Redemption on the March: From the Empty Tomb to the Rise of Antichrist | Jonathan Edwards

Deep Dive into A History of the Work of Redemption by Jonathan Edwards - From Christ's Resurrection to the End of the World - The Success of Redemption from the Time of Constantine to the Rise of AntichristThe period between the overthrow of the heathen Roman Empire under Constantine and the rise of Antichrist represents a pivotal era in the history of redemption. Although Constantine’s victory brought a brief respite of peace and silence, the church immediately faced intense opposition. This resistance manifested primarily through internal corruption via heresies and external attempts to restore paganism.Internal threats included the Arian and Pelagian heresies. Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, became so widespread that it was embraced by several emperors and the majority of the church by the late fourth century. Later, Pelagianism emerged, challenging the doctrines of original sin and divine grace by emphasizing human willpower. These theological battles were described as a "flood" intended to sweep away the church, yet they were ultimately defeated as orthodoxy was restored through leaders like St. Augustine.External opposition came through Julian the Apostate, who attempted to dismantle Christianity and rebuild heathen temples. His efforts ended with his death in battle, where he famously acknowledged Christ's victory. Furthermore, the invasion of the Roman Empire by northern barbarian tribes, such as the Goths and Vandals, initially restored paganism in conquered territories. These invasions led to the division of the Western Empire into ten kingdoms, fulfilling biblical prophecies regarding the ten horns of the beast.Despite these trials, the gospel continued to expand into many new territories. Missionary efforts and the influence of Christian captives led to the conversion of peoples in the East Indies, Arabia, and Persia. Christianity also took root among the Scythians, Burgundians, Irish, and Scots. Even kingly figures like Zathus of the Colchians renounced paganism to embrace the faith. Thus, the work of redemption progressed steadily in this time, overcoming both intellectual heresy and physical conquest while reaching barbarous nations across the globe.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerSpotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdwhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730