Tag: constantine

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Devotionals

CONSTANTINE’S STRATEGY TO MAKE ‘CONVERTS’ IN HIS AMALGAMATED SCHEME

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CONSTANTINE’S STRATEGY TO MAKE ‘CONVERTS’ IN HIS AMALGAMATED SCHEME

“Having obtained a glimpse of the opposition of God’s people [represented at that time and stage of church history by the Waldenses] to this [prophesied] ‘falling away,’ let us now return to our subject, to get a view of the NOVEL means Constantine employed to make converts in accordance with his amalgamation scheme. Edward Gibbon says:

‘The hopes of wealth and honors, the example of an emperor, his exhortations. his irresistible smiles, diffused conviction among the VENAL and OBSEQUIOUS crowds which usually fill the apartments of a palace…..As the lower ranks of society are governed by limitation, the CONVERSION of those who possessed any EMINENCE of birth, of power, or of riches, was soon followed by DEPENDENT multitudes. The salvation of the COMMON PEOPLE were PURCHASED at an easy rate, IF it be true that, in ONE YEAR, TWELVE THOUSAND MEN were baptized in ROME…..and that a white garment, with 20 pieces of gold, had been promised by the emperor to every convert.’ – ‘The Decline and Fall,’ chap. 20,
par.18.

“Constantine gave the following instruction to the BiSHOPS at the Council of Nicaea [ever heard of the Nicene Creed?], which shows his constant policy:——‘In all way UNBELIEVERS must be saved. It was not everyone who would be converted by LEARNING and REASONING. Some join us from desire of MAINTENANCE, some for PREFERMENT; some for PRESENTS; NOTHING IS SO RARE AS A REAL LOVER OF TRUTh (repeat:‘nothing is so rare as a real lover of truth!’]. We must be like physicians, and accommodate our medicines to the diseases, our teaching to the different minds of all.’- ‘Lectures on the History of the Eastern Church.’ Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, D. D., Lecture 5, p. 271, NY: 1875.” – C. Edwardson, Facts of Faith, pp. 113, 114. Southern Publishing Asso., Nashville, TN: 1943.

Any conversion other than by the conviction of the conscience, enlightenment of the mind and change of heart by Holy Spirit in either the spoken or written Word, is either a “half-convert,” or none at all. Such is the “form” not the  substance.  We must be genuinely born-again or else the “old man” is still alive, not dead, waiting to manifest itself again when the opportunity arises, particularly during crises, emergencies and “mini” and “little” times of trouble! Bless all, NMF  

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Devotionals

CONSTANTINE & POPE SYLVESTER COLLABORATE

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CONSTANTINE & POPE SYLVESTER COLLABORATE

The Roman Emperor Constantine represents the State and Pope Sylvester represents the Church.

“Dr. Lewis quotes from Dr. Schaff a very fitting conclusion in his remarks regarding Constantine: ‘And down to the end of his life he retained the title and dignity of PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, or high-priest of the heathen hierarchy. His coins bore on the one side the letters of the NAME OF CHRIST, on the other the SUN-GOD, and the inscription, ‘SOL INVICTUS’ [Invincible Sun].’—Ibid, p. 10.

“That the Christians at this time were still keeping the Sabbath can be seen from the following statement of Hugo Grotius, quoted by Robert Cox, F. S. A. Scot.: ‘He refers to Eusebius for proof, that Constantine, besides issuing his well-known edict that labor should be suspended on Sunday, enacted that the people should not be brought before the law courts on the SEVENTH DAY of the week, which also, he adds, was long observed by the PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS as a day of religious meetings…..And this, says he, ‘REFUTES those who think that the Lord’s Day [Sunday] was substituted for the Sabbath—a thing NOWHERE mentioned either by Christ or His apostles.’ – ‘Opera Omnia Theological,’ Hugo Grotius (died 1645), (London, 1679); quoted in ‘Literature of the Sabbath Question,’ Cox, Vol. I, p. 233. Edinburgh: Maclachlan & Stewart, 1865.

“Pope Sylvester co-operated with Constantine to bring PAGANISM into the Christian church (especially Sunday-keeping). This caused the TRUE Christians to have REPUGNANCE for him. The WALDENSES believed that he (Pope Sylvester) was the ANTICHRIST.  Dr. Peter Allix, quotes the following from a prominent Roman Catholic author regarding the Waldenses:

‘They say that the blessed Pope Sylvester was the Antichrist, of whom mention is made in the Epistles of St. Paul, as being the son of perdition, who extols himself above everything that is called God; for, from that time, they say, the Church PERISHED……He lays it down also as one of their opinions, ‘That the law of Moses is to be kept according to the letter, and that the KEEPING OF THE SABBATH……and other legal observances, ought to take place.’ – ‘Ecclesiastical History of the Ancient Churches of Piedmont,’ p. 169. Oxford. 1831, p. 154 in the edition of 1690.” – Facts of Faith, C. Edwardson, pp. 112, 113.   Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

WHAT EMINENT SCHOLARS SAID OF CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHAT EMINENT SCHOLARS SAID OF CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW

“A.H. Lewis, D.D., who spent years of study and research on this subject, declares that, ‘the pagan religion of Rome had many HOLIDAYS, on which partial or complete cessation of business and labor were demanded,’ and that Constantine by his Sunday law was merely ‘adding one more festival to the FESTI of the empire [festi, in the original].’ – ‘A Critical History of Sunday Legislation from 321 to 1888 A.D., pp. 8, 12. NY: D. Appleton and Co., 1888.

This is clearly seen when we carefully examine all the circumstances presented by Dr. Lewis:

1. Constantine’s Sunday edict was given March 7, 321. The very next day he issued an edict commanding PURELY HEATHEN SUPErSTITION. We quote:
‘The august Emperor Constantine to Maximus: ‘If any part of the palace or other public works shall be struck by LIGHTNING, let the SOOTHSAYERS, following all usages, inquire into the meaning of the PORTENT, and let their written words, very carefully collected, be reported to our knowledge.’ – Ibid, p. 19.

2. The Caesar’s for over a century had been worshippers of the SUN-GOD, whose weekly holiday [not yet holy day] was SUNDAY. Dr. Lewis says: ‘The sun-worship CULT had grown steadily in the Roman Empire for a long time.’ -Ibid, p. 220. He then quotes the following from Schaff in regard to ELAGABALUS, a Roman Caesar of a century BEFORE Constantine’s time:

“The abandoned (morally-corrupt) youth, El-Gabal or Heliogabalus (218-222), who polluted the throne by the blackest vices and follies, TOLERATED ALL RELIGIONS in the hope of at last MERGING them in his favorite SYRIAN WORHIP OF THE SUN with its abominable excesses. He himself was PRIEST of the god of the Sun, and thence took his name.’- Ibid, pp. 20, 21.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, pp.110, 111.

Help others see the truth before it’s too late by sharing, not hoarding it. Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW OF 321 A.D.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW OF 321 A.D.

The first Sunday law decreed by the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine. It reads:

“On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and the people residing in CITIES rest, and let all WORKSHOPS be closed. In the COUNTRY, however, persons engaged in AGRICULTURE may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so SUITABLE for grain-growing or vine-planting; lest by NEGLECTING the proper moment for such operations the BOUNTY of heaven should be lost.(Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls for the second time.’ – ‘History of the Christian Church,’ Philip Schaff, D.D., (7-vol. ed.) Vol. III, p. 380. NY. 1884.

“Dr. A. Chr. Bang (Lutheran bishop, Norway), says: ‘This Sunday law constituted NO real favoritism for Christianity. It is evident from all his statutory provisions that the Emperor during the time 313-323 with full consciousness has sought the REALIZATION OF HIS RELIGIOUS AIMS: the amalgamation of heathenism and Christianity.’ – ‘Kirken og Romerstaten’ (‘The Church and the Roman State’), p. 256. Christiania: 1879.

“That Constantine by his Sunday law intended only to enforce the POPULAR heathen festival is acknowledged by Professor Hutton Webster, Ph.D. (University of Nebraska), who says:

“This legislation by Constantine probably bore NO relation to Christianity; it appears, ON THE CONTRARY, that the emperor, in his capacity as PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, was only adding the day of the Sun, the worship of which was then firmly established in the ROMAN EMPIRE [Not in Judea or Jerusalem], to the other ferial days of the sacred calendar [of the Romish Church].’ – ‘Rest Days,’ p. 122. NY. 1916.”—“Facts of Faith,” Christian Edwardson, pp. 109. 110.

If any of your family members, relatives, friends, classmates, fellow workers, neighbors or Facebook friends, etc., are still keeping Sunday not knowing the truth regarding this heathen worship day, pray and share these vital info I have, and will continue sharing, only as God wills. Bless all, NMF. 

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Devotionals

THE SHREWD STATESMAN EMPEROR: CONSTANTINE THE GREAT

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SHREWD STATESMAN EMPEROR: CONSTANTINE THE GREAT

“Constantine had been watching, he said, those [Roman Caesars] who had PERSECUTED the Christians [during the Smyrna stage of the church], and found that they usually had a BAD END, while his father, who was favorable toward them, had PROSPERED.

“So when he and Licinius met at Milan in 313 A.D., they jointly prepared an edict, usually called ‘THE EDICT OF MILAN,’ which gave equal liberty to Christians and pagans, Had Constantine STOPPED here, he might have been HONORED as the originator of religious liberty in the Roman Empire, but he had a DIFFERENT aim in view.

“The Roman Empire had been ruled at times by two, four, or even six Caesars jointly, and in his AMBITION to become the sole Emperor, Constantine, as a shrewd statesman, soon saw that the Christian church had the ViTALITY to become the STRONGEST FACTOR in the empire. The other Caesars were persecuting the Christians.

“If he could WIN them without LOSING the goodwill of the pagans, he would win the GAME! He therefore set himself to the task of BLENDING the two religions (Christianity and Paganism) into ONE. As H. G. Heggtveit (Lutheran) says:

‘Constantine labored at this time untiringly to UNITE the worshippers of the old and the new faith to ONE RELIGION. All his laws and contrivances are aimed at promoting this AMALGAMATION of religions. He would by all lawful and peaceable means MELT together a PURIFIED HEATHENISM and MODERATED CHRISTIANITY……His injunction that the ‘Day of the Sun’ should be a GENERAL REST DAY was characteristic of his standpoint…..Of all his blending and melting together of Christianity and heathenism NONE is more easy to see through than this making of HIS Sunday law. ‘The Christians worshipped their Christ, the heathen their SUN-GOD; according to the opinion of the Emperor, the OBJECTS of worship in both religions were essentially the SAME.’ – ‘Kirkchistori’ (Church History), pp. 233, 234. Chicago: 1893.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, p. 109.

Tomorrow, the full text of Constantine’s Sunday Law of 321 A.D. We are rapidly approaching the prophesied final confederacy of all churches and religions, supported by the state powers to enforce the “Christian Sabbath” or “Lord’s Day,” which is none other than Sunday. Do you know what your responsibilities are towards this final test of faith, and how to prepare for it, even now, with family members who are willing? May the Lord of the Sabbath bless us all, NMF 

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FMM

48 Steps of the ‘Great Falling Away’ of the Church During the Thyatira Stage

Russian Style Icon of Saint Constantine the Great Date 30 October 2017 Source Pinterest Author Unknown
FRIDAY MORNING MANNA 
Biblical Numerology: NUMBER SEVEN – Part 18

*48 Steps of the ‘Great Falling Away’ of the Church During the Thyatira Stage, 538-1798 A.D.

(*From the Great Controversy version published by Harvestime Books, Box 300, Altamont TN 37301

     “Them that hold the doctrine of Balaam.” – “Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, ‘the mystery of iniquity’ [1 Thess. 2: 7, 3-12] carried forward the deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism [Smyrna stage, 100-323 A.D.]

Continue reading “48 Steps of the ‘Great Falling Away’ of the Church During the Thyatira Stage”

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FMM

PERGAMOS: The Church’s Age of Popularity  

"Constantine" Photo Credit by Jack Brittain/Flickr

FRIDAY MORNING MANNA

Biblical Numerology: NUMBER SEVEN – Part 12  

PERGAMOS: The Church’s Age of Popularity  

   

   12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and holdest fast My name, and hast not denied thy faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”  Revelation 2: 12, 13, K.J.V.

Footnotes, An Exhaustive E. G. White Commentary on Revelation, Vol. 2, pp. 545, 546:

     “Pergamos.’  Or, Pergamumum. This city had been the capital of the Roman province of Asia for two centuries after its last king Attalus III, bequeathed it, together with the kingdom of Pergamum, to Rome in 133 B.C. (see p. 95). Since the early 3rd century B.C., the city of Pergamum had been a chief center of cultural and intellectual life of the Hellenistic period.  Although by John’s time Ephesus was beginning to supersede it as the leading city of Asia, Pergamum continued to retain much of its former importance. The two cities long contended for this honor. . . . .

Continue reading “PERGAMOS: The Church’s Age of Popularity  “