Coronation of Charlemagne
"The Holy Roman Empire"
Gradually the name of Christianity spread among the
peoples of Europe, without its Master's Spirit. The name
"Christian" became popular. In the day of King Charlemagne, the
title, "Holy Roman Empire," was established. The significance of
the title is illustrated by a famous picture in the Chapter House at
Florence, Italy. It shows the Emperor and the Pope seated side by side
upon a throne, and descending from each by steps, the various officers of
the Empire; on the Emperor's side, generals, etc., and on the Pope's side,
bishops, the clergy, etc. Some claim this as a public acknowledgment of
the marriage of the professed Virgin of Christ to Civil Power, in the Book
of Revelation styled harlotry.--Revelation 17:1-5.
The basis of the alliance was the doctrine which then
obtained, that the Second Coming of Christ as the Messiah to rule the
world for a thousand years was thus fulfilled. The claims set forth were
that it was the Divine intention that Christ should be represented in the
earth by the Papacy, and that His government should be carried on through
earthly princes. This condition of things prevailed in Europe for
centuries. In the Sixteenth Century the Reformation movement sprang up.
These daughters of the Church of Rome married earthly power, and started
"Holy Empires" of their own.
This entire theory and its Systems received a severe
blow when Napoleon Bonaparte took the Pope a prisoner to France. The spell
of sacerdotal rule was broken. In September, 1870, Victor Immanuel took
possession of Rome--a fatal blow.
Bible students are generally agreed that Church and
State union is contrary to the spirit of the Bible, an error of the Dark
Ages; that the Church of Christ is not to reign with the princes of the
Earth, nor to be married to them, but to wait for her marriage till the
Second Coming of her Redeemer, to be united with Him in the First
Resurrection. Then she shall reign with Him forever.--Revelation
19:7;20:6.
