Judgment in Daniel 7

Judgment in Daniel 7necessary to open the books to render such a decision.Thus theredoes not appear tobeany real need for an investigation into theactions ofthelittle horn,sinceit isself-evident thatit has beenviciouslyopposedtoGodand His people. At the outset, the oontrast implies that more is involvedin this judgment than just investigating the character ofthe little horn.Nature ofLittle Horn as Object ofInvestigationWe refer here to those elements in human society that the little horn,as a prophetic symbol, represents. Ifthe horn stands for Antiochus ~ thenonly a pagan monarch (standing in the line of pagan powers described inthis prophecy) is to be dealt with when this judgment convenes.If, on the other hand, the historicist interpretation ofthe little horn isadopted, as indicated above, then the matter takes on quite a differentcomplexion. For if the little horn stands for the papacy (as various interpretersin this school ofinterpretation have held), then this judgment hasto deal, among other matters, with a professedly Christian entity.This symbol has generally been taken to apply to the papacy in particularas the governing head of a religious communion. But that leadershiphas had millions who have followed its lead. It seems reasonable,therefore, to conclude that any judgmentofthis professed Christian powerwould also involve those who have followed and supported its lead.Thus a judgment ofthe little horn would appear to involve a judgmentofthe millions ofpeople who have attempted to follow God through allegianceto this alleged earthly representative of His. Any investigation bythis judgment of the little horn should therefore involve an investigationinto the cases of those professed Christian individuals who have made upand followed this corporate group.Since the little horn professes a relationship with God, it is evident thatthis heavenly judgment is dealing with religious issues rather than secularmatters. This fact, therefore, implies that in some manner the heavenlyassize will involve all persons (of whatever communion) who profess arelationship with God.To identify the little horn as the papacy is not to say that the judgmentupon those who have followed it will be unfavorable just by the fact thatthey followed it. Nor does this mean that those outside that religious communionwho have professed allegiance to God are automatically classifiedwith the "saints of the Most High," and as a consequence, are entitled toenter the kingdom ofGod. We may be sure that all classes will be weighedfairly in the impartial balances ofthis court. The ultimate issue at stake for145