Preparing the Nations for "the Teaching of Jehovah"

HOW THE PAX-ROMANA MAY HAVE HELPED

In some ways, the first-century Roman world brought benefits to Christians. For instance, there was the Pax Romana or Roman Peace. The vast Roman Empire imposed stability on people in its realm. At times, there were "wars and reports of wars," as Jesus had foretold. (Matthew 24:6) Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem in 70 C.E., and there were skirmishes on the frontiers of the empire. For about 200 years from the time of Jesus, however, the Mediterranean world was comparatively free of strife. One reference books states:  "Never in human history had there been so long a span of general tranquility, and never again was peace to be maintained so steadily among so many people."

Expressing his viewpoint, third-century theologian Origen wrote:  "It would have hindered Jesus' teaching from being spread through the whole  world if there had been many kingdoms . . .because men everywhere would have been compelled  to do military service and to fight  in defense of their own land. . . . Accordingly, how could this teaching, which preaches peace and does not even allow men  to take vengeance on their enemies, have had any success unless the international situation had everywhere been changed and a milder spirit prevailed at the advent of Jesus?"  Kingdom proclaimers were persecuted  in the Roman world, but they were peaceable and apparently benefited from the somewhat peaceful climate of those times. -Read Romans 12:18-21. 

Next time: HOW RELATIVELY CONVENIENT TRAVEL  PROVED HELPFUL

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015