Tornado Meets Rainbow
When we were last together I explained how Emperor Constantine had bestowed upon the papacy at Rome the full power and authority of Imperial Rome, when he moved his seat of power to Constantinople. Constantine helped establish the Orthodox Church which did not worship a pope, but rather sought Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. Their priests were allowed to marry. After Constantine died in 337 A.D., the papacy began its evolution into the Holy Roman Empire - 7th head of the seven-headed beast, according to Martin Luther...Rev. 17:1-18. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed...Rev. 13:12. How does the 7th head of the beast exercise the authority of the 6th head of the beast - in his presence?
While Emperor Constantine had his seat of power at Rome, he gradually imparted to the papacy his power and authority. He gave them over a hundred acres to establish their religious institutions, while he was making plans to move away. While Constantine was training the papacy, the papacy required their followers to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Remember - part 12 of this study explained whose deadly wound was healed - the sixth head of the beast. You may want to read again to refresh your memory.
While the papacy had not become an empire as yet, Constantine helped to establish their authority...in his presence. During the reign of the 6th head of the beast, the seventh head of the beast was developing a religious/secular government, ready to take over as an empire at just the right time.
The "fall of Rome" that we commonly hear about is the western portion of the Imperial Roman Empire in 476 A.D., when Emperor Romulus was defeated by the first barbarian to rule the empire. The eastern portion, established by Emperor Constantine, did not fall until 1453 A.D. With the fall of Imperial Rome at Rome, came the rise of the Holy Roman Empire - 7th head of the seven-headed beast (dragon) - dragon symbolizes the power of Satan.
Now that the Holy Roman Empire reigns, he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven in the sight of men...Rev. 13:13. Since Holy Rome is the mirror image of Imperial Rome, it demanded reverence and obedience from the citizens. Since the Pope declares himself to be "God on earth" he must convince the people that his authority and supernatural powers were granted from above - symbolized by he even makes fire come down from heaven.
The average citizen in this time period could not read or write, so were not able to disprove any supernatural declaration made by this empire. The power and authority of the Holy Roman Empire rapidly advanced across the planet with the fury of a range fire, requiring the citizens of numerous countries they had invaded with their false doctrine, to submit to their authority.
Since Emperor Constantine granted power and breath to the image of the beast - Holy Roman Empire - it would cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed...Rev. 13:15. This reference reveals that the image of the beast requires worship - or be killed.
Over the decades enormous wealth was procured by this empire, allowing it to become a formidable contender in the world market and finance - unprecedented world revered power and authority. Properties, both real and personal, were confiscated from citizens who were condemned as heretics, because they refused to give their allegiance to the Holy Roman Empire - imprisonment, torture, and death were the consequences.
The Dark Ages had begun - thousand-year reign of the ruthless Holy Roman Empire. He causes all, both, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their hand or on their foreheads...Rev. 13:16. What does historical documentation reveal about the 'mark of the beast'? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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