Men’s systems cannot be fixed. The Bible calls man’s world-wide government Babylon the Great. Babylon the Great includes all democratic, socialistic, communistic and totalitarian governments as well as all of men’s institutions like organized religions, government schools, and, of course, men’s monetary systems. Today people working in secret select and insure the election or rise to power of national leaders within this world government which publicly is called the New World Order. Revelation 17 and 18 prophecy this government’s coming destruction. Do not expect another Christian “revival.” God used the revivals of past generations to extend man’s evil rule of the world in order to reach a particular appointed time called the Day of Wrath. God has known and planned that day from the beginning. It can no more be changed by our actions than can God’s creation of the world be changed. Instead we should now expect the installation of God’s Kingdom of everlasting righteousness.

One of Daniel’s specific prophecies deals with this particular time which now unfolds before us.

9 And from one of them[x] came forth a horn, a little one,[y] and it grew exceedingly[z] toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the beautiful land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven, and it threw down to the ground some of the host and some of the stars and trampled them. 11 Even against the prince of the hosts it acted arrogantly and took away from him the regular burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. 12 And on account of transgression, the host was given over to the horn in addition to the regular burnt offering. And it cast down truth to the ground, and it acted,[aa] and it had success. …

23 And at the end of their kingdom, when the transgressions are completed, a king will arise, fierce in countenance and skilled in riddles.24 And his power will grow, but not by his own power, and he will cause fearful destruction, and he will succeed and he will act,[al] and he will destroy the mighty and the people of the holy ones.[am] 25 And by his planning[an] he will make a success of deceit by[ao] his hand, and in his mind[ap] he will boast,[aq] and in their ease he will destroy many, and even against the prince of princes he will rise up, and he will be broken, but not by human hands. 26 And the vision of the evening and the morning that has been described,[ar] it is true; and you, seal up the vision, for it refers to many days to come.”[as] (Daniel 8:9-26 Lexham English Bible (LEB))

I believe the predicted “little horn” currently wields power over the earth and I could give you my opinion whom I think the little horn is, but I think you already know. Knowing his identity really means nothing to us. What does matter is to recognize that in our generation the little horn has already cast truth to the ground and is, even as I write, destroying the mighty and the people of the holy ones. Do you know how many top U.S. generals have been fired over the past five years? Have you been watching the news describing the torture and beheading of Christians in the Middle East? Have you seen how the U.S. military now forbids the practice of Christianity even by army chaplains? Christian, do you not cringe and weep in spirit at the atrocities daily approved and committed by this little horn? It appears that the destruction of many and the rising up against the prince of princes occurs next on the prophetic agenda.

Now notice that God gives the little horn power over “the people of the holy ones.” Who are these holy ones?

This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. 2 He said,

And remember Zechariah’s prophecy.

And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. (Zech. 14:5 ESV)

Also remember Psalm 89.

“I made a covenant with my chosen one;
I swore an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever,
and I will build up your throne from generation to generation.’”[c] Selah
5 And so the heavens will praise your wonderful deed, O Yahweh,
even your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the sky[d] is equal to Yahweh?
Who is like Yahweh among the sons of God,
7 a God feared greatly in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all surrounding him? (Psalm 89:3-7 LEB)

 Now the New Testament will help to shed light on the identity of the holy ones.

12 Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, 13 putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone should have a complaint against anyone, just as also the Lord forgave you, thus also you do the same. 14 And to all these things add love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And the peace of Christ must rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God, 17 and everything whatever[d] you do in word or in deed, giving thanks for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

And never forget the following prophecy given by John the beloved:

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 2:28-3:3 KJV)

By comparing Scripture with Scripture we come to the conclusion that the phrase “the holy ones” refers to the sons of God. Jesus told us that we should desire to be perfect even as our heavenly Father is perfect, that we should desire to become holy and righteous even as the Righteous One is. Even now the prophecies concerning the end times culminating in the Day of Wrath and the inauguration of God’s Kingdom are being fulfilled. Let us aspire, then, to be holy even as our God, King, and Savior is holy.