The 4 Beasts Outline SERIES: Little Horn

"The Little Horn What is the character of the horn here spoken of? First, it speaks great words against the Most High; and, second, it makes war with, and wears out the saints. The same character is elsewhere described. Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to

overcome them. Daniel says, Daniel 7:21 ...[he] prevailed against them. 

Now see: 2 Thessalonians 2:3 That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Daniel’s “little horn,” Paul’s “man of sin,” and John’s blasphemous beast, are clearly identified. 

Q: Has a power of this description arisen? It must be admitted that there has, and that it is the Papacy. The titles the Popes have assumed, of “Most Holy Lord,” and their pretensions to pardon sin, even before its commission, if we had nothing else, sufficiently establish the blasphemous character of that power. 

Pope Innocent III, writes: "He [Christ] has set one man over the world, him whom He has appointed His vicar on earth; and as to Christ is bent every knee in heaven, in earth, and under the earth; so shall obedience and service be paid to His vicar by all, that there may be one fold and one shepherd."

Again, Pope Gregory VII, says, "The Roman Pontiff alone is by right universal. In him alone is the right of making laws. Let all kings kiss the feet of the Pope. His name alone shall be heard in the churches. It is the only name in the world. It is his right to depose kings. His word is not to be repealed by any one. It is to be repealed by himself alone. He is to be judged by none. The church of Rome has never erred; and the Scriptures testify it never shall err."

Surely here is a power diverse from all others, and proud and blasphemous enough to answer the character of the little horn. It is said of this horn that: Daniel 7:25 He shall...think to change times and laws. It is evident that the laws here spoken of are the laws of the Most High; for his work is to oppose God. The changing of 

human laws would not be here noted as a distinguishing 

characteristic of the man of sin. No: his distinguishing acts are against God and His saints. In fulfillment of this part of the prophecy, the Roman apostasy has removed the second commandment from the Decalogue, has changed the Sabbath of the fourth, from the seventh to the first day of the week, and has divided the tenth, to make up the number of ten commandments." 

James White