The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 23

The European Union in Prophecy
2. Ignited Fires of Persecution
When Jesus revealed to His disciples the fate of Jerusalem and the scenes of the
second advent, He foretold also the experience of His people from the time when He
should be taken from them, to His return in power and glory for their deliverance.
From Olivet the Saviour beheld the storms about to fall upon the apostolic church;
and penetrating deeper into the future, His eye discerned the fierce, wasting tempests
that were to beat upon His followers in the coming ages of darkness and persecution.
In a few brief utterances of awful significance He foretold the portion which the rulers
of this world would mete out to the church of God. Matthew 24:9, 21, 22. The followers
of Christ must tread the same path of humiliation, reproach, and suffering which their
Master trod. The enmity that burst forth against the world's Redeemer would be
manifested against all who should believe on His name.
The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the Saviour's words.
The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of His
followers. Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars
would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The
fires of persecution were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions and
driven from their homes. They "endured a great fight of afflictions." Hebrews 10:32.
They "had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment." Hebrews 11:36. Great numbers sealed their testimony with their
blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, were alike slain without
mercy.
These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of the martyrdom of
Paul, continued with greater or less fury for centuries. Christians were falsely accused
of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities--famine,
pestilence, and earthquake. As they became the objects of popular hatred and
suspicion, informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They
were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society.
Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters.
Some were crucified; others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust
into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief
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