Daniel 11:23:- "AFTER THE LEAGUE MADE WITH HIM HE SHALL WORK DECEITFULLY; FOR HE SHALL COME UP, AND SHALL BECOME STRONG WITH A SMALL PEOPLE".

We come now to another momentous happening for the ex-Roman province of the British "Isles", which is to make a lasting mark on its people. It will cause subjugation of another kind other than Rome's marching legions did. It is subjugation of not only the creature called man, but his inner man -or- soul. It is to cause him terror, to live in bondage -of- body and soul!

Let us take the first line of verse 23 and unravel it. "AND AFTER THE LEAGUE MADE WITH HIM HE SHALL WORK DECEITFULLY"; The "HIM" in this verse is still a power leader of "Rome" itself, as it was in the previous verse of 22. All the verses gone before for the "Isles" were all of Rome and its Emperors, and their many ways of dealing with the province Britain.

Verse 23 is connected to verse 22, through the similarities of happenings at that time in history, which verse 21 began. It is also connected to verse 24 that is to follow. So, what we have here, is a picture of how the "HIM" in Rome, is to be capable of taking over the leadership of the province Britain once more; After, the Isles and Rome had both been mauled so badly by the "overflowing" of the Germanic tribes.

In verse 22 we saw how Prince Michael's power to help the Israelite people, is BROKEN. He cannot now stop nor hold back their ongoing miseries in histories ferocious rush towards them; Because "He" is "BROKEN" in power at this time, the Israelite nation is still facing its punishment alone! That punishment which was to last time and time again, as was pronounced by God through Moses in verses of chastisement, and blessings set down in Deuteronomy chapters 28, 29 and 30. Because reader I write in this book all these words, to the greater part of the 12 tribes of Israel namely, the 10-toed tribes of the "House of Israel". It is necessary I pick out a few verses here and there in Deuteronomy, to cause one to call to mind the words of the curse, pronounced upon this nation! Because the House of Israel's identity has been torn to pieces in the nations of the earth.

Deuteronomy 28:15-20.

Verse 15:- "BUT IT SHALL COME TO PASS, IF THOU WILT NOT HEARKEN UNTO THE VOICE OF THE LORD THY GOD, TO OBSERVE TO DO ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HIS STATUTES WHICH I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY, THAT ALL THESE CURSES SHALL COME UPON THEE, AND OVERTAKE THEE";
Verse 16:- "CURSED SHALT THOU BE IN THE CITY, AND CURSED SHALT THOU BE IN THE FIELD";
Verse 17:- "CURSED SHALL BE THY BASKET AND THY STORE";
Verse 18:- "CURSED SHALL BE THE FRUIT OF THY BODY, AND THE FRUIT OF THY LAND, THE INCREASE OF THY KINE, AND THE FLOCKS OF THY SHEEP".
Verse 19:- "CURSED SHALT THOU BE WHEN THOU COMEST IN, AND CURSED SHALT THOU BE WHEN THOU GOEST OUT";
Verse 20:- "THE LORD SHALL SEND UPON THEE CURSING, VEXATION, AND REBUKE, IN ALL THAT THOU SETTEST THINE HAND UNTO FOR TO DO, UNTIL THOU BE DESTROYED, AND UNTIL THOU PERISH QUICKLY; BECAUSE OF THE WICKEDNESS OF THY DOINGS, WHEREBY THOU HAST FORSAKEN ME".

To continue on in this course of curses set for Israel I will quote further.

Verse 25:- "THE LORD SHALL CAUSE THEE TO BE SMITTEN BEFORE THINE ENEMIES; THOU SHALT GO OUT ONE WAY AGAINST THEM, AND FLEE SEVEN WAYS BEFORE THEM; AND SHALT BE REMOVED INTO ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH".
Verse 36:- "THE LORD SHALL BRING THEE, AND THY KING WHICH THOU SHALT SET OVER THEE, UNTO A NATION WHICH NEITHER THOU NOR THY FATHERS HAVE KNOWN; AND THERE SHALT THOU SERVE OTHER GODS, WOOD, AND STONE".
Verse 37:- "AND THOU SHALT BECOME AN ASTONISHMENT, A PROVERB, AND A BYWORD, AMONG ALL NATIONS WHITHER THE LORD SHALL LEAD THEE".
Verse 43:- "THE STRANGER THAT IS WITHIN THEE SHALL GET UP ABOVE THEE VERY HIGH, AND THOU SHALT COME DOWN VERY LOW".
Verse 49:- "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".
Verse 58:- "IF THOU WILT NOT OBSERVE TO DO ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK, THAT THOU MAYEST FEAR THIS GLORIOUS AND FEARFUL NAME, THE LORD THY GOD";
Verse 64:- "AND THE LORD SHALL SCATTER THEE AMONG ALL PEOPLE, FROM THE ONE END OF THE EARTH UNTO THE OTHER; AND THERE THOU SHALT SERVE OTHER GODS, WHICH NEITHER THOU NOR THY FATHERS HAVE KNOWN, EVEN WOOD AND STONE".
Verse 65:- "AND AMONG THESE NATIONS SHALT THOU FIND NO EASE, NEITHER SHALL THE SOLE OF THY FOOT HAVE REST; BUT THE LORD SHALL GIVE THEE THERE A TREMBLING HEART, AND FAILING OF EYES, AND SORROW OF MIND".
Verse 66:- "AND THY LIFE SHALL HANG IN DOUBT BEFORE THEE; AND THOU SHALT FEAR DAY AND NIGHT, AND SHALT HAVE NONE ASSURANCE OF THY LIFE";
Verse 67:- "IN THE MORNING THOU SHALT SAY, WOULD GOD IT WERE EVEN; AND AT EVEN THOU SHALT SAY, WOULD GOD IT WERE MORNING! FOR THE FEAR OF THINE HEART WHERE WITH THOU SHALT FEAR, AND FOR THE SIGHT OF THINE EYES WHICH THOU SHALT SEE".
Verse 68:- "AND THE LORD SHALL BRING THEE INTO EGYPT (bondage as slaves to the nations) AGAIN WITH SHIPS, BY THE WAY WHEREOF I SPAKE UNTO THEE, THOU SHALT SEE IT NO MORE AGAIN; AND THERE YE SHALL BE SOLD UNTO YOUR ENEMIES FOR BONDMEN AND BONDWOMEN; AND NO MAN SHALL BUY YOU".
Chapter 29, Verse 1:- "THESE ARE THE WORDS OF THE COVENANT, WHICH THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES TO MAKE WITH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE LAND OF MOAB, BESIDE THE COVENANT WHICH HE MADE WITH THEM IN HOREB".
Verse 14:- "NEITHER WITH YOU ONLY DO I MAKE THIS COVENANT AND THIS OATH";
Verse 15:- "BUT WITH HIM THAT STANDETH HERE WITH US THIS DAY BEFORE THE LORD OUR GOD, AND ALSO WITH HIM THAT IS NOT HERE WITH US THIS DAY".
Verse 25:- "THEN MEN SHALL SAY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE FORSAKEN THE COVENANT OF THE LORD GOD OF THEIR FATHERS, WHICH HE MADE WITH THEM WHEN HE BROUGHT THEM FORTH OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT". Verse 29:- "THE SECRET THINGS BELONG UNTO THE LORD OUR GOD; BUT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE REVEALED BELONG UNTO US AND TO OUR CHILDREN "FOREVER", THAT WE MAY DO ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW".
Chapter 30, Verse 1:- "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, WHEN ALL THESE THINGS ARE COME UPON THEE, THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE, WHICH I HAVE SET BEFORE THEE, AND THOU SHALT CALL THEM TO MIND AMONG THE NATIONS, WHITHER THE LORD THY GOD HATH DRIVEN THEE".
Verse 2:- "AND SHALT "RETURN" UNTO THE LORD THY GOD, AND SHALT OBEY HIS VOICE ACCORDING TO ALL THAT I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY, THOU AND THY CHILDREN, WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL";
Verse 10:- "IF THOU SHALT HEARKEN UNTO THE VOICE OF THE LORD THY GOD, TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HIS STATUTES WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK OF THE LAW, AND IF THOU TURN UNTO THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL".

The histories of the world which the "House of Israel" and the "House of Judah" (Jews), were partakers of, as seen in Daniel's' history of them in chapter 11. Have also shown us reader, how indeed their sleep was uneasy, and their years of life in the centuries fraught with danger. They were sifted through nation after nation. These verses in Deuteronomy are not only applicable to the Jew, as some scholars would have us believe, but to both houses. The "House of Israel's" people were assimilated into other nations and tribes. Also became fierce warriors from out of the Celts, and from out of the Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Vikings, -or- Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, peoples out of Normandy France. They were of Spain, Greece and Rome etc. Europe alone was swept and swept by God, until sufficient of the Israelites went into the "Isles", to reconstitute a nation again.

Indeed, their gods were of Mithras, Apollo, and Celtic gods, or of Woden and Rome. This we see plainly and factually when we unravel Daniel's prophecies correctly. It is no airy-fairy story idea of mine, which I write here. Nor of any other person. It is cold hard historical fact, which cannot be undone nor denied to suit cynical unbelieving minds. Which mostly belong to biblical students and teachers alike!

These great words spoken by Moses to all Israel so many centuries ago, are words that stand "forever"; With warnings that one day "We" of Israel, "will call them all to mind" and remember back into the past, our very roots of where we went wrong, and why today we turn faces to each other, looking like strangers out of many nations. Let us go back to Daniel and in his verse 23,

"AND AFTER THE LEAGUE MADE WITH HIM". Daniel speaks of a LEAGUE made with Rome, (HIM) let us then find out what a "LEAGUE" means:- For many a century a "LEAGUE" was a Celtic measurement of length, varying sometimes in different counties in Britain, but was approx. 3 statute miles. Here however in verse 23 this "LEAGUE" spoken of is made with Rome. (HIM) -Which has another meaning altogether; It means, a combination of union between princes or states for their mutual aid or defence. It is an alliance, a confederacy, a compact or covenant for this "LEAGUE".

We have already learned that in verse 22 Rome's might was "BROKEN" through the Germanic tribes in 410 AD. Now, in verse 23 Rome seems able again to bring his power to bear once more on British shores, and the date is 596 AD.

The Western leg of the Roman Empire after those overpouring of Germanic times, was not dominated by Roman Emperors anymore but by the increasing growth of the bishop of Rome. Because the bishopric took upon itself all the image of the trappings and authority to govern, as Imperial Rome had done. The "LEAGUE" in verse 23 of Daniel 11 was a combination or union between princes of states. Which was put into operation between the "Isles" and the Roman bishop in 596 AD. This date takes us to the unhappy state of Augustine, who brought into the "Isles" the abomination of desolation; that was to make the seed of the "House of Israel" live in darkness, and in fear of their souls for many centuries to come. Let us have background from the secular historical story of this "League" and how it was formed.

We must establish first that Christianity as such was just another religion, -amongst other forms of pagan religions,- during Imperial Roman occupation of the "Isles" in the first 2 centuries of its history.

It is said that King Caractacus (Prince Caradoc of the Celts of Wales etc.) was a Christian prince when taken prisoner by Claudius approx. 50 AD-60 AD. The legend amongst the Welsh people is "Bran the Blessed" father of the Chieftain Caradoc was converted in Rome to true Christianity when Saint Peter and Paul were there. Indeed, Celtic Christianity flourished in the "Isles" long before Roman Christianity reared its controversial head! The old British Christian church was established enough to have bishops representing it, when the Roman Augustine landed, placing his feet on British shores. The Celtic churches already had a form of ecclesiastical government, which was supported by a loosely knit community of preachers and monks. Which were not associated with the Roman form of the Papal organisation at all. The old story goes that Augustine became,- amongst other bishops,- the founder of the English church or the Roman English church. Not the British or Welsh church. Those British bishops who met Augustine on the banks of the Severn River, -(between Wales and England)- in the year 603 AD. Were not impressed by this arrogant man, and before circumstances in later history were supposedly to fuse, these 2 churches bitter quarrelling between the Celtic and Roman churches was to take place for many a year.

During this period of history in the 6th century, British slaves in Rome included fair haired, blue eyed, boys and girls who were sold in the slave markets. When Pope Gregory (called the Great) saw these handsome people he asked, "who they were"? and was told they were Angles from Britain, to this he replied, "surely they are angels and not Angles?

This story I remember from my childhood told to us in school. A pretty story to bolster the nobility of the Papacy no doubt?

The "LEAGUE" itself however began with Pope Gregory and his ecclesiastical statesmen, who had decided to convert and assimilate the heathen of Britain, whose Island had once been governed by the Imperial Eagle of Rome, for 400 years. It was still regarded as their province; British Christianity had to be taken under the umbrella of the so-called true Roman church, and for that task, Pope Gregory chose a cultured monk named Augustine.

Winston Churchill in his writings of these "English speaking peoples", summed up the situation well for Augustine, because he says:- "AUGUSTINE BEGAN HIS MISSION IN 596 AD UNDER HOPEFUL AUSPICES". No doubt his hopefulness stemmed from the fact that his platform to speak to these Islanders was already in place for him in Kent. It was to this part of the "Isles" he went first. Kent had always been more closely in contact with Europe than the rest of the Britannic Island. Even under the Roman legions it was more cultured than the rest of the counties. The "LEAGUE" was now set in motion between the Prince of Rome and the Prince of the Saxons for their mutual aid. The Queen of Kent in the South was Bertha, daughter of a Frankish king; -(Who was then king of Paris, France). -She was also of a Roman Christianity persuasion. Her husband was King Ethelbert who ruled Kingdoms south and west of this part of the "Isles". He worshipped the gods of the Saxons and perhaps Vikings, Woden and Thor.

Winston Churchill says, both Bertha and her chaplain, -had already begun to spread Roman Christianity throughout the court circles.- "HER CHAPLAIN AN EARNEST AND ENERGETIC FRANK, WAS GIVEN FULL REIN, AND THUS A POWERFUL IMPULSE CAME TO THE PEOPLE OF KENT, WHO WERE ALREADY IN A RECEPTIVE MOOD TOWARDS THE DOMINANT CREED OF WESTERN EUROPE. AUGUSTINE, WHEN HE LANDED IN KENT WAS THEREFORE AWARE THAT MUCH HAD BEEN PREPARED BEFORE HAND. HIS ARRIVAL INFUSED A MOOD OF ACTION. WITH THE AID OF THE FRANKISH PRINCESS HE CONVERTED KING ETHELBERT, WHO HAD FOR REASONS OF POLICY LONG MEDITATED THIS STEP. UPON THE RUINS OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH CHURCH OF ST. MARTIN (Augustine) HE REFOUNDED THE CHRISTIAN LIFE OF CANTERBURY, WHICH WAS DESTINED TO BECOME THE CENTRE AND SUMMIT OF RELIGIOUS ENGLAND". The "LEAGUE" between Rome through Augustine and Queen Bertha, was now in operation. It was the first stepping stone of the Roman Papacy that was to bring "Legions" of a different kind into the Isles from then on! We will now look into the rest of Daniel's verse 23, when Daniel says:- "AND AFTER THE "LEAGUE" MADE WITH HIM (Rome) "HE" SHALL WORK DECEITFULLY; FOR HE SHALL COME UP, AND SHALL BECOME STRONG WITH A SMALL PEOPLE". The "LEAGUE" begun between the Queen and Augustine, suited her husband King Ethelbert fine, for he too saw in it a "power" to hold England together, under one crown.

I shall quote again from Winston Churchill's writings. "ETHELBERT, AS OVERLORD OF ENGLAND, EXERCISED AN EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE KINGDOMS OF THE SOUTH AND WEST. HIS POLICY WAS AT ONCE SKILFUL AND AMBITIOUS; HIS CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY, HOWEVER SINCERE, WAS ALSO IN CONSONANCE WITH HIS SECULAR AIMS. HE WAS HIMSELF, AS THE ONLY ENGLISH CHRISTIAN RULER, IN A POSITION WHERE HE MIGHT HOLD OUT THE HAND TO THE BRITISH PRINCES, AND, BY USING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AS A BOND OF UNION, ESTABLISH HIS SUPREMACY OVER THE WHOLE COUNTRY. THIS, NO DOUBT, WAS ALSO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IDEAS WHICH AUGUSTINE HAD CARRIED FROM ROME. THUS AT THE OPENING OF THE SEVENTH CENTURY ETHELBERT AND AUGUSTINE SUMMONED A CONFERENCE OF THE BRITISH CHRISTIAN BISHOPS. THE PLACE CHOSEN IN THE SEVERN VALLEY WAS ON THE FRONTIER BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND BRITISH DOMAINS, AND FAR OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF THE KENTISH KINGDOM. HERE THEN, WOULD BE A CHANCE OF A GENERAL AND LASTING PEACE FOR BOTH RACES, RECONCILED IN THE NAME OF CHRIST; AND OF THIS SETTLEMENT ETHELBERT AND HIS DESCENDANTS COULD SECURELY EXPECT TO BE HEIRS. WE MUST REGRET THAT THIS HOPE, SUSTAINED BY SAGACIOUS AND BENEVOLENT POLITICS, WAS NOT REALISED. IT FAILED FOR TWO SEPARATE REASONS; FIRST, THE SULLEN AND JEALOUS TEMPER OF THE BRITISH BISHOPS, AND SECONDLY, THE TACTLESS ARROGANCE OF ST. AUGUSTINE. THERE WERE TWO CONFERENCES, WITH AN INTERVAL. THE DISCUSSIONS WERE OSTENSIBLY CONFINED TO INTERESTING BUT UNCONTROVERSIAL QUESTIONS. THERE WAS THE DATE OF EASTER, WHICH IS STILL DEBATED, AND ALSO THE FORM OF TONSURE. AUGUSTINE URGED THE ROMAN CUSTOM OF SHAVING ONLY THE TOP OF THE HEAD. THE BRITISH BISHOPS HAD PERHAPS IMITATED THE DRUIDICAL METHOD OF SHAVING FROM THE CENTRE TO THE EARS, LEAVING A FRINGE ON THE FOREHEAD. IT WAS A CHOICE OF THE GROTESQUE. THESE WERE MATTERS WELL CAPABLE OF ADJUSTMENT, BUT THEY CONVENIENTLY OFFERED AMPLE PASTURE UPON WHICH THE CONFERENCES COULD BROWSE IN PUBLIC, WHILE THE VITAL ISSUES WERE SETTLING THEMSELVES IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF GOOD WILL, OR BEING DEFINITELY COMPACTED BEHIND THE SCENES. BUT THE BRITISH BISHOPS WERE FOUND IN NO MOOD TO THROW THEMSELVES INTO THE STRONG EMBRACES OF ROME. WHY SHOULD THEY, WHO HAD SO LONG DEFENDED THE FAITH AGAINST HORRIBLE CRUELTIES AND OPPRESSION, NOW RECEIVE THEIR GUIDANCE FROM A SAXON KENTISH KING WHOSE CONVERSION WAS BRAND-NEW, AND WHOSE POLITICAL DESIGNS, HOWEVER INSPIRING, WERE NONE THE LESS OBVIOUS? THE SECOND CONFERENCE ENDED IN A COMPLETE RUPTURE. WHEN AUGUSTINE FOUND HIMSELF IN THE PRESENCE OF WHAT HE DEEMED TO BE UNREASONABLE PREJUDICE AND DEEP-SEATED HOSTILITY, WHEN HE SAW THE FEW BISHOPS WHO HAD BEEN WON OVER REPROACHED BY THEIR BRETHREN AS BACKSLIDERS AND TRAITORS, HE FELL BACK QUICKLY UPON THREATS. IF BRITISH CHRISTIANITY WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE FAIR OFFERS NOW MADE THE WHOLE INFLUENCE AND PRESTIGE OF ROME WOULD BE THROWN AGAINST THEM UPON THE ENGLISH SIDE. THE SAXON ARMIES WOULD BE BLESSED AND UPHELD BY ROME AND BY THE UNBROKEN TRADITIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AND NO SYMPATHY WOULD BE FELT FOR THESE LONG-FAITHFUL BRITISH CHRISTIANS WHEN THEY HAD THEIR THROATS CUT BY THE NEW ENGLISH CONVERT STATES. "IF" THE SAINT EXCLAIMED,"YOU WILL NOT HAVE PEACE FROM YOUR FRIENDS YOU SHALL HAVE WAR FROM YOUR FOES." BUT THIS WAS NO MORE THAN THE BRITISH HAD FACED FOR TWO HUNDRED YEARS. IT WAS LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTOOD. THE CONFERENCE SEPARATED IN ENMITY; THE BREACH WAS IRREPARABLE. ALL FURTHER EFFORTS BY ROME THROUGH ETHELBERT AND THE KENTISH KINGDOM TO ESTABLISH EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH CHRISTIAN BRITAIN WERE INEXORABLY REPULSED. AUGUSTINE'S MISSION THEREFORE DREW TO A DIGNIFIED BUT CURTAILED END. EXCEPT FOR THE CONSECRATION OF MELLITUS AS BISHOP OF THE EAST SAXONS IN A CHURCH ON THE SITE OF SAINT PAUL'S, HE MADE LITTLE ATTEMPT TO PROSELYTISE OUTSIDE KENT. FROM THE TITLE LOOSELY ACCORDED HIM OF "APOSTLE OF THE ENGLISH" HE ENJOYED FOR MANY CENTURIES THE CREDIT OF HAVING RECONVERTED THE ONCE FAMOUS ROMAN PROVINCE OF BRITANNIA TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH; AND HIS HALO HAS SHONE ABOUT HIM UNTIL COMPARATIVELY RECENT TIMES. ALMOST A GENERATION PASSED BEFORE ENVOYS FROM ROME BEGAN TO PENETRATE INTO NORTHERN ENGLAND AND RALLY ITS PEOPLES TO CHRISTIANITY, AND THEN IT CAME ABOUT IN THE WAKE OF POLITICAL AND DYNASTIC DEVELOPMENTS".

The "DECEITFUL" work, for supremacy within that "LEAGUE" both temporal and spiritual spoken of in Daniel 11:23, backfired for a time on both Augustine and King Ethelbert. (And the full sense of the word "DECEIT" was seen at that meeting which means a manner in the act of being misled, fraudulent, false, hypocritical and hollow). These were the words for the motives of Rome and the King of the Saxons. The last sentence of Daniel's verse uses a peculiar expression, and it says:- "FOR HE SHALL COME UP, AND SHALL BECOME STRONG WITH A SMALL PEOPLE". This latter half of verse 23 is a description given of Augustine and the small band of men who came with him,

To "COME UP" means to ascend, to rise above others, or rise above the earth, which is exactly what Augustine did. Firstly, one could say Augustine came from Italy south of the Britannic Islands and crossed the English Channel and "up" into Kent. The real meaning of this sentence however is in the motives of "his" heart, and in his manner. Pope Gregory who sent Augustine to Britain, also tried to attain to the "ascendancy of heaven", placing himself and his Roman church in arrogance over the British Christians. And over mankind, Rome calling itself the "mother church", thus representing God "UP IN" the heavens. He stands "UP" in Saint Peters role within the spiritual peoples of the earth.

Pope Gregory's claim through Augustine and his seat, to "ASCEND -or- COME UP" was a lofty one. Indeed! Secular history was to "ASCEND" him because, he is called "Saint" Augustine. Thereby "ascending to heaven" and on equal par with Peter, Paul, and the other "Saints". Therefore, the explanation "to COME UP" was fulfilled in this "HE" and the SMALL PEOPLE with him.

The "SMALL PEOPLE" that were with him means, a body of persons who are a community, of a race or nation. Verse 23 does not mean a populace or mass of persons, but rather it says, "A SMALL PEOPLE", which means people closely connected with "a person", as attendants or relatives, etc. These, "A SMALL PEOPLE", were a closely connected band of men, who were monks of the Roman church all of the same persuasion. They attended Augustine as their leader, "He", being made Abbot by Pope Gregory. So, the rest would obey him, and they "all" represented Rome and its church. Now amongst these small band of men was one called Paulinus, which brings us to the middle few words, of this verse of 23, namely,-"AND SHALL BECOME STRONG". - Paulinus was to come back to the "Isles" later on with other monks to help to fulfil Daniel 11:24.

It seems on the surface of this story that Augustine failed in his mission to convert all the "Isles", and returned instead to give an account of himself to Pope Gregory in Rome, Yet! The strong "seed" that he sowed in the south of England amongst the Sovereign of Kent and the Saxon people, was to spread over all England. Eventually to swallow some in Wales, Scotland and Ireland in its depths.

Winston Churchill, in his writings tells of Augustine's attempt to convert the once Roman Imperial Isles into the Roman Christianity, and he failed, because of British Christianity. Augustine's personal name, and the "STRENGTH" of his name for the purpose of conversion of the English, has continued on down through the ages as a beacon within history. It is only in modern history that the failing of Augustine has been corrected!

Daniel had already told us of his "DECEITFUL" venture with Ethelbert of Kent and the "LEAGUE" formed in that history with Augustine's attempt to swallow the British, into Roman Papal ways, which failed. The "SMALL BAND OF PEOPLE" of 40 men, who were with Augustine and those that came after him, were stronger in character than this arrogant man, Augustine.

The "LEAGUE" of the "HIM" which we see in verse 23, who became "STRONG" with a "SMALL PEOPLE" is of course also a reference to the power of Rome itself. - This is the same 2 horned lamb speaking as a dragon in the earth, that we can read of in Revelation 13:11,12. The Roman lamb was now lowering its head pushing all before it for temporal and spiritual power! Daniel 7:20-25, also explains this Roman power.

The "Him" we read of in Daniel 11:23 is basically the power of Pope Gregory "himself", who was the mastermind behind Augustine and the Roman Church of those times. Whose name also has gone down in history as Pope Gregory "father" of Rome, and "saint" elevated to heaven! Gregory also did "COME UP" in ascendancy to heaven as Daniel says, this through Rome's idea of what makes a saint! Let us look into the historical background around this time zone of Pope Gregory, and see who this "Him" was. Because the "DECEIT" of the "LEAGUE" to capture the Isles for Rome began with Gregory personally.

History records that there were 16 popes and 2 anti-popes by the name of Gregory, some of these attaining to Sainthood. History mostly collects its data of these early times from the Roman Catholic monk the Venerable Bede, with a little information from evidence within letters written by Pope Gregory himself.

One such letter was written to the rector of papal estates at Marseilles, in which he instructs to use some revenues for buying English youths, who might be converted to monastic life.

Information tells us that Pope Gregory was born in Rome 504 AD? - died 604 AD? His father was Gordianus and was a wealthy patrician, his mother was called Saint Silvia. At about 30 years of age Gregory was made Prefect of Rome by the then Emperor Justin II. At the death of his father, Gregory inherited much wealth, which he eventually used for religious purposes, founding 6 monasteries. He resigned his civil office, and gave away his money, jewels, and robes etc. becoming a monk in the cloisters of St. Andrews, Pope Pelagius II appointed Gregory ambassador to the Constantinople court in 579 AD afterwards, becoming Abbot of St. Andrews. It was during this period in his life that the pretty story of Gregory seeing handsome Anglo-Saxon youths in the slave markets in Rome, that he resolved to bring the supposed pagan land of England under the Roman umbrella of its form of Christianity. Gregory then served as regionary deacon in Rome, where upon the death of Pope Pelagius II, -from the plague, -that he was chosen to succeed him and was consecrated Pope in 590 AD.

The Venerable Bede says, "Gregory's first and most important endeavour was to convert Britain", which of course was done through Augustine under his personal direction. When Gregory died in 604 AD his body was buried in the basilica of St. Peters Rome. The Roman church celebrating his "feast day" on March 12th. We must continue this story with verse 24 of Daniel 11 to fill in more of the picture of the "Isles", being subdued by the Roman Papacy, which Scripture calls the "abomination of desolation"!