“And it waxed great, [even] to the host of heaven; and it cast down [some] of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily [sacrifice] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered” (Daniel 8:10-11).

Just like the little horn power of Daniel 7, the end of time little horn defies God and hates His people. Satan dreamed of exalting himself above the clouds and stars, ascending right into heaven to the side of the north and trying to sit right on God’s throne, even appearing like Him (Isaiah 14:13-14). Revelation 13 shows the fulfillment of his dreams through kingdoms and people, acting out his wishes. This little horn is the first introduction as to how that will play out at the end of time. It personifies Satan so closely one could almost say it is he. Here the papacy is his perfect ambassador. Let’s discover why.

Daniel 8:10-11: The little horn “waxed great.” This comes from the Hebrew word gadal, meaning it increased in power and authority. This didn’t come suddenly but developed and crescendoed. In fact, its greatness was exerted against the “host of heaven.” Host (tsaba) means a carefully regimented group of people, God’s army. It implies that they are totally dedicated. Though the sun, moon and stars are called “host of heaven” (Genesis 2:1), which is always recorded as a singular word, here in figurative Hebrew language, “host” is plural.

Heaven (shamayim) means either the physical heavens or the abode of God. The stars (kowkab) are personified as God’s people, especially His leaders (cf. 12:3). The immediate context relates here to the physical heaven. Therefore, the very first things that Gabriel notes about the little horn are:

1.   It would have increasing power and authority.

2.   It would extend that power to or over God’s loyal people.

Like an unexpected storm, the little horn imagery turns violent against the “host” and “stars.” They are cast (naphal) fiercely to the earth. If that weren’t enough, the little horn stomps (ramac) on them. This immediately brings to mind the “Gentiles” treading underfoot God’s church (Revelation 11:2) and satanic powers warring against God’s people (Revelation 12:17; 13:7), all in an end-time setting.

Now we can begin to understand the little horn’s mission:

1.  Neutralize God’s people, His loyal army and their leaders

2.  Persecute them

3.  War against them

This is a description of spiritual warfare at the highest level. A battle is now underway. God’s people, for a while, become its victims.

Why would the papacy or little horn do these terrible things? Like the leaders of Christ’s day, truth undermines the credibility and authority of falsehood. God’s remnant people threaten the very foundation of that horribly false antichrist system.

That little horn doesn’t stop there. Now the real anti-God spirit of this power is portrayed. It “waxes great” to heaven and to the “prince of the host” (vs 11). The same word (gadal – “waxed great” or “magnified” himself) is used. It exhibits a growing defiance against God, the head or Prince (sar) of His army. What else is this wonderful Prince called? Michael – “the great prince” (Daniel 10:13, 20-21, 12:1). He is also the “Prince of Peace” (sar-shalom) (Isaiah 9:5).

God is so intent that everyone understand what this little horn power represents, He embellishes many of these thoughts again! (Daniel 8:25 and 11:36-37). With these texts collectively, we discover:

1.  Craft and deceit is his policy

2.  He arrogantly magnifies himself

3.  By peace he destroys (others do his evil work)

4.  Does whatever he wants

5.  Exalts himself above every god

6.  Speaks against God

7.  Doesn’t honor the God of the early Christian church

8.  Undermines the very dignity of women

Already we’ve seen how he persecutes God’s people, those who represent Him. A picture now of unprecedented haughtiness and disdain for God is painted. It is so bad, the actions of the little horn are so ghastly, shocking and horrendous, it is repeated several times to convince any doubter how terrible the
papacy is.

This is what God said through that mighty angel (8:11b). Here it is: “by him [the little horn – papacy] the daily [sacrifice not in original] was taken away, and the place of his [Prince of the host] sanctuary [God’s dwelling place] was cast down.” First, we saw arrogant actions against God by harming His people; now, it attempts to destroy two important things directly related to Him (Messiah the Prince):

1.  The “daily”

2.  The “place of his sanctuary”

We can assume right here that these two things must be very important to God and threaten the papacy so much that it must get rid of them!

Let’s first look at the “daily” or tamiyd, meaning continual – perpetual. This is used as a descriptive adjective in most places in the Old Testament, referring to the morning and evening burnt offering. That’s why so many translators wrongly add the word “sacrifice” after the word “daily.” But here it is a noun – the tamiyd is “taken away.” A similar message is noted in 11:31 and 12:11!

Let’s pause and simply catch our breath. What has been happening in these two verses? The little horn is:

1.  Against God’s people

2.  Against God

He persecutes and now takes away two very special things that belong only to God. To make sure we don’t forget, E. G. White had an insightful reminder: “Then I saw in relation to the ‘daily’ (Dan. 8, 11, 12) that the word ‘sacrifice’ was supplied by man’s wisdom, and does not belong to the text.”[1]

Where in the Bible is tamiyd used in relation to the “sanctuary?” The sanctuary is where God resides or tabernacles. His dwelling place or sanctuary is cast (shalak) down, abandoned or destroyed. The Hebrew word for “place” used in this verse is makown. This is a little-used word in the Old Testament and usually refers to God’s dwelling place.

Those expressions mean a false or deceptive power (little horn) enters God’s place of dwelling (our hearts, God’s church, His throne room in heaven). It sets aside or abandons something that is perpetual or ongoing. What is perpetual or ongoing in the “sanctuary?” If the sanctuary is God’s dwelling place (that is the reason it exists), His continual presence must be replaced with the presence of something evil! Isn’t that what Satan has been trying to do (Isaiah 14:13-14)? Isn’t that what the papacy is all about – trying to be like God? They ever claim to be God and to change His laws!

Then where is tamiyd used, showing that it represents God’s continual presence in the sanctuary? This is one key to understand the “daily.” Here are the places:

•    Tamiyd is used for the shewbread of continuity or continual presence of God.

     “And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always [tamiyd]” (Exodus 25:31).

     “Every Sabbath he shall set it in order before the Lord continually [tamiyd] … by an everlasting covenant.” Leviticus 24:8. It is called the “continual (tamiyd) shewbread” (II Chronicles 2:4, Numbers 4:7).

•    Tamiyd is used to indicate the perpetual light from the golden candlesticks.

     “Without the veil of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually [tamiyd]: [it shall be] a statute for ever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually [tamiyd]”
(Leviticus 24:3-4; cf. Exodus 27:20-21). “He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlesticks before the Lord continually [tamiyd].”

•    Tamiyd is used to represent the continual burning of incense at the altar of incense.

     “And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual [tamiyd] incense before the Lord throughout your generations” (Exodus 30:7-8).

•    Tamiyd is associated with the continual presence of God in the cloud and fire above the tabernacle: “So it was alway [tamiyd]: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night”” (Numbers 9:16).

In the golden candlestick we see God’s perpetual presence through His Spirit (symbolizing spiritual power). In the shewbread was God’s presence, continually on His throne at the side of the north, as the staff of life. This was renewed each Sabbath, drawing on the imagery of renewal, the Creator and His sovereign Lordship. In the altar of incense we see represented the mediatorial work of Jesus and His atoning blood ever pleading for man.

What does the little horn do to take away or remove the heavenly presence from the tabernacle?

There is an astonishing parallel in II Thessalonians 2. Just before Jesus comes, the man of sin will be “revealed” (apokalupto – unveiled to the world). Paul said, “Let no man deceive you” (vs 3). What does it say about that man of sin?

•   He opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God

•   He is as God

•   Functions as if he is sitting in the temple of God

•   He has deceivableness of
unrighteousness

•   His followers don’t receive the love of truth

•   Then he and the wicked will be
revealed

•   The mystery of iniquity will be taken out of the way

•   Then Jesus comes

Paul outlined exactly what we have been studying here in Daniel! This little horn is the end-time rise of the “man of sin.”

God’s work of providing light, intercession and life is taken away. Jesus’ work on man’s behalf, His righteousness in the incense, His cleansing blood is blocked from working on men’s hearts.

The Sabbath renewal in the life of the shewbread is gone. We are given beautiful discernment relative to this in Numbers 4:7. God is instructing what goes on the table of shewbread. Of the many things, the last and most important is the “bread of continuity” – lechem tamiyd. That’s our next key to understanding the “daily!” This bread was refreshed every Sabbath morning (Leviticus 24:5-8). The Sabbath renewal was represented each week by replenishing the bread.

The twelve loaves, representing each of the twelve tribes, symbolized God’s continual presence among them. They depicted a holy, unbroken relationship with them. The Sabbath became a symbol of when His presence was refreshed. The bread of life (John 6:37-38) came to them in a special way that day. The little horn does something to take that refreshing presence of God away! God’s authority is somehow defied and His unbroken presence ceases.

The holy Sabbath renewal is a revival of man’s relationship with God and He with them. This shewbread was often referred to as the “bread of His presence.” The little horn takes the place of God. We shall see shortly that he does this by blocking God’s law from being written in the heart (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10).

In place of the lifesaving presence of God, man’s presence and power are appealed to through artificial standards and claims. He is “sitting in the temple of God,” trying to be “as God!” The little horn’s agents try to forgive sins, crucify Jesus over and over in the eucharist and claim salvation through an earthly organization.

The little horn promotes, as we will see shortly, a terrible sin against God. This breaks the covenant relationship with heaven, and it leads to a barrier to God’s dwelling in or tabernacling with us. In that sin, claims of redemption are transferred to man. In this, only Satan’s presence can now be with man (little horn
imagery).

In the final “key” that God has tucked into the wonders of the Old Testament, this Sabbath renewal is part of the everlasting covenant! What is man’s continual reminder of God’s promise to restore man?

“Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, [for] a perpetual covenant” (Exodus 31:16).

The “daily” refers specifically to the Sabbath as God’s perpetual refreshing presence. It is a continual reminder of His power and promise to complete the everlasting covenant! That’s what it said in Leviticus 24:8 – it was a reminder of the covenant.

We are told that a “transgression” that becomes an “abomination” leads to that “daily” being taken away.

• Sin  – transgression – becomes a

• Barrier to God’s presence. In turn,

• The covenant relationship is broken.

• His indwelling presence in man ceases.

• Satan’s power is now in control.

• The Sabbath – a reminder of creation’s power (the power of creation is forgotten) is thwarted

The crucial question that we must now answer: “What mysterious sin could do this terrible thing and throw truth to the ground?” It is so vital for us to discover the answer to this question that Gabriel will be very specific. It is related to the tamiyd. That’s what the next chapter is all about!