Europe & The Church

The historic relationship between Europe and the Church is a relationship that has shaped the history of the Western World. Europe today stands at a momentous crossroads. Events taking shape there will radically change the face of the Continent—and the world. To properly understand today's news and the events that lie ahead, a grasp of the sweep of European history is essential. Only within an historical context can the events of our time be fully appreciated. This narrative series is written in the historic present to give the reader a sense of being on the scene as momentous events unfold on the stage of history

Rome, A.D64—The capital of the world is in flames! For six days and nights the great fire races out of control through the most populous districts of the imperial city. In its fury, the blaze reduces half the metropolis to ashes.

Many of the architectural glories of ancient Rome are devoured in the flames. Thousands of terror-stricken Romans are made homeless, all their worldly possessions lost. From atop his palace roof,theEmperor Nero views the awesome panorama.

Some Romans suspect the truth. They believe that Nero—inhuman, maniacal, in sane—has personally triggered the conflagration. Fancying himself a great builder, he desires to erase the old Rome that he might have thegloryof founding a new and
grander city—Nero's Rome!

A rumor begins to circulate that the fire was contrived by the emperor himself. Nero fears for his safety. He must find someone to bear the blame—and quickly! To divert suspicion away from himself, Nero lays the guilt at the door of a new religious group—the Christians of Rome.

It is the logical choice. Christians are already despised and distrusted by many. They spurn the worship of the old Roman gods and "treasonably" refuse to give divine honors to the emperor. Their preaching of a new King sounds like revolution. They have no influence, no power—the perfect scapegoats.

The emperor inflicts on the falsely accused Christians horrible tortures and executions. Some are nailed to crosses; others are covered with animal skins and torn apart by wild dogs in the Circus Maximus; still others are nailed to stakes and set ablaze as illumination for Nero's garden parties.

For years the persecution rages. It is a perpetual open season on Christians.

Among those imprisoned and brought to trial by Nero is a man who has been instrumental in establishing the fledgling Church of God at Rome—Paul, the apostle to the Greek-speaking gentiles.

For many years Paul had warned the churches of impending persecutions. He had reminded them of Jesus' own words to his disciples: "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." Paul had assured them that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12).

The world, he had told them, would not be an easy place for Christians. Paul himself had endured much suffering and persecution during the course of his long ministry.For more than two decades he had persevered in preaching the gospel of the coming kingdom of God through many of the provinces of the Roman Empire. Now, at last, his sufferings are nearing an end.

Nero sends his servants to bring Paul word of his impending death. Shortly afterward, soldiers arrive and lead him out of the city to the place of execution. Paul prays, then gives his neck to the sword. He is )uried on the Ostian Way. Theyear is A.D. 68; it is early summer. Most of the leading elders and members of the congregation at Rome are also martyred in the Neronian persecution.

Peter—chief among the original twelve apostles—also meets his encl in a.d. 68. He is condemned to death—as Jesus himself had foreTold many years earlier by crucifixion John 21:18-19

Unfortunately, the headquarters church in Jerusalem— toward which Christians look for truth and for leadership—is in no position to render effective assistance to the persecuted Christians of Rome. It, too, is caught in the midstof upheaval, stemming from the Jewish wars with Rome.

In a.d.66, the op-pressed Jews__Q/ Palestineerupt _into generalrevolt—defying the military might of the Roman Empire!'' Heeding Jesus 'warning (Luke21:20-21), the Christians of Judeaflee to the hills. Later, in the spring of a.d. 69, the Roman general Titus finally sweeps from east of Jordan into Judea with his legions. The Christians escape impending calamity in the hills by journeying northeast to the out-of-the-way city of Pella, in the Gilead mountains east of the Jordan River.

It is now a.d. 70. Titus conquers Jerusalem. He burns the Temple to the ground and tears down its foundations. The city is laid waste. Some 600,000 Jews are slaughtered and multiple thousands of others sold into slavery.

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