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POWER OVER THE SAINTS FOR 1260
YEARS
"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." Daniel 7:25
Several things need clarification in connection
with this point:
1. A time is a year, times is two years, and the
dividing of time is a half-year. The Amplified Bible translates it:
"Three and one-half years." 1
2. This same time period is mentioned seven times
(Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5) in the books
of Daniel and Revelation: three times as a time, times, and half a
time; twice as 42 months; and twice as 1,260 days. Based on the 30-day
calendar used by the Jews, these time periods are all the same amount
of time: 3 1/2 years = 42 months = 1,260 days.
3. One prophetic day equals one literal year (See
Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34).
4. Thus, the little horn was to have power over the
saints for 1,260 prophetic days or 1,260 literal years.
5. 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 Napoleon's 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. It is plain
to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy.
Side Note: This period of time is
referred to by historians as the "Dark Ages".
It was a time when Christ's faithful followers were
persecuted, the reading of the scriptures, "a
lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm
119:105" was banned, and the beliefs of the Roman
Catholic Church were forced upon the people by the
strong arm of Civil Governments. The medieval game
of chess was developed during this time
period with the powerful bishop pieces located to the
right and the left of the King and the Queen, subtly
reminding us of the power the church wielded.
1 The Amplified Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1962.
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