Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
This model of governing, where secular government is in bed with the church was introduced, developed and set in motion by the Roman Constantine, who, in order to get his agenda through, had sought the support of the church and vice versa. Constantine even went so far as to nominally accept Christianity, and this fusion of the church, and state produced the hybrid now seen in the Vatican. Pagan influencers sought to establish more firmly, the day of the sun, but they lacked the power to enforce it. So, they turned to the secular government for help and the papacy was born.
[The Great Controversy pp 679] Constantine's Sunday law, issued A.D. 321, was as follows: “Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun. But let those who are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty attend to the business of agriculture; Because it often happens that no other day is so fit for sowing corn and planting vines; lest, the critical moment being let slip, men should lose the commodities granted by heaven.”
Thus, whenever the state needed the influence of the church it stood ready to do its bidding and when the Christian church needed the secular powers of government, it supplied the needed enforcement. Thus, a very close symbioses was formed, between church and state, and as history teaches, wherever such a merger takes place, trouble isn’t far behind.
Daniel 8:23 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. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!