The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 51
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.
It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the
visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme
authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than
this, the pope has been given the very titles of Deity. He has been styled
“Lord God the Pope” (see Appendix), and has been declared infallible.
He demands the homage of all men. The same claim urged by Satan in
the wilderness of temptation is still urged by him through the Church of
Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him homage.
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