LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.
By G. H. Bell
LESSON VI.—THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL VII.
- On how many points did Daniel ask special instruction? Dan. 7: 19, 20.
- What were these points?
- Where may we find a brief explanation of the first?
- Where of the second?
- Where of the third?
- What subject was considered in Lesson 4?
- What in Lesson 5?
- What is to be considered in this lesson?
- What does verse 8 say that the little horn should do?
- What explanation of this statement is made in verse 24?
- What does verse 8 say in regard to the words of the little horn?
- What corresponding statement is made in verse 25?
- What corresponding statements are made in verses 21 and 25, in regard to the persecuting character of this power?
- What further specifications are made in verse 25?
- By what religious body have all these predictions been fulfilled?
- What three kingdoms were subdued to make way for the supremacy of the bishop of Rome?
- In what way was the power represented by the little horn diverse from the powers represented by the ten horns?
- How has it spoken great words against the Most High?
- What titles does the pope assume?
- How does he make himself equal with God?
- How does he exalt himself above God?
- What can be said of the Papacy in regard to wearing out the saints?
- How has it thought to change times and laws?
- What other change has it made in the law of God?
- What law must be meant in the prophecy?
- Why?
The subject of the fourth beast and the kingdom represented by it, was considered in Lesson 4; that of the ten horns, in lesson 5; and that of the little horn is to be considered in this lesson. In verse 8 it is said that the little horn plucked up three of the others; and in verse 24, that the king that rose after the ten, should be diverse from them, and subdue three. In verse 8 we read that the little horn had a mouth speaking great things; and in verse 25, that the power represented by it would speak great words against the Most High. Verse 21 says that the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; and in verse 25 it is said that this power should wear out the saints of the Most High. In verse 25 it is further stated that this power should think to change times and laws, and that they should be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. The Church of Rome has fulfilled all these predictions. 1. Three kingdoms, the Vandals, the Heruli, and the Ostrogoths, had to be subdued to make way for the supremacy of the bishop of Rome. 2. It is diverse from the others because it is an ecclesiastical power, while the others are secular. 3. It speaks great words against the Most High; for the pope, who is the head of that church, styles himself Lord God the pope; King of kings, and Lord of lords; King of the world; Holy Father; Vicegerent of the Son of God; etc. See Clarke's Com. on Rev. 13. The pope also claims to forgive sins, and to have power to grant indulgences for sins, that is, to give people license to sin in the future. God, alone, can forgive sins; and he never grants indulgences. So the pope, in claiming to forgive sins, makes himself equal with God; and in granting indulgences, exalts himself above God. 4. It has worn out the saints of the Most High; for no power has ever persecuted so cruelly, it having caused the death of more than fifty million of the saints. See Religious Encyclopedia; Fox's Book of Martyrs; Clarke's Com., etc. 5. It has thought to change times and laws; for it claims to have changed the observance of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. See Catholic Catechism. This would be changing the law of God. It has also stricken out the second commandment, and divided the tenth. The laws referred to in the prophecy must have been the laws of God; for all earthly kingdoms change human laws.