Ignatius The End

Ignatius made a statement about him being the last of the faithful in Antioch. The short version says the last in Syria.

My soul be for yours and theirs51 whom, for the honour of God, ye have sent to Smyrna; whence also I write to you, giving thanks unto the Lord, and loving Polycarp even as I do you. Remember me, as Jesus Christ also remembered you. Pray ye for the Church which is in Syria, whence I am led bound to Rome, being the last of the faithful who are there, even as I have been thought worthy to be chosen53 to show forth the honour of God. Farewell in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our common hope.

My soul be for yours and theirs51 whom, for the honour of God, ye have sent to Smyrna; whence also I write to you, giving thanks to the Lord, and loving Polycarp even as I do you. Remember me, as Jesus Christ also remembers you, who is blessed for evermore. Pray ye for the Church of Antioch which is in Syria, whence I am led bound to Rome, being the last of the faithful that are there, who52 yet have been thought worthy to carry these chains to the honour of God. Fare ye well in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our common hope, and in the Holy Ghost. Fare ye well. Amen. Grace [be with you].54

The interesting point is this could mean he is last of the converts converted, but that would cast doubt on him being a Bishop.

It is likely he was the last faithful church leader to be living, all others had been killed or had deserted the church there.

Since Antioch is the main church involved in many Catholic decisions in the coming centuries it casts doubt upon its faithfulness, casting the decisions into doubt.

Leading to the conclusion the church was part of the falling away of II Thess. 2. The councils such as Nicea and Chalcedon would be brought into question.

The scope could be just Antioch but likely his region of Syria.