IV. =The Second Imperial Persecution=; under the emperor Domitian, son of Titus, about A. D. 95. This was far more widely extended than the former persecution under Nero; and it was followed by a long series of persecutions, wherein untold thousands of Christians were put to death. The inevitable conflict had come between Christianity and the Roman empire, and it lasted two hundred years; but at its close the cross was triumphant over the Roman eagles. It is not difficult to see the _causes_ of this _struggle_: 1. _Heathenism was hospitable_, welcoming new gods and goddesses, while _Christianity was exclusive_, opposing with all its might every other form of worship. 2. _Idol-worship_ and its services were _interwoven_ with all the _life of the people_; personal, family, social, political. Temples, statues, festivals were constantly in evidence; on all occasions there were rites of worship. But here was a growing multitude of people who stood aloof from these exercises. It was not strange that these people were regarded as enemies of society and of the state. 3. Certain forms of religion were allowed in the Roman empire, but all new forms were forbidden. _Judaism was a permitted_ religion. As long as Christianity was looked upon as a branch of Judaism, it was allowed. But after the fall of Jerusalem it stood alone, an unlicensed form of worship, hence under suspicion; suspicion readily becoming enmity. 4. _The worship of the emperor_ was the one most prevalent throughout the empire. A statue of the reigning emperor stood in every city, and it was a test of loyalty to offer libations of incense before it. This worship is doubtless referred to in an enigmatic manner in such passages as 2 Thess. 2. 3, 4. Rev. 13. 1, 4, 8, 18. This worship was refused by the Christians, who were for that reason regarded as disloyal. From these causes persecution after persecution arose; hundreds of thousands perished; yet in spite of the persecution, the church grew rapidly. Blackboard Outline PART ONE =En. Ag.= Ag. shad. Comp. Paul. Diff. Ch. 125 A. D. "Sec. ra. m." I. =Fa. Jer.= 1.) Reb. A. D. 68-70. 2.) Siege pred. Chr. with. Pel. 3.) Eff. div. Je. Chr. II. =Jhn. Eph.= Last. Ap. 100 A. D. III. =Ris. Her.= 1. Gre. min. 2. Eb. Gnos. 3. Res. 1.) G. 2.) Ev. IV. =Sec. Imp. Per.= Dom. 95. Caus. 1. Heath. hosp. 2. Id. wor. int. li. 3. Jud. per. rel. Chr. unlic. 4. Wor. Emp. Review Questions