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# Panium - Number Five

Paniyumu - Umubare wa Gatanu

The Robbers of Thy People: Rome’s Exaltation and Fall in Prophecy

Abajura bo mu Bwoko Bwawe: Gushyirwa Hejuru kwa Roma n’Ugukubitwa Kwayo mu Buhanuzi

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 5, 2025

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The Book of Daniel unfolds a remarkable prophetic narrative, weaving a principle of repeat and enlarge which threads through its visions, from the metallic statue of chapter 2 to the intricate kingly conflicts of chapter 11. Within this framework, a compelling case emerges: the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, culminating in Egypt’s fall in 30 BC, stands as a pivotal fulfillment of Daniel 11:25, 26, marking the dawn of pagan Rome’s 360-year supremacy.

Igitabo cya Daniyeli gitambutsa imbere yacu inkuru y’ubuhanuzi itangaje, gikomatanya ihame ryo gusubiramo no kwagura rinyura mu iyerekwa ryacyo ryose, uhereye ku gishushanyo gikozwe mu byuma byo mu gice cya 2 kugeza ku ntambara z’abami zisobanuwe mu buryo burambuye mu gice cya 11. Muri uru rwego, havuka gihamya ikomeye iti: Intambara ya Actium mu wa 31 mbere ya Kristo, yasozwaga no kugwa kwa Egiputa mu wa 30 mbere ya Kristo, ihagaze nk’isohozwa rikomeye rya Daniyeli 11:25, 26, iranga itangira ry’ubutegetsi bw’ikirenga bwa Roma ya gipagani bwamaze imyaka 360.

Daniel 11 begins with the rise and fall of empires following Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC. Yet, by verse 14, a shift occurs. Around 200 BC, as Antiochus III (Magnus) prepared for the Battle of Panium against the child-king Ptolemy V, Rome intervened, not as a mere bystander but as the “robbers of thy people.” Concerned about securing Egypt’s wheat supply amid Hellenistic turmoil, Rome flexed its influence during the Second Macedonian War (200–197 BC), setting the stage for its prophetic role.

Daniyeli 11 itangira ivuga izamuka n’ihanuka by’ubwami byakurikiye urupfu rwa Alekisanderi Mukuru mu mwaka wa 323 mbere ya Kristo. Nyamara, ku murongo wa 14, habaho ihinduka. Ahagana mu mwaka wa 200 mbere ya Kristo, igihe Antiyokusi wa III (Magnus) yiteguraga Intambara ya Panium ngo arwane na Pitolomayo wa V wari umwami ukiri umwana, Roma yaratabaye, itari nk’urebera gusa, ahubwo nk’“abanyazi bo mu bwoko bwawe.” Kubera guhangayikishwa no kurinda isoko ry’ingano za Egiputa mu mvururu z’Abagiriki b’Aheleni, Roma yagaragaje ububasha bwayo mu gihe cy’Intambara ya Kabiri ya Makedoniya (200–197 mbere ya Kristo), itegura urubuga rw’uruhare rwayo rwa gihanuzi.

## Rome’s Dominance Over the Jews

Ubutegetsi bw’i Roma ku Bayuda

Fast forward to 63 BC, and verse 16 finds fulfillment when Pompey storms Jerusalem, entering the Holy of Holies and asserting Roman dominion over the “glorious land.” From here, verses 17 through 22 trace a succession of Roman figures: Pompey’s eastern campaigns, Julius Caesar’s conquests and assassination in 44 BC, Augustus Caesar’s tax-raising reign (noted in Luke 2:1) ending in 14 AD, and Tiberius overseeing Christ’s crucifixion in the year 31 AD, when the “prince of the covenant” was broken. The prophetic line from Pompey in Jerusalem to Titus in Jerusalem in 70 AD, sets forth the line of Rome’s dominance over God’s people.

Nidukomeze kugera mu mwaka wa 63 mbere ya Kristo, maze umurongo wa 16 usohore igihe Pompeyo yigaruriraga Yerusalemu, akinjira Ahera Cyane maze agahamya ubutegetsi bw’Abaroma ku “gihugu cy’ikuzo.” Kuva aho, umurongo wa 17 kugeza ku wa 22 ikurikirana urutonde rw’abategetsi b’Abaroma: ibitero bya Pompeyo mu Burasirazuba, ibyo Yuliyo Sezari yigaruriye n’iyicwa rye mu mwaka wa 44 mbere ya Kristo, ingoma ya Sezari Awugusito yo gukusanya imisoro (ivugwa muri Luka 2:1) yarangiye mu mwaka wa 14 nyuma ya Kristo, na Tiberiyo wari uyoboye igihe Kristo yabambwaga ku musaraba mu mwaka wa 31 nyuma ya Kristo, ubwo “igikomangoma cy’isezerano” cyavunagurwaga. Umurongo w’ubuhanuzi uva kuri Pompeyo i Yerusalemu ukagera kuri Tito i Yerusalemu mu mwaka wa 70 nyuma ya Kristo, werekana umurongo w’ubutegetsi bw’Abaroma ku bwoko bw’Imana.

Beginning with a Roman General desecrating the temple on to the ending when a Roman General destroyed the temple provides the signature of Alpha and Omega. Beginning with desecrating and ending with destruction the historical line also contains the desecration and the destruction of the One who said of Himself, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” Truth is made up of the first, thirteenth and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the line beginning with Pompey and ending with Titus includes a middle temple destruction that is represented by the middle of three crosses, that were erected at the very middle of the week Christ came to confirm the covenant. Verses sixteen through twenty-two represent a prophetic line that bears the signature of truth. There are a handful of important prophetic lines within the history represented by the verses, but the primary theme of the line is Rome’s dominance over the Jews.

Gutangirira ku mwanditsi mukuru w’ingabo z’Abaroma wahumanije urusengero kugeza ku iherezo ubwo undi mwanditsi mukuru w’ingabo z’Abaroma yarusenyeraga, bitanga ikimenyetso cya Alufa na Omega. Gutangirira ku guhumanya no kurangirira ku kurimbura, uwo murongo w’amateka unakubiyemo guhumanywa no kurimburwa by’Uwo wavuze ibyerekeye ubwe ati: “Nimusenye uru rusengero, nanjye nzarwubaka mu minsi itatu.” Ukuri kugizwe n’inyuguti ya mbere, iya cumi na gatatu, n’iya nyuma y’inyuguti z’Igiheburayo, kandi umurongo utangirana na Pompey ukarangirana na Tito urimo no kurimburwa kw’urusengero rwagati, kugereranywa n’umusaraba wo hagati mu misaraba itatu, yashyizweho rwagati mu cyumweru Kristo yaje gukomeza isezerano. Umurongo wa cumi na gatandatu kugeza kuri makumyabiri na kabiri ugereranya umurongo w’ubuhanuzi witwaje ikimenyetso cy’ukuri. Hari imirongo mike y’ingenzi y’ubuhanuzi iri mu mateka ahagarariwe n’iyo mirongo, ariko insanganyamatsiko nyamukuru y’uwo murongo ni ubutegetsi bw’Abaroma ku Bayuda.

## Leagues and Treaties

Amashyirahamwe n’Amasezerano

Verse 23 “repeats and enlarges” by looping back to 161–158 BC, when the Jews under Judas Maccabeus forged a league with Rome (1 Maccabees 8). This highlights Rome’s unique empire-building strategy—conquest through treaties and alliances, a method distinct from its predecessors. Verse 24 concludes this phase, noting Rome would “forecast its devices from the strongholds, even for a time.”

Umurongo wa 23 “wongera kandi ugura ibisobanuro” usubira inyuma ukageza ku wa 161–158 mbere ya Kristo, igihe Abayahudi bayobowe na Yuda Makabeyo bagiranye isezerano na Roma (1 Maccabees 8). Ibi bishyira mu mucyo uburyo bwihariye bwa Roma bwo kubaka ubwami bwayo—kunesha binyuze mu masezerano no mu bufatanye, uburyo butandukanye n’ubw’abayibanjirije. Umurongo wa 24 usoza iki cyiciro, uvuga ko Roma “izategura imigambi yayo ivuye ku birindiro bikomeye, ndetse kugeza igihe runaka.”

> And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. Daniel 11:23, 24.

> Kandi nyuma y’isezerano azagirana na we, azakora iby’uburiganya; kuko azatera, kandi azakomera afite abantu bake. Azinjira mu mahoro ndetse no mu hantu hanezezwa cyane h’intara; kandi azakora ibyo ba sekuru batigeze bakora, ndetse na ba sekuruza babo; azabagabanyiriza iminyago, n’ibyo banyaze, n’ubutunzi: koko azacura imigambi ye yo kurwanya ibihome bikomeye, ariko kugeza igihe runaka. Daniyeli 11:23, 24.

## For a Time

Mu Gihe Kigenwe

The word translated “against” can be understood as the word “from”. Rome forecasts its devices “from”. The word “from” in the verse points to the city of Rome, the empire’s political and military heart, as the base of its strategies. The “time” is prophetically 360 years, beginning when Egypt falls in 30 BC after Actium, and ending in the year 330 when Constantine abandons Rome for Constantinople.

Ijambo ryahinduwemo ngo “kurwanya” rishobora no kumvikana nk’ijambo “rivuye”. Roma iteganya imigambi yayo “ivuye” aho. Ijambo “rivuye” riri muri uwo murongo ryerekeza ku mujyi wa Roma, umutima wa politiki n’uwa gisirikare w’ubwami, nk’ishingiro ry’ingamba zabwo. Iyo “gihe” mu buryo bw’ubuhanuzi ni imyaka 360, gitangira igihe Misiri igwa mu mwaka wa 30 Mbere ya Kristo nyuma ya Actium, kandi kikarangira mu mwaka wa 330 igihe Constantine aretse Roma akajya i Constantinople.

Verses 25 and 26 zero in on Actium itself.

Umurongo wa 25 n’uwa 26 werekeza by’umwihariko kuri Actium ubwaho.

> And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. Daniel 11:25, 26.

> Kandi azakangura imbaraga ze n’ubutwari bwe ngo atere umwami w’ikusi, afite ingabo nyinshi cyane; na wa mwami w’ikusi azabyurirwa kujya ku rugamba afite ingabo nyinshi cyane kandi zikomeye; ariko ntazahagarara, kuko bazamucurira imigambi yo kumurwanya. Ni ukuri, abarya ku mugabane w’ibyokurya bye bazamurimbura, kandi ingabo ze zizasesekara; kandi benshi bazagwa bishwe. Daniyeli 11:25, 26.

In 31 BC, Octavian, representing Rome as the “king of the north,” marshaled his forces against Cleopatra’s Egypt, the “king of the south,” in a monumental naval clash. Antony and Cleopatra’s “very great and mighty army” faltered, undone by strategic “devices” (Agrippa’s tactics) and betrayals—defections from Antony’s allies and Cleopatra’s mid-battle retreat. By 30 BC, Egypt was a Roman province, launching pagan Rome’s unchallenged rule. This 360-year span, from 30 BC to 330, aligns with Rome’s supremacy centered in its original stronghold, until Constantine’s shift “cast down” the stronghold, as Daniel 8:11 foretells.

Mu mwaka wa 31 mbere ya Kristo, Oktaviyani, wari uhagarariye Roma nk’“umwami wo mu majyaruguru,” yakoranyije ingabo ze ngo atere Egiputa ya Kileyopatira, “umwami wo mu majyepfo,” mu rugamba rukomeye rwo mu mazi. “Ingabo” za Antoni na Kileyopatira “zikomeye kandi ari nyinshi cyane” zacogoye intege, zitsindwa n’“amayeri” yo mu rwego rw’ingamba (amayeri ya Agiripa) hamwe n’ubugambanyi—guta Antoni kwa bamwe mu bo bari bafatanyije no guhunga kwa Kileyopatira ava ku rugamba rutarangiye. Mu mwaka wa 30 mbere ya Kristo, Egiputa yahindutse intara ya Roma, bityo itangiza ubutegetsi bwa Roma ya gipagani butaragiraga ubugerwa. Iki gihe cy’imyaka 360, kuva mu wa 30 mbere ya Kristo kugeza mu wa 330, gihuye n’ikirenga cya Roma gishingiye ku gihome cyayo cy’umwimerere, kugeza aho kwimura kwa Konisitantini “kwagihanuye hasi,” nk’uko Daniyeli 8:11 abivuga.

> 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. Daniel 8:11.

> Ni ukuri, yishyize hejuru ageza no ku Mutware w’ingabo, kandi ku bwe igitambo gihoraho gikurwaho, maze ahasengerwaga ahera hahindurwa umusaka. Daniyeli 8:11.

When Constantine cast down the city of Rome for the city of Constantinople, he left a power vacuum in the city of Rome open for the papal church to take the seat of authority represented by the city of Rome. The act fulfilled verse two of Revelation thirteen.

Igihe Constantine yasimbuzaga umujyi wa Roma umujyi wa Constantinople, yasize icyuho cy’ubutegetsi mu mujyi wa Roma, gifunguye kugira ngo kiliziya ya papa yegukane intebe y’ubutware igereranywa n’umujyi wa Roma. Icyo gikorwa cyasohoje umurongo wa kabiri wo mu Ibyahishuwe igice cya cumi na gatatu.

> And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:2.

> Nuko ya nyamaswa nabonye yari imeze nk’ingwe, ibirenge byayo bisa n’iby’idubu, kandi akanwa kayo kameze nk’akanwa k’intare; maze ikiyoka giha iyo nyamaswa imbaraga zacyo, n’intebe yacyo y’ubwami, n’ubutware bukomeye. Ibyahishuwe 13:2.

In Daniel 8, two different Hebrew words, both translated as “sanctuary” distinguish the story of the sanctuary in the book of Daniel. The book of Daniel represents a warfare between Christ and Satan as illustrated in the earthly representatives of Christ and Satan. Babylon, Satan’s earthly representative conquers Jerusalem in the opening of Daniel, and Jerusalem conquers Babylon in verse forty-five of chapter eleven. The kingdoms represented by the city of Jerusalem and the city of Babylon are “sanctuaries of strength.” The cities of Babylon and Jerusalem are both sanctuaries of strength, and they both have their own temples within the city. The Pantheon temple is in the city of Rome, and the temple in Jerusalem is the counterpart in the prophetic narrative. Babylon and the city of Rome are counterfeits of Jerusalem.

Muri Daniyeli 8, amagambo abiri atandukanye y’Igiheburayo, yose ahindurwamo “Ahera,” atandukanya inkuru y’Ahera mu gitabo cya Daniyeli. Igitabo cya Daniyeli kigaragaza intambara iri hagati ya Kristo na Satani nk’uko ishushanywa n’ababahagarariye ku isi, ari bo aba Kristo n’aba Satani. Babuloni, umuhagarariye Satani ku isi, itsinda Yerusalemu mu itangiriro rya Daniyeli, kandi Yerusalemu igatsinda Babuloni ku murongo wa mirongo ine n’itanu w’igice cya cumi na kimwe. Ubwami buhagarariwe n’umujyi wa Yerusalemu n’umujyi wa Babuloni ni “Ahera h’imbaraga.” Imijyi ya Babuloni na Yerusalemu yombi ni Ahera h’imbaraga, kandi yombi ifite insengero zayo bwite muri uwo mujyi. Urusengero rwa Pantheon ruri mu mujyi wa Roma, kandi urusengero rwo muri Yerusalemu ni rwo rugereranywa narwo muri iyo nkuru y’ubuhanuzi. Babuloni n’umujyi wa Roma ni ibihimbano bya Yerusalemu.

In Daniel 8, the two Hebrew words are “miqdash” in verse 11, where the little horn (pagan Rome) casts down the “place of his sanctuary” (the city of Rome), when Constantine relocates in 330. The other word is “qodesh” in verses 13, 14, where God’s sanctuary awaits cleansing after 2300 days. Though both words are translated as sanctuary, “miqdash” can represent either God’s fortress or a pagan fortress, whereas “qodesh” is only used in the Bible to represent God’s sanctuary.

Muri Daniyeli 8, amagambo abiri y’Igiheburayo ni “miqdash” mu murongo wa 11, aho ihembe rito (Roma y’abapagani) rihirika “ahantu h’uruturo rwayo rwera” (umujyi wa Roma), igihe Konstantini yimukira ahandi mu wa 330. Irindi jambo ni “qodesh” mu mirongo ya 13, 14, aho uruturo rwera rw’Imana rutegereje kwezwa nyuma y’iminsi 2300. Nubwo ayo magambo yombi ahindurwa ngo uruturo rwera, “miqdash” rishobora guhagararira igihome cy’Imana cyangwa igihome cy’abapagani, naho “qodesh” muri Bibiliya rikoreshwa gusa guhagararira uruturo rwera rw’Imana.

In Daniel 11:31, the “sanctuary of strength” (the city of Rome) is polluted as the Barbarians and Vandals bring warfare to the city of Rome. The “arms” in the verse started with Clovis in 496 and continued until papal Rome, was fully ascendant by 538, when the Ostrogoths are expelled from the city.

Muri Daniyeli 11:31, “aheranda h’imbaraga” (umujyi wa Roma) harahumanywa ubwo Abanyabbaribari n’Abavandali bazanaga intambara mu mujyi wa Roma. “Amaboko” avugwa muri uwo murongo yatangiranye na Clovis mu 496 kandi akomeza kugeza ubwo Roma ya gikipapa yazamukaga mu buryo bwuzuye mu 538, igihe Ab’Ostrogoti birukanwaga muri uwo mujyi.

The prophetic line from Actium extends beyond 330. Verse 30’s “ships of Chittim” identify the Vandals under Genseric, who sacked Rome in 455, signaling Western Rome’s collapse. Papal Rome then rises, ruling from 538 until 1798; for 1260 years until Napoleon’s General Berthier delivered the “deadly wound” by capturing Pius VI. The 360 years of pagan Rome, from 30 BC to 330, mirrors the 1260 years of papal Rome, each beginning when a third obstacle (Egypt, Ostrogoths) falls.

Umurongo w’ubuhanuzi utangiriye i Actium urakomeza ukarenga umwaka wa 330. “Amato ya Chittim” yo mu murongo wa 30 agaragaza Abavandali bayobowe na Genseric, basahuye i Roma mu mwaka wa 455, bikaba ikimenyetso cy’ugusenyuka kwa Roma y’Iburengerazuba. Hanyuma Roma ya Gipapa irahaguruka, itegeka kuva mu 538 kugeza mu 1798; imyaka 1260 yose, kugeza igihe Jenerali Berthier wa Napoleon yatanze “igikomere cyica” afashe Piyo wa VI. Imyaka 360 ya Roma y’abapagani, kuva mu 30 mbere ya Kristo kugeza mu 330, ihura n’imyaka 1260 ya Roma ya Gipapa, buri gihe itangira igihe inzitizi ya gatatu (Egiputa, Abostrogoti) ikuweho.

The modern “king of the north” emerges in verse 40. In 1989, the papacy, allied secretly with Reagan’s USA (symbolized as chariots, ships, and horsemen), topples the USSR, the “king of the south” (atheism/Communism). Verse 41 identifies the papacy conquering the “glorious land”—turning the Protestant USA into the Catholic USA—while verses 42, 43 identify the United Nations represented by Egypt yielding to a threefold union consisting of the United Nations (the dragon) the Vatican (the beast) and the United States (the false prophet), steering the world to Armageddon. Verse 45 predicts this power’s end, “with none to help,” its wound healed in verse forty-one, but its fate sealed by verse forty-five.

“Umwami wo mu majyaruguru” wa none agaragara mu murongo wa 40. Mu 1989, ubupapa, bwifatanyije rwihishwa na Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika za Reagan (zishushanywa n’amagare, amato, n’abagendera ku mafarashi), buhirika URSS, ari wo “mwami wo mu majyepfo” (ukutemera Imana/Ubukomunisiti). Umurongo wa 41 werekana ubupapa butsinda “igihugu cy’ikuzo”—bugahindura Amerika y’Abaporotesitanti ikaba Amerika Gatolika—mu gihe imirongo ya 42 n’uwa 43 igaragaza Umuryango w’Abibumbye ugereranywa na Egiputa wemera kugengwa n’ubumwe bw’impande eshatu bugizwe n’Umuryango w’Abibumbye (ikiyoka), Vatikani (inyamaswa), na Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika (umuhanuzi w’ibinyoma), buyobora isi ku Harumagedoni. Umurongo wa 45 uhanura iherezo ry’ubu butware, “nta wo kubutabara,” igikomere cyabwo kigakira mu murongo wa mirongo ine n’umwe, ariko iherezo ryabwo rikaba ryararangije gushyirwaho ikimenyetso mu murongo wa mirongo ine n’itanu.

Actium in 31 BC is the focus of verses 25, 26, launching Rome’s 360-year reign from its sanctuary-stronghold. With verse fourteen as a caveat, the story of pagan Rome from verse sixteen unto the transition to papal Rome in verse thirty-one is the complete line of pagan Rome. That line is divided into three parts. Verse sixteen to twenty-two is the line of Rome’s dominance over ancient Israel. Verse twenty-three and twenty-four identifies that work of empire building which Rome employed when conquering through leagues and treaties in conjunction with military might. Verse twenty-four through to the last expression in verse thirty-one is a two-part line representing a period when Rome exalted itself, followed by a fall.

Akityumu mu mwaka wa 31 mbere ya Kristo ni yo yibandwaho mu mirongo ya 25 na 26, itangiza ingoma y’i Roma y’imyaka 360 ivuye ku buturo bwayo bwera-nzitiro. Umurongo wa cumi na kane ufashwe nk’igisobanuro cyitonderwa, inkuru y’i Roma ya gipagani kuva ku murongo wa cumi na gatandatu kugeza ku ihindukira rijya ku Roma ya gipapa mu murongo wa mirongo itatu n’umwe ni wo murongo wuzuye wa Roma ya gipagani. Uwo murongo ugabanyijemo ibice bitatu. Umurongo wa cumi na gatandatu kugeza ku wa makumyabiri na kabiri ni umurongo w’ubutegetsi bw’ikirenga bw’i Roma ku Bisirayeli ba kera. Umurongo wa makumyabiri na gatatu n’uwa makumyabiri na kane ugaragaza uwo murimo wo kubaka ubwami Roma yakoresheje igihe yanesheje binyuze mu mahuriro no mu masezerano, ifatanyije n’imbaraga za gisirikare. Umurongo wa makumyabiri na kane kugeza ku mvugo ya nyuma yo mu murongo wa mirongo itatu n’umwe ni umurongo w’ibice bibiri ugereranya igihe Roma yishyize hejuru, hagakurikiraho kugwa kwayo.

The “time appointed” is the conclusion of the 360 years in the year 330. Verses twenty-seven unto the last phrase of verse thirty-one, which identifies when the papal power, represented as the abomination that maketh desolate was placed on the throne in 538 is the history of pagan Rome in the context of the period of three hundred and sixty years of supreme rule, which is then followed by two hundred and eight years of a progressive fall.

“Igihe cyagenwe” ni iherezo ry’imyaka 360 mu mwaka wa 330. Umurongo wa makumyabiri na karindwi kugeza ku nteruro ya nyuma y’umurongo wa mirongo itatu n’umwe, igaragaza igihe ububasha bwa gipapa, bugereranywa n’ikizira giteza ubuhana, bwashyizwe ku ntebe y’ubwami mu wa 538, ni amateka ya Roma ya gipagani mu rwego rw’igihe cy’imyaka magana atatu na mirongo itandatu y’ubutegetsi bw’ikirenga, hanyuma hagakurikiraho imyaka magana abiri n’umunani y’ugusubira inyuma gake gake.

Therefore the “time” of verse twenty-four begins in 31 BC with an addition of the king of the south to the domain of the king of the north, and it ends in 330 with a division of the king of the north into east and west. From 330 unto 538 pagan Rome progressively falls apart. The various prophetic identifications associated with the various steps of demise of pagan Rome are the prophetic anchors that allow the student of prophecy to recognize God’s prophetic Word. In fulfillment of verse fourteen of Daniel eleven, Rome establishes the vision, and one of the ways that it does that very thing is through its fall. The verse states, “also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.”

Nuko rero “igihe” cyo mu murongo wa makumyabiri na kane gitangirira mu mwaka wa 31 mbere ya Kristo, ubwo ubwami bw’umwami w’ikusi bwongerwaga ku ngoma y’umwami w’amajyaruguru, kandi kirangirira mu wa 330, ubwo umwami w’amajyaruguru yacikagamo ibice bibiri, iburasirazuba n’iburengerazuba. Kuva mu wa 330 kugeza mu wa 538, Roma ya gipagani igenda isenyuka buhoro buhoro. Ibimenyetso bitandukanye by’ubuhanuzi bifitanye isano n’intambwe zitandukanye z’isenyuka rya Roma ya gipagani ni byo nkingi z’ubuhanuzi zituma umwigishwa w’ubuhanuzi amenya Ijambo ry’Imana ry’ubuhanuzi. Mu isohozwa ry’umurongo wa cumi na kane wa Daniyeli igice cya cumi na kimwe, Roma ishyiraho iyerekwa, kandi bumwe mu buryo ikora icyo kintu nyakuri ni ukubikora binyuze mu kugwa kwayo. Uwo murongo uravuga uti: “kandi n’abanyazi bo mu bwoko bwawe bazishyira hejuru kugira ngo bashyigikire iyerekwa; ariko bazagwa.”

When Rome is attacked by the ships of Chittim, and thereafter attacks the south, it was not as the either the former or the latter, for from here onward the fall of the Roman power is being portrayed. The first four trumpets of the seven trumpets of Revelation found in chapter eight specifically describe the four major powers that ultimately brought Western Rome to a conclusion by 476. The vision is established when the robbers of thy people exalt themselves and fall. The prophetic vision is illustrated upon the framework of Rome’s fall. Western pagan Rome fell from 330 unto 538. Papal Rome fell in 1798. In the history of the fifth and sixth trumpet Eastern Rome fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Those three falls are part of the vision that is established by the robbers of thy people.

Igihe i Roma igabweho igitero n’amato ya Kitimu, hanyuma ikagaba igitero ku majyepfo, ntibyagenze nk’uko byari bimeze mbere cyangwa nyuma yabyo, kuko uhereye aha gukomera kw’ubutegetsi bw’Abaroma ni ko kurimo kugaragazwa mu kugwa kwabwo. Impanda enye za mbere mu mpanda ndwi zo mu Ibyahishuwe ziboneka mu gice cya munani zisobanura by’umwihariko ububasha bune bukomeye amaherezo bwagejeje i Roma y’Uburengerazuba ku iherezo ryayo mu mwaka wa 476. Iyerekwa rishingwa igihe abagizi ba nabi bo mu bwoko bwawe bishyira hejuru maze bakagwa. Iyerekwa ry’ubuhanuzi rigaragazwa rishingiye ku nkingi y’ugwa kwa Roma. Roma y’Uburengerazuba ya gipagani yaguye kuva mu 330 kugeza mu 538. Roma ya gipapa yaguye mu 1798. Mu mateka y’impanda ya gatanu n’iya gatandatu, Roma y’Uburasirazuba yaguye imbere y’Abaturukiya b’Abottomani mu 1453. Uko kugwa kutatu ni igice cy’iyerekwa rishingwa n’abagizi ba nabi bo mu bwoko bwawe.

The verse states, “also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.” From 31 BC to 330 pagan Rome “exalted themselves” in their supremacy over the world. From 330 to 538 pagan Rome fell away to prepare for the man of sin to be seated in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. From 538 unto 1798 the papal power “exalted themselves,” and in 1798 they fell. From 31 BC to 330 Western Rome “exalted” that it was the center of the Roman empire, and from 330 unto 476 it fell. In 330 Constantine exalted that Constantinople was the center of Eastern Rome and in 1453 Eastern Rome fell. The periods of the various representations of Rome, each possess a period where Rome exalts, followed by a period illustrating its fall, for “the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.”

Umurongo uvuga uti: “kandi n’abambanyi bo mu bwoko bwawe bazishyira hejuru kugira ngo bahamye ibyerekanywe; ariko bazagwa.” Kuva mu wa 31 mbere ya Kristo kugeza mu wa 330, Roma ya gipagani “yishyize hejuru” mu butware bwayo ku isi. Kuva mu wa 330 kugeza mu wa 538, Roma ya gipagani yaraguye kugira ngo itegurire wa muntu w’icyaha kwicara mu rusengero rw’Imana, yiyamamaza ko ari Imana. Kuva mu wa 538 kugeza mu wa 1798, ububasha bwa gipapa “bwarishyize hejuru,” maze mu wa 1798 buragwa. Kuva mu wa 31 mbere ya Kristo kugeza mu wa 330, Roma y’Iburengerazuba “yishyize hejuru” ivuga ko ari yo yari ihuriro ry’ubwami bw’Abaroma, kandi kuva mu wa 330 kugeza mu wa 476 yaraguye. Mu wa 330, Konsitantino yishyize hejuru avuga ko Konsitantinopoli ari yo yari ihuriro rya Roma y’Iburasirazuba, kandi mu wa 1453 Roma y’Iburasirazuba yaraguye. Ibihe by’amashusho atandukanye ya Roma, buri kimwe gifite igihe Roma yishyira hejuru, kigakurikirwa n’igihe kigaragaza kugwa kwayo, kuko “abambanyi bo mu bwoko bwawe bazishyira hejuru kugira ngo bahamye ibyerekanywe; ariko bazagwa.”

The Hebrew word translated as “robbers” is better translated as “breakers” for it aligns more closely with the root’s primary sense—to break through or disrupt—rather than strictly “robbers” (which implies theft). The term suggests those who fracture boundaries, laws, or covenants, not just steal goods. Rome is the breaker in Bible prophecy, though it is translated as “robbers” in verse fourteen. In Daniel chapter two Rome is the iron kingdom, and then in chapter seven the fourth beast is also Rome.

Ijambo ry’Igiheburayo ryahinduwemo “abambuzi” rirushaho guhindurwa neza ngo “abamenagura,” kuko rihura neza kurushaho n’insobanuro y’umuzi waryo y’ibanze—yo kumenagura inzitizi cyangwa guhungabanya—aho kuba gusa “abambuzi” (bisobanura ubujura). Iryo jambo ryerekana abamena imbibi, amategeko, cyangwa amasezerano, atari abiba ibintu gusa. Mu buhanuzi bwa Bibiliya Roma ni yo imenagura, nubwo mu murongo wa cumi na kane yahinduwemo “abambuzi.” Muri Daniyeli igice cya kabiri Roma ni ubwami bw’icyuma, hanyuma no mu gice cya karindwi inyamaswa ya kane na yo ni Roma.

> After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. Daniel 7:7.

> Nyuma y’ibyo, mbona mu byo neretswe nijoro, kandi dore inyamaswa ya kane, iteye ubwoba kandi itinya cyane, ifite imbaraga nyinshi cyane; kandi yari ifite amenyo manini y’icyuma: yariyoraga kandi ikamenagura mo ibice, maze ibisigaye ikabikandagiza ibirenge byayo: kandi yari itandukanye n’inyamaswa zose zari zarabanje kubaho mbere yayo; kandi yari ifite amahembe icumi. Daniyeli 7:7.

The fourth beast–which is Rome–has “iron” teeth, for it is the same fourth kingdom represented as iron in chapter two. In verse seven the fourth beast of Rome “breaks in pieces,” and when it breaks in pieces it “stamped the residue with the feet of it.” The beast of Rome is the iron kingdom and the characteristic of braking in pieces and stamping the residue represents the act of persecution. The persecution brought upon ancient Israel was a “sign.”

Igikoko cya kane—ari cyo Roma—gifite amenyo y’“icyuma,” kuko ari bwa bwami bwa kane bumwe bugaragazwa nk’icyuma mu gice cya kabiri. Mu murongo wa karindwi, igikoko cya kane cya Roma “kijanjagura mo ibice,” kandi kimaze kujanjagura mo ibice “kigakandagiza ibisigaye n’ibirenge byacyo.” Igikoko cya Roma ni ubwami bw’icyuma, kandi uwo mwihariko wo kujanjagura mo ibice no gukandagiza ibisigaye ugereranya igikorwa cy’itotezwa. Itotezwa ryagejejwe kuri Isirayeli ya kera ryari “ikimenyetso.”

> Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed forever. Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young. Deuteronomy 28:45–50.

> Kandi iyo mivumo yose izakugeraho, igukurikirane, ikugereho, kugeza ubwo urimbuka; kuko utumviye ijwi ry’Uwiteka Imana yawe, ngo witondere amategeko yayo n’amateka yayo yagutegetse. Kandi izakubaho ho ikubere ikimenyetso n’igitangaza, ibe no ku rubyaro rwawe iteka ryose. Kuko utakoreye Uwiteka Imana yawe unezerewe kandi ufite umunezero mu mutima, nyamara wari ufite ibintu byose byinshi; ni cyo gituma uzakorerera abanzi bawe Uwiteka azagutereza, mu nzara no mu nyota no mu bwambure no mu kubura byose; kandi azakwambika ku ijosi ryawe ingogo y’icyuma, kugeza ubwo akurimbuye. Uwiteka azakuzanira ishyanga riturutse kure, rivuye ku mpera y’isi, ryihuta nk’uko kagoma iguruka; ishyanga ururimi warwo utazamenya; ishyanga rifite uburakari bukaze mu maso, ritazubahiriza umusaza kandi ritazagirira imbabazi ukiri muto. Gutegeka kwa Kabiri 28:45–50.

The curses upon ancient Israel brought about by their rebellion are a “sign and a wonder, and upon thy seed forever.” The curse was to be brought upon them with “a nation of fierce countenance.” The beast with iron teeth that “breaks in pieces and stamps the residue” in chapter seven is also the fourth kingdom which proceeds from the division of Alexander’s kingdom, and just as with Moses in Deuteronomy, that kingdom is a nation whose tongue ancient Israel would not understand. The kingdom of Rome in Daniel chapter eight is a nation of fierce countenance and a nation who speaks a different language.

Imivumo yagejejwe kuri Isirayeli ya kera bitewe n’ubwigomeke bwayo ni “ikimenyetso n’igitangaza, no ku rubyaro rwawe iteka ryose.” Iyo mivumo yagombaga kubageraho izanwe “n’ishyanga rifite uburakari mu maso.” Inyamaswa ifite amenyo y’icyuma “imenagura ibintu ikabijanjagura kandi igakandagira ibisigaye” ivugwa mu gice cya karindwi na yo ni ubwami bwa kane bukomoka ku kugabanywamo ubwami bwa Alegizandere, kandi nk’uko byari bimeze kuri Mose mu Gutegeka kwa Kabiri, ubwo bwami ni ishyanga rifite ururimi Isirayeli ya kera itari gusobanukirwa. Ubwami bw’Abaroma bwo muri Daniyeli igice cya munani ni ishyanga rifite uburakari mu maso kandi ni ishyanga rivuga ururimi rutandukanye.

> Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. Daniel 8:22, 23.

> Kandi ubwo iyo ihemutse, maze hakaboneka enye zihagurukiye mu mwanya wayo, hazahaguruka ubwami bune bukomotse kuri iryo shyanga, ariko butari mu mbaraga ze. Kandi mu gihe cy’imperuka cy’ubwami bwabo, ubwo abagome bazaba bageze ku rugero rwuzuye rw’ibicumuro byabo, hazahaguruka umwami ufite mu maso harakaye, kandi usobanukiwe n’imvugo z’amayobera. Daniel 8:22, 23.

The “robbers (breakers) of thy people” establish the vision, they exalt themselves and they fall. The fourth iron kingdom was pagan Rome who ruled supremely when exalting themselves, but whose ultimate fall became a prophetic characteristic which establishes the vision. They are breakers for they trample down God’s people through persecution.

“Abanyazi (abamenagura) bo mu bantu bawe” bahamya iyerekwa; bishyira hejuru kandi bakagwa. Ubwami bwa kane bw’icyuma bwari Roma ya gipagani yategekaga mu buryo bw’ikirenga igihe biyishyiraga hejuru, ariko kugwa kwayo kwa nyuma kwabaye ikimenyetso cy’ubuhanuzi gihamya iyerekwa. Ni abamenagura, kuko bahonyora ubwoko bw’Imana babinyujije mu itotezwa.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Tuzakomeza iki cyigisho mu nyandiko itaha.

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