Memory of 2000 Years
In 500 years since A.D. 1, the key player was the Roman Empire where Christianity became its state region. In the last 500 years up to today, who or what was the key player?
Almost 500 years ago, Columbus reached America; the Vatican started to build St. Peter's Basilica; Protestant Christianity started to prevail; and the Empire of the East (the Byzantine Empire) was destroyed by the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, these 500 years have been characterized by the rise of America, the competence between Protestant Church and the Vatican, and the influence of Islam, although the general direction and the general trend can be described as globalization.
First Christianity took 500 years to have fully prevailed in the Roman Empire that covered a half of Europe. Then it took 1,000 years, called the Middle Ages, to have fully influenced the whole Europe. And finally it has taken 500 years toward globalization.
So, what will happen in the next 500 years or 1,000 years? Maybe another Middle Ages? But it seems that what is only needed is the Second Coming of Christ.
Then we may understand that this 2000-year history is for preparation of the Second Coming of Christ and the beginning of the Kingdom of God.
On the other hand, Christianity started with expectation of imminent coming of the end of the world or the judgment day 2000 years ago. So, this 2000-year history might be for preparation of the prolonged end of the world even if there is Second Coming of Christ Jesus.
Anyway, only human beings on this planet have memory of 2000 years and more. We have to think about the history to better understand why we are living in this world or in these specific circumstances. And it can be sincerely done only if we try to find any intention or will of God in our history.
However, it is a little surprise to know that the time span when Christianity started to prevail; it became the state religion of the Roman Empire; and the Western Roman Empire collapsed is equal to the time span when Columbus reached America; the Vatican started to build St. Peter's Basilica; Protestant Christianity started to prevail; the Empire of the East (the Byzantine Empire) was destroyed by the Ottoman Empire; and other various incidents occurred, leading to today's world.
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Luk 4:23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
Luk 4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.