9 June 68 AD. Nero Commits Suicide

9 June 68 AD.  Nero commits suicide.

Dr. Rusten tells the story.  Rusten, E. Michael and Rusten, Sharon. The One Year Christian History. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2003. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Year-Christian-History-Books/dp/0842355073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393302630&sr=8-1&keywords=rusten+church+history

Nero was born in 37 AD. He became at Emperor in 54 AD.  His first five years were sound and sober.  He had good men around him, such as Seneca and Burrus.  In 58 AD, his troubles began. 

He cavorted—as an adulterer—with Poppea.  Tacitus claims she had every gift of nature except an “honorable mind.”  Nero began to throw off restraints including sound counsellors.

Poppea induced Nero to divorce his wife and murder his mother.

In 65 AD, however, in a rage, he kicked the pregnant adulteress, Poppea, and she died.

The Roman treasury was exhausted under him.  Greedy men were about him.  A fire in Rome broke out.  Christians were scapegoated, arrested in large numbers and tortured.

“Some were covered with skins of wild animals and then torn partly by dogs, some were crucified, some were burned as torches to the light the night.”

These were the Christians to whom Paul wrote his magnum opus, “The Epistle to the Romans,” dealing with original sin, actual sins, bondage of the will, free and gratuitous justification under both administrations of the gracious covenant, sanctification and Spirit-wrought baptism into union with Christ, the battle of sanctification, predestination, and election that cuts across the covenant signs—all the great themes of the historic and true church.

Paul and Peter were be martyred under this reprobate and anti-Christ.

Nero suffered further delusions of grandeur and further expressions of his reprobation.

He went to Greece.  He featured himself in Greek plays.  He entered Greek sports and games.  But, since he was the Caesar, all was rigged so he could win.  He was mocked.

Ultimately, the reprobate lost his will to live.  Rebellion encircled him. 

He committed suicide on 9 June 68 and went to hell.  The Christians whom he persecuted entered the joy of their Redeemer in the City Above.

Sources

Angus, S. and A.M. Renwick. “Nero.” ISBE. Rev.ed. 3:521-3.

Blacklock, E.M. “Nero.” ZPEB. 4:410-2.

Gasque, W. Ward. “Nero Claudius Caesar (37-68).” NIDCC. 699