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We
now come to the second major division of the book of Daniel.
Chapters
one to six have been mainly historical but now the remaining chapters are
mainly prophectical. These chapters consist of a serious of visions given to
Daniel. They do not run in
chronological order. Look at the beginning of chapter seven.
Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
We have studied
chapter five where Belshazzar had been slain and yet in chapter seven we are
back to the first year of his reign.
This is one of the most important chapters in the Bible. Our understanding of this chapter in many ways determines your understanding of the scripture and particularly prophecy.
One
will search in vain to find the church in these prophecies. The church is
described in the New Testament as a mystery. The church was born on the day of
Pentecost. It is important that we
distinguish between the Jew the Gentile and the church of Jesus Christ.
1
Cor. 10:32 Give none offence, neither
to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Chronologically
this chapter fits in between chapter four and five of Daniel.
Let’s
begin to examine these scriptures carefully.
Does
it really matter what we believe about the coming again of our Lord Jesus
Christ? Surely the fact that he is
coming is enough? Let’s look at the Thessalonian believers for a moment.
2
Thes. 2:1-2 Now we beseech you,
brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together
unto him, [2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by
spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at
hand.
A
letter had misled these believers. This
letter had told them that they were in the day of the Lord; the ‘day of Christ’
should read ‘day of the Lord.’
They had been given the wrong information
about the Second Coming of Christ. They believed they were in the tribulation.
Notice the effect it had on them, “they were shaken in mind.” That expression
was used of a ship loosed from its moorings, blowing here there and yonder.
Wrong
belief concerning Christ’s return had really unsettled them. It had the same
effect Paul described in Ephesians.
Ephes.
4:14 That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;
They
were troubled and it affected the very way they lived. If you read through the
letter you will find that some had stopped working.
They
were confused. Paul had taught in First
Thessalonians chapter four about the rapture.
In chapter five he had taught them about the day of the Lord. Paul told them that they were not appointed
unto wrath, they would not go through the great tribulation, but now they had
been misled. They were shaken, troubled
and didn’t know where they were and
their walk was also affected.
The
point we need to make is that it matters what we believe about the Second
Coming of the Lord. Let’s try and get to the bottom of this wonderful passage
of scripture.
Redeeming the time.
Daniel
7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream
and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum
of the matters.
‘The
first year of Belshazzar’ that would make Daniel about eighty years of age.
Remember
when Belshazzar came to power he didn’t have much time for Daniel. In fact in
chapter five, he didn’t even seem to know who Daniel was.
Daniel
5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before
the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which
art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought
out of Jewry?
Daniel
had been relegated to relative obscurity. He was given the cold shoulder.
Daniel’s standards were no longer welcome in the Babylonian palace or
government.
A
man with godly standards wouldn’t be welcome in government today.
He
would really be out of place. Daniel
didn’t however, waste his time. God never sets us aside in order that we waste
our time.
Daniel
in semi retirement had used the time to rest, study and mediate on the things
of God. This was an opportunity for
Daniel to draw nearer to God.
How
do we redeem the time?
Someone
had penned these words.
To
realise the value of one year, ask a student who failed a grade.
To
realise the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature
baby.
To
realise the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To
realise the value of one day, ask a daily wage labourer whom has kids to feed.
To
realise the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To
realise the value of one minute, ask a person who has missed the train.
To
realise the value of one second, ask a person who has avoided an accident.
To
realise the value of one millisecond, ask the person who has won a silver medal
in Olympics.
Yet
as we look at Ephesians 5:16, we are to do more than value time. We are to put
a redemptive value on time. We are to “redeem” the time. There is to be a
spiritual context to our time. Our time
is to be spent finding, following, and focused upon the will of God.
Daniel
7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar
king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then
he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Daniel
used the time to write this down, “and he told the sum of the matters,” that
is, he recalls the essential content.
As the spirit of God inspired Daniel, he penned that which was needed
for our learning. This book was not a
random selection of stories. The spirit of God guided men of God to write down
that, which is essential for us. Cherish every word of this book. Look at verse
two.
Daniel
7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four
winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Throughout
this chapter you will notice how Daniel uses the words, “I saw, I beheld, I was
beholding.” Daniel really looks at this vision, how his attitude reminds us to
carefully scrutinise that which God has given to us. Daniel certainly wasn’t loafing about, he was redeeming the time.
This vision was at
night time. Daniel sees the four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea.
Geographically the great sea was the Mediterranean. All four world empires,
which we will see in a moment, reached the Mediterranean coast. In fact it was at one time called the Roman
Lake, because it was very much at the centre of the Roman Empire.
Prophetically
the Mediterranean occupies an important position. Symbolically in scripture, we
find the seas speaking of the troubled nations. Consider the following verses
from Isaiah.
Isaiah
17:12 Woe to the multitude of many
people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of
nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
Isaiah
57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose
waters cast up mire and dirt.
Consider
the following verses from Revelation.
Rev.
17:1 And there came one of the seven
angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come
hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon
many waters:
Rev.
17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters
which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and
nations, and tongues.
Daniel
was about to see the four great world empires unfolding before him.
Geographically the Mediterranean was important and symbolically they all came
out as the result of trouble and unrest among the nations. Interestingly the
EEC grew out of trouble and unrest following the Second World War, again we
will say more later.
What
disturbs the sea? The sea has to be disturbed by an outside force, usually
strong wind. Daniel refers in verse two to, ‘the four winds.’ What turmoil or
what unrest caused these great empires to arise? Who is the prince of the power
of the air?
Ephes.
2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of
the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
So
we can see that out of the unrest and disturbance among the nations arises
these great world empires. Let’s look at verse three.
Daniel
7:3 And four great beasts came up from
the sea, diverse one from another.
Daniel
had received this vision before the feast in chapter five. No wonder he thought little of Belshazzar’s
offers, Belshazzar had nothing to give, and soon he would pass away. God’s
people when they understand God’s word, will have little love for the passing
things of time, instead they will have their hearts in heaven.
If
one understands this passage of scripture it would shed new light on this Old
World. It could loose its appeal as we realise that it’s doomed.
A
review that is terrifying.
In
Daniel chapter two, God had given Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In that dream
Nebuchadnezzar saw a great image, this great image was made up of four
different metals representing four great world empires or kingdoms. It was in fact all of,”The times of the
Gentiles.” That time when Israel would be under Gentile domination.
The
times of the Gentiles will end with Christ’s return to the earth to establish
his kingdom. On this occasion the vision is given to this godly old saint,
Daniel. Mans view of the world and its rulers we see in Nebuchadnezzar’s image,
that is a stately figure, one in fact
that Nebuchadnezzar copied and had others worship. This is mans view of himself, a proud, upstanding and important
being.
God’s
view of the world powers is quite different. Our views as believers should be
like God’s. It is bestial. Consider Psalm Forty-Nine.
Psalm
49:12 Nevertheless man being in honour
abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
Beasts will keep their own at any cost and will quarrel over what they do not have but want and fly easily into a blood thirst rage. This is a fitting picture of how God sees the world rulers who have taken centre stage.
Consider
the first beast in verse four, the Babylonian empire.
Daniel
7:4 The first was like a lion, and had
eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted
up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was
given to it.
A
lion is the king of beasts and the eagle is the king of birds. Remember how God
described Nebuchadnezzar’s empire in
chapter two.
Daniel
2:38 And wheresoever the children of
men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given
into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of
gold.
Gold
is the king of metals. The lion would speak of the fierceness of the Babylonian
Empire, the eagles wings would speak of its swiftness. It was well known that
winged lions were the ancient symbol of Babylon. Look at the following scriptures.
Jeremiah
described Nebuchadnezzar as a lion.
Jeremiah
50:17 Israel is a scattered sheep; the
lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and
last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Ezekiel
called Nebuchadnezzar an eagle.
Ezekiel
17:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God;
A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers
colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
Ezekiel
17:12 Say now to the rebellious house,
Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is
come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof,
and led them with him to Babylon;
Again
just like chapter two we can see that the first great empire would be
Babylon. Prophecy and history attest to
this truth. What happens this great empire?
Daniel
7:4 The first was like a lion, and had
eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted
up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was
given to it.
The
wings of Babylon are clipped and the beast is given the heart of a man. This is what happened Nebuchadnezzar
remembering how he was humbled and brought down and eventually we believe he
was saved. He became a new person. God
can take a bestial character and give him a new heart. We know from chapter five that Babylon fell. Next comes beast number two. Look at verse
five.
Daniel
7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself
on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it:
and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
A
bear is not as swift as the winged lion, it is more cumbersome. A bear relies on brute force. This fits the description of the Medes and
Persians. They depended on sheer brute
force and ignorance. When Xerses marches against Greece he employed two and a
half million men. In the battle of
Issus they used five hundred thousand men.
Darius employed seven hundred and fifty thousand men and six hundred
ships on one of his battles. The Medes and Persians used brute force. They were
slow moving but powerful.
Notice again from
verse five that the bear was raised up on one side. This would speak of the
dominance of Persia in this alliance of the Medes and Persians.
The
three ribs remind us of the three empires they conquered Lydia, Babylon and
Egypt. The words again from verse five,
“arise devour much flesh,” speak accurately of the cruelty of this empire. They were cruel. Notice nothing left but
the ribs. The Medes and Persians were renown for their cruelty; they had no
regard for human life.
Let’s
examine the third beast of this vision look at verse six.
Daniel
7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the
back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion
was given to it.
The
leopard was known for his swiftness. This again fits well with the Grecian Empire. Alexander the Great conquered swiftly. The
four wings would speak of more speed even than Babylon. Whereas the lion
devours, the bear crushes and the leopard springs upon its prey. In eight years
Alexander the Great conquered eleven thousand miles of territory.
Verse
six states, “dominion was given to it.” Let’s always bear in mind, that God is
still on the throne, God sets up and takes down kingdoms.
Alexander
the Great died at a young age. He was only in his thirties. What happened after
his death? His kingdom was divided among his four generals. That’s why we have
a reference to the “four heads,” in verse six.
Look
down at verse seventeen and verse twenty four; just to be sure we are on the
right track.
Daniel
7:17 These great beasts, which are
four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Daniel
7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and
another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he
shall subdue three kings.
These
verses remind us that the kings and their kingdoms are inseparable. Let’s look at beast number four.
Daniel
7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful
and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured
and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was
diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
We
can notice the similarity with Nebuchadnezzar’s image in chapter two. The iron in the iron teeth and the ten toes
now are ten horns.
This beast was so
terrible that there was not an animal, which could represent it. It is called a non-descript beast. It was
during this empire that our Lord was crucified and many of the saints martyred.
As we reflect on the legs of iron in chapter two, they took up over half of the
image. Reminding us that this kingdom lasted longer that any other, in fact
longer that the rest put together. In one way it is still continuing to this
day, political, economical and religious influences are still here.
Let’s
look at verse sixteen.
Daniel
7:16 I came near unto one of them that
stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know
the interpretation of the things.
Daniel wanted to know more. Here is a man of God eighty years of age and he is still learning. We will look at the response later, but Daniel wanted to know more, look at verse nineteen.
Daniel
7:19 Then I would know the truth of
the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful,
whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in
pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
This
fourth beast really caught Daniel’s attention.
This was for Daniel the most important and it was given the most
attention. Consider what he was told. It’s good that we don’t have to
speculate. Look at verse twenty three.
Daniel
7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast
shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all
kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break
it in pieces.
This
fourth kingdom is different than all the others, look at verse twenty four.
Daniel
7:24 And the ten horns out of this
kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and
he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
We
read about these ten horns and we are told that they are ten kings. They are
the final projection of the Roman Empire. There is going to be a ten nation
confederation arising out of the Roman Empire.
Remember
in Daniel two we said that the ten toes were future. That argument holds here
as well. There has never been the like of this ever seen in history.
Look
back at verse eight to see something else here. What happens during the reign of these ten kings?
Daniel
7:8 I considered the horns, and,
behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were
three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn
were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
We
are told in Revelation chapter one what the outline of the whole book is.
Rev.
1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the
things which shall be hereafter;
John
was going to write about the things that are and the things, which shall be
hereafter. In the first three chapters John writes about seven churches, which,
the Lord had written too. Then in
Chapter four verse one we read this.
Rev.
4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the
first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which
said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
After
this there is no future mention of the church until chapter nineteen. John
begins to write about future events. The tribulation and arising of antichrist.
Look at chapter thirteen verse five for instance.
Rev.
13:5 And there was given unto him a
mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to
continue forty and two months.
John writing in
approximately AD ninety-six spoke of this man as future. Therefore we are still waiting the
fulfilling of these ten kingdoms.
Revelation seventeen give us further details. Remember none of these
verses have been fulfilled yet.
Rev.
17:12-13 And the ten horns which thou
sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power
as kings one hour with the beast. [13] These have one mind, and shall give
their power and strength unto the beast.
See again that the
ten horns are yet to be. A united
ten-nation confederation. They have, “one mind”, they have their national power
and sovereignty surrendered.
Does
Euro land with the common currency and loss of sovereignty not seem at the very
least to be a foreshadowing of this?
What an interesting book we have here. How near are we to the Lord’s
return?
For
these scriptures in Daniel to find a literal fulfilment, then from the old
Roman Empire will arise a ten-nation confederation, which will operate joint
sovereignty and will be ruled by a powerful leader. No wonder Daniel was
intrigued by this fourth great world power.
Daniel
7:9 I beheld till the thrones were
cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery
flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
The
scene in verse nine shifts to heaven. Here we find God on his throne.
The
words, “cast down,” were used of throwing cushions down to sit on. The idea is
that the thrones were sat up.
The
Ancient of Days, is the one who outlasts all other kingdoms. He sat down; it is
the eternal, omniscient God. Look at some of the descriptive terms used. “Whose
garment was as white as snow,” this speaks of the purity of God. “The hair of
his head was like pure wool.” It would speak of his experience and hence
knowledge. The fire speaks of judgement.
Hebrews
12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
2
Thes. 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
What
we see in verse nine is God ready to judge. Man has done that which is right in
his own eyes, now God is about to step in.
Daniel
7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands
ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the
judgement was set, and the books were opened.
World
rulers will come and go. Empires have arisen and fallen. Many have behaved like beasts. Today many of
our world leaders behave like beasts.
God is poised at the ready to step in. Judgement is at hand.
The Revealing of the Tyrant.
Daniel
7:8 I considered the horns, and,
behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were
three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn
were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
This
little horn we have identified as the antichrist. Let’s see what this passage
teaches about him. Daniel is looking carefully at this little horn. He says, “I
considered.” The fact that he is
identified as a little horn would teach us that he would have a small
beginning, an insignificant beginning. He appears harmless enough.
We
see from verse eight that, “three horns are plucked up by him,” and we see that
“he has eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things.”
This
teaches us that he will have great insight, he will he a great orator and he
will be able to make powerful speeches.
He will arise from within this ten-nation confederacy. This beast [Roman Empire] is alive when he
arises, so this empire must be revived in some way.
We
certainly, in this generation, can see the possibility of this. Older Bible
students didn’t have the insight that we have and yet for years they said that
there would be a united states of Europe. What else does Daniel seven tell us
about him?
Daniel
7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came
up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth
that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Daniel
in retelling the vision, to the one of whom he asks help, adds a little bit
more information. He says, “whose look was more stout than his fellows.” Stout
means great. This little horn will become a great horn. He will rise from
obscurity to a position of real power in the world.
Daniel
7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed
against them;
Daniel
sees him also make war with the saints. We need to ascertain who are the saints
spoken of here?
Old
Testament believers are called saints.
Matthew
27:52-53 And the graves were opened;
and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, [53] And came out of the
graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto
many.
New
Testament believers are called saints.
1
Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place
call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Tribulation
believers are called saints.
Rev.
13:7 And it was given unto him to make
war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all
kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The
context determines who the saints are. Here it speaks of saints saved during
the tribulation that should come upon the earth, especially the Jews. They
cannot be church saints for they will be home with the Lord.
Daniel
chapter seven verse twenty-one said, “He will prevail against the saints.” What
did Christ say about the church?
Matthew
16:18 And I say also unto thee, That
thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus
assures us that the church will not be prevailed against. So we can see that it
is not Church saints that are being spoken of. Let’s summarise what we have
gleaned about antichrist.
This
man, always masculine pronouns used about him, will arise from the ten nation
confederation that has its base in the old Roman Empire. He will rise from obscurity to a position of
greatness. He will have great insight
and will speak against the most high. He will wage war against God’s people
especially Israel.
What
else can we learn about him from this passage of scripture?
Daniel
7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and
another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he
shall subdue three kings.
We
can see that he somehow will overcome three of these other kings. Perhaps they show some resistance and he
deals with them. He will then have
total unqualified support from others. Maybe these three were eurosceptics and
they felt he was going too far. He shut
them up and now no one will question him. Look at verse twenty five.
Daniel
7:25 And he shall speak great words
against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and
think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a
time and times and the dividing of time.
Once
again we are reminded that he shall speak great words against the most high. He
shall wear out the saints of the most high, H e will be a blasphemer and a
persecutor.
Notice
the words, “ And think to change times and laws.” He will want to change that
which controls mankind, times and laws.
Already laws are being changed to suit the devil. We are also introduced
to something else in verse twenty-five.
A time limit is put on his activities.
Daniel
7:25 And he shall speak great words
against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and
think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a
time and times and the dividing of time.
“And
they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of
time.” For three and a half years he will have control over this earth and will
pursue the saints of the most high and blaspheme the god of heaven. We get a
picture of this man from Daniel but let’s look at some other scriptures that
tie in with this passage in Daniel.
Come
to second Thessalonians and we will find this man again.
We
mentioned already how the church at Thessalonica had been misled and were
troubled. Paul tells them that some
things must happen before the day of the Lord that is the tribulation that is
to come upon this world.
2
Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by
any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
One
of the things Paul mentions is that the man of sin will be revealed. The coming
of antichrist will coincide with the Day of the Lord.
What
does Paul say about him?
2
Thes. 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Here
we find out more details. He will be
worshipped, as he will claim to be above all that is called God. He will sit in
the temple showing himself that he is God. That means that the temple has to be
rebuilt at some stage.
2
Thes. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity
doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of
the way.
The
spirit of antichrist already is at work but something is hindering its
progress. That’s what the word ‘let’ means. Who could hinder this satanic
power?
Suggestions
range from the church, the government, Satan, even the Roman Empire. I believe the restrained is the Holy Spirit.
It would take a divine power to restrain evil, a member of the godhead. The work
of the Holy Spirit is to check sin.
John
16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I
depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they
believe not on me; [10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see
me no more; [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
The
Holy Spirit is called the spirit of truth. He will oppose the spirit of error.
Remember the Holy Spirit indwells the church.
The church will be raptured,
Before
he appears on the scene the church will be removed.
There
is more we can learn about antichrist from Paul.
2
Thes. 2:9 Even him, whose coming is
after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
He
is in the miracle business. Yes, Satan can work miracles. We notice that he is empowered by Satan to
do signs and wonders and many will be deceived and he will be worshipped as
Christ.
2
Thes. 2:10 And with all deceivableness
of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved.
John
5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and
ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Yes the world will
receive and worship him as Christ. Millions will be deceived.
Pronoun:
He is a man.
Position:
Begins as a little horn, an obscure beginning. He could be alive now.
Politician: He will speak great things.
Place:
He rises out of the ten-nation kingdom or confederation.
Potentate: He subdues three other kingdoms.
Perception:
He has eyes to perceive.
Persecution:
He will persecute God’s people.
Policy:
He will seek to change times and laws.
Perversion;
He will be worshipped in the temple, and will speak great things against the
most high.
Prevent: The Holy Spirit restrains him.
Preceded:
The church will be raptured before he is revealed.
Power: He will perform miracles, sings and lying
wonders.
Prodigy: Satan will power him.
Period: His main activity will be for three and one
half years.
Just
one more passage that deals with this man of sin. Let’s be sure it is the same
character.
In
Revelation thirteen we read about another beast. This time it is not only the Roman Empire that is depicted but
also the antichrist. This beast represents both.
Rev.
13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the
sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon
his heads the name of blasphemy.
Can
you see the place again? The ten horns.
Can
you see the perversion? Upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev.
13:2 And the beast which I saw was
like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as
the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great
authority.
Notice
the same animals are mentioned, but the order is reversed. Daniel was looking
forward. John in Revelation is looking back over history. The Roman Empire
incorporated something of each of the other three empires.
Do
you see the prodigy in verse two? Who
gives him the power? The dragon,
Chapter twelve of Revelation identifies the dragon as Satan.
Rev.
13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it
were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world
wondered after the beast.
There
are some new details about the antichrist here in verse three. It appears that he will be assassinated or
apparently assassinated and will rise again. A fake resurrection, this applies
to both the empire and the emperor. Look at verse four and see his perversion
again.
Rev.
13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they
worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make
war with him?
Do
you see again that he will be worshipped? This was always Satan’s goal, “I will
be like the most high, worship me,” he said to Christ.
Notice
the potentate. Who is able to make
war? Who dares challenge this
resurrected antichrist?
Rev.
13:5 And there was given unto him a
mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to
continue forty and two months.
Here
we find the politician again, “speaking
great things,” and the period forty and two months,” three and one half years.
Rev.
13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy
against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven.
Here
in verse six is his perversion again. We next see the persecution again in
verse seven, and his perversion in verse eight.
Rev.
13:7-8 And it was given unto him to
make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over
all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. [8] And all that dwell upon the earth
shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb
slain from the foundation of the world.
Those
who refuse to worship will be severely dealt with.
Rev.
13:15 And he had power to give life
unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and
cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be
killed.
Rev.
13:16-18 And he causeth all, both
small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right
hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he
that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [18]
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast:
for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and
six.
He
will be in control, religiously, economically and politically. Satan’s unholy
trinity of himself, the beast and the false prophet mentioned in Revelation
chapter thirteen would seem to be reigning. What an awful time lies ahead for
this Old World.
The
three and one half years are mentioned a few times in revelation, indicating
that this will be the great tribulation period.
We
read of two witnesses who shall preach for twelve hundred and sixty days. That
is three and one half-prophetic years.
Rev.
11:3 And I will give power unto my two
witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.
We
read of Israel as she flees from antichrist.
Rev.
12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of
God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore
days.
The
Rule that is terminated.
Daniel
7:10 A fiery stream issued and came
forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand
times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were
opened.
We
looked at God on the throne. Let’s read what happened in verse eleven.
Daniel
7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn
spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and
given to the burning flame.
While
the little horn was yet speaking against God. God stepped in and sent him to
hell. God will terminate his rule into the burning of fire as it is in the
original. Compare this with the following two references.
Rev.
19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of
the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into
a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
2
Thes. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked
be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and
shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
This
event, according to Paul takes place when Christ comes back. Therefore again we
have it confirmed that the ten nation kingdom must be yet future. Our God
reigns, Hallelujah.
A Reign that is timeless.
Something
else happens when Christ comes back again to the earth, consider verse twelve.
Daniel
7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away:
yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The
first three kingdoms in a way were incorporated into the Roman Empire. Look at
verse thirteen
Daniel
7:13 I saw in the night visions, and,
behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the
Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Who
is the son of man? Who has the clouds as a symbol of divine presence?
Matthew
26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast
said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man
sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
The
Lord Jesus applied this verse to himself. What we have is God the son
approaching God the father.
Daniel
7:14 And there was given him dominion,
and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve
him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and
his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
In
verses 8-14, we are introduced to the "Ancient of Days” God the father.
The description of his appearance, his throne, the fiery stream, the books of
judgement and the host of heaven are almost identical to John's description in
Revelation 4.
The
second key person appears in verses 13-14. The son of man was Jesus' favourite
symbol of himself. It is clear in this passage that someone comes to the father
to receive the kingdom of God on earth. In Revelation 5, we have the very same
description. In that passage, Christ (the lamb of God) approaches the father's
throne to receive the kingdom and all of heaven worships him.
If
the first four kingdoms were literal then this kingdom is literal. Christ
returns to smash the enemies of Israel and set up his kingdom, his millennial
kingdom and that will then become the eternal kingdom.
This
kingdom will never end. This must be future, for Christ never established a
throne on earth. Remember at his first coming he was despised and rejected.
Psalm
2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the
uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Matthew
24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then
shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man
coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Christ Second Coming will precede the setting up of his kingdom. We must conclude that Christ’s coming will be premillenial.
Daniel
7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and
the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the
people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
God’s
children will reign with him. What a day that will be.
The
response to the truth.
Daniel
7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter.
As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in
me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Daniel
was disturbed because of what lay ahead for his beloved Israel. He let the truth sink into his heart. This
truth should affect your heart.
May
not only you get a hold of the truth of this passage, but may the truth get a
hold of you.
Email Pastor Ian Wilson
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