Tag: little horn

Categories
Devotionals

HOW THE HERULI ARIAN ‘HORN’ WAS ‘PLUCKED UP BY ITS ROOTS’ BY THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ OF DANIEL 7: 8.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

HOW THE HERULI ARIAN ‘HORN’ WAS ‘PLUCKED UP BY ITS ROOTS’ BY THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ OF DANIEL 7: 8.

“Pope Silverius died on the 2nd of March, 483, whereupon Odovacar (Odoacer, king of the Heruli) made a false move…..It was very important for him to control the choice of a new Pontiff…..He desired a Pope well disposed to himself. When the preliminary assembly failed to agree in the choice of a candidate, the Pretorian Prefect, Cecina Basilius, suddenly intervened in Odovacar’s name, and declared that no election would be valid without the King’s voice…..After this the Assembly was summoned to sanction the decree and decide the election, which resulted in favor of Felix II  (483-492), the candidate recommended by Odovacar.” -The Barbarian Invasion of Italy, p. 148, (1902). “His interference in the Papal election has cast into the Roman Church the seed of a deep and threatening distrust towards him.” – Ibid, p. 147.

“Rome could never forgive such an affront, and through its faithful ALLY, the emperor, another Barbarian nation, the OSTROGOTHS, were called in to destroy the hated Heruli…..—

“Villari says that THEODORIC at the head of the Ostrogothic hordes entered Italy in the autumn of 488, backed by the authority of the emperor and the Roman Church. Because of the discord that had now broken out between Odovacar and the Pope had weakened the former and consequently made him less formidable, after 2 disastrous battles he retreated toward the city of Rome for safety from the Ostrogoths, but ‘the gates of Rome were shut in his face, and the inhabitants of Italy began to show him marked hostility…..The Roman Church had TAKEN ADVANTAGE of all these causes of discontent in order to EXCITE the populace against him; and before long it was openly said that the CLERGY had organized a general CONSPIRACY against him…..in the style of the Sicilian Vespers.”- The Barbarian Invasion of Italy, 2-vol. ed. of 1880. Vol. I, pp. 153-156.

“Villari continues: ‘On the 5th of March, 493, Theodoric entered Ravenna in triumph, all the CLERGY coming forth to meet him, chanting Psalms, with the ARCHBISHOP at the head of the procession.’ -The Barbarian Invasion of Italy, Vol. I, p. 158. TEN DAYS LATER ODOVACAR WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD.

“Hodgkin points out that this coming of the archbishop to meet the Ostrogoths was STAGED so as to ‘impress vividly on the minds both of Italians and Ostrogoths that Theodoric came as the FRIEND of the Catholic Church.’- ‘Italy and Her Invaders.’ – Ibid, pp. 244, 255. Hodgkin further states that the Roman clergy were PRIVY to a terrible SECRET PLOT of murdering the the followers of Odovacar all over Italy.’ – Ibid, 225, 226.

“The Heruli disappeared from history. Thus the first of the three ‘horns’ of Daniel 7:8 was ‘plucked up by the roots,’ and history leaves no room for doubt but that the Papacy THROUGH its allies engineered this act because of its opposition to Arianism.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, pp. 39, 40.  Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ GETS THE OSTROGOTH ARIAN ‘HORN’ TO DESTROY HIS FELLOW HERULI ARIAN ‘HORN’

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ GETS THE OSTROGOTH ARIAN ‘HORN’ TO DESTROY HIS FELLOW HERULI ARIAN ‘HORN’

As the trite but always relevant saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall.’ The enemy of all truth knows this truism all too well. Hence, his diabolical mind devised an all-too-successful scheme and strategy out of it and weaponized it, known as: “Divide and conquer.”

“Nearly all the wars which the northern barbarians carried on in Italy…..were occasioned by the pontiffs [popes]; and the hordes, with which Italy was inundated, the generally called in by them [the pontiffs].- ‘History of Florence,’ p.13. Universal Classics Library, 1901.

“The historian Villari says THEODORIC at the head of the OSTROGOTHIC hordes entered Italy in the autumn of 488, backed by the authority of the emperor and the [Roman] Church. Because of the discord that had now broken out between Odovacar [king of the Heruli kingdom] and the Pope had weakened the former and consequently made him less formidable, after two disastrous battles he retreated toward the city of Rome for safety from the Ostrogoths, but ‘the gates of Rome were shut in his face, and the inhabitants of Italy began to show him marked hostility; partly on account of his recent conflict with the [Roman] Church, partly from the increased deeds of spoliation ….

“The [Roman] Church HAD TAKEN ADVANTAGE of all these causes of this DISCONTENT in order to excite the populace against him; and before long it was openly said that the CLERGY had organized a GENERAL CONSPIRACY against him somewhat, it would seem, in the style of the Sicilian Vespers.’ – ‘The Barbarian Invasion of Italy,’ 1880, Vol. I, pp. 153-156.

“John Henry Cardinal Newman, D.D., says: ‘Odovacar was sinking before Theodoric [his fellow Arian] and the Pope was CHANGING one Arian master for another.’ – ‘An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine,’ Part II, p. 320. London. 1878.

“Villari continues: ‘On the 5th of March, 493, Theodoric entered Ravenna in triumph, all the CLERGY coming forth to meet him, chanting Psalms, and with the Archbishop at the head of the procession.’ -‘The Barbarian Invasion of Italy.’ Vol. 1, p. 158.

“Ten days later Odoacer (Odovacar) was murdered in cold blood.” – Edwardson, ‘Facts of Faith,’ Southern Publishing, 1943, pp. 38, 39.

Satan, “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning,’ used ‘subtility’ and craftiness to deceive Eve in Eden. His main agency on earth, the Papacy, has ever used the same strategy in her growth and development as clearly revealed in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. “Knowledge is power.” “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” God bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

THE ‘TEN HORNS’ AND THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ OF THE ‘FOURTH BEAST’

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ‘TEN HORNS’ AND THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ OF THE ‘FOURTH BEAST’

The Ten Horns. This is explained in the same chapter as ‘ten kings’ in verse 24.  If the ‘four kings’ of v. 17 represents ‘kingdoms’ (see on v.3) parallel to the four EMPIRES of ch. 2, then there is fully as much reason to understand these ‘ten kings’ as kingdoms also, even as the ‘four horns’ of the GOAT (ch.8:22).

“The successive invasions of the Roman Empire by numerous Germanic tribes, and the replacement of the empire by a number of separate states or monarchies, are well established facts of HISTORY.

“Owing to the fact that a score or more BARBARIAN tribes invaded the Roman Empire, commentators have compiled lists of the kingdoms that were founded. The following list is representative:

“Ostrogoths, Visugoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Heruli, Lombards, Burgundians. Some prefer to list the Huns in place of the Allamanni, however the Huns DISAPPEARED early without leaving a settled kingdom.  The period was one of great upheaval, confusion and change  [in the Old World of Europe] during which a large number of states secured their independence.

“Another Little Horn.’ “Better, ‘another horn, a little one.’ Though ‘small’ in the beginning, this little horn is described LATER as ‘more stout than his fellows,’ literally, ‘greater than its companions.’ It will be seen that this is the CONTINUATION of the Roman power in the Roman church.  (Note what these historians wrote, emphasis mine):

“Out of the ruins of POLITICAL Rome arose the great MORAL Empire  in the ‘giant form’ of the Roman Church.” (A. C. Flick, The Rise of the Medieval Church, 1900, p.130.

“Under the Roman Empire the popes had NO TEMPORAL POWERS. But when the Roman Empire had DISINTEGRATED and its place had been taken by a number of rude, barbarous kingdoms, the Roman Catholic Church not only became INDEPENDENT of the states [civil powers] in religious affairs but DOMINATED SECULAR affairs as well.

“At times under such rulers as CHARLEMAGNE (768-811), OTTO THE GREAT (936-73), and HENRY III (1039-56), the civil power controlled the church to some extent, but in general, under the weak political system of FEUDALISM, the well-organized, unified, and centralized church, with the POPE AS ITS HEAD, was not only independent in ecclesiastical affairs, but ALSO CONTROLLED CIVIL AFFAIRS.’ (Carl Conrad, Eckhardt, “The Papacy and World Affairs, 1937, p. 1.” Commentary on the Book of Daniel, A Section of Vol.4 of the SDA Bible Dictionary,p. 826.

The diligent study of the prophecies and the whole sanctuary message that gives the wonderful details of the comprehensive plan of redemption of the everlasting gospel, unmistakably reveals how very close we are to the final test of mankind, the close of probation, the final time of trouble, and then the glorious appearing of our blessed Lord and Savior, bringing with Him the promised reward to all “the saints” who patiently “keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus”!!

My prayer is that we shall “endure” and be found of Him “faithful to the end.” Bless all, NMF. 

Categories
Devotionals

ARIANISM OF THE HERULI, VISIGOTHS, VANDALS AND OSTROGOTHS: THE THREE HORNS ‘UPROOTED’ BY THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK: 

ARIANISM OF THE HERULI, VISIGOTHS, VANDALS AND OSTROGOTHS: THE THREE HORNS ‘UPROOTED’ BY THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER

We now resume our focus on the “another little horn” that came up “from among” the “ten horns” of the fourth beast, Rome, and uprooted “three of the ten horns” bringing it into power.

D & R 120: What was Arianism, the religion of the Heruli, Vandal, and Ostrogoth kingdoms of Italy at that time?

“The fourth century was destined to witness an obstacle thrown across the path of the ambitious dream [of the Bishops of Rome]. The prophecy had declared that the power represented by the little horn would ‘subdue three kings’ (kingdoms). In the rise and development of ARIANISM early in the fourth century and the challenge it presented to the Papal supremacy, we find the CAUSES leading to the ‘plucking up’ of 3 of the kingdoms of WESTERN Rome by the papal power.

“ARIUS, parish priest of the ancient and influential church in Alexandria [Eastern Rome], promulgated his doctrine to the world [civilized world then], occasioning so fierce a controversy in the Christian church [at that stage of the seven church periods] that a general council was called at Nicaea, by the emperor Constantin in A.D. 325, to consider and rule upon its teaching.

What was Arius’ controversial doctrine? “Arius maintained that ‘the Son was totally and essentially distinct from the Father; that He was the first and noblest of those beings whom the Father had created out of nothing, the instrument by whose SUBORDINATE operation the Almighty Father formed the universe, and therefore INFERIOR to the Father, BOTH in nature and dignity.’

“This opinion was condemned by the council, which decreed that Christ was one and the same substance with the Father. Hereupon Arius was BANISHED to Illyria, and his followers were COMPELLED to give their assent to the creed composed at that occasion.” – Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, pp. 120, 121. 
To be continued tomorrow, God willing. Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

HERULI: THE FIRST OF THREE ARIAN KINGDOMS UPROOTED

October 30, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

HERULI: THE FIRST OF THREE ARIAN KINGDOMS UPROOTED

Remember the emperor, the year, the location, and the event in the history of the great controversy issue over the separation of Church and State, still currently guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution—which “wall” of separation is the next to taken away permanently here in America, as prophesied: The year: 381 A.D.  The emperor: Theodosius. The event: General council of the clergy in Constantinople: What was established: “To Theodosius, also, at least as much as to Constantine, must be attributed the PERMANENT ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND STATE.’”- Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson. 1943, SPA., p. 37. Now we turn our attention to the Heruli:

“The Heruli under Odoacer (also called Odovacar) had established themselves in Italy, 476 A.D.; and while this Arian king ruled all his subjects IMPARTIALLY, he endeavored to shield his people from the PERSECUTION inaugurated by the COMBINED efforts by the pope and the emperor. Pasquale Villari, writing of the period between between 468 and 483 A.D. says:

“At that time the Pope was morally, and even MORE than morally speaking, the most powerful personage in Italy. If Odovacar [Odoacer], as an Arian, had openly opposed him, Simplicius [the Pope at that time] could have easily roused the whole country against him, and made it impossible for him to maintain his position in Italy.’ – ‘The Barbarian Invasion of Italy,’ Vol. 1, pp. 145, 146. 1902.

“And just such an opportunity soon presented itself: ‘Pope Simplicius died on the 2nd of March, 483, whereupon Odovacar made a FALSE MOVE, of which he felt the consequences before long. It was very important for him to control the choice of the next Pontiff. He sought not only to prevent the RIOTS which had often caused bloodshed in the streets of Rome on similar occasions, but also desired a Pope well disposed to himself.

“Thus when the preliminary assembly failed to agree in the choice of a candidate, the Pretorian Prefect, Cecina Basilius, suddenly intervened in Odovacar’s name, and declared that NO ELECTION would be valid without the King’s voice…A decree was likewise issued preventing alienation of CHURCH property and threatening ANATHEMA on all who failed to respect it. After this the Assembly was summoned to sanction the decree and decide the election, which resulted in favor of Felix II (483-492), the candidate recommended by Odovacar.’- Ibid, p. 148.

“His interference in the Papal election has cast into the Roman Church the seed of a deep and threatening distrust towards him.’ – Ibid, p. 147.

“Rome could NEVER forgive such an affront, and through its faithful ally, the emperor, another barbarian nation, the OSTROGOTHS, were called to DESTROY the hated Heruli.’” -Facts of Faith, pp. 37, 38.
To be continued.  God bless all, NMF. 

Categories
Devotionals

POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS SITUATION EXISTING BETWEEN THE BISHOP OF ROME, EMPERORS, AND THE THREE ARIAN NATIONS

October 29, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK: 

POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS SITUATION EXISTING BETWEEN THE BISHOP OF ROME, EMPERORS, AND THE THREE ARIAN NATIONS

How the “little horn” power of Daniel 7 was enabled to “uproot” the three Arian kingdoms was facilitated by unique conditions due to political and religious interlocking, self-serving agendas and strategies:

“A brief statement on the political and religious conditions in the ROMAN world is necessary here in order that the reader may better grasp the real situation in which these three Arian kingdoms [The Heruli, Vandals, and Visigoths] found themselves.

“After Emperor Constantine [who issued the very first Sunday law in 321 AD.] removed the seat of the empire from Rome to Constantinople [Eastern Rome], the Roman people were (at intervals) rules from that Eastern capital, UNTIL the pope had grown to power in Rome. While the Papacy was GRADUALLY gaining control over the people of the West [Western Rome], the Eastern Emperors [secular powers] were COURTING the goodwill of the Popes in order to hold their Western subjects. [This is how remorseless, immoral politics works anytime, every time, everywhere].

“From the time of Constantine to that of [emperor] Justinian there was a deadly struggle between the TWO LARGEST FACTIONS of the CHURCH, THE CATHOLICS and the ARIANS. Often there was terrible strife and even bloodshed [“winds,” in prophetic symbols].  The streets of Alexandria and Constantinople we’re deluged with blood by the partisans of RIVAL BISHOPS.  – ‘History of Christianity,’ H.H. Millman, Book III, ch. 5, par. 2, p. 410.

“Most of the BARBARIC nations into which the Roman Empire was now split, had accepted the [Roman] Catholic faith. But the Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths were ARIANS. [who rejected the claims of the pope as Christ’s vicar but also accepted Arius’ teachings that Jesus was not fully divine, often called the ‘Arian heresy ” by papal apologists].

“While the emperors courted the help of the popes for POLITICAL reasons, the popes sought the assistance of the emperors to DESTROY THE ARIANS.

“Theodosius, the Emperor of the East, had already (380-395 A.D.) given ‘fifteen stern edicts for HERESY, one on the average for every year of his reign….So began the campaign which ended in the VIRTUAL EXTINCTION OF ARIANISM in the Roman world.  – ‘Italy and Her Invaders,’ Thomas Hodgkin, Vol. 1, pp. 368, 369, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1899.

“In A.D. 380, the Emperor Theodosius issued an edict which said: ‘We order those who follow this law to assume the name of CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS: we pronounce all others to be MAD and FOOLISH, and we order that they bear the ignominious name of HERETICS….They are to be visited….by the STROKE of our authority.  – Ibid, p. 187.

‘Thus did the reign and legislation of Theodosius MARK out the lines of FUTURE RELATION BETWEEN POPE AND EMPEROR.’- Ibid, p. 187.

“Embassies passed continually between the Pope of Rome and the emperor of Constantinople, and in 381 A.D. Theodosius arranged for a General Council of the CLERGY at Constantinople, which finally ESTABLISHED THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE: ‘To Him also, at least as much as to Constantine, must be attributed the PERMANENT ALLIANCE between the CHURCH and the STATE.’ – Ibid, pp. 182, 183.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwarson, Southern Publishing Asso., 1943, pp. 36, 37.

“The Bible never refers to a “Catholic Christian,” “Protestant Christian,” “Baptist Christian,” “Coptic Christian,” “Seventh-day Adventist Christian,” etc. They are Christians, meaning “true followers of Christ.

Note the following: “And when he (Barnabas) found him (Saul, later called Paul), he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the CHURCH, and taught much people. And the DISCIPLES were called CHRISTIAN FIRST in Antioch.” Acts 11:26, KJV. See also Acts 26: 24-28; 1 Pet. 4: 12-16.

Will the true Christian please stand up? Jesus calls them His saints on earth: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (CHRIST).” Rev. 14: 12, KJV.

God bless His living saints, members of His church on earth and in heaven! See Eph. 3:15-21. NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER OF DANIEL 7

October 28, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER OF  DANIEL 7

“I considered the [ten] horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn.” Dan. 7: 8, KJ.V.

“Let us now consider all the characteristics this prophecy gives to the ‘little horn,’ and we shall be forced by weight of evidence as to settle in just ONE power as the fulfillment of this prediction.

(1) It was to come up ‘among’ the ten European kingdoms into which the Roman Empire was split. verse 8 (2) It shall ‘rise’ to power ‘after them.’ verse 24. ‘And He shall be DiVERSE [different] from the first,’ ten kingdoms; that is, different from ordinary, secular kingdoms. verse 24.

“Anyone acquainted with history knows that the Papacy is the only power that answers to all these specifications. It was ‘among’ the kingdoms of Western Rome, ‘after’ they were established in A.D. 476, and is different from a purely civil power.

“But the angel gives still another mark of identity to the little horn (4) Before it ‘there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots.’ Verse 8. That is, in ‘coming up’ it pushed out before it three of the former horns ‘by the roots.’

“Thus three kingdoms were to be plucked up to give place for the Papacy. This prediction found the exact fulfillment in the destruction of the three Arian kingdoms: the Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths. Rev. E. B. Elliott, M.A. says: ‘I might cite that three that were eradicated from before the Pope out of the last first given; viz., the Heruli under Odoacer (AKA Odovacar), the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths.”- ‘Hora Apocalyptica, Vol. III, p. 168, Note 1, London: 1862.

“In former days crowns of conquered kings were placed on the head of the conqueror.(2 Sam. 12:30). It is symbolically fitting therefore, that the Pope wears a triple crown. Bishop Thomas Newton, speaking of the power that destroyed the three horns, says, ‘And the Pope hath in a manner pointed himself out for the person by wearing the triple crown.’- ‘Dissertations on the Prophecies,’ p. 220. London.” — Facts of Faith, pp 35, 36. (To be continued). Bless all today, NMF 

Categories
FMM

The Thyatira Period of the Church Began in 538 A.D.

Image from page 62 of "Illustrations of prophecy : particularly the evening and morning visions of Daniel, and the apocalyptical visions of John" (1840) Photo Credit Internet Archive Book Images/Flickr

FRIDAY MORNING MANNA

Biblical Numerology: NUMBER SEVEN – Part 15

The Thyatira Period of the Church Began in 538 A.D.:

 

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:

‘The social question of to-day is only a zephyr which rustles the leaves, but will soon become a hurricane. It is a dull ear that cannot hear the mutterings of the coming storm.’ – Disraeli, Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 1909, p. 655.FF 31.

—————

With record-breaking and unprecedented crisis after crisis hitting the current administration coming from multiple and multiplying directions both national and global—in so short a time–how will our beleaguered government leaders handle all these? How about the people, especially those looking up to human power, state and church, civil and religious?

Continue reading “The Thyatira Period of the Church Began in 538 A.D.”