lawlessness,” the ruling clergy class of professed Christians, was already entrenched, as Diocletian’s edicts, particularly the second, testify. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Peter 2:12) By the fourth century, apostate practices were already commonplace. Not a few professed Christians were members of the Roman army. Were there no Christians back then who were faithful to “the pattern of healthful words” received from the apostles?​—2 Timothy 1:13.

Eusebius names some of the victims of the persecution, even graphically describing their torture, suffering, and eventual martyrdom. Whether all these martyrs died in integrity to the revealed truth available at that time, we cannot presently know. No doubt some had taken to heart Jesus’ warnings to avoid sectarianism, immorality, and compromise of any sort. (Revelation 2:15, 16, 20-23; 3:1-3) Evidently, some faithful ones who survived remained hidden from historic view. (Matthew 13:24-30) Indeed, so successful were the measures to stifle public Christian worship that a Spanish monument of the period hails Diocletian for having ‘abolished the superstition of Christ.’ Nevertheless, efforts to seize and destroy copies of the Scriptures, a key aspect of Diocletian’s attack on Christianity, failed to wipe out God’s Word completely.​—1 Peter 1:25.

Unsuccessful in completely obliterating Christianity, Satan the Devil, the ruler of the world, continued his crafty acts through Emperor Constantine, who ruled from 306 to 337 C.E. (John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:11, footnote) Pagan Constantine did not fight the Christians. Rather, he found it expedient to fuse pagan and Christian beliefs into a new State religion.

What a warning there is for all of us! When we face brutal persecution, our love for Jehovah will help us avoid compromise for the sake of any temporary physical relief. (1 Peter 5:9) Similarly, we will not allow a peaceful period to sap our Christian vitality. (Hebrews 2:1; 3:12, 13) Strict adherence to Bible principles will keep us loyal to Jehovah, the God who can deliver his people.​—Psalm 18:25, 48.

Questions From Readers

How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view the purchasing of stolen goods?

Christians avoid knowingly having any part in buying stolen merchandise or materials.

Stealing is certainly wrong. God’s Law for Israel stated unequivocally: “You must not steal.” (Exodus 20:15; Leviticus 19:11) If a thief was caught, he had to make compensation twofold, fourfold, or fivefold, depending on the circumstances.

From ancient times, thieves have tried to pass on stolen goods so as to make a quick profit and not be caught with proof of their guilt. To this end they often sell stolen goods at a low price that many buyers find hard to refuse. Such a practice may have been involved in what we read at Exodus 22:1: “In case a man should steal a bull or a sheep and he does slaughter it or sell it, he is to compensate with five of the herd for the bull and four of the flock for the sheep.”

Sensing implications in such laws, Rabbi Abraham Chill writes: “It is forbidden to buy or accept stolen property, even if the property is not recognized as such. One must therefore not buy a goat from a shepherd,