Ancient Finding!
Is the dating Correc
t?
The Persecution of Believers
Began with the Jerusalem Church
Persecution Today in Middle East Islam
Spreading persecution to Son of God Believers
June 14, 2008
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
The excerpt from World News, which follows Archive Prophecy Update Number 106, is the first full report concerning the ancient place in the state of Jordan where believers assembled.
I waited for such a report before I commented on it. It will be interesting to see if they find any pottery dating back to the first and second century AD.
But there is no question that persecution of the first church by the Jewish religious leaders and Kings was quite severe. Jesus clearly warned the Church he organized such would be the case immediately after his crucifixion.
ARCHIVE PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 106
February 7, 2003
The Olivet Discourse
Part 4
In Parts 1 through 3, an exposition was given that covered Mark 13:1-8, Matthew 24:1-8, and Luke 21:5-11. It was established that Luke 21:10,11 referred to the second question that the disciples had asked Jesus about coming events in Matthew 24:3, that being “and what shall be the sign of thy coming?”
Matthew 24:3 – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be
? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Luke 21:10,11 – Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: [11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
It was established in Parts 1 through 3 that this verse contains four signs that will be occurring
before Christ returns for the saved. Now, please note carefully the first four words in the verse that follows Luke 21:11.
Luke 21:12 – BUT BEFORE ALL THESE, they shall lay their hands on YOU, and persecute YOU, delivering YOU up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
Jesus returns to answering the disciple’s first question, “when shall these things be,” that is to say, when will the temple be leveled?” He had given them two things already that would be occurring in Luke 21:8,9 during their lifetimes before the temple was finally leveled. Then he changed the discourse in Luke 21:10 by using TOTE ELEGON (Then said he), and gave them the answer to their second question regarding his coming. But in verse 12 he goes back to answering their first question, and begins to tell them what is going to happen to them personally before the temple is leveled. He literally tells them, BUT BEFORE ALL THESE, that is to say, BEFORE THESE THINGS I JUST TOLD YOU THAT WOULD BE OCCURRING AS SIGNS TO LET YOU KNOW MY COMING IS NEAR, HERE IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU AS MY DISCIPLES. And what he states in Luke 21:12 to 17 is precisely what did happen to them to fulfill this prophecy, and thereby answer their first question. This is not the first time Jesus had warned them what would be happening to them after his departure. He had warned them before he ever sent them out alone on their first assignment in Matthew 10:17-22. Let’s compare this with Luke 21:12 to 17.
Matthew 10:17-22 – But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their SYNAGOGUES; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. [20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in
you. [21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:
Luke 21:12-17 – But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the SYNAGOGUES, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. [13] And it shall turn to you for a testimony. [14] Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: [15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
[16] And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. [17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
Luke 21:12-17 was fulfilled during the lives of the disciples, right up to the leveling of Herod’s temple in 70 A.D. The account of their persecution is vividly portrayed in the book of Acts.
It is precisely what Jesus foretold would happen to them long before the increase of the number of nations, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. To those who believe Luke 21:12-17 has yet to be fulfilled, please note that the subjects of these verses are delivered up to SYNAGOGUES, and I have yet to read a commentary indicating that today’s believers are going to be carried by Jews to be tried in their synagogues. They will be under more persecution than true believers in the tribulation period.
The answer to question number 1 has already been fulfilled, and I will continue to elaborate on it, and on question 2, in Part 5.
Begin World News Article from Belfast Telegram
World’s oldest church unearthed in Jordan
[Published: Saturday 14, June 2008 – 13:06]
Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered what they believe to be the oldest Christian church, which was used by Christ’s followers who fled Jerusalem after the crucifixion.
The underground chapel, hidden beneath the Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab, near the Syrian border, is thought to date from between AD33 and AD70, and would have served as both a place of worship and a home.
Abdul Qader Husan, head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, said: “We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians – the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ.” A mosaic inscription on the Saint Georgeous floor pays homage to the “70 beloved by God and Divine” who escaped to northern Jordan from the persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem.
These early Christians practiced their rituals in the secrecy of the underground cave – about 12 metres long and seven metres wide – until the Christian religion was embraced by the Roman rulers. It was then that Saint Georgeous Church
was built on top.
The archaeologists discovered pieces of pottery that date back to the third and seventh centuries, but more important, according to Mr Husan, was the unearthing of a circular area, believed to be the church’s apse, where the altar normally stands, and several stone seats for the clergy.
They also found a tunnel leading to a cistern that would have supplied water.
This will be the focus of further excavations as the team searches for more clues to piece together the chapel’s story.
The Bishop Deputy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Archimandrite Nektarious, described the discovery as an “important milestone for Christians all around the world”. He is quoted in The Jordanian Times as saying: “The only other cave in the world similar in shape and purpose is in Thessalonika, Greece.”
The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism said that it planned to use the discovery to promote tourism in the area. Some critics have accused the archaeologists of exaggerating their claims in the hope of promoting local tourism.
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