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JESUS TOUR QUESTIONS ARTICLES SERMONS SUBSCRIPTIONS ABOUT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nebuchadnezzar's Image (Part Four): |
Horns and Heads | |||
Horn | Head | Historical | |
1st Horn | "Plucked out by the roots" by the Little Horn, the False Church | Vandals (AD 429-533) | |
2nd Horn | Heruli (AD 476-493) | ||
3rd Horn | Ostrogoths (AD 493-554) | ||
4th Horn | 1st Head | Justinian (AD 554) | |
5th Horn | 2nd Head | Charlemagne (AD 800) | |
6th Horn | 3rd Head | Otto the Great (AD 962) | |
7th Horn | 4th Head | Charles V (AD 1520) | |
8th Horn | 5th Head | Napoleon (AD 1805) | |
9th Horn | 6th Head | Garibaldi/Mussolini/ (AD 1870-1945) | |
10th Horn | 7th Head | Final Beast Power (AD ????) |
Ten Toes
The last horn, the last head and the ten toes are yet future, the final resurrection of the Roman Empire, the terrifying and brutal Beast power soon to arise upon the earth. Some of the details of this final revival are found in Revelation 17.
1) It will be brief (verses 10, 12), not much longer than the three-and-a-half years of the Great Tribulation (11:2; 12:14).
2) This last revival is made up of another ten horns, or ten kings, who give their power to a dictator known as the Beast (17:12-13).
3) The ten kings and the Beast use the false church as long as she is necessary to their plans, then they destroy her in their brutal hate (verse 16).
4) One of their main purposes is to "make war with the Lamb [Christ]," but they will be destroyed in His wrath at His Second Coming (verse 14; 19:11-21).
As the colossal image of Daniel 2 had two legs and two feet, the Roman Empire had two divisions, whether they were Rome and her provinces in its earlier period or a Western Empire with its capital in Rome and an Eastern Empire governed from Constantinople. The final resurrection, we assume, will have its ten toes split between the latter division, west and east. We do not know, however, if these are ten presently recognizable nations, or if they are ten major ethnic groups that cross national boundaries yet will have some autonomy.
Nevertheless, it is most likely that the ten nations will inhabit the areas formerly ruled by the Roman Empire and its subsequent revivals. It is a vast region. At its height Rome ruled from England and Spain in the west to northern Mesopotamia in the east to North Africa in the south. However, because of Daniel's prophecies regarding the King of the North, the "last gasp" of Rome will probably be centered in Europe, the bastion of Roman culture, law and heritage.
Of all the current movements in Europe, the most likely to evolve into the final head of the Beast is, of course, the European Community (EC). Currently composed of more than ten nations, several of these, particularly the northwestern European democracies, may drop out over developing problems such as sovereignty, currency or trade. A strong possibility is that the Gentile components of the Beast will expel the nations of Israel that are presently members of the EC and/or attack and overthrow them, reducing the number to ten.
The EC has recently adopted a curious symbol that it plans to use on its stamps and currency—a woman riding a horned beast, a bull! The EC explains that it depicts Europa, the woman, being seduced by Jupiter, who had transformed himself into a bull because Europa was fond of animals. The true church, however, sees Revelation 17 being fulfilled before our eyes!
The EC no longer takes a backseat in either politics or economics. It sees itself as an equal and a rival to both the United States and Japan in areas of trade, monetary policy and international finance. Recently, it has demanded to be a partner in the "land for peace" treaties between the state of Israel and her Arab neighbors. It is also taking a firmer stand in other areas of international politics and military matters, especially if they involve the United Nations. Behind the scenes, the European nations are constantly improving their military technology and weaponry, as well as increasing and combining their armed forces.
By 1999 all the currencies of Europe will be integrated into one system, and the European Currency Unit, or ECU [now called the euro], will be the standard. Soon after a progress review in 1996, the EC hopes to have full military integration, and from that point begin speaking through one voice, that is, as one political unit. Such are their plans.
God may work things out differently, however. The final world dictator that will arise may step in and speed the process. Or there could be delays while God orchestrates events and people to bring about the "crisis at the close." There is so much we do not know, so much that God's Word does not explain.
Endure, Hold Fast, Be Alert
This is where faith and endurance enter the picture. Constantly, the writers of the Bible urge us to "hold fast," "endure to the end," "watch and pray" and "be patient." We do not know the day or the hour—all we can do is watch the signs that we understand so that we can see the day approaching.
As that day approaches, life will become more difficult for those who keep the testimony of Jesus and the commandments of God. When we do them, we draw a huge target on ourselves for Satan to aim at. The Devil hates true Christians with a vehemence that we cannot imagine. He will soon be cast from heaven, if he has not been already, and he will take his anger out on God's elect (Revelation 12:12-13). He will do everything to "tighten the screws" so that we will renounce our beliefs, drift away or fall asleep.
So be alert to the times! Strive with all diligence to remain strong toward God and His Word! And pray earnestly, "Your Kingdom come!"
© 1994 Church of the Great God
PO Box 471846
Charlotte, NC 28247-1846
(803) 802-7075
You Will See This Only Once | ||
The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. |
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