Napoleon's coronation and its prophetic significance

December 2 is the anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte's coronation as "Holy Roman Emperor."  Was Napoleon just a great conqueror?  Or, was he part of a 2,500-year-old story that weaves its way through Bible history and Bible prophecy and has yet to reach its climactic end? 

Napoleon was crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral on December 2, 1804. His coronation was blessed by Pope Pius VII, who had agreed to take part in the ceremony in exchange for regaining several papal territories, and for the opportunity of converting French citizens back to the Catholic Church.

The French neoclassic painter, Jacques-Louis David, required three years to recreate the scene on a massive twenty-foot by thirty-foot canvas. (Coronation of Napoleon at www.louvre.fr)

About 2,500 years ago, the prophet Daniel recorded important visions revealing the rise and fall of nations that would culminate in the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings. While most people look at Daniel's visions as either ancient allegory, or as too complex to understand, God's faithful Church and His ministry do understand this prophecy – and where Napoleon fits in.

Daniel chapters 7 and 8 reveal: a lion (7:4), a bear (7:5), a four-headed leopard (7:6), a terrific 10-horned beast with iron teeth (7:7, 23-24), a two-horned ram (8:3-4, 20) and a goat with a large horn and four "notable" horns (8:5-8, 21-22).

Who or what do these animals and beasts represent? Did these visions have relevance only for nations and people of Daniel's day, or are they much more far-reaching?

In referring to events surrounding the end of the age and His future return as King of kings (Matthew 24:3), Jesus told His disciples (which includes His Church today) to look at Daniel's prophecies for understanding (Matthew 24:15).

Napoleon's brief restoration of Empire from 1804 to his abdication in 1814 (Encyclopædia Britannica, "The defeat of Napoleon") was, in fact, simply one event in a long story foretold through God's prophets. Napoleon considered himself a successor to Caesar and Charlemagne and the Bible reveals that he was.

As Mr. John Ogwyn wrote in The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality? "[Napoleon] aspired to far more than the presidency of a French Republic or even becoming a new king of France. His ambition could only be satisfied by the reestablishment of the Roman Empire – with himself as emperor. As historian Will Durant notes, 'he dreamt of rivaling Charlemagne and uniting Western Europe' (The Story of Civilization, Will Durant, vol. 11, p. 243)."

A study of history and your Bible reveals that Napoleon's empire was symbolized and predicted in both Daniel and Revelation. Napoleon's empire was the 8th horn on the terrific 10-horned beast with iron teeth of Daniel 7. But, like all human empires, it was temporary.

Mr. Ogwyn continues, "Napoleon's abdication marked the end of an epoch. According to prophecy there were yet to be two more attempted revivals of the glory and grandeur of ancient Rome."

Napoleon's empire (revival) was preceded by the Hapsburg Dynasty (the 7th horn) and was followed by the German and Italian alliance and their temporary dominance of Europe (the 9th horn). These empires are now history. However, the 10th and final horn is yet developing – and may manifest sooner than many realize.

Daniel's prophecies are powerful and accurate testimony given by the Almighty God about the rise and fall of world powers. To understand them requires prayerful study and God's help.

Prayerfully read and study the excellent articles: Europe: A Modern Tower of Babel by Douglas S. Winnail, and Is the Beast Awakening?, by Roderick C. Meredith. Also, request or read online the very detailed booklet, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality? by Mr. John Ogwyn.

You can understand what your Bible reveals about Napoleon, the millennia-old prophecies that he was a small part of, and how those prophecies will shake your world in the years ahead!