnious and Numerian. During these reigns, the Church had peace.
In A.D. 286, Emperor Maximian revived the persecutions against the Church. Once again, many Christians were executed, having committed no crimes against the government. Also, that was the year of the massacre of the Theban Legion. These troops, numbering 6,666 soldiers, were all Christians. Maximian ordered them to march to Gaul (France) to assist him against the rebels of Burgundy. Mauritius, Candidus and Exupernis, commanders of the Theban Legion, marched their troops across the Alps and joined the emperor. No sooner had they arrived, however, until Maximian ordered a general sacrifice to the pantheon of Roman gods. He also demanded that all troops take an oath of allegiance to help destroy all the Christians in Gaul. Alarmed at these orders, the entire Theban Legion absolutely refused – either to sacrifice or take the oath.
Maximian was so outraged, he ordered that every tenth man be executed with the sword. After the sentence was carried out, the remaining troops remained inflexible. A second order was given to kill every tenth man. This second sentence made no more impression than the first. Upon the advice of their officers, however, they drew up a letter of loyalty to the emperor. If they thought they would persuade Maximum to soften his anger, they were wrong. He commanded that the whole legion be put to death. All 6,666 soldiers were cut to pieces with swords on September 22, A.D. 286.
A Christian lady in Aquintain, France, by the name of Faith, was broiled upon a grid iron and then beheaded in A.D. 287.
Quintin, a native of Rome, toured the region of Gaul, preaching the Gospel. He was arrested by Roman troops and stretched with pulleys until his joints were dislocated. His body was then torn with wire scourges, after which boiling oil was poured over his flesh and lighted torches were applied to his sides and armpits. After he died of these inhuman tortures, his body was thrown into the Somme River.
10. Under Diocletian – A.D. 303
Emperor Diocletian was married to a pagan woman who, along with her son, Galerius, hated the Christian “religion.” They continually persuaded the emperor to launch a series of persecutions against the Church. The fateful day came on February 23, A.D. 303, during the pagan celebration of Terminalia. In the presence of Diocletian and Galerius, troops stormed into a church, forcing the doors open, seizing all the sacred books and burning them. However, this was not enough for Diocletian. The emperor ordered his troops to level the sanctuary to the ground. This was followed by a severe edict that all Christian churches and books should be destroyed and that all Christians should henceforth be considered outlaws. At the publication of this edict, a bold Christian tore it down and spoke out against the emperor for his injustice. He was immediately seized by Roman troops, severely tortured and then burned alive.
A wholesale slaughter of Christians followed, with no distinction made for age or gender. Many houses were set on fire and whole Christian families perished in the flames. Others had stones fastened about their necks and thrown into the sea. This terrible persecution continued for ten years. It is impossible to determine the number of martyrs or to describe the methods of their torture – racks, scourges, swords, daggers, crosses, poison and famine – all were used to execute Christians, not for having committed some crime, but for simply thinking differently about life and the hereafter.
The city of Phrygia was burned, simply because all who lived there were Christians. It’s citizens perished in the flames. Finally, tired with all the slaughter, several governors of Roman provinces began to speak out against the cruelty to Christians. This seemed to dampen the severity of the persecution against Christians. The slaughtering declined, but the torture continued. Many Christians had their ears cut off, their noses slit, their right eye put out, their limbs dislocated, and their flesh seared in conspicuous places with red-hot irons.
Of particular interest was Sebastian, an officer in the emperor’s guard. He was a Christian unallured by the splendors of the emperor’s court, untainted by his evil examples and uncontaminated by the prospects for advancement. After discovering his faith in Christ, the emperor ordered him to be taken to a field outside the city and shot with arrows. His Christian friends heard of the execution and went to retrieve his body for a proper Christian burial. As they picked him up, they discovered that he was still alive. After some time in seclusion, they were able to nurse him back to health.
As soon as he was able to go out, he intentionally placed himself in Diocletian’s way as he was going to a pagan temple. The startled emperor had Sebastian seized, taken to a place near his palace and beaten to death. This time, the emperor was determined that his friends should not retrieve his body, so he had Sebastian thrown into the common sewer. Nevertheless, a Christian lady, named Lucina, was able to remove him from the sewer and bury him in the catacombs.
Diocletian finally tired of his role in ruling and retired from the crown of emperor, appointing Constantius and Galerius to divide the empire. Constantius ruled the Western division of the empire while Galerius ruled the Eastern division. Constantius was a mild and humane ruler, but Galerius delighted in stepping up his persecution against the Church. Of the many Christians who suffered torture under Galerius, I’ll conclude with the stories of a few.
Quirinus, bishop of Siscia, was ordered to sacrifice to the pantheon of Roman deities. The Christian minister refused and was thrown in jail, placed in irons and tortured. The governor had him chained, escorted through the towns along the Danube River and ridiculed. After Quirinus would not renounce his faith, he was thrown into the river with a stone tied around his neck. The minister and his stone floated for some time while he preached to the crowd who came to watch. He is quoted as saying, “It is no new thing, Oh all-powerful Jesus, for Thee to stop the course of rivers, or to cause a man to walk upon the water, as thou didst thy servant Peter, the people have already seen the proof of thy power in me; grant me now to lay down my life for thy sake, oh my God.” Upon finishing the last word, he immediately sank and drowned. He died on June 4, A.D. 308.
Peter, the sixteenth bishop of Alexandria, was martyred November 25, A.D. 311, by order of Maximus Ceaser, who reigned in the East.
Agnes, a virgin of only thirteen years of age, was beheaded for being a Christian; as was Serene, the empress of Diocletian. Valentine, a minister, suffered the same fate at Rome; and Erasmus, a bishop, was martyred in Campania.
These are only a few accounts of the many thousands of Christians who suffered during the ten waves of persecution that swept over the Roman empire during the early centuries of it’s world rule.
Let us conclude our account of the tenth and last persecution with the story of Saint George, the patron saint of England. George was born in Cappadocia, of Christian parents. Being a soldier of great courage, he was promoted in the army of Emperor Diocletian. However, during one of the emperor’s severe persecutions of Christians, George quit his command and went to the Roman Senate to complain. He admitted that he was a Christian and that the emperor’s conduct was extremely wicked. The Senate did not take kindly to George’s demonstration. Upon the orders of the emperor, George was dragged through the streets and beheaded the next day. The legend of “Saint George and the Dragon” is usually illustrated by George seated upon a charging horse and the monster being dispatched with his spear. As far as history goes, this probably never happened. The legend emerged as a parable, wherein the dragon symbolized the devil that was vanquished by his faith, which remained unshaken in spite of torture and death.
The Rise of Constantine
John Foxe reports that “Constantine was the good and virtuous child of a good and virtuous father, born in Britain. His mother was named Helena, daughter of King Coilus. He was a most bountiful and gracious prince, having a desire to nourish learning and good arts, and did oftentimes use to read, write and study himself. He had marvelous success and prosperous achieving of all things he took in hand, which then was (and truly) supposed to proceed of this, for that he was so great a favorer of the Christian faith. Which faith when he had once embraced, he did ever after most devoutly and religiously reverence.”
During the years following the turn of the century, Emperor Maximian’s daughter, Fausta, was married to Constantine. His fame and popularity began to rise in royal Roman circles. The wicked emperor tried to corrupt his daughter to murder him, but she informed her husband of her father’s attempt. Constantine confronted Maximian and forced him to choose by what method he should die. The emperor chose death by hanging and was executed after ruling the empire for twenty years.
In A.D. 313, Constantine traveled to Italy. As he came near to Rome, about sunset, he looked toward the southern sky and saw a brightness in the shape of a cross with an inscription which said, “In this overcome.”
Eusibius reported that he heard Constantine speak of this many times as being true. He said that not only did Constantine see it, but his soldiers saw it as well. That night, Constantine consulted with his men upon the meaning, and after going to sleep, claims that Christ appeared to him.
The rule of Constantine put a stop to the horrendous persecution of Christians in the Roman empire and gave the Church peace for the next thousand years. History records no persecutions against Christians until the time of John Wickliffe.
The “Edict of Toleration” and the establishment of a Christianized Roman Empire, however, became a two-edged sword – a curse as well as a blessing for the promotion of Christianity. We shall see the evil in it in the next installment on the letter to the Church at Pergamos and the church age of time that the Pergamos candle in Christ’s hand in the Apostle John’s vision represents.
In light of this study of the horrendous and nightmarish persecutions of the Church during the Smyrna age under “ten” Roman Emperors, it is rather prophetically peculiar and significant that after the tenth emperor, the persecution would be stopped. The words of Christ’s prophecy to the apostle John regarding his “… ye shall have tribulation ten days …” statement to the church of Smyrna suddenly smacks us in the face as a prophecy that was fulfilled over an age of time. It pours a bucket of cold water on those who insist that Christ’s seven letters to the seven churches contain no hidden prophecy of distinct representations of periods of time within the Dispensation of the Church. It would do us a world of good to understand that there are hidden gems of prophecy and insight within the Bible that hides beneath the surface text that is there to be discovered. If one would doubt that, I invite such a person to read the following from the book of proverbs …
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2).
Further still, regarding this issue of whether or not the letters to the seven churches represent time ages of prophecy fulfillment and not just seven physical churches, we must take into account Christ’s words of admonition when he said … “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” in each of the seven churches letters. This statement most assuredly implies hidden meaning that one must “search out” (Proverbs 25:2) with the leading of the Holy Spirit. The problem is that with many Christians, they see scripture in a two-dimensional view without considering what the Spirit is revealing beneath the surface text for a three dimensional view.
As we continue the study of the remaining five churches, we will continue to see this timed prophecy of the seven churches play out with an accuracy that simply cannot be denied.
Article 4 in this series can be read in the link below:
THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN TIME AGES OF PROPHECY FULFILLMENT: CHURCH CANDLE 3 – THE AGE OF PERGAMOS
Questions and comments can be left in the comment section below (sometimes comments end up in my spam box – will approve them as soon as I check it every day).
END TIMES: DARKNESS DESCENDING 
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