Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
2. The Harlot of Babylon Close Up (Revelation 17:3-6)
Churches Between Spiritual Calling and Worldly Power (vv 3-4): The astounding vision of judgment of the great harlot John received in the wilderness has been the inspiration of many interpreters and melancholic brooders. Some believed the sinful fall of the church occurred when Emperor Constantine no longer persecuted the Christians in his kingdom, like his predecessors had done. Instead, he tolerated the Orthodox churches, and later integrated them into his kingdom. Constantine became, as bishop of the bishops, their supreme lord. Since then, state and religion, politics and church, power and no power have been merged together in the Middle East. Admonition, criticism and reciprocal correction have been widely silenced. The church became an instrument of the state. Rotten compromises in regard to questions of faith and of life settled in. At the command of the Eastern Roman emperor, bishops and monks were even allowed to formulate Christianities fundamental confessions of faith. As the state church, Orthodox Churches received decisive privileges, and not infrequently gave tacit consent to the rulers. Dissenters were bloodily persecuted by state and church.
Other interpreters believe the Catholic Church is to be understood in the vision of John, and the “Harlot of Babylon” refers to the “great city” of Rome. In the raging waves of mass migrations of people Rome was conquered and destroyed several times. Each time, however, it rose again via local traditions and the power of bonded families. In the end a church-state crystallized, one in which the respective pope reigned over land and people, weapons and sacraments. Following mass migrations the Catholic Church was left holding the reigns firmly in hand. For centuries it fought in Europe with cunning and power to maintain its dominion over emperors and kings. The Crusades, along with their more than two hundred year misery, were political-religious failures of the power-hungry misunderstanding of Rome. In the image of John's revelation the woman arrayed in scarlet and purple sat firmly in the saddle for a long time in Rome. Even today, the pope reigns over his small church-state. He possesses a worldwide radiance, and has never revoked any of the earlier decrees of the previous popes.
In regard to the Protestant Churches, from the time of their conception they were dependent upon the power of the local kings, dukes and counts. The ruling slogan of law was: “The faith of the king is the faith of the land!” The national churches in each locality were not able to independently make decisions, for the respective ruler was, at the same time, the uppermost lord of the church. Professorial chairs of theology at local universities were both appointed and financially supported by the government of the land, so that the education of the clergy was not merely in the hand of the church. Even in our day the raising of church tax through government revenue offices reflects a close cooperation between church and state. In the U.S.A. the churches are largely independent. Nevertheless, one often sees the Stars and Stripes standing beside the altar, indicating a pledge of allegiance to American democracy.
Church history shows that the relationship of cooperation, submission or dependency between worldly and spiritual authorities differed in individual countries, and in the course of time changed. But the striving after power, possessions and influence in politics remained a fundamental temptation of the churches.
In contrast, Jesus and His apostles intentionally lived poor and powerless. They worked in the authority of God through His Holy Spirit (Acts 3:6, 16). Jesus unmistakably declared to His followers: “You cannot serve God and mammon!” (Matthew 6:24) As soon as churches and their representatives strive after earthly recognition of power and influence, they stand in danger of losing the power of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we magnify You and thank You for the multitudes of faithful believers in the churches, where the complete gospel is preached. Help the accountable church leaders to dispense with the worldly power and the interference in political matters, and to choose Christ's contentedness and the simple life of His apostles. Amen.
QUESTIONS:
- What are the differences between the state church and the independent church?
- Why did Christ and His apostles walk away from the political authority and lived in contentedness?