Path To Paradise II

Kingdoms (Part II)

Credit: John Sloane art

Wendell drew an arrow towards the statue's legs, then in parentheses wrote (Iron). He eyed Dasnet, and relayed additional information with authority.
"After Alexander died, four of his generals divided the Grecian empire," he emphasized the name of each general, "Ptolemy I Souter, Seleucus I Nicator, Cassander and Lysimachus."
Rudy supplied more details on the four generals.
"Excellent Wendell. You obviously took the time to do your research. I'll add a little more information. History tells us that Alexander's wife Roxanna, and their child were executed at the order of general Cassander.  This left the throne up for grabs.  In the Latin language these were generals were known as diadochi which means 'successors'.  Each man held a region of the empire Ptolemy I Souter took Egypt, Palestine, Cilicia, Petra, and Cypress.  Seleucus I Nicator took Iran, Iraq, Syria, and parts of  Central Asia, Cassander held on to Macedonia, most of Greece, and some of Thrace, and finally Lysimachus,  took Lydia, Ionia, Phrygia, and Turkey. The rising of the four generals and the territory they divided up was also a fulfillment of Bible prophecy in Daniel chapter eight.  And now on that information, Dasnet continue with the next world power, Rome,"
Dasnet turned a slight smile, then stepped into Wendell's space and wrote on the chalkboard.
"The Roman dates of rulership were from 168 BCE to 476 AD. and the prophecy about Rome's expansion can be found in the second chapter of Daniel verse forty."
Wendell frowned. Dasnet flicked her glossy locks and crossed her arms with an air of satisfaction.
Rudy clapped.
"Excellent! Now, Wendell do us the pleasure of reading Daniel 2:40,"
Wendell's shoulders drooped. He  scowled at Dasnet and then turned the pages of his bible in irritation until he reached the Bible verse. He read with a terse tone.
"As for the fourth kingdom, it will be strong like iron. For just as iron crushes and pulverizes everything else, yes, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter all of these."
Rudy walked a slow pace in the center aisle as he lectured.
"Thank you Wendell. Eighteenth century Historian Edward Gibbon described the Roman world power in this way:
'Rome, sometimes vanquished in battle; always victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps...and the images of gold, of silver, or brass that might serve to represent the nations and their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarch.'
So, yes.   The Romans were brutal in war, but they can also  be credited with some other things that changed the world. They perfected the building techniques of other peoples like the Etruscans.  One structure that was improved upon is the arch.  This is important, because it permitted them to make bigger buildings, longer roads, and better aqueducts.  They even built a sewer system called the Cloaca Maxima (the greatest drain) that was still in use from their time all the way to the modern age.
Roman roads in particular, are famous for their longevity. They were built in layers with materials like sand, clay, boulders, and topped with lava like paving stones.  Without the roads there would have been no Roman Empire.  They built a network that eventually encompassed 56,000 miles in just Europe alone.  This system also made the use of milestones so a person knew where they were during their travels.  We also know that because of the efficiency of these roads that a legion of Roman troops could be marched  anywhere within the empire in a mere ten days.  The Appian  Way is a prime example of this.  The main part of this road was commenced in 312 BCE.  and exists down to our day.  This road  was the main artery in the body of  Rome.  It ran from Rome to Brindisi in the Southeast of Italy.  It was essential  for military  troop movement, and also held  economic importance, allowing trade with the East, specifically Greece.  Each time a city was conquered, a road would be made going from that city  back to Rome, the heart of the empire. So, there is truth to that old expression, "All roads lead to Rome."
Rudy walked to the chalkboard, and reached up.  He grasped  a ring that hung at the end of  some thick links and pulled down a world map.
"One of the later rulers, Emperor Trajan was responsible for the biggest military expansion of  the empire. At one point, Roman territory encompassed the land around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.  At it's zenith this world power covered five million square kilometers. So, like the Bible prophesied,  it was one of the grandest and most powerful empires existing at that time."
Cana raised his hand.
Rudy gave the boy a nod.
"Yes, what's your question?"
"What about the atrocities committed in the colosseums? Christians were put to death in those places,"
"Yes, they were.  Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, turned our own savior Jesus over to be whipped and nailed to the torture stake. But, we also know Christians did live in relative peace for a time. They were permitted to practice a profession and take on responsible positions. Mostly, it was up to the local governor or authority to figure out how he would deal with the  Christian population in his area.
Let's turn to Romans 1:8, and read a verse from the letter Paul wrote to the Roman congregation.  Dasnet please read,"
Dasnet:  "First of all, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is talked about throughout the whole world,"
Rudy took up his lecture again.
"Based on this scripture and others, we find that the Roman congregation was a thriving one.  The congregation may have been established sometime after the Pentecost in 33 CE when some Jews and proselytes moved to the Roman capital from Jerusalem because of persecution.  These faithful ones would have seen the effects of Holy Spirit upon those followers of Jesus gathered in that upper room spoken about in Acts chapter two.  Another factor in the success of having true worship spread, was the kind of person in the capital—business people and travelers from all over the empire congressed there. 
Decius carries the distinction of being the first Emperor to persecute Christ's followers. This began in 250 CE when he decreed that the Roman people should offer a public sacrifice, this was basically a formal declaration or oath of allegiance and act of worship to the emperor. Failure to do this publicly resulted in torture and execution. Followers of Jesus were given the opportunity to show their loyalty to the state and the Emperor by burning incense to the Roman gods. Faithful Christians, however, refused. Their allegiance was to Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God, and due to this, they went to their deaths in the colosseums. But, despite all of this, Can any of you tell me what Roman roads also allowed?"
The children of paradise grew thoughtful, murmuring possible answers amongst themselves.
"What were we talking about at the beginning of class?"  Rudy asked when a clear response didn't readily come.
"We were talking about the baptism of Jesus Christ and the commencement of the preaching of the good news," Gabriella answered.
"Correct.  Very good. Wouldn't you say that the road system built by the Romans had a significant part in this grand preaching work at that time?  The scriptures mention that the apostle Paul traveled the Appian way when he entered the Roman capital.  Cana please read Acts 28:14,15,"
Cana stood up by his desk and read:
"Here we found brothers and were urged to remain with them for seven days, and so we went toward Rome. From there the brothers, when they heard the news about us, came as far as the Marketplace of Apʹpi·us and Three Taverns to meet us. On catching sight of them, Paul thanked God and took courage."
"Thank you Cana. Local Jewish leaders accused Paul of sedition (incitement/resistance to lawful authority) and profaning the temple. To receive a fair hearing, he appealed to Caesar and he was sent to Rome along with other prisoners.   Can  any of us imagine being lead to Rome a prisoner, as was Paul.
The first confinement in Rome lasted two years. Paul was able to preach the Good News by receiving visitors to his home. Even the Praetorian guard, an elite Roman military unit, learned about Jehovah.
Eventually, Nero found Paul innocent of the charges made against him and set him free. This allowed the apostle to continue with his preaching activity.
The second imprisonment came around 65 CE.  Christians were blamed for a great fire that burned a quarter of  Rome the year before.  A wave of persecution arose.  Christians were tortured and executed by being burned alive. Nero used them as human torches in his garden parties. Others were thrown into the arenas to be torn apart by wild animals.  Paul was among those that died for the faith.
So, Cana, the answer to your question is, Yes.  In later centuries Christ's followers were thrown into the colosseums. But despite everything Satan threw at these first followers, they stood resolute with the aid of the Holy Spirit. The Good News of God's Kingdom, his government, that had been promised way back when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, was being preached on the roads of the oppressors—so much so that the Christian faith was "...being talked about throughout the whole world...".   Now, let's continue with the final World power..."

Photo credit:  guiderome.com

The Appian Way

Supplemental information:

Matthew 27:15-26 — execution of Jesus.
11 Jesus now stood before the governor, and the governor put the question to him: "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied: "You yourself say it." 12 But while he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him: "Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?"
14 But he did not answer him, no, not a word, so that the governor was very surprised.  15 Now from festival to festival, it was the custom of the governor to release a prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. 16 Just at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Bar·abʹbas. 17 So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them: "Which one do you want me to release to you, Bar·abʹbas or Jesus the so-called Christ?" 18 For Pilate was aware that out of envy they had handed him over. 19 Moreover, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him, saying: "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I suffered a lot today in a dream because of him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Bar·abʹbas, but to have Jesus put to death. 21 In response the governor said to them: "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said: "Bar·abʹbas." 22 Pilate said to them: "What, then, should I do with Jesus the so-called Christ?" They all said: "To the stake with him!"  23 He said: "Why? What bad thing did he do?" Still they kept shouting out all the more: "To the stake with him!" 24 Seeing that it did no good but, rather, an uproar was arising, Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying:  "I am innocent of the blood of this man. You yourselves must see to it."  25 At that all the people said in answer: "Let his blood come upon us and upon our children."  26 Then he released Bar·abʹbas to them, but he had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be executed on the stake.

Philippians 1:12,13 — (Paul preaching the Good News to the Roman guards)
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my situation has actually turned out for the advancement of the good news, 13 so that my prison bonds for the sake of Christ have become public knowledge among all the Prae·toʹri·an Guard and all the rest.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 —    (execution of Paul)
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my releasing is imminent. 7 I have fought the fine fight, I have run the race to the finish, I have observed the faith. 8 From this time on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation.

Genesis 3: 2-7 —
2 At this the woman said to the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. 3 But God has said about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden: 'You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it; otherwise you will die.'" 4 At this the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not die. For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad." 6 Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.  7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened..."

Insight on the Scriptures: Caesar (vol. 1 pp. 381-384)
A great fire ravaged Rome in 64 C.E., destroying about a fourth of the city. The rumor circulated that Nero was responsible and, according to Roman historian Tacitus, Nero tried to protect himself by placing the blame on the Christians. (The Annals, XV, XLIV) Mass arrests followed, and Christians as well as those suspected of being Christians were tortured, put to death in large numbers, some even being burned alive in public. This appears to have marked the start of a great wave of persecution, not from religious opposers, but from political sources bent on exterminating the Christian congregation. Likely Paul, who evidently was freed after two years of imprisonment in Rome (c. 59-61 C.E.), now experienced his second imprisonment (c. 65 C.E.). It is generally held that he thereafter was put to death at Nero's order.​—Compare 2Ti 1:16, 17; 4:6-8.