Nothing Can Separate

Daniel 8:9-12 Out of one of the four horns came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. 12 Because of rebellion, the host [of the saints] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
 
Daniel 8:22-25 “The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power. 23 In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.”
 
HERE, for the first time in Daniel’s visions, Israel is mentioned with the term “Beautiful Land”. What will happen in Israel?
    Gabriel (We know from verse 16.), speaking for God, reveals there will be a powerful and terrible ruler arising from one of the four horns – four generals – who replaced Alexander. This ruler would completely control a vast area, including Israel, the Beautiful Land. He would arise to be as the Prince of the host. This means he would refer to himself as a god. This ruler will cause great harm to the Jews, the host of the heavens, as he trampled on them.
    This vision became reality through a Greek tyrant Antiochus IV Epiphanes. From 175 – 164 BC, he killed tens of thousands of Jews and attempted to remove Israel’s worship and sacrifices. One Sabbath in 167 BC, his army desecrated the temple when they erected idols to the Greek god Zeus and sacrificed swine. For three years the daily sacrifice were given over to it. The powerful Antiochus prospered in everything he did. The prophecy also points to Scripture’s destruction as truth was thrown to the ground.
    The vision’s remarkable detail should cause us to pause and think of our own future. Millions of Christians face persecution from hostile rulers, families and communities. They are prohibited from worship. Churches are burned. Their Bibles are vilified and thrown to the ground. Some of you reading this personally know of persecution and hatred against God, His Savior, His Church and you his ministers.
    Furthermore, Revelation describes similar events to occur until Jesus comes again. How do we respond to evil against God? Are we prepared for such days?
    We can learn very much from the Jews, who suffered and from Christians, who are persecuted. Many express the joy of their love for Jesus as persecution threatens. They joyfully live in the apostle Paul’s words: Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  
    Indeed, how sweet and comforting to know the details of God’s future for us.
 
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?