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8 Hope of Israel Ministries BIBLE Correspondence Course Lesson 36




arena. THE INFANT CHRIS-
TIAN CONGREGATION AT
ROME WAS VIRTUALLY
DESTROYED!
1. Nero’s government
had, in 61 A.D., released the
apostle Paul after two years at
Rome. Romans 28:17-31,
Ephesians 3:1, Philemon 1:1.
COMMENT: Two years
was the maximum imprison-
ment proscribed by a Roman
“statue of limitations” since in
the meantime no accusers had
appeared against him -- Acts
It was the force of Roman arms that kept the Pax Romana for al-
28:30, 31.
most 210 years.
2. Was Paul seized again
and held at Rome? II Timothy
successor of Augustus, who ruled the Empire at
4:6, 13.
the time of the Messiah’s ministry, and it
3. Did he speak personally before Em-
continued through the reigns of Caligula,
peror Nero? II Timothy 4:16-17.
Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Trajan and
COMMENT: Paul appeared before
Hadrian, to that of Marcus Aurelius.
Nero and was finally beheaded at Rome in
With this fact in mind we can see
January, 67 A.D. Be sure to send for the article
TREMENDOUS SIGNIFICANCE in the words
Where Did the Apostle Peter Meet His Death?
spoken concerning the Red Horse rider, that it
for more information regarding Paul’s imprison-
was “to take peace from the earth.” That was
ment and death.
done so effectively and permanently that
Eventually the Ecclesia of YEHOVAH
STRIFE, WARS and FIGHTINGS have not
God was silenced everywhere in Roman lands.
ceased until now -- nor will to the end. Clearly,
No meetings were allowed after 69 A.D. out of
those words would not apply to the last days of
fear of revolt after the death of two Caesars
our era since there will then be NO “peace” to
already that year.
take away from the earth.
About 90 A.D. Emperor Domitian began
Side by side with the success of the
the SECOND IMPERIAL PERSECUTION.
White Horse came increasing persecution. Nero,
The apostle John was imprisoned on the isle of
the mad Roman Emperor, initiated the first
Patmos in the Aegean Sea where he received the
GOVERNMENT persecution in 64 A.D. A
Revelation and the command to write it down.
disastrous fire had destroyed a large part of
But like Nero’s persecution, Domitian’s was
Rome. It was whispered that Nero himself had
local and spasmodic. Most of the slain were IN
set it, to clear away the slums that cheapened the
ITALY AND IN ROME ITSELF. Once again,
view from his palace, and that he had celebrated
TRUE Christianity, IF ANY, was driven from
by fiddling while the capital city burned. To
Rome.
clear himself -- and safeguard his position --
Nero accused Christians of setting the fire.
Hope of Israel Ministries -- Preparing
Some were martyred by lingering
the Way for the Return of YEHOVAH
torture, others by exposure to wild beasts in the
God and His Messiah!
The Red Horse of Revelation 6:4
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