Stories of the persecution of early believers at the hands of Roman emperors have been engraved on the collective memory of Christians all over the world and down through the centuries. The Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus wrote that, following the burning of Rome, “Nero falsely accused and executed with the most exquisite punishments those people called Christians, who were infamous for their abominations…” He added that Nero had punished them “not so much for the crime of burning the city, but for hatred of the human race” (The Annals, 44.2-4).
Tacitus’ report, though perhaps biased due to his disdain of Nero, confirms the worst suspicions of Christians regarding the brutality of the Roman Empire. However, few readers pay attention to the fact that Tacitus himself seems to confirm the accusation leveled against the Christians of harboring “hatred of the human race” – indicating that even he may have seen Nero’s actions as justifiable in some strange way. Even fewer have ever stopped to consider that the Romans may have had logical reasons for their repression of the belief in Jesus Christ.
Christians understandably bristle at any attempt to justify the utter cruelty that the early believers faced, and indeed it is clear to anyone with spiritual discernment that the true source of the campaign of eradication against them was the Devil’s hatred of all God’s children on the earth. Even so, it is worthwhile to consider the perspective of the Roman establishment as they sought to ensure peace and tranquility in the vast Roman Empire. This closer look is particularly useful as humanity descends into another dark age that may end up eclipsing that period.
The Roman Empire faced huge administrative challenges and the threat of instability was never far off. The first couple of centuries of the spread of Christianity coincided with the rise of cults that mixed religion and politics – especially in the Asia Minor region. Rome saw the spread of new faiths and the forming of exclusive societies by its subjects as a threat to peace – as shown by Emperor Trajan’s letter to Pliny the Younger: “If people assemble for a common purpose, whatever name we give them or whatever reason, they soon turn into a political club” (Letters, 10.34). The Romans also viewed respect for their idolatry as evidence of submission to their authority, and therefore saw the Christian refusal to worship any other god as political treason and as a potential cause of spiritual volatility due to angering the gods.
Today, we are heading back into a very similar situation. A massive campaign of intimidation by the world elite has turned the majority of humanity into a nervous and jittery herd of largely compliant sheep. It is up for debate whether the information spread by leading figures is true or false, but it is clear that the goal is domination rather than empowerment. In a situation like this, fear is a powerful motivating factor as the survival instinct kicks into high gear. Anyone who dares to violate the will of the “gods” is seen as a threat to stability and survival. Soon to follow are the accusations that “hatred of the human race” motivates this refusal to bow the knee.
We as believers may soon face the wrath of the truly fearful masses if we hold the line against the lies. They may not have the deeply diabolical intentions harbored by world elites, but they are afraid – deeply afraid – and therefore unpredictable. “…The god of this age has blinded [their minds]...” leaving them without the light of the Gospel to combat the darkness (2 Corinthians 4:4). They are as helpless against the wolves as sheep without a shepherd, as “strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). This god-free situation paradoxically leaves them vulnerable to fulfilling Jesus’ words that “the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:2).
In all honesty, we would act no differently if we faced the current crisis without a true relationship with God. We, too, would see the current events sweeping the globe as an existential crisis for humanity requiring the complete surrender of every shred of God-given freedom and dignity. We, too, would soon forget that our lives ultimately are in God’s hands. We, too, might be persuaded that climate change is a threat demanding immediate action to bring about depopulation. We, too, could react to any dissenting opinions as a clear and present danger to society requiring an end to free speech in order to preserve the peace. We, too, might come to the conclusion that all non-compliant religious beliefs must be eradicated for the sake of survival.
Inquisition-like thought police and a humanistic attempt to survive without God is the next stop on the journey at the current rate. Peter did warn us to do our best to avoid causing needless trouble: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:15-16); “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Peter 3:15-16). Even after our best efforts, persecution will come. That is a promise.
Thank God that his cause will ultimately prevail, but it is important in the meantime for us to understand what motivates the masses of humanity surrounding us. This comprehension should move us to deep compassion for them, and prepare our hearts ahead of time to ask God from the depths of his heart beating inside of us: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
The illustration is taken from the following website.
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