1889 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

Christian teachers exhibit in regard to Millennarianism, proveshow strongly it had hold."This was the period of the church's purity and fervor, before sheleft her first love. But, as time passed, and the expected Lordcame not, the love of many waxed cold and their hopes turned inother directions. Then, as Christianity became formalistic,Grecian philosophers came into the church, and the doctrines ofChrist became blended with heathen mythologies, producing thegreat apostasy, or falling away from the true faith, foretold. (2Thes. 2:3.) Nevertheless, there was always a faithful, thoughsmall minority, which clung to the truth; for the Lord has neverleft his truth without witnesses.It was at this time, that the degenerated Christian systemconceived the view commonly held since, that the Church wasto establish Christ's Kingdom upon the earth, without waitingfor the Young Nobleman's return, and that Christ would comeafter the Millennial reign of the Church had ended--to approveher work. This is styled the post-millennarian view of the Lord'scoming. This view introduced into the nominal church anaggressive political policy; and thenceforth the Church soughtinfluence with the civil power,--and that successfully, though toher injury and apostasy. It was not long until Christianity wasrecognized by Constantine, the Roman emperor. Soon, fromamong several aspiring chiefs, or bishops, the bishop of the cityof Rome rose to prominence and influence in religious matters,and finally to influence in the empire. In 534 A.D. the emperorof Rome, Justinian, recognized the Bishop of Rome as chiefbishop, or POPE--the head of the religious affairs of the Romanempire, which for centuries had ruled the world.This great success, though accomplished by cunning, trickeryand scheming political intrigue, wholly foreign to the spirit oftrue Christianity, and in opposition to the express counsel of theLord and the apostles (Matt. 20:25-28; 23:8-12 and 1 Pet. 5:3),was hailed as the beginning of the establishment of Christ'skingdom in power. By this time, be it remembered, the nominalchurch numbered millions who were Christians in name merely,and totally ignorant of the doctrines of Christ; for the clergy hadgradually lowered the true standard, amalgamated errors, andexalted themselves, to gain popularity and to draw the people,through fear and superstition, to their support. And when theimperial authority began to recognize the apostate church, and toconcede its false claims, the unregenerate heathen millionsrushed into her bosom, adding to her defilement theiruncircumcised views and heathen superstitions. So fast did theycome, that the original form for symbolizing consecration byimmersion, was abandoned as no longer practicable, and themultitudes were sprinkled.But though nominal Christianity had now gained freedom frompersecution, civil recognition, and finally religious jurisdiction