“Emboldened From History”

Persecuted for Christ part 2 of 3

Rev 2 & Selected

Part I     The “Early” Church

Part III   Today’s “Postmodern” Church

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Review:

·         The “Heroes’ of faith” passed the baton to us…

·         We’re engaged in an invisible war…

·         As persecution increases, Christians & the Church grows…

Sobering Look at Ancient Rome:

·         Extremely wicked, immoral, Pagan… corrupt Government

·         Worshipped many false gods… Emperor worship required…

·         Temples, Priests, altars, Idols, rites & practices…

Seven Churches of Revelation (Chpts 2-3):

·         Located in Asia Minor (present day Turkey)

·         Actual churches in John’s day; characteristics of all churches

·         They also represent seven periods of church history…

I.        Church in Ephesus “Desirable” 30-110AD Rev 2:1-7

·         The “Apostolic Church”, On-fire, growing, reaching

·         Sound Doctrine, Separated from the world

·         Periodic persecution “scatters” the Gospel

II.      Church in Smyrna “Myrrh, Bitter” 110-312AD Rev 2:8-11

	Unlike the Romans, Christians serve an “Invisible God”
	Politically, religiously, socially, economically decimated
	Widespread persecution from Gov’t & citizens of Empire
	Banned & burned scriptures… Fled to the Catacombs…
	Pressure, Poverty, Persecution – Estimated 5 million martyrs

III.    Church in Pergamos “Elevation, Marriage” 312-500AD Rev 2:12-17

·         Emperor Constantine’s vision of a “burning cross” in the sky…

·         Edict of Milan in 313AD gave “freedom for all to worship”…

·         Commanded babies & Roman legions to be baptized “Christian”, he made pagan, cultic priests & priestesses convert…

·         Replaced false idols with idols of Apostles, Mary, Saints…

·         The True church merged with Roman pagan practices…

·         “Elevated” Christianity to become the State Religion

·         “Married” Christianity to former pagan practices of Rome

IV.    Church in Thyatira “Continual, Sacrifice” 500-1500AD Rev 2:18-29

·         Clerical hierarchy separation from the laity, Latin language…

·         Period known as the “Dark Ages”, Scriptures kept from people

·         Heresy, deception, “Satan’s dark secrets”, mystery religion…

·         Inquisition, imprisonment, torture, death of “heretics”

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church”

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Emboldened to Run…

·         Be Saved and Sure!

·         Be Free and Pure!

·         Be Running Your Race!