Tuesday: Rome and the Prince of the Covenant
Read Daniel 11:16-28. Though the text is difficult, what images can you find that appear elsewhere in Daniel?
A transition in power from the Hellenistic kings to pagan Rome seems to be depicted in Daniel 11:16: “But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power” (NKJV). The Glorious Land is Jerusalem, an area where ancient Israel has existed, and the new power that takes over that area is pagan Rome.
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
The same event is also represented in the horizontal expansion of the little horn, which reaches the Glorious Land (Dan. 8:9). So it seems clear that the power in charge of the world at this point is pagan Rome.
Some additional clues in the biblical text reinforce this perception. For example, the “one who imposes taxes” must refer to Caesar Augustus. It is during his reign that Jesus is born, as Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for the census (Dan. 11:20). Also, according to the prophecy this ruler will be succeeded by a “vile person” (Dan. 11:21). As history shows, Augustus was succeeded by Tiberius, an adoptive son of Augustus. Tiberius is known to have been an eccentric and vile person.
Most important, according to the biblical text, it was during the reign of Tiberius that the “prince of the covenant” would be broken (Dan. 11:22). This clearly refers to the crucifixion of Christ, also called “Messiah the prince” (Dan. 9:25; see also Matt. 27:33-50), as He is put to death during the reign of Tiberius. The reference to Jesus here as “the prince of the covenant” is a powerful marker that helps show us the flow of historical events, again giving readers powerful evidence of God’s amazing foreknowledge. God has been right on all that has come before in these prophecies, so we can surely trust Him on what He says will happen in the future.
| Even amid all political and historical events, Jesus of Nazareth, “the prince of the covenant”, is revealed in the texts. How does this help show us that despite all the upheaval and political intrigue, Jesus remains central to Scripture? |
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There is no doubt that Pagan Rome had all the characteristics of a controlling power but at the same time, it also provided an environment in which Christianity could develop and flourish. Shipping trade through the Mediterranean and the Roman penchant for making paved roads had made travel fairly easy, both into and out of Palestine. At the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, Christians were able to disperse, some as far as France and Spain.
In short, God was able to use the circumstances, perverse as they may seem to enable the spreading of the Gospel. Possibly a lesson in that for us as we face a rather uncertain time currently.
The power of the Cross to change ones’ life. Be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Question- how does knowing despite all this that is happening (political, financial or social chaos) Jesus still remains central to us.
Any one studying scriptures or life itself is to focus on Christ. A life devoid of Christ, is no life of itself. All prophecies, all scriptures points to Christ. The death of Christ is central to Christians. We are told to point people to the cross daily, talk about his sacrifices( both about life and death). Let the cross melts the heart of people. Many times the cross is only talk about at Easter, then another 365 days.
The crisis we are facing today is a good place to start. Matthew 24 Jesus talks about the times of the end. Did it caught us unprepared. He spoke about all the powers there be that will be affected ( political, social, religious, spiritual, economical, ecological). We need to remember we have been given prophecy for today.
The end is not yet.
Yes, I'm almost 50 and never saw the world in such a collective "silent" commotion. How something so small and microscopic can literally stop the planet! How can we doubt of a God Who is the Lord of History? Although men are responsible to destroy our Earth, God can certainly use this to fulfill His plans! May we be alert and get ready to leave all behind, for the sake of the name of Jesus! May we stand up for what's right and prove our characters to have at least a 'pinch' of Christ!
The second paragraph in today's lesson has disturbed me:
"The same event is also represented in the horizontal expansion of the LITTLE HORN, which reaches the Glorious Land (Dan. 8:9). So it seems clear that the power in charge of the world at this point is pagan Rome."
I must say that the lesson in the last 3 weeks has consistently identified the little horn with pagan Rome, and I am finding it extremely hard to reconcile it with what the Bible teaches.
The "little horn" or "horn of small beginnings" WAS NOT PAGAN Rome, but Papacy. This is what we have learned from our own Bible studies, have corroborated with SOP, and this was the understanding of our founding fathers. If I am missing something I really want to be taught to understand WHY this inconsistency - taught in our lesson book, which goes around the world, at this moment in time. Was there new light which we are not aware about?
I really enjoy the mix of comments here, it keeps me balanced and challenges me. It appears Dan 11:16 is introducing the 4th kingdom Rome. Since the “glorious land” is also mentioned in 8:9 the lesson is trying to say they are the same but I do t believe it is the same either. Rome is not mentioned at all in Dan 8. The prophecy skips down to the time of wrath, when rebels have become completely wicked because a rebellion has occurred. The 2300 years of 8:14 facilitates this jump in time because the Little horn of Daniel 8 interferes with the latter part of the cleansing of the sanctuary. While the little horn of Daniel seven came out of a beast, the fourth Kingdom, little horn of Daniel 8 does not come out have any beast. It comes out of nowhere, out of the north. It must come during the appointed time of the end, during the time of wrath. To disregard Gabriel’s interpretation in Daniel 8 (v17,v19,v23) is fatal to the interpretation. Gabriel equates the appointed time of the end with the time of wrath when transgressors have reached their fullness. Paul refers to this rebellion in 2 Thessalonians 2. In my opinion transgressors have not yet reached their fullness. This power, I believe is the crowning act of deception which Ellen White refers to in great controversy page 624 and if you read right to the bottom of the page she links it to the strong delusion in 2 Thessalonians 2, and she’s not talking about the papacy. Does this take away any future role of the papacy? Absolutely not. You have two horn powers being introduced in Daniel seven and eight that will work in concert with each other. The papacy will figure prominently as the wound has healed in Revelation 13 and paves the way for the appearing of the man of sin.
Why these seemingly "confusing" and somewhat ambiguous details in Daniel 11? Keep in mind God's purpose to reveal Himself to humanity in order to save them from the deceptive power of the "dragon and his angels". There are history scholars who can trace the accuracy of these descriptions of Daniel 11 and point to their fulfillment in actual events involving historical figures, proving that God is acquainted with the future, a realm no human can penetrate without Divine enlightenment. Now we can only look back at the fulfillment of these prophetic utterances, but what confidence this gives us! God knows that placing our trust in Him is for our best interest, for if we don't, the adversary will bring us to ruin.
Do we place our present and future into the care of God? If not, why not? Scripture tells us "commit your way unto the LORD, trust also in HIM, and HE will bring it to pass(Ps 37:5). Daniel 11 helps even the skeptic to realize the good sense of this counsel from the Psalmist. God will guide all who trust Him today into the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Trust = obedience.
Welcome back Robert. Missed your comments.
Daniel 11:19 onwards is not talking about the days of Jesus when he was crucified. It is talking about our current day. Great armies were not swept away in the day of Jesus first coming. And what makes this impossible even more is when you reach the end of chapter 11 and then all of a sudden it’s literally right at the very end, after the rapture, tribulation and wrath. No I’ll tell you this truly. The Daniel 11 prophecy from verse 19 is today. And the being swept away with a great army is the rapture. Daniel 11:22 Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince. Before him means before the antichrist is revealed. The word in hebrew actually means in front of him, meaning first before he comes. The tax collector is Biden. Who’s reign is about to end in the coming days.