Continued from previous post
It should be recalled in Chapter 7 Verse 7 that when Daniel first had his vision of the fourth beast “dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly” (which all readily concede is a picture of the forth universal empire, Pagan Rome) that he likewise noticed that it had ten horns upon its head and as he was considering these horns another horn, a “little horn” (Papacy) appeared coming up among them, before which three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots (Verses 7, 8) this “little horn” the angel latter explained to Daniel in Verses 24, 25 viz.
“The ten horns are ten kings (powers or kingdoms) which shall arise from this kingdom (the forth universal empire) and another (horn, the “little horn”) shall arise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings (or kingdoms). He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, and shall persecute (i.e. wear out) the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time."
Time…..360 years’ Time(s) plural…..720 years, and Half of a time…..180 years = 1260 years
Here is shown the two kings or powers IN the Roman Empire, mentioned in Verse 27, the ecclesiastical or religious ruler-ship (Papal Rome), which would in due time gain supremacy over the first, the civil or imperial ruler-ship (Pagan Rome) i.e. the “fiery red dragon” of (Rev 12:3).
“We likewise regard Verses 29 and 30 of Chapter 11 as a parenthesis, thrown in to conceal the meaning for a time by breaking the order of the narrative, and believe it to apply to a then far future collision between the representatives of the Roman Empire and Egypt. No further conflict between these would occur except one, and it would be just at "the time appointed"—the time of the end, 1799 A.D.” (C 35)
“The Pastor related Verse 31 to Verse 27.
Verse 27 reads, “And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the [Time of the] end shall be at the time appointed [and shall not occur prematurely].” The two “kings” were clerical power (Papacy) and civil power (Rome). While ostensibly agreeing, they each had ulterior motives and were each suspicious about the other. Each power had its own interests at heart. Of the two powers, Papacy particularly prospered.
The Roman emperor Constantine, who had great power and authority, recognized that the Christian religion had many, many adherents, and the adherents had proved earlier, in the ten-year Diocletian persecution, that they did not fear death. Admiring the Christian dedication to suffer unto death, Constantine wanted to absorb this element into his empire and thus strengthen his civil power. However, being worldly, he could not distinguish between true Christians and nominal Christians. The name and the reputation of the martyrs extended to the nominal group, who did not merit or warrant them. Thus Constantine favored nominal Christianity, thinking it was the dedicated element.
In Aurelius’ day, but more importantly and later in Constantine’s day, the two powers (horns) were sitting “at one table,” each thinking of absorbing the other, Nominal Christianity felt that when religion converted the world, the Kingdom of God would be established (but it was the false Kingdom). Thus they wanted to have civil as well as clerical power. Ostensibly, the two powers were having a friendly dialog, but in reality each power was trying to use the other.
Of the two kings, Papacy won out in 539 A.D. when the Emperor Justinian ascended the throne and acknowledged the bishop of Rome as the head of the Church. Justinian’s motive was to unify the eastern and western portions of the Roman Empire, thereby strengthening his own power. He was the civil head of the empire, and the bishop of Rome was the ecclesiastical head. However, the unification actually sounded the death knell for the Imperial (Civil) or Pagan Roman Empire, for afterwards it became the Holy Roman Empire. From then on, the pope was present for the crowning of emperors. To ignore him would have brought excommunication, an awesome power.
The Pastor connected Verse 31 with Verse 27, saying that the intervening verses were purposely placed there by the Holy Spirit as a temporary block to understanding. The usual interpretation (that is that which is followed by the majority of bible scholars) is that much of Chapter 11 was fulfilled prior to the Gospel Age.
The Pastor reasoned differently from these in that he believed the chapter embraced both Old and New Testament time’s right down to relatively current history. If Verse 31 is interpreted as occurring after Verse 27, the chapter has a coherent flow.” (The Book of Daniel, Page 140, 141)
We will continue with this in our next post with the hope of addressing some of the specifics of Sister Ann’s remarks here.
