Persecution in the First Centuries
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A voice came down to them from the throne of God, “Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” [
Revelation 2:10
.]
In vain were Satan’s efforts to destroy the church of Christ by
violence. The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus yielded
up their lives, did not cease when these faithful standard-bearers fell
at their post. By defeat they conquered. God’s workmen were slain,
but his work went steadily forward. The gospel continued to spread,
and the number of its adherents to increase. It penetrated into regions
that were inaccessible, even to the eagles of Rome. Said a Christian,
expostulating with the heathen rulers who were urging forward the
persecution: “You may torment, afflict, and vex us. Your wickedness
puts our weakness to the test, but your cruelty is of no avail. It is
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but a stronger invitation to bring others to our persuasion. The more
we are mowed down, the more we spring up again. The blood of the
Christians is seed.”
Thousands were imprisoned and slain; but others sprung up to fill
their places. And those who were martyred for their faith were secured
to Christ, and accounted of him as conquerors. They had fought the
good fight, and they were to receive the crown of glory when Christ
should come. The sufferings which they endured brought Christians
nearer to one another and to their Redeemer. Their living example and
dying testimony were a constant witness for the truth; and, where least
expected, the subjects of Satan were leaving his service, and enlisting
under the banner of Christ.
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the
government of God, by planting his banner in the Christian church. If
the followers of Christ could be deceived, and led to displease God,
then their strength, fortitude, and firmness would fail, and they would
fall an easy prey.
The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he
had failed to secure by force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead
were substituted the dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and
worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian faith,
while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept
Jesus as the Son of God, and to believe in his death and resurrection;
but they had no conviction of sin, and felt no need of repentance or of
a change of heart. With some concessions on their part, they proposed