Final Years of the First Century A.D.

During the final four decades of the first century, many Christians suffered persecution and martyrdom and false teachers began to corrupt the teachings of Jesus and His apostles.

If Paul had written a letter at the very end of his life which reflected happenings in the world around him and his final message to the church, it may have looked something like this:

I am nearing the end of my journey here on earth. Yes, I did finally get to Rome and God allowed me to contribute significantly to the life of that growing, influential church; to Him be the glory!

However, as I write this letter, I am on my way in chains to Aquae Salviae (5 kilometers from the city) where Roman soldiers will separate my head from my body. I count it a privilege to suffer and die for my Savior as the prophets of old, James, Simon the Zealot, and now Peter have done before me. (My Roman citizenship guarantees me a more merciful death than that of our Lord and Peter and others.) With Nero’s lunacy and the fact that it is now illegal to be a Christian, I fear all the apostles and many others will suffer a similar fate.

Since Nero burned Rome and blamed the Christians, informers are easy to find. And no longer is it necessary to prove accusations; it is open season on Christians. That’s why many are in hiding. Only my dear friend Dr. Luke bravely accompanies me today.

Interestingly enough, as I go to my ‘judgment,’ we are not even sure why I will be put to death other than for being a follower of the Way. Some say it is Nero who insists on my death; others that the prefects of the city are behind my sentencing. No matter. God delivered me from the mouth of the lion and from shipwrecks, and from the Jews. Now I go willingly and without fear, counting it a privilege to live and die for the One to Whom I belong. I desire only that He be glorified whether in my life or my death.

Timothy brought Mark as I had asked in my last letter to him and was promptly imprisoned. I am thankful to God that he was released and now returns to his ministry. My major concern for him and others is not for their physical safety, but that they will stand firm and contend for the faith—that they will see the basic, essential teachings of Jesus and His sent ones as we see them.

We look at Jesus and we see the invisible God!
We look at creation and see Jesus’ handiwork.
We look at the Lamb and see the firstborn from the dead, the Ruler of Heaven and earth.
We look at the One Who was judged and see Him who reconciles all to Himself through His death.

False teachers are turning believers away from the most holy faith. With Jude, I pray you all will build yourselves up in the faith. As I go to my death, I affirm that Jesus is the One we proclaim, warning all not to add to the message that is Jesus. No more, no less. Be mature in Him and battle for the faith.