Vol.6 No.3

Q. In Daniel 8:25, a power is mentioned "that destroys many by peace." How could peace destroy anyone?

A. There are two kinds of peace. John 14:27 describes them both: first, the peace of Christ which comesthrough the gift of His Holy Spirit; second, the peace that the world gives.

Paul tells us that godly peace is the fruit of the abiding Holy Spirit given at conversion (Galatians 5:22). The psalmist David parallels this sentiment when he states, -"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalms 119:165). Men and women who allow God to write His law in their hearts are reconciled to both God and their fellow man. They live in peace with heaven and with their neighbors. 

Those who are attempting through human efforts alone to gain peace for themselves or for the world are struggling in vain. Paul declared that unconverted men and women know nothing of peace (Romans 3:1517). Jeremiah warned us against false prophets or spiritual teachers that give spurious religious advice claiming "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14), leaving out God's condition for peace: obedience. The antichrist, or little horn power, mentioned ' in the seventh and eighth chapters of Daniel is the same power that persecuted God's people during the Dark Ages. (Compare Daniel 7:24, 25 with Revelation 12:3-9,13-17). The Reformers correctly identified this power as the papacy, the extension of the Roman Empire still in existence today. Through peace treaties and policies, papal powers have attempted to bring about a world union that would accomplish their ends. Yet, at the same time, the papacy, claimed to have the divine authority to change God's law, abolishing Sabbath worship and setting up Sunday worship in its place. Those powers which made "peace treaties" with her were then used to destroy millions of God's people, identified as those "'which keep the commandments of God" (Revelation 12:17).

Those who accept the world's concept of peace ultimately end up persecuting those who accept God's form of peace. For this very reason Christ was crucified. They did not want spiritual peace; they wanted worldly peace. Therefore they crucified the "'Prince of Peace."

Today the Papacy seeks alliances with the kings of the earth, promising to usher in an era of peace. The scriptures predict that all who will not join this alliance will be threatened with death. Thus will be the fulfillment, "and by peace shall destroy many" (Daniel 8:25).