for the distant congregations addressed. The persecution was evidently raging in Rome, whence the letter was written, but it was rapidly spreading also in the provinces of the Empire. The language used shows it was no isolated capricious onslaught, but a systematic and legalized attack on the religion of Jesus. To quote a few passages:
"Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness by reason of manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (i. 6, 7).
"If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. . . . It is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing" (iii. 14-17).
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (iv. 12).
"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. . . . If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (iv. 14-16).
"Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (v. 9).
Revelation of S. John, CIRCA A.D. 90
The Apocalypse of S. John is now generally dated circa A.D. 90; the keynote of this strange and in many parts beautiful writing—so unlike, save in certain sections, the other acknowledged books of the New Testament Canon—is the suffering of the Church: just a quarter of a century had elapsed since Nero and his advisers resolved upon the persecution of the congregations of the believers in Jesus.
No one can read this striking "Revelation" of S. John, with its wonderful visions, its exhortations, its words of warning, its messages of encouragement and comfort, without being keenly sensible that the Church therein portrayed
