SRR 129 The Danielic Imperative (26) The Scriptural Proof for a 13-Way Division of the Roman Empire

We read and answer a listener’s question about how we can maintain that the 4th Beast of Daniel 7 reveals to us a 13-way division of the Roman empire. We raise four points in response:

1. Daniel did not say that the Little Horn removed 3 of the 10 horns;

2. Daniel only describes the final configuration of the first four empires, just as each was about to transition to the next;

3. The Scriptures show that the Little Horn could not have removed 3 horns after Daniel’s description of the 4th beast, and therefore the 3 horns must have been removed in advance; and

4. The Aramaic has no formal “past perfect” tense, such that “past perfect” must be determined by context.

NOTES:

The Verbal System of the Aramaic of Daniel.pdf

Council of Rome, 382 AD:

Therefore first is the seat at the Roman church of the apostle Peter 'having no spot or wrinkle or any other [defect]'. However the second place was given in the name of blessed Peter to Mark his disciple and gospel-writer at Alexandria, and who himself wrote down the word of truth directed by Peter the apostle in Egypt and gloriously consummated [his life] in martyrdom. Indeed the third place is held at Antioch of the most blessed and honourable apostle Peter, who lived there before he came to Roma and where first the name of the new race of the Christians was heard.

Pope Gregory, Epistle XL To Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria:

Wherefore though there are many apostles, yet with regard to the principality itself the See of the Prince of the apostles alone has grown strong in authority, which in three places is the See of one. For he himself exalted the See in which he deigned even to rest and end the present life. He himself adorned the See to which he sent his disciple as evangelist. He himself established the See in which, though he was to leave it, he sat for seven years. Since then it is the See of one, and one See, over which by Divine authority three bishops now preside…

Catholic Encyclopedia, Patriarch and Patriarchate:

The oldest canon law admitted only three bishops as having what later ages called patriarchal rights — the Bishops of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch. The successor of St. Peter as a matter of course held the highest place and combined in his own person all dignities. He was not only bishop, but metropolitan, primate, and patriarch; Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Primate of Italy, and first of the patriarchs. As soon as a hierarchy was organized among bishops, the chief authority and dignity were retained by the Bishop of Rome.