part 1: persecution
catacombs
Here's a few points to consider:
- The catacombs give us an estimate of the number of believers in ancient Rome (about 10%)
- The oldest graves are on the top level: as they ran out of space families dug deeper graves
- Religious icons, and the wealth of the tombs increases in the later tombs
- The tombs of numerous martyrs remind us of how fierce persecutions were
- It isn't likely that persecuted Christians lived in the catacombs but they did go there to bury the martyrs and hold prayer meetings
present day martyrs
Just down the street from the catacombs we are about to visit are the infamous Fosse Ardeatine. I'm sure you don't know why they are infamous so let me fill you in. In 1935 the fascist government declared Pentecostals a "threat to the purity of the race" and banned all pentecostal church gatherings. This meant that people like Roberto Bracco - the founding pastor of the church I attend here in Rome - had to meet in secret. One such meeting was held at the Fosse Ardeatine, just a few hundred meters from where first century Christians had their secret gatherings. Sadly a few years later (in 1940) one of the brothers who had taken part in the secret church gatherings, was arrested for having helped two British soldiers: hiding them in his house. Shortly after his arrest an order arrived from the Nazi officials that 300 prisoners were to be selected for summary execution as retaliation for an attack against German soldiers by the resistance. Though recently arrested, Fidardo De Simoni was among those selected: he and 300 others were taken back to the Fosse Ardeatine, where he had met secretly to worship some years earlier and were shot in the head - this slaughter is today remembered as the "Strage delle Fosse Ardeatine" and city officials gather each year on the spot to commemorate the dead.
Evidence for the persecutions
Alexamenos graffiti (100-200 A.D.)
This crude and blasphemous drawing was found on the Palatine Hill (the most important of the 7 hills of Rome). It shows a Christian worshiping a nude, crucified man with a donkey's head. The writing, in sloppy Greek, says - "Alexamenos worships his god"
What it tells us
Jesus died on a cross - and not a pole as Jehovah's Witnesses say
Christians were hated and insulted
Everyone knew that Christians considered Jesus to be God from the start
This crude and blasphemous drawing was found on the Palatine Hill (the most important of the 7 hills of Rome). It shows a Christian worshiping a nude, crucified man with a donkey's head. The writing, in sloppy Greek, says - "Alexamenos worships his god"
What it tells us
Jesus died on a cross - and not a pole as Jehovah's Witnesses say
Christians were hated and insulted
Everyone knew that Christians considered Jesus to be God from the start
Pliny's letters to Trajan (about 110 A.D.)
Pliny was a Roman historian and Senator, as governor of a remote province he had to deal first-hand with the trials against Christians and in the early second century he wrote to emperor Trajan for advice...
Pliny's letter to Trajan
LETTER 96 - TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
IT is a rule, Sir, which I inviolably observe, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of guiding my uncertainty or informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials of the Christians, I am unacquainted with the method and limits to be observed either in examining or punishing them. Whether any difference is to be made on account of age, or no distinction allowed between the youngest and the adult; whether repentance admits to a pardon, or if a man has been once a Christian it avails him nothing to recant; whether the mere profession of Christianity, albeit without crimes, or only the crimes associated therewith are punishable in all these points I am greatly doubtful.
In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have been denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel no doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others also possessed with the same infatuation, but being citizens of Rome, I directed them to be carried thither.
These accusations spread (as is usually the case) from the mere fact of the matter being investigated and several forms of the mischief came to light. A placard was put up, without any signature, accusing a large number of persons by name. Those who denied they were, or had ever been, Christians, who repeated after me an invocation to the Gods, and offered adoration, with wine and frankincense, to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for that purpose, together with those of tbe Gods, and who finally cursed Christ none of which acts, it is said, those who are really Christians can be forced into performing these I thought it proper to discharge. Others who were named by that informer at first confessed themselves Christians, and then denied it; true, they had been of that persuasion but they had quitted it, some three years, others many years, and a few as much as twentyfive years ago. They all worshiped your statue and the images of the Gods, and cursed Christ.
They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. Even this practice, however, they had abandoned after the publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I had forbidden political associations. I judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses: but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition.
I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts; it seems possible, however, to check and cure it. 'Tis certain at least that the temples, which had been almost deserted, begin now to be frequented; and the sacred festivals, after a long intermission, are again revived; while there is a general demand for sacrificial animals, which for some time past have met with but few purchasers. From hence it is easy to imagine what multitudes may be reclaimed from this error, if a door be left open to repentance.
Trajan's Answer
LETTER 97 - TRAJAN TO PLINY
THE METHOD YOU have pursued, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those denounced to you as Christians is extremely proper. It is not possible to lay down any general rule which can be applied as the fixed standard in all cases of this nature. No search should be made for these people; when they are denounced and found guilty they must be punished; with the restriction, however, that when the party denies himself to be a Christian, and shall give proof that he is not (that is, by adoring our gods) he shall be pardoned on the ground of repentance, even though he may have formerly incurred suspicion. Informations without the accuser's name subscribed must not be admitted in evidence against anyone, as it is introducing a very dangerous precedent, and by no means agreeable to the spirit of the age.
Pliny was a Roman historian and Senator, as governor of a remote province he had to deal first-hand with the trials against Christians and in the early second century he wrote to emperor Trajan for advice...
Pliny's letter to Trajan
LETTER 96 - TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
IT is a rule, Sir, which I inviolably observe, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of guiding my uncertainty or informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials of the Christians, I am unacquainted with the method and limits to be observed either in examining or punishing them. Whether any difference is to be made on account of age, or no distinction allowed between the youngest and the adult; whether repentance admits to a pardon, or if a man has been once a Christian it avails him nothing to recant; whether the mere profession of Christianity, albeit without crimes, or only the crimes associated therewith are punishable in all these points I am greatly doubtful.
In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have been denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel no doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others also possessed with the same infatuation, but being citizens of Rome, I directed them to be carried thither.
These accusations spread (as is usually the case) from the mere fact of the matter being investigated and several forms of the mischief came to light. A placard was put up, without any signature, accusing a large number of persons by name. Those who denied they were, or had ever been, Christians, who repeated after me an invocation to the Gods, and offered adoration, with wine and frankincense, to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for that purpose, together with those of tbe Gods, and who finally cursed Christ none of which acts, it is said, those who are really Christians can be forced into performing these I thought it proper to discharge. Others who were named by that informer at first confessed themselves Christians, and then denied it; true, they had been of that persuasion but they had quitted it, some three years, others many years, and a few as much as twentyfive years ago. They all worshiped your statue and the images of the Gods, and cursed Christ.
They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. Even this practice, however, they had abandoned after the publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I had forbidden political associations. I judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses: but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition.
I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts; it seems possible, however, to check and cure it. 'Tis certain at least that the temples, which had been almost deserted, begin now to be frequented; and the sacred festivals, after a long intermission, are again revived; while there is a general demand for sacrificial animals, which for some time past have met with but few purchasers. From hence it is easy to imagine what multitudes may be reclaimed from this error, if a door be left open to repentance.
Trajan's Answer
LETTER 97 - TRAJAN TO PLINY
THE METHOD YOU have pursued, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those denounced to you as Christians is extremely proper. It is not possible to lay down any general rule which can be applied as the fixed standard in all cases of this nature. No search should be made for these people; when they are denounced and found guilty they must be punished; with the restriction, however, that when the party denies himself to be a Christian, and shall give proof that he is not (that is, by adoring our gods) he shall be pardoned on the ground of repentance, even though he may have formerly incurred suspicion. Informations without the accuser's name subscribed must not be admitted in evidence against anyone, as it is introducing a very dangerous precedent, and by no means agreeable to the spirit of the age.
Part 2: prophecy
The arch of Titus
Two temples: Two empires
- The first temple was built by Solomon
- It was destroyed by the Babylonians
- The treasures eventually returned to Jerusalem
- The second temple was built by Zerubbabel
- It was destroyed by the Romans
- The treasure was never returned...
- On the arch of Titus we can see the only sculpture of the menorah made by someone who actually saw the menorah.
- We also see two silver trumpets on the right - these were made by Moses (Numbers 10:2)
Prophecy and the Colosseum
DANIEL 9 the 70 periods of seven years
It may surprise you to learn that the Colosseum is connected to Daniel's prophetic vision in Daniel chapter 9:24-27 so I encourage you to read this vision, and Jesus' explanation in Luke 21 before we go see the Colosseum.
Here's how it works:
AN IMPORTANT NOTE!
Daniel's prophecies and Jesus comments refer in part to what happened in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 but Jesus speaks clearly of "these things" (which I take to mean the destruction of the second temple) and "that day" (the day of final tribulation and of Jesus' second coming) when he speaks of "that day" Jesus tells us that no one knows the hour but that everyone will see him so remember that Luke 21, Matthew 24, Mark 13 and the different prophecies of Daniel refer speak of two events - one which has happened and was to end with the destruction of the temple and one that is to happen and will end with the visible return of Christ - these events have many common features so ask God for wisdom in understanding the similarities and differences.
It may surprise you to learn that the Colosseum is connected to Daniel's prophetic vision in Daniel chapter 9:24-27 so I encourage you to read this vision, and Jesus' explanation in Luke 21 before we go see the Colosseum.
Here's how it works:
- Daniel 9:24-27 predicts the rebuilding of the temple, the arrival of Messiah and the destruction of that temple.
- Jesus arrives and is crucified at the end of the first 69 sevens (483 years): "to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness - Daniel 9:24"
- Luke 21:20 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains..."
Matthew 24:15 "So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains..." - In AD 70 about halfway into a seven year war between Titus and the Jews the temple is destroyed
- In AD 72 as the war ends construction on the Colosseum begins, funded with the spoils taken from Jerusalem
AN IMPORTANT NOTE!
Daniel's prophecies and Jesus comments refer in part to what happened in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 but Jesus speaks clearly of "these things" (which I take to mean the destruction of the second temple) and "that day" (the day of final tribulation and of Jesus' second coming) when he speaks of "that day" Jesus tells us that no one knows the hour but that everyone will see him so remember that Luke 21, Matthew 24, Mark 13 and the different prophecies of Daniel refer speak of two events - one which has happened and was to end with the destruction of the temple and one that is to happen and will end with the visible return of Christ - these events have many common features so ask God for wisdom in understanding the similarities and differences.