3 . An Era of Darkness
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 worshiped ; 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 , 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 incorporated into the faith and worship 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 support 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 .
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