THE LITTLE HORN
Daniel Chapter 7
PART II:
PROPHESY
550 B.C.
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IN the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7 After 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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
INTRODUCTION
Out of the sea of humanity a storm is brewing. It is not a tornado or heavy rain but a political unrest resulting in the rise and fall of political regimes. In this chapter there are four beasts (kingdoms that acted like beasts). The four animals (lion, bear, leopard, and a nondescript animal) representing four kingdoms. When Daniel wrote his prophecy, only one of the kingdoms was in existence, but with the telescope of prophecy he unveils the future of world history. The lion represents the Babylonian empire. The bear represents Medo-Persia. The Leopard represents Alexander the Great and the Grecian empire. The nondescript animal (which is called the fourth kingdom) represents the Roman Empire, and the little horn that came up out of the fourth empire represents the papacy. This beast occupies the attention of Daniel more than any other because it would kill the saints, change God’s laws, and blaspheme God. Finally after twelve hundred and sixty years it would lose its dominion.
EXPOSITION
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
In the year of 550 B.C. Daniel had a dream. He relates his dream in this chapter and gives the sum of the matter. We know that the beasts represent four kingdoms. Daniel tells us that the fourth beast is the fourth kingdom on earth; therefore they are not to be taken as literal beasts, but rather kingdoms that acted like beasts.
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
A great storm began to blow on the sea of humanity causing agitation and out of this chaos arose four kingdoms. The prophetic language of "Four winds" stands for the four directions, North, South, East, and West.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. Isa. 11:10-12
He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters (Corners K.G.) of the earth. Isa. 11:12
It is evident that when the Bible uses the words "four corners, or four winds" that it means four directions. When the exile ended, God brought his remnant back from Pathros (a portion of Egypt), Cush (Africa), Elam-East of Tigris river (now Iran), Shinar-Babylonia (now Iraq), and Hamath (a Cannanite city). The four winds strove upon the great sea. "Winds" represent strife, confusion, commotions, destruction, turmoil, and war.
I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of the heavens; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go. Jer.49:36
I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who seek their lives; I will bring disaster upon them, even my fierce anger," declares the Lord. "I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them. Jer. 49:37
When God said that he would bring the four winds against Elam (now Iran) he meant war would come from four quarters. The Lord sent three invasions by Assurbanipal and one by the Babylonians. In the passage here in Daniel we are told that the four winds were to blow something in from the sea of humanity. Note how John uses the word "waters" in Rev. l7:l5: "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Daniel saw the great sea of humanity stirred up, and out of it four-world empires emerge. They were different from each other.
4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
The first of the four kingdoms was Babylon, described as a Lion. On their inscriptions they portrayed their kingdom under the image of a lion. A Lion is warlike, supreme in power, domination, and sovereignty, distinguished for power and Keeping other animals at awe. He is able to spring on other animals with great severity in his blow. On their monuments is engraved a lion with eagle wings, denoting that the kingdom was rapid in its conquest. Daniel saw in his dream that the Lion (Babylon) would get it wings plucked off. In other words he would no longer be able to move rapidly in its conquest. The monarch would stand up like a man and be given a man’s heart. This means he would be changed from ferocity to weakness like a man. He would cease to act like a ravenous animal and would have calm reflections and think like a rational human being.
5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
The second beast is described under the image of a Bear. This animal is distinguished mainly for two things: cunning and ferocity. When hungry or robbed of her whelps, she is savage. This Bear is described as raising herself on one side. This kingdom was composed of the Medes and the Persians. She rose up on one side, that is, the Medes rose up first. She had three ribs in her mouth. She is pictured as devouring three provinces, namely Babylon, Lydia and Egypt. This kingdom in all respects acted like an animal.
6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
The third kingdom is likened to a Leopard. It was to be dreadful, terrible, and strong. It had four wings of a fowl. It too was rapid in its movement, even greater than the Lion. This kingdom is Greece, under Alexander the Great; He could move armies faster than any nation on earth. This animal would spring on others as unawares. Notice also that this animal has four heads. Upon the death of Alexander the kingdom was divided among his four generals. Syria and the East were under the head of General Seleucus. Blthynia and Thrace was under General Lysimachus. Egypt was under General Ptolemy Sotor and Macedonia was under General Cassander. Finally Daniel says that dominion was given to it. Alexander the great ruled the world.
7 After 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.
This fourth kingdom is likened to a nondescript animal, dreadful and terrible, iron teeth, it devours, and stomps people. It has ten horns. Whatever the Caesars didn't devour they stomped down and crushed to the earth. This kingdom looked dangerous and it was menacing. The ten horns refer to the ten European governments that were within the Roman Empire. The ten kingdoms are thus listed by Sir Isaac Newton as follows: Newton's Prophecies on Daniel Ch. 6 (Published 1733)
1. The kingdom of the vandals and Alan's in Spain and Africa.
2. The kingdom of the Suevians in Spain.
3. The Kingdom of the Visigoths.
4. The kingdom of the Alan's in Gallia.
5. The Kingdom of the Burgundians.
6. The Kingdom of the Franks.
7. The Kingdom of the Britons.
8. The Kingdom of the Hunns.
9. The Kingdom of the Lombard's.
10. The Kingdom of the Ravenna.
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.
A little horn springs up and it plucked up three of the first horns and has eyes like the eyes of man a mouth speaking great things. This horn (power) had eyes like a man, it claimed the power to see or oversee everything in this world, spiritual and secular, and it was all mouth. This horn boasted of its power and dominion and wealth.
The little horn is popery that started in a small way but soon was able to wipe out three horns. It was on its way to world domination.
Sir Isaac Newton lists the three horns that it wiped out as follows. "The Exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombard's, and the Dukedom of Rome." Newton on the Prophecies Ch7
This kingdom has eyes like the eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things. The papal power asserted civil authority in the midst of the divided empire.
While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully. Dan. 7:8
Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. Dan 7:11
I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell-the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. Dan 7:20
He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. Dan 7:25
By the arrogant claims of authority the NAME OF GOD was blasphemed, for only GOD has such power as the beast presumed to exercise. The tabernacle of God refers to the true worship. She took the wine from the laity in 1414. Lets look at the claims of the Popes and see if these great swelling words are not blasphemous.
1. He claims to be head of the church. How can his be in the light of Scripture:
And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1:18
What blasphemy for any mortal man to claim what belongs only to God.
2. The Pope claims that he is the Judge of the Living and the Dead. Cath. Ency. XV. page 126
This is some more of his blasphemy. The Scriptures teach just the opposite.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Tim. 4:
3. The Pope claims authority above all and subject to none. Pius VI Ency. 65.
Some more of their great swelling words. Doesn't sound like the teachings of the Bible.
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1 NIV
4. Pope Leo XIII said: "We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Leo. XIII Ency, 304
You can't find a more blasphemous statement than that. No wonder God calls her MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 17:5
5. The Pope claims to be The Vicar of Christ. Cath. Dic. 258
The Pope has this inscription on his crown VICARIVS FILII DEI. Translated this means Vicar of Son of God. It is interesting to learn that when we add up the numerical values of this inscription we have
2 V's =10
6 I's = 6
1 L = 50
1 C = 100
1 D = 500
TOTAL 666
6. The Pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power, to whom has been entrusted by the omnipotent God direction not only of the earthly but also of the heavenly kingdom. The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even divine laws. Luclus Ferraris Vol 6 p.26
I offer the following quotes from official Catholic books to prove that she fulfills that which was spoken by Daniel.
He is the keeper of the keys, the judge of the living and the dead, and sits on the throne of justice, with power to extirpate all iniquity, He is the head of the church, which is one and stainless, and not a many-headed monster, and has full divine authority to pluck out and tear down, to build up and plant. Let not the king imagine that he has no superior, is not subject to the highest authority in the church. Catholic Ency. II p. 666
Now, therefore, we declare, say, determine and pronounce that for every human creature it is necessary for salvation to be subject to the authority of the Roman Pontiff. Cath. Ency. XV p. 126
Pope Pius XI said in his Encyclical, Light of Truth, "the Roman Pontiff has from on high an authority which is supreme, above all others and subject to none." Pope Pius XI Encyclical, Light of Truth Page 5
Pope Leo XIII said: "We (the pope) hold upon this earth the place of God almighty." Great Encyclical Letters, 304
Hear Pope Leo XIII again: "But the supreme teacher in the church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires together with a perfect accord in the one faith, complete submission and obedience of will to the church and to the Roman Pontiff as to God Himself." Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII, p.193
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.
The thrones that are cast down are the thrones of these four beasts. The Ancient of days did sit. That is, God convened court in Heaven, angels, seraphim's, archangels , all of heavens ruling class are summoned to be present as court convenes and the charges are filed and evidence is presented. Since there is no higher court there was no appeals. Nothing but the truth was presented to the jury. The books of her conduct were opened and all of her crimes were laid before the august body. They considered the great words of the Little Horn. Arguments were made, testimony was heard, deliberations ensued, and a verdict was reached. The beasts must have their dominion taken away.
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.
The one sitting on the throne is described in great detail by Ezekiel:
Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. Ezek 1:26-28
No physical description of God can be found in the Bible thus it is not possible to make an idol or graven image of him.
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.
A recording was being played of the great words which the horn was saying. Daniel's attention was focused on the outcome of this trial. Daniel said he watched till the execution was carried out.
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thess. 2:4-8
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Rev. 19:20
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev. 20:10
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
This is not the final judgment but rather a judgment of the four beasts. They had their dominion taken away. Has this prophecy been fulfilled? Where are the four beasts today? They have disappeared like fog in the rays of the sun. Daniel said they would be like chaff on the summer threshing floor. They are gone forever. Alleluia!
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.
This must refer to the Ascension and Coronation of Jesus Christ. When Jesus triumphed over the dead and returned to heaven there was a crowning of the King day.
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Rev. 5:9
A new song. A song of redemption. Thou art worthy to take the book. Jesus was worthy because of Calvary. We are new creatures in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. John 3:3-5
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10
The Christian can now sing:
"I'm redeemed by love divine,
Glory Glory Christ is mine, Christ is mine,
All to Him I now resign,
I have been redeemed!"
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.
When Jesus returned to the father he received all power and dominion and glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him. Read my comments on Daniel 2:44 where it says that in the days of these kings the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that will stand forever. Peter declared in Acts 2: 30 that when Jesus was resurrected from the dead that he ascended on high and received the throne of David. All the powers of Hell cannot destroy the kingdom of Christ. Herod couldn't kill Him! The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him! Nero couldn't crush Him! Atheist can't dethrone Him! Diocletion couldn't exterminate Him! And the New Age cannot replace Him! He is Forever and His Kingdom will not pass away. The kingdoms set up by men have passed away but the Kingdom of Christ remains. Heaven and Earth will pass away but His Word will not pass away and it is this Word that tells us that the Kingdom set up by Jesus Christ will not pass away.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Daniel tell us that his spirit was quivering, his whole body was a frightened and the vision of his head alarmed him.
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.
Thus far Daniel knows the dream but he does not know what it means, so he asks one of them that stood by to tell him the truth of all this. Isn't it amazing! Even after Daniel receives the truth and relates it here in this chapter, the majority of mankind has no more understanding of this truth than hogs know how to ride sidesaddle. The one standing next to Daniel made it clear and explained it in detail to Daniel.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Here is the truth as it is told to Daniel. The four beasts are four kings, or kingdoms. It is impossible to have one without the other. So the concrete is used for the Abstract. They arose out of the earth. That is, they were earthly kingdoms. Notice that verse twenty-three says, "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." So you can see that when Daniel uses the word "king" he also means "kingdom."
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
The saints took the kingdom because Jesus said that it was the Father’s good pleasure to give you and I the kingdom.
Fear not, little flock; for it is you Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
Saints were in the kingdom according to the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Colossians:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Col. 1:13,14.
If we are not translated into the kingdom then we do not have forgiveness of sins. Remember that the new birth puts you in Christ’s kingdom. John wrote that he was in the kingdom when he penned the book of Revelation.
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. l:9
Jesus said to Peter that he would give him the Keys of the Kingdom:
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.Mt. 16:18, 19
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;
Daniel could have inquired about the other three kingdoms but his primary concern was the fourth kingdom. See verses seven and eight for comments regarding it being dreadful and stomping its enemies. There has never been a nation on earth except Rome that meets the requirements of this chapter.
Daniel saw a beast coming out of the sea. John tells us in the book of Revelation that the waters out of which the beast rose was the sea of humanity.
Then the angel said to me, The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. Rev. 17:15
What John saw was a nation rising from a chaotic condition of many nations. It was out of this condition that the Roman power came. He had ten horns. The ten horns represent the l0 kingdoms over which she ruled: Sir Isaac Newton listed them in his book published in 1733 with the names by which they were previously known (see verse seven). Today we would identify them as follows:
1. Germany
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Holland
5. France
6. Spain
7. Italy
8. Switzerland
9. Portugal
10. Great Britain
This Beast had seven heads. The Roman Empire passed thru seven heads of government. The World Book Encyclopedia lists the seven heads of government that Rome passed through.
1. 7 Kings ruled for about 200 years
2. Consuls
3. Tribunes
4. Decemvirs
5. Dictators
6. 65 Emperors ruled in Rome for 5 centuries
7. Exarchs of Ravenna ruled for more than a century.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Rev. 13:7
Rome's long history was marked with the shedding of the blood of saints. Can anyone doubt that this belongs to the Popes? In 1208 Pope Innocent III warred against the Waldines and Albigines, in which one million perished. From the beginning of the Jesuits 1540-1580, nine hundred thousand were destroyed. One hundred fifty thousand perished by the inquisition in thirty years. In the low-lands, fifty thousand people were hanged, beheaded, burned alive or buried alive for the crime of heresy (Christianity). Within 38 years from the edict of Charles V, eighteen thousand were executed. The Popes tried to put down the reformation in Germany and Switzerland. The slightest acquaintance of the history of the Popes will convince us that this verse refers to them. The historian W.E.H. Lecky says, "The church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no protestant who has a complete knowledge of history." Rationalism in Europe Vol. 2 p. 40
Some historians have estimated that the persecuting hands of Rome have been reddened by the blood of fifty million saints. I doubt that anyone can come close to the exact number.
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 mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Let’s look at the three who fell: The First Horn was the Exarchate of Ravenna. They belonged to the Greek Emperors. This was the capitol of their dominions of Italy. It revolted at the instigation of the pope and was seized by Astoifhus, king of the Lombards who made himself master of all Italy. The pope asked aid from France. Pepin (King of France) marched to Italy and forced the Lombards to surrender all territories in all Italy to the popes in the year was 755 AD.
The Second Horn was the kingdom of the Lombards who were troublesome to the popes. The dominions of the pope were invaded by Desiderius, in the time of Pope Adrin I. The pope summoned France and Charles the Great (son of Pepin) who invaded the Lombads and put an end to their kingdom. He gave a great part of their territory to the pope in 774 AD.
The third was the States of Rome. They subjected to the popes in a civil sense. Formerly, they were ruled by a senate and had elected both the western emperors and the popes.
For the first time the world beheld a Christian Bishop invested with all the powers of a temporal prince. The year 775 to 796. Sir Isaac Newton elaborated much about this in chapter seven of Newton on the Prophecies.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
The same horn that had now gained control over the Western churches set the pope up above the judicature of the Roman Senate, and the Council of the Italian and French Bishops. This horn was more stout than his fellows and was beginning to flex his arm by making war on the saints that did not agree with the catholic church. The falling away that was predicted by the Apostle Paul in II Thess. 2:3-12 was now very much under way.
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.
We learn from this verse that God convened Heaven’s Court and the case was tried. Judgment was given in behalf of the Saints of the Most High. The time came for the Saints of the Most High to possess the kingdom. All the history books will show in vivid detail how she made war against the saints until the Protestant Reformation, when the Saints of the most High were granted judgment from on High in their behalf. Heaven’s court had decided in favor of the Saints on High and the Little Horn would no longer control the world. The Protestant Reformation was the fulfillment of this prophecy.
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.
See my comments on verse seven. We know that the fourth beast was the Imperial Roman Empire which fell in the year 476 AD. And the Little Horn, the pope, gains control of the kingdom of Europe for the next 1260 years.
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.
Daniel again tells us about the ten horns and the little horn that rises and subdues three kings. He wants us to see the truth of all this.
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.
The little horn, the pope, was to speak great words against the most High. No ruler, king or potentate has ever spoke such great swelling words as the pope. She claims that Peter was the first pope and conveyed all the powers upon the pope. She claims that the popes are the judges of the living and the dead. She claims authority above all and subject to none. She claims that she holds the place of God Almighty on this earth. She claims that the pope is the vicar of Jesus Christ. She claims that no one on earth can be saved unless he is in subjection to the pope. She claims that she is infallible. The author of this book knows that these are lies, lies, lies.
Daniel further states that she would wear out the saints of the Most High. A History of the persecutions by Lecky vol. 2. recalls that Christians were hunted like criminals over the mountains. Their ears were torn from the roots. They were branded with hot irons. Their fingers were wrenched asunder. The bones of their legs were shattered in the boots. Every ingenuity in the art of torture was used by the popes. She persecuted to the full extent of the power of her clergy.
The church of Rome has inflicted a greater amount of unmerited suffering than any other religion that has ever existed among mankind. Leaky Page 16 Vol 2 Rationalism in Europe
Read Antichrist in Our Midst by Rand Winburn and Fox’s book of Martyrs, by John Fox, and as you follow the trail of blood. The evidence is overwhelming and the material voluminous.
The popes also changed times and laws.
She claimed the power to make Kings and unmake Kings, and throughout her reign in the dark ages she exercised this power to the fullest extant.
She changed the laws respecting the Lord’s Supper.
She set up images.
She instituted Celibacy of the clergy. In 1075 pope Gregory declared all clerical marriages invalid. This was the greatest mass divorce in history.
She changed the 10 commandments. What? Even the commandments.
She done away with the 2nd. commandment and made two out of the 10th. By making two out of the 10th. She has 10 commandments.
In general she claims absolute control of all religion.
However, God says that all this would be given into her hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Now it doesn’t require one to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. The first pope was Boniface III, 503 AD. And 1260 years later, Napoleon Bonaparte took the pope prisoner and locked him up in exile. Finally all the ten kingdoms of Europe were shorn from her. Her world dominion has shrunk to the 97 acres of the Vatican empire. Daniel and the Apostle John in the book of Revelation prophesied all this. Thousands of volumes describe her endless crimes.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Could anything in history be more literally fulfilled? The judgment shall sit. Almighty God presided over the case and rendered the verdict that her dominion would be taken away. The ten kingdoms of Europe hated her, but none dared to challenge her power until the days of the Protestant Reformation. Today she does not control a single country of Europe. Finally, God says in this verse that he will consume and destroy her unto the end. Read the book; The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Church, by Malachi Martin and you will begin to realize that her own prelates see her downfall. Her pedophilia and homosexual priest continue to aid her demise.
Pope Paul VI said, "The Devil has entered the Church, and there is smoke around the altar." The Decline And Fall Of The Roman church. Malachi Martin (Cover)
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.
The kingdom and dominion shall be given to the Saints of the Most High. She who sat upon many waters, the city that ruled the world, no longer rules a single country. Her ecclesial control has shrunk. Freedom of religion has spread among all the nations of Europe. You can find Protestant Churches in every town and hamlet. She doesn’t lay a hand on them any more. No more inquisitions. No more torture chambers. No longer are we menaced by Vatican officials. No more arrests of dissenters. No longer do we suffer the indignity and coercive enactment of former popes. No more atrocities by the Anti-Christ. No more executions of heretics by her ecclesiastics. Her long period of tyranny has come to an end! I join with heaven in saying,
Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Rev. 19:1,2
I wonder if you noticed that "hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand." Ever wonder about the French Revolution? Ever wonder why it was a catholic army that arrested and put down the papal power? It was all by her own hand! The Almighty God revealed this in prophecy centuries before it took place!
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.
Daniel was grieved in his spirit in the midst of his body, and the visions of his head troubled him. After what Daniel saw his thoughts troubled him so much, he turned pale. When you dear reader take a step back in time and read the History of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Little Horn, you will be astonished how completely God foretold the events that would transpire. After all this you will wonder why people still support this system of evil. Daniel wanted to know the "truth of all this," and now you know too.
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