But the Jews persecuted him in every place, and when he, after his third journey, came to Jerusalem, they laid hold on him and would kill him; but the Roman governor sent him to Rome to be judged by the emperor, to whom Paul had appealed; for he was a Roman citizen. The emperor Nero acquitted him, and it is told that he undertook a fourth missionary journey. During his absence Nero began the first great persecution against the Christians. When Paul came back from his last journey, he was beheaded at Rome, at the same time that Peter was crucified (about sixty-seven years after the birth of Christ.) (Acts 9, 13-28.) 104. The Destruction of Jerusalem The Lord had foretold that there should not be left one stone upon another in Jerusalem. This was fulfilled in this way: The Romans set cruel governors over the country, and at last the Jews concluded that it was better for all to die at once than to be killed one by one. They revolted, and defended themselves with great bravery. Titus, who later on became emperor, came against Jerusalem with an army, and surrounded the city on all sides. It was at the time of the Passover, and a great multitude of Jews from all countries had come to Jerusalem to keep the feast. The famine became so terrible that a mother is said to have slaughtered her own child for food. Over one million of Jews are said to have perished during the siege, and about one hundred thousand were taken prisoners. Titus crucified multitudes of them, others were sold into slavery, or made to fight with wild animals for the amusement of the Romans. Titus had commanded that the temple be spared; but a soldier threw a firebrand into it, and it was consumed. This happened about seventy years after the birth of Christ.--Josephus, a leader of the Jews, has told about the destruction of Jerusalem. He was taken prisoner and was with Titus to the end of the war. The Christians believed the prophecy of the Lord and left the city before Titus surrounded it. Since that time the Jews have been scattered through all lands. The Lord has promised that even they once shall repent, and believe on Him, the crucified Redeemer. 105. The Apostle John Of all the other apostles it is stated that they suffered martyrdom, except John, who died a natural death in the city of Ephesus, one hundred years old; and he thus survived the destruction of Jerusalem. He was for some years exiled to the island of Patmos, but was afterwards permitted to return to Ephesus. He has been called the Apostle of Love, as Paul has been called the Apostle of Faith. It is told of John that when he was very old, and could no longer walk to the assemblies of the Christians he was carried thither, and said each time only these words: My children, love one another! 106. The Writings of the New Testament