Church History and Imperial Shifts: 355-356 AD

Between 355 and 356 AD, major events included the Council of Milan, the brutal persecution and eventual surrender of Bishop Hosius of Cordova, and the initial divisions of the Roman Empire by invading barbarian tribesGEP 526.1+2.

The Council of Milan (355 AD)

• Imperial Pressure: In early 355 AD, Emperor Constantius summoned a council of over three hundred bishops to MilanGEP 526.1+1.

• Condemnation of Athanasius: The Emperor took a personal interest in the proceedings, presiding over them in his palace and insisting that the bishops sign a condemnation of AthanasiusTTR 367.2+1.

• The Stand of Liberius: Liberius, the bishop of Rome, initially refused to confirm the council's actions, expressing a willingness to wash out the stain of his legates' surrender with his own bloodGEP 526.1+1.

The Fall of Hosius (356 AD)

• Banishment and Torture: After refusing to sign the decrees of the Council of Milan, the aged Bishop Hosius of Cordova was banished to Sirmium and subjected to inhuman torture, including being put to the rack and cruelly beatenGEP 529.2+2.

• Forced Surrender: Under these extreme torments, Hosius finally yielded and signed the Arian decrees in 356 ADGEP 529.2+1.

• Significance: His surrender was considered a massive victory for the Arians and was published throughout the EastPTUK August 12, 1897, page 501.1+1. It is a somber reminder that even those who once promoted persecution may find themselves victims of itGEP 529.2+1.

Political and Prophetic Shifts

• Barbarian Invasions: The year 356 AD marks the beginning of the formal division of the Roman Empire into ten kingdoms as symbolized by the toes of the image in Daniel's prophecy Daniel 2:41-42LIFSK 37.2.

• The Huns: The Huns established themselves in Hungary in 356 AD, representing the first of the ten horns to arise from the Roman beast Daniel 7:24ARSH June 20, 1854, page 161.27+1.

• Julian the Apostate: On November 6, 355 AD, Constantius appointed Julian as Caesar of the West to drive out barbarians from Gaul, a task Julian pursued through 356 ADGEP 604.4+1.

Ecclesiastical Developments

• Church and State Union: This period solidified the "paganizing" of Christianity, where mass conversions without inward change introduced heathen superstitions and vices into the churchTTR 297.4+1.

• Liturgical Records: The Philocalian Calendar of 356 AD provides evidence of how the church was beginning to use cycles of letters to indicate both the Roman eight-day period and the seven-day week side by sideHBS 68.3.

• Sabbath Observance: Historical records indicate that many Christians continued to keep the holy Sabbath and hold assemblies on the seventh day until around the time of the Council of Laodicea in 355 ADBEARF 31.5+1.

While these earthly kingdoms rose and fell, we remain mindful of the promise that "in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed" Daniel 2:44TTKGG 7.3. 🕊️