Do Daniel's Prophecies Refer to the Christian Era?
One factor contributing to the complexity of Adventist interpretations of Daniel is their attempt to extend the prophecies into the Christian era. Seventh-day Adventists interpret the literal time periods in Daniel, such as the 1,260 days and 2,300 evenings-mornings, as representing extended periods of years spanning many centuries into the Christian era. However, the reality is that Daniel is inherently a Jewish text, authored by a Jew for the Jewish audience, delivering God's prophecies concerning His Covenantal people (Dan. 9:24). The focus is on events directly affecting the Jewish people and the Jewish nation. The last prophecy in Daniel, the 70-week prophecy, culminates with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Apart from brief mentions of future events (e.g., Christ's kingdom filling the earth in Dan. 2:34-35, and the resurrection in Dan. 12:1-3), the entire book centers on the Hebrew nation and its interactions with world powers from the Babylonian era up to the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem and the conclusion of the Old Covenant in 70 AD.
In our previous discussion on Daniel Chapter 2, we delved into the perplexing dream that greatly troubled King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The dream depicted a colossal statue with a head made of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, and legs of iron with feet composed of both iron and clay. Each segment symbolized a distinct Gentile kingdom that would emerge in history: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. A pivotal moment occurred when a rock, untouched by human hands, struck the statue, shattering it into fragments that scattered like chaff. Subsequently, the rock transformed into a vast mountain, filling the entire earth. This symbolic representation signified the establishment of God's kingdom, ushered in by the Messiah after His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God. This heavenly kingdom, inaugurated by the Messiah, would stand invincible and impervious to any human power, marking a divine reign that would never be destroyed or conquered.
In our study of Daniel 7, we will divide it into two parts based on the Seventh-day Adventists' use of Daniel 7 to support two of their distinctive prophetic doctrines.
- Part 1 will focus on Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 7:25 regarding the identity of the "little horn," which, for them, is fulfilled in the actions of the Papacy, particularly in changing the Sabbath to Sunday and the duration of its supremacy for 3 ½ years or 1,260 years from 538 AD to 1798 AD.
- Part 2 will delve into Daniel's alleged prophecy in Daniel 7 regarding the October 22, 1844 Investigative Judgment, where they believe Christ entered the Most Holy Place phase of His ministry as the High Priest to initiate the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, known as the pre-advent judgment.
This article will discuss Part 1 concerning the identity of the little horn in Daniel's prophecy in chapter 7. And we will discuss Part 2 in the next time. This study is very important because it allows us to assess whether we have been deceived by false preachers. Many people today are sincere in their religion or faith without realizing that they are sincerely wrong.
The prophecy is used as a test by the Lord to easily determine whether any preacher using the name of God is genuine or fake.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (NKJV) 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
1 John 4:1 (NKJV) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
If this warning was important back then, it is even more crucial now due to the proliferation of preachers who eloquently talk and provide beautiful explanations of the Bible, even if their interpretations are incorrect, especially when it comes to prophecy. I was one of the victims when I was invited to a Daniel & Revelation Seminar held at the Manila Center Church by the Seventh-day Adventists in Quezon City. In my testimonies back then as a Seventh-day Adventist, I always boasted that one of the convincing factors that led me to switch from Jehovah’s Witnesses to Seventh-day Adventists was their clear explanation of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation.
One thing that helped me decide to be baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist was Daniel's prophecy about the "little horn," which they claimed to have proven from the Bible and history. They convinced me for 24 years that Sunday worship was a mere invention of the Pope in Rome, without authority from the Bible and the blessing of God. Therefore, due to my conviction back then, I became an ardent defender and evangelist of the Seventh-day Adventist church. But eventually, I realized that their presentations and interweaving of verses were merely a facade, and the true historical accounts did not align with what they were claiming. I felt betrayed. I hope that my dear Seventh-day Adventist friends will not continue to remain in that false church.
The following explanations are part of my research on why I easily noticed the inconsistencies and sleights of hand in the Seventh-day Adventist explanations about Daniel's prophecy.
Daniel’s Dream
During the initial year of Belshazzar's reign as the king of Babylon in 555 BC, a new chapter unfolded. In this section, Daniel takes center stage, recounting a vision and its interpretation. Unlike in Chapter 2, where Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream, here in Chapter 7, he explicitly states that this is his own dream. Daniel records only the details of what he witnessed, refraining from offering an interpretation. Nevertheless, it is evident that the interpretation aligns with the historical narrative of the four significant kingdoms outlined in Chapter 2.
Daniel experienced a dream and visions depicting four beasts emerging from the sea, symbolizing four dominant kingdoms that would shape world history. These beasts, distinct in appearance and strength, were influenced by the winds of heaven, stirring the vast sea of humanity.
The first beast resembled a lion with eagle's wings, representing the majestic and swift Babylonian empire. However, its wings were plucked, and it stood on two feet like a man, indicating a decline in glory and strength, with a possible enlightenment or humbling by God. (v.4)
The second beast, a bear with three ribs in its mouth, symbolized the ferocious and voracious Medo-Persian empire. Raised on one side, it suggested unequal strength within the empire, and the three ribs could signify conquered provinces: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. (v.5 )
The third beast, a leopard with four wings and heads, represented the swift and cunning Greek empire. The wings denoted speed, while the heads symbolized the empire's division after Alexander the Great's death: Macedonia, Syria, Egypt, and Asia Minor. (v.6 )
The fourth beast, terrifying with iron teeth and ten horns, signified the ruthless Roman empire, unique and unmatched. (vv.7-8)
Daniel 7:7-8 (NKJV) 7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
Once more, we encounter the four formidable realms—the Babylonian-Chaldean, Medo-Persian, Macedonian-Greek, and Roman Empires. This vision mirrors that of Chapter 2 but employs distinct symbolism. While some interpretations lean towards identifying the fourth beast as the successors of Alexander, particularly the Seleucid and Ptolemaic rulers in Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt, the overarching message of Daniel's prophecy suggests a focus on the Roman Empire during the first advent of Christ.
Identity of the Ten Horns
Seventh-day Adventists correctly identify the fourth beast as the Roman Empire. However, they inaccurately assert that the horns emerging from the head of that beast represent ten nations attacking and conquering it.
Due to the presence of ten horns on the head of the fourth beast, Adventists assert a correlation between these ten horns and the ten toes of the Daniel 2 image. Consequently, they propose that the ten horns symbolize the tribes responsible for conquering the fourth beast. Among the numerous tribes that played a role in the downfall of the western Roman Empire,
Uriah Smith [1] specifically identified ten tribes—Vandals, Ostrogoths, Heruli, Visigoths, Burgundians, Anglo-Saxons, Alamanni, Suevi, Lombards, and Franks—and declared them to be the tribes represented by the ten horns. According to Smith, these tribes successfully conquered Rome by 476 AD. The rationale behind Smith's selection of these ten tribes remains unclear, aside from his statement that they were "most instrumental" in the overthrow of Rome.
This interpretation contradicts the consistent message in the book of Daniel regarding the symbolism of horns on a beast.
Daniel 7:24 distinctly emphasizes that the ten horns do not represent other nations.
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise... (KJV)
The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom... (NKJV)
Its ten horns are ten kings that will rule that empire. (NLT)
The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. (NIV)
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise... (ESV)
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise... (NASB)
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise... (RSV)
The Bible explicitly states that the ten kings will emerge from within the Roman Empire, in contrast to the tribes which originated outside of it. None of the tribes ever held dominion over the Roman Empire; instead, they were foreign forces that conquered portions of the empire and established themselves as independent kingdoms. They neither originated from within nor ruled over the Roman Empire.
The Bible also unequivocally designates the ten horns as "kings." The Aramaic term used, "melek," literally translates to "king" and is consistently rendered as such in the Old Testament, never as "nation" or "kingdom." Conversely, the ten tribes were nations, not kings. In the same passage, a distinct term, "malkuw," is employed to denote a "kingdom." For instance:
"And the ten horns out of this kingdom (malkuw) are ten kings (melek) that shall arise..." (Daniel 7:24)
Had the ten horns represented ten tribes that overcame the Roman Empire, Daniel would have used the term "malkuw" (kingdom). However, Daniel specifically chose "melek" (king) to characterize the horns.
Seventh-day Adventists overlook another symbol, namely the two iron legs of the Daniel 2 image. The Roman Empire distinctly divided into two entities: the Western Roman Empire, centered in Rome, and the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, governed from Constantinople. While the barbarian tribes attacked and subdued the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire endured for almost 1,000 years post the fall of the Western Empire. If the toes were indeed representative of the conquering forces, then which five tribes (toes) were responsible for the conquest of the Eastern Empire? In truth, the Eastern Empire was not overthrown by any of the barbarian tribes but succumbed to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. This contradicts the Seventh-day Adventist theory associating the ten toes with ten tribes that conquered the Roman Empire.
An additional challenge in the Seventh-day Adventist interpretation lies in the fact that numerous barbarian tribes engaged in attacks against Rome. Wikipedia [2] comprehensively documents every battle between the Roman Empire and these tribes, providing a detailed list of the participating groups. Here is a condensed overview of the tribes involved in conflicts with the Roman Empire:
1. Alamanni
2. Alans
3. Astingi
4. Batavi
5. Bructeri
6. Burgundians
7. Carpians
8. Celts (Irish)
9. Chamavi
10. Chatti
11. Chauci
12. Cherusci
13. Cimbri
14. Costoboci
15. Eburones
16. Franks
17. Frisii
18. Greuthungi
19. Goths
20. Helvetii
21. Heruli
22. Huns
23. Juthungi
24. Langobardi
25. Lacringi
26. Lombards
27. Lugii
28. Marcomanni
29. Marsi
30. Ostrogoths
31. Picts
32. Quadi
33. Rugii
34. Sarmatians
35. Saxons
36. Scirii
37. Scoti
38. Sicambri
39. Suevi
40. Teutones
41. Turcilingi
42. Ubii
43. Vandals
44. Visigoths
Uriah Smith arbitrarily selected ten tribes that he considered major players, a choice that faced challenges and disagreements from other Seventh-day Adventist scholars of his time. In reality, there is no valid rationale for singling out precisely "10" unless one intends to mislead others into believing that the ten horns represent ten specific barbarian tribes.
Daniel explicitly emphasizes that the ten kings will "arise from this kingdom," eliminating the possibility of them being external forces invading and conquering Rome. The kings emerge from within! The ten horns symbolize ten rulers or monarchs governing the Roman Empire. Historical records confirm that there were indeed ten Roman Caesars who held authority in Rome prior to the destruction of Jerusalem. The inaugural ruler was Julius Caesar, who played a pivotal role in bringing an end to the Roman Republic and establishing the Roman Empire. Notably, Wikipedia highlights his distinction as the first historical Roman to be officially deified.
Here is the list of the ten Caesars who governed before the destruction of Jerusalem:
1. Julius Caeser 49-44BC
2. Augustus 31BC-14AD
3. Tiberius (Luke 3:1) 14-37AD
4. Gaius (aka. Caligula) 37-41AD
5. Claudius (Acts 17) 41-54AD
6. Nero 54-68AD
7. Galba 68-69AD
8. Otho 69AD
9. Vitellius 69AD
10. Vespasian 69-79AD
Who is the “Little Horn”?
Seventh-day Adventists contend that the Roman Catholic "Papacy" fulfills the role of the "little horn" described in Daniel 7. They frequently reference Daniel 7:25 to substantiate this claim, as they believe the descriptions in the text align with historical events, particularly the persecution of saints by the pope during the dark ages. Daniel 7: reads,
Daniel 7:25 (NKJV) 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
A particularly favored passage among Seventh-day Adventists serves as a compelling proof for them regarding the prophesied change of the Sabbath to Sunday by the Pope, as it includes the phrase: "And he shall intend to change times and laws."
This was purportedly realized through the Papacy's alteration of the numbering of the Ten Commandments and the shift in Sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday. The prophetess of Seventh-day Adventists, Ellen White, penned:
"Says Daniel, of the little horn, the papacy: 'He shall think to change times and the law.' Daniel 7:25, R.V. ... The papacy has attempted to change the law of God. The second commandment, forbidding image worship, has been dropped from the law, and the fourth commandment has been so changed as to authorize the observance of the first instead of the seventh day as the Sabbath." (Ellen White, Great Controvery, p. 446)
Seventh-day Adventists also seek to establish that the "little horn" refers to the Papacy by highlighting its use of a prophetic time factor, specifying the period during which the papacy would exert its supremacy as "a time and times and half a time."
They interpret the time (one year), times (two years), and dividing of time (half a year) mentioned in the Bible as representing a three-and-a-half-year period, or 1260 days. Applying the prophetic year-day principle, Adventists convert these days into 1260 years. They argue that this period commenced in 538 AD when the Ostrogoths were expelled from Rome.
But one Seventh-day Adventist scholar and church historian, Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi questioned the reliability of this traditional SDA assertion. In his newsletter, End Time Issues #86, “Islam and the Papacy in Prophecy” dated July 6 2002, pp. 22-23 he stated:
“The traditional Adventist interpretation found in the SDA Bible Commentary and in Merwyn Maxwell’s God Cares, maintains that the three horns uprooted refer to the eradication of the Heruli in 493, the Vandals in 534, and the Ostrogoths in 538. The problem with this interpretation is that none of these three Germanic tribes were really eradicated. Furthermore, the Papacy never gained controlled of their territories. Justinian’s triumph over the Ostrogoths in Italy was short lived. First, because under their new leader, Totila, the Ostrogoths quickly recaptured most of their lost territories. Second, because three years after Justinian’s death in 565, another Germanic people, the Lombards, invaded the Italian peninsula and weakened the Papal power. In other words, the Papacy never really displaced three kingdoms or nations to establish its power.”
Bacchiocchi joins a lineage of Adventist historians who have raised doubts about the accuracy of the 538 date. Adventist historians and theologians have long endeavored to uncover evidence supporting the significance of 538 in relation to the papacy, but thus far, no significant historical event has been identified to validate the importance of that specific date. It is evident, however, that the papacy was not established in 538.
Bacchiocchi points out another issue with the prophetic period from 538 to 1798, emphasizing that the persecution of the church does not align with these years:
"The second problem with the traditional interpretation is its failure to account for the basic meaning of this prophetic period. The persecution and protection of the church did not begin in 538, nor did it end in 1798. These are realities that have characterized the whole history of God's church throughout the centuries. Some of the most bloody persecutions by Roman emperors occurred during the first four centuries."[3]
Bacchiocchi has persuasively demonstrated that the date 538 does not align with any significant historical event and that the supremacy of the Papacy commenced centuries before. Now, what about the conclusion of the 1260-day prophecy? Was the papacy abolished in 1798? In contrast to the year 538, 1798 holds some significance for the papacy. However, the events of that year do not conclusively point to the "abolition" or even the "downfall" of the papacy. In 1798, when French General Berthier took Pope Pius VI as a prisoner, the papacy faced humiliation. Describing this event as the "downfall" of the papacy would be a significant exaggeration.
In his newsletter, Bacchiocchi provides an explanation of the events that transpired after the pope's capture in 1798:
"The imprisonment of Pope Paul VI was condemned by Russia and Austria. Both nations decided to join forces to restore the Pope to his Pontifical throne in Rome. When the French government was confronted with this new coalition and with popular uprisings, it decided to transfer the Pope to Valence, in France, where he died 40 days later, on August 29, 1799.
"The death of Pius VI can hardly be seen as the 'abolishment' or 'the downfall of the Papacy.' It was simply a temporary humiliation of the prestige of the Papacy. In fact, Pius VI was able to give directives for the election of his successor. Few months after his death, the Cardinals met in Venice on December 8, 1799, and elected Barnaba Chiaramonti, who took the name of Pious VII, in deference to his predecessor.
"The new Pope was able to negotiate with Napoleon the Concordat in 1801 and the Organic Articles in 1802. These treatises restored to the Pope some of the territories of the States of the Church and regulated the extent of the Papal authority in France.
"The following years marked, not the downfall, but the resurgence of papal authority, especially under the Pontificate of Pius IX (1846-1878). In 1854, Pius IX promulgated the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. ...
"The crowning event of Pius IX's pontificate was the convening of the First Vatican Council on December 8, 1869. It had a remarkable large attendance from all over the Roman world and on July 18, 1870, the Council promulgated the dogma of Papal Infallibility. This dogma has greatly enhanced the authority of the Pope, and discredits any attempt to attribute to 1798 the downfall of the papacy."
Anyone with a comprehensive understanding of Christian history can confirm that the years 538 and 1798 do not precisely denote the commencement and conclusion of the era of papal supremacy. The Bishop of Rome had been consolidating power long before 538, and despite the momentary setback in 1798, the papacy continued to flourish and expand. Adventists chose these dates for their convenience, as they neatly aligned with the prophetic framework they were constructing. The selection of these dates was based on their suitability for the prophetic puzzle rather than their accuracy in delineating the years of papal supremacy.
Another aspect that Seventh-day Adventists cannot substantiate in history is the alleged change of the Sabbath to Sunday during the Papal Supremacy from 538 to 1798 AD. I have long challenged SDA apologists to answer my questions:
1. What is the name of the Pope who changed the Sabbath to Sunday between 538-1798 AD if you are truly telling the truth?
2. Which ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church declared the change of the Sabbath between 538 AD and 1798 AD if you are telling the truth?
It is disappointing because until now, not a single one of them, including pastors and theologians, has been able to provide an answer. Some attempted to answer, but their responses were contradictory. One claimed that the change of the Sabbath did not occur between 538 AD and 1798 AD, while another defender insisted that the change would take place between 538 AD and 1798 AD. Another SDA defender mentioned Pope Sylvester as the one who fulfilled it, while others, including laymen, contradicted this by stating that Constantine was the one who changed the Sabbath to Sunday, which also happened outside the 538-1798 AD timeframe! What does this all mean? It simply means that the SDAs are lying, and none of them are telling the truth—a matter that every SDA should seriously ponder.
Now, let's delve into the identification of the historical "little horn" in Daniel 7. Historically, the Little Horn of Daniel 7 is recognized as Caesar Nero. His birth name was Lucius, and in Latin, Lucius means "Light Bearer," serving as a synonym for Lucifer. Interestingly, many Christians in the early centuries considered Nero Caesar as the anti-Christ. What adds to the intrigue is that he is the sole Caesar whose Hebrew name numerically adds up to 666.
Take into account the remarkable parallels between Nero and the little horn of Daniel 7:
"He will uproot 'three of the first horns'" (7:24) - Three Emperors, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, were assassinated to pave the way for Nero, who was not in the line of succession. As previously mentioned, Uriah Smith and other Seventh-day Adventists assert that the Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Heruli were annihilated by the Pope of Rome. This historical reinterpretation is nothing short of pure fiction. Contrary to this claim, none of these tribes fell under the direct destruction by the Pope. Standard historical accounts clarify that the Heruli were vanquished by the Lombards, while the Vandals and Ostrogoths succumbed to the Byzantines. While the Pope may have indirectly benefited from the defeat of the Vandals and Ostrogoths, the extent and nature of the Pope's involvement in their downfall remain uncertain.
Crucially, the Heruli's defeat was orchestrated by the Lombards, identified by Smith as one of the ten horns. If, indeed, the tribes are considered horns, then according to Smith's own classification, one of the ten horns (Lombards) displaced another horn (Heruli), two horns were uprooted by an external force (the Byzantines), and the little horn did not uproot any horn. Moreover, asserting that the Papacy uprooted the Heruli is illogical since the Heruli were at odds with the Papacy, making it implausible for the Papacy to claim credit for their defeat.
"He shall speak words against the Most High" (7:25) - Nero promoted emperor worship and erected a colossal statue of himself in Rome. Inscriptions in Ephesus referred to him as "Almighty God" and "Saviour."
"He shall wear out the saints of the Most High" (7:25) - Nero initiated a persecution against Jews and Christians, marked by extreme brutality. Notable figures such as the apostles Paul and Peter were among the saints slain in what historians deemed "the most cruel persecution."
"The saints shall be given into his hand for time, times, and half a time" (7:25) - Nero's persecution commenced in November of 64 AD and ended with his death in June of AD 68, precisely spanning 42 months (1260 days). While it is undeniable that Catholics engaged in persecution, the timeline of 538 to 1798 does not align seamlessly with historical realities. Persecution commenced over a century prior to 538 and persisted for nearly half a century beyond 1798.
"And think to change times and laws" (7:25) - Nero altered and had intentions of altering decrees. In Daniel 7:25, the term "Law" is translated from the word "dat," which means "decree," not "Torah." Therefore, the mention of a ruler changing laws does not pertain to the Ten Commandments, and certainly, the Sabbath is not under consideration. When Nero declared war on Jerusalem, he officially modified the treaty law between Israel and Rome that had been in effect since 161 BC. Nero dispatched Vespasian to destroy Jerusalem in December AD 66, formally breaking the treaty.
The Catholic Catechism did undergo changes to the Ten Commandments, but its origins can be traced back to Augustine, a period predating Adventists' claim of the emergence of the "little horn" power and the establishment of papal authority. Consequently, attributing the alterations in the Catechism's law to the Papacy becomes challenging, if not impossible.
Seventh-day Adventist theologian Samuele Bacchiocchi, with access to the Vatican vaults, delved into the oldest materials on Sabbath-keeping. His findings led him to the conclusion that Sunday-keeping was prevalent long before the emergence of the first pope.
"I differ from Ellen White, for example, on the origin of Sunday. She teaches that in the first centuries all Christians observed the Sabbath and it was largely through the efforts of Constantine that Sundaykeeping was adopted by many Christians in the fourth century. My research shows otherwise. If you read my essay HOW DID SUNDAYKEEPING BEGIN? which summarizes my dissertation, you will notice that I place the origin of Sundaykeeping by the time of the Emperor Hadrian, in A. D. 135."[4]
"His dominion shall be taken away" (7:26) - The Roman Senate ultimately voted for Nero's execution, effectively stripping him of his dominion.
"The kingdom shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High" (7:27) - This passage doesn't refer to God's eternal kingdom but to His spiritual kingdom established around 30 AD. It gradually expanded, with Christianity eventually becoming the dominant religion in the Roman Empire.
Every detail outlined in Daniel 7 unfolded exactly as predicted. The fulfillment is so remarkable that atheists and agnostics, at one point, contended that the book of Daniel was authored after Nero's death. This assertion was made when the oldest copies of Daniel were dated a millennium after Christ. However, these opponents of God were silenced when the book of Daniel was unearthed among the Dead Sea Scrolls. In total, eight copies of the book were discovered, with the oldest one carbon-dated to 165 BC—long predating Nero and any of the ten Caesars. The intricate knowledge of the Roman Empire's unfolding, centuries in advance, is a testament to the divine insight. Praise be to God!
