By turning to the second chapter
of Daniel we learn something with regard to the period of time when this power
which made war with the Saints, and overcome them should flourish in the earth.
The metallic image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream consisted of gold,
silver, brass, iron and clay, we are told in the interpretation given by Daniel
the Prophet, representing several kingdoms, beginning with Babylon, which we
learn from history flourished in the fifth and sixth centuries before Christ;
and second, the Medo Persian government from about the year 530 to 331 B. C.;
third, the Macedonian kingdom, founded by Alexander the Great, from 331 B. C.
to 161 B. C.; fourth, the Roman empire established in 161 B. C. flourished
until 483 A. D. This last named government was represented in the metallic
image by the two legs of iron, which resemble very much the two divisions of
the Roman Empire, the one having its seat of government at Rome, the other at
Constantinople. these subsequently subdivided into the petty governments of
modern Europe, having in them the elements of strength and weakness, as
indicated by the feet and toes of the image, which were part of iron and part
of clay. It will be discovered by the dates given above that it was during the
time of the Roman Empire that our
Lord and Savior was born into the
world. As early as the banishment of the Apostle John, about 96 A. D., we
discovered that the apostles forming the chief quorum of officers in the church
of Christ had nearly all been martyred. We are informed in Mosheim’s
Ecclesiastical Institutes that 70 years A. D. Vespasian and his son Titus,
besieged the city of Jerusalem with an army, destroyed the city and the temple,
and slew many of the inhabitants, this event having been predicted by the
Savior, and recorded in Matthew XXIV.
In speaking of this power that
should destroy the Saints, Daniel the Prophet, says, “And he shall speak great
words against the most High and shall wear out the Saints of the most High.” We
might illustrate how literally these prophecies were verified, by the following
example. Previous to the late civil war in the American union the south
organized a republican form of government, with the requisite officers to
constitute such a government. In a short time however, the northern states
engaged in war with the south and overcame them, so that the confederacy of
that section, ceased to exist. Suppose a stranger should visit the south at the
present time and inquire of some person in that region of country, if they
still have a republic entirely independent of the north, and on being answered:
“We have,” the visitor queries, “Where is your President?” “Well, he is done
away with, because no longer needed.” He is next asked, “Where is your vice
President?” “Oh, we have none.” “Where is your congress?” “Well that was
dissolved long ago; and has not existed since.” “Pray, then,” says the
stranger, “what have you left?” “Well, we have a judge, and a policeman,
besides the book, which gives a history of the officers, which you enquire
about.”
Such answers, however absurd and
inconsistent, are very similar to those offered by the religious world of
today; who claim to have the church of Christ but when asked, where are your
Apostles, they answer, “We have none, they’re done away with.” “Have you
Prophets?” “Oh, no!” They are no longer needed. “Do the members of your church
enjoy the gifts of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised should follow
believers?” “Certainly not, they have passed away centuries ago, and we have no
occasion for them now.” “Well then, what have you left?” “Why we have a pastor,
and a deacon, and then we have the good book, the Holy Bible, that describes
the officers that you mention.”
It is very evident then, from the
condition of affairs that we have briefly described, that at some period in the
past, the Church of Jesus Christ was taken from the earth and the human family
left without the plan of salvation. The prophecies we have quoted show, first,
that such an event was to transpire some time in the future; secondly, about
the period of time in which many of these predictions were verified, and
thirdly, the means or power by which the Saints were overcome. (Mathias F.
Cowley, “Apostasy,” Latter Day Saints Southern Star 1, no. 31 [July 1, 1899],
242-43)
