A.D.
324. Opening of the Seventh Seal, marked by the victory of Constantine over Licinius at Chrysopolis.
Silence in the heaven a half hour begins.
337. Silence, or peace, ends.
During this half-hour period the Sealing of 144,000 proceeds — ch. 7, and the prayers of these saints ascend abundantly as incense of supplication and thanksgiving — ch. 8:3,4.
The silence ends with the ascension of the three sons of Constantine, who each reign independently over a distinct division of the catholic empire.
At their accession, “Fire is cast into the earth, and there were voices” — ver. 5. The two brothers and seven of the nephews of Constantine, the praefect Ablavius, and the patrician Optatus, massacred by order of the “pious" Constantius.
350. Constans, emperor of the “third" then comprising Italy, Africa, and the Western Illyricum, assassinated by order of a usurper.
354. Gallus, the Caesar, a nephew of Constantine, beheaded by Constantius.
“AND THERE WERE THUNDERS"
Verse 5.
337. War between the Romans and Persians twenty three years.
- War with the Allemanni and Franks.
- War with the Quadi and Samaritans.
"AND THERE WERE LIGHTNINGS"
340. Civil war between the sons of Constantine "the Great," Constans and Constantine, in which the latter is slain.
350. Usurpation of Magnentius and Vetranio, which produces a revolt throughout the praefectures of Italy and Gaul, with the Illyrian countries from the Danube to the extremity of Greece. The civil war continues three years.
355. Revolt and assassination of Sylvanus.
"AND THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE"
Verse 5
- The Roman legions at Paris proclaim Julian, the last of the House of Constantine, emperor. He declares war against Constantius.
- Constantius dies, and Julian, the pagan, is acknowledged. He reforms the court of the second "Christian" "sovereign pontiff" by turning out a thousand barbers, a thousand cupbearers, a thousand cooks, and eunuchs numerous as clouds of insects on a summer's day. He appoints the Tribunal of Chalcedon for the sanguinary punishment of the sycophants of the former reign. He deprives catholics of the power of tormenting heretics; orders the pagan temples to be reopened; reestablishes paganism as the religion of the empire; assumes the pago-sacerdotal functions of the Imperial Pontificate; erases the name of Christ from the Labarum; undertakes the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, with a view to a falsification of the prophecies; the enterprise is defeated by earthquake, whirlwind, and a fiery eruption from the foundations.
He orders Christians to be called Galileans by way of contempt; abolishes clerical honors and immunities; prohibits "Christians" from teaching schools, or practising medicine, or the liberal arts.
He degrades the clergy to the lowest class of the people; excludes catholics from all offices of trust and profit, on the plea that it is unlawful for Christians to use the sword either of justice or war; condemns them to make full and ample satisfaction for the pagan temples they had destroyed in the last reign.
The result of this earthquake is recorded by the sophist, Lib- anus, in these words: “Every part of the world displayed the
triumph of religion, and the grateful prospect of flaming altars, bleeding victims, the smoke of incense, and a solemn train of priests and prophets, without fear and without danger. The sound of prayer and music was heard on the tops of the highest mountains; and the same ox afforded a sacrifice for the gods, and a supper for their joyous votaries.”
363. Julian is wounded in battle, and dies. Jovian, a catholic created emperor in his stead. He abolishes the edicts of Julian, and reestablishes the Catholic Apostasy as the legal and privileged religion of the state.
“The seven angels which have the seven trumpets prepare themselves to sound” — ver. 6.
395. Preparation-period ends with the death of Theodosius.
The Sealing and separating the 144,000 from among the catholics, previous to judgment, finished.