2,300 DAYS HISTORY AND EXPLANATION OF DANIEL 8:14 PART 2

The Basis of Miller’s Conclusions

William Miller did not publish a specific set of rules by which we can examine his conclusions. However, evidence does exist that indicates he did follow an informal prophetic process that Protestants generally used prior to 1844. Like Scofield, Miller also included some presuppositions in his interpretative process. Identifying these rules and presuppositions is not too difficult, and for this article, we will discuss three of them.

1. Bible Prophecy is Historically Progressive.

This is a logical rule and means that Bible prophecy moves forward through time from fulfillment to fulfillment. This rule mandates that Bible prophecy must be validated by the forward, unbroken march of time and historical events. Protestant writers, as early as the 13th century, used this logic to identify the church at Rome as anti-Christ. In later centuries, many Protestant writers used this rule to specifically identify the papacy as the little horn power of Daniel 7. Protestants felt that this power, which warred against the saints and opposed the teachings of Christ, further identified the church at Rome as THE Antichrist. Miller understood the logic supporting this process and followed it faithfully.

Colonial America was founded on the inalienable right that a person can worship God according to the dictates of conscience. Many Protestants fled to this country because of religious persecution from Rome. In 1776, American colonists declared their independence, and only 22 years later, in February 1798, Napoleon’s generals captured the pope and put the Catholic Church in a state of exile. American newspapers headlined the event by printing "Deadly wound inflicted." Is it any wonder that 1798 was a very important date to early American Protestants? Miller was 17 years old when Napoleon captured the pope and 35 years old when he joined the Baptist Church. Because of this major religious/political/social upheaval, Miller was strongly convinced that the little horn power of Daniel 7 and the horn power of Daniel 8 was the papacy. Consequently, Miller had two reasons for following the historical progressive rule. First, Baptist Protestants of his era commonly believed that the papacy was the Antichrist. Second, the purpose for the logical order of historical events, as outlined in Bible prophecy, helps God’s people know when they reach the "end of time." As logical as these two points may sound, they contributed to Miller’s failure.

2. Bible Prophecy Depends Upon Repetition and Enlargement

The second rule that Miller borrowed from historical Protestantism is called "repetition and enlargement." This concept assumes that the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation repetitiously cover the same time periods. Miller believed that each time a prophecy was given that covered a specific time-period, another prophecy was given which enlarge the details of the first, but basically covered the same time-period. For example, Miller reasoned that the seven churches, seven trumpets and seven seals of Revelation must cover the same time-period (from the ascension of Christ to the time of His return). Each prophecy, therefore, enlarges on the passage of time so the body of Christ can determine how soon Christ’s return will be.

3. A Prophetic Day Always Equals a Year

Miller concluded that all prophetic time-periods in the Bible must be reckoned as "a day for a year" since this concept had been proven true in his own lifetime. In the 1840’s, most American Protestants believed the 1,260 years of the little horn power (Daniel 7:25) terminated in 1798. Therefore, they concluded that the 2,300 days (Daniel and the 490 days (70 weeks in Daniel 9) must follow the day/year rule, too. To his delight, Miller found historical data that confirmed that the 70 weeks also followed the day/year rule. Further, Biblical evidence exists that shows God used the day/year rule with ancient Israel. (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:5,6) Miller became convinced of three things: First, there was a direct link between the 70 weeks in Daniel 9 and 2,300 days in Daniel 8, and that these two time-periods began with the same decree, ran concurrently and were reckoned as day/years. Second, Miller erroneously concluded that 2,300 day/years from 457 B.C. would conclude with Christ’s Second Coming and the end of the world, or the cleansing of God’s temple. (The cleansing of the temple, Miller believed, was the cleansing of the Earth so that Christ could dwell on Earth. Revelation 21:22) Since Miller lived at the end of the 2,300 days, he concluded that all prophetic time-periods in Daniel and Revelation, except for the seventh seal and the millennium, had already occurred. Because he believed his conclusions were based on a consistent use of the day/year rule, he reasoned that the terminus of the 2,300 days (Spring 1844) must be end of the world!
How the "Rules" Brought Disappointment

Even good rules can be misapplied. Miller and thousands of followers believed they were on solid ground with these rules or suppositions. After all, his conclusions were logical and within the traditional "ground-rules" of Protestant interpretation. Further, they did not exalt Baptist doctrines over the doctrines of other churches. (This helps to explain why many of Miller’s followers were not Baptist.) As any good Bible student might do, Miller assumed his interpretative process was valid and he based his reputation on this certainty.

He was not the kind of man who sought publicity or fame. Miller was a farmer and did not possess a natural talent for public speaking. Yet when the Holy Spirit compelled him to speak, Miller shared what he had learned. With simple words and plain explanations, he presented his prophetic findings from the Bible and was very surprised at the response.

Of course, as we look back to Miller’s day, it is easy to say today that he made two fatal mistakes. We have 20-20 hindsight. However, we can learn lessons from Miller’s experience: First, he used the 1844 "end-of-the-world" conclusion and conformed the rest of the prophecies to conclude that all the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were fulfilled prior to 1844.

Because of this thinking, Miller produced a "so-so" explanation for every verse in Daniel and Revelation. In hindsight, his logic and interpretation now bring a smile, but in 1840, Miller’s views seemed very reasonable. Miller’s story gives us a good example of using a presupposition to support a conclusion, and later, Scofield would use the same kind of approach. By putting "the cart before the horse," Miller used his prophetic conclusion about 1844 to interpret all of Daniel and Revelation.

Miller’s second mistake was a function of time. Miller did not approach Daniel 8 or any of the prophecies with a valid set of rules. Before we become too critical of Miller’s method, let us remember what Daniel 12:4,9 says: ". . .the words [in the book of Daniel] are closed up and sealed until the time of the end."

Miller thought 1844 was the end of time and that the prophecies in Daniel were now "unsealed." Today, more than 154 years have past since 1844 and very few people are willing to concede that 1844 marked the beginning of the time of the end. Unless, of course, you are one of those people who believe that the end of time is centuries in length and the time of the end is indefinite. (You would be surprised to learn how many people believe this).

In fact, one pastor told me that the time of the end began at the cross. He went on to share with me that the last days of humanity began with the resurrection of Jesus. Two thousand years of "last days" does not make any sense to me.)

Looking back at Miller, we can conclude two things: (1) Miller was wrong and 1844 was not the end of time, and (2) Miller’s conclusions that the 2,300 days of Daniel 8 terminated in 1844 did not "unseal" the prophecies found in Daniel.

So, when does the time of the end begin? When is the book of Daniel unsealed? Daniel 12 gives us the simple answer – at the time of the end. Therefore, we can conclude that when the prophecies of Daniel are unsealed, the time of the end is near. I believe what God chose to "seal up" in Daniel were the rules that govern apocalyptic prophecy.

Once these valid rules are discovered, truth unfolds and understanding blossoms. This fact is true in every area of God’s creation.
Rules Sealed Up

"But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." (Daniel 12:4)

Q. What was sealed up in the book of Daniel? Was it the stories of faith pertaining to Daniel and his three peers?

A. No, for these lessons in faith are easily understood.

Q. Was the meaning of the visions sealed up?

A. No, because the visions have been understood (more or less) for hundreds of years.

Q. What was it, then that was sealed up until the appointed time of the end?

A. I believe it was the schematic, architecture or structure of apocalyptic prophecy.

Q. Why is the knowledge of prophetic architecture so important to interpreting prophecy?

A. The understanding of the architecture of apocalyptic prophecy allows the Bible to interpret itself and sets the prophecies free from individual or traditional views. Instead of trusting in "an expert" to interpret the prophecies, an ordinary person can examine the Scripture and reach its intended meaning by observing the rules of architecture.

Q. Why was Daniel sealed up and not Revelation?

A. The bulk of Daniel’s fulfillment is in the past. Therefore, the final generation can test and prove their understanding of the architecture with recorded history. On the other hand, Revelation remains a mystery until Daniel is unsealed. Since the bulk of Revelation is in the future, an accurate interpretation is not needed until the time of fulfillment arrives.

The keys to understanding Revelation are found in Daniel, and Daniel was sealed up until the time of the end. Why? The reason is simple – the only generation that needs to understand the details of Revelation accurately is the generation that must face these matters (such as the mark of the beast). Has that generation arrived? Yes, I believe it has and I believe the unsealing occurred perhaps as early as the Spring Equinox in 1994 – at the end of 70 Jubilee cycles.
Maybe these are the Rules that Were Sealed Up

I have tested for the presence of rules in apocalyptic prophecy and although additional ones may be discovered, I have found four consistent rules. If other rules exist, they should not nullify the following rules unless it can be demonstrated that one of the four rules is not valid.

Remember, truth is proven by the harmony that comes from the sum of all its parts. Truth is internally consistent. Keep in mind, five different types of prophecy are evident in the Bible and each type has its own rules of interpretation. However, from my study, I have found within Daniel the following rules that also appear to operate consistently within Revelation:

   Each apocalyptic prophecy has a beginning point and an ending point in time and the events within each prophecy occur in chronological order as given.
   A prophecy or prophetic element within a prophecy is not fulfilled until all the specifications are met. This includes the order of the events within the prophecy.
   Apocalyptic language can be literal, symbolic or analogous. To reach the intended meaning of a passage, one must consider: (a) the context; (b) the use of similar language in the Bible; and (c) relevant statements that define the symbol.
   The presence or absence of the Jubilee calendar determines whether God reckons time as literal or a day for a year.

I believe if you will independently test these rules, you will find them to be true and reliable. This does not guarantee, however, that our conclusions will be in 100 percent agreement. Some people have applied these rules to passages Daniel and Revelation and their results are slightly different from what I have found.

This is not a problem. Rules cannot solve every question, but they are clear enough to keep us on the path toward understanding the plans of God.
So, What does Daniel 8 Say?

Given the rules identified above, Daniel 8 reveals the following:
Point 1

The ram (the Medo-Persian empire) establishes the historical setting of this vision. (Daniel 8:20) Why does this vision start with the Medo-Persian empire if the vision is primarily focused on the "appointed time of the end?" God understands that people on Earth cannot see the closing scenes in Heaven visually.

So, He wisely "connected" a well-documented time-period on Earth with the restoration (or cleansing) of Heaven’s temple. By placing a prophetic yardstick of 2,300 days/years between the Medo-Persian empire and the restoration of Heaven’s temple, we can easily calculate when the cleansing of Heaven’s temple begins, although we cannot visually verify it. Keep in mind that 1844 is not "the appointed time of the end" mentioned in Daniel 8:19.

However, we do know that the end of the 2,300 days is reached before the horn power appears. From Revelation we know that the devil (the horn power) physically appears during the appointed time of the end. His appearing, of course, is still future.
Point 2

God removed any doubt about the origin of this vision, its interpretation, and the commencement of its great clock of 2,300 years (using the day/year principle), by including both the fall of the Medo-Persian empire and the speedy rise of Grecia’s first king, Alexander the Great.

This transition of world kingdoms removes all doubt as to the setting of this vision. According to rule 1, the starting and ending points in Daniel 8 (and all apocalyptic prophecies for that matter) is highly important. The subsequent division of Alexander’s empire toward the four winds becomes highly significant when we ask, "Why does the vision in Daniel 8 not include the appearance of another beast to conquer Grecia?" From Daniel 7 and Daniel 2, we know that another kingdom follows Grecia’s leopard, so why does this vision end without the defeat of Grecia?

Simply, the ram and the goat serve only to set the time of origin for this vision. With that established, there is no point in tracing political developments of future nations when other visions in Daniel clearly do that.
Point 3

The horn power that rises out of the four winds is significant. Daniel 8:9 says, "Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land." The pronoun them is problematic. Does the pronoun them apply to the four winds or the four horns? Obviously, either choice will seriously affect the conclusion. Scofield assumed that the pronoun them applied to the four horns.

Therefore, he had to find a powerful entity established from a segment that divided the Grecian empire. This is why Scofield uses Antiochus Epiphanies IV, a descendant of the Selecuid kings to support his position. (Selecus was one of Alexander’s four generals who gained dominion over part of the divided empire.) The early Adventists had a different view.

They believed the pronoun them referred to the four winds. They believe this proves that the horn power in Daniel 8 is the papacy because Daniel 8:23 says, "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise." Today, Adventists claim that this companion verse and its pronoun "their," refer to the last days or divisions of Alexander’s empire.

Their SDA Bible Commentary (Volume 4, page 845) states the horn power is identified as both pagan and papal Rome. Their supposition is based on the fact that pagan and eventually, papal Rome came from the Macedonian Empire.

Both positions offer insurmountable problems. In brief, Scofield tries to solve his problem by disconnecting the horn power in verse nine from the stern-faced king in verse 23. He claims they are not the same entity. However, his claim is not supported by the context, for the context indicates they are the same entity! If they are not the same entity, then there is not enough data given on the horn power and the king understanding dark sentences (stern faced king) to determine accurately who they are!

Although Adventists correctly conclude that the horn power and stern-faced king are the same entity, they erroneously claim the horn power in Daniel 8 represents pagan Rome and then papal Rome. This claim cannot be supported by the context or history either.

Adventists justify this claim so that they can ultimately use this symbol with the little horn of Daniel 7. This parallel is impossible since the little horn power of Daniel 7 did not come into existence until the latter part of the Grecian empire. To be even more specific, the little horn power of Daniel 7 did not come into existence until nearly 700 years later! So, to bridge the gap of 700 years, Adventists maintain that the horn power of Daniel 8 represents pagan Rome first and then this same horn power is transferred to papal Rome around A.D. 538.

The reader should note the obvious: This vision concerns the appointed time of the end. We have already reviewed how the ram and goat provide a solid historical footing for the origin of this vision. Therefore, the only other element remaining in the vision is the horn power that has to appear at the time of the end, especially since the vision specifically states that it concerns the appointed time of the end. (Daniel 8:9,17,19) Later, I will demonstrate that the 2,300 years are a significant time-bridge connecting ancient history with events that happen before the appointed time of the end.

To clarify this further, let us go back to the source of the horn power in verse 9. The Bible says, "And out of one of them . . ." To pinpoint the subject of this phrase, we need to consider the antecedent of the pronoun them. Reviewing all the details given in this vision, it seems that only one answer can identify the pronoun them: The horn power rises out of the four winds during the appointed time of the end – it does not originate from the four horns of Alexander’s empire that developed a long time ago. Actually, as you will soon see, the horn power will appear out of the North!
Point 4

This vision points forward to a specific point in time. Notice what Gabriel said to Daniel: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end." (Daniel 8:19 NIV) If we graph the contents of this vision, the time line looks like this:
538 – 331 B.C. 331 – 168 B.C. <– Gap –> 1998 Time of Wrath
Medo-Persia Grecia Today Horn



This vision has three elements. The two kingdoms of Medo-Persia and Grecia are a matter of historical record. Since the horn power is the third element, it makes sense that the horn power is the part of the vision that occurs at the appointed time of the end.

Scofield recognized this textual problem and he tried to solve it by disconnecting the identity of the horn power (in verse 9) from the stern-faced king (in verse 23). From an exegetical point of view, this is unacceptable. The vision in Daniel 8 is focused on three primary players: the ram, goat and horn power. The commentary that Gabriel offers is limited to the ram, goat and horn power. To add another entity is textually unacceptable.

Miller also recognized this problem and solved it by forcing the identity of the horn power in Daniel 7 (the papacy) onto the horn power in Daniel 8. (Remember the repetition and enlargement rule that Miller followed.) Since Miller thought the end of time would conclude in 1844, he logically thought the fall of the papacy in 1798 was the fulfillment of the destruction of the horn power.

When 1844 came and went, the early Adventists modified Miller’s position slightly by allowing a "healed or restored papacy" during the end-time. One point in their favor – they have correctly concluded that the papacy would return to a position of world influence and power. The vision of Daniel 8, however, is not concerned with the papacy, either before 1798 or after.

Notice the details Gabriel gives regarding the horn power: Daniel 8:25 ". . . he will take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power." This clue cannot be overlooked. The horn power will be destroyed, but not by human power. In other words, this horn cannot be destroyed or killed by human beings. (See also Revelation 17:8; 19:20,21.)

Jesus Christ, the Prince of princes has to destroy this horn power when He appears in the clouds of heaven. So, who is this horn power that will appear out of the four winds at the appointed time of the end and furthermore, will be alive at the Second Advent? Although Revelation 13 predicts the papacy (the wounded head) will be healed during the Great Tribulation, the specifications given about the horn in Daniel do not indicate that this power is an ordinary mortal like the pope.

This horn power will be a great king, a man-god figure, who is none other than the devil. Satan, that ancient serpent, will physically masquerade before people all over Earth as God and quickly establish a visible kingdom here. Satan will be granted temporary control over the world during the appointed time of the end and he will be allowed to perform great miracles for deception.

(God gives the man of sin (the devil) this power as indicated in 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12; and again in Revelation 13:15 God gives the lamblike beast (same devil) this miracle working power. The Bible even describes how the devil will call fire down out of the heavens to prove his assumed divinity to deceive the world! Revelation 13:13)
Point 5

To help us identify the horn power in Daniel 8, five points need to be presented at this time. First, within the context of Daniel 8, the notable or great horn on the goat is its first king. That horn is a man, Alexander the Great. Alexander is not the goat – the goat is Grecia. The horn is not Grecia – the horn is Alexander.

This is the point: A horn can represent a man, a nation, or even a powerful organization. For example, in Daniel 7, the ten horns represented ten kingdoms and the little horn represents a powerful kingdom unlike the other ten kingdoms. In Luke 1:69 Jesus is called a "horn of salvation." In Lamentations 2:3, Israel’s princes are called "horns."

In 2 Samuel 2:10 the king of Israel is called "the horn of the Lord’s anointed." This is an important point since the two horns on the ram in Daniel 8 are two men, the kings of Media and Persia. The great horn on the goat was Grecia’s first king, Alexander. After Alexander was broken off, the four horns that followed represent four men (Alexander’s four generals).

Within the context of Daniel 8, it is therefore consistent to say that the horn out of the four winds has to be one man. That man will be the man of sin, a stern-faced king, who will appear during the appointed time of the end. Further, Daniel wrote that no human being can destroy him – only Christ has power to destroy him. (See 2 Thessalonians 2.)

Second, notice that the horn power in Daniel 8 does not grow out of a beast nor does it rise out of the sea. The beasts in Daniel 7, Daniel 8 and Revelation 13:1 represent the empires of humankind that rise out of multitudes, nations and languages of people (the waters). (Revelation 17:15)

The ten horns in Daniel 7 grow out of the fourth beast and represent ten kingdoms that divide the Roman empire. Therefore, the ten horns have their "roots" in the fourth beast. In the same way, the horns (kings) on the ram and goat have their roots in their empires.

Please note. The horn power in Daniel 8 does not grow out of a beast. It just appears from out of one of the four winds and grows in strength. (This parallels the rise of the lamb-like beast in Revelation 13:11. See March, 98 Day Star.) Another important observation can be made regarding the origin of this horn – notice that it grows out of the North!

When Daniel received the vision recorded in Daniel 8, he was in Susa. The description of the appearing of the horn power helps us locate its origin. Notice what Daniel says: Daniel 8:9 "Out of one of them [four winds] came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land." If the horn is moving South, East and toward the beautiful land of Israel (West from Daniel’s location), then this horn has to be coming out of the North.

Why is this important? Because in Daniel 11:36, Satan is given the title of The King of the North during the appointed time of the end.

For the ancients, the direction of North was the source of highest power and total destruction. Further, the king of the North was regarded as sovereign king. Consider the following:

   God punished Israel by sending Nebuchadnezzar to wage war against them and take them captive. From Israel’s location, the direction of Nebuchadnezzar’s advance was from the North. (Jeremiah 1:13,14; 4:6; 6:1; 6:22)
   God punished Egypt by sending armies from the North. (Jeremiah 46:20-24)
   God punished the Philistines by sending armies from the North. (Jeremiah 47:1-4)
   God punished Babylon by sending armies from the North. (Jeremiah 50:2,3; 51:48)
   Ezekiel saw the glory of God coming from the North. (Ezekiel 1:4)
   Elihu spoke about the glory of God beaming from the North. (Job 37:22)
   The table of shewbread (representing God’s throne) was located on the North side of the temple. (Exodus 26:35) Note: This location is also known as the sides of the North (KJV) (Isaiah 14:13; Psalms 48:2).

If we take Gabriel at his word, then the appointed time of the end is also a time of wrath. Notice what Gabriel said: "I am going to tell you [Daniel] what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end." (Daniel 8:19) When is this time of wrath? Answer: It is the Great Tribulation. When is the time of wrath finished? Revelation 15:1 says, "I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues – last, because with them God’s wrath is completed."

The Great Tribulation (time of wrath) only occurs during the appointed time of the end. The horn power from the North in Daniel 8 "just appears out of nowhere" during the appointed time of the end, and remember, his roots are not in the kingdoms of men. Daniel further identifies the horn power as a "stern-faced" king who does as he pleases. (Daniel 8:23)

What will he do? Daniel 11:36 says, "The king [from the North] will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined [by God] must take place."

Now we come to the third point: How does the physical appearing of Satan at the time of the end fulfill the specifications of Daniel 8:10. It says, "It [the horn] grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them."

When Satan appears, he will present himself before the multitudes of Earth. In this fashion, he will quickly grow in popularity (by means of the miracles he has power to do) and gain the confidence of billions of suffering people. He will lead them to conclude that he is Almighty God.

With awesome miracles, Satan will maneuver Earth’s religious and political systems until they are completely under his dominion. Using wicked people as his pawns, he will accomplish his evil plans and destroy many saints. The leaders of the world will join him and use their power over the people for his benefit. (Revelation 17:13) What a devilish plan!

To appreciate Daniel’s use of language in verse 10, we need to determine who the starry hosts are that are cast down and trampled on? Are they the angels of Heaven? No, I do not think so. Satan cannot trample on the angels of Heaven. In fact, they trampled on him! (Revelation 12:7-9)

The Bible uses the term "starry hosts" to identify false gods concocted by the vanity and ignorance of men. The ancients, even apostate Israel, worshiped all kinds of false gods who were thought to live among the starry heavens – gods like Jupiter, Zeus, Thor, Venus, Ra and Marduk. There was a host of them. Notice the following four texts:

   2 Kings 17:16 "They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal."
   2 Kings 21:3 "He [Manasseh] rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them."
   2 Kings 23:4 "The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel."
   2 Kings 23:5 "He [Josiah] did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem–those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts."

These verses clearly explain who the starry hosts are. They are pagan gods. Daniel says the horn [Satan] grew until it reached [preeminence with] the host of the heavens. This means that Satan’s influence will grow throughout the Earth until many people, from all religions, will accept him as God. (The growth and acceptance of Satan’s influence are also presented in Revelation 13:11-14.)

The next sentence in verse 10 says that Satan will throw some of the starry host [false gods] down to the earth and trample on them. This means that Satan will show himself to be superior to the make-believe gods of man. Baptists, Catholics, Evangelicals, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Adventists, Buddhists, Lutherans, Methodists, and heathens all have a view of God.

Satan will prove, by means of his glorious appearance and his powerful miracles and signs, that the gods of men are powerless and he alone deserves global respect, obedience and homage. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:4-12; Revelation 13:8,9.) (Of course, the saints will know of his deceit and worship the only true God.)

Each religion on Earth has its own view of God. So in summary, the hosts of heaven and the starry hosts that the devil will trample on are Daniel’s way of describing the many false gods of man.

The fourth point we need to address is the statement made by Daniel that the horn power (this stern-faced king or evil man) takes away the daily. Daniel 8:12 says, "Because of rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily [sacrifice] were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground."

Note: The word sacrifice is added by translators. It is not included in the Hebrew text. In fact, the word daily could be accurately translated to read regular or continual. The regular, continual or daily refers to the intercession of our High Priest in Heaven. (Hebrews 7:25) His continual intercession for Earth’s inhabitants will end because of their rebellion.

Because of world rebellion, Jesus will terminate His ministry for man in Heaven’s temple. This rebellion is described in 2 Thessalonians 2. This is how the rebellion will occur: Satan will lead world leaders to make and enforce laws that are contrary to the fourth commandment.

Because he will be masquerading as God, Satan will demand obedience to his laws or suffer severe penalty. Respect for God’s law and Christ’s intercessory work in Heaven’s court as man’s intercessor will be made to appear foolish, even contrary to the salvation offered by the glorious Anti-Christ.

Submitting to the authority of the devil will be easier than standing for truth, because people will be tortured and/or killed if they refuse to obey. Many saints will perish because they will stand firm in their faith during Satan’s presence on Earth. When the last person on Earth has finally decided who they will obey, Jesus’ daily intercession in Heaven for individuals will end.

The mark of the beast test will force everyone into a decision. The evil horn power from the North will prosper in everything he does. He will denigrate the importance of the 144,000’s message – salvation’s story and its redemptive process. Ultimately, men and women will be led to despise the intercessory work of their Only Hope.

Remember, Satan is not only allowed to deceive the world and lead it astray, but God also gives him power to accomplish these things because the world refuses to believe the truth and be saved. For this reason, God sends this strong delusion so the conflict with sin can come to a speedy end. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 and compare with 1 Kings 22.)

One final point on this segment needs to be made. The horn power of Daniel 8 is described as the stern-faced king that will appear when rebels have become completely wicked. Daniel 8:23 says, "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue (politics), will arise." Again, a pronoun is causing the trouble. If you insist that verse 22 is establishing the antecedent of the pronoun their, then it could appear to be referring to the latter part of Alexander’s general’s reign.

However, consider this paraphrase ". . . – when rebels have become completely wicked, in the latter part of their reign, a stern-faced king will arise." In other words, the pronoun their refers to the rebels. This thought seems to be consistent with the appearing of the man of sin and this happens during the great rebellion that takes place before Jesus returns. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

Let us consider another text to drive home this point. By the time the Great Tribulation begins, sin’s effect on the last generation will have taken its toll.

2 Thessalonians 2:10,11 says, ". . . They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. – For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. . . ." In other words, people will perish because they were given ample opportunity to love and accept truth, but refused. So, because of their wicked rebellion, God sends them a powerful delusion – the physical appearing of the devil. The wicked will be astonished when they behold his glorious presence (Revelation 17: and he will lead the world into total condemnation. "He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people." (Daniel 8:24) Notice how Daniel’s statement mirrors John’s description of the lamb-like beast (the devil personating the Lamb). John says he will order everyone who refuses to worship the image of the beast to be killed. (The image of the beast is the devil’s one-world religion. See March 98, Day Star.)

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