And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Daniel 8:24)
Compare, “an host was given him” (v. 12). Some see a reference here to the fact that the papacy reduced the civil power to subservience and caused the sword of the state to be wielded on behalf of its religious objectives.
Destroy wonderfully.
Better, “cause frightful destruction.” This power persecuted even unto death those who opposed its blasphemous claims, and would have extinguished “the holy people” had not the Lord intervened on their behalf.