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The apostle Paul,
in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great
apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power.
He declared that the day of Christ should not come, "except there
come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son
of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is
called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the
temple of God, showing himself that he is God." And furthermore, the
apostle warns his brethren that "the mystery of iniquity doth
already work." 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7. Even at that early date he
saw, creeping into the church, errors that would prepare the way for
the development of the papacy.
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" carried forward its 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. But as persecution ceased, and
Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the
humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of
pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she
substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of
Constantine,
Page 50
in the early part of the fourth century, caused great
rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked
into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed.
Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her
spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and
superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the
professed followers of Christ.
This compromise between paganism and Christianity
resulted in the development of "the man of sin" foretold in prophecy as
opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false
religion is a masterpiece of Satan's power--a monument of his efforts to
seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.
Satan once endeavored to form a compromise with
Christ. He came to the Son of God in the wilderness of temptation, and
showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, offered
to give all into His hands if He would but acknowledge the supremacy of
the prince of darkness. Christ rebuked the presumptuous tempter and
forced him to depart. But Satan meets with greater success in presenting
the same temptations to man. To secure worldly gains and honors, the
church was led to seek the favor and support of the great men of earth;
and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield allegiance to
the representative of Satan --the bishop of Rome.
It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that
the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested
with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the
world. More than this, the pope has been given the very titles of Deity.
He has been styled "Lord God the Pope" (see
Appendix), and has been
declared infallible. He demands the homage of all men. The same claim
urged by Satan in the wilderness of temptation is still urged by him
through the Church of Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him
homage.
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But those who fear and reverence God meet this
heaven-daring assumption as Christ met the solicitations of the wily
foe: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve." Luke 4:8. God has never given a hint in His word that He has
appointed any man to be the head of the church. The doctrine of papal
supremacy is directly opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures. The
pope can have no power over Christ's church except by usurpation.
Romanists have persisted in bringing against
Protestants the charge of heresy and willful separation from the true
church. But these accusations apply rather to themselves. They are the
ones who laid down the banner of Christ and departed from "the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 3.
Satan well knew that the Holy Scriptures would enable
men to discern his deceptions and withstand his power. It was by the
word that even the Saviour of the world had resisted his attacks. At
every assault, Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, saying, "It
is written." To every suggestion of the adversary, He opposed the wisdom
and power of the word. In order for Satan to maintain his sway over men,
and establish the authority of the papal usurper, he must keep them in
ignorance of the Scriptures. The Bible would exalt God and place finite
men in their true position; therefore its sacred truths must be
concealed and suppressed. This logic was adopted by the Roman Church.
For hundreds of years the circulation of the Bible was prohibited. The
people were forbidden to read it or to have it in their houses, and
unprincipled priests and prelates interpreted its teachings to sustain
their pretensions. Thus the pope came to be almost universally
acknowledged as the vicegerent of God on earth, endowed with authority
over church and state.
The detector of error having been removed, Satan
worked according to his will. Prophecy had declared that the papacy was
to "think to change times and laws." Daniel 7:25. This
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work it was not slow to attempt. To afford converts from
heathenism a substitute for the worship of idols, and thus to promote
their nominal acceptance of Christianity, the adoration of images and
relics was gradually introduced into the Christian worship. The decree
of a general council (see
Appendix ) finally established
this system of idolatry. To complete the sacrilegious work, Rome
presumed to expunge from the law of God the second commandment,
forbidding image worship, and to divide the tenth commandment, in order
to preserve the number.
The spirit of concession to paganism opened the way
for a still further disregard of Heaven's authority. Satan, working
through unconsecrated leaders of the church, tampered with the fourth
commandment also, and essayed to set aside the ancient Sabbath, the day
which God had blessed and sanctified (Genesis 2:2, 3), and in its stead
to exalt the festival observed by the heathen as "the venerable day of
the sun." This change was not at first attempted openly. In the first
centuries the true Sabbath had been kept by all Christians. They were
jealous for the honor of God, and, believing that His law is immutable,
they zealously guarded the sacredness of its precepts. But with great
subtlety Satan worked through his agents to bring about his object. That
the attention of the people might be called to the Sunday, it was made a
festival in honor of the resurrection of Christ. Religious services were
held upon it; yet it was regarded as a day of recreation, the Sabbath
being still sacredly observed.
To prepare the way for the work which he designed to
accomplish, Satan had led the Jews, before the advent of Christ, to load
down the Sabbath with the most rigorous exactions, making its observance
a burden. Now, taking advantage of the false light in which he had thus
caused it to be regarded, he cast contempt upon it as a Jewish
institution. While Christians generally continued to observe the Sunday
as a joyous festival, he led them, in order to show
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their hatred of Judaism, to make the Sabbath a fast, a
day of sadness and gloom.
In the early part of the fourth century the emperor
Constantine issued a decree making Sunday a public festival throughout
the Roman Empire. (See
Appendix .) The day of the sun
was reverenced by his pagan subjects and was honored by Christians; it
was the emperor's policy to unite the conflicting interests of
heathenism and Christianity. He was urged to do this by the bishops of
the church, who, inspired by ambition and thirst for power, perceived
that if the same day was observed by both Christians and heathen, it
would promote the nominal acceptance of Christianity by pagans and thus
advance the power and glory of the church. But while many God-fearing
Christians were gradually led to regard Sunday as possessing a degree of
sacredness, they still held the true Sabbath as the holy of the Lord and
observed it in obedience to the fourth commandment.
The archdeceiver had not completed his work. He was
resolved to gather the Christian world under his banner and to exercise
his power through his vicegerent, the proud pontiff who claimed to be
the representative of Christ. Through half-converted pagans, ambitious
prelates, and world-loving churchmen he accomplished his purpose. Vast
councils were held from time to time, in which the dignitaries of the
church were convened from all the world. In nearly every council the
Sabbath which God had instituted was pressed down a little lower, while
the Sunday was correspondingly exalted. Thus the pagan festival came
finally to be honored as a divine institution, while the Bible Sabbath
was pronounced a relic of Judaism, and its observers were declared to be
accursed.
The great apostate had succeeded in exalting himself
"above all that is called God, or that is worshiped." 2 Thessalonians
2:4. He had dared to change the only precept of the divine law that
unmistakably points all mankind to the true and living God. In the
fourth commandment, God is
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revealed as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and
is thereby distinguished from all false gods. It was as a memorial of
the work of creation that the seventh day was sanctified as a rest day
for man. It was designed to keep the living God ever before the minds of
men as the source of being and the object of reverence and worship.
Satan strives to turn men from their allegiance to God, and from
rendering obedience to His law; therefore he directs his efforts
especially against that commandment which points to God as the Creator.
Protestants now urge that the resurrection of Christ
on Sunday made it the Christian Sabbath. But Scripture evidence is
lacking. No such honor was given to the day by Christ or His apostles.
The observance of Sunday as a Christian institution had its origin in
that "mystery of lawlessness" (2 Thessalonians 2:7, R.V.) which, even in
Paul's day, had begun its work. Where and when did the Lord adopt this
child of the papacy? What valid reason can be given for a change which
the Scriptures do not sanction?
In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly
established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the
bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church.
Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the
beast "his power, and his seat, and great authority." Revelation 13:2.
And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the
prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation. Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5-7.
(See
Appendix
.) Christians were
forced to choose either to yield their integrity and accept the papal
ceremonies and worship, or to wear away their lives in dungeons or
suffer death by the rack, the fagot, or the headsman's ax. Now were
fulfilled the words of Jesus: "Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and
brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause
to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's
sake." Luke 21:16, 17. Persecution opened upon the faithful with greater
fury than ever before,
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and the world became a vast battlefield. For hundreds of
years the church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus
says the prophet: "The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a
place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two
hundred and three-score days." Revelation 12:6.
The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the
beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness
deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the
pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of
sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to
the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were
taught that the pope was their earthly mediator and that none could
approach God except through him; and, further, that he stood in the
place of God to them and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A
deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest
punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders.
Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible,
erring, and cruel men, nay, more, to the prince of darkness himself, who
exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of
sanctity. When the Scriptures are suppressed, and man comes to regard
himself as supreme, we need look only for fraud, deception, and debasing
iniquity. With the elevation of human laws and traditions was manifest
the corruption that ever results from setting aside the law of God.
Those were days of peril for the church of Christ. The
faithful standard-bearers were few indeed. Though the truth was not left
without witnesses, yet at times it seemed that error and superstition
would wholly prevail, and true religion would be banished from the
earth. The gospel was lost sight of, but the forms of religion were
multiplied, and the people were burdened with rigorous exactions.
They were taught not only to look to the pope as their
mediator, but to trust to works of their own to atone for sin. Long
pilgrimages, acts of penance, the worship of relics, the
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erection of churches, shrines, and altars, the payment of
large sums to the church--these and many similar acts were enjoined to
appease the wrath of God or to secure His favor; as if God were like
men, to be angered at trifles, or pacified by gifts or acts of penance!
Notwithstanding that vice prevailed, even among the
leaders of the Roman Church, her influence seemed steadily to increase.
About the close of the eighth century, papists put forth the claim that
in the first ages of the church the bishops of Rome had possessed the
same spiritual power which they now assumed. To establish this claim,
some means must be employed to give it a show of authority; and this was
readily suggested by the father of lies. Ancient writings were forged by
monks. Decrees of councils before unheard of were discovered,
establishing the universal supremacy of the pope from the earliest
times. And a church that had rejected the truth greedily accepted these
deceptions. (See
Appendix .)
The few faithful builders upon the true foundation. (1
Corinthians 3:10, 11) were perplexed and hindered as the rubbish of
false doctrine obstructed the work. Like the builders upon the wall of
Jerusalem in Nehemiah's day, some were ready to say: "The strength of
the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we
are not able to build." Nehemiah 4:10. Wearied with the constant
struggle against persecution, fraud, iniquity, and every other obstacle
that Satan could devise to hinder their progress, some who had been
faithful builders became disheartened; and for the sake of peace and
security for their property and their lives, they turned away from the
true foundation. Others, undaunted by the opposition of their enemies,
fearlessly declared: "Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which
is great and terrible" (verse 14); and they proceeded with the work,
everyone with his sword girded by his side. Ephesians 6:17.
The same spirit of hatred and opposition to the truth
has inspired the enemies of God in every age, and the same
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vigilance and fidelity have been required in His
servants. The words of Christ to the first disciples are applicable to
His followers to the close of time: "What I say unto you I say unto all,
Watch." Mark 13:37.
The darkness seemed to grow more dense. Image worship
became more general. Candles were burned before images, and prayers were
offered to them. The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed.
The minds of men were so completely controlled by superstition that
reason itself seemed to have lost its sway. While priests and bishops
were themselves pleasure-loving, sensual, and corrupt, it could only be
expected that the people who looked to them for guidance would be sunken
in ignorance and vice.
Another step in papal assumption was taken, when, in
the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the perfection of the
Roman Church. Among the propositions which he put forth was one
declaring that the church had never erred, nor would it ever err,
according to the Scriptures. But the Scripture proofs did not accompany
the assertion. The proud pontiff also claimed the power to depose
emperors, and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be
reversed by anyone, but that it was his prerogative to reverse the
decisions of all others. (See
Appendix .)
A striking illustration of the tyrannical character of
this advocate of infallibility was given in his treatment of the German
emperor, Henry IV. For presuming to disregard the pope's authority, this
monarch was declared to be excommunicated and dethroned. Terrified by
the desertion and threats of his own princes, who were encouraged in
rebellion against him by the papal mandate, Henry felt the necessity of
making his peace with Rome. In company with his wife and a faithful
servant he crossed the Alps in midwinter, that he might humble himself
before the pope. Upon reaching the castle whither Gregory had withdrawn,
he was conducted, without his guards, into an outer court, and there, in
the severe cold of winter, with uncovered head and naked
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feet, and in a miserable dress, he awaited the pope's
permission to come into his presence. Not until he had continued three
days fasting and making confession, did the pontiff condescend to grant
him pardon. Even then it was only upon condition that the emperor should
await the sanction of the pope before resuming the insignia or
exercising the power of royalty. And Gregory, elated with his triumph,
boasted that it was his duty to pull down the pride of kings.
How striking the contrast between the overbearing
pride of this haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ,
who represents Himself as pleading at the door of the heart for
admittance, that He may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who
taught His disciples: "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be
your servant." Matthew 20:27.
The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase
of error in the doctrines put forth from Rome. Even before the
establishment of the papacy the teachings of heathen philosophers had
received attention and exerted an influence in the church. Many who
professed conversion still clung to the tenets of their pagan
philosophy, and not only continued its study themselves, but urged it
upon others as a means of extending their influence among the heathen.
Serious errors were thus introduced into the Christian faith. Prominent
among these was the belief in man's natural immortality and his
consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which
Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the
Virgin Mary. From this sprang also the heresy of eternal torment for the
finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.
Then the way was prepared for the introduction of
still another invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and
employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this
heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the
souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer
punishment for their sins,
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and from which, when freed from impurity, they are
admitted to heaven. (See
Appendix .)
Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to
profit by the fears and the vices of her adherents. This was supplied by
the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present, and
future, and release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were
promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff's wars to extend his
temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or to exterminate those who
dared deny his spiritual supremacy. The people were also taught that by
the payment of money to the church they might free themselves from sin,
and also release the souls of their deceased friends who were confined
in the tormenting flames. By such means did Rome fill her coffers and
sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended
representatives of Him who had not where to lay His head. (See
Appendix .)
The Scriptural ordinance of the Lord's Supper had been
supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Papal priests
pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and
wine into the actual "body and blood of Christ."--Cardinal Wiseman,
The Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Our
Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist, Proved From Scripture,
lecture 8, sec. 3, par. 26. With blasphemous
presumption, they openly claimed the power of creating God, the Creator
of all things. Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their
faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Multitudes who refused
were given to the flames. (See
Appendix .)
In the thirteenth century was established that most
terrible of all the engines of the papacy--the Inquisition. The prince
of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy. In their
secret councils Satan and his angels controlled the minds of evil men,
while unseen in the midst stood an angel of God, taking the fearful
record of their iniquitous decrees and writing the history of deeds too
horrible to appear to human eyes. "Babylon the great" was "drunken with
the blood of the saints." The mangled forms of millions of
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martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate
power.
Popery had become the world's despot. Kings and
emperors bowed to the decrees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies of
men, both for time and for eternity, seemed under his control. For
hundreds of years the doctrines of Rome had been extensively and
implicitly received, its rites reverently performed, its festivals
generally observed. Its clergy were honored and liberally sustained.
Never since has the Roman Church attained to greater dignity,
magnificence, or power.
But "the noon of the papacy was the midnight of the
world."--J. A. Wylie, The History of
Protestantism, b. 1, ch. 4. The Holy
Scriptures were almost unknown, not only to the people, but to the
priests. Like the Pharisees of old, the papal leaders hated the light
which would reveal their sins. God's law, the standard of righteousness,
having been removed, they exercised power without limit, and practiced
vice without restraint. Fraud, avarice, and profligacy prevailed. Men
shrank from no crime by which they could gain wealth or position. The
palaces of popes and prelates were scenes of the vilest debauchery. Some
of the reigning pontiffs were guilty of crimes so revolting that secular
rulers endeavored to depose these dignitaries of the church as monsters
too vile to be tolerated. For centuries Europe had made no progress in
learning, arts, or civilization. A moral and intellectual paralysis had
fallen upon Christendom.
The condition of the world under the Romish power
presented a fearful and striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet
Hosea: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast
rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee: . . . seeing thou hast
forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." "There
is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing,
and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they
break out, and blood toucheth blood." Hosea 4:6, 1, 2. Such were the
results of banishing the word of God.
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