Facts of Faith

“A Time, and Times. And Half a Time”

THE little horn of Daniel 7:8, 25, was to reign for “a time and times and the dividing of time.” This same “time, and times, and half a time ” is also mentioned in Revelation 12:14, and in the sixth verse it is said to be “a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” In prophecy a day always stands for a year. (Ezekiel 4:6) This prophetic period is therefore 1260 literal years. We shall now show that these 1260 years began in 538 A. D., and invite the reader to notice the four great changes that took place that year: FAFA 52.1

1. We have already seen that the little horn symbolized the Papacy, and that three Arian kingdoms, which stood in its way, were plucked up by the roots, and that the last of these received its deathblow in 538 A. D. through the efforts of Justinian, the faithful son of the church of Rome. FAFA 52.2

2. History states that the work of Justin and Justinian in elevating the Papacy to power brought on a new era, introducing the Middle Ages: FAFA 52.3

“Accordingly, the religious and political tendencies of the Empire now took so different a direction as to positively constitute the dawn of a new era.... Thus at last Rome had triumphed, after fighting so long with unflinching vigor and without yielding a single point. “The Barbarian Invasion of Italy,” P. Villari, Vol. I, pp. 177,178. FAFA 52.4

“The reign of Justinian is more remarkable as a portion of the history of mankind, than as a chapter in the annals of the Roman Empire or of the Greek nation. The changes of centuries pass in rapid succession before the eyes of one generation.... FAFA 52.5

“With the conquest of Rome by Belisarius, the history of the ancient city may be considered as terminating; and with his defence against Witigis [A. D. 538], commences the history of the Middle Ages. “Greece Under the Romans,” George Finlay, pp. 198, 240, Dent edition, revised by author, 1877. FAFA 52.6

3. Even the Papacy itself changed, so there was a new order of popes after 538 A. D. History relates: FAFA 53.1

“Down to the sixth century all popes are declared saints in the martyrologies. Vigillius (537-555) is the first of a series of popes who no longer bear this title, which is henceforth sparingly conferred. From this time on the popes, more and more enveloped in worldly events, no longer belong solely to the church; they are men of the state, and then rulers of the state.” “Medieval Europe,” Belmont and Monod (revised by George Burton Adams), p. 120. New York: H. Holt & Co., 1902. FAFA 53.2

In the foregoing quotation the date of Vigillius should be 538 instead of 537 for the following reason: FAFA 53.3

“Vigillius having been thus ordained in the year 537.... and the death of Silverius having been certainly not earlier than 20 June, A. D. 538, it is evident that for at least seven months his position was that of an unlawful anti-pope, his predecessor never having been canonically deposed.” — Dictionary of Christian Biography, Drs. Smith and Wace, Vol. IV, art. ” Vigillius,” P. 1144. London: 1887. FAFA 53.4

For this reason A. Bower says: FAFA 53.5

“From the death of Silverius the Roman Catholic writers date the Episcopacy of Vigillius, reckoning him thenceforth among the lawful popes.” — “History of the Popes,” Vol. II, p. 488, under the year “538.” Dublin: 1751.

“His [Silverius’] death happened on the 20th of June ... 538.” — Id., p. 488. FAFA 53.6

Dr. Philip Schaff says: FAFA 53.7

“Vigillius, a pliant creature of Theodora, ascended the papal chair under the military protection of Belisarius (538-555).” “History of the Christian Church” (7-vol. ed.), Vol. III, p. 827. New, York: Scribner’s, 1893. See also “General History of the Catholic Church,” M. l’Abbe J. E. Darras, Vol. II, pp. 146, 147 (New York: 1866), and “The Official Catholic Directory ” for 1933, ” List of Roman Pontiffs ” on page 7.

4. Dr. Summerbell gives still another reason why we should date the beginning of the papal supremacy from 538. He says: Justinian ... enriched himself with the property of all ‘heretics’- that is non-Catholics, and gave all their churches to the Catholics., published edicts in 538 compelling all to join the Catholic Church in ninety days or leave the empire, and confiscated all their goods. “History of The Christian Church,” pp. 310, 311. Cincinnati: 1873. The same is stated by Samuel Chandler in ‘History of Persecution,” pp. 142, 143; and by Edward Gibbon, in “Decline and Fall,” chap. 47, par. 24. FAFA 54.1