Jesus is coming...soon! Are you ready?. Putting It All Together Gnostic influence “The so-called Fathers studied the works of pagan philosophers far more.

Jesus is coming. . .soon! Are you ready?Jesus is coming. . .soon! Are you ready?

Putting It All TogetherPutting It All Together

Gnostic influenceGnostic influence

“The so-called Fathers studied the works of pagan philosophers far more than they did those of the apostles. They affected to be philosophers themselves; and while they did indeed make a show of combating paganism . . .”

“The so-called Fathers studied the works of pagan philosophers far more than they did those of the apostles. They affected to be philosophers themselves; and while they did indeed make a show of combating paganism . . .”



“. . . the weapons they used were drawn from pagan philosophy more frequently than from the Bible. And even when they quoted from the Bible, their pagan . . .”

“. . . the weapons they used were drawn from pagan philosophy more frequently than from the Bible. And even when they quoted from the Bible, their pagan . . .”



“. . . notions warped their interpretation. So in their encounters with paganism, we have for the most part nothing but one form of paganism arrayed against another form of paganism.”

“. . . notions warped their interpretation. So in their encounters with paganism, we have for the most part nothing but one form of paganism arrayed against another form of paganism.” E.J. Waggoner

Fathers of the Catholic Church, p. 62 (1888)E.J. Waggoner

Fathers of the Catholic Church, p. 62 (1888)



Political pressurePolitical pressure

Sabbath truth destroyedSabbath truth destroyed

Sabbath associated with darkness and evil “creation”Sabbath associated with darkness and evil “creation”

Sabbath-keepers associated with political revolution and social instability

Sabbath-keepers associated with political revolution and social instability


Under Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305), persecution of Christians who were Sabbath-keepers was increased beginning on Feb. 23 in A.D. 303 (festal day of their god Terminus); it lasted for ten years as was foretold by Christ in the message to the second church in Rev. 2:8-11.

Under Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305), persecution of Christians who were Sabbath-keepers was increased beginning on Feb. 23 in A.D. 303 (festal day of their god Terminus); it lasted for ten years as was foretold by Christ in the message to the second church in Rev. 2:8-11.


“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not . . .”

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not . . .”


“. . . but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. . . .”

“. . . but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. . . .”

Revelation 2:8-11Revelation 2:8-11

Roman Tetrarchy A.D. 293-313Roman Tetrarchy A.D. 293-313

On the evening of October 27, 312with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine had a vision which led him to believe that he was fighting under the protection of the Christian God.

On the evening of October 27, 312with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine had a vision which led him to believe that he was fighting under the protection of the Christian God.

Conversion of ConstantineConversion of Constantine

Battle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian Bridge


Edict of Milan A.D. 313 gave

tolerationto the

Christian religion


tolerationto the

Christian religion


Milvian Bridge across the Tiber RiverMilvian Bridge across the Tiber River

Battle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian Bridge



tolerationto the

Christian religion


tolerationto the

Christian religion

The Column of Constantine was dedicated on May 11, 330 AD, with a mix of Christian and pagan ceremonies.

The Column of Constantine was dedicated on May 11, 330 AD, with a mix of Christian and pagan ceremonies.

Conversion of Constantine?Conversion of Constantine?

First Sunday law enacted

by Constantine in A.D. 321First Sunday law enacted

by Constantine in A.D. 321


“The emperor Constantine after his conversion to Christianity, made the observance of Sunday a civil duty, and the law which commanded it is found in the Roman code.”

“The emperor Constantine after his conversion to Christianity, made the observance of Sunday a civil duty, and the law which commanded it is found in the Roman code.”

Sunday as Civil LawSunday as Civil Law

The United States Catholic MagazineIndex to vol. 4, p. 233, 1845

The United States Catholic MagazineIndex to vol. 4, p. 233, 1845

“By his civil legislation, he made Sunday a rest day. His famous Sunday law of March 7, 321, reads: ‘On the venerable

“By his civil legislation, he made Sunday a rest day. His famous Sunday law of March 7, 321, reads: ‘On the venerable


Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.’ . . . This was the first in a series of steps taken by Constantine and by later ‘Christian emperors’ in regulating Sunday observance. . . .”

Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.’ . . . This was the first in a series of steps taken by Constantine and by later ‘Christian emperors’ in regulating Sunday observance. . . .”

“. . .It is obvious that this first Sunday law was not particularly Christian in orientation. We may note the pagan designation

“. . .It is obvious that this first Sunday law was not particularly Christian in orientation. We may note the pagan designation


‘venerable Day of the Sun’. Also, it is evident that Constantine did not base his Sunday law on the regulations of the Decalogue, for he exempted agricultural work—a type of work strictly prohibited in Exodus 20:8-11.” Kenneth A. Strand

The Sabbath in Scripture and History, p. 328Kenneth A. Strand

The Sabbath in Scripture and History, p. 328

Passover ControversyPassover Controversy

“From Rome there came now another addition to the sun-worshipping apostasy. The first Christians being mostly Jews, continued to celebrate the Passover in remembrance of the death of Christ, the true Passover. Accordingly, the celebration was always on the Passover day—the fourteenth of the first month. . . .”

“From Rome there came now another addition to the sun-worshipping apostasy. The first Christians being mostly Jews, continued to celebrate the Passover in remembrance of the death of Christ, the true Passover. Accordingly, the celebration was always on the Passover day—the fourteenth of the first month. . . .”

“. . .Rome, however, and from her all the West, adopted the day of the sun as the day of this celebration . . . The rule of Rome was that the celebration must always be on a Sunday — the Sunday nearest to the fourteenth of the first month of the Jewish year.”

“. . .Rome, however, and from her all the West, adopted the day of the sun as the day of this celebration . . . The rule of Rome was that the celebration must always be on a Sunday — the Sunday nearest to the fourteenth of the first month of the Jewish year.”

A.T. JonesThe Great Empires of Prophecy

p. 383 (1898)


p. 383 (1898)


“. . .We know not precisely when this began, but it was practiced in Rome as early as the time of Sixtus I, who was bishop of Rome A.D. 119-128.”

“. . .We know not precisely when this began, but it was practiced in Rome as early as the time of Sixtus I, who was bishop of Rome A.D. 119-128.”


p. 383 (1898)


p. 383 (1898)


Papal PridePapal PrideVictor, who was bishop at Rome from A.D. 192-202, proposed to command everyone everywhere to conform to the practices of Rome. Because the eastern prelates refused to follow him, he “pronounced them unworthy of the name of brethren and excluded them from all fellowship with the church of Rome.”

Victor, who was bishop at Rome from A.D. 192-202, proposed to command everyone everywhere to conform to the practices of Rome. Because the eastern prelates refused to follow him, he “pronounced them unworthy of the name of brethren and excluded them from all fellowship with the church of Rome.” A.T. Jones

The Great Empires of Prophecyp. 384 (1898)


p. 384 (1898)

Ecumenical CouncilsEcumenical CouncilsNicaea (325) — fixed the Easter date; repudiated Arianism

Council of Constantinople (381) — declared that Christ is “born of the Father before all time”

Council of Ephesus (431) — Virgin Mary declared the “Mother of God”; repudiated Pelagianism

Council of Chalcedon (451) — Chalcedonian Creed, which described the hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ, human and divine

Nicaea (325) — fixed the Easter date; repudiated Arianism

Council of Constantinople (381) — declared that Christ is “born of the Father before all time”

Council of Ephesus (431) — Virgin Mary declared the “Mother of God”; repudiated Pelagianism

Council of Chalcedon (451) — Chalcedonian Creed, which described the hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ, human and divine

Legacy of Paganism?Legacy of

Paganism?

Dangerous Christians?Dangerous Christians?

“Though the Romans gave an unlimited toleration to all religions which had nothing in their tenets dangerous to the commonwealth, yet they would not permit that of their ancestors . . .”

“Though the Romans gave an unlimited toleration to all religions which had nothing in their tenets dangerous to the commonwealth, yet they would not permit that of their ancestors . . .”

“. . . which was established by the laws of the state, to be turned into derision, nor the people to be drawn away from their attachment to it. These, however, were the two things which those Christians were charged with . . .”

“. . . which was established by the laws of the state, to be turned into derision, nor the people to be drawn away from their attachment to it. These, however, were the two things which those Christians were charged with . . .”


“. . .They dared to ridicule the absurdities of the pagan superstition, and they were ardent and assiduous in gaining proselytes to the truth. Nor did they only attack the religion of Rome. . .”

“. . .They dared to ridicule the absurdities of the pagan superstition, and they were ardent and assiduous in gaining proselytes to the truth. Nor did they only attack the religion of Rome. . .”


“. . . but also all the different shapes and forms under which superstition appeared in the various countries where they exercised their ministry. From hence the Romans concluded, that the Christian sect. . .”

“. . . but also all the different shapes and forms under which superstition appeared in the various countries where they exercised their ministry. From hence the Romans concluded, that the Christian sect. . .”


“. . . was not only unsupportably daring and arrogant, but moreover, an enemy to the public tranquility, [working] in every way to excite civil wars and commotions in the empire.”

“. . . was not only unsupportably daring and arrogant, but moreover, an enemy to the public tranquility, [working] in every way to excite civil wars and commotions in the empire.”


“Another circumstance that irritated the Romans against the Christians, was the simplicity of their worship, which resembled in nothing the sacred rites of any other people. . . .”

“Another circumstance that irritated the Romans against the Christians, was the simplicity of their worship, which resembled in nothing the sacred rites of any other people. . . .”


“. . .The Christians had neither sacrifices, nor temples, nor images, nor oracles, nor sacerdotal orders; and this was sufficient to bring upon them the reproaches of an ignorant multitude. . . .”

“. . .The Christians had neither sacrifices, nor temples, nor images, nor oracles, nor sacerdotal orders; and this was sufficient to bring upon them the reproaches of an ignorant multitude. . . .”


“. . . who imagined that there could not be a religion without these. Thus they were looked upon as some sort of atheists; and by the Roman laws, those who were chargeable with atheism were declared the pests of human society.”

“. . . who imagined that there could not be a religion without these. Thus they were looked upon as some sort of atheists; and by the Roman laws, those who were chargeable with atheism were declared the pests of human society.”


“The Christians were pronounced ‘atheists’ because they were destitute of temples, altars, victims, priests, and all thepomp. . . .To silence this accusation, the Christian doctors [of Alexandria and Rome] thought it necessary to introduce . . . ”

“The Christians were pronounced ‘atheists’ because they were destitute of temples, altars, victims, priests, and all thepomp. . . .To silence this accusation, the Christian doctors [of Alexandria and Rome] thought it necessary to introduce . . . ”


“. . . some external rites, which would strike the senses of the people, so that they could maintain that they did possess all those things of which Christians were charged with being destitute.”

“. . . some external rites, which would strike the senses of the people, so that they could maintain that they did possess all those things of which Christians were charged with being destitute.”


John Lawrence MosheimEcclesiastical History

Century II, part ii, chap. iv (1790)

John Lawrence MosheimEcclesiastical History

Century II, part ii, chap. iv (1790)

1693 – 1755 1693 – 1755

Compromise for PeaceCompromise for Peace

“Such was the tendency of the times [fourth century] to adulterate Christianity with the spirit of paganism, partly to conciliate the prejudices of the worldly converts, partly in the hope of securing its more rapid spread. . . .”

“Such was the tendency of the times [fourth century] to adulterate Christianity with the spirit of paganism, partly to conciliate the prejudices of the worldly converts, partly in the hope of securing its more rapid spread. . . .”


“. . .There is a solemnity in the truthful accusation which Faustus makes to Augustine: ‘You have substituted your agape feast for the sacrifices of the pagans; for their idols your martyrs. . . .”

“. . .There is a solemnity in the truthful accusation which Faustus makes to Augustine: ‘You have substituted your agape feast for the sacrifices of the pagans; for their idols your martyrs. . . .”


“. . . Nothing distinguishes you from the pagans except that you hold your assemblies apart from them.”

“. . . Nothing distinguishes you from the pagans except that you hold your assemblies apart from them.”

John William DraperHistory of the Intellectual Development of Europe

pp. 309, 310, 1876

John William DraperHistory of the Intellectual Development of Europe

pp. 309, 310, 1876

Legacy of Paganism?Legacy of Paganism?

2 Thess. 2:3-8 —

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition . . .”

2 Thess. 2:3-8 —



“. . . who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. . . .”



“. . . Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work . . .”



“. . .only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.”



2 Thess. 2:3-8 —


2 Thess. 2:3-8 —












“. . . for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now will hinder — till he may be out of the way.”

Young’s Literal Translation

“. . . for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now will hinder — till he may be out of the way.”

Young’s Literal Translation


“. . . until the one who now restrains it is removed.”

New Revised Standard Version

“. . . until the one who now restrains it is removed.”

New Revised Standard Version


“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”


“Blasphemously arrogating the attributes belonging to God alone; a characteristic of the little horn in Daniel 7:8, 20, 21; and 2 Thess. 2:4.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

“Blasphemously arrogating the attributes belonging to God alone; a characteristic of the little horn in Daniel 7:8, 20, 21; and 2 Thess. 2:4.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary


“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” Rev. 13:5

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” Rev. 13:5


“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Rev. 13:6

“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Rev. 13:6


• opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God

• he, as God, sits in the temple [or place] of God

• showing [claiming] himself that he is God

• opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God

• he, as God, sits in the temple [or place] of God

• showing [claiming] himself that he is God

The Revelat

ionof

Jesus Christ

The Revelat

ionof

Jesus Christ

Jesus is coming...soon! Are you ready?. Putting It All Together Gnostic influence “The so-called Fathers studied the works of pagan philosophers far more.

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