The Roman Emperor (and persecutor of Christians) Domitian was in power when John wrote his Gospel. He reigned over the Roman Empire from 81 until 96, those closing years of the first century. He is likely the man who was responsible for the Apostle John being exiled on the Isle of Patmos when the New Testament Book of Revelation was penned!
Remember, upwards of 300 Christians per day are being killed for their faith (martyred) every single day across this world! Hebrews 13:3 teaches us concerning the world’s suffering, imprisoned saints … “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
The verse to which I alluded about Paul “voting” to slay Christians … “Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice (vote) against them.” Acts 26:10, suggesting that Paul at one time may have been a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin!
Does Jesus honor saints who died for His Name’s Sake? Yes, He gave dying Stephen a “standing ovation” as the godly martyr entered Heaven! “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus STANDING on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55
Will Jesus continue to reward those who especially suffer for His Cause? “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your REWARD in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12, from Jesus’ very first Sermon in the New Testament!
The first murder in history, that of Cain killing Abel, was an argument over worship! Over Blood Sacrifice!
Jesus is here in this Text helping us not to “stumble!” (Be not offended.) But He did not mention “falling!” Because of Jude 24-25 … “Now unto him that is able to keep you from FALLING, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
I enjoyed studying this hard-to-teach Lesson. And I now invite you to watch the whole class on video …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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