Podcasts about Domitian

Daily Dose of Hope March 10, 2025 Day 2 of Week 50 Scripture: Malachi 1-4; Psalm 2 ; Revelation 9 Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope.  This is the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.    For our Old Testament reading, we are reading the book of Malachi, all four chapters.  Malachi is the very last book of the Old Testament, a really short book, yet it gets its point across.   Malachi is the Cliff Notes of the Old Testament. In these four short chapters, the author gives a brief summary of the whole Old Testament.  One of it's most famous verses, Malachi 3:7, in one verse, gives us a picture of the dynamics of the Old Testament.  God is basically saying, “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” Your ancestors turned away from me, you have turned away from me. It's time to come back and let me bless you, let me love you, says the Lord. That's basically the whole Old Testament in a nutshell---keep in mind over and over again throughout the Old Testament (over hundreds of years), God's people would commit to following God and then fall away. Eventually, they were so rebellious that God lifts his hand of protection and allows the people of Israel and Judah to be conquered by other nations. We've read through all of that.   Malachi prophesied about 100 years after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon (400-450BC)  As we learned in Nehemiah, only a small portion of people returned to Jerusalem. They rebuilt the city, the temple, and the wall around the city. Yet, after living in exile for 70 years, the people were still corrupted by the pagan culture in which they lived. They were far from God. So, as we read over the past few weeks, Ezra and Nehemiah both had instituted reforms, the people had sincerely agreed to follow God. But within a generation, all the reforms, the promises the people had made were forgotten.   What's interesting is that the people were still going through the motions. They were externally religious–they went through the religious tasks that they were supposed to do but it was ALL about outward behavior. This is the period of time in which the Pharisees & Saducees came into being---there was this emphasis on outward religiosity, doing things which make it seem like you are a good religious person. But their hearts were far from God. And we know, what matters to God is not what's on the outside, it's not our religious busyness, but it's our heart.   Basically, the people are in no better place than before the exile. No matter how religious the people appear to be, their hearts are not right with God. They have allowed the things of the world, their own selfishness, their own distrust, to lead them a drift, seeking fulfillment in anything BUT God. Thus, God will do a new thing. As we read through chapters 3 and 4, we begin to see Malachi point to something that is to come. No rules or reforms will change the hearts of the people. Rules and reforms don't change our hearts. We don't need external changes. Rather, we need someone who will come into our own hearts and transform us from the inside out. We need a Savior, someone to draw us back to God and back to one another. We need Jesus. Malachi 3:1-2,“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. After the book of Malachi ends, 400 years pass before the people get another word from God. 400 years! These were called the silent years. But then, in God's perfect timing, God arrives on the scene in a new way, through the person of Jesus Christ AND Jesus picks up right where Malachi left off. In fact, Jesus' very first message to the people in Mark 1 was to “Repent.” Repent, the kingdom of God is here. Yes, your hearts aren't right with God. Yes, I know you are selfish, self-absorbed, distracted by the ways of the world, I know your heart through and through. Turn away from your ways and come back to me. Allow me to cleanse you, be the refining fire, to purge out all the impurities, all that's harmful, all that's led you astray.   Let's take a look at Revelation 9.  Things are beginning to get kind of hard. Let's do our best to unpack it. The fifth trumpet blows and a star falls from the sky. The star unlocks the key to the abyss. When the abyss is opened, all kinds of evil things come out of it. The people without the seal of God are forced to go through five months of torture at the hands of the scorpion-like locusts who have come from the abyss (five months is the life cycle of a locus). It's all very graphic and hard to take in.   A wider look at the battlefield reveals that the one who rules over these terrible demonic creatures is the king of the abyss, Apollyon. There is a lot of symbolism here that John's original listeners would have understood. The Greek name Apollyon means destroyer. It's very similar to the name Apollos, the Greek god who was the favorite of the emperor of the time, Domitian (who reigned from A.D. 81 to 96).In fact, the emperor so identified with Apollos that he often called himself the reincarnation of the deity.   Domitian was known for his reign of terror against both Jews and Christians. Just imagine, the original hearers of this text would have drawn immediate connections between the king of this abyss and their emperor, who was persecuting them relentlessly for their belief in Jesus. They would understand that while Domitian may be the source of persecution, the true source of suffering was Satan, the evil one, the one who reigns over the abyss. Just when we think it might be over, the author says that it isn't. The first woe has passed but there are more to come. Then ensues a wave of plagues. A third of humanity is killed and then another third. You would think this would be enough to scare the survivors into believing in Jesus. And yet, the Scripture says that they continue to be hardened. They don't stop their evil behavior but persist in resisting God.   Fear and terror have never been effective methods for leading people to a saving relationship with Jesus. That begs the question–how do we effectively point people to Jesus? People are not frightened into the Kingdom (we are stubborn people!), people are not shamed into the Kingdom, lectured into the Kingdom, or forced into the Kingdom in any way. People are loved into the Kingdom. And even then, they have the choice to say yes or no to God's free gift of grace.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

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Gary answers a listener question about the supposed historical fact that Antipas (mentioned in Revelation 2:13) was martyred in the mid-90s AD under Domitian. If true, this would mean the book of Revelation was written after the destruction of the city and the temple in AD 70. Preterists maintain that the book was written during Nero's reign in the mid-60s AD. So which view is correct and why does it matter?

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How cruel was Caligula? How depraved was Tiberius? And how monstrous was Nero? The dark reputations of these emperors owe a great deal to the Roman writer Suetonius, whose 121 AD work Lives of the Caesars offered intimate portraits of 12 rulers of Rome – from Julius Caesar to Domitian. The popular historian and podcaster Tom Holland has just produced a new translation of the Lives and he speaks to Rob Attar about the profound influence of Suetonius' work – and whether it's an example of ancient fake news. (Ad) Tom Holland is the translator of The Lives of the Caesars (Penguin, 2025). Buy it now from Waterstones: http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3090&awinaffid=489797&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-lives-of-the-caesars%2Fsuetonius%2Ftom-holland%2F2928377309039&clickref=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine one day you receive a letter from Jesus and inside is your performance review. Can you imagine getting a report card from Jesus with details of what you're doing well and what He's concerned about?! Well, in the Book of Revelation we learn that Jesus dictated seven letters to the Apostle John when appearing to John in his prison cave on Patmos. Seven letters to seven early Christian Churches, and the first letter (aka performance review) goes to the Church in Ephesus, which we read in Revelation 2:1-7. Now Ephesus was the largest city in Asia Minor–it was rich, powerful, and filled with pagan idols. In Ephesus there are two temples that stand out: The Temple of Diana where people worshipped sex and the Temple of Domitian where people worshipped politics. Life was EXTREMELY HARD for the Ephesian Christians.On the one hand, they were tempted by sexual immorality and on the other pressured to worship political leaders. Here's what's crazy, 2,000 years later we are dealing with the same stuff! We are living in 21st century Ephesus. These letters in Revelation are written TO them, but they are also FOR us today!And while Jesus has much praise for His church in Ephesus (their performance review starts out really strong), He hits them with the truth that despite resisting the temptations of sex and politics: “You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Somewhere along the way, the Ephesian Christians developed a hard heart. Their love for Jesus became cold. Faith became a duty. They were just doing the church thing. And this points to a moment of self-reflection for all of us today, because if you don't have God's love, all you have is dead religion.Watch this powerful message from Pastor Tim Lucas, which is the third in a chapter-by-chapter masterclass unpacking the powerful prophecy of Revelation.A MASTERCLASS ON THE BOOK OF REVELATIONHave you ever read Revelation and wondered, “What did I just read?” The Bible's last book is filled with strange symbols and mysterious messages that confuse modern minds. In this masterclass, Pastor Tim Lucas breaks down Revelation verse-by-verse in a way that's easy-to-grasp without watering down this powerful prophecy. Prepare to have your eyes opened and faith strengthened. Yes, you can read, see, and understand Revelation! #LoveSexPolitics #Revelation #LiquidChurch

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Keywords: John,Book of John,Revival, Character Of God,Free Sermons, Video Sermons, Jesus Christ, What Is The Gospel, Sermon Index, What Is The Truth, kjv bible, Audio Bible, Bible, God, God's Love, Scriptures, Holy Bible, Prophets, Apostles, KJV, Jesus,Christ, audiobook, book, holy life, love, bible verses, king james bible audio, audio bible KJV, king james bible online audio, bible audio, online bible kjv, audio bible kjv, daily bible verse, bible verse of the day, KJV audio, Remastered, Best Version, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Chosen, Salvation, Saved, Christian, Suffering Servant, Arm of the Lord, Plants Roots, Despised Rejected, Sorrows, Peace War, Crucifixtion, The Cross, Violence, Judgement, Master Servant, Life Death, Old Testament, Exposed, Music, Education, Great Tribulation, Endtimes, Top Bible Verses, Bible Topic Prayer, Evangelicalism, bible study, Word of God, scripture, scriptures, Matthew Henry's biblical commentary, bible commentary, Matthew Henry commentary, God's Word, Matthew Henry, studying the Bible, understanding the Bible, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Spiritual, Hope, Jesus Answers Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Prayer, Pray, God Answers Prayer⚠️ Support our ministry: https://ko-fi.com/jesusanswersprayers❓️ How does this chapter apply to you?

Keywords: John,Book of John,Revival, Character Of God,Free Sermons, Video Sermons, Jesus Christ, What Is The Gospel, Sermon Index, What Is The Truth, kjv bible, Audio Bible, Bible, God, God's Love, Scriptures, Holy Bible, Prophets, Apostles, KJV, Jesus,Christ, audiobook, book, holy life, love, bible verses, king james bible audio, audio bible KJV, king james bible online audio, bible audio, online bible kjv, audio bible kjv, daily bible verse, bible verse of the day, KJV audio, Remastered, Best Version, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Chosen, Salvation, Saved, Christian, Suffering Servant, Arm of the Lord, Plants Roots, Despised Rejected, Sorrows, Peace War, Crucifixtion, The Cross, Violence, Judgement, Master Servant, Life Death, Old Testament, Exposed, Music, Education, Great Tribulation, Endtimes, Top Bible Verses, Bible Topic Prayer, Evangelicalism, bible study, Word of God, scripture, scriptures, Matthew Henry's biblical commentary, bible commentary, Matthew Henry commentary, God's Word, Matthew Henry, studying the Bible, understanding the Bible, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Spiritual, Hope, Jesus Answers Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Prayer, Pray, God Answers Prayer⚠️ Support our ministry: https://ko-fi.com/jesusanswersprayers❓️ How does this chapter apply to you?

Keywords: John,Book of John,Revival, Character Of God,Free Sermons, Video Sermons, Jesus Christ, What Is The Gospel, Sermon Index, What Is The Truth, kjv bible, Audio Bible, Bible, God, God's Love, Scriptures, Holy Bible, Prophets, Apostles, KJV, Jesus,Christ, audiobook, book, holy life, love, bible verses, king james bible audio, audio bible KJV, king james bible online audio, bible audio, online bible kjv, audio bible kjv, daily bible verse, bible verse of the day, KJV audio, Remastered, Best Version, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Chosen, Salvation, Saved, Christian, Suffering Servant, Arm of the Lord, Plants Roots, Despised Rejected, Sorrows, Peace War, Crucifixtion, The Cross, Violence, Judgement, Master Servant, Life Death, Old Testament, Exposed, Music, Education, Great Tribulation, Endtimes, Top Bible Verses, Bible Topic Prayer, Evangelicalism, bible study, Word of God, scripture, scriptures, Matthew Henry's biblical commentary, bible commentary, Matthew Henry commentary, God's Word, Matthew Henry, studying the Bible, understanding the Bible, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Spiritual, Hope, Jesus Answers Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Prayer, Pray, God Answers Prayer⚠️ Support our ministry: https://ko-fi.com/jesusanswersprayers❓️ How does this chapter apply to you?

Keywords: John,Book of John,Revival, Character Of God,Free Sermons, Video Sermons, Jesus Christ, What Is The Gospel, Sermon Index, What Is The Truth, kjv bible, Audio Bible, Bible, God, God's Love, Scriptures, Holy Bible, Prophets, Apostles, KJV, Jesus,Christ, audiobook, book, holy life, love, bible verses, king james bible audio, audio bible KJV, king james bible online audio, bible audio, online bible kjv, audio bible kjv, daily bible verse, bible verse of the day, KJV audio, Remastered, Best Version, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Chosen, Salvation, Saved, Christian, Suffering Servant, Arm of the Lord, Plants Roots, Despised Rejected, Sorrows, Peace War, Crucifixtion, The Cross, Violence, Judgement, Master Servant, Life Death, Old Testament, Exposed, Music, Education, Great Tribulation, Endtimes, Top Bible Verses, Bible Topic Prayer, Evangelicalism, bible study, Word of God, scripture, scriptures, Matthew Henry's biblical commentary, bible commentary, Matthew Henry commentary, God's Word, Matthew Henry, studying the Bible, understanding the Bible, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Spiritual, Hope, Jesus Answers Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Prayer, Pray, God Answers Prayer⚠️ Support our ministry: https://ko-fi.com/jesusanswersprayers❓️ How does this chapter apply to you?

Keywords: John,Book of John,Revival, Character Of God,Free Sermons, Video Sermons, Jesus Christ, What Is The Gospel, Sermon Index, What Is The Truth, kjv bible, Audio Bible, Bible, God, God's Love, Scriptures, Holy Bible, Prophets, Apostles, KJV, Jesus,Christ, audiobook, book, holy life, love, bible verses, king james bible audio, audio bible KJV, king james bible online audio, bible audio, online bible kjv, audio bible kjv, daily bible verse, bible verse of the day, KJV audio, Remastered, Best Version, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Chosen, Salvation, Saved, Christian, Suffering Servant, Arm of the Lord, Plants Roots, Despised Rejected, Sorrows, Peace War, Crucifixtion, The Cross, Violence, Judgement, Master Servant, Life Death, Old Testament, Exposed, Music, Education, Great Tribulation, Endtimes, Top Bible Verses, Bible Topic Prayer, Evangelicalism, bible study, Word of God, scripture, scriptures, Matthew Henry's biblical commentary, bible commentary, Matthew Henry commentary, God's Word, Matthew Henry, studying the Bible, understanding the Bible, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Spiritual, Hope, Jesus Answers Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Prayer, Pray, God Answers Prayer ⚠️ Support our ministry: https://ko-fi.com/jesusanswersprayers ❓️ How does this chapter apply to you?

Keywords: John,Book of John,Revival, Character Of God,Free Sermons, Video Sermons, Jesus Christ, What Is The Gospel, Sermon Index, What Is The Truth, kjv bible, Audio Bible, Bible, God, God's Love, Scriptures, Holy Bible, Prophets, Apostles, KJV, Jesus,Christ, audiobook, book, holy life, love, bible verses, king james bible audio, audio bible KJV, king james bible online audio, bible audio, online bible kjv, audio bible kjv, daily bible verse, bible verse of the day, KJV audio, Remastered, Best Version, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Chosen, Salvation, Saved, Christian, Suffering Servant, Arm of the Lord, Plants Roots, Despised Rejected, Sorrows, Peace War, Crucifixtion, The Cross, Violence, Judgement, Master Servant, Life Death, Old Testament, Exposed, Music, Education, Great Tribulation, Endtimes, Top Bible Verses, Bible Topic Prayer, Evangelicalism, bible study, Word of God, scripture, scriptures, Matthew Henry's biblical commentary, bible commentary, Matthew Henry commentary, God's Word, Matthew Henry, studying the Bible, understanding the Bible, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Spiritual, Hope, Jesus Answers Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Prayer, Pray, God Answers Prayer ⚠️ Support our ministry: https://ko-fi.com/jesusanswersprayers ❓️ How does this chapter apply to you?

In this sermon by Chris Romig, the focus is on the letter to the church at Smyrna from the Book of Revelation, emphasizing the steadfast faith and tribulations of early Christians engulfed by a culture of paganism and emperor worship. Pastor Chris highlights how Jesus reassures the Smyrnans that, despite their suffering and poverty, they are spiritually rich. He encourages them to remain faithful, promising the reward of the crown of life and deliverance from the "second death." Chris underscores essential Christian doctrines, such as the divinity of Jesus Christ and the truth of His Resurrection, warning against modern progressive theology that seeks to undermine these foundational beliefs. He asserts the biblical teaching of two eternal destinies, heaven and hell, urging believers to hold fast to the core tenets of their faith. Addressing the theme of suffering, Chris refutes the prosperity gospel, emphasizing that faithful followers of Christ are not spared from pain and challenges. Instead, God values holiness over temporal happiness, promising eternal rewards for those who endure tribulations with faith. Chris concludes by drawing inspiration from Athanasius, an early church father known for his defense of Christian truth against heresy. He offers a prayer for courage and faithfulness, highlighting the legacy of past and present believers who remain steadfast in their faith. The sermon reassures Christians that God's promises are true and that His presence guides them through every trial, just as it did for the faithful Smyrnans.

To know what the text means you have to first know what the text meant. Let's go deep into the historical context of Revelation. Then let's go deep into the literary context John is using. What do we discover? Not simply history but our own stories inside of this first century story.   

There is a tradition that it was the young boy Ignatius whom Christ took upon his knee to explain to His followers that they must become as children to enter the Kingdom. He knew the holy Apostles personally and, with St Polycarp (February 25) was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He succeeded Evodus as second Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria and at that time one of the largest cities in the world. Here, during the persecutions of Domitian, he strengthened the faithful, brought many pagans to Christ, and prayed that he himself would be granted the crown of martyrdom. His flock called him the Godbearer, a title that he did not refuse, for he said that all Christians after their Baptism are truly Bearers of Christ, clothed in the Holy Spirit.   When peace was restored to the Church for awhile, the holy Bishop devoted himself to organizing the young Church on strong foundations at a time when the last of the Apostles had only recently passed away. He established the principle that the Grace imparted to the Apostles at Pentecost was handed down to the bishops appointed by them, and so on through the generations: the Apostolic Succession.   The Emperor Trajan, passing through Syria to make war in Armenia, spent some time in Antioch and initiated a persecution of Christians. Rejoicing that the time of martyrdom had at last arrived, Ignatius presented himself before the Emperor and eloquently declared his faith in Christ.   "So you are a disciple of the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?" asked the Emperor.   "I am the disciple of Him who has nailed my sin to the Cross, and has trodden the Devil and his devices underfoot."   "Why do you call yourself the Godbearer?"   "Because I carry the living Christ within me!"   "Therefore, let the bearer of the Crucified One be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to the lions for the amusement of the people."   And so it was. During the long and difficult journey to Rome, cruelly mistreated by his guards, the Saint wrote a series of letters to the young churches which remain one of the treasures of the Church. In Smyrna, he was able to meet with his fellow-disciple Polycarp and entrust to him the care of the churches whose shepherd he had been. As Trajan had ordered, in Rome he was taken to the amphitheater and, as the Synaxarion says, "entered the arena as though approaching the holy altar to serve his last Liturgy in the presence of the faithful, who were crowded among pagans on the steps of the amphitheatre." In a few moments he was completely devoured by the lions, save for a few bones. These were gathered by the faithful and returned to Antioch.   In his Letter to the Romans, the holy Bishop wrote to some who wished to rescue him from his martyrdom: "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

In this mid-season finale, explore the turbulent reign of Emperor Domitian, his ruthless ambition, and the oppressive persecution he unleashed upon early Christians. This episode looks into the history, paranoia, and imperial cult surrounding Domitian and highlights how faithful believers, including the Apostle John, stood firm against his tyranny. , To join The Church History Project Facebook group and engage in more discussion about released episodes and other fascinating nuggets of church history, you can visit the page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For other questions and comments, feel free to reach out to Jared at thechurchhistoryproject@gmail.com. For more content, visit the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Episode Overview Introduction to Domitian: Background on his rise to power and contrasts with his father, Vespasian, and brother, Titus. Domitian's Reign: His centralization of power, paranoia, and the establishment of emperor worship as a divine ruler. Persecution of Christians: Key incidents, including the exile of John to Patmos and the defiance of Flavia Domitilla. Revelation's Imagery: How Domitian's reign played a role in the apocalyptic visions in the Book of Revelation. Domitian's Death and Legacy: His assassination and the Christian hope that flourished in the aftermath of his reign. Discussion Questions for Small Groups Faith vs. Authority: How do Domitian's demands for worship as “Lord and God” challenge our understanding of allegiance to Christ over worldly powers? Modern Parallels: In what ways does today's culture tempt us to compromise our faith? How can we stand firm as early Christians did? Spiritual Resilience: The Apostle John remained faithful during exile. How can his example inspire us to maintain hope and faith during personal trials? Allegiance to Christ: How can we practically declare, “Jesus is Lord,” in a society that often demands our loyalty to other “idols” like success, comfort, or approval?

Special links! The interview on "Two Creations One Creator" is found on Spotify at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fBBumuP8DngBzRCBp8cXT On to the episode!Rome! City? Empire? Church? Why, yes. This episode deals with all three. Join in for an overview of the significant moments of Rome in the first century for church history. Title: Rome of the First Century Date: 0 - AD 100 Place: The City of Rome, the Province of Judea Key Figures and Events: Nero, Vespasian, Domitian, Clement, Peter, and Paul. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Special links! The interview on "Two Creations One Creator" is found on Spotify at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fBBumuP8DngBzRCBp8cXT On to the episode!Rome! City? Empire? Church? Why, yes. This episode deals with all three. Join in for an overview of the significant moments of Rome in the first century for church history. Title: Rome of the First Century Date: 0 - AD 100 Place: The City of Rome, the Province of Judea Key Figures and Events: Nero, Vespasian, Domitian, Clement, Peter, and Paul. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Those About to Die: Episode 9  "The Die Is Cast" Elia faces Scorpus in a head-to-head race for revenge; Tenax puts on a public execution for the Patricians; Cala finds evidence of Domitian's treachery and betrays Tenax to save Jula; Berenice and Antonia race to get proof to Titus in time.   Those About to Die: Episode 10 "Let the Games Begin" Pitted against one another, Kwame and Viggo fight to the death to save their families; Tenax decides to spare Cala in exchange for her help; Domitian stops Titus from finding out the truth before it's too late. Feedback : blackgirlcouch@gmail.com  (audio/written) Twitter: BlackGirl_Couch   Tumblr: slowlandrogynousmiracle pirvlegage breeds more inner conflitct

This week, Chris continued the Revelation series, The King, with a focus on John, the one whom Jesus loved. There is more historical and cultural context in the book of Revelation than is usually considered. After following faithfully for over 60 years, John was alone on an island when God gave him these visions, which he wrote as a call to a spiritual minority. Revelation is one of the most read, and yet least understood books of the Bible. It wasn't just for the early church, and it's not just preparing us for what's to come. This 5-part series will unlock some of the mystery of this book to discover a deeper understanding of God's ultimate plan for humanity while equipping you to live with more hope, courage, and faith, in a world filled with uncertainty.

Phoebe and Milo are sans-Patrick this week due to some scheduling conflicts, but that doesn't prevent them from exploring concepts such as a morning zoo radio show called 'Marsus and The Milf' and Domitian's camp intrigues... Get the full episode on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/114809059?pr=true

Those About to Die: Episode 6 "Blood Relation" A dark day looms over Rome with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius; Titus punishes Marsus and the Patricians involved in a planned coup; Domitian convinces Titus to reinstate the Gold Faction; Tenax is dangerously wounded in battle. Feedback : blackgirlcouch@gmail.com  (audio/written) Twitter: BlackGirl_Couch   Tumblr: slowlandrogynousmiracle

[teaching text] 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'Revelation 2:7-11“The churches of the land are sprinkled all over with bald-headed old sinners whose hair has been worn off by the constant friction of countless sermons that have been aimed at them and glanced off and hit the man in the pew behind.”H.W. BeecherSMYRNAWhereas the Ephesian church needed to return to past conditions, the church in Smyrna needed to persevere in what was characteristic of it in the present.Dr. Constable's notes on RevelationThey were the churches that heard no word of condemnation from Him, and it is interesting that these two cities, Smyrna and Philadelphia, are the only two which have had a continuous existence [to this day].J. Vernon McGeeCONTEXT OF SMYRNA8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'Revelation 2:7-11Hellenization: the process by which non-Greeks adopt Greek culture, language, religion, and identity.What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.John WesleyThe Roman Emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96) was the first to demand worship under the title “Lord” from the people of the Roman Empire as a test of political loyalty.David GuzikMartyr: a person who is killed or suffers because of their religious beliefs.Emperor worship had begun as spontaneous demonstration of gratitude to Rome; but toward the end of the first century, in the days of Domitian, the final step was taken and Caesar worship became compulsory. Once a year the Roman citizen must burn a pinch of incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar; and having done so, he was given a certificate to guarantee that he had performed his religious duty. All that the Christians had to do was to burn that pinch of incense, say, ‘Caesar is Lord,' receive their certificate, and go away and worship as they pleased. But that is precisely what the Christians would not do. They would give no man the name of Lord; that name they would keep for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. They would not even formally conform.BarclayIS PRIVATE DEVOTION TO JESUS REAL DEVOTION TO JESUS?Christians were martyred because they would not bow the knee to Rome, sacrifice to the emperor as a god and treat the empire as if it had ultimate authority. Christian belief had public consequences.Gerald SittserPOLYCARP OF SMRYNAIronically, this persecution achieved the opposite result for which is was intended. Rather than snuff out the Christian movement, persecution fanned it.Gerald SittserSmyrna: bitter; or suffering (mor=myrrh: Hebrew translation of smyrna)Myrrh was used to embalm the dead.38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus[e] by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds[f] in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 19:38-40Myrrh becomes very fragrant when it is crushed.14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.2 Corinthians 2:14-17Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.James 1:2-4WE MAY NEVER DIE A MARTYR'S DEATH, BUT WE CAN LIVE A MARTYR'S LIFE.HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF MARTYRDOM:MY RICHES ARE IN CHRIST “I know your poverty, yet you are rich”MY HOPE IS IN CHRIST “Do not be afraid”MY VICTORY IS IN CHRIST “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death”Those born once will die twice. Those born twice only die once.D.L. Moody

#Londinium90AD: Gaius & Germanicus debate the cruel yarns re Domitian. DomitianMichael Vlahos. Friends of History Debating Society. @Michalis_Vlahos 1682 Londinium

Revelation, Session Four Christ the Savior, Anderson SC Fr. Anthony Perkins Sources: The translation of the Apocalypse is from the Orthodox Study Bible. Lawrence R. Farley, The Apocalypse of St. John: A Revelation of Love and Power, The Orthodox Bible Study Companion (Chesterton, IN: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2011), Bishop Averky, The Epistles and the Apocalypse (Commentary on the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, Volume III. (Holy Trinity Seminary Press, 2018). Andrew of Caesarea, Commentary on the Apocalypse, ed. David G. Hunter, trans. Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou, vol. 123, The Fathers of the Church (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2011). Jack Norman Sparks, The Orthodox Study Bible: Notes (Thomas Nelson, 2008), 1712. Venerable Bede, The Explanation of the Apocalypse, trans. Edward Marshall (Oxford: James Parker and Co., 1878). William C. Weinrich, ed., Revelation, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005). Review Introduction and Blessing 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. 2. Who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. [speaking of the Gospel of St. John]  3.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.   Greeting to the Seven Churches 4.  John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,  5.  and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.  To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,  6.  and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever.  Amen. (OSB) 7.  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.  And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.  Even so, Amen. New Material 8. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord (God), who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Andrew of Caesarea.  Christ is shown here both as God and as the Ruler of all things, both beginningless and at the same time endless, existing now and existing before and having no end, since he is coeternal with the Father, and on account of this he will render to each one the wages of deeds done. Ps 62(61):12; Prv 24:12; Wis 16:14; Rom 2:6; 1 Cor 5:10 St. Bede.  Who is. He had said this same thing of the Father, for God the Father came, as He also is to come, in the Son. St. Augustine.  The Lord himself said plainly in the Apocalypse, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first”—before whom is nobody—“the last”—after whom is nobody; he precedes all things and sets a term to all things. Do you want to gaze upon him as the first? “All things were made through him.”49 Do you seek him as the last? “For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified.” In order for you to live at some time or other, you had him as your creator. In order for you to live always, you have him as your redeemer. 9.  I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. OSB.  Patmos: A small rocky island 40 miles off the western coast of modern Turkey, fifty miles south of Ephesus, to which the Romans exiled criminals.  John's preaching must have been considered a seditious threat to the public interest if he was indeed a prisoner there. Logos.  According to a tradition preserved by Irenaeus, Eusebius, Jerome and others, John, the author of Revelation, was exiled there in the 14th year of the reign of Domitian and subsequently released to Ephesus under Nerva (96 ad). St. Andrew of Caesarea.  “Inasmuch as your brother,” he says, “being also a co-participant in the tribulations on account of Christ, I naturally have acquired trustworthiness among you. Being condemned to live on the island of Patmos on account of the witness of Jesus, I will announce to you the mysteries seen by me on it.” 10.  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,  OSB.  In the Spirit may mean John received the revelation in a visionary ecstasy (see Ezk 3:12 - Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place.), but more probably that he was in the worship (“in Spirit and in truth”) of the Lord. The Lord's Day is the earliest reference to the Christian name for Sunday. The Didache and St. Ignatius of Antioch show this name was used very early for the day when Christians gathered to celebrate the Resurrection in the Holy Eucharist. As a fulfillment of the first day of the week of the old creation, Sunday becomes the “eighth day,” the “first day of the new creation.” The term “eighth day” is seen in 2En 33:1 (“On the eighth day I likewise appointed, so that the 8th day might be the 1st, the first-created of my week, and that it should revolve in the revolution of 7000; ⟨|so that the 8000|⟩ might be in the beginning of a time not reckoned and unending, neither years, nor months, nor weeks, nor days, nor hours ⟨like the first day of the week, so also that the eighth day of the week might return continually”⟩. and inaugurates the first day of the timeless age to come. The loud voice, as of a trumpet is a traditional, eschatological, apocalyptic introduction describing an appearance of the Lord (see Ex 19:16, 19; Mt 24:31; 1Co 15:52; 1Th 4:16). Andrew of Caesarea.  Having been possessed by the Holy Spirit and having a spiritual ear on the Lord's day, also would have been honored by him on account of the resurrection, he heard a voice that seemed like a trumpet because of the loud sound—“the sound of their voice went out to all the earth”—declaring the beginninglessness and endlessness of God signified by the Alpha and Omega. By it he was commanded to send out his visions to the seven churches, because of the aforementioned number seven applying to the Sabbath period of the future age. For this reason also the great Irenaeus had written that the seven heavens and seven angels leading the rest of them had been created by God first. 11.  saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” And, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. OSB.  The glorified Christ introduces himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, thus identifying Himself with God the Father (v. 8; 22:13). His position amidst the seven lampstands signifies His presence in the Church (see Mt 5:14) St. Bede.  Seven Churches.  The Church of Christ was not at the time in these places alone, but all fulness is comprised in the number seven. Asia, which is interpreted elevation, denotes the proud exaltation of the world in which the Church is sojourning, and, as is the method of the divine mystery, the genus is contained in the species. For the Apostle Paul also writes to seven churches, but not to the same as St. John. And although these seven churches are a sevenfold figure of the whole Church, still the things which he blames, or praises, came to pass in them one by one. Apringius of Beja (Latin Father of the 6th Century). Ephesus means “my will” or “my plan.” He wills that we know that the whole reality of our faith and the dignity of the catholic church is not to be ascribed to human merit, but they are the will of God and the disposition of the divine purpose. Smyrna means “their song.” And what else is the song of the perfect if not the celestial doctrine and the preaching of the gospel and the advance of the Christian religion, or the melodious confession of the catholic church? Pergamum means “to him who divides their horns.” This refers either to the insolence of the powers of the air, or to the arrogance of the heretics. And he teaches that the pride of the powers is always to be separated and divided from the congregation of the church, for the horns are either power or arrogance. He writes to Thyatira, that is “enlightened.” This signifies that, after the expulsion of heretical pride and after the defeat of temptations from the powers of the air, the holy church is deserving of the light of righteousness. Sardis means the “beginning of beauty.” The church is seized by the sun of righteousness and is illumined by the light of truth, so that she might have the beginning of beauty, the Lord Jesus Christ, and might always shine in perpetual light. Philadelphia means “preserving devotion to the Lord.” After possessing the sun of righteousness, after the illumination of holiness, after the comeliness of holy beauty, the church rightly is devoted to the Lord and preserves herself by an inviolable observation of devotion. Laodicea means either “a tribe beloved of the Lord,” or, as some would have it, “a birth is expected.” Both are meaningful, for she who has merited the beauty of faith and the sun of righteousness and knows that through faith the Lord cleaves to her, might also be a tribe whom the Lord loves, who is both loved by the Lord and preserved by the Lord. Furthermore, the church might well await her own birth, either the regeneration of baptism or the glory of the resurrection, whenever she preserves herself by humility and patience.  Pulpit Commentary (BibleHub).  [This] is just the order in which St. John would visit the Churches in making an apostolic circuit as metropolitan. With the exception of what is told us in these chapters, the history of the Churches of Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis in the apostolic or sub-apostolic age is quite unknown. 12-13.  Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment  down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. St. Bede.  Here the figure of the Church is beautifully represented, as holding forth the light of divine love in the brightness of a chaste breast, according to that which the Lord saith, “Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning.” And he denotes its perfection within and without by the two parts of the number seven; and the individual members of it, consisting of the four qualities of the body, “love the Lord their God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength.” 13. Son of Man. He means that he is like the Son of man when He had overcome death, and had ascended into heaven. For “Although we knew Christ after the flesh, yet henceforth know we Him no more.” And it is well said, “in the midst,” for “All,” he saysl, “who are round about Him shall offer gifts.” garment. “Poderis,” which is called in Latin, “tunica talaris,” and is a sacerdotal vestment, shews the priesthood of Christ, by which He offered Himself for us, as a victim to the Father, upon the altar of the cross. girdle. By the “paps” he here means the two Testaments, with which He feeds the body of the saints in communion with Himself. For the golden girdle is the choir of saints, which cleaves to the Lord in harmonious love, and embraces the Testaments, “keeping,” as the Apostle says, “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Andrew of Caesarea.  That the voice was not sensory he signifies saying, I turned, not to hear it, but to see the voice, for spiritual hearing and seeing are the same. I turned, he says, and I saw seven lampstands—which he understood as representing the churches—and in their midst Christ, resembling a man—because he is also God and not a mere man—clothed in a long garment as a high priest of the things above, “according to the order of Melchizedek.” A golden belt was wrapped around him, not on the hip as other men in the era of hedonisms—the divine flesh is inaccessible to these —but on the chest by the breasts also how the boundless and righteous divine anger is restrained by love for humankind. The truth is shown in the girding of the Master's breasts, that is, the two Testaments, through which the faithful are nourished. The belt is gold on account of honor, purity, and genuineness. St. Jerome.  In the law, John had a leather girdle because the Jews thought that to sin in act was the only sin.… In the Apocalypse of John, our Lord Jesus, who is seen in the middle of the seven lampstands, also wore a girdle, a golden girdle, not about his loins but about the breasts. The law is girdled about the loins, but Christ, that is, the gospel and the fortitude of the monks, binds not only wanton passion but also mind and heart. In the gospel, one is not even supposed to think anything evil; in the law, the fornicator is accused for judgment.… “It is written,” he says, “in the law, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' ” This is the leather girdle clinging about the loins. “I say to you, anyone who even looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This is the golden girdle that is wrapped around the mind and heart. OSB. One like the Son of Man recalls Daniel's messianic figure (Dan 7:13—repeated by Stephen at his martyrdom, Acts 7:56). Christ called Himself Son of Man (see especially Mt 24:30ff.), for He is the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. Additional parallels may be seen in both the Old and New Testaments (Dan 10:6; Mt 17:2; Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12). We also see Him vested in high-priestly garments (see Ex 28:4; 29:5; Lv 16:4; WSol 18:24; Zec 3:4, 5). The gold with which He is girded is both royal (1Mc 10:89) and priestly. 14-16.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. [17a.  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.] OSB.  Further, Christ is here described as God, His hair (v. 14) being that of Daniel's vision of God as the “Ancient of Days” (7:9; see also 1En 46:1). His eyes signify knowledge; His feet (v. 15), permanence and stability; His voice, authority or teaching; His right hand (v. 16), power; His two-edged sword, complete discernment. This imagery continues throughout Revelation to affirm the preexistence and eternal divinity of the Son of Man (see also Jn 1:1–18). Thus, in Christ man (v. 14) and God (vv. 15, 16) are united. 1:15 Dan 2:31–44 indicates this mysterious metal foundation not only provides stability but has the ability to forcibly crush all opposition as well. These images are contrasted with the feet of clay found in Dan 2:33, 43: the kingdoms of this world are not permanent, nor ultimately triumphant. 1:16 The Lord holds the stars that represent the seven churches (1:20), and hence, the Church. For Christ is Lord of the Church. In His just judgment, the sword He wields is the Word of God, which cuts effortlessly to the very marrow and heart of humanity (see 2:16; 18:15; Is 11:4; 49:2; WSol 18:15; Eph 6:17; 2Th 2:9; Heb 4:12). The brilliance of His face recalls the Uncreated Light John saw radiating from the Savior at the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. St. Bede.  14. white. The antiquity and eternity of majesty are represented by whiteness on the head, to which all the chief ones adhere, as hairs, who, because of the sheep which are to be on the right hand are white, like wool, and because of the innumerable multitude of the white-robed and the elect, who come forth from heaven, are glistering like snow. eyes. The eyes of the Lord are preachers, who, with spiritual fire, bring light to the faithful, and to the unbelieving a consuming flame. 15. feet. By the “fiery feet” he means the Church of the last time, which is to be searched and proved by severe afflictions. For orichalcum is brass, which, by much fire and various ingredients, is brought to the colour of gold. Another translation, which renders it, “like orichalcum of Lebanon,” signifies that in Judæa, of which Lebanon is a mountain, the Church will be persecuted, and especially at the last. The temple also frequently received the name of Lebanon, as there is said to ito, “Open, O Lebanon, thy gates, and let the fire devour thy cedars.” voice. The voice of confession, and preaching, and praise does not resound in Judæa alone, but among many peoples. 16. right hand. In the right hand of Christ is the spiritual Church. “On Thy right hand,” he says, “stood the queen in a vesture of gold.” And as it stands on His right hand, He saithq, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom.” mouth. He, the Judge of all things visible and invisible, “after He has killed, has power to cast into hell fire.” countenance. Such as the Lord appeared on the Mount, will He appear after the judgment to all the saints, for at the judgment the ungodly will behold Him Whom they pierced. But all this appearance of the Son of Man belongs also to the Church, for He Himself was made the Christ in the same nature with it, and He gives to it a sacerdotal dignity and a judicial power, and to “shine as the sun in the kingdom of His Father.”   Andrew of Caesarea. 1:14. His head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a flame of fire. For even though he is recent amidst us, nonetheless he is ancient; rather, he is before time. His white hair is a symbol of this. And his eyes are as a flame of fire, on the one hand, illuminating those who are holy and, on the other hand, burning the sacrilegious.   1:15a. And his feet were like glowing brass, red-hot as in a furnace. [21] The divine Gregory also understood that the feet meant the divine condescension through the flesh. For his feet by treading on the divinity achieved our salvation. The feet are also the foundations of the Church, like glowing brass, which physicians say is a sweet-smelling incense, which they call masculine incense. Or otherwise: On the one hand, meaning the human nature by the glowing brass, and on the other hand the divine nature by the incense, through both of which is also shown the sweetness of the faith and the unconfused union . Or the fine brass signifies the beautiful melody of the gospel proclamation, and the incense is the return of the nations by which the bride is summoned.33 And the feet of Christ are also the apostles, who have been tested by fire in the furnace of trials in imitation of their Teacher.35 1:15b. And his voice like the sound of many waters. Naturally. His voice is in common with that of the Spirit, from which “rivers of living water flowed from the belly” of the faithful, and it made a penetrating sound over all the earth. 1:16. And he had in his right hand seven stars, and coming out from his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword, and his appearance as the sun shines in its power. [22] Further down he says that the seven stars are the seven angels of the churches. The sharp, double-edged sword means his decision against the wicked, “sharper than any two-edged sword,” or the sword of the Spirit circumcising our inner man.38 Like the sun his face shines, not in a splendor to the senses, but to the intellect. For he is the “sun of righteousness,” shining with his own power and authority, not like the sensory sun, which as a created object by God-given power and divine command.

Those About to Die: Episode 4 "Fool's Bet" Titus shuts down the Gold Faction to appease the Patricians while Scorpus, suspicious of Tenax's plan, joins the White Faction; Domitian orchestrates a grisly spectacle to show his strength; Tenax meets Ursus, a dangerous man from his past. IMDB: 7.1/10 (622)   Feedback : blackgirlcouch@gmail.com  (audio/written) Twitter: BlackGirl_Couch   Tumblr: slowlandrogynousmiracle

The holy Apostle was, by the world's reckoning, the nephew of our Savior, since his mother Salome was the daughter of St Joseph the Betrothed. Called 'the beloved disciple,' St John was the only one of Christ's disciples to follow Him to the Cross. He was entrusted by the Savior with the care of the most holy Theotokos, and became like another son to her, providing for her care until the day of her repose. He preached the Gospel of Christ throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. During the persecutions of the Emperor Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, where he was subjected to various tortures; but when he emerged from these miraculously unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation. After the death of Domitian, he returned to Ephesus and there wrote his Gospel and Epistles. He reposed in peace at a great old age. When his disciples later opened his grave, they found that his body was not there. He is called the Theologian because of the sublimity of theological expression in his New Testament writings.

Those About to Die: Episode 2 "Trust None" Tenax and Domitian form a racing faction and recruit Scorpus; Antonia and Marsus undermine their efforts while Cala offers to help Tenax to protect her daughters; Emperor Vespasian ponders on his successor.   Feedback : blackgirlcouch@gmail.com  (audio/written) Twitter: BlackGirl_Couch   Tumblr: slowlandrogynousmiracle

September 18, 96 CE. After growing increasingly tyrannical, Roman Emperor Domitian is assassinated by court officials, ushering in a period of peace and prosperity. This episode originally aired in 2023.Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more.History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode, host Dana Schwartz (Noble Blood) talks with the cast and creators of the Peacock Original Series Those About To Die about bringing ancient rome to life. Names like Vespasian, Titus and Domitian are instantly recognizable, locations like the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum loom and the gritty underbelly of Roman society feels familiar…and also alien, all at the same time. With that history in mind, it felt important for this first episode of Rise or Die to zero in on the historical inspiration for the series. Why was 79 CE the perfect year to set Those About To Die in? To find out, we spoke to series director and executive producer, Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Patriot) about what drew him to this specific chapter of Roman history. We also talk with series production designer Johannes Mueke, and actors Iwan Rheon and Sara Martins. Stream Those About To Die after the episode, only on Peacock.

G’day and welcome to Partakers and our series Church Moves Ahead, where we look together at the history of the early church, and in particular its persecution. We are taking brief excerpts from an ancient book, Foxes Book of Martyrs. This excerpt is from Chapter 2 - The Ten Primitive Persecutions - The Second Persecution, Under Domitian, A.D. 81. The emperor Domitian, who was naturally inclined to cruelty, first slew his brother, and then raised the second persecution against the Christians. In his rage he put to death some of the Roman senators, some through malice; and others to confiscate their estates. He then commanded all the lineage of David be put to death. Among the numerous martyrs that suffered during this persecution was Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and St. John, who was boiled in oil, and afterward banished to Patmos. Flavia, the daughter of a Roman senator, was likewise banished to Pontus; and a law was made, "That no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion." A variety of fabricated tales were, during this reign, composed in order to injure the Christians. Such was the infatuation of the pagans, that, if famine, pestilence, or earthquakes afflicted any of the Roman provinces, it was laid upon the Christians. These persecutions among the Christians increased the number of informers and many, for the sake of gain, swore away the lives of the innocent. Another hardship was, that, when any Christians were brought before the magistrates, a test oath was proposed, when, if they refused to take it, death was pronounced against them; and if they confessed themselves Christians, the sentence was the same. Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.

This is part 16 of the Read the Bible For Yourself. Revelation is a complicated book of the Bible. It contains some of the most incredible and awe-inspiring descriptions of God's throne room and the final paradise on earth. It also describes sinister mayhem, wanton destruction, and toe-curling persecution. How can we make sense of it? In today's episode we'll go over the basics of authorship, audience, occasion, and purpose. Then we'll explore how Revelation uses visionary symbols to convey truth. Lastly, we'll go over five interpretive lenses through which you can understand the timing of the events in Revelation. We may not settle every issue, but my hope is that this overview will at least prepare you to read Revelation for yourself. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/98OFG5OSjNE?si=jcN6wZnbeqavNFRi —— Links —— See other episodes in Read the Bible For Yourself Other classes are available here, including How We Got the Bible, which explores the manuscript transmission and translation of the Bible Get the transcript of this episode Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here —— Notes —— How to Read Revelation Authorship John is the author. (Rev 1:1-2) It is hard to say if this was the same John who wrote the Gospel of John and the Epistles. Later Christians generally believed Revelation was by the same John. The style, vocabulary, and themes are completely different. John was exiled to the island of Patmos because of his faith. (Rev 1:9) “The Roman government, beginning with the emperor Nero, no longer considered Christianity as a sect of Judaism, which was a legal religion in the empire. Instead, Rome began to view it as an undesirable foreign cult that was a menace to society. John's testimony about Jesus Christ was viewed as a political crime and hence punishable under Roman law. His suffering was the price paid for obeying a different King and testifying to a different Lord.”[1] Audience Rev 1:10 says John wrote to seven churches in the province of Asia Minor (western Turkey). These churches were in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Occasion Ephesus: enduring well, not growing weary, having discerned false apostles well, not loving Smyrna: afflicted, in poverty, slandered by Jews, facing imprisonment, and martyrdom Pergamum: holding fast, though Antipas martyred, tempted with sexual immorality and idolatry Thyatira: loving, faithful, serving, enduring, tempted with sexual immorality and idolatry Sardis: spiritually lethargic, lack vigilance Philadelphia: keeping faithful despite opposition Laodicea: arrogant, wealthy, complacent Did John learn what was going on in these churches? Was that why he wrote? Revelation is so visionary, it's more likely that God prompted John by giving him these visions than that he wrote to detail with specific situations like many of Paul's epistles. Purpose Encourage churches to endure through persecution as well as to correct them Revelation both threatens and encourages. Mode Symbols dominate the visions in Revelation (Rev 1:12-20) The seven golden lampstands = the seven churches (Rev 1:12, 20) The great red dragon = the devil = Satan = the ancient serpent (Rev 12:3, 9) Lake of fire that torments day and night = the second death (Rev 20:10; 21:8) The symbols in John's visions are like political cartoons. “Someone has drawn an analogy between the symbolism of Revelation and political cartoons in our culture, in which pictures represent a reality. They are not to be taken literally, but they are to be taken as pointing to a reality. …So, for instance, I ask my student to imagine a political cartoon in which there is a wagon full of money with ropes tied to both ends of the wagon. An elephant is pulling in one direction, and a donkey is pulling in another. I ask them, ‘Who in the room thinks that somewhere in America there is a literal elephant and a literal donkey fighting over a wagon full of money?' No one does, and I ask them, ‘What does this represent?' and they all know exactly what it represents because they are familiar with Republicans and Democrats in our political system. The picture is symbolic, but it points to a real situation in the world.”[2] The seven heads = seven mountains (Rev 17:9) “At the outset, the angel identifies the seven heads with “seven mountains,” a phrase often used for Rome in the ancient world because it was built on seven hills (see Cicero, 6.5; Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.66–67; et al.; see Swete 1911: 220 for others). The city began with an amalgamation of groups living on the seven hills (Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Equiline, Palatine, Quirinal, Viminal), and during Domitian's reign a festival (the Septimontium) celebrated it. ”[3] Genre Revelation is an apocalypse, an unveiling. It peels back the curtain of reality to reveal God's perspective. Apocalyptic literature employs fantasy imagery to reveal truths about current and future realities. Structure Ch 1  Intro Ch 2-3 Seven letters to seven churches Ch 4-5 Throne room Ch 6-7 Seven seals Ch 8-11 Seven trumpets Ch 12-13 Dragon and the beast Ch 14 The 144,000 Ch 15-16 Seven bowls of wrath Ch 17-18  Judgement on Babylon Ch 19 Coming of Christ; Armageddon Ch 20 Millennium Ch 21-22:5 Paradise on earth Ch 22:6-21 Final exhortations Interpretive lenses Roman Empire (preterist): the visions have already all or partially been fulfilled in the past. “Our difficulties lie with that other phenomenon of prophecy, namely that the “temporal” word is often so closely tied to the final eschatological realities. This is especially true in the book of Revelation. The fall of Rome in chapter 18 seems to appear as the first chapter in the final wrap-up, and many of the pictures of “temporal” judgment are interlaced with words or ideas that also imply the final end as part of the picture. There seems to be no way one can deny the reality of this.”[4] Church History (historicist): Looks for fulfillment in the history of the church during the Roman Empire and afterwards Future Empire (futurist): Sees visions as pertaining to the future Struggles with timing statements “The time is near” (Rev 1:3) “I am coming soon” (Rev 3:11) “He knows that his time is short” (Rev 12:12) “See, I am coming soon” (Rev 22:7) “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near” (Rev 22:10) “See, I am coming soon” (Rev 22:12) “Surely I am coming soon” (Rev 22:20) Allegory: Interprets allegorically as the ongoing struggle between good and evil Two Horizons: Combine both Roman Empire and future empire views Encouragement Revelation contains a blessing for readers. (Rev 1:3) In the end, God wins. (Rev 21:3-4; 22:3-5) Review It's important to remember that John wrote Revelation within the realm of the Roman Empire when persecution from the government was a real threat. He was likely in exile on Patmos. John addressed the churches in Asia Minor, a province of the Roman Empire in western Turkey. Much like political cartoons, it is essential to recognize the distinction between the symbols in Revelation and the reality to which they point. Revelation is an apocalypse or an unveiling of God's perspective on current and future events. Preterists teach that the visions of Revelation, such as the seals, trumpets, and bowls refer to events that took place in the Roman Empire. Historicists see these same visions unfolding throughout the history of the church. Futurists believe these visions pertain to a future time when they will play out as described in Revelation. The two horizons view sees fulfillment in the Roman Empire, which foreshadows the future fulfillment at the end, just prior to Christ's return. Revelation contains many terrifying visions of human suffering and death, but also it has hope for the future when God makes everything wrong with the world right. [1] Mark L. Wilson, Revelation, vol. 4, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, ed. Clinton E. Arnold, vol. Hebrews to Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002). [2] George H. Guthrie, Read the Bible for Life (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2011), 207. [3]Osborne, Grant R. Revelation Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Accordance electronic edition, version 1.0. Baker Academic: 2002, Grand Rapids. [4] Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 271-2.

Friday, 15 March 2024   “I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. Acts 25:26   Festus just noted to Agrippa that he had found nothing deserving of death in Paul. But more, because of the situation, Paul had appealed to Caesar. Therefore, Festus decided to send him. However, there is a problem with this, which he now explains with the words, “I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him.”   It was obvious there were no valid charges against Paul from the perspective of Roman law. He may have offended the Jews, but that was not something that concerned Rome in the slightest. However, having appealed to Caesar, he could not be denied his right to a trial there.   Imagine someone offending his employer at the local grocery store. That is a matter for the store to determine whether he should be fired or not. However, the store manager calls his friend the mayor and says he wants the guy arrested. The mayor calls them both in, finds out that this is a business matter where he has no jurisdiction, and says, “Are you willing to go back to the store for a trial?”   This won't do. The accused knows that the other employees promised to beat him to death if they got hold of him, and so he appeals to the governor, which is his right in this particular country. What is the mayor going to tell the governor? There are no legal charges against the guy, and yet he now falls under the protection of the state. This is like what has happened to Paul. As such, Festus says, “Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa.”   With nothing certain to write in a necessary report to the court of Caesar, Festus saw an opportunity to use Agrippa as a way of alleviating the box he had gotten himself into. And the arrival of Agrippa made the calling of all of the others a valid reason to attend.   In other words, the pronoun “you” is plural. In essence, it says “before you all.” But the attention is especially on Agrippa. Festus is making an open explanation to the entire court, seemingly in hopes of having not just Agrippa, but also anyone else who could provide input, to do so. Festus then says this would be “so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.”   Here, the word translated as “examination” is a noun found only in this verse, anakrisis. It means a judicial examination or a preliminary inquiry. This is the purpose that Festus has for the king and witnesses to listen and consider what has taken place.   Concerning the term “my lord,” kurio, when speaking of Nero in the first clause, Vincent's Word Studies gives Luke an A+. He says it is “... an instance of Luke's accuracy. The title ‘lord' was refused by the first two emperors, Augustus and Tiberius. The emperors who followed accepted it. In the time of Domitian it was a recognized title. Antoninus Pius was the first who put it on his coins.”   Life application: Luke's meticulous documenting of even simple terms like “my lord” shows his devotion to accuracy in what he has recorded. But this should not be surprising. If the Spirit inspired his writings, then they will be exactly what God wants in His word. It is certain that what is penned will be accurate in what the words convey.   It is true that there are many difficult verses and passages in Scripture. Things seem to be wrong, misworded, ill-placed, and so forth. But with careful study, we find that these things are not so. Rather, through such study, we find a perfection of thought and harmony of transmission that brings the entire Bible into a cohesive and amazingly constructed testimony to what God is doing in redemptive history, all centering on the Person and work of Jesus Christ.   When we see this, it will solidify, not weaken, our faith in what is penned there. Don't be afraid to spend the necessary time checking things out. And don't be afraid to question the text, as if it would mean you are somehow lacking faith that this is truly the word of God. Rather, question it all the more stringently.   Each time you find an answer to your question, you will be bolstered in your faith that it is what it claims to be! God is anticipating spiritual strength in His people. That comes through care, contemplation, testing, and proving. So be about it! In this, He will be pleased, and you will be more firmly set in your faith.   Lord God, how wonderful it is to check out Your word and find that what we questioned has been validated through careful study. We are then strengthened in our faith, and we can have a greater resolve in the matters of faith that Your word proclaims. When we are grounded in Your word, we will be grounded in the Subject of Your word, our Lord Jesus! With this, nothing will pull us away from our devotion to You. Amen.  

Martial was a Roman poet primarily writing during the reign of Domitian, and while primarily known for his commentary on Roman life, his takedowns, his insults and vulgarity, in this episode we look at how he toes the careful line of praising the Emperor. Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

There is a tradition that it was the young boy Ignatius whom Christ took upon his knee to explain to His followers that they must become as children to enter the Kingdom. He knew the holy Apostles personally and, with St Polycarp (February 25) was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He succeeded Evodus as second Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria and at that time one of the largest cities in the world. Here, during the persecutions of Domitian, he strengthened the faithful, brought many pagans to Christ, and prayed that he himself would be granted the crown of martyrdom. His flock called him the Godbearer, a title that he did not refuse, for he said that all Christians after their Baptism are truly Bearers of Christ, clothed in the Holy Spirit.   When peace was restored to the Church for awhile, the holy Bishop devoted himself to organizing the young Church on strong foundations at a time when the last of the Apostles had only recently passed away. He established the principle that the Grace imparted to the Apostles at Pentecost was handed down to the bishops appointed by them, and so on through the generations: the Apostolic Succession.   The Emperor Trajan, passing through Syria to make war in Armenia, spent some time in Antioch and initiated a persecution of Christians. Rejoicing that the time of martyrdom had at last arrived, Ignatius presented himself before the Emperor and eloquently declared his faith in Christ.   "So you are a disciple of the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?" asked the Emperor.   "I am the disciple of Him who has nailed my sin to the Cross, and has trodden the Devil and his devices underfoot."   "Why do you call yourself the Godbearer?"   "Because I carry the living Christ within me!"   "Therefore, let the bearer of the Crucified One be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to the lions for the amusement of the people."   And so it was. During the long and difficult journey to Rome, cruelly mistreated by his guards, the Saint wrote a series of letters to the young churches which remain one of the treasures of the Church. In Smyrna, he was able to meet with his fellow-disciple Polycarp and entrust to him the care of the churches whose shepherd he had been. As Trajan had ordered, in Rome he was taken to the amphitheater and, as the Synaxarion says, "entered the arena as though approaching the holy altar to serve his last Liturgy in the presence of the faithful, who were crowded among pagans on the steps of the amphitheatre." In a few moments he was completely devoured by the lions, save for a few bones. These were gathered by the faithful and returned to Antioch.   In his Letter to the Romans, the holy Bishop wrote to some who wished to rescue him from his martyrdom: "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

There is a tradition that it was the young boy Ignatius whom Christ took upon his knee to explain to His followers that they must become as children to enter the Kingdom. He knew the holy Apostles personally and, with St Polycarp (February 25) was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He succeeded Evodus as second Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria and at that time one of the largest cities in the world. Here, during the persecutions of Domitian, he strengthened the faithful, brought many pagans to Christ, and prayed that he himself would be granted the crown of martyrdom. His flock called him the Godbearer, a title that he did not refuse, for he said that all Christians after their Baptism are truly Bearers of Christ, clothed in the Holy Spirit.   When peace was restored to the Church for awhile, the holy Bishop devoted himself to organizing the young Church on strong foundations at a time when the last of the Apostles had only recently passed away. He established the principle that the Grace imparted to the Apostles at Pentecost was handed down to the bishops appointed by them, and so on through the generations: the Apostolic Succession.   The Emperor Trajan, passing through Syria to make war in Armenia, spent some time in Antioch and initiated a persecution of Christians. Rejoicing that the time of martyrdom had at last arrived, Ignatius presented himself before the Emperor and eloquently declared his faith in Christ.   "So you are a disciple of the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?" asked the Emperor.   "I am the disciple of Him who has nailed my sin to the Cross, and has trodden the Devil and his devices underfoot."   "Why do you call yourself the Godbearer?"   "Because I carry the living Christ within me!"   "Therefore, let the bearer of the Crucified One be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to the lions for the amusement of the people."   And so it was. During the long and difficult journey to Rome, cruelly mistreated by his guards, the Saint wrote a series of letters to the young churches which remain one of the treasures of the Church. In Smyrna, he was able to meet with his fellow-disciple Polycarp and entrust to him the care of the churches whose shepherd he had been. As Trajan had ordered, in Rome he was taken to the amphitheater and, as the Synaxarion says, "entered the arena as though approaching the holy altar to serve his last Liturgy in the presence of the faithful, who were crowded among pagans on the steps of the amphitheatre." In a few moments he was completely devoured by the lions, save for a few bones. These were gathered by the faithful and returned to Antioch.   In his Letter to the Romans, the holy Bishop wrote to some who wished to rescue him from his martyrdom: "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

September 18, 96 CE. After growing increasingly tyrannical, Roman Emperor Domitian is assassinated by court officials, ushering in a period of peace and prosperity.You can listen ad-free in the Wondery or Amazon Music app. Or for all that and more, go to IntoHistory.comHistory Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.