Pre-Revelation #4

One more thing before we get into the book of Revelation.  John, the author had a true "dislike" for Rome. In Revelation, we find a hatred for Rome (Rev. 17: 5&6) .  Lets see why:

Rome covered a huge territory, it had many languages, religions, races and traditions.   In addition, Rome was now safe, the great roads could be traveled without robbery, there was no more tyrannical  or capricious oppression, and the pirates of the seas had been cleared away.  Rome was now the pax Romana, the Roman peace.  People could now work, provide for family, journey in safety, and send letters all thanks to the Romans.  Unfortunately, this all led to Caesar worship, with its persecution. 

Due to the many different types, religions, and traditions of Rome, there was a need for unity.  The unity came about with the new "Caesar worship".  All one had to do was to make an appearance yearly before the magistrate, burn a pinch of incense to the god-head that was Caesar and say, "Caesar is LORD!"  Once this was completed, you were free to go as you wish and worship any god or goddess you wanted to.  I guess you can see the problem this brought about.  However, if you refused to do this, there was consequences, and they were severe.  Refusal meant political disloyalty, not an act of religious rebellion.

Caesar worship was not imposed on the people from above, it came from man out of gratitude for what Rome was doing for society!  It was actually the deification of Rome, not the Emperor in the beginning.  Furthermore, the Jews were exempt from it.    So, what happened was the worship began with Julius Caesar after his death granted by Augustus in 29 B.C.  Humans have a tendency to worship a god who can be seen, as opposed to a Spirit.  Can you see something like that today? 

So, Agustus allowed Julius worship until 14 A.D. the he died.
 Tiberius (A.D. 14-37): Tried but didn't get Caesar worship stopped.
Caligula (A.D. 37-41) : Was full blown crazy and a megalomaniac, with epilepsy.  He tried to force the Jews to worship Caesar as well.  He even tried to get his figure placed on the Temple of Jerusalem!  But died before it could be done.
Claudius (A.D. 41-54): He reversed all Caligula's insane policies.  Granted the Jews back their liberty, did not want to be a god-head and did not wish to offend any contemporaries.
Then came Nero(A.D.54-68) Surprisingly, he did not look at himself as divine.  He just slaughtered Christians because he wanted to, utilized them as scapegoats.
Then there was Galbia, Otto and Vitellius All three within 18 months.  So much going on Caesar worship didn't even arise.
Vespasian (A.D 69-79) and Titus (A.D. 79-81): Good, wise rulers, no Caesar worship.
Finally, Domitian (A.D. 81-96): The time the Book of Revelation was written and John was exiled to the island of Patmos.  Domitian was true evil, and took his divinity very seriously with blood persecution for refusal to worship him.  In addition, he persecuted all who didn't worship the ancient gods ("the atheists" is what he refereed to them as).  He had a keen hatred for all Jews and Christians.

So, here we have it, call the Caesar "Lord" or suffer the consequences, which were awful.  They had to chose Caesar or Christ as Lord.  Not calling Caesar lord meant dreadful terrors, but the glory held for those who did not fold was the love of Christ.

Next we will start with Revelations 1: 1-8. 

Until then, Blessings to all.
-Calabash