An Era of Spiritual Darkness
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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
wor****ped; 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,
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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 incor****ated into the faith
and wor****p 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 sup****t
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 wor****p 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 ****eld 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 wor****p of idols, and thus to promote their nominal
acceptance of Christianity, the adoration of images and relics was
gradually
introduced into the Christian wor****p. 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 wor****p, 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 wor****ped." 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
54
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 wor****p. 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
wor****p,
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,
55
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 wor****p 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, establi****ng 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
57
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 wor****p 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 ****d
58
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 incor****ated 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 tem****al 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 bani****ng the word of
God.
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