DANIEL'S AUTHORITY
Before we begin a study of the Book of Daniel there are two questions we should consider. There are those who say the Prophet Daniel did not write the Book of Daniel; and, it is "pure fiction based on historic events." Was Daniel a Prophet, will the events he described be fulfilled? In answer to the question of his authority, Y'Shua approved of Daniel's work: thus revealing Satan to be the father of these lies. Mat. 24:15.

BRIEF REVIEW
In the Chapters MAJOR PROPHETS and MINOR PROPHETS we have found many prophecies of the end of this world and the coming of the Lord. We found within them recognizable signs (key words) which helped us put similar prophecies into groups. But, though we are able to sort them into a rough chronological order, we found no sequence given by the Major or Minor Prophets.

Although there is subtle hint of the Two Advents of the Lord within prophecies given by the Major and Minor prophets, we are not told how these events fit into the chronological progression of human affairs.

In Daniel we find a vision of the sequence of End Time Events given (significantly) to a pagan king.

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Two important facts which we must keep in mind is, first, Daniel received communications in visual form. He transcribed the visions into words to record for us. The words are metaphors. He used words (like a painter uses pigments) to paint a word picture and pass the visual communication on to us. Second, although the visions and the words Daniel used to record the visions are metaphorical, they do contain a literal message: the meaning designated by God, their Composer. It is His interpretation for which we seek. 2 Peter 1:20-21.

UNDERSTANDING IS FROM GOD
God gave the vision of the sequence of world ruling empires, recorded in Daniel's Second Chapter, to the King of Babylon. But his "wise" men could not figure out its meaning. God gave the understanding of the vision to Daniel. An understanding of God's messages is a gift from God. This is an important lesson. Dan. 2:19-21, 12:9-10, Pro. 9:10, Ecc. 2:26. Luke 24:45, James 1:5.

THE SEQUENCE OF NATIONS
This visual communication gives the sequence and description of the empires which will rule the world from then until That Day.

The first was Babylon. This Empire ruled all the known civilized world, and destroyed the Nation Judah and the Beloved City by the will of God. 606-586 B.C. Isa. 39:6-7, Jer. 39:1-2, 2 Kings 25:1.

Second was the Medo-Persian Empire. The Empire of silver defeated Babylon in 538 B.C. Dan. 5:30-31. It is important to note, the Medo-Persian army failed to destroy Babylon.

Greece was the third Empire. Alexander the Great defeated the Medes and Persians in 331 B.C., without (this fact is very important) destroying either Babylon or Jerusalem.

The first part of the fourth Empire was Rome, the legs of iron. Dan. 2:33, 40. Rome conquered Babylon (Syria under the Seleucids) in 54 B.C., and again in 114-117 A.D., without destroying it. For the most part Babylon remained a Roman "border territory." (ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA MACROPAEDIA, Vol. 11. p. 989-90, Vol. 17, p. 947-51.) In 63 B.C. Rome acquired Palestine, without destroying Jerusalem, and ruled the known world until 476 A.D.

It was during the reign of these kings that our Lord set up His Kingdom. Dan. 2:44, Acts 2:37-47. But the Kingdom (Heaven) is not yet given to the Chosen People. Dan. 7:27.

This vision depicts the second half of the fourth empire as being "iron mixed with miry clay." This empire (Rome re-born) will conquer the world in the lifetime of this generation. This is revealed by the fact that this empire and its ruler will be destroyed at the second coming of the Messiah. Dan. 2:43-45, 7:26, Rev. 14:17-20, 19:11-21, 20:7-10.

A MISTAKE
It is also revealed, by this fact, that those who teach this second half of the Roman empire is the Holy Roman Catholic Church are in error. For, while the Catholic Church does exist today, it is not now a temporal/secular world ruling empire. Also, it was brought down by the hand of man, not the personal appearance of the Lord. Dan. 2:40-43, 8:25.

ROME RISING
The many parts of the fourth empire, which will conquer the world in our lifetime, are now visible as the NATO-Common Market Alliance Nations. Daniel's Seventh Chapter describes this empire in more detail.

Daniel 7:1-2. "I saw visions by night, and, behold, four winds strove upon the great sea..." The "sea" is peoples and the "winds" are spirits. Rev. 7:1-2, 13:1, 17:15. The winds "whip up" the seas in order to bring about a desired result. For example, the spirits arrange a national leader desired by Satan, and he, by controlling this man, controls that nation. Historical examples include the Pharaoh of Egypt and the King of Babylon. More modern examples are Hitler and Saddam Hussein.

THE END TIME BEASTS
In studying this Seventh Chapter it will become apparent it is divided into several major parts. First is the description of the four beasts. Note, the first three are not described as World ruling Empires as were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. Verses 2 to 8. The next section, verses 9-11, describes the fourth empire to rule this world and its rise to power, as well as its destruction at the end of this world.

Verse 12 is a very significant statement, to which we will return. Verses 17 to 25 are an explanation, giving more detail, of the four beasts recorded in verses 2-8. Verses 13 and 14, and 22, 26, 27 are a repeat, with more detail, of verses 9 to 11. It is important to note these descriptions of the "giving of the Kingdom to the people" do not use the term "set up" or "establish," because this was accomplished in A.D. 30. Acts 2:37-47, Col. 1:13. Dan. 2:44, Luke 9:27.

FIND THE CLUES
Before discussing the identities of these beasts, we need to look for an internal key word by which we can connect this vision to other communications, and events on earth; and a sign of the times by which we can recognize the earth time in which these events occur. Clearly the fourth beast (Satan and his empire) will be destroyed at the second coming of the Messiah. Verses 9-11, 13-14, 22, 26-27. 2 Thes. 2:8, Rev. 20:10. Therefore the events depicted in this vision will be fulfilled in the lifetime of the generation who witnessed the return of Israel to Jerusalem. Luke 21:24, Mat. 24:32-34.

END TIME ROME
This beast (nation) is Rome re-born; the second half of the fourth kingdom, the part of iron mixed with miry clay. Compare 7:23, 26-27 to 2:44-45. The last half of the fourth kingdom in the Second Chapter will rule the world until the Lord comes. The fourth beast in the Seventh Chapter will rule the world until the Lord comes. Both will be destroyed by the Lord when He comes. Thus, they are the same beast. Even now the NATO-European Common Market Alliance is being rewritten. (TIME, March 5, '84, p. 20. ATLANTIC, April '84, p. 43.) Which State will rule the United States of Europe? Greece. Dan. 8:21, Joel 3:6, Zec. 9:13. See pp. 175, 181.

THE BEASTS IDENTIFIED
Who are the first three beasts? (7:4, 5, 6.) It is suggested by verses 2 and 3 that all four beasts "came up" at the same time; that they co-exist with the Beasts Kingdom. Can this be correct?

THE UNITED STATES
Verse 4. "The first was like a lion..." In Prophetic descriptions of nations, when a nation is faithful and fulfills God's purpose, it is depicted as a regal beast. However, when a nation is unfaithful she is described as a whore. Hosea 1:2, Rev. 17:1. Thus, one nation may be described by different icons or ideograms at different times in its existence. The term "man" means "human." Gen. 1:27.

Daniel watched this beast for some time, until its "wings" (speed of conquest) were taken away and it was made to stand up like a "man." Thus, a beast standing like a human; a nation acting like a person--as this country did under President Carter. What does the human heart mean? Secular Humanism, the Anthropic principle, "man as god," the center of all he surveys. "Ye shall be as gods..." Gen. 3:5.

From 1600 until after 1800 this nation was a haven for those who fled religious persecution in Europe so they could worship God according to their Spirit led interpretation of His Word. But this nation, since the late 1880's, has gone a-whoring after the false gods of materialism and nuclear/electromagnetic energy; and has led other nations down the path to nuclear destruction. The Lion was the United States of America -- now she is Babylon. (See pp. 121, 174, 181.

RUSSIA
The bear is Gog and Ma-gog, the "land of the north," known today as Russia. In what year was Russia conquered by the delusion of God-less Communism? Dan. 7:5, Rev. 2:7. See pp. 175, 181.

Who are the three ribs between its teeth? Look at a globe of the world. Which three nations look like spare-ribs dangling in front of the bear? Finland, Sweden and Norway. (READERS DIGEST, April '84, p. 94.) See p. 115.

CHINA
The Leopard is China, and her cohorts, the Kings of the East. Dan. 7:6, 11:44, Rev. 9:14, 16:12. Expect war in the east as China consolidates her empire. See pp. 175, 181.

THESE NATIONS CO-EXIST
All these nations can be seen in the beast of Revelation 13:1 (after three of the horns are pulled up). Daniel reveals the first three beasts, whose lives the fourth beast spares, must exist at the same time. Dan. 7:12 explains. "...Yet their lives were spared..." The Ram (Medo-Persia) did not spare the government of Babylon. Nor did the Goat (Alexander) spare the government of Medo-Persia. Yet these three beasts (America, Russia and China) will submit to the Beast's (the European Empire under Satan) rule and he (Satan) will let them "co-exist in peace." Then the people of this world will exclaim, "Now we have world peace!" It is written, "By peace he shall destroy many." Dan. 8:25. Rev. 13:1, 17:13-14.

A MORE DETAILED SEQUENCE
The vision in Chapter 8 is also in several sections. The Ram is Medo-Persia, the silver kingdom in 2:32 which conquered Babylon. The rough goat is Greece, the brass part in 2:39. 8:5-8, 21. The first horn is Alexander, the four horns are the Kingdoms which survived his death.

Verse 9: "And out of one of them came a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land." As is clear from these visions, the "little horn" is a man (King or President) who rules a nation. The questions we need to answer now are: Which nation is this? Who is the man who will rule? And, what is meant by "Out of one of them?"

THE PARTS OF THE VISION
From verse 9 to 12 is a description of this "little horn." Verses 13 and 14 are a conversation between Daniel and the angels. From verse 15 through 18 we are given details of Daniel's request for more understanding of the meaning of the vision. Verse 20 is the identity of the Ram, and verse 21 gives the identity of the rough goat. Verse 22 shows Alexander's death and the division of the empire among his four Generals. Rome is not named. Verses 23, 24 and 25 are another description of the "little horn" of verse 9, as "he stands against the Prince of princes" shows. Verse 26 is a very significant statement, to which we will return.

END TIME GREECE
This prophecy is not about Rome because Greece is named, and, Rome was broken by many hands. (vv. 21, 22, 25.) This prophecy is not about Alexander either: since verse 11 states "His sanctuary was cast down..." And, verse 14 states, "...unto 2,300 days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." If this was prophecy about Alexander then he was to destroy the City and defile the Temple of God -- but he did not.

Therefore, either this prophecy is about Alexander and the Word of God has been broken; or this prophecy is not about Greece under Alexander. This prophecy is about modern Greece, and reborn Rome, as led by Satan. See pp. 176, 181.

IDENTIFY THE CLUES
Look for key words which reveal the time of this prophecy's fulfillment. Verses 17 and 19. "For at the time of the end shall be the vision." See verses 14, 23, 26 and Habakkuk 2:3. This vision clearly contains pictographic descriptions of events which will be fulfilled at The End of time.

PERIODS OF TIME GIVEN
Verse 26: Many of God's statements of amounts of time are given in the form "a day for a year." However, He said He created the Universe in seven days, and each day contained an evening and a morning. The angels told Daniel, "the vision of the evening and morning are true." Thus the 2300 evenings and mornings are literal days, not "a day for a year." And so it is with the 1,290 and 1,335 days. These are about three and a half years; while 2300 days is 255 days short of seven years. Verses 14, 26, Gen. 1:5. Dan. 12:9-10. We will study all the prophecies of time periods in "PROPHETIC TIME PERIODS." See p. 185.

THE KINGDOMS IDENTIFIED
This King and his kingdom will be seen by the descendants of Abraham (by blood or adoption) who have witnessed the re-birth of Israel. Rome re-born will make war on Israel re-born. Russia, China, Africa and Babylon (the United States of America) will submit to Satan's rule. Dan. 8:9, 24, 11:22.

The little horn in 8:9 is the same as in 7:7 -- Satan. This King will understand magic ("craft" and "dark sentences," 8:23, 25) as did the sorcerers of ancient Egypt and Babylon. Exo. 7:11, Dan. 2:10. 8:25, see 2:45 and 11:45.

OUT OF ONE OF THESE
"Out of one of these" (v. 9) may mean one of two things: A nation descendant of one of the four Nations which ruled after the breakup of Alexander's Greece. Or, a descendant of one of the four men who ruled after Alexander. By the first definition we are told one of four nations would conquer the world. This omits Spain as future ruler of Europe. By the second we would be informed that one of the four leader's progeny survived to produce a world conqueror. This omits Jaun Carlos as the "seventh," and last, king of Europe. Rev. 17:9-12.

HUMAN HISTORY OMITTED
We have come to Daniel 9:24 to 27, some of the most difficult prophecy in the Word of God. We need to re-examine prophecy concerning two events before preceding: The establishment of the Kingdom of God, and the day of Judgment.

Specifically, when will (or did) these events occur? Compare the following three sets of Scripture carefully and prayerfully. First: Isa. 2:2-4, 42:1-12, 13-15 and Jer. 23:5. Second: Dan. 2:44, Luke 9:27. 1 John 1:1-8, Col. 1:1-13, John 4:23, 1 Cor. 15:50. Third: Dan 12:2, Micah 4:1-3, Rev. 11:15-19 and 16:17-21.

According to the Master's own Word, the Kingdom was to be established before the generation who witnessed His life and death all died. Luke 9:27, Dan 2:44. Therefore "in the days of these Kings" (the first half of the Roman empire) the Kingdom of God was "set up." In other words, His people were chosen. Acts 2:37-47, Mat. 1:21, Rev. 12:10. Next, according to the Word of God as recorded by John, Daniel and Micah, the day of Judgment is also the day of The End of this world: THAT DAY, The Day of God, the day of the Seventh Trumpet. "The day... the dead... should be judged." 2 Peter 3:7, 10-12.

Therefore it seems Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel have glossed over, or otherwise omitted, almost two thousand years of human history: since they write as if the establishment of the Kingdom and Judgment Day will occur at the same time. So we have discovered an almost 2,000 year "gap" concealed within Isaiah 2:2-4, 42:1-12, 13-15 and Jeremiah 23:5.

This missing history is detectable in Daniel's writings. The first place is between the "legs of iron" in 2:40 and the "feet and toes of iron mixed with miry clay" in verse 41.

The next place is in Chapter 8 at verses 8 and 9. Verse 8 describes Alexander's death and division of the empire. Verse 9 depicts the "little horn" who will rule the world for almost seven years (2300 days) at The End of Time. 7:8, 23-26, 8:23-25. The next place this omission can be seen is in Chapter 9, verse 24. The Messiah died "to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity." But "everlasting righteousness" is not yet "brought in."

The next omission is between verses 26 and 27. The City and Temple were destroyed by Titus in A.D. 70. Yet verse 27 depicts the last seven years of man's physical existence. But there is no mention of the history of man from A.D. 70 until the rise (and final destruction) of Rome-reborn. Dan. 7:27 and 1 Cor. 15:50.

NEW COVENANT DEFINITIONS
Before continuing, we need to take note of an important fact. That is, when interpreting prophecy we must interpret prophecy which was to be fulfilled under the Old Covenant by Old Covenant definitions. But when interpreting prophecy which is to be fulfilled under the New Covenant, we must use New Covenant definitions.

Example: Under the Old Covenant "My People" meant the twelve tribes of Israel. Under the New Covenant this same term must mean His Church. "For He shall save His people from their sins." Mat. 1:21, Acts 2:37-40. Under the Old Covenant "Twelve Tribes" designated the blood (and adopted) descendants of Jacob. Now, under the New Covenant, that term means the People He purchased with His own blood. Mat. 1:21, James 1:1.

GOD GIVES UNDERSTANDING
Daniel 9:27. "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice to cease, and for the over-spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out upon the desolate." This is known as "Daniel's 70th week."

FIND THE CLUES
First, consider the recognizable key words. The term "he" is used three times. `They' accomplish three things: Confirm the Covenant, stop the worship, and cause desolation until the end.

THE NEW COVENANT CONFIRMED
Who is the first "he" and which "covenant" will be confirmed? The Old Covenant was broken by God. Zec. 11:10. The Messiah made a New Covenant with His people Israel. Mat. 1:21, Jer. 31:31. Therefore, since this prophecy is to be fulfilled after the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70, this is the New Covenant which "He" will confirm for "one week." Thus we conclude this first "He" is the Lord.

WORSHIP OF GOD FORBIDDEN
Who is the second "he" and which sacrifice will be stopped? Under the Old Covenant God's servants offered animal sacrifices to Him. Under the New Covenant the Lamb of God has been sacrificed, once for all, for His Chosen People. Eph. 5:2. Now we are admonished to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to our God. Rom. 12:1. That which we give to the aid of others is also a sweet sacrifice to God, as is our prayer and songs of praise. Heb. 13:15, Rev. 8:3-4.

Who will stop the faithful from offering their lives and bodies to God? Amos 6:8-10. Who will command us not to offer the oblation and incense of prayer and song to the God of Abraham? That beast who has opposed our God from the beginning, Satan. Dan. 7:8, 8:9, 7:21, 8:24, 11:31, Rev. 13:15. The second "he" is the ruler of Greece, Emperor of Rome reborn, conqueror of all the world, that son of perdition, Satan.

SATAN CLAIMS TO BE GOD
Who is the third "he?" What is meant by "over-spreading of abominations?" The Holy Spirit identifies Satan as the Abomination. Isa. 10:20-27, 14:19, Nahum 1:9-14 and Rev. 13:14-15. Y'Shua and Paul both mention this Abomination. Dan. 11:31, 12:11, Mat. 24:15 and 2 Thes. 2:4. "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, stand in the Holy Place..." And: "So that he, as God, siteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

Under the old Covenant the Holy Place was in the Temple. Now, under the New Covenant, the Holy Place is in the hearts of those who worship Him. John 4:20-23. This third "he" is Satan, who will demand to be worshiped as `God' and will murder those who refuse, bringing desolation upon this world until its end.

UNDERSTANDING
This interpretation of the 27th verse is a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord, after marking His chosen with His Holy Spirit, will confirm the New Covenant with His Elect for seven years. In the midst of those years the Son of Perdition will mark the balance of mankind and will defeat the Saints, forbidding them to worship the God of Abraham. The false priests will proclaim Satan to be `God,' causing desolation until the Lord comes to destroy him and his kingdom. Dan. 7:21, 8:11, 24 and 11:31. Rev. 7:13, 11:3, 13:14-15. 2 Thes. 2:8, Isa. 10:20-27, Eze. 28:9, 13-18. See pp. 176, 181.

Compare Dan. 7:28, 8:27 to Rev. 10:10 and Ecc. 1:18.

THE FINAL FRAMEWORK
Daniel begins his Eleventh Chapter with some details of the Medo-Persian Empire. Verses 1 and 2. Then he speaks of Greece under Alexander. Verses 3, 4. In verse 5 he describes the rise of the Roman Empire, and in verse 6 prophesied the change in the reckoning of the years from B.C. to A.D., (the "last time,") thus indicating the birth of the Messiah. He then describes the early years of Rome, and the consummation of the Nation Judah. Verses 14 to 16.

Because the placement of the Abomination of Desolation is depicted, we conclude the 31st verse is a pictographic description of events which must be fulfilled at the "time of the end."

By the Word of God the event depicted in verse 31 will occur just 1290 (or 1335) days before the Lord comes. Dan. 12:9-12. See p. 185.

Where in this vision does Ancient Rome end, and Rome re-born begin? To discover its beginning, simply follow the trail of "hes" back to the start of this "hes" story. This vision, beginning in verse 20, is a most detailed chronological account of the last seven years of mankind's journey. We will return to it for the conclusion of our study of End Time prophecy.