Basic HTML Version
Mystery of Iniquity
255
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.
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 represen-
tative 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 arrogated the very titles of Deity.
Satan well knew that the Holy Scriptures would enable men
to discern his deceptions and withstand his power. It was by the
Word that even the Saviour of the world had resisted his attacks.
At every assault Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, saying,
“It is written.” To every suggestion of the adversary he opposed the
wisdom and power of the Word. In order for Satan to maintain his
[328]
sway over men and establish the authority of the papal usurper, he
must keep them in ignorance of the Scriptures. The Bible would
exalt God and place finite men in their true position; therefore its
sacred truths must be concealed and suppressed. This logic was
adopted by the Roman church. For hundreds of years the circulation
of the Bible was prohibited. The people were forbidden to read it,
or to have it in their houses, and unprincipled priests and prelates
interpreted its teachings to sustain their pretensions. Thus the pope
came to be almost universally acknowledged as the vicegerent of
God on earth, endowed with supreme authority over church and
state.
Times and Laws Changed
The detector of error having been removed, Satan worked ac-
cording to his will. Prophecy had declared that the Papacy was to
“think to change times and laws.”
Daniel 7:25
. This work it was not
slow to attempt. To afford converts from heathenism a substitute for
the worship of idols, and thus to promote their nominal acceptance
of Christianity, the adoration of images and relics was gradually in-
troduced into the Christian worship. The decree of a general council