THE “LITTLE” HORN OF DANIEL 7 AND
THE KINGDOM OF THE JEWS
INTRODUCTION
Over the years there has been much speculation
about the identity of the “little horn” – a domicile that is found
only in the book of Daniel in Chapter 7:8 where the Hebrew words
used are Strong’s No. 2192 and 7162, and in Chapter 8:9 where the
Hebrew words used are Strong’s Nos. 4704 and 7161.
In both instances, although the Hebrew
words are different, they simply mean “little, small, insignificant, light
in status – small little lowly” and the word for “horn” refers to the “horn
of an animal” which may be used to symbolize strength and status. We have
already seen in historical examples, that horns are symbolic of internal
divisions within a “head” Empire.
In the first reference in Daniel chapter
7:8, the “little horn” is a descendent ruler/Nation coming from the 4th
“dreadful and terrible” Beast Empire which is generally recognised as being
ROME.
Most commentators state that the words
“little horn” mean that although it “comes from a small beginning” it constantly
acts as though it were big. (It could also be considered “small” when compared
with the “notable horn” on the “he goat” beast in Chapter 8:5, 8.) We could
also note that in the description of this 4th Beast Empire, there
is an order of statements that seems to show an unfolding of history i.e.
first the Beast is mentioned, then the 10 horns upon its head,
and lastly the “little horn”. When the little horn is destroyed,
then the power of the fourth kingdom as an “empire” disappears
completely.
N.B. There is NO reference to a “little horn” in the book of
Revelation at all, neither is there any reference to any other
single horn appearing on the scene, other than the 10 horns mentioned in
Revelation 12:3 - 13:1 and 17:3,7,12,16, which are all associated with
either the Great Red Dragon, or the Beast from the Sea. The only other
reference approximating to the two separate “little horns” of Daniel’s prophecies
is the reference to the “two horns like a lamb” on the head of the
Beast from the Earth – the False Prophet. However, there is no similarity
in origin or historical connection at all, unless there is an intention
to convey the idea that the bearer of the “two horns like a lamb” is twice
as evil in nature and habit as the two separate “little horns” portrayed
by Daniel in Chapters 7 and 8!!
Many prophetic commentators in the past
have collected all the references to “10 horns” and the two “little horns”
and their exploits; (drawing together all the evil attributes of the enemies
of Israel and the Church described in various scriptures;) and lump them
all together in the personage of the end-times “Anti-Christ” whom they believe
is to rule the whole World. In the process they have ignored the fact
that the two “little horns” mentioned in Daniel 7 and 8, come out of two
totally different Empires, (the 1st being Rome and the 2nd
being Greece) and meet two totally different ends. Besides that, the
10 horns of Revelation 13:1-2, are clearly seen to be placed on or within
the Composite Beast Empire which arises out of the “prolonged lives” of
the three Beast Empires of Greece, Persia and Babylon. (Daniel 7:12)
The fact is that the four great Empires
which were revealed to Daniel in three main visions, were given to him to
show the Empires which would conquer, influence and subjugate Israel in the course of World history, beginning with Babylon. For a particular
reason, only four major Empires were envisioned out of the many Kingdoms,
Rulers, and marauding Tribes that inhabited the area of the Middle East,
and Fertile Crescent although other divisions and minor Kingdoms are alluded
to in subsequent visions in Daniel 8 and 11.
It is my premise that these four Empires
were chosen to represent not only the age of dispersion for the Jews
- i.e., the Southern Two tribes (Judah & Benjamin); but also to
“highlight” the succession of power bases in the area from
Babylon through Media/Persia and Greece until the final end of the 4th
Beast Empire, emphasising “particular persecutions” which
would violate the Jewish people, perpetrated by each “particular”
Beast (Empire) head, or a combination of heads as is the case with the yet
to arise composite Beast Empire of Rev 13:1-2.
In Daniel Chapter 7 it is shown quite clearly
that the “little horn” is a descendent ruler/Nation which comes to power
at a later stage of the 4th beast’s history; compared to Daniel
Chapter 8, where it is also shown quite clearly that that “little horn”
comes out of one of the later divisions of the 3rd “he goat”
Beast Empire - (Greece). These two “little horns” are totally dissimilar
in respect to their origin, modus operandi, and destiny, and have no relevance
to one another, apart from the fact that they both persecute the Jews (Judah).
Daniel’s chief concern in his writings
is for “his people” and the “desolation of the holy mountain in Jerusalem”
(Dan 9:3-19). The age of dispersion for the Jews began in 586 B.C.
with the destruction of Solomon’s Temple, and the subsequent deportations
of its people to Babylon. Although Israel was restored after
Babylon was defeated/captured by the Persians, many Jews remained in dispersion.
Their numbers were added to and subsequently aggravated by the destruction
of the second Temple and capture of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by the Romans.
The forced diaspora finally ended in 1948 after the last “manifestation”
of the 4th Beast Empire was destroyed and the Jews were again
restored as a Nation in their own homeland, Israel.
When Daniel is carefully studied, it becomes
clear that the course of each Empire’s history is laid out like a family
tree, following first – one Empire in Chapter 7, and then another in Chapter
8 - starting with the principal Ruler, and descending through disintegration
into internal divisions and descendent rulers. Daniel Chapter 7 gives specific
details about the descendent ruler at the “10 horn stage” of the 4th
Empire - Rome. Daniel Chapter 8 gives details of the 3rd Empire
Greece and one of its descendent rulers Antiochus Epiphanes. To try to
mix them up “muddies the waters” and causes confusion.
DANIEL CHAPTER 7
After an introduction to the 4 main Beast
Empires in Daniel 7:1-7, the vision closes in on the descendent “entities”
of the 4th “dreadful and terrible Beast Empire” which is generally
recognised as the Roman Empire. Its future influence on Israel is examined in the succeeding verses in Daniel 7:8-28 after the Empire
has disintegrated into many individual “horns”, (i.e. power bases, Nations
and Kingdoms). This interesting passage of scripture contains several
“interruptions” or “encounters” of a “heavenly kind” in which Daniel appears
to be seeing things happening on a “split screen” with alternating pictures
of events in heaven and on earth.
I will print the earthly
events in red, and the heavenly events
in blue, because it will help us to unravel the mystery of this
passage and lead us to a conclusion as to “who and what Nation” is referred
to as the “little horn” of Daniel 7:8-28. Details regarding
the “little horn” are underlined, and will be looked at in depth below.
Daniel 7:8-28
v. 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. v.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.
v.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousand
ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him:
the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
v.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. v.12 AS CONCERNING THE REST OF THE BEASTS,
THEY HAD THEIR DOMINION TAKEN AWAY: YET THEIR LIVES WERE PROLONGED FOR A
SEASON AND TIME. (He is here referring to the three remaining Beast Empires of Babylon,
Persia and Greece.)
v.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. v.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. v.15
I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and
the visions of my head troubled me. v.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. v.17 These great beasts, which
are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. v.18 BUT THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL TAKE THE KINGDOM,
AND POSSESS THE KINGDOM FOR EVER, EVEN FOR EVER AND EVER.
v.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; v.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.
v.21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed
against them; v.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. v.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.
v.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.
v.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. v.26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall
take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
v.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.
I believe that what Daniel saw and what
we are reading about in this recorded vision shows the interplay between
what was happening in Heaven in the Throne-room of God, and what was being
executed on earth below. Just as was pointed out in the booklet “Daniel’s
70 weeks and the Covenant” the Throne-room of God is where “commandments”
are issued forth regarding matters which will be enacted on earth.
It is my personal belief that Daniel chapter
7:7-8 is describing the many individual Nations that eventually arose in
Europe after the dissolution stage (i.e., the 10 horns stage) of the Roman
Empire (the 4th Beast). That it relates to, and is convergent
upon the very end of this particular Beast as an Empire we can be
assured, because we are told so in the scriptures – Daniel 7:11-12
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. As concerning the rest of the beasts,
they had their dominion taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a
season and time. (The remaining beasts however are allowed to continue
alive until the “time” which God has determined.)
The dual subject matter of the Vision relates
first to the “little horn”
–
- The “little horn” and his attributes - “the eyes of a man and
a mouth speaking great things” (i.e. oratory skills and propaganda) -
“whose look was more stout (of “higher status” or “greatness”) than his
fellows” – all of which indicate that he is in fact a human being, and
not a Nation or Kingdom, although he leads one.
- His war with “the saints” over whom he prevails, and who are given
into his hand for 3 ½ years.
- He subdues three Nations in his quest for power
- He changes times and laws to effect his plans
- The manner of his destruction is by burning flame
I believe therefore that this “little horn”
represents Germany, and Hitler,
the Fuhrer of the Third Reich, which ruled in Germany from 1933 to 1945. See Exegesis of Daniel 7 below for details.
N.B. The name the Third Reich refers to the Nazi ambition to revive
the medieval Holy Roman Empire (which was the 1st
Reich) and the German Empire (which was the 2nd Reich;
1871-1918), followed by the Weimar Republic (1919-1933). In June 1919 the
Treaty of Versailles was signed which imposed reparations on Germany for
her part in the 1st World War, and together with the Covenant
of the League of Nations these were brought into force on 10 January
1920. The Treaty of Versailles later became part of Hitler’s focus for
his propaganda as one of the reasons for Germany’s domestic problems.
The Nazi ambition to revive the medieval
“Holy Roman Empire” shows the direct descendent link between the 4th
Beast Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the German Empire and the Third
Reich.
The 3rd Reich ended with Germany’s defeat in World War II, and surrender on 7th May 1945.
In this manner I believe the last descendent “entity” of the 4th
Beast Empire was destroyed.
Hitler was born in the backwoods of Austria, on 20 April
1889. His Father was a customs official, and Hitler’s early years were
spent as a bohemian “would be” artist painter. He became a German Citizen
in February 1932 (aged 42) as a necessary stepping stone for his political
ambitions and policies; (which only began to be accepted after the publication
of Mein Kampf about 1924). By 1939 the “Bible” of the Nazi Party had sold
over 5 million copies in eleven languages.
Secondly the subject matter
points to the relationship between the Throne-room of God, and His relationship
with “the saints” and events on earth –
1.
At the appearance of the “little horn” -
The Ancient of Days sat in judgment v.9-10
2.
A personage like the Son of Man was given
an everlasting dominion, glory and a Kingdom which shall not be destroyed
v. 13-14
3.
The Kingdom was promised to “the people
of the saints of the Most High” for ever – i.e. “shall take the Kingdom”
v.18
4.
The dominion was taken away from the “little
horn” “to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” v.11, 26
5.
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,. v.27. However,
it appears that the saints receive it as a trust from the one like the Son
of Man to hold it forever.
A BRIEF EXEGESIS OF THE SCRIPTURES
RELATING TO THE “LITTLE HORN” – Daniel 7
v. 8 “...there
came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three
of the first horns plucked up by the roots:”
At the end of World War I, in 1919
the German National Assembly met in the city of Weimar and drew up the constitution
of the new Weimar Republic, the Government of Germany from
1919 – 1933. A new “entity” therefore had arisen among the Nations of
Europe. Hitler rose to power during the German economic crisis that followed
the First World War and the Great Depression. He precipitated World War
II by “plucking up three of the neighbouring nations”. He invaded -
Austria on 12/13 March 1938,
Czechoslovakia on 15/16 March 1939 and
Poland on 1st Sept.1939.
Two days later Britain
and France
declared war on Germany.
v.8 “... in
this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
The description of the horn as “little”
serves to contrast and call attention to the eyes and mouth of this person
who acts “big”.
In the economic crisis of the late 1920s
and early 1930s Hitler’s powers of oratory and his propaganda machine brought
the Nazis increasing support. In 1933 Hitler was offered the chancellorship
by Hindenburg, the German president. Following Hindenburg’s death in 1934
he assumed the title of Fuhrer (leader), and became the undisputed Dictator
of the 3rd Reich. At this stage of his accession to power
scripture says he was only speaking “great things” which were
not necessarily spoken “publicly” against “the saints of the most
High” as is stated later in v. 25.
v.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.
As the Third Reich collapsed in the face
of Allied victory; the Fuhrer committed suicide in the bunker of the Chancellory
in Berlin, on 30th April 1945 with Eva Braun (whom he had married
the day before). Hitler shot himself through the mouth with a pistol.
His body and Eva’s was carried outside by aides, covered with Petrol and
burned. Daniel’s vision was fulfilled.
Daniel then requests more information
about the 4th Beast, the 10 horns and the “little horn”, v. 19-20.
The angel? (“one of them that stood by”)
adds more details about the manner in which the “little horn” persecutes
the “saints of the most High”, and then reviews the 4th Beast’s
FUTURE HISTORY. v.23-26
v.20 “...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.
Anyone who has viewed film archives of
Hitler’s speeches would agree that this verse describes perfectly his oratory;
his “hoarse grating voice,” gift for “self-dramatisation” and “aggressive
mannerisms”. At that time in Europe (1938 >) he and Germany certainly looked “more stout” – i.e., greater and stronger
than the other Nations and Leaders.
v.21 I beheld,
and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
After assuming the title of Fuhrer in 1934,
Hitler proceeded to crush his opponents, and instituted his fanatical persecution
of the Jews and other minority groups through pogroms, ghettos (Lodz, Krakow,
Warsaw etc.) and the establishment of concentration camps. In the summer
of 1941 the Fuhrer ordered the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question”.
v.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.”
A quick history:
The question we may ask – when did the 4th Beast, Roman Empire
devour the whole earth, tread it down and break it in pieces? To answer
the question we need to concentrate on the geographical area of the Old
Western “leg” of the Roman Empire, and understand that the Holy Roman Empire
was the successor to the Western Roman Empire of antiquity. Its territory
came to comprise much of Western and Central Europe, and it was centred
on Germany and Austria, including Eastern France and Northern
Italy.
After the failure of Emperor Charlemagne”s
Carolingian dynasty in the West, the imperial title passed to the
German kings in 962 A.D. who retained it until the Holy Roman Empire
was brought to an end by Napoleon in 1806. This was called the 1st
Reich. After the subsequent Austro-Prussian War in 1866 and the Franco-Prussian
War of 1870-71, Bismarck achieved his cherished ambition of creating a new
German Empire, the 2nd Reich.
However, out of the European territory
that was within the borders of both the Roman Empire and the Holy Roman
Empire, came the Nations which Colonised the whole earth. Their
expansion began in the 16th Century when overseas exploration
and dominion by Spain and the other
Nations of Europe proved that the descendents of the 4th Beast
were indeed “...diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole
earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.”
Nations such as Spain, France, England,
Germany, Holland (Netherlands), Belgium, Portugal, and Italy etc., all
established and maintained considerable overseas Empires of one sort or
another throughout the whole World from Africa, the Americas, India, and
Indonesia, to the Island Nations; until the 19th Century when
the various colonies began to gain independence from their Colonial Masters.
Out of these same Nations from the old Roman Empire territory, 10 European
Nations became part of a much larger group of Nations called The
League of Nations in 1920.
v.24 “... and
another shall rise after them;
Obviously the 10 horns already mentioned
existed in some “alliance” or “grouping of Nations” prior to the appearance
of the “little horn”. This has been a real problem for commentators who
say that the Roman Empire never disintegrated into 10 Nations.
However, I have already mentioned the group
of 10 European nations that were “original members” of “The
League of Nations” which was formed on January 10th 1920. These ten nations
occupied territory that was previously included in the old Roman Empire.
They are -
Britain, Netherlands,
Belgium,
France,
Spain,
Portugal,
Switzerland,
Italy,
Yugoslavia
- (Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, & Slovenes) and Greece.
This group of 10 European Nations has been hidden within a broader alliance
of 42 “founding” Nations in the League of Nations.
Other East European/Asian Nations - Albania,
Austria,
and Bulgaria were also situated within the Roman Empire, but were not “founding
members” of the League of Nations. They joined later in 1920. Hungary joined in 1922.
Germany joined The League of Nations even later on 8th September
1926, but remained for only 7 years,
opting out in 1933. “... and another shall rise after them;
However, after poring over maps, and comparing
territories, it appears that only a “small part” of the Republic of Germany
was originally included in the Old Roman Empire – is this another reason
for calling it the “little horn” which “came up among
them?” (i.e., the other 10 within the League of Nations).
v. 24 and he
shall be diverse from the first,
The meaning of the word “diverse” simply
means that he “acted differently” to the other European “horn” Nations within
the League of Nations. After Germany’s withdrawal
from the League in 1933 it/he made war against them.
and he shall
subdue three kings.”
These were the Nations of Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland.
v.25 “And he
shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints
of the most High,... On 30th January 1939, Hitler threatened the Jews during
his Reichstag speech. On 6th
October 1939 he made a further proclamation on the isolation of Jews. In
January 1940, the Nazis chose the town of Auschwitz in Poland as the site for
a new concentration Camp. From 1941, after wiping out his opposition, Hitler
was then free to do what he wanted and his previous propaganda programme
was directed towards the persecution and killing of the Jews “the saints
of the most High”, whom he blamed for all of Germany’s problems.
and think to
change times and laws;...
“Legal subversion” was the very means by
which Hitler and the Nazi party came to power.
Laws were enacted quickly from January
1933 onwards to secure Hitler’s dictatorial powers in March 1933, and to
restrict the activity of any Parliamentary opposition by July 1933.
See http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/timeline.html
The legislative process was also the means
by which the Nazis legalised their confiscation of Jewish lands and possessions,
stripped Jews from Poland of their German
citizenship, excluded Jews from the Arts, and from owning land, editing
newspapers, getting legal qualifications, etc. Such laws eventually allowed
them to perpetrate their diabolical schemes to destroy the Jews and others
who stood in their way. On 19th August 1934, Hitler received
a 90% “yes” vote from German voters approving his new powers as Fuhrer.
and they shall
be given into his hand...
The Jews were “given into his hand” from
the time the Nazis instituted their programme of the “Final solution
to the Jewish question” which was implemented at the end of 1941. Under
the umbrella of “ethnic cleansing”, “deportation” and the use of Gas Chambers
in various “extermination camps” the Nazis eventually killed and destroyed
over six million Jews..
until a time
and times and the dividing of time.”
Although the actual killing of the Jews
started in July 1941, the first gassings were carried out in deportation
“vans” on 8th December 1941. Mass killing began in January
1942 using Zykon B Gas at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The last use of Gas was carried
out at Auschwitz on 30th October 1944. The Jews were therefore
given completely “into his hand” from the time the gassings began on 8th
December 1941 until Germany surrendered on 7th May 1945
which is 1247 days (inclusive) or 3 years 5 months - equivalent to “a time,
and times, and the dividing of time”.
v. 26 “But the
judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume
and to destroy it unto the end.”
Hitler committed suicide in his bunker
on 30th April 1945. “With his death there was nothing left of
the Greater Germanic Reich and the tyrannical power structure and ideological
system which had devastated Europe during the 12 years of his totalitarian
rule.”
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/timeline.html
v.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.
This verse gives a futuristic view of God’s
eternal plan and eventual rule from Jerusalem.
However, it is an historical fact, that
following the Holocaust perpetrated by Germany against the Jews
– the people of “the saints” of the “most High” (i.e. Daniel’s people
the JEWS) were in fact given THE KINGDOM - the land
of ISRAEL
Their Kingdom “homeland”, the “Holy Land”
was restored to the Jews on 14th May 1948, just three years
after Germany
surrendered. As a direct result of the suffering of 6 million European Jews perpetrated
by Hitler and the Nazis; 1900 years of dispersion was ended; the heavenly
“judgments were set” and the Jews went home!
Daniel 7:22b “... and the time came
that the saints possessed the kingdom.”
Daniel 7:28a “Hitherto is the end
of the matter!”
Other Sources –
Wikipedia – The Roman Empire
http://worldatwar.net/timeline/other/league18-46.html
NOTES: Sometimes it is very easy when studying a particular prophetic
passage of scripture to associate ideas in ones mind with other visions,
and insert things that are not there. It can be helpful therefore to note
when certain “extraneous ideas” are not present. There are several things
about the vision in Daniel 7 which convinces me that the above Exegesis
of the passage is the true one; that it stands alone, and has no connection
with any other horns depicted in scripture, because the particular persecution
of the Jews meted out by the 4th Empire is now finished and completed.
1. One
of the missing elements in this vision is any reference at all to the “Holy
mountain” – “temple” – “sanctuary” or even “Jerusalem”. This vision
is solely about the persecution of the Jews (Judah) during the later
Diaspora beginning in 70 A.D. with the destruction of the 2nd
Temple; their expulsion from the Holy Land by the Roman Empire (4th
Beast); until the final persecution and consequences of it in the 1940’s
when 6 million Jews were killed by the last descendent of the 4th
Empire, Germany’s 3rd Reich.
As a result, the allied Nations of the
World facilitated the Jews’ return to a geographical sanctuary in Palestine.
It is shown in Daniel 7 that they were given back their land by “judgements”
ordained in heaven; which resulted in events being carried out on earth
by United Nations decree, when the Nation of Israel
became “born in a day”.
2. Another
missing element in this vision is any scriptural reference at all to the
“little horn’s” desire to be elevated to the status of worship by his followers.
He did not try to elevate himself or magnify himself to heaven as does the
“little horn” of Daniel 8. In fact, even though the “little horn” of Daniel
7 speaks great words against the most High and wears out the saints of the
Most High, there is no charge of blasphemy against him, as is the case in
Revelation 13 regarding the Composite Beast Empire and its “mouth like a
Lion”.
3. Neither
is there any scriptural reference to a coalition of nations or other horns
working together to help and support this particular “little horn” – compare
Rev. 17:12-13. In fact the opposite is the case, because the Daniel 7 “little
horn” plucks up and subdues three of the neighbouring “horn” Nations.
4. He
is not the same person as the “little horn” of Daniel 8 because apart from
their different origin, the listed characteristics of each one is quite
dissimilar.
5. There is also no mention in this vision, that this “little horn” is
demon possessed, or is empowered by a Great Red Dragon as is the case with
the Beast and False Prophet of Rev. 13:2 and 16:13.
6. There
is no mention of a time frame for this vision’s fulfilment – it does not
say it is for “the end” or “the time of the end” Compare Daniel 8:17, 19
- 11:35 – 11:40 – 12:4 – 12:9.
The only “time markers” to go by in this
vision is the actual appearance of the “little horn” amongst a group of
10 and the subsequent events outlined in the vision passage – e.g. the plucking
up of three of the horns; - the “saints of the Most High” being given into
his hand or complete control; - and the saints being given the Kingdom.
All of those events occurred beginning in the 1920’s and 30’s until 1948.
There are two verses in this passage
of scripture which draws our attention to the fact that the ability of this
particular 4th Beast Empire to subjugate and persecute (i.e.
wear out the saints of the most High) has been ended. They are –
Daniel 7:11b-12 “...I beheld even
till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning
flame. AS CONCERNING THE REST OF THE BEASTS, THEY HAD THEIR
DOMINION TAKEN AWAY: YET THEIR LIVES WERE PROLONGED FOR A SEASON AND TIME.
7. Three
of the Beasts (Lion, Bear, and Leopard) remain for a time appointed
when they will again appear in the form of the “composite” Beast from
the Sea. (Rev. 13:1-2). There is no mention in that passage of the
4th dreadful and terrible Beast.