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Kingdom Parables

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M. M. NINAN<br />

chief of Apostles all bishops were subject to him. However at the death<br />

of Leo, the subsequent Popes were not that powerful and they fell into<br />

disrepute and in AD 537 Pope Silverus was deposed and Vigilius who<br />

took over was carried away as a prisoner and died in labor camp<br />

Papacy had to wait till 590 AD when Gregory became Pope. The<br />

political situation in Rome gave him the total control of the City and he<br />

declared himself as the ruler of Rome. His strong administrative abilities<br />

soon put power in his hands within the Church and also in the State. It<br />

was by the efforts of Gregory that Britain became Christian.<br />

4.5 JESUS WRITES A LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN<br />

PERGAMOS<br />

Jesus addresses this church as Pergamos in Revelation 2:13-17. The<br />

name Pergamos means certainly married. A very significant name. The<br />

empire of Rome married the Church which is supposed to be the Bride<br />

of the Lamb. The bride waited and waited for nearly three centuries for<br />

the bridegroom to come from the heavens as he has promised. When<br />

the eschatology did not take place, she decided to take a husband from<br />

among the empires of the world - at least in Rome and that was the<br />

most eligible bachelor of the place - the Empire of Rome itself. Thus the<br />

harlotry begins<br />

Rev. 2:12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of<br />

him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.13 I know where you live--where Satan<br />

has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in<br />

me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your<br />

city--where Satan lives.14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have<br />

people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the<br />

Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual<br />

immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the<br />

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