The topic of this article brings us to the last link of the three great persecuting powers of God’s people.  This power is no longer confined to the conditions of the scattering time period of Paganism and Papalism, but is specifically brought to bear against God’s people as they are being gathered under the banner of the third angel’s message.

Apostate Protestantism is the third and last of the three great powers that are especially deployed against God’s people.  Likewise, the Holy Spirit is the third of the Three Great Powers of the Godhead that will be poured out on God’s people in the closing work of the gospel.  Christ is gathering a people to be with Him for eternity; just so, Satan is doing the same.

“The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit.” {RH, March 2, 1897 par. 13} 

“God will inspire his loyal and true children with his Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the representative of God, and will be the mighty working agent in our world to bind the loyal and true into bundles for the Lord’s garner. Satan is also with intense activity gathering together in bundles his tares from among the wheat.”  {GCB, March 4, 1895 par. 4} 

It is not just Adventists who are looking for a special endowment of the Holy Spirit to accomplish their final work, but in fact, this third persecuting power is itself praying for revival, and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  These prayers will not go unanswered.  The question is, which ‘Spirit’ is answering?

“I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it.  Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God.  I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace.  Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children.” (EW 56.1)

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children…  The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit.  In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit.  Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.”  (GC 464.1)  

The Counterfeit

To understand the prophecy of Daniel 11 is to understand how these persecuting powers work against God’s people.

Each of these three powers has a distinct role to play as a counterfeit to the Godhead. Paganism portrays God the Father as an angry God, someone we must appease in order to obtain His favor.  Papalism teaches that works and the confessional replace the merits and intercession of Christ; and the work of the third power is to counterfeit the office and operation of the Holy Spirit.  The outward manifestation of this false outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be seen in miracles, healings, and such, but it is the inward working, on the mind, that gives this counterfeit such power.  As Apostate Protestantism matures into Spiritualism, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. (GC 588.2)

Spiritualism is the direct counterfeit to the operation of the Holy Spirit.

It should be of extreme interest to us that Satan commenced the rapping delusion in New York in 1844. (GC 553.1-2; CET 168; EW 86-87)  Just as the French Revolution marked the rise of Atheism, so the rapping in New York marks the rise of modern Spiritualism.  This is where Satan makes his own move from the scattering to the gathering—from counterfeiting the work of Christ, to the counterfeit of the work of the Holy Spirit.  This is his final work, preparatory to his impersonation of Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit testifies of Christ, so Spiritualism testifies of Satan; and just as the three angels prepare for the arrival of Christ, so the three persecuting powers prepare for the arrival of Satan.  Christ demonstrates the end from the beginning, so Satan does the same, by way of counterfeit.

In this time period of the gathering, Satan is determined to unite the world into one body by sweeping all into the ranks of Spiritualism. (GC 588.3)  The true understanding of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 are our only safeguard against this delusion, and the rejection of these messages at this time in earth’s history will result in the acceptance of Spiritualism.

The Transfer of Power

 “I saw that the two-horned beast had a dragon’s mouth, and that his power was in his head, and that the decree would go out of his mouth.  Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them.  She has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother had when she persecuted the saints.  I saw that as the mother has been declining in power, the daughters had been growing, and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother.”  {SpM 1.4}

“And when the Papacy, robbed of its strength, was forced to desist from persecution, John beheld a new power coming up to echo the dragon’s voice, and carry forward the same cruel and blasphemous work.  This power, the last that is to wage war against the church and the law of God, was symbolized by a beast with lamblike horns.  The beasts preceding it had risen from the sea, but this came up out of the earth, representing the peaceful rise of the nation which is symbolized.  The “two horns like a lamb” well represent the character of the United States Government, as expressed in its two fundamental principles, Republicanism and Protestantism.  These principles are the secret of our power and prosperity as a nation.  Those who first found an asylum on the shores of America rejoiced that they had reached a country free from the arrogant claims of popery and the tyranny of kingly rule.  They determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty.”  {ST, November 1, 1899 par. 4}

There are two distinct transfers of power shown in these quotes: The first is from Papalism to Protestantism, and the second is from the fifth kingdom of the Papacy, to the sixth kingdom—that of the United States of America.  The one is a religious transfer, and the other a civil transfer.

But in His Estate

This brings us to a concept in the prophecy that can be difficult to grasp.  Up until the ‘time of the end,’ around the 1798-time period, the major persecuting power of God’s people has been administered in the forms of Paganism and Papalism.  These two powers are responsible for the overall scattering of God’s people.

But now, from 1798 forward, the ‘scattering’ has been accomplished.  This scattering time period is identical with, and the same as, the ‘indignation’ of verse 36—‘and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished,’ that is, the Papacy, as the second half of the indignation, will prosper in its role for 1260 years, as a desolating, scattering power of God’s people, until 1798.

The indignation covers the entire time period of the scattering of God’s people, beginning in 722 BC, and ending in 1798-1844.  These are the same two powers represented in the question asked in Daniel 8:13—‘How long shall be the vision concerning the daily, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot?’  Here again Paganism and Papalism are represented successively as the persecutors of God’s people.

Through paganism, and then through the Papacy, Satan exerted his power for many centuries in an effort to blot from the earth God’s faithful witnesses.  Pagans and papists were actuated by the same dragon spirit. Ibid.

But we are informed by John in the Revelation, that there is yet to be another distinct power that Satan brings to bear against God’s people—Apostate Protestantism.  We can see the transition from Paganism to Papalism in Revelation 13:1-3, and the transition from Papalism to Apostate Protestantism in Revelation 13:11-14; correspondingly we also see the transition from Paganism to Papalism in Daniel 11:31.  But where do we see the transition from Papalism to Apostate Protestantism in Daniel 11?

Daniel 11:38 is precisely where this transition occurs—“But in his estate.”

It is from this point that the Papacy begins to work through Apostate Protestantism. The daughters are the operative power in the gathering time, from 1843 onward.  As we will see, even though the daughters are the next to come on the scene, the mother still retains control. In other words, Apostate Protestantism now becomes the vehicle that the Papacy uses to deliver her doctrines.

This phrase, ‘in his estate,’ occurs four times in chapter eleven, and each time it occurs, authority is transferred from one entity to another.

Dan. 11:7—But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate.

• Ptolemy Philadelphius (The father) succeeded by Ptolemy Euergetes (The son)

Dan. 11:20—Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes.

• Julius Caesar (Uncle) succeeded by Augustus Caesar (Nephew)

Dan. 11:21—And in his estate shall stand up a vile person.

• Augustus Caesar (Step father) succeeded by Tiberius Caesar (Stepson)

Dan. 11:38—But in his estate shall he honour the god of forces.

• Papacy (Mother) succeeded by Apostate Protestantism (Daughters)

In the first three instances of the phrase, ‘But in his estate,’ the context is to the subject—Paganism.  In the last verse, the context is still to the subject—now Papalism.  It must always be remembered that the prophecy of Daniel 11 is only a literal expansion of the previous prophecies in Daniel.  The lines of prophecy contained in Daniel always deal in some way with the four combined powers of Paganism—Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, and Pagan Rome; and then continues with the power of Papalism.  These powers, Paganism and Papalism, are also represented as the first five kings of Revelation 17:10.  This phrase, ‘but in his estate,’ shows the transition from the fifth kingdom to the sixth. Daniel, in giving us this transition, does not elaborate, but leaves it to John to fill in the blanks.  “In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place.” 17MR 10.2

In each of these four texts, a superior is handing to an inferior.  The first three are man to man, but 11:38 is woman to woman, showing again that there has been a transition from the secular kingdoms to the religious kingdoms.  The original transfer from the secular to the religious occurred in verse 31, showing the transition from the civil to the religious powers—Paganism handing off to Papalism.  It was then that the form of warfare moved from the physical to the mental, and now this power, the mother, is handing off to her daughters—still in that same form of warfare: the mental/spiritual.

To understand this, all four texts are addressing a king, or ruling entity, which is given in the masculine sense.  This is addressing the ability to rule, and is why Apostate Protestantism is linked with the sixth kingdom of the USA.  It is the same in principle as that of Atheism linked with France.  In each case it is an ideology taking control of a state.

The Papacy can be portrayed as either a man or woman, as it is both civil and religious.  In the book of Daniel, the Papacy is never literally spoken of in the feminine sense, only in the masculine, due to its position and title as that of the fifth kingdom in the civil realm.

In the first three examples of the use of ‘in his estate,’ the one receiving the authority ‘stands up;’ but not in the case of verse 38, showing that the superior entity is still in control.  In other words, even though the Papacy is handing off to Apostate Protestantism, it is still the one who is the main administrator of the overall strategic plan.  The plan of the Papacy is to bring the world back to a system of monarchy, as opposed to democracy.

This concept can be difficult to grasp, that even though the Papacy hands off to her daughters, she is still the one in control.  Because of this, the Papacy remains as the principle subject from verse 31 through 45.  It should be noted that Paganism gave to Papalism its power, seat, and great authority; but not so with Apostate Protestantism. Protestantism only exercises, or uses, the power of the Papacy. (Rev. 13:2, 12.)

The Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet

The interaction of these three entities—The Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, can be illustrated by the account of Herod, Herodias, and Salome.

In the book Desire of Ages, pp. 214-225, Mrs. White gives some insights as to the character of Herod, Herodias, and Salome; which in turn gives us insights of how Satan will operate to cause the United States of America to speak as a dragon.

In this account, the target is John the Baptist, and these three players work in concert to accomplish his death.  John is a representative of God’s people, and as such, he is the specific target of these three entities.  Of these three, two are unsuspecting, and one is the orchestrator.

The Dragon represents the civil power under the control of Satan; in our case, that of the USA, which is portrayed by Herod.  The Beast represents the Papacy, portrayed by Herodias, and the False Prophet represents Apostate Protestantism that has fully matured into Spiritualism, portrayed by Salome.  Herodias is the mother, and Salome the daughter.

It is interesting to note that ‘Herodias was acquainted with the weak points in the character of Herod.’ (RH, March 11, 1873 par. 3)  In other words, the Papacy understands the weak points of our US Constitution.  The character of our nation is expressed in the Constitution and founding documents.  This becomes significant when understood in the context of Papal involvement in our government.  At the time of this writing, the Papacy has, and has had for a long time, the majority of the justices in our Supreme Court.  When researched, the percentage of Catholics in both houses of the Senate and State are greater than their percentages in the general public.  Georgetown University, established in the very heart of our nation’s Capital, is world renowned for its education in law, and the courses it offers on how to influence public policy.

“She knew that under ordinary circumstances, while his intelligence controlled him, she could not obtain the death of John.”  When the Sunday law is first instituted, our government is still controlled by the Constitution, which guarantees our freedom to worship according to the dictates of our conscience.  The Papacy knows that while the Constitution is fully intact, it cannot of itself secure the death of those who have committed the same offense as that of John—Pointing out the illicit marriage of church and state.

“Herodias knew that by direct measures she could never win Herod’s consent to the death of John, and she resolved to accomplish her purpose by stratagem.” {DA 221.1} 

STRATAGEM, n. [L., Gr., to lead an army.]

• • 1. An artifice, particularly in war; a plan or scheme for deceiving an enemy. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Here is where Salome comes into play.  Herodias cannot directly cause Herod to execute John the Baptist, and now Salome is employed to provide the needed assist.

“Salome was in the first flush of womanhood, and her voluptuous beauty captivated the senses of the lordly revelers.  It was not customary for the ladies of the court to appear at these festivities, and a flattering compliment was paid to Herod when this daughter of Israel’s priests and princes danced for the amusement of his guests.  The king was dazed with wine.”  {DA 221.2} 

Herodias instructed Salome to dance before Herod, realizing that Herod, dazed with wine, would be more likely to grant her wish for the death of John.  In the Bible, wine represents either true or false doctrine, and Herod being dazed rather than enlightened, represents the USA coming under the influence of a false religion.

Salome was in her ‘first flush of womanhood,’ and that they were ‘captivated by her voluptuous beauty.’  This represents the finished product of Apostate Protestantism fully united with Spiritualism.  In other words, by uniting with Spiritualism, Apostate Protestantism has arrived at womanhood: no longer a child, but fully able to enchant and seduce.

As a result of her seductive dance, Herod offers to give her anything she wants up to half of his kingdom.  This represents the US Government coming under the direct influence of Apostate Protestantism, particularly that of Spiritualism. (5T 451.1)  This is an interesting point, considering that one half of our government is Democratic, and the other half is Republican.  The one is against religion in the government, schools, personal choices, etc. The other is working to place religion back in the government, schools, etc.

At this point Salome does not make any request, but instead goes back to her mother for instruction.  The point to make, as it relates to Daniel 11, is that the mother is the one who is in charge, and the daughter is subordinate.  Again, this is why the Papacy remains as the principle subject from verse 31 on through verse 45.

Salome was unconscious of the purpose of her mother, and she did not know that her dance would result in the martyrdom of John, nor did she realize that she was herself being deployed as a tool for the purpose of securing the king’s favor.  Salome had nothing of her own to offer in the way of intelligent negotiations, but it was her young beautiful body, which her aging mother no longer possessed, that achieved the desired result.

“Herod waited in vain to be released from his oath; then he reluctantly commanded the execution of the prophet.”

This represents the testing of the US Constitution, and then its repudiation.

Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Roman Church.  She can read what is to be. She bides her time, seeing that the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the false sabbath and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means which she herself employed in bygone days.  Those who reject the light of truth will yet seek the aid of this self-styled infallible power to exalt an institution that originated with her.  How readily she will come to the help of Protestants in this work it is not difficult to conjecture. Who understands better than the papal leaders how to deal with those who are disobedient to the church?  {GC 580.1} 

“When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near” (5T 451)

It is the same strategy and for the same reasons that the Papacy will use Apostate Protestantism to gain her objective.  As Salome did not realize the depth of hatred that her mother had for John, so the same is true for Protestantism.  She does not understand the hatred that her mother, the Papacy, has for those who expose her system, which results in their martyrdom.

Conclusion

This last persecuting power is by far the most formidable, and Satan has deployed this last and most powerful weapon against a nation and church that is ill-prepared to meet it.  The special work of this power is to remove the ability to discern the true work of the Holy Spirit.

In other words, it leads someone to think that something is of God when it is really from Satan, or that something is of Satan when it is really from God.  And therein lies the real issue as to why the prophecy of Daniel 11 is misinterpreted by the highest levels of Adventism.  It began with the substitution of the new view of the Daily in place of the old.  The new view portrays the Daily as Christ’s ministry; the old view portrays the Daily as Satan’s ministry.  Is it of God? or is it of Satan?  The reason for this substitution stems from our adoption of the interpretive principles of this third persecuting power—that of Apostate Protestantism.

Just as the book of Revelation is a revelation of Jesus Christ, so Daniel 11 is a revelation of Satan.  This prophecy reveals the true character of Satan himself.  It also shows that there are two entities that stand directly in his way of obtaining complete world dominion, and it lays open his operating strategy to neutralize and destroy both.

These two entities are the United States of America, and the Seventh Day Adventist church. They are represented respectively as the king of the south, and the king of the north of Daniel 11:40.  The one deals with the civil, and the other deals with the moral.  The first sets forth the principles of Republicanism and Protestantism, and the second sets forth the Sabbath and the non-immortality of the soul. (GC 441.1; GC 588.1)  These two kings strike directly at the dual nature of the Papacy, manifested in its corrupted civil and religious principles.  It is these two assaults that provoke the Papal counter strike.

Just as the Papacy uses Protestantism/Spiritualism to accomplish her design in the civil government of the USA, so she uses Protestantism/Spiritualism to accomplish her end in the SDA Church.  Both of these counterattacks are achieved through the medium of education.

“The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church.  He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power.  They have to a great extent forgotten his past record; and when he makes another advance move, they will not recognize him as their enemy, that old serpent, but they will consider him a friend, one who is doing a good work.” {5T 294.1}

Next Up

The identity of the kings of the south and north of Daniel 11:40 are without a doubt the most debated topic of the entire prophecy.  In the following articles we are going to take a closer look at these two kings—the United States of America, and the Seventh day Adventist church—to make the case, so to speak, using the terms of our proposal.

Until then,

God Bless!