Emperor Domitian tried to kill the apostle John by boiling him in oil, but John emerged unharmed.
The episode is a sermon from the series 'Rediscovering the Tradition of Our Faith' at Primeira Igreja Batista da Penha. It begins by critiquing modern superficiality in faith and calling for a return to solid roots. The speaker uses the metaphor of roots connecting trees to nourishment and blessing. The narrative shifts to historical context, detailing Emperor Domitian's persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, specifically targeting the apostle John. Domitian attempted to kill John by boiling him in oil, but John survived miraculously. John was then exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received the Revelation from Jesus. The sermon explains that John addressed Revelation to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) because it was a strategic postal hub. These churches faced persecution for refusing to worship Domitian as 'Lord and God.' The speaker reads from Revelation 7:9-17, describing a vision of a great multitude from all nations worshiping before God's throne. This is identified as the triumphant church, contrasted with the militant church on earth. The sermon extracts three truths: faith rooted in the Gospel generates an eternal identity, results in eternal worship, and points to an eternal mission. It draws parallels to Nebuchadnezzar renaming Daniel and his friends to challenge their identity. Modern identity crises are discussed, with references to seeking validation in relationships, money, or social media. The speaker cites Tim Keller on identity in Christ and C.S. Lewis on eternal usefulness. Statistics are mentioned about Generation Z (born 1995-2010) having high rates of depression and anxiety. The sermon concludes with a prayer invitation for listeners to commit to eternal purposes, standing up as a symbolic act. The host, Paola, is acknowledged for her ministry in singing.
