The False Prophet
Details from Daniel

     The foreshadow of the latter day false prophet, or the antichrist is contained within the prophecies of Daniel. Chapter Eight foretells the emergence of Antiochus Epiphanes who is a type of the antichrist of Revelation thirteen. Chapter Seven introduces the antichrist of Revelation and Chapter Eleven is a combination of both; Antiochus is described in verses 21-35, and the antichrist from verses 36-45. Daniel nine contains the prophecy of the seventy weeks which concludes with the time period that is generally viewed as the tribulation, and the time-frame in which the beast and the false prophet are operating.
      When the Apostle Paul described the coming antichrist in II Thessalonians 2:8-9, he referred to him as the “Wicked.” Antiochus was referred to by the Hebrews as harasha, which means “the Wicked,” thus Paul also apparently recognized the correlation between the prophecies contained in the book of Daniel and their fulfillment in the beast to come.

      In order to understand the purpose and ferocity of the antichrist of Revelation thirteen, we need to examine the example that history and Scripture have provided, so we will begin with Daniel eight and watch how the word of God weaves the lives of two villains together to form one monstrous image of composite evil.

      In Daniel 8:8 we are shown the prophecy of Alexander the Great; the he-goat, and the division of his kingdom among his four generals. –

      Therefore the he-goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and from it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which became exceedingly great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Daniel 8:8,9).

      The “little horn” is Antiochus,40 a Greek, who emerged from the Syrian portion of the Greek empire. He apparently was a brilliant politician who engineered himself into a position of great power without having to resort to violence. Therefore he deceived many by “peace” (8:25); he came in peaceably (Daniel 11:21), fostering a seemingly harmless facade that camouflaged his inner demon. He was an obsessive ego maniac and adopted the name Epiphanes which means “Illustrious One” or “God Manifest.” The following verse exemplifies the fact that he exalted himself “above the stars of heaven.” –

      And it became great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them (verse 10).

      This illustrates the devil-in-man’s contempt for the things of God. Antiochus’ goal was to destroy the Jew’s religion. He hated the Jew’s God with a passion and he vehemently tortured and persecuted God’s people in an attempt to get them to renounce their faith. (His exploits are recorded in the history of the Maccabees contained in the Apocrypha; specifically Maccabees 1:10-64 and II Maccabees 6:18-31; 7:1-42).
      His ultimate blasphemy was to erect a statue of Zeus with his likeness in the holy of holies; in the vacant place reserved for God’s presence alone. He demanded worship of Zeus as the supreme god. He also stopped the daily sacrifices that made atonement for sin.

      Yes he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down (verse 11).

      The reference to the prince of the host, which is repeated as the Prince of princes in verse twenty-five, is referring to the Messiah. Even though Jesus had not yet arrived on the scene, these Scriptures are showing us that the removal of the daily sacrifices is related to the coming purpose of the future Redeemer; because the sacrifices were designed to be foreshadows of the Messiah’s sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

      For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11).

      God has never changed this requirement for the remission of sins. The foreshadow of animal sacrifices was replaced by the once for all time sacrifice of the Messiah as prophesied by Isaiah. –

      But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief: when Thou shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed (live again – reference to the Resurrection and the “seed” His offspring of believers) He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand (verse 10).
He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities (verse 11).

      By removing the daily sacrifice, Antiochus was eliminating the only means the Jews were given at that time to cleanse their sins and make them acceptable to God.
      Here we have to stop a moment to consider this one very important similarity between Antiochus and his counterpart in the future; the antichrist “false prophet” of Revelation thirteen: – Antiochus was committed to destroying the Jew’s Religion; the antichrist is equally committed to destroying the Christian faith.
      Within the current crop of Revelation interpretations, the focus has been placed on the antichrist and his deception and war with the Jews in Jerusalem in the latter days during the tribulation period. The basic scenario goes like this; because the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, they are duped into thinking that the antichrist is the true Messiah because he brings peace to the Middle East. He makes it possible for the Jews to rebuild the temple, then he eventually stops the animal sacrifices and declares himself as god. The Jews then realize they have been deceived, they rebel and war ensues that ends when Jesus returns.

      This all may very well come to pass as some have predicted from their interpretations of the Scriptures, but because of this emphasis we’ve overlooked the most important aspect of the antichrist’s job description – he is the anti-Christ. The word Christ is the Greek derivative of the Hebrew word for Messiah. The antichrist is anti-Messiah; he is just as vehemently opposed to the purpose of the Messiah as the sole Redeemer of mankind as Antiochus was opposed to the Jew’s religious system which was designed by God to be a foreshadow of the atonement of Jesus.
      It is the antichrist’s goal and purpose to remove the “sacrifice,” the atonement of Jesus Christ, the only means through which God has decreed man can be made acceptable to Him and gain entrance to God’s presence after death. It is vital we understand this principle as we continue to explore the similarities between the antichrist and his foreshadow Antiochus.

      And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground: and it practiced and prospered (verse 12).

      Evil times are the product of evil people. We note in verse twelve of this chapter that a “host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression.” Antiochus had help, there were many others with him that shared his aversion to the Jew’s strict adherence to the word of God. These were the Hellenized Jews as history attests, those apostate Jews who had lost their separation to God by preferring the ways and customs of their pagan culture, and because of this they objected to the intrusion of Biblical laws into their secularized lifestyles.
      Antiochus worked to detach the orthodox Jews from the word of God (II Maccabees 6: 1-9) and this is always the technique the devil uses to instigate apostasy among God’s people.
      Likewise, in the latter days, the antichrist will gain much support for his unbiblical version of Christianity by the liberal apostate “Christians” who are the modern day equivalent of those Hellenized Jews; Jews who say they are Jews and are not – Revelation 2:9, 3:9.

      As an example of how this spirit is slithering into our churches I will share with you this illustration. I was visiting a church where the pastor was doing a sermon based on a book about Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. The author’s name was emblazoned on an overhead screen with an elaborate power point presentation. During the course of the sermon, the pastor mentioned in an off-handed way that the author “doesn’t believe in the atonement.”
      Now here is a sincere, evangelical pastor exalting a book and promoting an author that is operating under the spirit of antichrist by his rejection of the atonement. This author is representing “another Jesus” (II Corinthians 11:4) yet his blatant heresy was apparently no big deal to this pastor.
      If a dangerous theological cobra is slithering down the aisle of your church, you don’t entertain it, you kill it before it has a chance to hurt someone. We do not entertain heretical doctrines.
      This is an example of the possibility of the “elect” being deceived as Jesus warns us in Matthew 24:24.

      When Antiochus came into power he ousted the high priest from his office and replaced him with a priest of his own choosing, most likely one of his Hellenized buddies. This would be the modern day equivalent of a state run church which we have seen operating in countries like Russia and China.
      Antiochus’ rampage against the Jews began when the ousted priest believed a rumor that Antiochus had died. The priest organized an army of one thousand men and tried to regain control of the temple. Likewise, the antichrist’s rage will be unleashed against all those who refuse to submit to a compromised and counterfeit Christianity. We see this fury operating today in China against the “illegal” house churches that refuse to register with a government that forbids them to evangelize and teach their children about Jesus. These believers are willing to suffer greatly by obeying God’s commands above the orders of men.

      Let’s return to Daniel eight where the description of Antiochus continues in verses 23-25. We are again reminded in verse 23 that Antiochus arises out of the Greek Empire that had been divided between Alexander the Great’s four generals at a time when “transgressions are come to the full.”

      And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up (verse 23).

      Antiochus is described as a "king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences (verse 23)." - And his power shall be mighty but not by his own power… (verse 24).
      Antiochus, like the antichrist we have been introduced to in Revelation thirteen, also operates by the power of the author of those “dark sentences.” And because of that demonic power operating through him; –

      …he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people (verse 24).
And through his policy also he shall cause craft (witchcraft) to prosper in his hand…

      As Satan worship is the root of the beasts described in Revelation thirteen, so apparently Antiochus arose through the same means. And as Antiochus is a similitude of the antichrist to come, we see the correlation and are again reminded that his assault upon God’s people is being orchestrated by the devil himself, and one of the instruments he uses to accomplish his purposes is witchcraft.
      Because so many churches refuse to instruct God’s people in how to deal with demonic attacks, many Christians are victimized by spiritual warfare that they have been given the authority in Jesus’ name to overcome. One pastor literally shut the door in my face as I was sharing with him the need to minister in this area. The devil has intimidated many through fear, when the truth is, the devil is afraid of Christians who are operating through the mighty power of the Messiah Jesus.
      The root of all witchcraft and rebellion against God is pride, so we read; -

      And he shall magnify himself in his heart…

      The same element of pride that caused the devil to exalt himself against God, inhabits all those whom he deceives into thinking they can be gods too, and usurp God’s rightful place in the holy of holies.

      …and by peace shall destroy many…

      A false peace. We can also substitute the word compromise for peace here and we still have an accurate description of how the antichrist destroys the people of God. The antichrist will engineer circumstances that place God’s people in a position of having to compromise in order to survive. Those who belong to the Lord will choose to suffer rather than deny their God by serving the antichrist and capitulating to his demands.
      Remember the antichrist of Revelation thirteen speaks as a lamb, a Christian initially, deceiving many, but he is promoting doctrines of devils. Thus we observe his counterpart in the past…

     stand up against the Prince of princes….

      Again, Antiochus’ desecration of the Jewish religious system that was instigated by God’s command though Moses as a foreshadow of Messiah’s atoning sacrifice is seen here in Daniel 8:25 as a rebellion against the Messiah, the Prince of princes yet to come.

      …but he shall be broken without hand (verse 25).

      Antiochus would eventually be removed by an act of God. After his defeat by the Maccabees, he returned to his homeland and died suddenly from an illness in 164 BC. Likewise, the antichrist will also be destroyed by an act of God when he is cast into the lake of fire at Jesus’ return.

      Antiochus’ brutal history continues to unfold in Daniel eleven, verses twenty-one through thirty-five. It’s important to understand that where Antiochus’ history ends in this chapter at verse thirty-five, the description of the latter day antichrist begins. We are being reminded again by the combining of the description of these two villains in one chapter that one is the foreshadow of the other and the purpose of the prophecy is to prepare us for what is to come.
      There are those who view the entire chapter as referring to Antiochus alone, but this interpretation falls apart when we realize that the antichrist described in Daniel eleven is operating when the Lord returns in Daniel twelve. If an interpretation is correct, then all the other Scriptures must be in harmony with it, with no contradictions.

      Daniel eight concludes with Antiochus’ demise and Daniel’s affirmation that the visions that were told to him are true (verse 26). We shall then proceed to explore Chapter Eleven, which begins with an accurate picture of the historical events that led up to Antiochus’ arrival on the scene from verses one through twenty. This history is so accurate that some modern scholars have tried to claim that it had to have been written by someone other than Daniel after the fact, but considering that there are over one thousand prophecies in the Bible that have been accurately fulfilled, these claims are just evidence of those scholars lack of faith in the God of the Bible.

      We watch Antiochus make his entrance upon the world’s stage in verse twenty-one. –

      And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: (he was not the rightful heir) but he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries (intrigues).

      He did not obtain the kingdom by force. Antiochus gained his position by deception and “peace;” likewise, his counterpart in the future, the antichrist, will begin the same way, appearing as a harmless lamb as we have been shown in Revelation thirteen; and like Antiochus, he will be a brilliant politician.
      Continuing on we read; –

      And with the arms of a flood shall “they” (The Jewish people) be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yes, also the prince of the covenant (verse 22). This is a prophecy of Antiochus’ demonic flood against God’s people. If His people are attacked, so is the Prince of the covenant, the future Messiah.

      God had ordained that the Jews were to be the womb through which He would send His Messiah to redeem mankind; thus the Jew’s favor with God and their special purpose would invoke the devil’s fury through his human agents. Likewise the antichrist directs his fury against the remnant of Israel’s seed, all those both Jew and Gentile that have received Jesus as their Messiah (Revelation 12:17).
      Antiochus’ history continues through verses twenty-three through thirty which includes the events that led up to his desecration of the covenant by the removal of the daily sacrifice and the placing of the abomination that makes desolate in verse thirty-one. Verse thirty describes his defeat by the Roman fleet after his attempt to invade Egypt. This event instigated the rumor that he had been killed. Thus the following verse shows us again his response to the Jew’s attempt to regain the temple. –

      And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate (verse 31).

      This event is a foreshadow of the antichrist’s desecration of the Holy place (Daniel 9:27) that Jesus said will precede His second coming (Matthew 24:15). This desecration is the symbolic removal of the atonement and man taking the place of God. We note that while Antiochus put a statue of a man in the holy of holies, the Apostle Paul shows us in II Thessalonians 2:4 that the antichrist puts himself in that holy place and demands to be worshipped as God.
      When we see man declaring that that he has no need for atonement, and by this affirming that he needs no redemption for sin, then he is declaring his own perfection and putting himself in the place of God. This is a characteristic of the communist ideology and if the antichrist is “Gog” then the idea of Russia reverting back to its old ways at an opportune time is a very real possibility. Communism is also an ideology behind those who are instigating the move toward a one world government.
      Continuing on we read; –

      And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…

      This is a reference to his affiliation with the Hellenized Jews, who apparently enjoyed having their ears tickled; this is also a characteristic of all those who favor a compromised Christianity.
      The Hellenized Jews are the “arms that stand on his part” in verse thirty-one. Note the plural “they” shall pollute the sanctuary, in contrast to the singular “by him” the daily sacrifice was taken away in 8:11. Antiochus may have been the single instigator of this atrocity, but he was not alone in his endeavor to eradicate the Jew’s religion. And as a similitude for events in the future, there will be many that will share the antichrist’s aversion to Biblical Christianity and will aid him in his desecration of the Truth.
      Verse thirty-two shows us the contrast between an apostate church that is willing to be compromised by “flatteries” and disregard the covenant that links them to God, and the faithful that “know” their God. –

      …but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits (verse 32). While this verse is referring to the courage of the Maccabees who challenged Antiochus and eventually with God’s help won, it also applies to those who refuse to deny their Messiah Jesus and maintain their faith in spite of severe persecution. They shall be strengthened through the Messiah who lives in them to do great exploits.
      The description of these ones continues in the next two verses which is the bridge that makes the transition from the time of Antiochus to the days of the antichrist of Revelation thirteen. This shows us that the courage of those being described is also the courage of the church in the latter days, as we observe in verse thirty-five there is a reference to “the time of the end.” So we are being shown an encapsulated history of the persecution of God’s people then and continuing on to this present age. –

      And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days (verse 33).

      This is an accurate description of what is happening to Christians today in many countries.

      Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many will cleave to them with flatteries (insincerity) - verse 34.

      Here we are reminded of Jesus’ parable of the tares and the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30). There will be and are many working to undermine the church from within. These are the ones whom the Apostle John describes as operating under the spirit of the antichrist (I John 2:18); those who deny the atonement and the divinity of Jesus; that He is the Son of God.

      And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed (verse 35).

      We see here affliction being permitted by God for the purpose of their refinement. The Apostle Peter helps to prepare us with these words: –

      Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when His glory shall be revealed, (when Jesus returns) you may be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified (I Peter 4:12-14).
Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season if need be, you are in manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it (your faith) be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:6-8).

      We now find ourselves standing at the edge of “the time of the end” (verse 35) and from this vantage point we observe its ruler, the fulfillment of the foreshadow of Antiochus, gazing malevolently at us in the distance. The antichrist’s history continues in Daniel eleven verse 35-45, which cumulates at “the time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1), a time that was prophesied by Jesus that is to come upon the entire world, an event that precedes His second coming (Matthew 24:21).
      From our view of these events we can look back across the landscape of Daniel’s prophecies to Chapter Seven, where the antichrist makes his first appearance prior to his description in Chapter Eleven.
      We can see the first beast, the Roman Empire that dissipated, but never really went away, produce from among its ten horns, “another little horn.” –

      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 divided and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
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 a man, – (sees as a man sees the things of men and not God) and a mouth speaking great things (Daniel 7:8,9).

      Remember from our study of Revelation thirteen we were shown that the ten horns “kings” correlate to the toes of the feet of the image that Jesus destroys at His coming which is the revived Roman Empire. These are the “feet” that trample the residue at the time of the end.
      As we have been shown, Antiochus was also referred to as a little horn that arose from the Greek Empire and now his successor in Daniel seven emerges from the kings/horns of the feet of the revised Roman Empire, who is seen operating until the Lord returns in Daniel 12:2, 7:9.
      We continue watching with Daniel, seeing through his eyes the glorious finale of time. –

      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 (verse 7:9).
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened (verses 7:10, 12: 1,2).

      While contemplating this glorious scene of God’s absolute triumph over all the evil we have been witnessing, we turn our gaze back to Daniel eleven where we see the little horn of Daniel seven in more detail. We are told that this horn is a “king” a political leader. –

      And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god… (11:36).

      While there are many similarities between Antiochus and the antichirst, we note here one substantial difference; Antiochus directed people’s worship toward Zeus, the antichrist exalts himself above every god. He is an atheist who -

      …shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done (11:36). This is a reference back to Antiochus’ desecration of the temple, which translates once again into these two things – the removal of the atonement of the Messiah and the placement of man in the holy of holies as the sole object of worship: Antiochus put a statue of Zeus in that holy place, the antichrist puts himself in the place of God as the Apostle Paul has reminded us in II Thessalonians 2:3,4.
      The antichrist’s description continues. –

      Neither shall he regard the God of His fathers…. –

      Remember he begins as a lamb, a Christian, which is a façade, but he is an atheist, or a communist at heart. –

      …nor the desire of women…

      This has led to the speculation by some that he may be a homosexual which is a possibility, but some translations read that he does not regard “what is beloved by women” and that is the devotion of a loving husband. The antichrist as we have been shown, only loves himself. He also does not...

      …regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all (11:37).

      Now here is something interesting; while we have just been told that he does not regard any god, we read: –

      But in his estate shall he honor the god of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. This shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many (11:37,38).

      We have been shown through this study that Satan worship and witchcraft are included in Antiochus’ and the antichrist’s arsenal of weapons against humanity. While the antichrist magnifies himself above all, he is at the same time honoring “the god of forces” which is a reference to Satan.
      As we have seen in our study of Revelation thirteen, the antichrist has been prejudged and deposited into the lake of fire without trial because of his union with Satan who is incarnate in the man. Therefore, because of this union with the devil, the antichrist promotes Satan worship which he “increases with glory” causing “them” (demons) “to rule over many.”

      It has been discovered through the use of "Google Earth," that there is an enormous pentagram carved into the soil of Kyrgyzstan. This pentagram was placed there during the height of communist rule, which tells us that in spite of the communist claim that they are godless, they are in fact worshipping Satan.
      Because the demonic activity unleashed in Revelation Chapter Nine is progressive, it will intensify dramatically during the antichrist’s reign.
      Those being enabled to "rule over many" can also refer to the false prophet's willingness to operate with Islam, allowing the leadership of this religion to increase their dominion which in turn would allow the communist leadership control in those areas as well.

      Here we have to stop and consider why the antichrist is referred to as a prophet. We have been shown that the antichrist is a king, a political ruler and not a religious figure, even though he will be in union with the apostate church. The word prophet means “messenger” and the antichrist, while using religion as a means to get his foot in the door initially, is the messenger of a demonically controlled world system and a promoter of false ideologies and the occult. While blatant Satan worship will be concealed, it will be promoted subtly throughout his reign through various means without it being linked back to him directly. Whenever man and the works of men are worshipped in the place of God, the devil is being worshipped though them.
      In Revelation 16:13 we are shown three demons coming from the mouth of the false prophet and the beast system. These are demons that are being used to veil people’s minds and direct them away from worshipping the one True God of Israel and to ultimately gather them to war against Him. Those who have received Jesus and have not quenched the Holy Spirit, know how to “plead” or pray His blood for their protection over their minds. They will be spared from these influences. We see the remnant in Chapter Nine, who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit in Chapter Seven, being protected from the demonic warfare and mental torment we see operating in this chapter. These ones have received the seal of the Holy Spirit in their foreheads (Rev. 9:4).
      We return to Daniel eleven, verse thirty-nine which ends with this statement. –

      …and shall divide the land for gain.

      The lust for money is the root of his conquests – ah, but the judgments of God will prevail! We are shown in the following verses that he will experience some rebellion during his reign.

      And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships: and he (the antichrist)shall enter into the countries (a possible invasion of Europe) and shall over flow and pass over (11:40).

      This shows us a time of major war, which the antichrist could win, giving him full control of the world's economy.
      We cannot be absolutely certain who the king of the north and the south are at this point. The king of the north, or northern hemisphere with the many ships could be an interception by the United States, and the king of the south that “pushes” at him, could be an indication of some dissatisfaction with Gog by one of his Islamic allies, or a retaliation by Israel. While this is just speculation, what we can know for sure is that the antichrist will face opposition.
      At the same time his empire is also enduring the judgments of God illustrated for us in Revelation sixteen. In spite of the opposition; –

      He shall enter also into the glorious land… (verse 41).

      Here we are referred again back to Ezekiel thirty-eight and the prophesied invasion of Israel by Gog, the ruler of the land of Magog.

      And you shall come from your place out of the north parts, you, and many people with you…Ezekiel 38:15.
….and shall come up against My people of Israel… (verse 16).

      During this time –

      …many countries shall be overthrown… (a possible invasion of Europe and the United States, or an economic takeover) but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of Ammon (Daniel 11:41).

      The modern day equivalent of these nations according to some scholars would be Jordan. In Jordan today, there is no persecution of Christians in that country. Perhaps God will protect Jordan for this reason.

      He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape (Daniel 11:42).

      After the prophesied civil war in Egypt (Isaiah 19:2) The Egyptians are given over to the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts (Isaiah 19:4). All this transpires during the time the Euphrates is drying (Isaiah 19:5).
      This stretching forth of his hand may not all be war related, but an economic conquest, as indicated by the following verse.

      But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps (verse 43).

      This verse again directs us back to Ezekiel 38 and Gog’s (Russia’s) union with the countries that have Islamic populations; Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya (Ezekiel 38:5). Russia is currently the controlling influence on the government of Ethiopia and is an alley of Iran.
      We can look at what is happening in the world today with Russia’s involvement in the Middle East and recognize that the prophecies contained in the word of God are gradually being fulfilled before our eyes like headlines in a newspaper.
      Daniel 11:44, is a repeat of the disturbances and opposition around the antichrist. –

      But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.

      This could be a reference to problems within his own economic empire to the “east” indicating strained relations with China and within his own country in the “north,” – or the Arctic.
      Underneath the polar ice cap is a vast resource of oil, gas and other minerals worth billions. The ice is melting there opening up the region for harvest. Russia has already dropped a buoy on the ocean floor with its flag, making a tentative claim. The United States has submarines in the area capable of annihilating Moscow within fifteen minutes of a launch. A major war erupting over who gets what in that territory is a real possibility. And it seems that if there is a war, Gog may be the winner enabling him to invade Israel.

      Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make(take) away many (verse 44).
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain…

      This again is a reference to his invasion of Israel, the “glorious mountain” could be a reference to his desecration of the temple mount.

      ...yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

      We observe his end in Ezekiel 38, 39 and Revelation 19:19, 20.

      And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet (Ezekiel 1-5).
      And it shall come to pass at that same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in My face (Ezekiel 38:18).
And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. (The “bow” possibly unites this reference with the portrait of the conqueror on the white horse, a symbol of the antichrist and the religious apostasy he represents in Revelation 6:2).
Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured (Ezekiel 39:2-4).

      This warfare is described in Revelation nineteen which coincides with the second coming of Jesus. –

      And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
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.
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh (Rev. 19:17-21).

      Here we return to Daniel twelve and it is “at that time” when Russia invades Israel with his Islamic allies, -

      Shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time… (Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:21).

      This is the time of trouble that Jesus warns about in His response to His disciples’ query into the future in Matthew twenty-four. The destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD was a localized event, but the time of trouble as we have observed from the verses in Daniel eleven includes a third world war involving many nations, thus making this time of trouble an event that affects the entire world (Matthew 24:29,30).>
      This is part of the great tribulation that precedes the Lord’s return, and correlates to Revelation Chapter Fourteen and continues to nineteen. Chapters fifteen through eighteen are details of the events that occur within the "hour of His judgment" indicated in fourteen.
      We have observed that the judgments that are released in Revelation Chapter Eight are preceded by trumpets. Trumpets as we have learned are used as a warning signs. After the warning period is over, Chapter Fourteen begins, and the bowl judgments are released upon the beast’s kingdom in Chapter Sixteen. In Chapter Eight, the judgments, which are mostly environmental, affect one third of the planet, in sixteen they affect one hundred percent of the planet, suggesting that the judgments that have been released in Chapter Eight are progressive, developing over the time period that the beast system is developing, eventually cumulating into sixteen at the time of the end.

     We return to Daniel 12:1 and read the conclusion. –

      …and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

      “The book” is the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 20:13, Philippians 4:3), where the names of God’s people have been written in by faith in the blood of the New Covenant, the shed blood of the Messiah Jesus.
      So here we are being shown that Daniel’s people are those who have received Jesus as their Messiah. The persecution against Israel, which is referred to by the Apostle Paul as “The Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) meaning the entire church that includes Gentiles and Jews united in Messiah Jesus, - is a persecution against all of God’s people by the antichrist. (The Apostle Paul assures us, that eventually “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-27) referring to the Jews who are alive when Jesus comes a second time (Zechariah 14:4, 9) and they will be given the opportunity to “look upon Me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son"… (Zechariah 12:10, 11).

     This persecution by the antichrist will continue until –

      …he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished (Daniel 12:7).
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 to his hand for a time and times and the dividing of time (Daniel 7:25).

      The time frame here is thought to be the last three and one half years of the antichrist’s reign.>
      While the persecution of the Lord’s people has been continuous throughout the ages; it will cumulate within this last remnant of time, whether it turns out to be literal three and one half year period or symbolic. Because of the intensity and severity of this persecution we are assured by the Lord that it will be shortened for the sake of God’s elect (Matthew 24:22).

      Here we need to stop and remind ourselves of the purpose of the book of Revelation; it was written to prepare God’s church for persecution and to encourage her through it. While the spirit of antichrist is working to destroy God’s people, at the same time we are being assured of our ultimate and glorious victory.
      When Daniel was shown the horrific kingdoms that were to us emerge upon the earth, he was also told by the angel that the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even for ever and ever (Daniel 7:18).
      We are reminded that God has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Through our union with His Holy Spirit we are presently occupying those heavenly places, and from this vantage point of victory we can operate in the earth realm. We adorn ourselves with the battle armor of Christ (Ephesians 6: 12-18) and no matter what hardships we may endure, our eyes are cast upon our Messiah Jesus and the glory of His return.
      We thumb through Revelation’s pages and we see the finale of time when the heavens open and we witness the Lord's descent upon all the evil of this world and the ultimate vindication of His saints.
      Yes, children, there is hope.

      “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” – Jesus (Mathew 28:20).

copyright 2013 by H.D. Shively