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# Panium - Number Five

Panium - Namba ettaano

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

Abanyazi b’Abantu Bo: Okugulumizibwa n’Okugwa kwa Roma mu Bunnabbi

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.

Ekitabo kya Danyeri kyezulula ennyanjula ey’obunnabbi eyewuunyisa, nga kigatta enkola ya ‘kuddamu n’okugaziya’ etambulira mu byolesebwa byakyo okuva ku kifaananyi eky’ebyuma ekya mutwe ogw’okubiri okutuuka ku ntalo z’abakabaka ezisongobera eza mutwe ogw’ekkuminogumu. Mu ngeri eno y’okutegeera, wavaawo ensonga ey’amaanyi: Olutalo lw’e Actium mu 31 BC, ne lwakomekkerezebwa n’okugwa kwa Misiri mu 30 BC, luyimirira ng’okutuukirizibwa okw’omusingi kwa Danyeri 11:25, 26, nga lulaga entandikwa y’obufuga obusukkulumye bwa Roma ey’obupagani okumala emyaka 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.

Essuula 11 eya Danyeri litandika n’okulaga okwimuka n’okugwa kw’obwakabaka oluvannyuma lw’okufa kwa Alekisanda Omukulu mu 323 BC. Naye bwe tutuuka ku linyiriri 14, wabaawo okukyuka. Mu bbanga ery’awaka mu 200 BC, Antiokosi III (Magnus) bwe yali yeetegekera Olutalo lwe Panium okulwana n’omwana-kabaka Potolemyo V, Loma n’eyingira mu nsonga, si nga mutunuzi wabulijjo wabula ng "abanyazi b’abantu bo." Olw’okweraliikirira kukakasa okufuna engano eva e Misiri wakati mu kuvuruguka kw’obufuzi obwa Hellenistic, Loma n’eraga amaanyi g’obuyinza bwayo mu Lutalo lwa Makedoniya olw’Okubiri (200-197 BC), n’eteekaawo omusingi gw’ekifo kyayo mu bubaka bw’obunnabbi.

## Rome’s Dominance Over the Jews

Obufuga bwa Loma ku Abayudaaya

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.

Tutuuke mu 63 BC, era olunyiriri 16 lutuukirizibwa Pompey bwe yalumba Yerusalemu, n’ayingira mu Ekitukuvu eky’Obutukuvu, n’ateekaawo obufuzi bw’Abaloma ku "ensi y’ekitiibwa". Okuva awo, olunyiriri 17 okutuuka ku 22 lulondoola olukiriranya lw’abafuga b’Abaloma: entalo Pompey z’akolera ebuvanjuba, obuwanguzi bwa Julius Caesar n’okuttibwa kwe mu 44 BC, obufuzi bwa Augustus Caesar obwalangirawo okusoloozebwa kw’omusolo (ekyogerwako mu Luka 2:1) obwakoma mu 14 AD, ne Tiberius ng’afuga mu kiseera Kristo lwe yabambibwa mu mwaka 31 AD, lwe "omulangira w’endagaano" yamenyeka. Olunyiriri olw’obunnabbi oluva ku Pompey e Yerusalemu okutuuka eri Titus e Yerusalemu mu 70 AD, lulaga obufuzi bwa Abaloma ku bantu ba Katonda.

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.

Okutandika n’Omuduumizi w’Abaruumi okuswaza yeekaalu okutuuka ku nkomerero lwe Omuduumizi w’Abaruumi yazikiriza yeekaalu, kuleeta omukono gwa Alufa ne Omega. Okutandikira ku kuswaza ne kuggwa ku kuzikiriza, olunyiriri lw’ebyafaayo luno lulimu era okuswazibwa n’okuzikirizibwa kw’Oyo eyeyogerako ku ye yennyini nti, “Mumenye yeekaalu eno, mu nnaku ssatu ndigizimba nate.” Amazima gakolebwa mu nyukuta esooka, ey’ekkumi n’esatu, n’ey’enkomerero mu alfabeeti y’Olwebbulaniya, era olunyiriri olutandikira ku Pompey ne luggwa ku Titus lulimu okuzikirizibwa kwa yeekaalu okw’omu wakati, okulabirirwa mu musaalabba ogw’omu wakati ku misaalabba esatu, egyaayimirizibwa mu wakati ddala w’wiiki Kristo lwe yajja okunyweza endagaano. Emisoko egy’ekkumi na mukaaga okutuuka ku amakumi abiri mu bbiri giimirira olunyiriri olw’obunnabbi oluliko omukono gw’amazima. Waliwo emigga egy’obunnabbi ebitono naye egikulu mu byafaayo ebiragiddwa mu misoko egyo, naye omulamwa omukulu ogw’olunyiriri luno ye bufuzi bwa Loma ku Bayudaaya.

## Leagues and Treaties

Emikago n'Endagaano

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.”

Olunyiriri 23 “luddamu era lugaziya” nga lukomawo mu 161–158 BC, mu biro Abayudaaya nga bakulemberwa Yuda Makabee baakola omukago ne Looma (1 Maccabees 8). Kino kiraga enteekateeka ey’enjawulo eya Looma ey’okuzimba obwakabaka bwayo—okuwangula okuyita mu ndagaano n’emikago—enkola ey’awukana ku obwakabaka obwaaliwo obwasooka. Olunyiriri 24 lukomya omutendera guno, nga lw’ategeeza nti Looma ejja ‘kuteekateeka entegeka zaayo okuva mu bigo, era okumala akaseera.’

> 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.

> Era oluvannyuma lw’endagaano eyakolebwa naye, alikola mu bulimba; kubanga alijja, era alyeyongera amaanyi awamu n’abantu batono. Alinjira mu mirembe ne mu bifo ebisinga obugagga eby’ettwale; era alikola ebyo bajjajja be bye batakola, newaakubadde bajjajja ba bajjajja be; alibasaasaanya mu bo omunyago, ebyamunyagibwa, n’obugagga; ye, era aliteekateeka amagezi ge okulumba ebigo eby’amaanyi, okutuusa akaseera. Danyeri 11:23, 24.

## For a Time

Okumala akaseera

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.

Ekigambo ekitaputiddwa ng’ “against” kiyinza okutegeerekebwa ng’ekigambo “from”. Loma eteerulula enteekateeka zaayo “okuva”. Ekigambo “okuva” mu kyawandiikibwa ekyo kiraga ekibuga kya Loma, omutima gw’obwakabaka mu by’obufuzi n’eby’amagye, ng’ensibuko y’enteekateeka zaalyo. “Ekiseera” mu ngeri y’obunnabbi kye myaka 360, nga kitandika Misiri lwe yagwa mu 30 BC oluvannyuma lwa Actium, era ne kiggwa mu mwaka 330 lwe Constantine yaleka Loma olw’e Constantinople.

Verses 25 and 26 zero in on Actium itself.

Ennyiriri 25 ne 26 ziteeka essira ku Actium ddala.

> 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.

> Era alizuukiza amaanyi ge n'obugumu bwe okulumba kabaka w'amaserengeta n'eggye eddene; ne kabaka w'amaserengeta naye alizuukizibwa mu lutalo n'eggye eddene ennyo era ery'amaanyi; naye tajja kuyimirira, kubanga balimutegekera enkwe. Weewaawo, abo abalya ku mugabo gw'emmere ye balimuzikiriza, n'eggye lye linaayitiririra; era bangi baligwa battiddwa. Danyeri 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 gwa 31 BC, Octavian, ng'ayimirira Ruumi nga "kabaka w'omumambuka," n'ateekateeka amajje ge okulumba Misiri ya Cleopatra, "kabaka w'omumaserengeta," mu lutalo olunene olw'omu nnyanja. Amaggye ga Antony ne Cleopatra "amanene nnyo era amagumu" gaaddirira, ne galemezebwa olw' "obukodyo" obw'amagezi (obukodyo bwa Agrippa) n'okuvuddemu kw'abawagizi ba Antony era Cleopatra n'addayo emabega wakati mu lutalo. Okutuuka mu mwaka gwa 30 BC, Misiri yali yaafuuse ekitundu ky'obufuzi bwa Ruumi, ne kussaawo okutandika obufuzi bwa Ruumi ey'abapagana obutawakanyizibwa. Ekiseera kino eky'emyaka 360, okuva mu 30 BC okutuuka mu 330, kikwatagana n'obusukkulumu bwa Ruumi nga kisinziira ku kigo kyayo ekyasookera ddala, okutuusa ng'okukyusa kwa Constantine "kwasuula wansi" ekigo ekyo, nga Danyeri 8:11 bwe yalagula.

> 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.

> Weewaawo, yeekulisa okutuuka ddala eri omulangira w’eggye, era ku lulwe ekiweebwayo kya buli lunaku ne kyaggibwawo, n’ekifo ky’ekitukuvu kye ne kyasuulibwa wansi. Danyeri 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.

Bwe Konstantino yalekeraawo ekibuga kya Loma n’alonda ekya Konstantinopoli, n’aleekaawo obutabeerawo bw’obuyinza mu kibuga kya Loma, era ekkanisa ey’obwa Papa ne etwala entebe y’obuyinza eyayimiririrwa ekibuga kya Loma. Ekikolwa ekyo kyatuukiriza olunyiriri olwokubiri lw’Essuula kkumi na ssatu mu Okubikkulirwa.

> 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.

> Era ensolo gye nnalaba yali ng’engo, amagulu gaayo nga amagulu g’eddubu, n’akamwa kaayo nga akamwa k’empologoma; ne ddalagooni n’amuwa obuyinza bwe, n’entebe ye, n’obuyinza obunene. Okubikkulirwa 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.

Mu Danyeri 8, waliwo ebigambo bibiri eby’Olwebbulaniya eby’enjawulo, ebyombi ebivvunulwa ‘ekifo ekitukuvu,’ ebikyawula enjogera ku kifo ekitukuvu mu kitabo kya Danyeri. Ekitabo kya Danyeri kiraga olutalo wakati wa Kristo ne Sitaani nga bwe kirabikira mu bakiikirizi baabwe ab’ensi. Babulooni, omukiikirizi gwa Sitaani ogw’ensi, ewangula Yerusaalemi ku ntandikwa y’ekitabo kya Danyeri, ate ne Yerusaalemi ewangula Babulooni mu essuula 11, olunyiriri 45. Obwakabaka obukiikirirwa emibuga gya Yerusaalemi ne Babulooni biri ‘ebifo ebitukuvu eby’amaanyi.’ Emibuga gya Babulooni ne Yerusaalemi byombi biri ebifo ebitukuvu eby’amaanyi, era buli kimu kirina yeekaalu yaakyo munda mu kibuga. Yeekaalu ya Pantheon eri mu kibuga kya Roma, ate mu lugero lw’obunnabbi yeekaalu e Yerusaalemi ye egifanaganako nayo. Babulooni n’ekibuga kya Roma bye bikope eby’obulimba bya Yerusaalemi.

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.

Mu Danyeri 8, ebigambo bibiri eby’Olwebbulaniya bye bino: “miqdash” mu olunyiriri 11, we nnyanga entono (Loma y’abasinza ebifaananyi) esuula wansi “ekifo ky’ekitukuvu kye” (ekibuga kya Loma), nga Kkonsitantiini akyusa ekitebe mu mwaka gwa 330. Ekigambo ekirala kye “qodesh” mu minnyiriri 13 ne 14, we ekifo ekitukuvu kya Katonda kilindirira okutukuzibwa oluvannyuma lw’ennaku 2300. Newaakubadde ebigambo byombi bivunulwa ng’ekifo ekitukuvu, “miqdash” kisobola okulaga ekigo kya Katonda oba ekigo ky’abasinza ebifaananyi, ate “qodesh” kikozesebwa mu Bayibuli yokka okulaga ekifo ekitukuvu kya Katonda.

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.

Mu Danieri 11:31, "ekifo ekitukuvu eky’amaanyi" (ekibuga kya Roma) kiyononebwa nga Barbarians ne Abavandali baleeta entalo mu kibuga kya Roma. "Amagye" ag'omu olunyiriri olwo gatandika ne Clovis mu mwaka gwa 496 ne gakyeyongera okutuusa lwe Roma ey’Obupapa yeesimba ddala mu buyinza mu 538, nga Abosturogoti bagobebwa mu kibuga.

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.

Ennyiriri y’obunnabbi okuva e Actium eyongerayo okusinga 330. ‘Ennyombo eza Kittimu’ ez’omu lunyiriri 30 ziraga Abavandalo abakulemberwa Genseric, abaanyaga Ruma mu 455, nga kyalaga okugwa kwa Obwakabaka bwa Bwarumi obw’ebugwanjuba. Oluvannyuma Ruma ey’Obupapa ne yeeyimusa, n’efuga okuva mu 538 okutuusa mu 1798; emyaka 1260 okutuusa lwe Jenaraali wa Napoleon, Berthier, yawa ‘ekiwundu eky’okufa’ ng’awamba Pius VI. Emyaka 360 egy’e Ruma ey’obupagani, okuva mu 30 BC okutuuka mu 330, gifaanana emyaka 1260 egy’e Ruma ey’Obupapa, nga byombi bitandika bwe kiba nti ekiziyizo eky’okusatu (Misiri, Ostrogoths) kigudde.

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.

“Kabaka w’obukiikakkono” ow’omu kiseera kino alabikira mu lunyiriri 40. Mu 1989, obukulembeze bwa Papa, nga buyungiddwa mu kyama ne Amerika ya Reagan (ekiragiddwa ng’amagaali g’olutalo, ebyombo, n’abajaasi ab’embalaasi), bwaggyawo mu buyinza USSR, “kabaka w’obukiikaddyo” (obutakkiriza nti waliwo Katonda/obukomyunisiti). Olunyiriri 41 lulaga obukulembeze bwa Papa ng’obuwangula “ettaka ery’ekitiibwa”—nga bukyusa Amerika ey’Abaprotesitanti okufuuka Amerika ey’Abakatoliki—ate olunyiriri 42 ne 43 lulaga Amawanga Amagatte, agiragirwa Misiri, nga giwaayo obuyinza eri mukago ogw’abasatu ogugattamu Amawanga Amagatte (ennyoka), Vatikaani (ekisolo), ne United States (nnabbi ow’obulimba), nga gukulembera ensi okutuuka ku Amagedoni. Olunyiriri 45 lubaulira enkomerero y’obuyinza buno, “nga tewali amuyamba,” ekiwundu kyabwo nga kiwonyezebwa mu lunyiriri amakumi ana mu gumu, naye omusango gwaabwo ne gukakasibwa mu lunyiriri amakumi ana mu ttaano.

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.

Actium mu 31 BC kye kigendererwa ekikulu mu nnyiriri 25 ne 26, nga kitandikira obufuzi bwa Loma obw’emyaka 360 okuva mu kigo kyayo ekitukuvu. Nga nnyiriri 14 ng’okulabula, embala y’e Loma ey’obusenzi okuva ku nnyiriri 16 okutuuka ku kukyuka okuyitira mu Loma ey’Obwapapa mu nnyiriri 31 ye mulongo ogujjuvu ogw’e Loma ey’obusenzi. Omulongo ogwo gugabiddwa mu bitundu bisatu. Ennyiriri 16 okutuuka ku 22 ziraga omulongo ogw’obuyinza bwa Loma ku Isirayiri ey’edda. Ennyiriri 23 ne 24 zirambika omulimu gw’okuzimba obwakabaka gwe Loma yakozesa ng’ewangula ng’eyita mu mikago n’endagaano, wamu n’amaanyi g’eggye. Ennyiriri 24 okutuusa ku kigambo ekisembayo mu nnyiriri 31 kye kitundu ky’omulongo ogw’ebitundu bibiri, ekiraga ekiseera Loma lwe yeegulumiza, era ne kigobererwa okugwa.

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.

"Ekiseera ekitegekeddwa" ye nkomerero y’emyaka 360 mu mwaka gwa 330. Olunyiriri 27 okutuuka ku kigambo ekisembayo eky’olunyiriri 31, ebiraga ebbanga lwe obuyinza bwa Papa, obwakirirwamu ng’ekikangabwa ekizikiriza, bwateekebwa ku ntebe y’obwakabaka mu 538, byogera ku byafaayo bya Luuma ey’abapagani mu mulembe gw’emyaka 360 egy’obuyinza obusukkiridde, era oluvannyuma ne wabaawo emyaka 208 egy’okugwa okweyongera bu ntono ntono.

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.”

N’olwekyo, “ekiseera” eky’olunyiriri olw’amakumi abiri mu nnya kitandikira mu 31 BC, nga kabaka ow’amaserengeta ayongerwako ku bwakabaka bwa kabaka ow’obukiikakkono, era ne kiggwa mu 330 nga obwakabaka bwa kabaka ow’obukiikakkono buwatuliddwaamu mu buvanjuba n’ebugwanjuba. Okuva mu 330 okutuuka mu 538, Loma ey’obupagani esaanasaanuka mpola mpola. Ebikakasa by’obunnabbi eby’enjawulo ebikwatagana n’ebitundu eby’enjawulo eby’okuggwaawo kwa Loma ey’obupagani bye busingi bw’obunnabbi obuyamba omuyizi w’obunnabbi okumanya Ekigambo ky’obunnabbi kya Katonda. Mu kutuukiriza olunyiriri olw’ekkumi n’enna olw’ekitabo kya Danyeri ekkumi n’emu, Loma eteekaawo ekibonekerwa, era emu ku ngeri ze ekikola bwe kityo ye mu kugwa kwayo. Olunyiriri lugamba nti, “Era n’abanyazi b’abantu bo beejjuza okuteekawo ekibonekerwa; naye bajja kugwa.”

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.

Bwe Ruumi erumbibwa amato g’a Kittimu, ne biddiramu n’erumba obukiikaddyo, tekyafaanana na byaasooka newaakubadde ebyaddirira, kubanga okuva wano okugwa kw’obuyinza bwa Ruumi kwe kulagibwa. Amakondeere ana agasooka mu amakondeere musanvu g’Okubikkulirwa agali mu mutwe ogw’omunaana gannyonnyola mu bulambulukufu amaanyi amanene ag’ennya agaatuusa Ruumi ey’ebugwanjuba ku nkomerero mu 476. Ekyolesebwa kikakasibwa bwe abambuzi b’abantu bo beeyimusa ne bagwa. Ekyolesebwa ky’obunnabbi kulagibwa ku musingi gw’okugwa kwa Ruumi. Ruumi ey’ebugwanjuba ey’obusamize yagwa okuva mu 330 okutuuka mu 538. Ruumi ey’Obwa Papa yagwa mu 1798. Mu byafaayo by’ekkondeere ery’okutaano n’ery’omukaaga Ruumi ey’Obuvanjuba yagwa mu mikono gy’Abatuluuki b’Otomaani mu 1453. Ebigwa ebitatu ebyo bigatta ku kyolesebwa ekikakasibwa olw’abambuzi b’abantu bo.

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.”

Olunyiriri lugamba, "era n'abanyazi b'abantu bo balyegulumiza okukakasa ekyolesebwa; naye baligwa." Okuva mu 31 BC okutuuka mu 330, Roma ey'obupagani "yeyegulumiza" mu bukulembeze bwayo ku nsi yonna. Okuva mu 330 okutuuka mu 538, Roma ey'obupagani ne yagwa okutegekera omuntu w'ekibi okutuula mu yeekaalu ya Katonda, ng’ayogerera nti ye Katonda. Okuva mu 538 okutuuka mu 1798, obuyinza bwa Papa "bweyeyegulumiza," era mu 1798 ne bugwa. Okuva mu 31 BC okutuuka mu 330, Roma ey’ebugwanjuba "yeyegulumiza" ng’eyeemanya nti ye omutima gw’obwakabaka bwa Roma, era okuva mu 330 okutuuka mu 476 ne yagwa. Mu 330, Konsitaantino yayegulumiza ng’agamba nti Konsitaantinopoli ye omutima gwa Roma ey’ebuvanjuba, era mu 1453 Roma ey’ebuvanjuba ne egwa. Ebidde by’enfaanana ez’enjawulo eza Roma byonna birina ekiseera Roma mwe yeyegulumiza, nga kigobererwa ekiseera ekiraga okugwa kwayo, kubanga "abanyazi b'abantu bo balyegulumiza okukakasa ekyolesebwa; naye baligwa."

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.

Ekigambo eky’Olwebbulaniya ekivvuunulwa ng’ ‘abanyazi’ kirungi okukivvuunula ng’ ‘abamenya’, kubanga kikwatagana nnyo n’amakulu agasookerwako ag’omuzi gwakyo—okumenyawo, okuyitamu n’amaanyi oba okutabula—okusinga ‘abanyazi’ (ekitegeeza okubba). Ekigambo kino kiraga abo abamenya ensalo, amateeka, oba endagaano, so si kubba bintu byokka. Loma ye mumenya mu bubaka bw’obunnabbi bwa Bayibuli, newankubadde ekigambo ekyo kivvuunulwa ‘abanyazi’ mu olunyiriri olw’ekkumi n’enna. Mu kitabo kya Danyeri essuula ey’okubiri, Loma ye obwakabaka obw’ebyuma, ate mu ssuula ey’omusanvu, ensolo ey’okuna nayo ye Loma.

> 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.

> Awo oluvannyuma lw’ekyo nnalaba mu kwolesebwa okw’ekiro, laba ekisolo eky’okuna, eky’entiisa era eky’ekikangabwa, era kya maanyi nnyo; era kyalina amannyo amanene ag’ebyuma: ne kirya ne kimenyaamenya, ne kikandagira ebyasigalawo n’ebigere byakyo: era kyali kyawukana ku bisolo byonna ebyasooka; era kyalina enkoona kkumi. Daniel 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.”

Ekisolo eky’okuna—ekyo kye Roma—kirina amannyo g’ebyuma, kubanga kye kimu n’obwakabaka obw’okuna obwalagibwa ng’ebyuma mu mutwe ogw’okubiri. Mu lunyiriri olw’omusanvu ekisolo eky’okuna eky’e Roma “kimenya mu bitundutundu,” era bwe kimenya mu bitundutundu “kikandagira ebisigalira n’ebigere byakyo.” Ekisolo eky’e Roma kye ky’obwakabaka bw’ebyuma, era empisa yaakyo ey’okumenya mu bitundutundu n’okukandagira ebisigalira eraga ekikolwa ky’okubonyaabonya. Okubonyaabonya okwaletebwa ku Isirayiri ey’edda kwali “akabonero.”

> 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.

> Ate era ebikolimo bino byonna binaajja ku ggwe, ne bikulondoola, ne bikusukkirira, okutuusa lwe ozikirira; kubanga te wawuliriza eddoboozi lya Mukama Katonda wo, okukuuma ebiragiro bye n’amateeka ge ge yakulagira: Era binaabeera ku ggwe ng’akabonero n’ekyewuunyo, era ne ku zzadde lyo emirembe gyonna. Kubanga te waaweerereza Mukama Katonda wo n’essanyu, era n’okwesanyuka kw’omutima, olw’obungi bw’ebintu byonna; ky’ova oluweereza abalabe bo Mukama b’anaakussindikira okulwanyisa ggwe, mu njala, ne mu nyonta, ne mu bwerere, ne mu kubulwa byonna; era anaateeka ekikoligo eky’ekyuma ku bulago bwo, okutuusa lwe akuzikiriza. Mukama alikuleetera eggwanga eriva wala, okuva ku nkomerero y’ensi, nga mangu ng’empungu ebuuka; eggwanga er’olulimi lwalyo tolutegeera; eggwanga ery’obwenyi obukambwe, eritalitunuulira maaso ga mukadde, so te lyeraga kisa eri omuto. Ekyamateeka Eky’okubiri 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.

Emikolimiro egyaleetebwa ku Isirayiri eyakadde olw'obujeemu bwabwe giri "akabonero n'ekyewuunyo, era ku zzadde lyo emirembe gyonna." Omukolimiro gwali gulina okuleetebwa ku bo okuyitira mu "ggwanga ery'amaaso ag'ekikambwe." Ekisolo ekirina amannyo ag'ebyuma, "ekimenya mu ttundutundu era ne kinnyirira ebyasigalawo," mu ssuula ey'omusanvu, kye kimu n'obwakabaka obw'okuna ekivudde mu kugabibwamu kwa bwakabaka bwa Alekisanda; era, nga bwe kyayogerwa eri Musa mu kitabo ky'Ekyamateeka, obwakabaka obwo bwe bubeera eggwanga ery'olulimi Isirayiri eyakadde teyanditegeera. Obwakabaka bwa Loma mu ssuula ey'omunaana eya Danyeri bwe bubeera eggwanga ery'amaaso ag'ekikambwe era eggwanga eriyogera olulimi olulala.

> 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.

> Kaakano bwe kimenyeeddwa, nga ennya ziyimirira mu kifo kyakyo, obwakabaka buna bujja kusimuka okuva mu ggwanga, naye si mu maanyi ge. Era ku nkomerero y’obwakabaka bwabwe, ng’abatyamu amateeka bamaze okutuuka ku bujjuvu, kabaka ow’ekifaananyi ekikali, era ategeera ebigambo ebizibu, ajjakuyimirira. Danyeri 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.

“Abambuzi (abamenya) b’abantu bo” batuukiriza ekyolesebwa; beejjuumya era ne bagwa. Obwakabaka obw’okuna obw’ekyuma bwali Loma ey’obupagani, eyafuganga mu buyinza obusinga ng’eyejjuumya, naye okugwa kwayo okwasembayo ne kufuuka akabonero aka bunnabbi ak’akakasa ekyolesebwa. Bali abamenya kubanga balinnyirira abantu ba Katonda mu kubonyaabonya.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Tujja kugenda mu maaso n’okunoonyereza kuno mu kiwandiiko ekiddako.

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