Bible Matrix ⑦_161_REV 2:10 – The devil will put some of you in prison to..

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Bible Matrix ⑦_161_REV 2:10 – The devil will put some of you in prison to test you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZFPMYrBfCw

Bible Matrix ⑦: Historical & Scientific Views on Daniel and Revelation

Part 2. Revelation

Revelation 2:8~11 - To the Church in Smyrna, Tribulation/Persecution/Martyrdom, Receiving Only Praise from Jesus

Revelation 2:10 - The devil will put some of you in prison to test you

<Revelation> 2:10 - 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 the crown of life.(NIV); Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.(KJV); Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.(New Living Translation)

○ Just as Jesus said, historically, a few people were actually imprisoned, thrown into the den of beasts as amphitheater, burned at the stake, and martyred. Let’s see some representative examples.

○ The Martyrdom of Polycarp – (1) From the point of view of Christian history, the bishop (or church father or pastor) of the church in Smyrna at that time was Polycarp (AD 69~155 or 156, ministry AD 80~155 or 156), a disciple of John the Apostle(AD 6~100), and he converted to Christianity by the Apostle John around AD 80, and John had ordained him as a bishop of Smyrna. He served as a bishop of the church in Smyrna for nearly 70 years.

(2) Polycarp arrested on the accusation by the Jews: On Feb 23 on Saturday, AD 155 or Feb  22 on Saturday, 156, during the reign of Roman Emperor, Antoninus Pius(reign 138~161), Statius Quadratus, the Roman proconsul of Asia as a Governor, arrested Bishop Polycarp and 11 other Christians on the accusation by the Jews. And the 11 saints were sacrificed as food to wild beasts (lions) in the amphitheater (or circus).

(3) Polycarp was burned at the stake and martyred: But Statius respected Polycarp, so he said the following in order to save him. "I do not want to kill you. Just say one word that Caesar is Lord and Jesus of Nazareth is not, and I will set you free." Polycarp replied, “Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong (or in no way has he dealt unjustly with me). How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a while, and after a little while it is quenched, but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked”, and he refused to burn incense to the Roman emperor. The crowd shouted for him to be lion's food, but the governor declared the game was over. At this, the angry crowd did not retreat and shouted to put him on the pyre. So, Polycarp was burned at the stake, then stabbed or pierced with a spear when the fire failed to consume his body, then burned again, and he died a martyr.

(4) The crowd shouted, "This man is the destroyer of our God as Caesar. He is the father of Christians." Thinking about it now, I think it is the greatest praise as a Christian.

○ The reason why Polycarp's death is vividly conveyed to us is that the members of the church of Smyrna wrote 'The Martyrdom of Polycarp' for the purpose of announcing his death. Currently, the church in Smyrna is gone, but the Polycarp Martyrdom Memorial Church is built on the site and worship services are still being held. (Established in the 5th century -> lost by fire in the 17th century -> rebuilt in the 1960s)

○ The Martyrdom of Pionius: And during the persecution of Christians by Roman Emperor, Trajanus Desio (Decius, reign, 249~251), Pionius, a priest or presbyter of the Church in Smyrna, was put to terrible tortures and burned at the stake along with 15 companions including Sabinus, Limnus, Macedonia, and Asclepiades in  249~251.