The Importance of Social Legitimacy in the Roman Empire

Christianity was adopted by the Roman Empire and used to sublimate social conflict as it collapsed. But they were, of course, competing with a structure that couldn't accommodate them. Christianity does the job, but not by promising we would all be redeemed on earth together. It's understood that you don't go to heaven when you die. You are resurrected at the end time,. judged and then brought into the bosom of Christ if you follow the rules.