is a period of transition from the Canonical to the Patristic
literature.

Death of John and End of Scripture History. John was on the Isle of
Patmos as an exile because of his testimony for Jesus. He seems to
have lived until the end of the first century and is said to have met
death in a cauldron of boiling oil. The last of the apostles being now
dead the canon of the scripture is closed and the power of miracles
removed and Christianity left to win its own way by means of the
efforts and the prayers of the disciples and the grace which God
ordinarily grants to them. Thus ends the scripture history-with a
completed revelation and the Christian churches set up as a witness
for Christ.

Lessons of the Period. It is difficult to draw, from a period of which
we know so little, any certain conclusions. We are perhaps safe in
making some observations. (1) Christianity must always make its way
against opposition. (2) The Christian faith gives courage and joy in
the most trying circumstances. (3) Christianity will finally triumph
over its enemies.

For Study and Discussion. (1) From the Bible dictionaries,
cyclopedias, etc., study the reigns of the different Roman emperors of
this period. (2) Learn something of the nature and contents of the
Patristic literature mentioned in this discussion. (3) The four New
Testament books of this period.