Ivo Lesbaupin presents an examination of the history of the early Church through the prism of its persecution by the Roman Empire. The author traces the development of a theology of persecution that derives from the victims' struggles against the violence of the State. It concludes with a study of the book of Revelation - celebrating the eschatological victory of the Church and the eventual triumph of good over evil. Born in Brazil, the author is a member of the Dominican order and wrote this book while he was a political prisoner. He has written many books and articles published in Portuguese.