WHAT TIME IS IT?
Lesson 9 - Part 3
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Rome – Fourth beast

The terrible fourth beast in Daniel 7 is historically confirmed and recognized as civil Rome, the fourth universal kingdom of the world.  Civil Rome came to power about 168 B.C. with the overthrow of Greece.  The powerful teeth of iron belonging to the terrible beast (remember, the legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s image representing this fourth kingdom in Daniel 2 were also made of iron) fittingly described the unusual strength of Rome’s military legions since they were first to extensively use iron weapons.

Ten horns overtake Rome

The ten horns that overcame Rome were recognized by reformers as the ten kingdoms into which civil Rome (Europe) was divided around 476 A.D.  They were: Ostrogoths, Heruli, Franks, Vandals, Lombards, Visigoths, Suevi, Burgundians, Alamanni and the Anglo-Saxon.

Little horn overtakes three horns

According to Daniel, the little horn power was to become prominent after the ten horns were active.  While it may be said the Christian Church began at the time of Christ. It must be understood that the church grew from infancy to great political power over a period of about 5 centuries.  According to Daniel’s prophecy, the little horn power would become stronger than any of the ten kingdoms represented by the ten horns! A major point is made that after the ten horns are in power, then the little horn rises to power.

According to the prophecy, the little horn would distinguish itself from the other kingdoms, by “plucking” up of the original ten horns or kingdoms by their roots. The Roman Church (the little horn) plucked up three horns (three tribal nations) known as the Ostrogoths, Vandals, and the Heruli as it rose to power.   These three tribal nations were destroyed over a theological dispute on the deity of Christ.   Historically, this dispute is known as the “Arian controversy.” The dominating influence of the emerging Christian Church upon the remaining seven tribal nations is clearly demonstrated in this portion of the prophecy for the war against those holding “Arian” views was concluded by 538 A.D.

Little horn wages war on saints

According to Daniel, the little horn power would have the same fierce qualities as its parent, the fourth beast. The little horn would become stronger than all the other horns.  It would have a mouth that spoke against the Most High and it would have eyes like a man.

As the church became politically powerful, she became lord over the nations of Europe.  It was the Church that appointed Kings and Queens.  The Church decided political issues.

The Church eventually ruled the world.  The Church claimed the right to determine eternal life or death upon her subjects.  She was as determined and cruel in conquering her foes as the pagan parent was.  To expand her power and influence, the Pope promised forgiveness of sin – past, present and future along with eternal salvation to anyone willing to fight for the Holy Roman Empire. Millions perished in crusades fought in the name of God. The Roman Catholic Church conquered Europe and literally ruled with an “iron” fist for almost 13 centuries.

The Church exercised a number of spiritual prerogatives that blasphemes God’s truth. For example, the Church claims infallibility for its leader! “We teach and define it to be a dogma divinely revealed that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when action in his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians, by his supreme Apostolic authority…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” (Quoted from a booklet titled The Papacy, Expression of God’s Love, page 29, published by the knights of Columbus).

Little horn empowered 1260 years

Daniel predicted the little horn power would persecute the saints of God for a time, times and half a time.  This phrase represents three and a half years.  A “time” equals one year. A “times” represents two years, and “half a time” represents half a year.  We know these terms represent 1260 days because John uses these time periods in an interchangeable way.  See Revelation 12:6,14 If we use the day/year principle described in previous lessons, the 1,260 days of the prophecy represents 1,260 literal years.  The day/year principle must be followed in this chapter because certain scenes in this vision correspond with the timing of the 2,300 years.  This point will be studied in the next lesson.

Protestant reformers as 538 A.D. established the beginning of the 1,260-year period when the Pope began exercising authority of life and death over the subjects of the fragmented Roman Empire.  Emperor Justinian had previously granted absolute power as “Corrector of Heretics” to the Pope through an imperial decree in 533.  Giving such power to the Church set the stage for the beginning of a terrible reign of terror by Roman Pontiffs that would become known as the “dark ages.”

If 533 is the correct commencement date of Papal authority, and the day/year principle is applicable, a break or termination in the power of the papacy should occur 1260 later in 1798.  A significant number of Protestants wrote years before the fall of the Papacy that Church power should be broken some time in the 18^th century!  Writers such as Thomas Parker, 1646; Increase Mather, president of Harvard, 1723; William Burnet, 1724; and Richard Clark, 1759, and others anticipated the prophetic collapse of the Roman Church power during the 18^th century!

Napoleon unwittingly fulfilled the 1260-year prophecy by capturing the Pope and putting him in prison in February 1798. Thus the predicted 1260 years of Papal rule and persecutions described by Daniel were fulfilled.

Little horn “thinks” to change law of God

Daniel predicted the little horn power would “think” to change times and laws.  In 787 A.D. at the Second Nicean Council, the second commandment was entirely removed from the Ten Commandments and the tenth commandment was divided into two separate commandments so ten would remain.  This was done so questions about the use of images or icons in worship would not come up. In addition, the fourth commandment was reduced to just a few words so questions would not be raised about the day of worship.  Compare the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) with a Catholic Catechism for confirmation on these changes.

Little horn claims to be God on earth

As a capstone for identification, Protestants for 400 + years have argued that the blasphemous title of the Pope, which in Latin is “Vicarious Filli Dei”, and means “in place of the Son of God”, was a fulfillment of prophecy.  In English, differing forms of this title are used: for example, “Vicar of Jesus Christ” or, “Vicar of God.”  Regardless which term is used, the meaning is still the same, “in place of the Son of God.”

“Anti” Christ

Historically speaking, Protestants found only one organization that met all the specifications of the little horn of Daniel 7.  It was the Papacy.  (Even though there is debate within Protestantism today as to who the little horn power is, the chronological and historical harmony of the prophecy leaves no room for misinterpretation.)  The point is that Satan succeeded again.  He so corrupted the Christian Church that it became “anti” Christ.  The Church sentenced well over 100 million people to death during it reign for refusing to receive its doctrines. For some time Satan had what he wanted all along – control of earth!  The devil has ever worked to have people worship anything or anyone but Jesus.  Revelation predicts that the Antichrist (Satan himself) will yet appear on earth and claim all power and authority that rightfully belongs to God!  This will be the final blasphemy!  Webster defines blasphemy as “taking the prerogatives of God.”

History repeated

Again, it is said that Satan is the Antichrist. He led the Jews to become antichrist during a period of 1,800 years and he succeeded in causing the Christian Church to do the same in about the same length of time!  In both cases, he achieved his goals by putting self-centered, ambitious and unprincipled men into leadership.  Love of money and power hold greater reward and satisfaction to the carnal nature than following the teaching of the humble and meek Carpenter from Nazareth.

Jesus starts over a final time

Jesus did not give up even though the Jews and the Christian Church became “antichrist.”

Just as He called men and women out of Judaism to begin the Christian Church, He called those who loved and sought truth out of a Christian Church to a new movement.

Historically, this new organization is called the Protestant Reformation.  Thus Jesus passed the responsibility of giving the gospel from the Christians to Protestants.

Note:  The term Christian as used in this review of history applies to Roman Catholic Church, which still claims to possess the one and only true Christian faith.  Even though Protestants claim to be Christians, there is a vast theological difference between Catholics and Protestants.)

Incredible timing

The timing of prophetic events is incredible!  The Catholic Church was “wounded” in 1798 when General Breathier captured the Pope and placed him in prison.  The iron grip of Rome was finally broken.  The Protestant Movement would rapidly grow and become a dominant world influence.  Truth could ever flourish The Dark Ages were over.  Jesus rose up the Protestant Movement so that men and women could hear “more” Bible truth.

Truths such as salvation by faith, the ministry of Jesus in heaven instead of priestly ministry through Rome, the second coming and the prophetic meaning of 1844 are among these truths!  The Roman Catholic system was brought down so that truth might prosper.

Bibles could be printed and freely distributed, and freedom of worship became an inalienable right.  No longer would people have to be separated from the knowledge of God by a priest.  Everyone could own a Bible and have the liberty to search for truth!

Even though the point has not yet been clearly made, the contents of this lesson sets the stage for 1844 and beyond, for the Bible predicts a healing or future restoration of Papal power!  (A rapid process which is being observed at this very time.)  The first rise and fall of the Papacy occurred on time as predicted in Daniel and the second will be just as timely.  Notice that less than 50 years separate the fall of Papal rule in 1798 and the completion of the 2,300 year prophecy in 1844.  These two events are related and our next lesson will study this interesting relationship.

Summary

For 1800 years the Christian Church had an opportunity to accomplish what the Jews failed to do.  But alas, the roman Church became as evil and “anti” Christ as their predecessors the Jews. The Holy Roman Empire was brought down at the end of the 1,260 years in 1798 by a dictator refusing to believe in God.  Even though Napoleon, like Nebuchadnezzar, didn’t know the God of heaven, history and waterloo confirms again that there is a God that sets up kings and takes them down.  (Daniel 4:25)

Jesus then rose up the Protestants. They received the responsibility to proclaim the truth of God’s Word. This point is most important for somebody on earth has to be able to tell the rest of the world about “the appointed time of the end.”  You will see the critical reason for this point in a future lesson.  Looking at the pitiful condition of Protestantism today, we may be able to guess why Revelation refers to the saints at the end of the world as a “remnant.”

Quiz:

1. Name some of Satan’s best tools to destroy the church historically.

2. Name the kingdom represented by the fourth beast.

3. Who is the little horn power that comes out of the fourth beast?

4. Who brought the little horn power down?

5. What does the title, “Vicar of God” mean?
   

Memory Verse:  Matthew 28:19,20

“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, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

Notes:

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