 |
Regarding "2,000 years of church perpetuity"
Part 2
During the third century, many Roman Emperors only reigned an average length of approximately two years. Some of the Emperors were tolerant of Christianity, while others administered severe penalties for non participation in pagan rituals. In 250 A.D., all people were required to demonstrate their loyalty to the religion of Rome and would receive a certificate of adherence, or suffer death! Archaeological evidence indicates that many "Christians" made sacrifices to the Roman gods and which also indicate that they had always done so. At this point in time, 250 years after Christ, the basic principals taught by the Apostles had been forgotten by many people professing to be Christians.
BUT GOD HAS ALWAYS PRESERVED A FAITHFUL REMNANT
During the second half of the third century, the official "religion" of Rome became the worship of the SUN (Sol Invictus). Illyrian Aurelian, in 270, called himself "lord and master" (dominus deus), and erected a temple in Rome to Palmyrene Baal, who he called; "SUN LORD of the Roman power" (Sol dominus imperii romani)..."The LORD'S Day", worshipped on "SUN-day"?! (or THE SUN LORD's DAY) This was then, and still is now, the "first day of the week".
It is interesting to note however, that the Lord our God tells us in Matthew 12:8, "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." -- [THE Lord's day]. A Christian coming out of Judaism, would immediately recognize the term "the Lord's day", as the Sabbath -- the seventh day of the week. Whereas, a Roman pagan would interpret "the Lord's day" as the first day of the week (SUNday). So the "Lord's day" in the context of Revelation 1:10, can be interpreted as either the seventh or the first day of the week by the reader of John's message, and otherwise left open to the reader's interpretation. Something to ponder here is; was this done by John intentionally with the motive that anyone intercepting his message, which we now call the Book of Revelation, would interpret the opening of his story (first chapter, verse 10), "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day.", as THEIR Sun-Lord's day? This would then act as a means of protecting John's message that could otherwise not be understood by those holding him in exile on the Isle of Patmos...but would they now be willing to take a chance on destroying it?!
Illyrian Aurelian also established a college of masters of the sun (pontifices Solis), making the sun god the head of Roman "religion". From the worship of Sol invictus (the invincible sun), came the worship of Mithra. In the religion of Mathraism, Mithra, the sun-god, replaced Jesus as the child visited by the Shepherds. "Baptism" was practiced, a "lord's supper" was celebrated, and the spring equinox (entitled "Easter") was observed -- replacing all Truth, to include that of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The chief festival of Mithraism was December 25th, the rebirth of the winter SUN; known to SUN worshippers as "Mithra's birthday". In addition, "Dies Solis" (the day of the sun), was set aside in honor of the sun god.
During the fourth century, Diocletian ruled from 303 to 311 A.D.: he ordered all Scriptures to be publicly burned; and again, the severest of penalties were administered upon any true Christians when they would not worship the SUN. Invincible sun (Sol invictus) appeared on his coins, as well as images of Jupiter -- the sun god. Diocletian ruled as "God-Emperor" with Mithra being his protector, the patron of his own power (Fautori imperii sui). The Mithraic mysteries had been practiced in the Roman Empire since 115 A.D., when Mithra became the deity of bravery and fidelity (a soldier's "religion"), and was spread throughout the Roman Empire. In the time of Jesus, Mithraism was the great faith of Western Asia.
|
Mithra was the chief deity who had "ascended with the sun to heaven". It was similar to fourth century "Christianity" with "Sacraments" and "Absolutions" being a part of its "secret rituals". At this point, we are only three hundred years after the time of Christ: yet pagan practices at this point in time are so blended with true Christianity and now so similar, that the historian Jerome stated, "the devil had by way of imitation introduced the very Christian solemnity into the mystery of Mithra."
Justin Martyr said that the whole system was the devil's trickery to mislead Christians.
BUT GOD HAS ALWAYS PRESERVED A FAITHFUL REMNANT
Constantine, who claimed to be a Christian, became Roman Emperor. While still directing regular consultation with the sooth-sayers of pagan SUN-worship, he commanded the following edict in 321 A.D.: that the Mithraic sacred day, SUNDAY, be observed. He proclaimed it to be a "Christian" observance. December 25th was the Mithraic celebration of the invincible birth of the winter SUN (natalis invicti), and SUNDAY observance was proclaimed as the day of the sun (Dies Solis) in honor of the unconquered sun (sol invictus): the title given to Mithra the sun god.
There was no reference to the Fourth Commandment or to the birth of Christ. Mithraism, the religion of the Roman soldiers, was a blend of Babylonian, Persian, and Greek SUN worship. While professing Christianity, Constantine maintained the title: highest chief (Pontifex Maximus) -- the title of the high priest of paganism.
Constantine was responsible for the restoration and enrichment of the temples of the gods. On his Roman coins he depicted the pagan gods Jupiter, Apollo, Mars, Hercules, and Sol (or Mithra), and stated that he was committed to the invincible sun. Claiming to be a Christian, Constantine recognized the sun as his guide and protector: the patron of his power (fautori imperii sui), ordered his wife and eldest son murdered.
Constantine had a column and statue erected depicting himself as Apollo the sun-god. The remains of this column can still be seen in Istanbul Turkey: remains only, for it was struck by lightning and is now referred to as the burnt column. For political reasons, Constantine combined paganism with the true worship of God, and called it "Christianity", the official "religion" of Rome.
BUT GOD HAS ALWAYS PRESERVED A FAITHFUL REMNANT
It is important to remember the warning of Christ:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils,
and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
(Matthew 7:21-23)
God has NEVER accepted the blend of paganism and true worship. It has been said that, "Though certain 'observances' originated in paganism, they are now practiced 'in honour' of Christ." It must be remembered that even as Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments, a golden calf was fashioned and an alter before it. Burnt offerings were made and the celebration was declared -- "A Feast to Jehovah". And what was Almighty God's reaction?...
"And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is
a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them,
and that I may consume them..."
(Exodus 32:9-10)
Israel, before Christ, had fair warning of the consequences of disobedience to God; yet they allowed themselves to become entangled in pagan practices. Those professing Christ, yet not doing His will, have been given the same warning!
Looking at how pagan practices have crept into the pure Christianity of 2,000 years ago, one might wonder:
"...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
(Luke 18:8b)
BUT GOD HAS ALWAYS PRESERVED A FAITHFUL "REMNANT"
"And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."
(John 8:45)
In Our Precious Lord & Saviour Christ Jesus,
Yeshua Ha' Mashiach
Gary & Veronica
(Evangelists to men & women)
"For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you."
(II Corinthians 2:4)
