"the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. "Dan: 5:21c
The Diocletian Persecution upon the Christian Church was very severe. As time wore on for the Church, Diocletian became convinced that there was a Christian conspiracy against him. This belief, led Diocletian to a decree demanding the arrest of leaders of the Church where ever they could be found.
This decree then led to not only
arresting Christians, pressuring them to renounce their alliance to Jesus and
sacrifice at the altar of the Roman gods.
This persecution against the Church was
very cruel and the pressure difficult to endure. Many gave in and offered
sacrifices to the Roman gods.
Diocletian Abdicates
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 liked and admired by many within
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. Then Severus committed suicide. Galerius
began to lose control of the situation within the Empire.
As the situation in the Roman
government worsened Galerius appealed to his predecessor Diocletian,
asking him to give assistance in managing the problem. Diocletian refused
his help, other than, that of being a negotiator. The condition continued
to deteriorate.
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 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 continued it was setting stage for what would ultimately lead to the
legalization Christianity. As suitors to the position(s) of power came forward,
Constantine was using his time gaining influence , power and resources was
waiting for the right moment to move so that he could ascend the throne of
the whole of the Empire.
Even 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 what 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 forced 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 of thee of the rulers, Maxentius revived no recognition from
the other three.
For Christians in the Empire most
persecution had come to an end, but some unhappy few were still being
persecuted by Maximinus Daia.
Constantine was now ready for power; he
readied his legions in Gaul (France) 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 Maxentius 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 battle, Constantine had a vision or
revelation. Lactantius said, that Constantine had a dream in which he was
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 which is 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”.
Whatever 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, there the two leaders made an alliance together
which led to the "Edict of Milan" in 313 AD putting 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 temples to the gods, yet, the Edict of Milan restored
properties to Christians and gave the Church freedom to worship and to carry
out its mission for season of peace . For God's own purpose he raised up
Constantine to accomplish his will in the Earth.
Benediction: May we each and all
give glory to our Lord Jesus Christ who Kingdom rules, even in the kingdom's of
man, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.
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Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma
"If It Is Not About Jesus,
It Is Not About Anything"
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