Hello Friends,
The visions of the prophets Daniel and John the Revelator give us great insight about the time of the end. Although Daniel wrote his prophetic book between 605BC-536BC, and John wrote Revelation around 95AD, these incredible books have very similar visions. Both visions give us great understanding of future events that will take place. We will explore the visions of Daniel, chapters 7-12, and John the Revelator, Revelation 13.
Daniel 7-Vision of the Four Beasts
Daniel 7:1-7, “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.”
Before Messiah’s kingdom comes (Second Coming), Daniel gives us a prophetic “picture” of the four major kingdoms of the world, including the Antichrist kingdom. The first kingdom he describes is the Babylonian kingdom, represented as a lion. After the Babylonian kingdom, Daniel tells us the Medo-Persia kingdom would reign next, represented by a bear. The next kingdom after the Medo-Persia kingdom would be the Grecian kingdom, represented by a leopard. The four heads of the leopard represents the four divisions that the Grecian kingdom would divide into after the main Grecian kingdom fell; Selucus-North, Ptolemy-South, Cassander-West, Lysimachus-East. All bible scholars agree that the first three beasts represents in order; Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greek. In modern day terms, think of Iraq (Babylon), Iran (Persia), and Turkey (The Grecian empire was primarily Middle Eastern). The last beast, the fourth beast, represents the Antichrist kingdom. Daniel tells us this beast will have ten horns (kings). In Revelation, John the Revelator confirms Daniel’s description of the Antichrist kingdom. Revelation 13:1, “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.” Clearly, as recorded in Revelation, the Apostle John was “in the Spirit,” speaking of the end times. Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.“ Daniel also tells us that while he was considering the 10 horns of the beast, “a little horn” came up from among the 10 horns. This represents the Antichrist himself, as he will rule the 10 kings/horns. The three horns that are “plucked out” represents the three kings that the Antichrist will conquer. In Daniel 11, we can understand who these three kings are. Daniel 11:42-43, “He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.” We understand this Scripture is during the Antichrist kingdom as the beginning of the paragraph in Daniel 11:40 states, “At the time of the end,“ obviously, pointing to Antichrist’s rule which will be at the end of the age. We will explore Daniel 11 in more detail below. Daniel tells us the three kings that will be conquered are Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia. When we look at the geographic topology of the ancient biblical maps, Ethiopia is actually Sudan (Cush).
Daniel 7 describes three beasts before the fourth beast (Antichrist). These three beasts are exactly how the Apostle John describes the one final beast, the Antichrist kingdom. Revelation 13:1-2,”Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” Daniel and John each wrote their book approximately 500 years apart, but had similar visions that give us great insight to the Antichrist kingdom and the “little horn,” Antichrist. John first confirms the beasts are similar as both have “10 horns.” The seven heads are the seven major kingdoms that would reign in world history; Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greek, Roman, and the Ottoman Empire (Antichrist kingdom). John’s vision tells us that the one beast looked like a leopard, feet like a bear, and mouth like a lion. Daniel’s vision gives us three different beasts; Lion, Bear, and a Leopard. What conclusions can we draw from these visions? Daniel’s vision of the three seperate beasts represents three different kingdoms in the order they would occur; Lion (Babylon), Bear (Persia), and Leopard (Greek). History confirms the order of these kingdoms exactly as Daniel’s vision. What does this mean for John’s vision? John’s vision describes one beast, instead of three, that had a mouth of a lion, feet of a bear, and looked like a leopard. John tells us the Antichrist kingdom, the beast, will be made up of ALL of these kingdoms; lion (Babylon), bear (Persia), and leopard (Greek), meaning, the kingdom will be made up of the Ancient Babylon Empire, Med0-Persia Empire, and Grecian Empire all together. The conglomerated “land area” of all of these kingdoms will make up the Antichrist kingdom. As we can see below, the three ancient empires primarily ruled over the same area, which is in the Middle East. Daniel is telling us that the Antichrist kingdom will be a conglomerate of the Babylonian (Lion), Persia (Bear), and Greek (Leopard) Empires. So, if the beast with 10 horns described by Daniel and John is a lion, bear, and leopard combination, and the “little horn” rises up from them, then the Antichrist will rise from this area as well. After Daniel concludes the vision of the four beasts, including the Antichrist kingdom, He has a vision of Messiah!
Daniel 7:9-14, “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.”
Without question, Daniel is clearly describing Jesus, His throne, and Judgement day *(Yom HaDin/ Day of Judgment/The Opening of the Books). In Revelation, John also describes a similar vision of Messiah. Revelation 1:14, “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire.” Revelation 5:11, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” So right after Daniel describes the 4 kingdoms to come, in the same chapter, he describes a vision of Messiah destroying the Antichrist kingdom, and setting up His everlasting kingdom!
Were the first three “kingdoms” fulfilled throughout history or is this vision a “prophetic foreshadow” of what to come with the first three kingdoms; Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), and Grecian (Turkey)? A lot of bible scholars believe Daniel 7 has been fulfilled with the first three kingdoms, except for the Antichrist kingdom and the “little horn.” World history will show that Babylon, Medo-Persia, and the Grecian (Alexander the Great) kingdoms succeeded each other in that exact order. Nobody can dispute that. Also, just as Daniel prophesied, after Alexander’s reign, the Grecian kingdom split into four “regions,” so it can easily be assumed that the first three kingdoms of Daniel 7 have been fulfilled. However, after Daniel tells us about the four beasts, the very next section in the same chapter, he speaks of Messiah and the destruction of the Antichrist and his kingdom. Why would Daniel “switch gears” in the same exact chapter, separated by approximately 2,000 years? As we continue exploring Daniel 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12, and Revelation 13, we could come to a different conclusion. Sometimes, the Holy Bible gives us “prophetic foreshadow events,” so that we will understand what to expect in the future. A great example would be Passover. The Lord gave the command to keep the Feast of Passover in Egypt, and Messiah fulfilled Passover approximately 1,500 years later. For 1,500 years they killed a lamb on Passover, a “prophetic foreshadow” of our Lord and Savior being crucified. Bible scholars call this a “dual fulfillment” of the Scriptures, which we agree with. Now, let us explore the interpretation of Daniel’s vision in chapter 7.
*http://www.faithfulperformance.com/the-seven-feasts-of-the-lord/
Daniel 7:15-20, “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.“
Daniel asked the interpretation of his visions and he was told the four great beasts are the four kings that will arise from the earth, and then Messiah’s kingdom will come and reign forever and ever. Daniel further describes the fourth beast, Antichrist’s kingdom, by giving us another clue to where this beast will come from. “Bronze nails” tells us the Antichrist kingdom, and the little horn, will come from the Grecian kingdom (Turkey). Remember, bronze is the metal component for the Grecian kingdom. Also, Daniel, as does John in Revelation 13:1, confirms the identity of the Antichrist kingdom by describing the 10 horns, the little horn, and the blasphemous words, referring us back to the lion (Babylon, bear (Persia), and leopard (Grecian) combination (Revelation 13:1-2-above).
Daniel 7:21-28, “I was watching; and the same horn (little horn) was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.“Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time (3 1/2 years). ‘But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’ “This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.”
The “same horn” Daniel speaks of is the “little horn,” that rises from the 10 horns. The interpreter tells Daniel that the “little horn,” Antichrist, will subdue three kings (Egypt, Libya, Sudan-mentioned above), and speak blasphemous words against Messiah. He will make war against the saints, try to change times and laws, and persecute the saints for 3 1/2 years, the great tribulation. The Apostle John confirms this as well. Revelation 13:5-8, “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months (3 1/2 years). Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” After the 3 1/2 years, Messiah will return, and destroy the Antichrist and set up His everlasting kingdom! In summary, Daniel 7 tells us that the Antichrist kingdom will consist of the Babylon (Lion), Persia (Bear), and Greek (Leopard) empires. He tells us the “10 horns/kings” will rise from these empires as well. Also, Daniel tells us the “little horn,” the Antichrist, will rise from the 10 kings, which will rule over the conglomerated area. Now, let us explore Daniel 8, as this chapter will confirm Daniel 7.
Daniel 8-Vision of a Ram and a Goat
Daniel 8:1-4, “In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me the first time. I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I was in Shushan, the citadel, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai. Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.”
Two years after the vision in chapter 7, Daniel has another vision. A lot of bible scholars conclude that the ram Daniel is speaking of is Medo-Persia. The higher horn described is Persia, as it was the dominant “power” of the two. Just as Daniel describes, the Medo-Persia kingdom conquered a large area of the ancient world.
Daniel 8:5-7, “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand.“
As Daniel was considering the dominance of the two-horned ram (Medo-Persia), he saw a male goat (Grecian) rage against the ram, destroying him. World history will show that the ram with two horns, Medo-Persia, was conquered and destroyed by Alexander the Great (Grecian Kingdom). Also, Daniel speaks of a “notable horn,” as many scholars refer this to Alexander the Great. As Daniel finished speaking of the destruction of the Medo-Persia kingdom, he gives us insight to the end times Antichrist.
Daniel 8:8-14, “Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?” And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
In Daniel’s vision, after the male goat grew great (Grecian kingdom), his large horn broke (Alexander), meaning his kingdom was destroyed. Just as Daniel 7 spoke about “four heads,” of the beast, in Daniel 8, he speaks of “four horns” that came up after the large horn (Alexander) was broken. Clearly, Daniel 8 is speaking of the same kingdom as Daniel 7, the Grecian kingdom. The four “heads/horns” that ruled after Alexander was; Selucus-North, Ptolemy-South, Cassander-West, Lysimachus-East. Daniel describes a “little horn” coming out of the “four horns” that grew exceedingly strong towards all areas, including the Promised Land. This is clearly speaking of the Antichrist, the little horn, as Daniel states he “grew up to heaven” and “he cast down some of the host and some of the stars from heaven.” Isaiah and John confirms Antichrist (Satan) in these Scriptures. Isaiah 14:14, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most high.” Revelation 12:3-4, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.”
Daniel also tells us the little horn, Antichrist, will come out of the four divisions that the Greek (Alexander) kingdom split into; Selucus-North, Ptolemy-South, Cassander-West, Lysimachus-East. So, which division does the little horn, Antichrist, come from? Daniel 8:9, “And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.” According to Daniel’s vision, Antichrist must come from the Grecian Empire. Also, he must come from one of the four divisions the Grecian Empire divided into. When we read Daniel 8:9, if the little horn is going south, he must be coming from the north. This tells us Antichrist will rise from the Northern division of the Grecian Empire, which is the Selucid division. Also, Daniel 11, calls the Antichrist the “King of the North,” which confirm this Scripture as well. Turkey (Greek Empire) is directly north of Israel (due north), the Glorious Land.
Last, but not least, is where Messiah tells us Satan dwells. Revelation 2:13, “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful marry, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Messiah was speaking to the church in Pergamos, which is modern day Turkey. Antipas, a Christian bishop of the city, was believed to have been martyred there at the end of the first century A.D., around the time when many scholars believe the Book of Revelation was composed. Today, all that remains of the city of Pergamum, modern-day Turkey, are ruins. However, when the Apostle John wrote his letter to the church there, it was one of the most influential cities. It is very important to understand Jesus said where Satan’s throne is, not was, but is, and also where he dwells, not dwelled. Pergamos is where the throne of Satan is, which is located in the ancient Selucus division, which is modern day Turkey. According to the Scriptures, Antichrist will rise from the ancient Selucus division in Turkey, which is predominately Muslim.
So far, in Daniel 7 & 8, we have discussed what many would believe has been fulfilled in world history, except for the fourth beast and the little horn in Daniel 7 and Daniel 8. The little horn in Daniel 7 & 8 are the same person, the Antichrist. Is Daniel 7 & 8 an end time prophesy? Could the events of these chapters have been a “prophetic foreshadow” of what is to come in the future? Let us explore what Gabriel, God’s angel, spoke about the vision of Daniel 8.
Daniel 8:15-19, “Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end (1).” Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright. And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation (2); for at the appointed time the end shall be (3).”
Without question, God’s angel, Gabriel, clearly tells us that Daniel 8 is a vision of the end! Gabriel tells Daniel three times that this vision is for the end. Are we to argue with Gabriel, God’s messenger? Absolutely not! The time of the end is the time of the end. As the Medo-Persia and Greek Empire’s ruled approximately 2,500 years ago, obviously that was not the end. As we discussed earlier, sometimes God gives us “prophetic foreshadows,” or examples to understand, so we can understand what events will happen in the future. As the famous saying goes, “history repeats itself,” and so does the Holy Bible. Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done.” Although Daniel 8 parallels world history exactly, clearly Gabriel tells us this vision is for the time of the end. As we continue, Gabriel confirms this “prophetic foreshadow.”
Daniel 8:20-27, “The ram which you saw, having the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king (Alexander). As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power. “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. “And the vision of the evenings and mornings which was told is true; Therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future.” And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.”
If Gabriel, God’s messenger, told Daniel that the vision is for the time of the end, why did he describe the empires of the vision? It is very clear that Gabriel was giving Daniel and future generations, including us, the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (prophetic foreshadow) of the end times. Gabriel told Daniel three times that this vision is for the end, and then told him what kingdoms would arise in the time of the end. This is incredible! We cannot twist Daniel 8 any other way. If it is the time of the end, then we should conclude that these kingdoms will rise in the end times and then Antichrist (little horn) will rise from them, just as Gabriel stated. Gabriel is telling us exactly what to expect. He is telling us exactly who, what, where, and how this is going to happen. Just as he states, Medo-Persia (Iran) will rise, then the Grecian kingdom (Turkey) will conquer them, and then “4 smaller divisions and the ten kings” will rise from the Grecian kingdom (Turkey). After the four small divisions and ten kings, Antichrist (little horn) will arise until Messiah conquers and destroys him. Clearly the “4 divisions” come from the Grecian Empire. The 10 kings in Daniel and Revelation are; Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan. The last three are mentioned in Daniel 11:42-43, “He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians (Sudan) shall follow at his heels.”
Gabriel used the word “cunning” to describe the Antichrist. This wasn’t by mistake. This word is seldom used in Scripture. This points directly to Satan, the beast, the little horn, the Antichrist. Genesis 3:1, “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.” Also, Isaiah 14, the fall of Lucifer, describes the characteristics that Gabriel uses in this passage. Daniel also tells us that “Antichrist will have mighty power, but not by his own power.” Clearly this tells us Antichrist will be indwelled by Satan. Daniel 8 is a vision for the end, and it gives us the “prophetic foreshadow” or “map” of what is going to occur in the time of the end, just as Gabriel prophesied. So, if Daniel 8 is a vision of the end, and Daniel 7 speaks about the “little horn” with very similar kingdoms (Medo Persia, Grecian), than we should understand that both chapters are “prophetic foreshadows” of the end. Daniel 7 & 8 confirm John’s vision in Revelation 13 (lion, bear, and leopard). Most scholars will agree Revelation is a book for the end times.
What about the Roman Empire? Where does it fit in Scripture? This is one of the most debated and argued theories of Daniel and Revelation. Clearly, in Daniel 7 & 8, the Roman kingdom is no where to be found, as the lion, bear, and leopard refer to Babylon, Persia, and Greek. Also, all metal components that bible scholars agree on; Gold, silver, and bronze, match Babylon, Persia, and Greek perfectly. A lot of people associate the metal component “iron” with Rome, but no where in Scripture is that confirmed. Without question, Daniel 7 & 8, and Revelation 13 does not confirm Rome in any way. We have to understand that all Antichrist theories have to fit all biblical prophecies, including Daniel 7 & 8, and Revelation 13. So if we can’t confirm Rome in these Scriptures, then as the saying goes, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” However, Daniel 9 is a chapter that the “Roman Antichrist theory” is often used as an argument. For more detailed information on the Antichrist, including Revelation 17, please click on http://www.faithfulperformance.com/the-antichrist/
Daniel 9-The Seventy Weeks Prophesy
Daniel 9:20-23, “Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.”
One of the most beautiful prayers in the Holy Bible is in Daniel 9. As the prophet Daniel was praying, Gabriel appeared to him again. He gave Daniel a riddle for the time of the end. As we will not go into the mathematical aspect of the riddle, we want to point out “who the people of the prince to come is,” as this will give us great understanding that the Roman Empire is not the “people of the prince to come.”
Daniel 9:24-27, “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.”
Daniel is given a mathematical riddle about the future. By just scratching the surface of this prophesy, it would be easy to conclude that the Roman Empire under General Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the sanctuary in 70AD, so Rome/Europe is where the Antichrist will come from (The people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and sanctuary). However, when we take a more responsible approach and look “beneath the surface,” it is clear that “the people of the prince to come,” is not the Roman Empire. Obviously, the Roman Empire did destroy Jerusalem and the temple, but who were the people that “worked” for the Roman Empire and actually destroyed it? Once we understand who these people are, then we can confirm what area “is the people of the prince to come.”
As history proves, the temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70AD, by the Roman Legions under General Titus. However, they were not European or Roman heritage. The “roman citizens” that made up the Legions that destroyed Jerusalem and the temple were primarily from the Middle East; Turks, Arabs, and Syrians. As the history books tell us, General Titus was in command of the Eastern Legions of the Roman Empire, which are primarily located in the Middle East. The four Legions under Titus were: Legion 15 Apollinaris, Legion 12 Fulminata, Legion 10 Fretensis, and Legion 5 Macedonia. Although the capital of the Roman Empire was located in Rome, the Roman Empire’s “eastern division” was mainly in the Middle East, thus the Empire recruited people from the Middle East. The people that the Romans recruited were Turks, Syrians, and Arabs, all are now Islamic. In the book, The Complete Works of Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, the famous Jewish historian Josephus records the following; “The greatest part of the Roman garrison was raised out of Syria; and being thus related to the Syrian part, they were ready to assist.” Also, he records the following about the destruction of Jerusalem, “The multitudes of the Arabians, with the Syrians, cut up those that came as supplicants, and searched their bellies. Nor does it seem to me that any misery befell the Jews that was more terrible than this, since in one night’s time about two thousand of these deserters were thus infected.” For more confirmation, please read this historical recollection of the Roman destruction. Also, when we examine the four Legions under Titus, without question, they were from the eastern division of the Roman Empire that consisted of Arabs, Syrians, and Turks. Below are the Legions and the areas.
Legion 15-Apollinaris-Syria
Legion 12-Fulminata-Eastern Turkey, Syria
Legion 10-Fretensis-Turkey,Syria
Legion 5-Macedonia-Serbia, Bulgaria
These four legions were involved in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Legion 10, the Fretensis Legion (Turkey/Syria), was the legion specifically responsible for the destruction of the temple. In Hebrew, the word for “people of the prince” is “AM.” It is translated, “members of one’s people countrymen, and kinsman.” Surely, the Arabs, Turks, and Syrians were not “countrymen or kinsmen with the Romans or Europeans. Daniel wrote the Scripture in a certain way for us to understand. Historically and geographically, these people correlate perfectly with current Islamic nations.
Daniel 11-The King of the North’s Blasphemies and Conquests
In chapter 11, the prophet Daniel receives yet another vision concerning future events, which clearly is an end times message. We will begin in Daniel 11:29-45, where Daniel confirms the Antichrist’s blasphemies.
Daniel 11:29-35, “At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. “So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.”
As we discussed earlier, the Holy Bible gives us “prophetic foreshadows” to learn for our future reference. Antiochus Epiphanes IV was a “type of antichrist” that set up an alter to Zeus in the temple that caused an abomination of desolation. A lot of scholars believe he fulfilled this text. He was definitely a “prophetic foreshadow” of a “type” of Antichrist, but not “the Antichrist.” Antiochus died in 164 BC. So, although he committed an abomination of desolation in the temple, he was not the Antichrist. We can confirm this as Jesus told us to watch for the abomination of desolation. Matthew 24:15, “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand).” Obviously, Messiah wasn’t speaking of Antiochus, as he was dead before Jesus was born. As Matthew 24 is an end times prophesy from Messiah, He basically quoted Daniel 11, clearly placing the final abomination of desolation at the time of the end.
Daniel 11:36-39, “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.”
As we discussed above, Antichrist will be indwelled by Satan. He will exalt himself, speak blasphemies, and prosper, until Messiah returns for His Second Coming. Isaiah 14 confirms these characteristics of Satan. Antichrist will make a peace agreement for seven years but he will break it 3 1/2 years into it (Daniel 9:27). The last 3 1/2 years of the age is called the great tribulation, the time of Jacob’s (Israel) trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). This is what Daniel speaks of “till the wrath has been accomplished.” This will be the most horrific, terrible, and destructive time on earth. (Revelation, chapters 4-19). Satan will exalt himself over all gods, and try to advance his glory across the world. At the end of Daniel 11, Antichrist’s conquests (King of the North), we get another confirmation that this vision in Daniel 11, is for the time of the end.
Daniel 11:40-45, “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.”
Daniel confirms that these events will happen at the time of the end. He confirms Antichrist will enter several countries and conquer them. As we discussed above, the “3 horns” that are plucked by the little horn in Daniel 7 are Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia. Ethiopia is actually Sudan (Cush) when we look at the geographic topology of the ancient biblical maps. However, Edom, Moab, and Ammon will escape which is mainly Saudi Arabia. These events will happen in the 7 year tribulation, especially the great tribulation (last 3 1/2 years). Daniel 12 confirms the great tribulation, the last 3 1/2 years before Messiah’s Second Coming.
Daniel 12
Daniel 12:1-13, “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.(1)” Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time (3 1/2 years); and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end (2). Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
In the closing chapter of Daniel’s prophetic book, an angel of the Lord tells us several things. He confirms that there will be a time of trouble like there has never been before, or ever will be again. Messiah further confirms the great tribulation in Matthew 24:21, For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be.” Also, the angel confirms that the great tribulation will be 3 1/2 years (times, times, and half a time). The full tribulation is 7 years, as the 7 year covenant will be signed. However, the great tribulation, as mentioned by Messiah and Daniel, will be the final 3 1/2 years. Daniel is also told twice that the words of this book is sealed for the end. What does that mean? The angel is telling Daniel and the readers that the complete understanding of the book of Daniel will not be understood until the time of the end.
Could our generation be witnessing the beginning of these prophetic visions? Let us remember, God’s messenger Gabriel specifically stated that Daniel 8 and Daniel 11 are visions of the end, which means Medo (Kurds)-Persia (Iran) will rise to power in the Middle East. In the past decade, we have clearly seen Iran (Persia) “march” across the Middle East. In 2003, after Saddam Hussein was removed from Iraq, Iran began its “march,” and as of today, controls 1/2 to 2/3 of Iraq, as Isis controls the other 1/3. Hezbollah (Lebanon) is controlled directly by Iran. Also, Iran invaded Yemen, and now controls much of the country, as they are strategically setting up a showdown with Saudi Arabia in the future.** In its most recent “march,” Iran has ground troops in Syria, where the civil war is at its climax. Looking at the map, it is clear that Iran is “marching” across the Middle East as Gabriel prophesied. The Kurds (Medes) are and will be involved with Iran’s conquests. So, in the past decade, Iran has obtained control over the majority of Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and now has its eyes set on Syria. Also, according to the scriptures, Iran will destroy Saudi Arabia, the harlot, during the great tribulation.** The “Ram” is definitely “trampling” across the Middle East and becoming great, just as God’s messenger prophesied. We can clearly see that Daniel 8 is at the beginning of its fulfillment. As we know, this could take several years and decades to fulfill, but frankly, it has begun. Once Medo-Persia (Iran) fulfills its prophetic calling, the Grecians (Turkey) will conquer them.
Where do the Islamic terrorists fit in Daniel and Revelation? Daniel clearly tells us the major players will be Iran and Turkey. However, both Iran and Turkey already have their “loyal terrorists.”
Iran(Medo-Persia) The Ram
Iran supports Hezbollah (Lebanon), a terrorist organization. Iran, Russia, and China are allies. With Russia and China on its side, Iran will eventually control Syria. This is very important as Iran has the financial backing and also the military support for their conquests. Also, the United States is giving them 150 billion dollars. So, without question, Medo-Persia (Iran) has Russia, China, and Lebanon (Hezbollah) as allies.
Turkey (Grecian)-The Goat
Turkey backs Isis, who directly opposes Iran in Syria and Iraq. Isis is doing the “ground work” for Turkey. Without question, there is an “underground” battle manifesting between Iran (Ram) and Turkey (Goat) just as Daniel prophesied. Turkey will win this battle in the future. When we look at Turkey today, they have become the “silent killer,” as the majority of the mainstream media and news outlets do not understand their fatal destiny.