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High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and the dividing of time."

We must notice, in the first place, that this power, into whose hands the saints are given "until a time, and times, and the dividing of time," is a part of Daniel's fourth kingdom-the Roman. (See verses 7, 8, 11, 19-23, of the 7th chapter.) Again; it is represented as coming up after the Roman kingdom should be divided into ten parts. Verse 24: "And the ten horns out of this kingdom, are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall arise after them, and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings."

Of course, this power must have arisen after the empire of Rome fell, and after the division into ten kingdoms, which all happened before the beginning of the sixth cen tury, A. D. 489. The character and acts of this power are minutely described by Daniel. "And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High." This is the same character that Paul calls "that wicked," or that man of sin." 2 Thessalonians ii. 3-8: "Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so

that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."

"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he that he as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." Is it possible for any man, not prejudiced, not to understand this power to mean Rome in its papal state? It must be in the Roman kingdom; or in the fourth and last empire of Daniel's vision. This little horn was to come up among the ten. I believe all commentators and historians agree that the western empire of Rome was divided into ten kingdoms. Then this power was to come up in the west; it was to make "war with the saints and prevail against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High." Before the end of the world, his dominion was to be taken away. Daniel vii. 26. Or, as Paul says, 2 Thessalonians ii. 8: "And then shall

that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy by the brightness of his coming." This horn then must be the power which was to have power over the western kingdoms in the Roman empire, and the people of the Most High are to be given into his hand for a time, times and an half, or which is the same thing, twelve hundred and sixty years. This same power is mentioned by John, in Revelation xiij. 5: "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies; and power was given him to continue forty and two months," or twelve hundred and sixty

years.

From a similarity of character and acts, as well as the time this power was to make war with the saints, (not the Jews,) we cannot be mistaken; it must mean papal Rome. See John's farther description of this power, Revelation xiii. 6-8: "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God," by calling himself "Most Holy Lord God, the pope;" "to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle," by calling that abominable city of Rome, where everything is unclean and filthy, the "holy city-holy catholic church;"" and them that dwell in heaven," -those that are departed from this life—are worshipped as gods by the subjects of this same power. "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to over

come them and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Thus we see the character and marks of this power agree in the writings of Daniel, Paul, and John.

And now, if we can find the same harmony in the beginning of this power, and in the ending of the same, agreeing with history, we cannot be far from right.

THE BEGINNING OF THE LITTLE HORN, OR PAPACY.

Daniel says it came up among the ten horns of the Roman empire, meaning the ten kings; and that he should be diverse or different from the ten. Then he would subdue three kings. Also, Daniel xi. 31: "They shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and place the abomination that maketh desolate." Paul agrees with Daniel. 2 Thessalonians ii. 3-8; "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” Verse 4: his character. Verse 5: "Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you of these things? And now ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time:

then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."

John says of the same power, Revelation xiii. 2: "And the beast whieh I saw was like unto a leopard, (the Grecian kingdom,) and his feet were as the feet of a bear, (Persian,) and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, (Babylon;) and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Also, in Revelation xvii. 12, 13: "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."

In these passages we must expect to get a clue to know when and where we shall find the beginning of the twelve hundred and sixty years.

1. We can satisfy any mind that it was among the ten kings; therefore, we cannot begin it before about A. D. 538. Then the ten kings became, of course, of one mind; for when they were all converted to the Christian faith, then how natural that they should agree and give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

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