The Diocletian Persecution upon the Christian Church was very severe. As time wore on for the Church, Diocletian be came came convinced that there was a Christian conspiracy against him, this led to a dercee demanding the arrest leaders of the Church where they could be found, this action then led to not only arresting Christians, but now , pressure was put upon Christians to renounce their alliance to Jesus and sacrifice at the alter of the gods.
The persecution against the Church was very cruel and the pressure difficult, many gave in and offered sacrifices to the Roman gods.
Diocletian Abdicates
In the year 304 AD, Diocletian became ill, this gave opportunity for Galeiurs, who wanted to be the Supreme Emperor to move politically against Diocletian, at first, Galerius fained concern for Diocletian. When this tactic failed to secure the abdication of Diocletian , Galerius then brought threats against his weaken rival.
In 305 AD, Diocletian left the throne of the Empire and Galerius consolidated his place as the Supreme Emperor. Galerius' politicking led to the abdication of Maximian as well, this left Galerius and Constantius Chlorus each claiming the title of Augustus, and under them were two weak appointees, Severus and Maximinus Daia.
Discontent Begins
This new order of governance did not abide well with many in the Roman legions. In the Legion of Rome were the sons of both Constantius and Maximian ,Constantine and Maxentius respectively, both of them were very well like and admired by many with in in the Legions.
Galerius brought Constantine to his court holding him hostage, this was done to assure that his father Constantius Chlorus would be loyal to Galerius.
Constantine, however, was able to escape and went to his father. When Constantius Chlorus died the legions under his command pledged loyalty to his son Constantine and they then declared him to be their Augustus.
Maxentius had been taken to Rome where Galerius' appointee Severus ruled.Severus committed suicide. Galerius began to lose control of the situation with in the Empire.
As the situation in the Roman Government worsened, Galerius appealed to his his predecessor Diocletian , asking him to give assistance in managing the problem. Diocletian refused his help, other than, that of being a negotiator , and the condition deteriorated.
Many claimants came forward demanding appoint to the position(s) of power. Gaelrius wishing to avoid a civil war, and to keep his hold on power firm, he finally reached an agreement, this tenuous agreement led to the appointment of Licinius.
Preparing the Way
All the political motion and chaos within the Empire was setting stage for what would ultimetly lead to the legalization Christianity. As suitors to the position(s) of power came forward, Constantine was using his time, gaining power and resources, waiting for the right moment to move so that he ascend the throne of the whole of the Empire.
ven as the winds of Imperial politics blew, the Church was still being persecuted by Galerius. Many Christians were being sent as slaves into the stone quarries of the Empire as well as other forms of slavery.
This action, of sending Christians into slavery and or banishment in some cases, often had unintended consequences. As Christians found themselves being scattered to varies places they began to share their faith in Jesus, and to proclaim the Gospel to those who needed to hear it the most. What was occurring is very much like we see in St. Luke's account in Acts:
"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts:8:1-4
Those scattered Christians who were impressed into slavery or banishment, found themselves Missionaries and Evangelist to those who needed hope the most. As a result Slave Churches arose wherever these Christians founded themselves, the Holy Spirit already having prepared the way for the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
The Time Had Come
As Gaelerius' persecution against Christians wore on,the Emperor's health began to deteriorate. Some Christians attributed this to the hand of God against Rome and Galerius himself. This led to Galerius suspending his persecution against Christians as he issued a decree on April 30th 311 AD. Five days later Galerius died of his sickness.
Many Christians were released from the prisons around the Empire, many however, had died in the terrible persecution over the years.
Civil War
The Empire was now under the divided control of Licinius, Maximinus Daia, Constantine and Maxentius. There was mutual recognition thee of the rulers, Maxentius revived no recognition from the other three.
For Christians in the Empire most persecution had come to and end, but some unhappy few were still being by Maximinus Daia.
Constantine was now ready for power, he ready his legions in Gaul and then led them over the Alps and into Italy. His forces stormed Rome where Maxentius ruled. Maxentius was unprepared for the attack, Constantine's legions took the city and occupied the area with Mazentius held up behind the city walls.
In Hoc Signo Vinces
There are differing accounts as to what actually took place one Christian historian who was an acquaintance of Constantine records that on the evening prior to the battle Constantine had a vision or revelation. Lactantius said, that Constantine had a dream in which commanded to place a Christians symbol upon the shields of his legionnaires.
Eusebius wrote in History of the Church, that Constantine saw a vision in the clouds of a Cross, or the Labarum, the letters PX, also called in Geek the Chi Rho, and saw the words "In Hoc Signo Vinces" which means by "in this sign you will conquer" .
What ever it was that Constantine saw or heard ,he followed the instructions and placed a symbol upon his soldiers shields. Maxentius was defeated and was killed at the Milvian Bridge. Constantine won the victory and consolidated his power over the Empire.
After the battle, Constantine met with Licinius at Milan in North Italy in Febuary of 313 AD, and the two leaders made an alliance together which led to the "Edict of Milan" in 313 AD, this put an end to most of the persecution against Christians, yet some persecution still persisted for a time.
It is generally conceded by historians and scholars, both Ecclesiastical and Secular, that Constantine was not a genuine convert to Christianity. It is known that Constantine funded and even encouraged some to worship the "Sol Invictus" , that is the "Unconquered Sun", and he even funded pagan temple to the "gods", yet, the Edict of Milan restored properties to Christians and gave the Church freedom to worship and to carry out it's mission for a season of peace ; for God's own purpose he raised up Constantine to accomplish his will in the Earth.
Benediction: May we each and ll give
glory to our Lord Jesus Christ who's Kingdom rules, even in the kingdom's
of man, today, tomorrow and forevermore .Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike, Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301 www.gcfountainoflife.org
The Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike, Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301 www.gcfountainoflife.org
The Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/
"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"
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