The Great Roman Deception

How Constantine Transformed Biblical Truth Into Pagan Christianity

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."  - Daniel 7:25

Throughout Scripture, YHWH warns His people about deception and the mixing of pagan practices with His pure truth. As Solomon wisely observed,

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun" - Ecclesiastes 1:9

Today, we must examine one of the most significant historical deceptions that continues to impact believers: Constantine's transformation of biblical truth into what would become modern Christianity.

This is important to understand and now lets explore how this change came to pass.

Constantine's Rise: The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

The Vision That Changed History

The story of Constantine's "conversion" begins with the famous vision of the Chi-Rho in the sky in 312 CE. According to historical accounts, Constantine claimed to see a cross of light and the words "In this sign you will conquer" (In Hoc Signo Vinces). This vision immediately reveals the fundamental contradiction with Yahshua 's teachings:

"My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight... but My kingdom is not from here." - John 18:36

This military use of religious symbolism stands in stark contrast to Yahshua 's refusal to establish an earthly kingdom through force. When Peter drew his sword, Yahshua commanded:

"Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." - Matthew 26:52

The Edict of Milan: A Deceptive Peace

The Edict of Milan (313 CE) appeared on the surface to end persecution of believers, granting them freedom to worship. However, this "peace" came at a terrible price - the gradual paganization of the faith.

The edict:

1. Established "religious tolerance" while setting the stage for state control of religious practices

2. Returned confiscated properties to assemblies, but made them dependent on state approval

3. Legitimized "Christianity" while beginning its transformation into a state religion

4. Created a system where religious leaders became state officials

As prophesied by Ezekiel:

"Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane" - Ezekiel 22:26

The Wolf Revealed

Yahshua warned explicitly about this type of deception:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."  - Matthew 7:15

This warning proved prophetic as Constantine's actions demonstrated:

Signs of the Wolf's Nature:

1. Mixing Paganism with Truth

   • Retained his position as Pontifex Maximus (high priest of Roman paganism)

   • Continued minting coins with pagan deities until 323 CE

   • Incorporated pagan symbols and festivals into "Christian" worship

2. Political Control of Faith

   • Began building state churches funded by imperial treasury

   • Appointed and controlled religious leaders

   • Made doctrinal decisions based on political expediency

3. Persecution of Torah Observance

   • Banned celebration of Passover at Council of Nicaea

   • Enforced Sunday worship over Sabbath

   • Prohibited biblical feasts

As Yahshua further warned:

"For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect." - Matthew 24:24

Constantine's "conversion" must be judged by its fruits, as Yahshua taught:

"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?" - Matthew 7:16

The fruits of Constantine's religious system included:

1. Replacement of YHWH's appointed times with pagan festivals

2. Substitution of Torah observance with state-mandated religious practices

3. Persecution of those maintaining biblical faith

4. Creation of a hierarchical religious system contrary to Yahshua 's teachings

   
   
   
   

The Systematic Destruction of Biblical Truth

The Initial Attack: Council of Nicaea 325 CE

The Council of Nicaea marked a decisive turning point in the systematic removal of Torah observance from the faith. Constantine, acting as both political ruler and religious authority, presided over this council despite being unbaptized - a clear violation of scriptural principles.

The Constantine Creed: Setting the Foundation

The Constantine Creed established at this council required believers to declare:

"I renounce all customs, rites, legalisms, unleavened breads and sacrifices of lambs of the Hebrews, and all the other feasts of the Hebrews, sacrifices, prayers, aspirations, purifications, sanctifications, and propitiations, and fasts and new moons, and Sabbaths, and superstitions, and hymns and chants, and observances and synagogues. absolutely everything Jewish, every Law, rite and custom and if afterwards I shall wish to deny and return to Jewish superstition, or shall be found eating with Jews, or feasting with them, or secretly conversing and condemning the Christian religion instead of openly confuting them and condemning their vain faith, then let the trembling of Cain and the leprosy of Gehazi cleave to me, as well as the legal punishments to which I acknowledge myself liable. And may I be an anathema in the world to come, and may my soul be set down with Satan and the devils.” - (Stefano Assemani, Acta Sanctorium Martyrum Orientalium at Occidentalium, Vol. 1, Rome 1748, page 105)

“I accept all customs, rites, legalism, and feasts of the Romans, sacrifices. Prayers, purifications with water, sanctifications by Pontificus Maxmus (high priests of Rome), propitiations, and feasts, and the New Sabbath “So! dei” (day of the Sun, ), all new chants and observances, and all the foods and drinks of the Romans. In other words, I absolutely accept everything Roman, every new law, rite and custom, of Rome, and the New Roman Religion.”

This foundational attack led to systematic changes implemented through subsequent councils

1. The Two-Stage Assault on the Sabbath

1st Stage - Doctrinal Rejection (Council of Nicaea, 325 CE)

• Initial renunciation of "Sabbaths" in the Constantine Creed

• Established theological foundation for change

• Part of general separation from biblical roots

  
  

2nd Stage - Legal Enforcement (Council of Laodicea, 363-364 CE)

The Council of Laodicea made the change explicit through specific canons:

"Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honoring the Lord's Day [Sunday]; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ."

This directly contradicted YHWH's eternal command:

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" - Exodus 20:8 

"It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever" - Exodus 31:17

2. The Systematic Attack on YHWH's Appointed Times

1st Stage - Doctrinal Foundation (Nicaea, 325 CE)

• Renunciation of all Hebrew feasts

• Rejection of biblical calendar

• Separation from biblical heritage

  
  

2nd Stage - Legal Implementation (Council of Antioch, 345 CE)

• Prohibited believers from celebrating Passover

• Banned fellowship with Jewish believers during feast times

• Imposed penalties for observing biblical festivals

This violated YHWH's clear instruction:

"And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: The feasts of YHWH, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.'" - Leviticus 23:1-2

3. The Implementation of Replacement Worship

1st Stage - Doctrinal Foundation (Nicaea, 325 CE)

• Established principle of replacing biblical practices

• Created theological justification for changes

• Set foundation for new religious system

  
  

2nd Stage - Practical Implementation

• Easter replaced Passover and Firstfruits

• December 25th celebrations replaced biblical fall feasts

• Sunday worship replaced the Sabbath

  
  

This ignored the vital prophetic significance:

• Yahshua as our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)

• His resurrection as Firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20)

• The Sabbath as an eternal sign (Exodus 31:13)

All these changes stood in stark contradiction to Yahshua 's own words:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." - Matthew 5:17-18

Consider the implications:

1. Yahshua explicitly stated He did not come to destroy the Torah

2. He affirmed the Torah's permanence until heaven and earth pass away

3. He emphasized the importance of both doing and teaching the commandments

These systematic changes fulfilled prophecy:

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws" - Daniel 7:25

Impact and Modern Implications

These changes continue to affect believers today:

1. Most assemblies follow the changed times and laws

2. Many are unaware of the historical changes

3. Those returning to Torah often face persecution

The solution remains in YHWH's Word:

"Thus says YHWH: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.'" - Jeremiah 6:16

The Call to Return

Today, YHWH is calling His people back to His truth. As Jeremiah prophesied:

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith YHWH; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people"  - Hebrews 8:10, quoting Jeremiah 31:33

The changes instituted by Constantine fulfill Daniel's prophecy about one who would "think to change times and laws." As believers today, we must examine whether we follow the traditions of men or the eternal truth of YHWH's Word.

Yahshua warned that many would say to Him,

"Master, Master," but would be turned away as workers of lawlessness - Matthew 7:23

The Greek word for "lawlessness" is "anomia" - meaning "without Torah."

The prophet Jeremiah declared:

"Thus saith YHWH, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" - Jeremiah 6:16

Will you continue in man-made traditions, or will you return to the ancient paths of YHWH's eternal truth?

"For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my Torah (Law)"  - Proverbs 4:2

All praise to the Most High!

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