War with the Saints
In the book of Daniel there is a classic prophecy that has exercised many expositors over the past couple of centuries. The framework is clearly in a time period where a 4th beast is said to make war against God's holy people. I think that we can stand back a bit and survey the sweep of history since the time of Daniel to our day and get some good hints as to what this whole thing is about.
The historicist school of prophecy rightly points out that the major actor of this prophecy is titled a little horn, it's the energetic part of the 4th beast that sweeps aside all competitors. That it makes war against the "saints" for some time is also recognized since this is said to continue for a time, times and a half. The framework that Daniel describes encompasses the rise of 4 beast empires that are partially identified, it began during Daniel's lifetime, roughly 600 BC. These beast empires then continue until the ancient of days takes his seat and the son of man comes before him to assume rulership and dominion, Daniel recieves the interpretation that the tide will turn for the saints and they will recieve relief from the little horns oppression and attain to God's kingdom. The span of events clearly leaves room to take the viewpoint of history and suggest this covers quite some period of time. We haven't seen the end point of this prophecy yet so we're looking at a period of roughly 2600 years in which to fit the events.
The main actors entail two sides, like all good stories there are the good guys and the bad guys. It appears to me that we can simply identify the two sides, one is spelled out to Daniel as various government empires starting with Babylon. From there we can go to Media Persia and Greece followed by Rome. In good historicist fashion I will suggest that the little horn is an outgrowth from Rome, and in the history books there is only one historic long lasting power, that's the Papal Roman Catholic Church.
On the other side, the saints that are made war against are those of concern to Daniel, his fellow Israelites. They are the only ones who as a group continue from the beginning and to ending of this prophecy. It's the nation of Israel who has indeed been subject to the never ending war, only in the latter times the nature of that war changed. In the era of Babylon the conflict entailed military conquest and deportation, but in general the Israelite culture was left alone. Since the 70-135 AD revolts in Judea the Jewish people were increasingly subjected to more than this awful fate, they were pursued relentlessly in every aspect of life and religion. This comprised the roots of Christian anti-semitism. It has continued unabated until recent times. The historic record is clear that Christianity bears a heavy burden of guilt for centuries of un remitting horrors against God's nation of Israel. Even the confessions concerning anti Semitism of Pope John Paul and Vatican 2 are dim in light of the huge and deep sweep of continual war made against the Jews. Many Christians today retain those prejudices and behaviors. Christian anti-semitism has found an historical partner in the Islamic anti-semitism.
But thank God that there will soon be an end to this, I think we're seeing the events in Israel turning in their favor. It's still going to be a tough time ahead, but the burning of the beast in the fires surrounding the ancient of days are happening today. The major church systems, the biggest being the Roman and orthodox communions are reaping the fruits of so many years of political, religious and social crimes against Israel and the Jewish people. Ironically one of the largest factors against them is their fellow anti semites Muslims who are systematically grinding and burning the structures of Christendom. Bat Yeor's books on the Decline of Eastern Christianity and Eurabia show what's been happening. Israel itself has also by it's growth and recent history shown that God's hand is with them in their land.
The saints or holy ones of Israel soon will take their place in God's kingdom on earth. Watch.
The historicist school of prophecy rightly points out that the major actor of this prophecy is titled a little horn, it's the energetic part of the 4th beast that sweeps aside all competitors. That it makes war against the "saints" for some time is also recognized since this is said to continue for a time, times and a half. The framework that Daniel describes encompasses the rise of 4 beast empires that are partially identified, it began during Daniel's lifetime, roughly 600 BC. These beast empires then continue until the ancient of days takes his seat and the son of man comes before him to assume rulership and dominion, Daniel recieves the interpretation that the tide will turn for the saints and they will recieve relief from the little horns oppression and attain to God's kingdom. The span of events clearly leaves room to take the viewpoint of history and suggest this covers quite some period of time. We haven't seen the end point of this prophecy yet so we're looking at a period of roughly 2600 years in which to fit the events.
The main actors entail two sides, like all good stories there are the good guys and the bad guys. It appears to me that we can simply identify the two sides, one is spelled out to Daniel as various government empires starting with Babylon. From there we can go to Media Persia and Greece followed by Rome. In good historicist fashion I will suggest that the little horn is an outgrowth from Rome, and in the history books there is only one historic long lasting power, that's the Papal Roman Catholic Church.
On the other side, the saints that are made war against are those of concern to Daniel, his fellow Israelites. They are the only ones who as a group continue from the beginning and to ending of this prophecy. It's the nation of Israel who has indeed been subject to the never ending war, only in the latter times the nature of that war changed. In the era of Babylon the conflict entailed military conquest and deportation, but in general the Israelite culture was left alone. Since the 70-135 AD revolts in Judea the Jewish people were increasingly subjected to more than this awful fate, they were pursued relentlessly in every aspect of life and religion. This comprised the roots of Christian anti-semitism. It has continued unabated until recent times. The historic record is clear that Christianity bears a heavy burden of guilt for centuries of un remitting horrors against God's nation of Israel. Even the confessions concerning anti Semitism of Pope John Paul and Vatican 2 are dim in light of the huge and deep sweep of continual war made against the Jews. Many Christians today retain those prejudices and behaviors. Christian anti-semitism has found an historical partner in the Islamic anti-semitism.
But thank God that there will soon be an end to this, I think we're seeing the events in Israel turning in their favor. It's still going to be a tough time ahead, but the burning of the beast in the fires surrounding the ancient of days are happening today. The major church systems, the biggest being the Roman and orthodox communions are reaping the fruits of so many years of political, religious and social crimes against Israel and the Jewish people. Ironically one of the largest factors against them is their fellow anti semites Muslims who are systematically grinding and burning the structures of Christendom. Bat Yeor's books on the Decline of Eastern Christianity and Eurabia show what's been happening. Israel itself has also by it's growth and recent history shown that God's hand is with them in their land.
The saints or holy ones of Israel soon will take their place in God's kingdom on earth. Watch.
posted by J B at
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
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