God's Judgment Upon Persecutors of His People

The Almighty finds it effortless to destroy those who oppose Him. Consider Pharaoh—his wise men, his armies, his chariots—plunging into the Red Sea like lead, sinking beneath the waters. Such was the end of one of history's greatest plots against God's chosen people.

Among thirty Roman emperors and provincial governors who distinguished themselves by their zealous persecution of early Christians, none escaped divine judgment. One descended into madness following atrocious cruelty. One fell slain by his own son. Another went blind; still another's eyes burst from his head. Some were drowned, strangled, or died in miserable captivity. One perished in such loathsome disease that his physicians were executed, unable to endure the stench filling his chamber. Two took their own lives; a third attempted suicide but required assistance to complete the act. Five were assassinated by their own people and servants. Eight more fell in battle or as prisoners.

Among these stood Julian the apostate. In prosperity, he defied Heaven itself, mocking the Son of God whom he called "the Galilean." Yet when wounded in battle, watching his life drain away, Julian gathered his clotted blood, cast it skyward, and cried out: "Thou hast conquered, O thou Galilean."

Volataire documented the agonies of Charles IX of France—blood driven through his skin's pores—that tormented monarch who had shown cruelty and treachery to the Huguenots. God's justice is neither swift nor silent.