Lesson 2, Part 3 - Daniel 7 – The
Four Beasts
Don’t forget that these identification points come directly
from the Bible. They are not speculation or something I just made up. Like I said check me on every Bible verse and historical point I present to make sure you know I'm not making this up....don't believe blindly. Historians
could tell you quickly what power is being described. These points can only fit
one power, the papacy. But to be certain, let’s carefully examine all 10 points
one by one in random order. There must be no room left for doubt here.
1. Began as “a little
horn” – a little power at it’s beginning. Well Rome started out as a weak
nation throughout history that slowly grew to an empire.
2. It “came up among” the 10 kingdoms of Western Europe. The
geographical location of the papal power was in Rome, Italy the very heart of
the territory of Western Europe.
3. It would have a man at it’s head who speaks
for it.The papacy meets this identifying mark because it does have one man
at the head (the pope) who speaks for it.
4. It would pluck up or uproot three kingdoms.The
emperors of Western Europe were largely Catholic and supported the papacy in
its growth and authority. Three Arian kingdoms, however, did not support the
papacy, the Vandals, Heruli, and Ostrogoths. So the Catholic emperors decided
they must be subdued or destroyed. Here is how Dr. Mervyn Maxwell, a theologian
and historian, described the results in volume 1, page 129, of his book God Cares:
"The Catholic emperor Zeno (474-491) arranged a treaty with the Ostrogoths in 487 which resulted in the eradication of the kingdom of the Arian Heruls in 493. And the Catholic emperor Justinian (527-565) exterminated the Arian Vandals in 534 and significantly broke the power of the Arian Ostrogoths in 538. Thus were Daniel's three horns the Heruls, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths'plucked up by the roots.' " It is not difficult to recognize that the papacy fits this point.
"The Catholic emperor Zeno (474-491) arranged a treaty with the Ostrogoths in 487 which resulted in the eradication of the kingdom of the Arian Heruls in 493. And the Catholic emperor Justinian (527-565) exterminated the Arian Vandals in 534 and significantly broke the power of the Arian Ostrogoths in 538. Thus were Daniel's three horns the Heruls, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths'plucked up by the roots.' " It is not difficult to recognize that the papacy fits this point.
5. It would be “Diverse” or different from the
other kingdoms. The papacy clearly fits this description, also. It came on
the scene as a religious power and was totally different from the secular
nature of the other 10 kingdoms during it’s history.
6. It would make war with and persecute the
saints. The church did persecute is a well-known fact. The papacy clearly
admits doing so in the past. Much supportive evidence exists. Even conservative
historians claim the church probably destroyed at least 50 million people over
matters of religious conviction. We will quote here from two sources:
1. "That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history.
2. In The History of the Inquisition of Spain, D. Ivan Antonio Llorente provides these figures from the Spanish Inquisition alone:31,912 persons were condemned and perished in the flames.241,450 persons were condemned to severe penalties.
1. "That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history.
2. In The History of the Inquisition of Spain, D. Ivan Antonio Llorente provides these figures from the Spanish Inquisition alone:31,912 persons were condemned and perished in the flames.241,450 persons were condemned to severe penalties.
7. It would emerge from the fourth kingdom of
iron – The pagan Roman Empire. I am now quoting two
authorities on this point listed below:
1. "The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptised ... The very capital of the old Roman Empire became the capital of the Christian empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of the pope."
2. "Whatever Roman elements the barbarians and Arians left ... [came] under the protection of the Bishop of Rome, who was the chief person there after the emperor's disappearance. The Roman Church in this way privily pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation."
So, once again, the point fits the papacy.
1. "The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptised ... The very capital of the old Roman Empire became the capital of the Christian empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of the pope."
2. "Whatever Roman elements the barbarians and Arians left ... [came] under the protection of the Bishop of Rome, who was the chief person there after the emperor's disappearance. The Roman Church in this way privily pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation."
So, once again, the point fits the papacy.
8. God’s people (the saints) would “be given
into his hand” for “a time and times and the dividing of time” (Daniel 7:25).Several
things need clarification in connection with this point:
1. A time is a year, times is two years, and the dividing of time is a half-year. The Amplified Bibletranslates it: "Three and one-half years."
2. This same time period is mentioned seven times in Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6, 14 and in Revelations 13:5. In the books of Daniel and Revelation: three times as a time, times, and half a time twice as 42 months and twice as 1,260 days. Based on the 30-day calendar used by the Jews, these time periods are all the same amount of time:
Three and 1/2 years = 42 months = 1,260 days.
3. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34).
4. Thus, the little horn (Antichrist) was to have power over the saints for 1,260 prophetic days or 1,260 literal years.
5. The rule of the papacy began in A.D. 538, when the last of the three opposing Arian kingdoms was uprooted. Its rule continued until 1798 when Napoleon's general, Berthier, took the pope captive with hopes of destroying both Pope Pius VI and the political, secular power of the papacy. This period of time is an exact fulfillment of the 1,260-year prophecy. The blow was a deadly wound for the papacy, but that wound began to heal and continues healing today.
6. This same period of persecution is mentioned in Matthew 24:21 as the worst period of persecution God's people will ever experience. Verse 22 tells us it was so devastating that not one soul would have survived if God had not shortened it. But God did shorten it. The persecution ended long before the pope was taken captive in 1798. It is plain to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy.
1. A time is a year, times is two years, and the dividing of time is a half-year. The Amplified Bibletranslates it: "Three and one-half years."
2. This same time period is mentioned seven times in Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6, 14 and in Revelations 13:5. In the books of Daniel and Revelation: three times as a time, times, and half a time twice as 42 months and twice as 1,260 days. Based on the 30-day calendar used by the Jews, these time periods are all the same amount of time:
Three and 1/2 years = 42 months = 1,260 days.
3. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34).
4. Thus, the little horn (Antichrist) was to have power over the saints for 1,260 prophetic days or 1,260 literal years.
5. The rule of the papacy began in A.D. 538, when the last of the three opposing Arian kingdoms was uprooted. Its rule continued until 1798 when Napoleon's general, Berthier, took the pope captive with hopes of destroying both Pope Pius VI and the political, secular power of the papacy. This period of time is an exact fulfillment of the 1,260-year prophecy. The blow was a deadly wound for the papacy, but that wound began to heal and continues healing today.
6. This same period of persecution is mentioned in Matthew 24:21 as the worst period of persecution God's people will ever experience. Verse 22 tells us it was so devastating that not one soul would have survived if God had not shortened it. But God did shorten it. The persecution ended long before the pope was taken captive in 1798. It is plain to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy.
9. It would speak “great words” of
blasphemy” against the most High (God)”.
Remember that once again blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:
1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21).
2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33).
Does this point fit the papacy? Yes it does big time!!!!
Let's first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins: "Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ."
Remember that once again blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:
1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21).
2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33).
Does this point fit the papacy? Yes it does big time!!!!
Let's first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins: "Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ."
The papacy further
undermines Jesus by setting up a system of confession to an earthly priest,
thus bypassing Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1, 8:1,2) and only Mediator (1
Timothy 2:5).
Next consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: "We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty."
Here is another: "The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh."Its obvious this point, likewise, fits the papacy.
Next consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: "We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty."
Here is another: "The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh."Its obvious this point, likewise, fits the papacy.
10. It would “think to change times and
laws”.
The Amplified Bible translates "laws" as "the law." The reference is to changing God's law. Of course, no one can really change it, but has the papacy attempted to do so? The answer is of course yes!!
In its catechisms, the papacy has omitted the second commandment against veneration of images and has shortened the fourth commandment from 94 words to eight and divided the tenth commandment into two commandments. (Check this for yourself. Compare the Ten Commandments in any Catholic catechism with God's list of the commandments in (Exodus 20:3-17). It’s pretty crazy!!
·
Cardinal Gibbon’s wrote: “of
course the Catholic Church claims the change of worship from the seventh to the
first day of the week was her act….and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical
authority in religious matters”. – Cardinal Gibbons, Catholic Mirror, Sept. 23rd,
1893.
·
“Sunday is our mark of authority….the Catholic Church is above the
Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact”. – The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, Sept.
1st, 1923.
·
Father Enright wrote: “The Bible
says, Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath Day. The Catholic Church says
No! By My divine power, I abolish the Sabbath day; and command you to keep holy
the first day of the week.” – K.C. Father T. Enright, C.S.S.R., American
Sentinel, June 1st, 1893, p.173.
There is no doubt
that the little horn power of Daniel chapter 7 (the Antichrist) is the papacy.
No other organization could possibly fit all 10 of these points. If you don’t
believe the Bible try plugging in another power. I have tried Italy, Russia, and China so far and they all don’t fit all 10 points. Remember they have to fit all 10
to be a match according to the Bible. You will find that no other power besides
the papacy fits. And incidentally, this is no new teaching. Every Reformer without
exception, spoke of the papacy as the Antichrist throughout history. Look it up
for yourself and dig like I have done if you need more evidence, I don’t know
how you would need more but who knows.
I need to now put out some words of care and concern. When doing this study some should think that I am attacking fellow Christians by identifying this little-horn power, but please keep in mind that the prophecy is aimed at a system and not individuals. There are sincere, devout Christians in all churches, including the Catholic faith. Daniel Chapter 7 is simply a message of judgment and correction upon a large religious institution which compromised with paganism, like so many other churches that arose after her. The people in the catholic church and other churches aren’t bad people. They are all just being lead astray by the church leaders not knowing any better. That’s why this message is so important to spread to everybody on earth! Remember just follow what the Bible says, not ANY religious group.That’s the only true way you will find what the Bible ACTUALLY SAYS and what Jesus’s love message is to you!!
I need to now put out some words of care and concern. When doing this study some should think that I am attacking fellow Christians by identifying this little-horn power, but please keep in mind that the prophecy is aimed at a system and not individuals. There are sincere, devout Christians in all churches, including the Catholic faith. Daniel Chapter 7 is simply a message of judgment and correction upon a large religious institution which compromised with paganism, like so many other churches that arose after her. The people in the catholic church and other churches aren’t bad people. They are all just being lead astray by the church leaders not knowing any better. That’s why this message is so important to spread to everybody on earth! Remember just follow what the Bible says, not ANY religious group.That’s the only true way you will find what the Bible ACTUALLY SAYS and what Jesus’s love message is to you!!
Many Christians today have been tragically
misinformed regarding the Antichrist. To believe an untruth about the
Antichrist could easily cause a person to be deceived and lost as we are living
in the end days. What should a person do when new Bible teachings are
encountered?
"These were more noble than
those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of
mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts
17:11). When a new Bible teaching is encountered, the only safe procedure is to
compare it carefully with Scripture to see if it is in harmony with God's Word
or not. If so move on, if not reject it. Don't believe blindly like I had said before. But you have to be open and make sure
your not making the Bible say something it isn't….that’s why whenever studying/opening
the Bible you should ALWAYS PRAY before doing so.
So once again in Daniel 2 and 7
we have found that God has given us a sweeping overview of history from the
time of Nebuchadnezzar – more then 600 years before Christ’s birth – and
continuing to the very end of time at the second coming of Jesus. This ends the
Daniel sections of this end time prophecy, but as we continue to study these
two parallel prophecies, we discover exactly where we are today in the stream
of time. Yes, we see that we are involved in a great struggle between two
systems – truth and error, loyalty and disloyalty, right and wrong, good and
evil, love and loveless. But this should also make you happy as we are living
in the end times now. That we are closer to Jesus’s coming. Remember the
classic story in Daniel 3 about 3 men. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It was
love for God that kept them from being traditionally or politically correct,
and that love meant more to them then even their own lives on this earth that
they were willing to be put into the fire to die for God. Of course God saved
them for there faith and love towards God but you see my point here right?
Just remember that to go along
with the crowd – even a Christian one – just because you don’t want to make
waves or you think you might be the laughing stock of your family or even you
own church, will in the end come down to one final question…..Do you love Jesus
more than tradition, loved ones, or the approval of the majority? We will be judged by God,
and that is the only thing that should matter. We have a more sure word of
prophecy. God’s Word is always right. It’s the Living Bible!! Let’s not stand
up and defend something just because of the majority. Get into all of these
Scriptures that I have shared with you by God’s grace…..he just uses me as the
vessel. Study for yourself like never before. That’s what I did, it’s the only
way to find out for yourself….but you have to want to know for yourself, nobody can make you. As you
can see, these end time prophecies tell us that we are here at the close of
history, now living in 2013. I mean just look around the world, on the news,
tv, media, internet, wars, more and more severe weather, ect ect. Our time to be free to
do what we want and to worship God freely is coming to an end quickly. Not much
time is left. Time as we know it will soon be over and it won’t get any easier
to make hard decisions. In the end, though, the reward is well worth it.
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