CHAPTER 14
The most frustrating aspect of prophecy is that it develops so slowly. In many ways it is like a giant roller-coaster ride. For what seems like an eternity, the cars inch toward the top, getting into position for what follows. Then all at once, everyone is hurled downward at break-neck speed. That is how End Time prophecy will unfold. Once the process begins, an avalanche of prophecy will fall into place.
What will set off this avalanche? It is an event that is hidden from our eyes—namely, when God casts Satan and his demons out of the heavens. From that day on, we will witness amazing instances of prophetic fulfillment. Men will be overwhelmed as God prepares to bring this age to a close.
Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I [God] am doing something in your days - You would not believe it if you were told (Habakkuk 1:5).
What day is Habakkuk talking about? None other than the End Times—the day "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14).
On the heels of the devil's expulsion from heaven comes a related event on earth. At that time, Satan will cause an extraordinary man to rise to power. The name most often used for him is the Antichrist. Described extensively in both the Old and New Testaments, this man is so important that virtually no End Time prophecy can be fulfilled before his coming. Let's consider some of the Biblical names and accounts of this man.
1. A little horn
Daniel referred to him as a ruler of a small country. "Horn" probably refers to the practice of anointing rulers with oil (which was carried in a horn).
2. The Chaldean
When prophets saw visions of the future they were often hard pressed to explain what they had seen. Not knowing what to call future rulers and nations, they sometimes borrowed the name of contemporary people who possessed similar traits. When Habakkuk observed Antichrist's forces he saw they were a bitter and hasty people. So, he gave them the name, Chaldeans, making their leader the Chaldean.
3. The Prince of Tyre
Ezekiel saw a prince who said of himself, "I am a god." This man is described as being wiser than Daniel, and with that wisdom he acquires wealth and power. That same chapter also introduces the king of Tyre. In no uncertain terms, Scripture identifies that king as Satan. This underscores the devil's close association with the Prince of Tyre.
You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, in the garden of God. You were the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you (Ezekiel 28:11-12, 14-15).
4. The Man of Sin
Paul described this man as one whose coming is in accord with the End Time activities of Satan. He called him a "lawless one."
5. The Beast
Symbolically having ten horns and seven heads, this man receives authority for 42 months over "every tribe and people and tongue and nation." He speaks enormous blasphemies against God and makes war against the saints. Most ominous is the testimony that everyone not written in the Lamb's (Messiah's) book of life will worship the beast.
6. Antichrist
Although this term was used only in the letters of First and Second John, it has become the name most often applied to this End Time enemy of God. The word can mean "another messiah" or "one opposed to Messiah." Actually, either description fits, for by presenting himself as another messiah, he obviously opposes the true one.
At the appointed time, this extraordinary man will be given authority for forty-two months. He will emerge on the world political scene bringing new hope and new ideas. Where all the world's leaders have failed, he will marvelously succeed. Wiser than the prophet Daniel, Antichrist will persuade the world that he alone can bring lasting peace and prosperity. Here is what we know about him from the Bible:
1. Antichrist's country was once part of the old Roman Empire. Daniel had a series of prophetic visions about coming world empires. In his vision of the four beasts, he saw that the last one, which stood for the Roman Empire, had 10 horns (kings or kingdoms). Out of them rose another horn, which is the Antichrist.
While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one came up AMONG them (Daniel 7:8).
This tells us that Antichrist's country (another horn) was once part of the Roman Empire. That narrows the candidates down to most of the nations of Europe, as well as northern Africa and the Middle East.
To avoid confusion, we should not put too much emphasis on the number of horns. The fact that the fourth beast had ten horns is probably symbolic. Ten stands for the complete number nations that were part of the Roman Empire. It is interesting that those who see Europe as the revived Roman Empire are forever speculating how the EEC will become exactly 10 members, so as to match the number of horns in the prophecy. What they forget is that Daniel's fourth beast encompassed much more than Europe. As mentioned, northern Africa and the Middle East were also part of that empire.
2. Daniel's prophecy taught that no future country (or leader) would be able to reunite the nations of the Roman Empire. That is, not until Antichrist comes to power.
In his first vision, Daniel saw an immense statue, which represented four world empires. The fourth empire was symbolized by the statue's legs and feet. Their composition, partly iron and partly clay, suggested it would be a divided empire, which would remain divided. History reveals that despite attempts through marriage and conquest, the nations of the old Roman Empire have not been reunited for over 1,500 years.
And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom.
And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with clay (Daniel 2:41, 43).
It is curious that so many teachers ignore this prophecy. Though the clay and iron clearly indicate the nations cannot be joined together, many are now saying the European Economic Community (EEC) will succeed in unifying the divided Roman Empire. Scripture indicates that a unification will occur, but it will not be limited to Europe, and it will not take place until after Antichrist comes to prominence. At that time, he will subdue three nations which were also tied to the Roman Empire. After that, he will force all the nations of Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa to unite under him. Then, and only then, will you see the prophesied, final world empire.
3. Antichrist's country is identified with one of the empires which existed before Rome.
From a prophecy in Revelation 17, we can pinpoint five regions from which he will emerge. In that chapter, the beast is seen having seven heads and ten horns. Verse 10 says the seven heads stand for seven kings. It goes on to say that of the seven kingdoms, "five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come." A diagram will help clarify this cryptic prophecy.
Past World Kingdoms (Five that have fallen)
Kingdom at Time of Writing (A.D. 90) (One that IS)
Future Kingdom (Only lasts a short time)
Final Kingdom (One of the Five Fallen)
In order to identify the all-important eighth kingdom, let's look closely at the next verse, 17:11. It says the "beast WAS, and is not." In other words, the kingdom that would one day produce the Antichrist had already fallen. It is ironic that so many are teaching Antichrist will emerge from the European Economic Community. According to this passage, that is the one place from which he he cannot come! Where, then, do we look for him? As stated, he will emerge from one of the empires which preceded Rome:
Does the Bible predict an End Time role for any of these fallen empires? Yes it does. Much that has been prophesied about Babylon is yet to be fulfilled. As we will develop in the next chapter, however, these prophecies apply to an End Time power which has nothing to do with ancient Babylon.
But the Bible does mention another possibility. There is a prophecy in the Book of Zechariah which seems to indicate that we would do well to keep our eyes on the nations of the ancient Grecian Empire.
For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephriam (the lost northern tribes). And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece... (Zechariah 9:13).
Some believe Zechariah is here referring to the Jewish revolt against Greece under the Maccabees. That interpretation has to be rejected, since Ephraim (the Northern Tribes) certainly had no part in the Maccabean revolt. As we know, Ephraim had been "lost" for centuries.
When Zechariah spoke of Greece, he probably did not mean all of the nations which were part of the Greek Empire. More likely, he was referring to the regions Alexander controlled before he conquered the Medes and the Persians. If that is the case, from John's Revelation and from Zechariah, we can further narrow the field to these remaining candidates:
4. Antichrist will come from a country that is not very large or powerful.
When Daniel saw another horn come up from among the ten horns of the fourth empire, he described it as a little one. This could mean it was a brand new nation, or it could indicate that, before Antichrist, the country had little influence in world affairs. It is possible that Greece and Turkey may not be small enough to fit the "little horn" description. Still, they bear watching. The most promising prophetical prospects may be in the new states created from what was Yugoslavia. If one of them should suddenly subdue three others...
Could Antichrist really rise to world domination from a small country such as these? Before you answer, remember that he will not be acting on his own. Satan himself will choreograph his every move. More important though, is the fact that God will turn Antichrist loose, granting him Divine authority for his conquests!
A crown was given to him; and he went out conquering and to conquer (Revelation 6:2)
Once God ceases to restrain the beast, Satan will go to work. He gives Antichrist a fierce countenance so men are hesitant to withstand him. His eyes may even appear hypnotic, along the lines of Adolph Hitler's. But the key to his power is that Satan is behind him.
In the last days, thanks to Satan, Antichrist will achieve military superiority over the entire world! Perhaps he uses Satanic intelligence to develop an invincible weapon. A more likely scenario is that he is taught to harness the power of Satan's demons. Whatever the means, Antichrist will convince the world he's invincible. He does this by arranging a humiliating military demonstration in which three nations are effortlessly overthrown. After that, all the nations will come under intense pressure to join forces with him.
They worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him?" (Revelation 13:4).
We have already alluded to the fact that many believe the European nations will form a 10 nation confederation. That alliance, they say, will produce the Antichrist. But according to the Book of the Revelation, that order should be reversed. It is Antichrist who comes first; then the alliance is formed!
And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A KINGDOM, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour (Revelation 17:12).
The important issue here is not the number of kings. Again, ten is probably symbolic. What is key is the timing. However many kings there are, none of them receive a kingdom before Antichrist comes to power. That means they cannot be current monarchs. Instead, they are future puppet rulers; men who get their authority for one and only one purpose—to give it to Antichrist. Daniel confirms this understanding:
He [Antichrist] will give great honor to those who acknowledge him, and HE WILL CAUSE THEM TO RULE over the many [make them kings?], and will parcel out land for a price (Daniel 11:39).
This means we shouldn't be watching the European Common Market, or the Trilateralists, or even Bush's New World Order. Instead, the Bible tells us to be looking for Antichrist! When he comes, we will see the nations coming together as the final world empire (the eighth).
Now let's get back to Antichrist's rise to power. After the nations have witnessed the "uprooting" of the three countries, the world's leaders will come under pressure to submit to Antichrist. By then, this charismatic leader will have convinced the masses he is their only hope for the future. The rulers, however, will see it differently. Under Antichrist, the nations will lose their autonomy, but the rulers will lose their power. So, naturally they resist as long as possible.
At that point, Satan commences his master stroke. Suddenly, Antichrist will appear to have been killed. On the verge of ruling over all of Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa, he is suddenly struck down. But in the midst of worldwide hysteria over his death, Satan will cause Antichrist to be "raised from the dead." (No one said the devil was very original.)
You might wonder if Satan can actually bring someone to life. Personally, I think it will be a trick. Nevertheless, from that point "the world follows after the beast." After this "miraculous" resurrection, the people will not be denied any longer, and all the old rulers will be put out of office. Whatever the means, be it revolts or elections, Antichrist's puppets will be installed as heads of state.
These [kings] have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast [Antichrist] (Revelation 17:13).
Most saints have been taught that they will already be in heaven when Antichrist is revealed. For that reason there hasn't been much interest in his coming. I have heard preachers piously proclaim, "I'm not looking for Antichrist. I'm looking for Jesus Christ!" Considering the Bible's proclamation that Antichrist will be revealed before the Day of the Lord (which occurs before Messiah comes), I can't imagine a more dangerous teaching. If they are wrong, the results will be tragic. Multitudes of churchmen will enter the last days with no understanding of the trials they will face.
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed... (II Thessalonians 2:3-4)
If God plans to remove the church before Antichrist is revealed, why does He provide so much information about him? Is it to satisfy our curiosity? Not likely. The revelation about Antichrist is necessary information; believers will need to know what they are up against.
In the last days, Antichrist will implement a program of unparalleled deception. He will seem to stand for what people want most—issues like peace and prosperity. But in truth, his only goal is world conquest. Thanks to Satan's help, the nations will believe Antichrist's deceptions. In a short while they will even worship him.
Messiah warned His followers of the incredible deceptions in those days. He told of false prophets and false messiahs who would mislead the world. To emphasize the danger, Messiah said their powers would be enormous, "with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish." And why not? They will be operating in full accord with Satan himself.
For false Messiahs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I [Messiah] have told you in advance (Matthew 24:24,25).
All across the globe, false prophets will appear as "angels (messengers) of light," speaking words of peace and prosperity. They will perform signs and wonders so powerful the nations will be spellbound. In fact, they will be so utterly convincing that the whole world will be won over in a matter of days (or weeks).
The whole world, that is, except for the followers of Messiah, for they will have understanding! They alone will see through the lies, and for that reason they will be very, very busy. Commenting on the last days, Daniel said, "many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." This may be a reference to Messiah's followers as they move about sharing the truth and exposing the deceptions of that day.
With preparation, the End Time saints can be effective despite the deceptions. The prophet Daniel understood that fact. He wrote that in the last days "those with insight will understand and lead many to righteousness." It seems God's people will be instrumental in unmasking Antichrist's deceptions, and in so doing, they will deliver many from eternal destruction.