Historians generally agree that the Grecian empire ended with the battle of Pydna in 168 B.C. With this victory, the Romans finally gained control of the world. The Roman military was known for its use of iron and its scorched-earth policy. Did you notice the fourth beast has teeth of iron? This metallic feature parallels the "legs of iron" mentioned in Daniel 2. Unlike King Nebuchadnezzar who took captives to Babylon and trained them for government service, the Romans took few prisoners. (True to form, when the Romans burned Jerusalem to the ground in A.D. 70, they took everything of value, but few prisoners.) The term, "the iron age," accurately describes Rome’s extensive use of this metal. The Romans were skillful manufacturers of iron weapons. Their iron-clad warriors and chariots of iron were legendary. As a world empire, Rome endured for 124
almost 650 years (168 B.C. to A.D. 476), but like its predecessors, Rome fell. After a series of civil wars within its borders, the empire crumbled during the last half of the fifth century A.D. As the Roman Empire fractured, ten ethnic nations within the former empire rose to power. The ten horns of the fourth beast represent these ten nations. Daniel was told, "The ten horns are ten kings who will come from [within] this kingdom." (Daniel 7:24, insertion mine) These tribal-nations have been generally identified as the Ostrogoths, Heruli, Franks, Vandals, Lombards, Visigoths, Suevi, Burgundians, Alamanni, and the Anglo-Saxons.
Conflicting Interpretation
Many prophetic commentators claim the ten horns on the fourth beast represent ten nations that will belong to a future European Union. (Currently, fourteen nations belong to the EU.) [Editor’s Editor: This number might even be different at this date, 2013.] This interpretation is faulty because it does not satisfy all of the prophetic specifications given in Daniel and Revelation about the ten horns. The ten horns cannot be ten nations of a future European Union for several reasons.
These reasons will be explored later.
Even though Daniel observed four beasts in this vision, he was particularly distressed and awed by the fourth beast, because it was different than the other three beasts. As Daniel watched this monster beast, he noticed a little horn that began to grow out of its forehead. As it grew, the little horn became great and it uprooted three of the original ten horns by their roots. This little horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke very boastful things! Even though Daniel did not comprehend the vision, he became very alarmed as he watched the ferociousness of the little horn. He could see that it was grossly evil and it wielded absolute power for a period of time, but he did not know what it represented.
The Charts
[Editor’s Note: You can find all of Larry Wilson’s other charts on my website,
www.myviewfromtheright.me/thebookofdaniel. ]
About fifty years after God gave King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel the vision of the metal man, Daniel received a second vision. This second vision is important for several reasons. First, Daniel 7 is a repetition and expansion of Daniel 2. The vision in Daniel 2 is amplified in Daniel 7 so that we might better understand the ways and plans of God. Second, Daniel 7 is an important vision because God 125
The Book of Daniel
adds certain details to the prophetic matrix which later visions will build upon.
Daniel 7 identifies the timing of two events upon which other prophecies depend. If the timing of these two events are overlooked or inaccurately identified, the other prophecies that depend upon this timing will not harmonize. Bible prophecy is something like a house of cards. Every new layer depends upon the strength of the layer beneath it.
The vision in Daniel 2 can be compared to "sub-flooring," that is, the first layer in our prophetic understanding. Daniel 2 describes a chronological sequence of seven kingdoms that spans more than 2,600 years (605 B.C. to the Second Coming). If the vision in Daniel 2 is sub-flooring, then the vision in Daniel 7 is the flooring. Daniel 7 lies on top of Daniel 2. (See Chart 3.1.) When bonded together, these two visions strengthen each other. Both visions are identical in length because they cover the same time period. The "nails" that hold these two visions together are the elements within them. The first four kingdoms described in Daniel 2 perfectly align with the four beasts described in Daniel 7. Thus, the four beasts in Daniel 7 are a repetition and enlargement of the first four kingdoms presented in Daniel 2. Carefully notice how repetition and enlargement is used in Chart 3.1. By amplifying the elements of each vision with information from other visions, God demonstrates the all important operation of a matrix, and this matrix makes our prophetic foundation more secure.
Chart 3.1
For at least two reasons, God implemented this architecture in Daniel so that history would produce this matrix. First, if the same kingdom is identified in different visions with unique specifications, the chance of misinterpretation is 126
greatly reduced, and different views of the same kingdom expand our understanding of that kingdom and its duration. For example, the thighs of bronze in Daniel 2 represent the same kingdom as the leopard with four wings in Daniel 7. (Notice the kingdom of Grecia in Chart 3.1.) Second, God established the matrix in Daniel because He foreknew that He could build on it 700 years later when He gave John the visions recorded in Revelation. In other words, the matrix established in Daniel is integral to the book of Revelation.
Daniel 8 Briefly Introduced
Since we are observing the use of repetition and enlargement, allow me to jump ahead for a moment and add a few more elements to Chart 3.1 from the visions in Daniel 8 and 11. The added data may help you quickly see how the architecture in Daniel produces a historical matrix. As this matrix grows larger, it becomes more comprehensive. Eventually, every prophetic item in Daniel and Revelation will harmoniously fit within this matrix.
Two years after receiving the vision recorded in Daniel 7, God gave Daniel yet another vision. Even though Babylon had not fallen at the time of this vision, Daniel knew that another kingdom would displace Babylon. During the vision of Daniel 8, Daniel saw a great conflict between a ram with two horns and a goat that had a large horn protruding out of its head (maybe something like a unicorn horn). The angel told Daniel that the ram represented the rising kingdom of the Medes and the Persians, and the two horns of the ram represented its two kings.
Also, the goat represented the future kingdom of Grecia, which would eventually destroy the kingdom of the Medes and Persians. The angel told Daniel that the great horn of the goat represented the first prominent king of the Grecian empire which proved to be Alexander the Great. (Daniel 8:20,21) With this information in mind, let us consider the first thousand years (605 B.C. - A.D.
476) of the prophetic matrix that develops in the book of Daniel.
Daniel 2, 7 and 8
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The Book of Daniel
Chart 3.2
Daniel 11 Briefly Introduced
Notice how the layers are adding up. The matrix is becoming more inclusive. The ram in Daniel 8, the bear in Daniel 7, and the chest of silver in Daniel 2 represent the same entity, Medo-Persia! This matrix provides a solid footing for all of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation. God’s use of repetition and enlargement puts our prophetic faith on solid ground. While we are discussing the expansion and development of this matrix, let us jump forward to Daniel’s last vision, look at Chart 3.3, and add portions of Daniel 11 to the matrix.
Look at the top two rows on Chart 3.3. Now, review the words spoken to Daniel during the reign of Darius the Mede: "Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will appear in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases." (Daniel 11:2, 3) History confirms the rise of these four kings in Persia, and history confirms the overall progression of kingdoms presented in this matrix. God knows the future before it comes to pass and His Word cannot fail. The matrix in Chart 3.3 spans more than 1,000 years – from the rise of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar to the fall of civil Rome in A.D. 476. Even though the book of Daniel offers more detail than this matrix presently shows, a thousand years of history and prophecy should be sufficient to demonstrate that God’s matrix conforms to a specific architecture!
Daniel 2, 7, 8 and 11
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The Book of Daniel
Chart 3.3
Repetition and enlargement are indispensable to the study of prophecy. No prophecy in Daniel or Revelation tells a whole story within itself. In fact, neither book, Daniel nor Revelation, tells the whole story! The visions in both books interconnect and depend upon each other. Many Bible teachers today offer erroneous prophetic conclusions because they lift prophetic segments out of their context and this violates the rules found in the book of Daniel. Unless the Bible student has valid rules of interpretation, truth cannot be determined. The visions of Daniel and Revelation can be manipulated in an infinite number of wrong ways. Remember this: All of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation link to each other, and together they form one harmonious matrix.
The matrix teaches us two things: First, each prophetic element in Daniel can be tied to a specific time and location. Second, the intended meaning of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation is found after we align all of the elements within the prophecies. A puzzle is not solved until all of its pieces are in their right places. The events described in each prophecy are the nails that hold all of the layers together. When the prophetic matrix of Daniel and Revelation is aligned correctly, a marvelous prophetic picture unfolds. Understanding the big picture is important. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation are not limited to one nation or one church. Instead, the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation encompass all nations, kindred, tongues and people. God has a predetermined blueprint that affects everyone on Earth. All prophetic pieces fit together in an interlocking way so that every element in every prophecy is supported by the elements around it! This is similar to the arch over a castle’s doorway. Shaped 129
stones support the span of the arch because the architectural design of the doorway keeps the arch intact. In a similar way, all of the prophecies in Daniel support each other through the architectural design embedded in Daniel. God designed this feature so that at the end of time, His people could have an accurate and comprehensive understanding of His plans. Of course, people who dismiss the importance of prophecy will not have a clue as to what is going on when the next prophetic event occurs.
[Garner]
WHAT HAPPENS? WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
The "Little Horn", Daniel 7:8, 24-27 introduces a pre-vision of the nature of the antichrist who shall reveal his true character of enmity against God. This rebellion is first against the worship of Israel's God, in the midst of the 70th week, after he has entered a covenant with Israel, Daniel 9:26, 27, as also further described 2 Thessalonians 2:4-10; Revelation 12:7-14; 13:1-8; 17:13.
This event of lie-speaking, deception by the "Little Horn" ruler, leads Israel to enter a 7
year peace pact with him, permitting Israel's beginning their morning and evening oblations, a thing to be continued under him for 42 months, half a week, or time, times, and half time, at which point he reveals his antichrist character that rages in fury for the following 42 months, until Jesus comes to put him down! V. 13, 14.
TEN KINGS AND THE "LITTLE HORN"
Verse 8: I 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.
GENTILE GOVERNMENTS AND THE ANTICHRIST (v. 24-28)
[Daniel 7:24-28 KJV 24 And 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. 25 And 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. 26
But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to
destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most
High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and
obey him. 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much
troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart]
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Verse 8 states that Daniel considered the ten horns and as he did there came up among them a "little horn," before whom there were three of the first horns uprooted or torn away. He noted that in this horn the "little horn," there appeared eyes, piercing eyes, eyes of intelligence, like the eyes of a man (not those of a best or live animal). And in this
"little horn," there was a mouth speaking "superlatively great things," a boasting mouth, of pride and arrogance. This "little horn", v. 20-26, represents the devil in the antichrist, in battle array against God and His people, now and in the end times of the Gentiles, Daniel 7:8; Revelation 19:20. The "little horn" represents the revival of the spirit of the Roman Empire, which goes back to the origin of the spirit of the Gentile anarchy, when the peoples of the earth attempted to build a tower to heaven, against the will of God, Genesis 11:1-9. The "little horn'." represents the final rise of the son of perdition, the antichrist, the man of sin, out of heathen Gentile kingdoms in disarray, "speaking lies,"
preceding the coming of our Lord, about three and one half years or 42 months, Daniel 9:25-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11; 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; Revelation chapter 13; Psalm 12:3; Daniel 11:36; 2 Timothy 3:2.
His "eyes" imply intelligence, though used to deceive, even as Satan used such to deceive Eve, Genesis 3:5; Ezekiel 1:18.
DANIEL'S VISION OF THE SON OF MAN COMING IN GLORY
Verses 9-12: KJV 9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days
did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool:
his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream
issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books
were opened. 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn
spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the
burning flame. 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken
away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Verse 9 explains Daniel kept on looking (scrutenizing) the ten horn kings and their governments, wondering what they represented "till the thrones," the ten "horn-thrones"
were cast down, placed down or subjected by the "little horn," the antichrist, who enthroned himself as a one world Gentile ruler that continued about 42 months.
"And the ancient of days did sit;" He, Jesus Christ came in the air, called His church and the "dead in Christ" to meet Him there, began to reward the saints, at His judgment seat, became married or joined to His bride. During this time (42 months) He pours out (concurrently) His woes and judgments upon the earth, upon the antichrist, the beast (one world Gentile empire) and her helpers, and backslidden Israel, and destroys the great harlot or whore and her daughters. Our Lord's throne work is first spiritual, as He assigns reward positions to His own before coming back with them to the earth, to restore Israel and second to reign literally from the throne of David in Jerusalem, with His bride, over Israel, forever; See Daniel 9:26, 27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Luke 1:32, 33; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 19:5-9; and 12, 13, and 17 chs.
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Verse 10 relates that from the Ancient of days (Jesus Christ) came forth a fiery stream, symbolic of words of Divine judgment, and the second coming of our Lord; and it is added that thousand thousands (and innumerable host) ministered to him, in execution of that judgment, apparently ministered by judgment angels, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10. It is much as when the law was first given, 2 Kings 22:19; Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 20:4, 12. The latter passage refers to the final phase of God's judgment wrath, called the Great White Throne judgment.
Verse 11 further relates how Daniel beheld and listened to the great words which the
"little horn" spoke, v. 8. Daniel kept gazing at the beast with the "little horn," till the beast (one world Gentile government ruler was slain; His body was destroyed and "given to the burning flame," to exist no more, Revelation 19:20.
Verse 12 concludes that the rest of the beasts or "little kings" had their dominion or jurisdiction taken away. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time, into the millennial age, after the antichrist and his one world Gentile dominion was broken up, by the coming of our Lord, Matthew 24:22. Gentile nations, without a king, will continue through the millennium. Because Satan is bound, though his demons are not, they will be in frustrated disarray, without ability to organize against our Lord, till Satan is loosed for a little season, to gather them to his and their final doom, Revelation 20:7-10.
[Wilson]
Suddenly, while Daniel was watching the antics of the little horn on Earth, his attention was directed to a glorious scene taking place in Heaven. Daniel saw several thrones (notice that the word is plural) arranged for a great convocation.
The Aramaic word remah means "to place or arrange" or "to set up." It can also mean "to throw," as in throwing a ball. The KJV translators may have chosen to translate the words "thrones were cast down" because they were thinking that the thrones of the beasts were "thrown down" when the Ancient of Days took His seat. The Septuagint, or the LXX, as it is sometimes called, is a Greek version of the Old Testament translated by seventy-two Jewish scholars about 280 years before Jesus was born. The translators of the LXX converted the Aramaic word remah to the Greek word tithemi which means "to set up" or "to arrange or erect."
This Hebrew to Greek transition, translated two and a half centuries after Daniel’s death, is very helpful. The context of this passage also gives us some additional help. Therefore, it is not surprising that many Bible translations today reflect the Greek translation of the word remah. The result is that Daniel saw thrones arranged or put in place. According to Revelation 4 and 5 (which also describes this scene in Daniel 7), there are a total of twenty-five thrones. Twenty-four thrones encircle the throne of the Father. As Daniel watched this scene, he saw the Father come into the previously arranged courtroom and take His seat.
(The title; "The Ancient of Days," only occurs in Daniel 7 and it indicates the 132
Father existed before time began.) A numberless multitude of angels rose to their feet as the Father entered the courtroom, and the Bible says, "The court was seated, and the books were opened." What is this court scene all about? When does it occur? What books were opened? What does the court scene have to do with the terror caused by the little horn on Earth?
[Garner]
A SCENE IN HEAVEN BEFORE THE COMING OF THE LORD
Verse 13, 14: KJV 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man
came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought
him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom,
that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not
be destroyed.
Verse 13 declares that Daniel saw also in his night visions one person specifically "like the Son of man," as also described Revelation 5:6-10. He saw the Lord, not merely as the Son of David, or king of Israel, but as the heir-redeemer of all humanity, as the seed of woman. He saw him as the One able to crush the head of the old serpent. He came in vestments of glory, which he received when He went into heaven. Jesus must rule until the restitution of all things to the Father.
Verse 14 asserts that to the "Son of man," Jesus Christ, was given; 1) dominion or jurisdiction, and 2) glory, and 3) a kingdom for a thousand years. In this reign, all nations, people, and languages are to serve Him in that golden era. His jurisdiction is declared to be an everlasting administration. He will never cease to be "King of kings, and Lord of lords." Verses 13, 14 form the basis of our Lord's own words regarding His second coming and the resurrection.
[Wilson]
Many people think these two verses occur after the Second Coming; however, this is not the case. Christ receives the kingdom of Earth from the Father before the Second Coming! This fact is confirmed in Revelation 11 and 19. Therefore, verses 11 and 12 break the chronological order of the sequence that began in verse 1 by reverting to an earlier date. Technically, because of this break in chronology, a new apocalyptic prophecy begins with verse 13, and it consists of two verses. Because this passage is so short, I prefer to say these two verses amplify the content of verses 9 and 10, because either way, the result is the same.
Verse 13 tells us that Jesus approached the Father after the Ancient of Days took His seat in 1798.
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The question, "Why did Jesus approach the Father?" cannot be answered from the details given in Daniel 7:13 and 14. No vision is complete within itself.
However, the vision in Revelation 4-6 parallels this scene and John tells us more of the story. The first item of business at this great convocation is to find some worthy person who is qualified to bring the drama of sin to a successful conclusion. In John’s vision, an investigation is conducted throughout the whole universe to see who is worthy to do the job. Jesus alone is found worthy because Jesus meets the necessary criteria. He lived a life of perfect obedience to God’s law, a life free of sin. (1 Peter 2:22) He paid the penalty for sin with His own blood (Hebrews 9:15), and He demonstrated the depths of God’s love for mankind as no one else could do. (John 13:16; 10:30) No one else in all the universe meets these qualifications, and after being found worthy by the numberless host of angels, Jesus approached the Father to be coronated as King of kings and Lord of lords.
A fiery retinue of angels (Daniel says, "the clouds of Heaven") escorted Jesus to the Father. The Father must have beamed as He bestowed upon His Son the authority and recognition necessary for the task at hand. This glorious scene is not the Second Coming. The Bible says that Jesus went before the Ancient of Days, but there is no indication that He came to Earth because this courtroom scene is conducted in Heaven’s temple! After He was found worthy by Heaven’s host, the Father gave every power and prerogative of God to Jesus and the Father stepped aside so that Jesus might resolve the greatest problem ever known to God: Sin. At this point in time (1798) the Father physically gave Jesus all that He had promised. The Earth became His inheritance. (See Hebrews 1:2.)
[Editor’s Note: Wilson explains his dating later in his comments.]
Jesus Exalted Again!
Some people have asked, "What do you mean when you say that Jesus went before the Father to receive all of the attributes of God." "Hasn’t Jesus always had the attributes of God?" Yes, Jesus is co-eternal with the Father, and as God, He had all the attributes of God until sin began. A brief explanation of the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus is necessary.
When Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus generously offered to bear the penalty for sin on behalf of humanity. To receive man’s punishment, Jesus had to suffer the Second Death and die in our place, and even more, He had to give up His divine prerogatives and become subject to the Father and the requirements of the plan of salvation. The humiliation of Jesus should parallel the humiliation of sinners.
When a person becomes a child of God through rebirth, he joyfully submits to the authority of God. While living in our shoes, Jesus had to live a life of perfect 134
faith and dependance upon the Father in order to be a perfect sinless substitute for man. (Hebrews 5:7, 8) On the day that Jesus surrendered Himself to the Father, Jesus became known as, "The Son of God." The word "son" means
"subjected one" or "one in submission." In other words, Jesus – who is fully God, co-eternal with God and equal with the Father in every way (Philippians 2:6) –
willingly became subject to the Father and the plan to save sinners. (Psalm 2:7-12) When Jesus lived on Earth, He explained His subjection to the Father on numerous occasions by saying that He came to do His Father’s will – not His own. (John 6:38) Concerning His life, death and resurrection, Jesus said, "No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 10:18, insertion mine)
From the day that Adam and Eve sinned until the day that Jesus was coronated (in 1798), Jesus was subject to the Father (as His Son) and to the terms and conditions set forth in the plan of salvation. When the time came to begin judging the inhabitants of Earth and exonerating the government of God against the lies of Lucifer, an investigation was conducted to see who was worthy to do such a work. Only Jesus was found worthy for the job, and the Father granted sovereign power to Jesus to conclude the drama of sin in whatever way Jesus deems best. Thus, the Father stepped aside after the coronation of the Son, and the Son took command of the universe. (Ephesians 1:9-23) Since 1798, Jesus has ruled over Heaven and Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. At the end of sin’s drama, after Jesus has destroyed death itself, Jesus does something that boggles my mind. Notice Paul’s words: "Then the end will come, when he
[Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power [on Earth]. For he [Jesus] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
For he [the Father] has put everything under his feet. Now when it says that
‘everything’ has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he [Jesus] has done this [e.g., resolved the sin problem], then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all."
(1 Corinthians 15:24-28)
Everything that Jesus "set aside" to redeem man was restored to Him at this convocation. The exaltation of Jesus in 1798 was based on His infinite love for man and His superior achievements on behalf of the Father and the plan of salvation. Therefore, Jesus was given everything the Father could give.
Additionally, the Father gave Earth to Jesus as His personal inheritance in 1798.
(Psalm 2:7-12; Hebrews 1:1, 2)
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Even though Daniel did not understand the promotion of Jesus, this awesome scene was embedded in this particular prophecy because of its timing. No one living on Earth in 1798 saw the exaltation of Jesus, but we can see into Heaven through the eye of prophetic faith. Few people understand the coronation of Jesus in 1798, not to mention the humiliation Jesus experienced to save the human race. Even though Jesus was coronated as King of kings at the beginning of the convocation in 1798, Jesus does not take possession of Earth until two additional events occur. First, Jesus has to determine who will live in His kingdom. This is the reason the judgment was set and books were opened.
Second, Jesus will not inherit an Earth that groans under the curse of sin. Only after Jesus annihilates the wicked and purifies the Earth with fire, will He create a new Heaven and a new Earth. Earth will then become the headquarters of His kingdom. After being found worthy to receive the authority of the Father, Jesus began several processes in Heaven’s courtroom. He began breaking the seven seals, and after the third seal was broken, Jesus began to pass judgment upon humanity.
All Authority?
Notice Daniel 7:14 again: "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (KJV) This verse confuses a lot of people. How can Jesus be given complete dominion more than once? According to Webster, the word "sovereign" means "having all authority." At face value this verse in Daniel 7 seems to contradict the words of Jesus in Matthew 28. Notice the following text: "Then Jesus came to them [His disciples] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
" (Matthew 28:18-20, insertion mine) How can Jesus say in Matthew 28 that He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth when Daniel 7 indicates that Jesus is given dominion (and sovereign authority) after the Ancient of Days takes His seat? The answer to this apparent conflict is found in the scope of authority.
When Jesus returned to Heaven after the Resurrection, and with the help of His angels, drove Lucifer, the prince of this world, out of Heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9; John 12:31) Lucifer lost his seat as Earth’s governor at the table of God’s government. On the basis of His shed blood and the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16), Jesus physically removed Lucifer from Heaven and cast him to Earth. (Revelation 12:13) The kingdom that was stolen from Jesus by Lucifer (the deceitful prince of this world, John 12:31) was returned to Jesus by right of 136
redemption. (John 16:33; Revelation 12:10) As the Crown Prince of Earth, Jesus has been Earth’s representative at the table of God’s government ever since Resurrection Sunday. After Jesus ascended to Heaven on that Sunday morning and cast Lucifer out, He was given authority over all matters in Heaven pertaining to Earth. Forty days later, at the time of His ascension, He declared this authority to His disciples in His parting words recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.
Daniel saw an even higher exaltation of Jesus than the exaltation given on Resurrection Sunday. In 1798, Jesus was ceremoniously exalted to a position equal to that of the Father. Jesus was found worthy to receive power over all of God’s creation. The Father transferred His authority to Jesus so that Jesus could righteously conclude the sin problem. The Ancient of Days convened this convocation so that the actions of Jesus could be observed by all the angels. The Father wanted all the angels to know that Jesus was equal to the Father in every way. (John 5:23) Of course, the Son is not greater than the Father, but neither is the Father greater than the Son! Jesus was exalted before the angels and the elders because He did something that no one else in the universe could do. He paid the penalty of sin for man. After He was found worthy to take over the universe, He took the scroll sealed with seven seals. In His new role as Commander-In-Chief of the Universe, Jesus began the process of deciding who will participate in His kingdom. He also began a process that will fully vindicate the government of God against the false claims of Lucifer. At the end of the 1,000
years, everyone will behold that God is love, that God’s laws are righteous and His government is based on the principle of love. We have already examined 1
Corinthians 15:24-28, where Paul says that at the end of sin’s drama, an exalted Jesus will return all that the Father has given Him. Jesus will return the authority and throne to the Father because He wants to be free to live among this creation as one of us! What Gods of grace and love!
DEFINITIVE MEANING OF THE BEAST VISION
Verses 15-28: KJV 15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and
the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near unto one of them that stood by,
and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation
of the things. 17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise
out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess
the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 19 Then 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; 20 And 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
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mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21 I
beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22
Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High;
and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus 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. 24 And 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. 25 And 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. 26 But
the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to
destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most
High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and
obey him. 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much
troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
[Garner]
Verses 15, 16 testify that Daniel was grieved in his spirit, in the very sheath or dwelling place of his soul; in this state, because of what he had seen in the visions, his head troubled him. His mind was confused over what he had seen in these visions, v. 1-14.
Then Daniel approached one of those ministers of God that stood near him and asked him to explain the meaning of all things, as he also did later, Daniel 12:6, 8. Then the heavenly messenger explained the meaning of the visions, causing him to understand them, as more clearly stated below.
Verse 17 explains that the four one-world-beasts (v. 4-7) are four kings or absolute rulers of the four one world Gentile Empires, even of 1) Babylon, 2) Medo-Persia, 3) Greece, 4) Rome. These had and were to arise out of the earth. The fourth, the Roman Empire, embracing all Gentile or heathen governments (in disarray, since the tower of Babel) is to rise up again under the Son of Perdition at the end of this age, Genesis 11:1-9; Our Lord is to destroy this one, at His coming, Luke 21:24; Revelation 16:19.
Verse 18 affirms that "the saints of the most High," (Israel and the church), with the
"twelve apostles," sitting on 12 thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, in that great millennial era and giving glory to God, in the church, by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, Luke 22:28-30; Eph 3:21; Luke 1:32, 33; Revelation 4:4, 9-11; 5:8-10; 2 Th 1:10.
Verse 19 recounts that Daniel requested a second time to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, v. 16, 17. The fourth beast, living animal (v. 7; Daniel 2:40-43) was again described as exceeding dreadful or horrible in appearance, very different from the other three with iron teeth and brass toe nails and it trampled under its feet and devoured all that moved in its path. Note, Gentile or heathen nations are always symbolized as beasts 138
or birds of prey, carnivorous beasts or birds, devouring the flesh of their victims, even from the first Gentile kingdom, Genesis 10:8-10; Revelation 13:1-13.
Verse 20 relates Daniel's desire also to know the meaning of the ten horns that were upon the head of this monstrous and dreadful beast, as well as that of the other "little horn" that came up upon the head, before which three of the ten horns fell. This eleventh or "little horn", with intelligent or penetrating eyes, that had a mouth more powerful, demanding, stronger than that of any of the other ten v. 7, 8. Let is be recalled that Daniel prophesied primarily to the Gentiles in the palace of kings of Babylon and Persia. And his prophecies foretell their judgment and final doom in their rebellion against and oppression of the Jewish people and nation whom God will eventually fully deliver from them, cause to rule over the Gentiles. It is to be understood that this "little horn" is yet to rise out of Gentile governments in disarray, signified by the number 10. This "little horn", eleventh horn, heathen Gentile ruler is to be the antichrist, more cruel than Antioch Epiphanes.
Verses 21, 22 declare that Daniel glued his eyes on this 11 horned beast, in stunned wonder, as he saw this "little horn," with a loud mouth and penetrating eyes, like the serpent in Eden, launch a war against the saints (Israel regathered in her land); and he prevailed against them, oppressed them, or brought them to their knees, "until the Ancient of days came," Jesus Christ as King of kings, and Lord of lords, to put down
"The tribulation the great," at the end of the 70th week, Daniel 9:25-27; Revelation 19:16. He also watched until he saw judgment and rule taken from the "little horn" and given to the "saints of the most High," until the time came that "the saints," Israel and the church possessed the kingdom or government of the whole world. Let it be considered well that God is not through with Israel (His wife), called the saints and elect of the Jews, or with the church, called His saints, who were and are called from among the Gentiles by our Lord into His church, to be His bride in this and succeeding ages.
Verses 23, 24 relate that the fourth beast (one world government) shall be or exist as the fourth kingdom upon or over the earth, with world-wide dominion. It was to overrun and subdue, break down, ravage, take booty of warfare from and devour the whole earth, with unsettling fear. The ten horns out of this Gentile World Empire (the Roman) was to have an eleventh to arise (Antioch Epiphanes) to destroy ten of the ten horns; satellite powers of the Roman Government to start its disintegration until the end of the Gentile age, Revelation 17:12. At the end of this age when 10 Gentile powers or a multitude of Gentile, heathen governments in disarray, shall arise; from them shall arise another
"Little Horn," the antichrist, Son of Perdition, the Devil incarnate, to oppose God, Israel, and the church, 2 Thessalonians 2:14-12. He will meet his "waterloo," at the coming of Jesus to the earth, in power and great glory, after the Lord has raised the righteous dead, been married to His church, assigned positions of service honor, and rewards to the saints, for His rule and reign with them on the earth.
Verse 25 declares that he (the little horn ruler) will defy God and wear out "the saints,"
which refers to Israel regathered in her land; He will think or purpose to change "laws and times," and "they," the "Jewish saints," shall "be given into his hand," for persecution for a "time and times and an half time," the last 42 months of Daniel's 70th week, called 139
the tribulation the great, after he has broken a covenant he made with them, and kept from the first half of the week only.
Verse 26 declares that this "little horn" (eleventh horn), one world Gentile ruler, who rails against God and persecutes "the saints" then on earth, (Israel regathered) will inevitably be brought to a judgment of crashing defeat at the hands of the Ancient of days, Jesus Christ who shall come. All Gentile nations are to be scattered, weakened, have their government powers of oppression subjected by Jesus Christ in His coming; When He comes to rule and reign over the earth, with regathered Israel and His bride, during the golden millennial era of the restitution of all things and regeneration of the earth.
Verse 27 certifies that the kingdom, dominion, in expanded form, under the entire canopy of heaven shall be given (doled out) to "the saints" of the most High One, the Son of the living God, whose kingdom is (exists as) an everlasting or unending kingdom. And then and thereafter, without cessation, all dominions (of men and angels) shall serve and obey Him! What a day of triumph, peace, joy, and glory!
Verse 28 concludes that this is the end of the matter of the visions and dreams and interpretations given to Daniel upon his bed, v. 1-8. Daniel then asserted that, regarding these visions and dreams his cogitations (reflections over the meanings) troubled him very much. They even caused his countenance to change in him, but he guarded the matter in his heart until ordered of the Lord to write the account.
[Wilson]
The truth that will unfold from this prophecy is neither pleasant nor politically correct. In fact, people have denied the truth about the fourth beast, the ten horns, and the little horn for centuries, because the truth is offensive. The actions of the little horn have been offensive to God for centuries! God is the author of prophecy, and people who love truth, regardless of what the truth says or where it leads, are the kind of people whom God loves. (John 4:23) Daniel provides a dozen specifications about the fourth beast, the ten horns, and the little horn that grew out of the fourth beast. Look at these specifications:
1. The monster beast is the fourth world empire.
2. The monster beast has unusual strength and it stomps its
enemies.
3. The monster beast is different; it has crushing teeth of
iron.
4. Out of the monster beast, ten horns (or kings/kingdoms)
arise.
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5. After the ten horns appear, a little horn rises. As it rises to
power, it uproots three of the original ten kings leaving a
total of eight.
6. As the little horn grows and becomes great, it exhibits
the same fierce qualities of its parent, the monster beast.
7. Eventually, the little horn dominates the other seven
horns.
8. The little horn blasphemes God by usurping His
authority.
9. The little horn wars against the saints of the Most High for
a specified period of time.
10. The little horn "thinks" it can change God’s times and laws.
11. The little horn endures until the end of the world; in fact,
it speaks boastfully during the time of the end.
12. The monster beast and the little horn are burned in the
fire at the Second Coming.
History allows no wiggle room regarding the identity of the monster beast. The fourth beast represents the empire of Rome, which followed the fall of Grecia in 168 B.C. History allows no wiggle room on the identity of the ten horns or the little horn power that came out of Rome. The ten horns represent the ten ethnic nations that caused the breakup of the Roman Empire. The little horn represents the powerful entity that grew out of the empire of Rome, namely, the Roman Catholic Church.
History has faithfully documented the course of the Catholic Church through the centuries. The following is a brief summary of what happened to Christians as they moved farther and farther away from following God’s Word. The history of the Christian church is a parallel to that of ancient Israel. Both religious systems displaced God’s Word with manmade traditions and doctrines and ended up in apostasy. Many wonderful people can be found within Judaism and Catholicism.
Both groups love God and their religion, and they faithfully adhere to their respective beliefs. Many Jews and Catholics have not had an opportunity or sufficient reason to consider the Protestant view of Church history. Even further, many Catholics have little or no knowledge concerning the origins of Church 141
doctrines or teachings. Upon close examination, many Catholics are shocked to learn that many of their doctrines have no biblical basis or authority whatsoever.
The Monster Beast Is the Roman Empire
Protestants have identified the Roman Catholic Church as the little horn of Daniel 7 for more than 700 years. This conclusion was reached by comparing Scripture with history. History says Rome is the fourth kingdom from Babylon to appear on Earth. The prophetic matrix and abundant historical records indicate the lineage of kingdoms is Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome. History confirms that the fall of Rome is not like the fall of the other nations before it. For example, in Daniel 2 the head of gold is displaced by a different metal, the chest of silver. However, the legs of iron of the fourth kingdom are displaced by feet of iron and clay. Look at this transition from Daniel 7’s perspective. The lion is displaced by the leopard, but the monster beast is not displaced by another beast.
Rome does not disappear like Babylon disappeared. Instead, the ten kings that brought down civil Rome in A.D. 476 grew out of the Roman Empire. History says the ten horns pulled the Roman Empire apart from within. Rome disintegrated into ten kingdoms, some of which were strong (like iron) and others which were breakable or weak (like clay).
Two Sets of Ten Horns
Many commentators teach that the ten horns of Daniel 7 are a future union of ten kings who are yet to rise out of a revived Roman empire (thought to be the European Union). This conclusion is contrary to several statements given in Scripture and the prophetic matrix. The prophetic matrix reveals the ten horns in Daniel 7 have come and gone, and history confirms the ten horns of Daniel 7
have come and gone! History also confirms the little horn ruled over the nations of Europe for 1,260 years before it was wounded in 1798.
Some people make the mistake of thinking the ten horns of Daniel 7 are the same ten horns found in Revelation 13 and 17! The ten horns in Daniel 7 appeared around A.D. 476 at the fall of the Roman Empire, and three of the original ten horns were uprooted within 60 years of A.D. 476 by the Church of Rome over a religious dispute on the eternal co-existence of Jesus with the Father.
The ten horns in Revelation 13 and 17 have not yet appeared. They will appear during the very last days of Earth’s history and will be empowered for a very short time just before the Second Coming. (Revelation 17:12) There are two sets of ten horns in Bible prophecy, because there is an important parallel between them. The ten horns in Daniel 7 were reduced to seven horns after three were uprooted. Then, the little horn of Daniel 7 dominated the remaining seven horns 142
as the eighth king. In Revelation13, there is a beast that rises out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns. This beast is not the Roman empire of Daniel 7, as some suppose. This beast will be a diverse world empire made up of seven heads (seven religious systems) and ten horns (ten political powers) during the Great Tribulation. When the devil appears on Earth masquerading as God, he will rule over the seven heads as an eighth king! (Revelation 17:11) The parallel here is obvious. The devil will rule with absolute power over the seven religious systems of the world just like the papacy (the little horn) ruled over the seven kings (the seven horns) it dominated. The devil will divide the Earth into ten sectors and he will appoint ten kings to rule as "puppet kings" of his kingdom.
Daniel 2:44 says during the time of these kings, that is, the ten kings, the God of Heaven will set up His kingdom! Study Chart 3.6 and observe two things: First, notice that both kingdoms – the kingdom of the feet and the kingdom of the toes –
have ten horns. Second, notice that the ten horns in the kingdom of the feet become seven horns, with the little horn ruling over them. Then notice the kingdom of the toes. During the kingdom of the [ten] toes, the Second Coming occurs while ten kings are ruling over Earth! (Daniel 2:44, Revelation 17:14) Reviewing the Ten Horns
History identifies the ten horns that caused the disintegration of Rome as the kings of the Ostrogoths, Heruli, Franks, Vandals, Lombards, Visigoths, Suevi, Burgundians, Alamanni and the Anglo-Saxons. The infrastructure of the Roman Empire finally fell in A.D. 476, because powerful warlords brought the emperor, Romulus, the Roman senate and the empire to an end. The city of Rome was sacked and burned. These warlords included Alaric the Goth, Attila the Hun, Genseric the Vandal, Theodoric the Ostrogoth, Odoacer, and others who contributed to the collapse of Rome. These kings originated within the ethnic nations that constituted the bulk of the Roman Empire. Geographically, they came from northern Africa, Asia Minor, the Middle East and Europe. These warlords broke the iron fist of Caesar. A new order for world government came into existence after A.D. 476. During the centuries of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome, there had been one universal empire. After A.D. 476, the world was broken into diverse ethnic nations. When civil Rome fell, the distinction between the nations of the East and the nations of the West became separate and prominent. Perhaps the two legs and the two feet in Daniel 2 reflect the East-West division of Earth. Regardless, one simple fact from Daniel 2 has held true for the past 1,600 years: No man has been able to merge the world back into a single empire since A.D. 476. Would-be conquerors have tried and failed.
Nations have come and gone. Some nations have become strong and others have become weak. The continual presence of weak nations is a sociological mystery because the law of the jungle mandates that only the strong survive.
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The Ten Horns in Daniel 7 Are Not the Same As the Ten Horns in Revelation 13 and 17
Who Is the Little Horn?
According to Daniel 7, the little horn appears on the world stage after the ten horns rise to power, because the little horn power uproots three of the ten horns when it appears. Christianity, of course, began in Jerusalem at the time of Christ and was dispersed throughout the world by the Romans in A.D. 70 when they destroyed Jerusalem. The Christian Church in Rome started during the time of the apostle Paul, but grew to become a substantial political force by the beginning of the fourth century A.D. [Editor’s Note: Wilson probably should have said “The Catholic Church!” Keep in mind he doesn’t seem to treat and think of the Catholic Church as we do. Please keep this in mind as you read his comments. He is not a Baptist and seems to know little about us.] It was then that Constantine determined to make Christianity the defacto religion of the Roman Empire. Constantine was not timid about giving his religious views the force of law. According to Daniel 7, the little horn power would start small, but would grow and become stronger than any of the kingdoms represented by the remaining horns! The timing in this vision is important: After Rome was broken up by the ten horns, the Church of Rome rose to power and, in so doing, it had to uproot three nations to consolidate its dominion over a new Holy Roman Empire.
The church was instrumental in uprooting the Ostrogoths, Vandals and Heruli, three of the original ten nations, for religious and political reasons. These kingdoms were destroyed because of a long-standing theological dispute over the deity of Christ. This dispute is well documented in history and is called the Arian Controversy. Arius, a theologian from Alexandria, Egypt, taught that Jesus was not co-eternal and not equal with the Father. The church at Rome countered Arius’ teachings by saying they were heresy and blasphemy, and a power struggle began. This particular controversy raged for about 200 years between Christians in Rome and Christians in Alexandria. Constantine called a general council at Nicaea in A.D. 325 to settle the conflict, but the dispute could not be resolved. Looking at the controversy from our vantage point today, the real issue was theological control. The real issue was not the deity of Christ, but who would define Christian doctrine – the Church in Rome or the Church in Alexandria. By A.D. 508, the Church in Rome had gained enough political support to silence the opposition in Alexandria. For political and religious reasons, Clovis, King of the Salian Franks, destroyed the Ostrogoths, Vandals and Heruli. When the Arian influence was eliminated, the Church in Rome established herself as the guardian and defender of the universal (or catholic) Christian faith. About 25 years after the victories of Clovis, Emperor Justinian consolidated supreme authority in the pope in matters of faith and religion.
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Justinian bequeathed the title, "Corrector of Heretics," upon the pope in A.D. 533
even though the pope was not in a position to wield complete authority over the nations. However, just five years later in A.D. 538, after Belisarius (Justinian’s general) subdued Italy, the pope had the posture and dominion he sought. He ruled over the Christian church and Christian states with absolute power.
Little Horn Wages War on the Saints
According to Daniel 7, the little horn power had the same fierce qualities as its parent, the monster beast. It was predicted the little horn would become "stouter"
than the other seven horns. It would have a "mouth" that spoke great words against the Most High and it would have "eyes" like a man. The mouth on the little horn indicates that the church would "speak;" that is, it would dictate orders (laws and rules) which people must obey if they wanted to receive eternal life.
The church blackmailed the laity into obedience with the threat of excommunication. The eyes on the little horn indicated the church would have insight into matters which would allow it to "see" things that political rulers would not understand. In short, the little horn would be religious and it would use the power of religion to control the ways and thoughts of rulers. The power of religion uniquely made the little horn of Daniel 7 much stronger than all of the other horns put together.
In ancient times, religion attracted the best minds, much like science does today.
Priests were considered God’s representatives on Earth, and whatever they said was "the Word of God." When Justinian surrendered the state to the higher power of the church, the church became lord over the nations of Europe. The church approved, appointed and coronated the kings and queens of Europe. The church controlled political issues, as well as religious matters. The church manipulated its members out of fear of hell and eternal death. The church claimed that its priests had the authority to determine eternal life or eternal death, and since few Bibles were available, king and peasant alike believed whatever the priests said.
There was no "approved" source of knowledge about God except through the church. In effect, the clergy of the church became God for 1,260 long years (A.D.
538-1798). History rightly calls this period, "The Dark Ages."
The church became as determined and cruel in conquering her foes as she had been treated in her early years by Romans and Jews. To gain power and dominion, popes bribed people with forgiveness for all sins – past, present and future – if they were willing to fight for the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire.
Millions of people perished in the crusades, which, ironically, were fought in the name of God. Popes ruled over Christianity with an iron fist for 1,260 years. The light of truth was extinguished and religious freedom and the right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience was non-existent. For centuries, the 145
church prohibited ownership of the Bible. The authority of the church knew no bounds. Kings, fearful of losing eternal life, could not overthrow the authority of the pope and his prelates, but as powerful as the church was, God predetermined a limit to the reign of terror. The church would receive an almost fatal wound in 1798.
Little Horn Persecutes Saints 1,260 Years
The angel said to Daniel, "And he [the little horn] 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 [the saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Daniel 7:25, KJV, insertions mine) This verse says so much. To appreciate the depths of apostasy to which the Christian church fell, the reader is encouraged to review the writings of reformers like Martin Luther and John Knox.
It should not surprise you to learn that the conflict between popes and protestors (the beginning of Protestantism) centered on the question of religious authority.
The Roman Catholic Church claims that she alone possesses all authority from God in matters pertaining to salvation. This authority, the church claims, has been passed down to each pope from the apostle Peter. (Matthew 16:18,19) Historians on this time period say millions of protestors perished at the stake for disagreeing with the church over this point. (See also Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, written by John Foxe, 1516-1587) Protestors argued that everyone had the right to own a Bible and to determine what was truth. Protestants believed that obeying God according to the dictates of one’s conscience was a matter of personal choice.
The following statements may help you to see the great chasm between Catholics and Protestants on matters pertaining to religious authority:
Statement #1
"That a person with no other equipment than a knowledge of the English language and a seventeenth century English translation of the Bible in his hands is qualified to decide all matters of eternal consequence for himself and the rest of mankind, is the ridiculous conclusion to which the principle of private judgment can finally be brought. In such a process, the countless generations of devout people who have lived and died according to other beliefs simply count for nothing. The centuries of thought and prayer that have gone into the interpretation of the Bible for all these generations likewise count for nothing."
[ Some Bible Beliefs Have to Be Wrong!, Booklet #68, page 5, (1963), Imprimatur: Most Reverend John F. Whealon, Archbishop of Hartford, Knights of Columbus.]
Statement #2
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"Since the Catholic Church holds that the Bible is not sufficient in itself, it naturally teaches that the Bible needs an interpreter. The reason the Catholic Church so teaches is twofold: first, because Christ established a living church to teach with His authority. He did not simply give His disciples a Bible, whole and entire, and tell them to go out and make copies of it for mass distribution and allow people to come to whatever interpretation they may. Second, the Bible itself states that it needs an interpreter. . . . The Holy Spirit was given to the Church by Jesus Christ, and it is exactly this same Spirit who protects the Church’s visible head, the Pope, and the teaching authority of the Church by never permitting him or it to lapse into error." [ Scripture Alone? 21 Reasons to Reject Sola Scriptura, pages 21, 26, (1999), Joel Peters, Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., Rockford, Il.]
Statement #3
"We teach and define it to be a dogma divinely revealed that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when acting in his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians, by his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church through the divine assistance promised him in Blessed Peter, he enjoys that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed His Church to be endowed in defining doctrine concerning faith and morals; and therefore such definitions of the said Roman Pontiff are irreformable of themselves, and not from the consent of the Church."
[ The Papacy, Expression of God’s Love, page 29, (undated), Imprimatur: Most Reverend John J. Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis, Knights of Columbus.]
These three statements summarize the bedrock of Catholic doctrine and they reflect the nonnegotiable themes that have divided Protestants from Catholics for more than 700 years.
Three and a Half Times
Daniel 7:25 also says the little horn would "wear out the saints of God (through persecution)." In fact, the Bible says " they [the saints] shall be given into his hand [e.g., the hand of the little horn] for a time, times and half a time!"
(insertions mine) This single verse should cause every believer in a pre-tribulation rapture to think about his position, because this verse indicates that God Himself handed His saints over to the little horn to be persecuted for a prescribed length of time! If God subjected His saints to persecution in times past, why should the last generation expect to escape from the coming tribulation? Instead of delivering the saints from persecution, God did the opposite by handing His people over to the little horn for 1,260 years! Why would an all wise God do this? I can offer two possible reasons:
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First, persecution keeps the saints on their knees and their focus on the Word of God. When life is easy, faith in God evaporates. Moses warned Israel: "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
(Deuteronomy 8:11-14) When we contrast the Church at Rome (the little horn) with the Church in the Wilderness (the persecuted saints), we clearly see what prosperity and persecution produces. Prosperity produces decadence.
Persecution, on the other hand, pushes people into a life of dynamic faith, clinging to Jesus as their hope and salvation. Persecution made God’s Word extremely precious to the Church in the Wilderness. Many Bibles, or portions of the Bible, were laboriously copied by hand so that people could have the Word of God to study. Meanwhile, back in prosperous Rome, the Bible was not important. The Bible was chained to the walls of monasteries and libraries because the authority of the church rested in its clergy, not the Word of God! The Church in the Wilderness hungered for every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God, while the Church in Rome preferred the authority of the popes and priests who spoke boastful things. For the saints, a plain "thus saith the Lord" was more important than any papal bull. The saints loved and honored the Word of God and held it in much higher esteem than life itself. In summary, the persecution of God’s people kept the Word of God alive.
The second reason God handed His saints over to the little horn is this: Persecution keeps faith in Christ alive. This is ironic. The very circumstances that cause faith to grow are the very circumstances that human nature hates the most!
The selfish desires of the carnal nature include pleasure, prosperity, power, unchallenged authority, limitless amounts of money, fame and respect. Faith during times of persecution means trusting God for survival of life itself.
Furthermore, as the Holy Spirit led the saints into a greater understanding of truth, the Church in the Wilderness proceeded to follow God’s Word without regard for social and financial consequences. This is the essence of faith –
obeying God at any cost. When the Church in Rome rose to power, the word,
"faith," was changed. Faith came to mean a religious view, not a religious experience. Even today, people typically ask, "What faith do you belong to?" So, the second reason God wisely gave the saints over to persecution was to keep faith in Jesus alive!
What Is a Time?
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We do not need to review the atrocities of the Roman Catholic Church or those of her enemies during centuries past. (Historians have devoted thousands of pages to this topic and these works can be found in public libraries.) However, we do need to consider a specification about the Roman Catholic Church that is profound. Daniel 7:25 says the saints would be given over to the little horn for a time, times and half a time. This time-period amounts to 1,260 years in length. It began in A.D. 538 and ended in 1798.
You may recall that, until the sixteenth century A.D., men believed the Earth stood still and the Sun orbited our planet. For purposes of computing time, the ancients used 360 degrees of arc to represent a completed circle or cycle of the Sun. The Jews did not count a year as 365 days because the number of days in their year is either 354 or 384. God gave Israel a solar/lunar calendar to measure time and the cycles of the Sun and Moon determine the number of days in a year.
(Exodus 12) Since the Sun moves about one degree of arc per day in a year, the use of 360 degrees of arc (the number of degrees in a circle) to represent the length of a year was a practical method for measuring "a time." This type of averaging was also done for the length of a month. Even though a month is actually 29.53 days, the ancients counted a month (or a moon) as 30 days for purposes of calculation.
The Aramaic word, ‘hiddan, translated "a time" in Daniel 7:25 (and used elsewhere in Daniel), refers to "a set time" or "a turning." The word, ‘hiddan, indicates the beginning or turning of a year at its appointed time. Revelation 12:14 also contains the phrase "a time, times and a half a time," and according to Revelation 12:6, this phrase represents 1,260 days. Some people question if the word "times" means two times or more than two times. First, Revelation 12
reveals that 1,260 days are "a time, times and half a time." (Revelation 12:6, 14) Second, at a minimum, the plural of "a time" is two times. If there are more than two times, the time period cannot be measured because no one knows how many times to count. Last, historical evidence confirms that God had 1,260 years in mind when He defined this time-period. The number of days in "a time, times and half a time" is determined by the following formula:
1. One time of the Sun equals one circle of 360 degrees of arc.
2. Two times of the Sun equals two circles of 360 degrees of arc or 720 degrees.
3. Half a time equals half a circle or 180 degrees of arc.
4.
Total:
1,260
degrees
of
arc
(360 + 720 + 180 = 1,260 degrees)
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It is widely known that God gave the Jews a calendar in which a day of the week represents a year, e.g., a week of seven days equals seven years. (See Leviticus 25; Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:5, 6.) Many Bible students understand the 70 weeks mentioned in Daniel to be 490 years (that is, 70 weeks times seven days equals 490 days, and each day represents a year). Therefore, if God used the Jubilee Calendar to measure the 70 weeks in Daniel 9, then it is possible that He used the Jubilee Calendar to define the 1,260 days in Daniel 7 as 1,260 years. This is a good place to repeat Rule Four which states: "God reckons apocalyptic time in two ways: (a) a day for a year, and (b) as literal time. The presence or absence of the Jubilee calender determines how God reckons time." Even though it is essential to understand the Jubilee Calendar when applying this rule, for now just consider this fact: History confirms the duration of the little horn’s power was 1,260 years – to the very month! The Roman Catholic Church persecuted the saints for 1,260 years. Even though Protestants in centuries past did not properly under-stand the operation of the Jubilee Calendar, they did conclude that history and prophecy are in perfect harmony, and many Protestants predicted a "wounding" of papal power prior to 1798. In short, Daniel was told the Roman Catholic Church would persecute God’s saints for 1,260 years – and history confirms this to be the case.
History leaves no wiggle room about the identity of the fourth beast or the little horn. The fourth beast is Rome and the little horn is the religious entity that grew out of Rome, the Roman Catholic Church. Daniel 7:25 does not explicitly say when the 1,260 years of persecution would begin or end. However, we can determine these dates with a brief review of history. The Bible says the little horn would prevail against the saints until the Ancient of Days took His seat in Heaven’s courtroom and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints! Remember the Heaven-Earth-Linkage-Law? Here’s how it works: When the Roman Catholic Church was removed from power so that it could no longer persecute the saints on Earth, we know the Ancient of Days had taken His seat in Heaven and pronounced judgment in their favor. In other words, God put a temporary restraining order on the Church of Rome! Daniel 7:20 aligns these two events for us, " the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until
the Ancient of days came [to the convocation and took His seat]. . . ." (insertion mine) So, the Bible indicates the 1,260 years ended shortly after the Ancient of Days took His seat in verse 9. Historical records show that the power of the church was broken in February 1798.
Several prominent Protestants predicted the 1,260 years of papal dominion would end during the eighteenth century. Writers such as Thomas Parker, 1646; Increase Mather, President of Harvard University, 1723; William Burnet, 1724; Richard Clark, 1759, and others anticipated the Roman church would collapse before year 1800 arrived. Sure enough, French Generals Berthier and Waller fulfilled this specification of prophecy during the French Revolution. They 150
captured the pope and put him in exile in February 1798. By counting backwards from 1798, we arrive at year A.D. 538 which is the date that papal dominion began. (Remember Justinian’s decree in A.D. 533 and the victory of Belisarious over the Italians in A.D. 538?) This timing is not coincidence. Clearly, God measures a time, a times and half a time in Daniel 7 as 1,260 days using the day-for-a-year principle, and God emphasizes this time-period again in Revelation 12! The wounding of the papacy occurred at the end of 1,260 years when judgment was pronounced in favor of the Church in the Wilderness. With God, timing is everything.
There Is More to the Story
This is not the end of the story for the little horn of Daniel 7. The Bible predicts the little horn will return to power in the future. Revelation 13 indicates that one of the seven heads, the head that received a deadly wound, will be healed. Also, do not forget, Daniel heard boastful words coming from the little horn after viewing the courtroom scene in Heaven. Daniel 7 predicts the Catholic Church will return to a position of great power. This will climax when the Great Tribulation begins. Watch for it. The Roman church will lead a coalition of the world’s religions in persecuting the saints of God! Notice how these verses predict a return to power: "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until [A] the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and [B] the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (Daniel 7:21, 22, KJV, insertions mine) I have inserted "A" and "B" in these verses because Daniel indicates there are two persecutions of the saints. The first persecution, "A," lasted 1,260 years (a time, times and half a time) and it ended in 1798. The second persecution, "B," lasts for 42 months and it ends with the 1,290th day of the Great Tribulation. (See Revelation 13:1-8) No wonder the angel reminded Daniel that the saints are going to possess the kingdom! The course of human history indicates that the saints are always under attack. So, keep this promise in your mind and do not forget it, no matter how discouraging circumstances may appear in days ahead: The saints will inherit the Earth. (Matthew 5:5)
To make sense of this prophecy, we have already discussed the specifications given in these verses. However, one specification has not been covered. Daniel was told the little horn power would "think" to change times and laws. This language describes how the little horn would blaspheme God. The little horn would presume (or think it has authority) to displace the laws of God with its own laws! In A.D. 787, at the Second Nicean Council, Catholic leaders removed the second commandment from the Ten Commandments, and the tenth 151
commandment was divided into two separate commandments so that ten would remain. The reason for this change was to reduce questions about the use of images or icons in worship. In addition to this, church leaders reduced the fourth commandment to just a few words so the laity would not raise questions about which day of the week was God’s holy day. Compare the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) as written in a Catholic Bible with the Catholic Catechism and notice these blatant deviations.
The "Anti" Christ
For almost 700 years, Protestants have claimed the Roman Catholic Church is the little horn power of Daniel 7. Even though there is growing debate within Protestantism today as to who the little horn power is, if we use valid rules of interpretation, the chronological and historical harmony of Daniel 7 leaves no room for doubt. The tragic point in this prophecy is that Satan succeeded. He was able to corrupt the Christian church so that it eventually became "anti"
Christ. In fact, the war cry of Protestantism through centuries past is that the Roman Catholic Church is the beast, the Antichrist, the great whore, etc. These claims are false. The Bible says all religions are "anti" Christ. The Moslem is no less anti-Christ than the Jew, Hindu or Catholic! Revelation teaches that all of the religious systems of the world are corrupt because the devil has infiltrated them.
The devil is the original antichrist, and Revelation’s story climaxes with a powerful contest between a physical Jesus and a physical Lucifer. The devil is very clever and he transformed the institution that Jesus established to save souls into a machine for torturing the people of God! [Editor: Is Wilson saying that salvation is in “the church?”] Some researchers have estimated that the Catholic Church killed some fifty million people during its millennial reign for refusing to receive its doctrines. During those dark centuries, the devil was overjoyed – he loves to see people suffering in the name of God. The devil hates God and does everything possible to ruin the work of God on Earth.
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DANIEL - CHAPTER 8
Daniel 8:1-27 KJV 1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared
unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 2 And I
saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace,
which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram
which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other,
and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and
southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could
deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. 5 And as I
was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth,
and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And
he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and
ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and
he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns:
and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the
ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of
his hand. 8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great
horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of
heaven. 9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding
great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10 And it
waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the
stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the
prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his
sanctuary was cast down. 12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by
reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and
prospered. 13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that
certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice,
and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be
trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred
days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 15 And it came to pass, when I, even I
Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood
before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the
banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my
face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall
be the vision. 18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face
toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 19 And he said, Behold, I
will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time
appointed the end shall be. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the
kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great
horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 Now that being broken, whereas four
stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 23
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And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a
king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And
his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully,
and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall
magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up
against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision
of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the
vision; for it shall be for many days. 27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain
days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the
vision, but none understood it.
[Editor]
I want to give Dr. Culley’s rather lengthly comments on this chapter before we examine Wilson’s or Dr. Garner’s. Some of it will be, of necessity, repetition. You will find that on some points they all agree and on others they disagree. You must make your own determination in some of these matters, however, please consider each of the viewpoints presented by these men. Remember, they are not infallible and they are writing and giving the best of their understandings on these Scriptures.
[Culley]
