New World Order Series

Information Brochure No. 4

The New World Order

INTRODUCTION

In this study we shall look at some of the history applicable to the rise of the Roman Empire. In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 1 and verse 9, we are informed that there is nothing new under the sun. In other words, we can always find somewhere in past history a type or a parallel to the things of today. Also in Ecclesiastes 3:15, we are informed that history repeats itself, so with this in mind we shall endeavor to shed some light on the present situation through gaining an understanding of ancient history.

The thought of a cosmic or spiritual battle taking place in our world may seem beyond belief to some, but the evidence would indicate that this is the case. If each of the prophecies given in the Bible were to be interpreted on an individual basis and separate to all others, we would fail to grasp the real purpose of why the prophecies were given in the first place, and as so often is the case, confusion would be the end result.

In our study of prophecy we do not just see the ebb and flow of the nations but we see the part that Providence has played in the rise and fall of the great empires of the world. Having gained an understanding of this we shall see the moral purpose of prophecy.

The war, violence, sufferings and destruction of the Christian people as described in prophecy, are the natural development of certain principles. However, these principles of sin are not to be destroyed simply by an executive decree from God. Much more than this is involved. The solution to the prophecy in the book of Daniel chapter 8, sheds light on this event. We shall begin in verse 3 with its interpretation given in verse 20.

QUESTION 1: Daniel was given a vision of the history of four world empires. What was the first thing he saw in this vision? Daniel 8:3, and whom did it represent?

"The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia." Daniel 8:20.

NOTE AND ANSWER:

Daniel lifted up his eyes and saw a ram standing before the river. The ram had two horns, one higher than the other and the higher horn came up last (horns represent kings or kingdoms). This ram represented the kings of the Medes and the Persians. The higher horn which came up last was the latter dominant kings of Persia.

QUESTION 2: (a) What did Daniel next see in the vision?

"And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power." Daniel 8:5, 6.

(b) What did the he-goat do to the ram that had the two horns?

"And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand." Daniel 8:7.

NOTE AND ANSWER:

This he-goat represented the empire of Greece, the next Great Universal Empire, and the conspicuous horn was the first king, or Alexander the Great. He conquered the empire of the Medes and the Persians, and became even greater and larger than the Medo-Persian Empire on both its eastern and western borders.

QUESTION 3: (a) What happened to the he-goat when he became strong?

"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken;" Daniel 8:8 (first part).

(b) Who took the place of Alexander the Great?

"and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven." Daniel 8:8 (last part).

NOTE AND ANSWER:

In these verses we see the struggle between the empire of Medo-Persia and the he-goat, the Grecian Empire. In this struggle, Alexander the Great, the first king of the Grecian Empire was successful, conquering the known world in about a decade and while still in his thirties. His appearance on the world scene was short however, for the prophecy states that "when he was mighty, the great horn was broken."

In 323 B.C., after attending the funeral of a friend, he became drunk. The following night he again spent drinking with his friend, Medius, and by the end of the following night of unbridled indulgence a fatal fever came upon him and he died about ten days later. At the pinnacle of his reign Alexander died, just as the prophecy had said.

In place of the great horn (Alexander the Great) four horns came up which the angel said were four kingdoms that would stand up out of the nation toward the four winds of heaven. These four kingdoms represent the dividing of the Grecian Empire between the generals of Alexander's army. These generals were Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucus and Ptolemy.

These generals took control of the four winds of heaven, representing north, south, east, and west: in other words it was a worldwide (known world) empire. However, we are informed by the angel that they would not possess the same power as had Alexander the Great.

QUESTION 4: (a) What was the next empire to arise, and where did it come from?

"And out of one of them came forth a little horn," Daniel 8:9 (first part)

(b) What were some of his exploits?

"which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land." Daniel 8:9 (last part)

NOTE AND ANSWER:

The next power after the Grecian Empire to appear on the world stage is referred to as the "little horn" power. This statement can refer to only one power, for there was only one which came after Alexander the Great, and in comparison, was exceeding great. In other words, this power was greater than Alexander as he was referred to as only being "very great".

Tremendous importance is placed upon the construction of these verses so that we may understand more of the characteristics of the empires referred to. That power which came from the west wind was of course the same power as referred to in Daniel, chapter 2, and represented by the iron legs of the great image, which of course was Rome, the fourth world power (started as Imperial (pagan) Rome and later became papal Rome). Rome eventually ruled over the entire territory of Alexander in the east, over the northern part of Africa in the south, and over the land of the Jews. The land of the Hebrew people is known in the Bible as the "glorious land" or "pleasant land" (for further information please read the study notes on Daniel 8:9).

QUESTION 5: (a) Having conquered the Grecian Empire, whom did this little horn power attack next?

"And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven: and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them." Daniel 8:10.

(b) To whom is the title "The Prince of the Host" referring?

"... to the host of heaven: and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host," Daniel 8:10, 11 (first part).

NOTES AND ANSWER:

In these verses we see the great spiritual battle involving all of Heaven as well as the whole earth. This is the great rebellion that has been going on for thousands of years. In the setting of this underlying cosmic battle, the little horn attacked the host or armies of heaven as well as the stars of heaven.

When used in a symbolic sense concerning events taking place on earth, the figures of "the host" and "the stars" refer almost always to the people of God and their leaders. The Israelites were the people of God in Old Testament times and up until the beginning of the Christian church. When a person becomes a Christian, he becomes a member of one family, one army, the Christian church. (However, in symbolic prophecy we should not be surprised that the "stars" can also be used as a symbol of "angel," just as horns and beasts are symbols of kings and kingdoms.)

Regarding the host of the heavens, when the angel explained the vision in Chapter 8:17-26, he explained that the mighty and holy people (v. 24) were to be destroyed by this power. The Christian people are spoken of in the Bible as the Lord's army.

The term "Prince of the Host" refers to the great leader of the Christian church, Jesus Christ. This prophetic vision is indeed one of the most amazing in the entire Bible. Here is described a cosmic battle involving all the earth, and all of heaven.

In this battle, a part of the host of heaven, God's people, are destroyed and trampled on the earth. Some of the "stars," the leaders of God's people are also cast down and trampled on. Even their "prince" or "ruler," Jesus Christ is attacked in this war. All of this has been revealed so that we may see how Satan has used the nations of earth to carry out his rebellious plans.

QUESTION 6: The term "daily" is very significant. To what does it refer?

"Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered." Daniel 8:11, 12.

NOTE AND ANSWER:

In the prophecy under consideration the word "daily" appears only twice, in verses 11 and 12. This word is full of meaning and it holds the key to our understanding of this prophecy. However, as people have attempted to define just what this term actually means, some confusion and misunderstanding has come about.

In order to obtain an accurate definition of the word, we will examine it in its original language and context. It will be noticed that the accompanying word, "sacrifice" is in italics. This use of italics by the translators indicates that it was an added word, put there in an effort to clarify the meaning of the word "daily." It does not appear in the original language, and its inclusion has been responsible for much misunderstanding.

A literal translation renders the word in verse 11 as the "continuance." However in verse 12, the word "daily" is literally rendered "continuance in rebellion." Here in these verses is described the great rebellion between right and wrong, good and evil, Christ and Satan, and the part played by the little horn power.

This power magnified himself against (attacked) the Prince of the Host, even to the extent of crucifying Him. Then this power exalts the "continuance of rebellion." In other words Pagan Rome had become the empire through which Satan was working in his efforts to destroy the Christian church. As Rome continued in this rebellion, she cast down the truth to the ground and she achieved and prospered.

QUESTION 7: The prophet was then allowed to overhear a conversation taking place in heaven. What was the content of this discussion?

"Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?" Daniel 8:13.

NOTE AND ANSWER:

In verse 13 the discussion centers around this rebellion and in particular, for how long it would be allowed to go on. The question asked raised an aspect of the rebellion that has not been brought to our attention thus far.

If studied closely it will be noticed that there are two phases to this rebellion. Notice as we read, the question asked, "How long shall be the vision (concerning) the 'continuance' (in rebellion) and the 'desolating rebellion' giving both the 'Holy Place' and the 'host' to be trodden underfoot?"

As we shall see, these verses span the transition of pagan Rome to papal Rome. The question then becomes: For how long shall the continuance of rebellion (pagan Rome) and the desolating rebellion (papal Rome) continue?. For how long shall the place of worship, and the Christian church be trodden down, persecuted and destroyed?

PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS

1. We see that there are two rebellions mentioned:

a) The continuance in rebellion (8:12)

b) The desolating rebellion (8:13)

2. These two rebellions involve not only the earth, but also the forces of heaven, even the ruler of those forces of heaven (8:10, 11).

3. These two rebellions are two successive stages of the great spiritual war being described. First that which is the continuance in rebellion, and then the prophet sees an army given to the little horn power (Rome) against the continuance in rebellion (8:12).

4. These two rebellions were to:

a) Trample the Holy Place

b) Trample the army of heaven (8:13)

QUESTION 8: What is the continuance in rebellion, and against whom was the rebellion by the Roman power, or the little horn?

NOTE AND ANSWER:

This rebellion was against the host or armies of heaven, including the ruler of the host. The continuance in rebellion was against the Jews, the Christian church, and the host of heaven (see study note on Daniel 8:13 on the "continuance in rebellion"). This rebellion was also against the prince or the ruler of that host --Jesus Christ. It resulted in the crucifixion of Christ and the deaths of millions of Christians.

The continuance in rebellion was the pagan heathen style of worship practiced by Pagan Rome. (See study note on Daniel 8:13 on the rise of the Roman Empire.) However, the desolating rebellion refers to the Papacy and its style of worship, which is only an extension of paganism. It might better be described as a de-populating rebellion, as during the dark years of papal supremacy as many as one hundred million Christians were tortured and put to death because they refused to accept Rome's style of worship.

It was called the "continuance" because it was a constant denial by these heathen religions of the deity of the Creator of heaven and earth, the Almighty God.

Question 9: How long were the rebellions to continue?

"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14.

NOTE AND ANSWER:

These two rebellions were to trample and desecrate the Holy Place for 2,300 days longer. At the end of the 2,300-day period, the condition in the Holy Place, caused by the two rebellions, would be corrected or made right (8:14).

Verse 14 answers the question of the previous verse. These two rebellions together would go on for another 2,300 days (years) (a day equals a year in Bible prophecy), and then God will make it right. At the end of this time prophecy (this will be discussed in a later study), the conditions that prevailed in Christianity brought about by these two rebellions would be corrected or made right.

How would God do this? He would raise up a people giving them a message and a lifestyle that would restore the truth to its rightful place. The beginning of this work was the great Protestant Reformation which was the means through which God worked to bring an end to the years of papal supremacy and persecution. Through this Reformation were established the principles of Protestantism, some of which are enshrined in the constitutions of the western world.

The work begun by the Protestant Reformation will be brought to a glorious conclusion by God's "end-time people." who arose around the end of the 2,300 days. Their message is designed in such a way as also to bring the world to judgment.

CONCLUSION

As you behold in your mind the magnification of the little horn, pagan Rome, at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as you see the real character of the two supernatural powers contending for the allegiance of the universe, on whose side do you choose to be?

The character of the two supernatural powers was also expressed in the history of the rise of the papal Roman power, with a falling away from apostolic doctrine and worship style. We have seen how it dominated the civil governments of Europe, only to receive a deadly wound in 1798. However, prophecy indicates that this wound would be healed and the power of the Papacy would be restored, and all would be compelled to give homage to her style of worship again.

The religion and style of worship practiced in pagan Rome were eventually absorbed into the Papacy where we witness it in a disguised Christian form. What difference does it make, then, whether or not you use idols and/or images in your worship of God?

It makes this difference: it determines whether your worship is accepted by God. It reveals whether or not you are worshipping in spirit and truth. Worshipping idols and/or images makes you a part of the continuance in rebellion, to be counted a part of the devil's great rebellion against Jesus and His Father in heaven.

Dear friend, you and I have the privilege of witnessing the glorious fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 8. As we contemplate the formation of "The New World Order," and its present-day activities under the auspices of the United Nations we see a direct parallel with the rise of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago, except that this time the history of sin will finally be closed by the final judgment by God.

We witnessed in 1990 the extraordinary measures taken by the United Nations in summoning support from the nations of the world to form an alliance giving the United States of America the authority to go and fight the war against Iraq in the Middle East. What most people are not aware of is that this confederacy of nations fought under the U.N. flag. It was at this time that the United States president George Bush chose to announce to the world the formation of the New World Order. What will we see this "New World Order" doing in the future?

As you behold in your mind the magnification of the little horn--the Roman power--at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, as you see the real character of the two supernatural powers contending for the allegiance of the universe, on whose side do you choose to be? You cannot be a spectator. You must either conquer with Jesus or be conquered by Satan.

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