Chapter 9—John in Exile
The wonderful success which attended the preaching of the gospel
by the apostles and their fellow laborers increased the hatred of the
enemies of Christ. They made every effort to hinder its progress,
and finally succeeded in enlisting the power of the Roman emperor
against the Christians. A terrible persecution ensued, in which many
of the followers of Christ were to death. The apostle John was now an
aged man, but with great zeal and success he continued to preach the
doctrine of Christ. He had a testimony of power, which his adversaries
could not controvert, and which greatly encouraged his brethren.
When the faith of the Christians would seem to waver under the
fierce opposition they were forced to meet, the apostle would repeat,
with great dignity, power, and eloquence, “That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word
of life; ...that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that
ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with
the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (
1 John 1:1-3
).
The bitterest hatred was kindled against John for his unwavering
fidelity to the cause of Christ. He was the last survivor of the disciples
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who are intimately connected with Jesus, and his enemies decided that
his testimony must be silenced. If this could be accomplished, they
thought the doctrine of Christ would not spread; and if treated with
severity, it might soon die out of the world. John was accordingly
summoned to Rome to be tried for his faith. His doctrines were
misstated. False witnesses accused him as a seditious person, publicly
teaching theories which would subvert the nation.
The apostle presented his faith in a clear and convincing manner,
with such simplicity and candor that his words had a powerful effect.
His hearers were astonished at his wisdom and eloquence. But the
more convincing his testimony, the deeper the hatred of those who
opposed the truth. The emperor was filled with rage, and blasphemed
the name of God and of Christ. He could not controvert the apostle’s
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