Biblical Prophecies on the End Times -14 The Roman Influence on World History – Part 2 Today: Appreciating the effect of Political Rome on Israel and the true gospel It is now needful for us to get to some core issues concerning how Rome totally demonstrated the accuracy of the revelations granted to Daniel. Let us complete discussions on how the Political leg of Rome re-ordered the world in a permanent form. Some of the most distinguished, famous and venal rulers of the world for all time were Roman rulers. But take note of these powerful realities concerning Rome: 1. End of Judah’s Independence during Hasmonean Dynasty . It was the Romans that effectively stopped the independence secured by Judah called the Hasmonean Kingdom secured by the Maccabean revolt against Antiochus Epiphannes of the Seleucid Empire (one of the four horns or rump of Greco- Macedonia following death of Alexander the Great). The Hasmonean dynasty lasted from 164 BC until the Romans overran it in 63 BC. In effect, the Romans began the fresh Gentile conquest of Israel and subjugation of Jews that was to last about two millennia! 2. Yeshua was incarnated during Roman Rule. It was during the Roman rule of Israel during the reign of Augustus Caesar (first Emperor who ruled between 27 BC till AD 14) that Yeshua Ha Maschiach was incarnated and born through Mary. Yeshua was born about 6-4 BC. Luke 2:1-7 (KJV) 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. This was the first phase of the Daniel Prophecy that in the days of these gentile Kings, a stone cut without hands will hit the kingdoms of men that will lead to their ultimate destruction. This will be fulfilled during the second coming of Yeshua to consummate what was begun with the incarnation! 3. Rome was the Ruling entity throughout the life of Yeshua and He was even subject to them, permitting honor to Caesar and payment of taxes. This reveals that the eternal purposes of Yahweh are not constrained by the temporal leaders of the day; rather they are ultimately servants who execute His purpose, knowingly or unknowingly! 4. Death of Yeshua . Rome gave the instructions for Yeshua to be executed on the Cross of Calvary and it was Roman soldiers who executed the deed. Matthew 27:1-52. His Great Offence was that He was a King (and so, a potential opponent of Tiberius Caesar the ruling Emperor)! 5. Lie against the Resurrection. It was Roman soldiers who accepted bribes from Jewish Religious leaders to claim that disciples took away the body of Yeshua from the tomb. By so doing, they fuelled a Satanic plot to negate the Resurrection which, along with the Incarnation, is a cornerstone Truth and solid basis of the dealings of Yahweh with humanity. Matthew 28:1-15. Read 1 Corinthians chapter 15 to see importance of the Resurrection. 6. It was a Roman army led by General Titus, who fulfilled the first part of the Olivet Prophecy. They destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, totally destroyed the Temple and placed an idol on the altar (second case of abomination which makes desolate). Read Matthew 24. 7. Anti-Semitism and Persecution of the true Church. Rome intensely persecuted Jews. In the days of Emperor Claudius, they were expelled from the city of Rome as Acts 18:1-2 says. Anti- Semitism was partly responsible for the way Rome did everything to crush the gospel. The persecution was intense and expansive. Rome killed more saints than all nations and empires on earth combined ever did. Under Rome, the true Church went underground. The history of Roman persecution of the true Church is so extensive that it will take months of continuous study to fully apprehend. Let us read this entry in Wikipedia concerning that period known as the Great Persecution: The Diocletianic Persecution (or Great Persecution ) was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman empire.[1] In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding the legal rights of Christians and demanding that they comply with traditional Roman religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy and demanded universal sacrifice, ordering all inhabitants to sacrifice to the gods. The persecution varied in intensity across the empire—weakest in Gaul and Britain, where only the first edict was applied, and strongest in the Eastern provinces. Persecutory laws were nullified by different emperors at different times, but Constantine and Liciniuss Edict of Milan (313) has traditionally marked the end of the persecution.[2] Christians had always been subject to local discrimination in the empire, but early emperors were reluctant to issue general laws against them. It was not until the 250s, under the reigns of Decius and Valerian, that such laws were passed. Under this legislation, Christians were compelled to sacrifice to Roman gods or face imprisonment and execution.[3] When Gallienus acceded in 260, he issued the first imperial edict regarding tolerance toward Christians,[4] leading to nearly 40 years of peaceful coexistence. Diocletians accession in 284 did not mark an immediate reversal of disregard to Christianity, but it did herald a gradual shift in official attitudes toward religious minorities. In the first fifteen years of his rule, Diocletian purged the army of Christians, condemned Manicheans to death, and surrounded himself with public opponents of Christianity. Diocletians preference for activist government, combined with his self-image as a restorer of past Roman glory, presaged the most pervasive persecution in Roman history. In the winter of 302, Galerius urged Diocletian to begin a general persecution of the Christians. Diocletian was wary, and asked the oracle of Apollo for guidance. The oracles reply was read as an endorsement of Galeriuss position, and a general persecution was called on February 24, 303.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 06:22:38 +0000
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