| The
dramatic shift in gender to masculine in verse 11 (he exalted himself)
reflects a change in phases of the two entities which the metaphor symbol
of the horn represents as suggested by Hasel.19
Whereas Hasel argues that the masculine gender in verse 11 indicates a
shift to papal Rome from pagan Rome in verse 10, it is suggested the
change to masculine in v. 11 represents a renewed emphasis on the pagan
phase of Rome contrasted with papal phase in verse 10.
The one who magnified himself
even to the Prince of the host is identified in Acts 4:26-28 by the
apostle Peter: “The kings of the earth---gathered against the Lord and
His Christ. For truly Your holy Servant Jesus whom You anointed, both
Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the people of Israel, were
gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined to
be done”.
Acts 4:26-28 is an allusion to
Ps. 2:1 in which the “kings of the earth have set themselves and the
rulers have met together against Jehovah and His Anointed”. Further
evidence that the one exalting himself in Dn. 8:11 is pagan Rome is found
in 8:25 where “he (a king) stands up against the Prince of princes”
which bears a striking resemblance to Ps. 2:1. Contrary to most Adventist
expositors, it is suggested that the kingly power of 8:23-25 is an
explicit description of pagan Rome throughout, although papal Rome may be
implicit. Three reasons for this proposition are set forth: l) All the
verbal subjects and adjectival pronouns are masculine corresponding with
the masculine designations of verse 9 and 11 which it was suggested
referred to pagan Rome; 2) The strong linguistic similarity of Dn. 8:25d (“also
against the Prince of princes he shall stand”) with Ps. 2:1 and also the
internal relationship of Dn. 8:11 with 8:25d , and finally 3) the one (a
king) who “shall be broken without hand” in 8:25e is linguistically
similar to the Aramaic of Dn. 2:45 (“a stone was cut out of the mountain
without hands and broke in pieces the iron...”). The reference in 2:45
refers to pagan, political powers and the linguistic similarity to the
Hebrew of 8:25 lends credibility to the suggestion of pagan, kingly power
throughout 8:23-25. For example, “he shall destroy the holy people” in
8:25 alludes to Rome’s action of destroying the city and the sanctuary
in Dn. 9:26 and 11:22. The deceitful tactics of this kingly power are
alluded to in 8:25 and its pagan, deceitful characteristics are revealed
in 11:23, a clear reference to pagan Rome.20
Furthermore, the historical
record substantiates pagan Rome’s consistent self exaltation to the
Prince of the host. Emperor Octavian’s (31 BC-AD 14) adoptive father
Caesar, at the Senate’s decree, was elevated to a place among the
deities. “Thereafter Octavian called himself son of the Caesar,
imperator Caesar divi filius.” Octavius added to his name the one of “Augustus”
emphasizing the unique dignity of his position. Until that time this
designation (meaning “the exalting one”; cf. Dn. 8:11, “he exalted
himself”) had been employed only as a surname of deities conveying the
impression that his position of power was of incomparable loftiness.21
Herod the Great, a native vassal ruler of Palestine under the Romans,
exalted to the Prince of the host by slaughtering the infants in Bethlehem
seeking to destroy the Christ (Mt. 2:3-16).22
Emperor Caligula (AD 27-41)
exhibited exaggerated striving for godlike exaltation and demanded worship
of himself and ordered his statue placed in the temple at Jerusalem which
was thwarted by his death in AD 41.23
Emperor Nero (AD 54-68), along with Caligula and Domitian, claimed deity
for himself while still alive and each one failed to receive the honor at
death which was normally the customary practice of the emperor cult
started by the Roman Senate of deifying their deceased emperors who had
served well.24 Emperor
Domitian (AD 81-96) emphasized his unlimited power as ruler and sought to
exhibit the sanctity of his person publicly and liked to be greeted by the
cry: “Hail to the lord and his consort!”25
The biblical and historical records are clear and confirm that the one
exalting himself to the Prince of the host is characterized by pagan Rome,
the precursor to papal Rome who inherited the same characteristics.
5.1.5
Gender Identification in Verse 12 |