1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

the stars; they became his followers or servants which of coursetended to degrade them. The long desired favor of Rome cameat last by the conversion of Constantine, A.D. 313, and there webelieve the labor pangs of tribulation ceased and Papacy wasborn; i.e. there the blending of church and state commenced. Itwas not yet the "Man of Sin," in the same sense that a child isnot a man; but it was the beginning, of what resulted in Papacy--"The Man of Sin," the man-child was born.Roman favor was so sweet to the church after so many years ofpersecution, that they were ready to make religion any andeverything to suit the views of their new half-pagan friendConstantine. With his favor, the open opposition of othersmeasurably ceased. Thousands, yes millions were brought intothe church from Paganism. But the change was mostly in name,for the pagan priests became Christian priests and the paganholidays came to be called by Christian names--Christmas beingone of these holidays kept sacred to the memory of a greatGoddess--since called the celebration of Jesus' birth thoughactually nearly three months astray.The church knew that the promise of her Lord was, that hewould end her persecutions by delivering her and that sheshould be exalted to the control of all the kingdoms of the world.And some were so rejoiced at the favors of Rome, that no doubtthey fancied that in this way God would give them the kingdomsof the world promised.Persecuted and reviled, she was pained to be delivered, andlonged for the completion of the promised "Seed of the womanwhich should bruise the serpent's head." Her anxiety and desirein this direction produced a pre-mature birth--"The Man of Sin"(the papal hierarchy) being the offspring. This "male child," atfirst a weak one (A.D. 314), was gradually "caught up unto Godand to his throne," or exalted to the position and titles, homageand praise of the true "seed," so that "He as God sat in thetemple (church) of God, showing himself that he is God." Andwithin three hundred years he did "Rule the nations with a rod ofiron.""And there was war in heaven;" there was a conflict orcontroversy between the two elements--the church and theempire--when this son of the church attempted to take the rulingposition. This conflict and casting down of the dragon or civilpower, continued for several hundred years, or until about A.D.752, when "In the pontificate of Zachary, the German courtdecided that no Metropolitan could enter upon his functionswithout the approval of the Pontiff." "In the same year, Pepinasked the sanction of the Pope to ascend the throne of France.""Michael and his angels"--the Papacy and its supporters--foughtagainst the dragon--pagan rulers, etc.,--and the great dragon wascast out of heaven. This conflict between Papal and Pagan