Daniel 11b:

 Reading #416 The rise and fall of the Papacy

 Gabriel now continues with the antics of the two kings.

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Daniel 11:

23 And after the league made with him [his power is not from himself, Revelation 13:2] he [north] shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey [as slaves], and spoil, and riches: [therefore many became his allies].

 Yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds [of Christianity], even for a time [one time = one prophetic year = 360 literal years].

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 Because Satan’s religious system (the antichrist in place of) is the most insidious of his armies, the Spirit encouraged Gabriel to explain to Daniel (and us) how that system works.  It tells lies with a great deal of truth in them as its “father” does (John 8:44), and attempts to make alliances with God’s people, claiming to be worshipping the same God.  This is not true, for they worship the god of force, and their overtures should be as firmly rejected as Zerubbabel and Joshua refused the request of the Samaritans to help in God’s work. (Ezra 4:1-5.) 

Lateral thought:

In our personal lives Satan endeavours to get us to use presumption (a king of the north tactic) in place of faith in God’s word and this should be as firmly resisted. Presumption is when we PRESUME that we know what the Bible teaches, and act or teach on that, without seeing what is actually written.

In our history lesson we are being told that the Pagan Romans started off from a small village in Italy, but by uniting with the devil they eventually ruled all the then known world.  Gabriel explained that they would do this by sharing their ill-gotten gains with those who became their allies.  (When the “king of the north” of the last days receives the retribution of its ways, the “kings” and “merchants of the earth” are very sorry about their loss of profit, and cry for her.  See note 1, Revelation 18:2-3; 11-17.)  Satan’s whole system is a perversion of God’s way with Israel.

For a period of more than three hundred years from the end of the Jewish probationary time in 34AD, the Pagan Romans persecuted the Christians at various times and in various ways, sometimes violently, sometimes passively, with the worst being the great persecution of the “ten days” from 303 to 313AD.  (See note 2, Revelation 2:10.)  During that period they found that their scheme to share the wealth of the unfortunate parts of the world did not work with the Christians, so then Satan suggested that they use the religious angle as he had done with Daniel in chapter 6:5, and Rome began to woo the Christian church, until Constantine made it the state religion. 

Now came the time of greatest danger to the real Christians for they are ever slow to believe that apparently friendly people can be their enemies. This is where we need to believe the word of God like Jesus, for He knew what was in the hearts of His opponents. Matthew 9:4.

Lateral thought:

As we read we should remember that there is a “king of the north” and a “king of the south” in all our own personal experiences.  We will tend to be over-religious (formal, theoretical, and easily fooled in religious matters) OR to be worldly (the king of the south, indifferent or sceptical) when we need to walk in the middle (in Israel, practising our religion) for that’s where Jesus is.  However, the issue in Bible reading is not a simple one of literal versus spiritual, for no literalist takes EVERYTHING literally, nor does the figurative interpreter insist that ALL is spiritual.  There is a mixture of both, and only the Spirit can tell us which and when.  We must learn to walk the middle path (Israel) with Him, which is one aspect of sanctification. We are told to “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.  2 Timothy 2:15.

Gabriel continues:

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Daniel 11:

25 And he [north] shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they [Satan and his agent] shall forecast devices against him [more than earthly weapons].  26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat [the people of his court] shall destroy him [from within], and his army shall overflow [run away]: and many shall fall down slain.  

27 And [then] both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies [to each other] at one table [making a treaty]; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed [God is in control]. 28 Then shall he [north] return into his land with great riches [passing through spiritual Israel as he goes]; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.  

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After his failure with the Christians, the king of the north turned his public attention to the other arm of Satan’s kingdom, and by doing this looked as though he was working against God’s enemies and therefore was an ally of His. Rome attacked the heathen tribes of northern Europe and Britain and they collapsed due to internal problems.  But the reality of it all was that BOTH groups were on Satan’s side, and whether they were at war or at peace, they both were being used to undermine the faith of God’s people.  That’s what the Christians should have seen, but, as usual, they were too trusting and were easily fooled because they did not cling to the word of God. As Gabriel tells us, the king of the north was against God’s way in his heart, but he kept that well concealed.

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Daniel 11:

29 At the time appointed he [north] shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former [in earlier times], or as the latter [in the end time].

30 For the ships of Chittim [Cyprus] shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant [he will blame the Christians for his troubles]: so shall he do;

he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant [those who were leaving Christianity].

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Around about 490AD Pagan Rome was embroiled in conflict with the nations of the Middle East as well as Europe and began to lose control of its outer borders, especially in the west.  (The Romans armies had abandoned Britain by 410AD.)  The situation was not helped by the fact that the emperors had divided the kingdom into three parts during this period, and had moved the capital to Constantinople (Istanbul) in present-day Turkey, leaving the city of Rome exposed to barbarian attack.     

The reference to the “ships of Chittim” has as its first meaning the fighting powers of the island of Cyprus in an area the Romans had long considered as their own sea, the “Mare Nostrum”, the Mediterranean. (Later, the title “Chittim” became synonymous with any enemy west of Israel who fought on water.) The effect of all this was that the armies of the western part of the empire, those around the city of Rome, began to make overtures to the bishop of Rome to be their leader, not just spiritually but also as commander of the fighting forces.  Because he was “forsaking” God’s ways and following Pagan ideas, the bishop of that time took over the role of commander and the Papal part of the Roman Empire came to the forefront about 508AD.

There had been a few controversies in the professed church of God while all this was going on, especially in regard to the weekly day of worship and the timing of the Easter festival, and the nature of Christ as a man.  Over a period of time the bishops of Rome had endeavoured to exercise the force of their will on their fellow bishops, claiming they had the right to change the weekly day of worship from the seventh to the first, and the observance of the resurrection day from Passover to a day set by the sun (about a week later).  These controversies eventually caused a great east/west split in the church (about 1204) and the eastern centres (Eastern Orthodox, Egyptian Coptic, and Russian Orthodox etc. which includes Constantinople and Jerusalem etc.) began their own system of professed Christianity with their own bishops. The west came under the banner of the Roman Catholic Church with the pope (the father) as its head, and retaining its position as the king of the north. 

Because the events of the prophecy are now well within the compass of the Spirit, all the names from now on refer to worldwide groups, and not local geographical situations.

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Daniel 11:

31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they [north was then a church/state combination] shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.  

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The bishop of Rome, as the new king of the north, openly took up the use of force in religion, and as we have read in chapter seven, disposed of the opposition (the three horns which he pulled up by the roots) about 538AD.  While doing so, he also diverted men’s minds from the sanctuary in heaven and Christ’s ministration there, and cast their minds down to the earth by setting up a counterfeit in each church which he called “the daily mass”.  See note 3 at the end.  (You may remember that when the literal city of Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians, the priests of the Babylonian religion left that area.  After a time in the city of Pergamos, they settled in Rome waiting for their opportunity.  Now it had come!) 

In God’s eyes this is an abomination!  There is no life in it – only death.

But north was to continue in even worse ways.

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Daniel 11:

32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many [that the Roman Catholic Church is NOT Christian in any way, and never has been]: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help [by individuals in the state]: but many shall cleave to them [only] with flatteries [excited by the persecutions, the tares joined in abundance]. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white [i.e. to give them white robes, Revelation 6:11], even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

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Gabriel now referred to the great persecutions during the 1260 years from 538AD to 1798.  Nearly all of the people of Europe followed the Roman Catholic system, and the church leaders persecuted in many horrible ways those who spoke against it.  As we will find out from other sources later, most of those Christians who were listening carefully to the voice of the Spirit left those countries and scattered all over the world.  However, enough remained for us and the people of the universe to see the end results of Satan’s religion, especially during the Reformation. 

The persecutions did not cease because of the Reformation, however, but actually increased as the Protestants turned against each other, Even in the new world of America many lost their lives in Protestant purges until the judgment day started in 1844.  Today we have relative rest from religious persecution in Europe and the United States of America, as God said we would.  (Remember the three times of Daniel 7:21-22?)  But we should be aware that this peace will not last!

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Daniel 11:

36 And the king [of the north] shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women [he introduced celibacy for the clergy], nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all: [the man of sin “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God”.  2 Thessalonians 2:3-4].

38 But in his estate [his day-to-day working] shall he honour the god of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

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It was during this time that the ancient “strange” god of the “Babylonian” system was clearly revealed.  From Babylon’s fall to the time of the Papacy it had been shrouded in mystery and only an inner circle allowed to understand the depths of Satan’s religion. See article 4 at the end of this reading, and note the dates carefully.  But a “mother of god” belief can be traced right back to the earliest days of religion.  The most notable of these was based on Nimrod’s wife, Semiramis.  After her husband, the great rebel (Genesis 10:8-12), was executed a couple of hundred years after the Flood, she gave out the story that he was resurrected (reincarnated) in the person of her newborn son, and that he was the great leader of the true religion.  (You can read an overwhelming plenitude of proofs of this in a book called “The Two Babylons” by Alexander Hislop, still available in many Christian bookshops.

Or you can read a condensed version of it on the net at http://4dw.net/nonconformer/TwoBabylons/synopsis.html#.

Gabriel carries on with details of north’s latter day reprisal on the kingdom of the south, but we must leave that till next week. 

Bye for now,  Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

Some of these readings are available at http://www.oocities.org/weprotest.geo/BibleReadings/books_index.html

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Revelation 18:

2 And he [an angel] cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird [spiritism].

3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth [the politicians] have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth [the traders] are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies” . . .

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, “Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour [very quickly] so great riches is come to nought”.    Back

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Revelation 2:

 [The Son of God said to the people of Smyrna, c.100-313AD] 10 Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life.  Back

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http://www.answers.com/topic/mass-1

Mass, religious service of the Roman Catholic Church, which has as its central act the performance of the sacrament of the Eucharist [eating the wafer]. It is based on the ancient Latin liturgy of the city of Rome, now used in most, but not all, Roman Catholic churches. The term Mass [Lat. missa,=dismissed] probably derives from the practice of dismissing the catechumens—those not yet initiated into the mystery of the Eucharist—before the offertory and from the words Ite, missa est [Go, you are dismissed] spoken to the faithful at the end of the Mass. The term is also used among Anglo-Catholics [Anglicans]; in the Eastern churches the Mass is generally called the Holy Liturgy or the Offering. For non-Roman liturgies, see liturgy. . . .

[How did it get its name?  It’s origin is explained below. This was taken from a little higher up on the same net page.]

Middle English masse, from Old English mæsse, from Vulgar Latin *messa, from Late Latin missa, from Latin, feminine past participle of mittere, to send away, dismiss.]  Back

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http://www.religioustolerance.org/mary_cor.htm

3. Immaculate Conception: Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on 1854-DEC-8. Many Roman Catholics believe that this refers to Jesus' conception circa 5 to 7 BCE. In fact, it means that Mary herself was conceived free of sin before her birth circa 20 BCE.

4. Assumption of Mary: Pope Pius XII, in his Munificentissimus Deus (1950-NOV-1), defined that Mary, “after the completion of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven.” That is, she was “taken up body and soul into heaven,” at the time of her death. She is there “exalted as Queen of the Universe.”

In addition, various popes and church councils have referred to Mary as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate:

In ancient times:

St. Antonius (circa 250 - 350): “All graces that have ever been bestowed on men, all came through Mary.”

St. Bernard (1090 - 1153): “[Mary is called] the gate of heaven, because no one can enter that blessed kingdom without passing through her.”

St. Bonaventure (1221 - 1274): “As the moon, which stands between the sun and the earth, transmits to this latter whatever it receives from the former, so does Mary pour out upon us who are in this world the heavenly graces that she receives from the divine sun of justice.” Back

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Genesis 10:

8 And Cush [the son of Ham, the son of Noah] begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter [killer of creatures] before the LORD: wherefore it is said, “Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD”. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom [in opposition to God’s kingdom] was Babel [later called Babylon], and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land [he went] went forth [to] Asshur [Assyria], and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.  Back

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