1. The Persecuted Church 100 – 313 A.D.
The Smyrna Church
The Second Seal

2. Jesus continually walks among the churches.

3. Revelation
7 Churches
7 Seals
7 Trumpets

4. Martyrdom
Peter
Andrew
31 – 100A.D.
Bartholomew

6. The First Generation
Peter
John
Andrew
Paul

7. The “Apostolic Fathers”
Clement of Rome
Ignatius of Antioch
The 2nd Generation
Polycarp of Smyrna

8. Clement of Rome
Pope Clement I ?

9. Martyred in 99A.D.

10. Antioch, Syria in Middle Ages
Ignatius of Antioch
Antioch, Syria in Middle Ages

11. Martyred in 110

12. Polycarp of Smyrna

13. Rejected Authority of Bishop of Rome Kept the Seventh-day Sabbath

14. Martyred in 155

16. Third Generation Leaders Justin Martyr of Neapolis
Irenaeus of Lyon
Justin Martyr of Neapolis

17. Apostolic Succession
John
Polycarp
Irenaeus

18. Papal Succession
Peter
Clement I
Benedict XVI

19. The Second Seal
“When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ Then another horse came out – a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a sword.”
-- Revelation 6:3,4
The Red Horse

20. Persecution – 200 yrs.

21. Emperor’s Pontifex Symbol From an Ancient Roman Fountain
Pontifex Maximus
Emperor’s Pontifex Symbol
From an Ancient Roman Fountain
Caesar Augustus

22. Trajan
Hadrian
Marcus Aurelius

23. Persecution
Coliseum in Rome

24. “They are abused, and they bless; they are reviled, and are justified
“They are abused, and they bless; they are reviled, and are justified. They are insulted, and they repay insults with honor.”

25. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
--Tertullian
Catacombs

26. Ebionites
Marcians
Montanists
Docetists

28. Gnostic Gospels
Thomas
Judas
Mary Magdalene

29. Discovery at Nag Hammadi, Egypt

30. Erroneous Doctrines

31. The Eucharist (Mass)
Transubstantiation

33. Letter to Smyrna
“These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:8-11

34. “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you a crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death”
-- Revelation 2:8-11

36. Tests of Loyalty

37. Edict of Milan (313) Constantine Ends Persecution
Diocletian Worst 10 Years of Persecution

38. The Compromised Church