On October 28, 312 AD, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Rome was in the midst of a civil war. Constantine won the battle, starting the path that led him to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. But something significant happened before the fight: Constantine, a pagan at the time, claimed to have received a vision from God.
On October 27, with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine claimed a vision led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, around noon, Constantine saw a luminous cross in the sky with the Greek inscription, "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Constantine also claimed a dream in which Christ commanded him to use the sign of the cross against his enemies.
Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He ended the policy of persecuting Christians and, in 313
"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
." (GC 49.2)
This compromise led to the development of the "man of sin"—the papacy of Rome. In 321 AD, Constantine introduced the first civil legislation concerning Sunday, decreeing that all work should cease on that day (except for necessary farming). The emperor brought a Sunday law in opposition to the Bible Sabbath. Eventually, the church became the persecutor of those who opposed its false teachings. This brings us to the present day.
A Modern "Sign to Conquer"? By many definitions, Donald Trump has lived a secular or "pagan" life; his lifestyle has not historically reflected Christian values. However, he has been leading a fierce ideological civil war between the Left and the Right. He has been indicted and convicted, yet he continues to fight. On Saturday, July 13, 2024, he may have found his own "sign to conquer."
During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a twenty-year-old assassin fired at Trump, grazing his right ear. A timely move of his head saved him from certain death. Trump and many evangelicals are calling this a miracle—a sign that he is ordained by the Lord. Trump has promised to give the church more power, and Christian Nationalism is now firmly in his camp.
History Repeats Itself Could this event be the "sign of the cross in the heavens" for Mr. Trump? Could it lead to a nominal conversion where he becomes more religious to unite Church and State? Bible prophecy teaches that in the last days, the United States will transform into a religious tyranny that sets up the "image of the beast," forcing worship just as the papacy did in the past.
While I cannot be certain if Mr. Trump will introduce a Sunday law like Constantine, he does look like a man of destiny fulfilling a mission. It would not be surprising if he continues to promote Christian Nationalism until a Sunday law is established, leading to the persecution of dissidents.
Conclusion We are living in perilous times. The ideological civil war in America is moving toward a final battle. Is it possible the attempted assassination was Trump’s signal to "go and conquer"? Time will tell, but it appears the triumph of apostate Christianity over godless secularism is near. The Sunday law, the Mark of the Beast, and the return of Christ are drawing ever closer. Let us find shelter in Jesus, lest we be found wanting in these final days.
May God help us stay true to Him.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/18/to-his-supporters-trump-is-a-martyred-messiah-resurrected-after-crucifixion
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/18/trump-rally-shooting-religious-right
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4998/t/the-usa-in-bible-prophecy
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