Persecution in the Second Century. Ignatius (A.D. 67-100). Ignatius was also a student of John: bishop of Antioch. Emperor Trajan on a visit to Antioch ordered Ignatius to be arrested; himself presided over the trial and sentenced him to deliver Ignatius to the wild beasts. Eventually, Ignatius was sent to Rome; he wrote a letter to the Roman Christians urging them not to give him the approval because he longed for the honor of dying for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, saying “May the wild beasts be eager to rush upon me. If they are unwilling, I will compel them. Come, crowds of wild beasts; come, tearing and manglings, wracking of bones and hacking off limbs; come, cruel tortures of the devil; only let me attain unto Christ.”
