Musings from a very, very modest volume. Suitable for high school only. Although reading children's books are always good introductions to basics. This is recommended in that sense. However, it is not worth much to a serious student.
Structure: (1) First Century (30-100), (2)
Martyrdom and “Victory” (100-400),
(3) Monks, Missionaries and Other Saints (400-1100),
(4) Crusades, Colleges, and Cathedrals (1100-1500),
(5) Reformation on the Continent (1500-1700),
(6) Reformation in Great Britain (1500-1700),
(7) Churches in America (1500-1800),
(8) American Churches in Recent Centuries (1800-Present),
(9) Presbyterians in America (1800-Present).
Appendix and Notes.
Martyrdom and “Victory” (100-400),
(3) Monks, Missionaries and Other Saints (400-1100),
(4) Crusades, Colleges, and Cathedrals (1100-1500),
(5) Reformation on the Continent (1500-1700),
(6) Reformation in Great Britain (1500-1700),
(7) Churches in America (1500-1800),
(8) American Churches in Recent Centuries (1800-Present),
(9) Presbyterians in America (1800-Present).
Appendix and Notes.
Chapter Two: Martrydom and Victory
18
October 96
A.D. Domitian is assassinated. Domitian
was said to be a “cruel monster.” He
killed family and friends. His full title was: Titus Flavius Caesar
Domitianus Augustus. The dates of his
reign: October 24, 81
A.D.-September 18, 96 A.D. Domitian was the third nd last emperor of the Flavian dynasty. He was the 11th
Roman Emperor.
He ruled during St. John’s
times; inferably, Polycarp’s time, the infamous Bishop of Smyrna.
Achievements:
1.
Strengthened the
economy by revaluing the Roman coinage.
2.
He expanded the
border defenses of the Empire
3.
He initiated a
massive building program to restore the damaged city of Rome.
4.
He fought significant
wars were fought in Britain
Negative achievements:
1.
Domitian had totalitarian
characteristics; he saw himself as the new Augustus,
an enlightened Ruler destined to guide the Roman Empire into a new era of
brilliance.
2.
Religious,
military, and cultural propaganda fostered a cult of personality, and by nominating himself
perpetual censor, he sought to control public and private
morals.
3.
His decrees had
the header, “Domitian, Lord and God.” According to Suetonius,
he was the first Roman Emperor who had demanded to be addressed as Dominus
et Deus (master and god).
4.
Tacitus,
Pliny the Younger and Suetonius
published histories stating that Domitian was a cruel and paranoid tyrant.[1]
5.
His reign came to
an end in 96 when he was assassinated by court officials.
6.
The same day as
the assassination, he was succeeded by his advisor Nerva.
7.
After his death,
Domitian's memory was condemned to oblivion by the Roman Senate.
New Testament connections:
The “cult of emperor worship was strong in what was now Turkey…Formal recognition of the emperor’s divinity was a patriotic duty” (Ramsay, 8).
John would be exiled to Patmos. “Antipas” from Pergamum would be martyred. During this reign, John commends the Ephesians and Thyatirans for “patient endurance.” 2nd or 3rd generation Ephesians, however, had lost their “first love.” Sardis seemed “dead.” Laodicea was “lukewarm.”
To the famous church, from whence Polycarp would come and in which he was a bishop, John had this to say, Rev. 2.9-10:
10 Do
not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil
is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you
will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you
the crown of life. 11 “He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
Application:
Accept, believe, confess, embrace,
stay faithful and walk in the fear of the LORD.
This never changes, even when apostate, heretical and pagan Governors
rule.
Semper Fidelis!
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