ALONE WITH GOD     

  The burden of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Dan. 2 was to show the time of the establishing of Christ's kingdom upon earth, and the glory of the same before the great apostasy. This has already been considered in a previous chapter. We will now come to consider the vision shown to Daniel, recorded in chapter 7. Here the burden of what was revealed was not only to show the time of the establishing of Christ's kingdom but the great apostasy and final glory and triumph of the church before the end. Daniel saw in a night vision four great beasts. The first was like a lion; the second, like a bear; the third, like a leopard; and the fourth was "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly, and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool, his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened."—Verses 2-10. This vision troubled Daniel; so he asked an angel its meaning. The answer was: "These great beasts, which are four, are four king' [kingdoms], which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom, forever, even forever and ever."—Verses 17, 18. These four kings represent the four universal monarchies which reigned one after another in ancient times; namely, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman Immediately after speaking of these four kingdoms he says, "But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom and possess it." This was fulfilled during the reign of Rome by the coming of Christ, and the establishing of his kingdom in the hearts of men. "And here was given him [Christ] dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, and nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."—Ver. 14.

  Some in their blindness think that this has never been fulfilled. They say Christ has never received such a kingdom. Let us see. John testifies that Jesus Christ is now "the Prince [archon—chief, highest in rank] of the kings of the earth," and hath "glory and dominion forever and ever." Yea, he "hath made us kings and priests unto God," by washing us in his blood. Rev. 1:5, 6. In the very opening of the plan of redemption Jesus Christ is seen a king crowned, and riding forth conquering and to conquer. Rev. 6:2. "But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor."—Heb. 2:9. "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above '11 principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also Ln that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church."—Eph. 1:20-22. "Who is gone into heaven, and In on the right hand of God; angels and authorities, and powers being made subject unto him."—1 Pet. 3:22. "Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom." Heb. 1:8. "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."—Col. 2:10. Thus we could multiply scriptures to prove that Jesus Christ is now seated on the throne, crowned a universal king.

  These with many other scriptures prove that Jesus is the sovereign, universal King, and "only potentate." He only is the Christ of God; he is the Savior of men, "neither there salvation in any other." "Ask of me," saith God in the covenant made with his Son in the untold ages of the past. "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen [Gentile nations] for mine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Not only is the Lord over all the earth, but when he bringeth the first-begotten into the world, he saith, "And let all the angels of God worship him." Jesus Christ is "King of kings" and "Lord of lords," King eternal over all heaven and earth; yea, throughout the vast universe, "angels and authorities being made subject unto him." He is the "head of all principality and power." He says, "All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me;" and, "Behold, I give unto you [my subjects, my people] power to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy." His kingdom therefore is an exclusive kingdom; it leaves no place for another; it is the stone that breaks all other powers to pieces, and fills the whole earth. "To him, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

  Daniel next desired a more explicit interpretation of the fourth beast, which devoured, brake in pieces; and stamped the residue with his feet, also of his ten horns, and of the other little horn which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn which had eyes, and a mouth that spake great things. Verses 19, 20. The angel answered: "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces." —Ver. 23. This was Pagan Rome. She was the fourth universal kingdom which reigned on earth. Pagan Rome perfectly fulfilled this description. She was tyrannical in the extreme. She had reached the summit of her glory and power when Christ came and established the kingdom of God. "And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise."—Ver. 24. These are the ten minor kingdoms which grew out of the Roman Empire. They were:

1. Huns
2. Ostrogoths
3. Visigoths
4. Franks
5. Vandals
6. Suevi
7.Burgundians
8. Heruli
9. Anglo-Saxons
10. Lombards

  The little horn which arose, was interpreted to be a king diverse from the rest, "and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most 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."—Verses 24, 25. This was Popery. The description has been fulfilled to the letter in the Papacy. Papal Rome really grew out of old heathen Rome. She teas changed times and laws. Speaking words against the Most High has been fulfilled in the great assumptions of the Pope (considered in another chapter). The making war against and wearing out the saints of the Most High has fulfilled in the bloody persecutions of the dark ages, and following the Reformation. Immediately after the Reformation, history states that Protestant blood ran in some of the cities of Germany like water after a dashing rain storm. It is estimated that fifty-five millions of people suffered martyrdom at the hands of Papal Rome. The three kings subdued by Popery were:

1. Heruli

2. Vandals

3. Ostrogoths

  The reign of Popery in Daniel's vision was limited to time, and times, and the dividing of time." This signified three and one-half years, or forty-two months. Counting thirty days to the month, we have 1,260 days. 1,260 days equal 1,260 years. See Numbers 14:34; Ezek. 4:6. The Papacy was substantially set up about A. D. 270. Counting forward 1,260 years brings us to the sixteenth century Reformation, at which the temporal power of be Pope was broken. During the long reign of the beast religion the thrones of iniquity have been established. The great apostasy has for centuries hid from clear view the Kingdom of God on earth. The rubbish of sectism has covered it over. Human authority has been exercised over the people of God. Popes, synods, conferences, etc., have presumed to "sit in the temple of God showing, themselves to be God," by taking the government of his church, or kingdom, upon them; by making creeds, laws, and rules to govern the people of God. The reign on earth during this long period largely ceased. But in Daniel's vision he was permitted to look clear down to the end of the beast religion, and he saw the glorious triumph of the church, or kingdom, in the end. "I beheld, and the same horn [Popery] made war with the saints, and prevailed against them until the ancient of days came and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom."—Verses 21, 22. This is but a repetition of the vision referred to in verses 8-10.

  Now mark the fact that the return of the "ancient of days," etc., is clearly spoken of as something that was to follow the reign of the little horn. Thank God we are living in that very time. The thrones of iniquity are being cast down. The ancient days—old apostolic times are returning. The human rubbish of Babel confusion is being consumed by the burning judgments of truth now going forth. The bands and straps of men, which have bound for centuries the people of God, are being broken. The galling yokes of sectism are being destroyed because of the anointing. God's people are thus made free, and overcome by the blood of the Lamb. A mighty host is being gathered to the heights of Zion. The saints again possess the kingdom. The Lord is sitting upon the "throne of his holiness." Ps. 47:8. That throne is like a "fiery flame." It is located in our hearts. Luke 17:20, 21. The truly sanctified understand this. Holiness is frequently in scripture compared to a consuming fire. The Holy Spirit within is called the "Spirit of burning." As Christ sways the scepter of his kingdom, and his righteous judgments go forth like a "fiery stream" against the works of darkness and hell, the kingdom of Satan is again seen crumbling before it. Yea, beloved, the kingdom of God again triumphs upon the earth. The thousands who are being redeemed through his blood in this glorious "evening time" fall before him and do him homage. The books of prophecy and revelation, which for centuries have been closed to the clear understanding of the people, are now being opened, so that we are made to see "wondrous things out of his law."

  But, says one, "Does not this judgment which consumes the beast religion take place the instant of Christ's coming?" This is the Adventist theory; for they locate the establishing of the kingdom at Christ's second advent. But their whole theory is utterly refuted in the angel's interpretation of the vision. Immediately after speaking of the great apostasy he says, "But judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end."—Ver. 26. Behold, how clear! The saints now possess the kingdom, and by faithfully executing the judgments written, they take away the dominion of the beast, and the whole apostasy is consumed, and his consumption continues "unto the end." This consumption of the great apostasy, which was to take place in the end of this age, is spoken of elsewhere. Isa.. 10:16-27; Isa. 1:21-28; Isa. 4:2-5; 2 Thess. 2:8. It is also a fact that at the time of the Reformation the consuming of Popery began, but the whole apostasy was to be consumed just prior to the end, and then destroyed 'with the brightness of his coming." 2 Thess. 2:8; Isa. 10:25; 2 Thess. 1:7-10. The prophet Jeremiah told us how his consumption would be effected. "Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and his people wood, and it shall devour them."—Jer. 5 :14. "Is not my word fire?" When the word of God is accompanied by the "Spirit of burning" every false religion is consumed, and nothing but the pure gold remains. Dear reader, this is "present truth."

Behold, mighty angels are flying,
All chosen and faithful and called,
To rescue the dead and the dying,
In Babylon cages enthralled.
The ransomed are homeward returning,
With joy everlasting and songs,
Long ages in Egypt sojourning,
Held bound in the fetters and thongs.

The "evening" is light as the "morning,"
The clouds are all vanished away;
The bride in white raiment adorning,
God's remnant in battle array.
The saints are joyful in glory,
Rehearsing, again and again,
The wonderful, wonderful story,
The love of the Lamb that was slain.

The armies of heaven are advancing,
They follow the faithful and true.
On fiery "white horses" they're prancing,
The armies of hell to subdue.
The "beast" and his image are fighting,
Defending their creeds and their cliques;
Sectarian foes are uniting,
Six hundred and sixty and six.

While Jesus the battle is waging,
'Gainst Babel confusion and sin,
And Satan is foaming and raging,
Our Savior is reigning within.
The wolf and the lamb and the lion,
Made one in the dear Savior's love,
Are feeding together in Zion,
As pure as in heaven above.

And when this great battle is ended,
When Jesus shall come for his own,
By myriads of angels attended,
We'll meet bound our Father's white throne
And part nevermore, never, never;
With loved ones and saved ones we'll sing,
And praise him forever and ever,
Our Savior, our God, and our King."