Roman Empire, the.

• 2 min. read • grade level: 13

Called the world from its extent. Luke 2:1¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1).

REPRESENTED BY THE

Legs of iron in Nebuchadnezzar's vision. Dan. 2:33, 40³³His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. (Daniel 2:33)
⁴⁰And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. (Daniel 2:40).

Terrible beast in Daniel's vision. Dan. 7:7, 19⁷After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7:7)
¹⁹Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; (Daniel 7:19).

Rome the capital of. Acts 18:2²And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:2). Acts 19:21²¹After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. (Acts 19:21).

Judea a province of, under a procurator or a governor. Luke 3:2²Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 3:2). Acts 23:24, 26²⁴And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. (Acts 23:24)
²⁶Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. (Acts 23:26). Acts 25:1¹Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. (Acts 25:1).

ALLUSIONS TO MILITARY AFFAIRS OF; Strict obedience to superiors. Mat. 8:8, 9.

Use of the panoply or defensive armor. Rom, 13:12. 2 Cor. 6:7⁷By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (2 Corinthians 6:7). Eph. 6:11-17¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:11‑17).

Soldiers not allowed to entangle themselves with earthly cares. 2 Tim. 2:4⁴No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4).

Hardship endured by soldiers. 2 Tim. 2:3³Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3).

The soldier's special comrade who shared his toils and dangers. Phi. 2:25.

Danger of sentinels' sleeping. Matt. 28:13, 14¹³Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. ¹⁴And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. (Matthew 28:13‑14).

Expunging from the muster roll names of soldiers guilty of crimes. Rev. 3:5⁵He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5).

Crowning of soldiers who distinguished themselves. 2 Tim. 4:7, 8⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7‑8).

Triumph of victorious generals. 2 Cor. 2:14-16¹⁴Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. ¹⁵For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: ¹⁶To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14‑16). Col. 2:15¹⁵And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15).

Different military officers, &c. Acts 21:31³¹And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. (Acts 21:31). Acts 23:23, 24²³And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; ²⁴And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. (Acts 23:23‑24).

Italian and Augustus' band. Acts. 10:1. Acts 27:1¹And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. (Acts 27:1).

ALLUSIONS TO JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OF;

Persons accused, examined by scourging. Acts 22:24, 29²⁴The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. (Acts 22:24)
²⁹Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. (Acts 22:29).

Criminals delivered over to the soldiers for execution. Matt. 27:26, 27²⁶Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. ²⁷Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. (Matthew 27:26‑27).

Accusation in writing placed over the head of those executed. John 19:19¹⁹And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. (John 19:19).

Garments of those executed given to the soldiers. Matt. 27:35³⁵And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (Matthew 27:35). John 19:23²³Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. (John 19:23).

Prisoners chained to soldiers for safety. Acts 21:33³³Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. (Acts 21:33), with Acts 12:6⁶And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. (Acts 12:6). 2 Tim. 1:16¹⁶The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: (2 Timothy 1:16), with Acts 28:16¹⁶And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. (Acts 28:16).

Accusers and accused confronted together. Acts 23:35³⁵I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall. (Acts 23:35). Acts 25:16-19¹⁶To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. ¹⁷Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. ¹⁸Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: ¹⁹But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. (Acts 25:16‑19).

Accused persons protected from popular violence. Acts 23:20, 24-27²⁰And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. (Acts 23:20)
²⁴And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. ²⁵And he wrote a letter after this manner: ²⁶Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. ²⁷This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. (Acts 23:24‑27).

Power of life and death vested in its authorities. John 18:31, 39, 40³¹Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: (John 18:31)
³⁹But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? ⁴⁰Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:39‑40). John 19:10¹⁰Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? (John 19:10).

All appeals made to the emperor. Acts 25:11, 12¹¹For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. ¹²Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. (Acts 25:11‑12).

Those who appealed to Caesar, to be brought before him. Acts 26:32³²Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. (Acts 26:32).

ALLUSIONS TO CITIZENSHIP OF;

Obtained by purchase. Acts 22:28²⁸And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. (Acts 22:28).

Obtained by birth. Acts 22:28²⁸And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. (Acts 22:28).

Exempted from the degradation of scourging. Acts 16:37, 38³⁷But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. ³⁸And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. (Acts 16:37‑38). Acts 22:25²⁵And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? (Acts 22:25).

ALLUSIONS TO GRECIAN GAMES ADOPTED BY;

Gladiatorial fights. 1 Cor. 4:9⁹For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. (1 Corinthians 4:9) 1 Cor. 15:32³²If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32).

Foot races. 1 Cor. 9:24²⁴Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (1 Corinthians 9:24). Phi. 2: 16. Phi. 3:11-14. Heb. 12:1, 2¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1‑2).

Wrestling. Eph. 6:12¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12).

Training of combatants. 1 Cor. 9:25, 27²⁵And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:25)
²⁷But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Crowning of conquerors. 1 Cor. 9:25²⁵And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:25). Phi. 3:14. 2 Tim. 4:8⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8).

Rules observed in conducting. 2 Tim. 2:5⁵And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2 Timothy 2:5).

EMPERORS OF, MENTIONED;

Tiberius. Luke 3:1¹Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, (Luke 3:1).

Augustus. Luke 2:1¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1).

Claudius. Acts 11:28²⁸And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11:28).

Negro. Phi. 4:22. 2 Tim. 4:17¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Timothy 4:17).

PREDICTIONS RESPECTING;

Its universal dominion. Dan. 7:23²³Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. (Daniel 7:23).

Its division into ten parts. Dan. 2:41-43⁴¹And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. ⁴²And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. ⁴³And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Daniel 2:41‑43). Dan. 7:20, 24²⁰And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. (Daniel 7:20)
²⁴And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. (Daniel 7:24).

Origin of papal power in. Dan. 7:8, 20, 25⁸I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8)
²⁰And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. (Daniel 7:20)
²⁵And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Reptiles.

• Resignation.

• Resurrection of Christ, the.

• Resurrection, the.

• Reuben, the Tribe of.

• Revenge.

• Reviling and Reproaching.

• Reward of Saints, the.

• Riches.

• Righteousness.

• Righteousness Imputed.

• Righteousness of God, the.

• Roman Empire, the.

• Saints, Compared to.