One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6 Numbers 14:34). Thus, the little horn (Antichrist) was to have power over the saints for 1,260 prophetic days or 1,260 literal years. The rule of the papacy began in A.D. 538, when the last of the three opposing Arian kingdoms was uprooted. Its rule continued until 1798 when Napoleons general, Berthier, took the pope captive with hopes of destroying both Pope Pius VI and the political, secular power of the papacy. This period of time is an exact fulfillment of the 1,260-year prophecy. The blow was a deadly wound for the papacy, but that wound began to heal and continues healing today. This same period of persecution is mentioned in Matthew 24:21 as the worst period of persecution Gods people will ever experience. Verse 22 tells us it was so devastating that not one soul would have survived if God had not shortened it. But God did shorten it. The persecution ended long before the pope was taken captive in 1798. It is plain to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy. Blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture: 1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21). 2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33). Does this point fit the papacy? Yes! Lets first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins: Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ. 5 The papacy further undermines Jesus by setting up a system of confession to an earthly priest, thus bypassing Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1 8:1, 2) and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Next consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty. 6 Here is another: The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh. 7 Its obvious this point, likewise, fits the papacy. In a future Study Guide we will deal with the times of this point. It is a major topic and needs separate consideration. But what about changing the laws? The Amplified Bible translates laws as the law. The reference is to changing Gods law. Of course, no one can really change it, but has the papacy attempted to do so? The answer is yes. In its catechisms, the papacy has omitted the second commandment against veneration of images and has shortened the fourth commandment from 94 words to eight and divided the tenth commandment into two commandments. (Check this for yourself. Compare the Ten Commandments in any Catholic catechism with Gods list of the commandments in Exodus 20:3-17.) There is no doubt that the little horn power of Daniel chapter 7 (the Antichrist) is the papacy. No other organization could possibly fit these nine points. And incidentally, this is no new teaching. Every Reformer, without exception,
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:58:08 +0000