He raises Emperors and deposes them
This April I spent a happy afternoon in the Naples Archaeological Museum. Contained therein are hundreds of original statues, many of which depict the great early emperors. Although some were better than others, they all claimed divinity, persecuted God's people and worshipped idols. They are now in Hades awaiting judgement. Truly, the words of Daniel in the fifth chapter of his book to Belshazzar apply to them also:
“But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And this is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
These words were translated by Daniel to mean that the king's days were numbered, he has been found wanting, and his kingdom will be given to another. All this is true of Rome's great emperors. Worldly glory is fleeting and cheap.
Hadrian, emperor of the biggest empire on earth. Now dead and ruling nothing.
Vespesian, founder of the Flavian dynasty. Great general and victor of Judaea. Now commanding no-one.
Julius Caesar, the one after whom they're all named. Even Tsar and Kaiser are words that pay him tribute.
The top photograph is of the 'divine' Augustus, who, the moment he died, realised how undivine he really was.
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