-corrupt leaders back then and now:.Luke 13:2-5.

authorities threatening: 
Acts 4:16-21 "Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Emmanuel. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people, for all men glorified God for that which was done." Acts 8:1-5 "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them." Acts 26:10 ".....and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them." Acts 23:1,2,10,12-15 "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth...And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him by force from among them and to bring him into the castle...And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you tomorrow, as though you would enquire something more perfectly concerning him. And we or ever he come near, are ready to kill him."

Revelation 20:4 "And I saw thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Emmanuel.(because they believed and talked about their beliefs).and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads.(mind occupied with ego minded living; Revelation is a book of symbolism).or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

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