Therefore, humble yourselves under God\u2019s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time., Peter wrote this letter to several brothers in faith who were suffering all kinds of persecution in the Diaspora\u2014or Dispersion, that is, who were exiled from their homelands due to the relentless persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire\u2014and he emphasized that such persecution and suffering came at the behest of the devil who, like a ferocious lion, sought whom he might devour. This was not the case for the so-called "apostates," that is, those who had a "faith" in quotation marks, only in name. Thus, in order to preserve their lives, many who declared themselves Christians chose to rationalize their behavior\u2014using the excuse that "what matters is what is in the heart"\u2014and submitted to Roman law, performing the required pagan and imperial rites, but publicly denying their Savior. Tertullian of Carthage<\/em><\/span><\/strong> \u2014 one of the so-called \u201cfathers of the church,\u201d who lived between the 2nd and 3rd centuries and witnessed such persecution \u2014 condemned both attitudes: worshipping pagan gods or a mere man is something that, in Christianity, is totally unacceptable and, in his own words, the act of carrying a document obtained through bribery to lend sincerity to a lie\u2026 was also not an acceptable attitude. This persecution against Christians never truly ceased, at least not all at the same time throughout the world. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that \u2014 both in the story of the ducks and in the passage from 1 Peter \u2014 the fact that a Christian is persecuted (whether physically or ideologically) is not, contrary to what it may seem, a problem, but rather a consolation! Jesus himself, on the eve of his crucifixion, warned his disciples about what awaited them in a world hostile to his Person, Word, and Work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you were of the world, it would love you as if you belonged to it. Thus, just as Jesus was persecuted to death and persevered\u2014inheriting the name that is above every name (according to Philippians 2:9<\/mark><\/strong>The persecution of all true Christians should be a source of comfort rather than a cause for concern, for it reveals that they, like Jesus, do not belong to the world. In the Bonds of Calvary<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!
Be sensible and vigilant.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.<\/p>\n(1 Peter 5:6-9 \u2013 KJA)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
This, in fact, does not refer to the physical death that many were suffering, but rather to Satan's attempt to turn believers away from Christ, hence the advice to remain steadfast in the faith, knowing that similar suffering was being inflicted on other brothers and sisters around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Roman Empire, worship of the gods and the Emperor was mandatory: no threats were made against those who said they did not believe in the Roman deities or that the emperor himself was divine, as long as worship was offered.
In other words: the worship service didn't need to be sincere, but by law, it had to take place... or severe penalties would be imposed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others, although they did not actually perform the ritual, resorted to a trick: they bribed the officials and thus bought the document that was given to those who had obeyed the law, thereby avoiding penalties, but\u2014by avoiding persecution by hiding behind a lie\u2014completely compromising their testimony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you pretend to honor something that you don't actually honor (just to get away with it or to be accepted), you take advantage of people who think you were being sincere.<\/mark><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When, in the 4th century, the Roman Empire was "Christianized," initially\u2014with the end of persecution during the reign of Constantine and, later, with Christianity declared the official religion of the state in the time of Theodosius\u2014the problem ceased to be physical persecution and became paganization: the influx of many people who merely followed a fad and knew nothing about the true Gospel ended up infiltrating many anti-Christian doctrines into what should have been Christendom.
The persecution became veiled, using philosophical or ideological means that accused those who rejected pagan doctrines of "intolerance" and "fanaticism.".
It's no mere coincidence that this resembles the world today: physical persecution is STILL not happening in the West, but the ever-increasing spread of anti-Christian sentiment, with the same labels being applied to Christians today... it's to be expected that it won't be long before it starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The enemies of God only persecute those who have spiritual life, those who truly demonstrate that they are Christians and witness to their faith, preaching and living the Gospel of Christ: those who are spiritually dead are already part of their domain and, therefore, far from being persecuted, are praised and honored.
That is precisely why \u2014 while true Christians are discriminated against, insulted, and treated as outcasts \u2014 we see many apostates and false believers today gaining more and more space and praise in the media.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon<\/em><\/span><\/strong> This describes the condition very well when it states:
\u201cChristians are not in danger when they are hated by the world, but rather when they are admired.<\/em><\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
However, you are not the property of the world; but I chose you and freed you from the world;
For this reason, the world hates you.
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'.
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
If they obeyed my word, they will also obey your guidance.
However, the world will treat you badly because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.<\/p>\n(John 15:19-21 \u2013 KJA)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Although such persecution may be a source of suffering and sadness, we must never forget that all of this is temporary: even if there are afflictions, Jesus has already overcome the world (see John 16:33<\/mark><\/strong>And one day His ultimate victory will be fully shared with all who trust in Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n