Therefore the "small horn" could not be against the "South," as the verse says, and at the same time himself be the "king of the South," could he??? That would not make sense. Think about it. - Daniel 8:10, 11
Also, please notice this...
Daniel 7:21, 22 says this:
"I kept on beholding when that very horn made war upon the holy ones, and it was prevailing against them, and judgment itself was given in favor of the holy ones of Supreme One, and the definite time arrived that the holy ones took possession of the kingdom itself."
Verses 25-27 of Chapter 7 says:
"And he will speak even words against the Most High, and he will harass continually the holy ones themselves of the Supreme One. And he will intend to change times and law, and they will be given into his hand for a time, and times and half a time. And the Court itself proceeded to sit, and his own ruler ship they finally took away, in order to annihilate [him] and to destroy him totally.
"And the kingdom and the ruler ship and the grandeur of the kingdoms under all the heavens were given to the people who are the holy ones of the Supreme One. Their kingdom is an indefinitely lasting kingdom, and all the ruler ships will serve and obey even them."
Now for the first time, we notice the direct activity of "harassment" of God's "holy ones" is limited to a "time, times and half a time" period. And the bible specifically says, this is carried out by the wicked "small horn" or "little horn" of bible prophecy. In other words, he "harasses" the "holy ones" for a specific time period of "3 1/2 years" or a period of "42 months." Now, let's compare this specific attack time period of the "small horn" with that of the wicked "wild beast" of Revelation 13th chapter, where it states:
"And a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given it, and authority to act forty-two months was given it. And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God to blaspheme his name and his residence, even those residing in heaven. And there was granted it to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. " -- Revelation 13:5-7
Here we notice the particular activity of "speaking great things" and many "blasphemies" against God, are attributed to the "wild beast."
However, the prophet Daniel shows words of this exact same nature also hurled at God's Name People by the mysterious "small horn" as shown at Daniel 7:25. Also, the bible shows the "holy ones" are given "into HIS HAND," that is the "hand" of the "small horn." Yes, that bible accounts says:
"And HE WILL SPEAK EVEN WORDS AGAINST THE MOST HIGH, and he will harass continually the holy ones themselves of the Supreme One. And he will intend to change times and law, and THEY WILL BE GIVEN INTO HIS HAND for a time, and times and half a time. And the Court itself proceeded to sit, and his own ruler ship they finally took away, in order to annihilate [him] and to destroy him totally."
Yes, the bible account says:
"...his own ruler ship they finally took away, in order to annihilate [him] and to destroy him [small horn] totally."
So then, bible prophecy makes it clear, it is the deadly activity of the "small horn", the Great Leader of the "10 horns" on the head of the 4th fearsome "beast" of Daniel 7th chapter, yes, that causes so much trouble for the "holy ones" of the "Supreme One," Almighty Jehovah God. Yes, it is the deadly activity of the "small horn," and his deep hatred of God's Name People, yes, that must be stopped, before any persecution of God's Name People, can be halted in any way...a deadly period that will surely last some 42 months in length. A period that God has "given" His Name People, into the wicked "hand" of the "Small Horn" of bible prophecy.
Therefore, with this thought in mind, we notice Daniel 12:7 says:
"And I began to hear the man clothed with the linen, who was up above the waters of the stream, as he proceeded to raise his right [hand] to the heavens and to swear by the One who is alive for time indefinite: "It will be for an appointed time, appointed times, and a half. And as soon as there will have been a finishing of the dashing of the power of the holy people to pieces, all these things will come to their finish."
As you recall, the Watchtower Society contends the foretold, dreadful "harassing" of the "holy ones" foretold by the prophet Daniel, actually occurred some years ago, yes, between the years of 1914-1918.
But does this make sense?
Further, doesn't the above context absolutely show that:
(a) the kingdom's full establishment will be a future event, (Or, something that has not occurred yet thus far.)
and
(b) The kingdom Government itself referred to above in Daniel's prophecy, will be an EARTHLY Government, with the Governmental Seat of this Kingdom finding itself being situated right here upon the earth?
Daniel 2:44 says of this new earthly arrangement:
"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite"
In other words, the "Holy Ones of the Supreme One" establish their own "government" right here upon the earth, without anyone needing to go to heaven. No one goes to heaven, but the Kingdom and the "holy ones" of the Supreme One, establish the "Kingdom of God" right here upon the earth. Doesn't the above context show this?
Actually, according to the above verses, the "Kingdom Government of God," is established right here upon the earth AFTER (and not before as the Watchtower Society teaches) the "harassing" period of the "Small Horn" is finished. And clearly, there is no mention of a long drawn out, very much extended period of time (like 90 years) between the "harassing" of the Holy Ones of the Supreme One, and the time God ordains they come into possession of the "kingdom of God." -- See Daniel 7:18.
But, according to the Watchtower Society, it has been more than 90 years since the year of 1914. Yes, according to the Watchtower Society, it has been more than 90 years, yes since the time the "harassment" of the holy ones started, isn't that true? -- See Watchtower Publication (1999) Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy! pages 141-144.
So then, where do the scriptures indicate there would be some 90+ years between the "war" of the "holy ones" and the "definite time for the holy ones to come into possession of the Kingdom of God"? Why would there be more than 90 years between both events? Why would such time be allotted between the "harassment" period of the "holy ones" and the time they take possession of the "kingdom" everlastingly? Where do the scriptures indicate this 90-plus year period of time before coming into the "kingdom" for the "holy ones of the Supreme One"?
We just read that Daniel 7:21 shows that the "small horn" makes "war" upon the "holy ones of the Supreme One." But, actually, have we seen this "war" upon these ones? Have we visualized an actual "war" upon the "holy ones" of the Supreme One?
Obviously, according to Daniel's account, the "holy ones" of the Supreme One, did NOT come under attack between 1914-1918, because this would have meant the "kingdom of God" would have been in position to start after that, upon earth. And we know, this did not happen at all.
Thus, wouldn't you agree that based upon the above information, the doctrine of 1914 as taught and understood by Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Society today, cannot be considered correct at all? Because we know no earthly "Kingdom of God," has been established since the designated years of 1914-1918, the time when the "holy ones of the Supreme One" were supposed to have be "trampled" upon and "harassed" by God's permission. It has now been too many years passed to which show nothing of the sort has happened at all.
Therefore, this "harassment" period of 3 1/2 years or 42 months, must be a future event. Also, the full and complete establishment of God's Kingdom upon earth too, which occurs some time after that, must be a future event as well. This 3 1/2 year period of time is mentioned several times in the Bible as being a most difficult time for God's Name People, mystery "Israel." Bible prophecy indicates that during this time much persecution is heaped upon these "holy ones" of God. In fact, "because of transgression" committed on Israel's part regarding the "disgusting thing that causes desolation," Jehovah God has "given authority" for the surrounding "nations" (led by the "Small Horn" as the "King of the North") to "act" against God's Name People in "war." -- Daniel 7:21; Daniel 8:12; Zechariah 12:1-3; Zechariah 14:1, 2; Revelation 13:5-7
And therein lies the Great Mystery...yes, what is the all-important connection between the "King of the North," the "harassing" activity of the violent "Small Horn" and his '10-Horn" supporters, and the wicked "acts" of the "Wild Beast" of Revelation against God's "holy ones"?
Well, Daniel 11:31, 32 tells us how this happens by saying:
"And THERE WILL BE ARMS THAT WILL STAND UP, PROCEEDING FROM HIM [King of the North]; and they will actually profane the sanctuary, the fortress, and remove the constant feature. And they will certainly put in place the disgusting thing that is causing. And those who are acting wickedly against the covenant, he [King of the North] will lead into apostasy by means of smooth words. But as regards the people who are knowing their God, they will prevail and act effectively." -- Daniel 11:31, 32
Yes, the bible account above shows the deadly activity of the "King of the North," to be quite similar to the "harassing" of the vicious "Small Horn" of bible prophecy. Also, we notice that certain "arms proceeding from him," namely the King of the North, actually carry out the real devastation against "those acting wickedly against the covenant" of God...the true transgressors against Jehovah, the Watchtower Society itself.
So then, we can see a definite tie-in between the wicked actions of the "Small Horn," and the "King of the North" of Bible prophecy. Also, we can see that the "King of the North" will indeed, use certain extended "arms that will stand up" to carry out this devastation upon God's Name People, Jehovah's Witnesses. Yes, he will use the "Wild Beast" as his "arms that will stand up," to accomplish such a feat. He will use an "international organization" to accomplish this. He will use, the long, out-stretched "arms" of the United Nations Organization, the "wild beast" of Bible Prophecy, to fully "harass" God's Name People. Think about it.
In conclusion, we can see, the Bible makes it very, very clear that the most destructive War of all human history has not occurred yet! No, but instead, this great war or "Great Sword" is shortly to come be "given" to the future rider of the "fiery-colored horse." Yes, and that "Great Sword," shall be upon us in our day and time...very soon! Yes, the much dreaded and feared World War III! In fact, Daniel himself saw this same "Great War" afar off, and the vision of it's carnage, and destruction made him sick for 3 weeks! Imagine that, 3 weeks! But where is that in the Bible?
Let's notice this quote of Daniel 10:1, 2 taken from the New International Version of the Bible:
"In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a GREAT WAR. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."
And again, what did Daniel really see that could have such an effect upon him? The bible accounts says clearly,
Daniel "mourned for three weeks"....3 weeks!
Yes, undoubtedly, Daniel saw something that
disturbed him very, very much. Yes, Daniel saw
and fully understood what this "vision" meant
for the earth and mankind. Yes, Daniel saw the
greatest war ever fought in all human history --
in this vivid vision! And Daniel knew, it's
destruction and death toll will be unparalleled!
Remember, Daniel 11:40 calls this war:
...the war of the "King of the North"
versus the "King of the South."
And this is the same war, the exact same
war that is spoken of at Revelation 6:4, 8.
That prophecy says:
"And another came forth, a fiery-colored horse; and to the one seated upon it there was granted to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another; and a GREAT SWORD was given him...And I saw, and, look! a pale horse; and the one seated upon it had the name DEATH. And Hades [the grave] was closely following him. And authority was given them over the FOURTH PART of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth." -- See Revelation 6:4, 8.
Indeed, such a war will trigger the worst military violence, epidemic of diseases, and death toll in all of human history! Yes, the actual rides of the "fiery-colored, black, and pale horses" with "hades" [the grave] reaping a fourth (1/4) of the world's population! ... Think about it.
Written By:
Donald C. Burney