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Antichrist

THE PROPHECIES

PART II: A “HISTORICAL PROPHECY”

Antichrist, book by David W. Dyer

A "Grain Of Wheat" Ministries publication

Written by David W. Dyer

INDEX

Chapter 1 - Part 1: PART I: THE RAM AND THE GOAT

Chapter 1 - Part II: A HISTORICAL PROPHECY (Current Chapter)

Chapter 1 - Part III: THE FOUR BEASTS

Chapter 1 - Part IV: NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S IMAGE

Chapter 2: THE ANTICHRIST

Chapter 3: “ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT”

Chapter 4: GOD’S TIMETABLE

Chapter 5: BABYLON

Chapter 6: WAR ON THE SAINTS

Chapter 7: THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Chapter 8: PERSECUTION

Chapter 9: IMPORTANT SIGNS

Chapter 10: WORTHY TO ESCAPE





PART II: A “HISTORICAL PROPHECY”

In the two chapters of Daniel we will study here, God reveals to us in detail the place of origin of the Antichrist. He traces for us a lineage, beginning again with the Medes and the Persians and Alexander, through their successors, and finally to the Antichrist himself. Once again, these things are quite simple to understand. As we proceed we will see the amazing precision with which God foretells the future.

The vision of chapters 10 and 11 of Daniel is brought by a glorious angel in answer to Daniel’s prayers (Dan 10:5,6). He was fasting and praying for more understanding about what the future would bring. God heard his prayers and sent an angel to enlighten him. But this messenger was delayed by an evil angel “three full weeks” (Dan 10:2) or “twenty-one days” (Dan 10:12,13).

It may be that the understanding of this vision has been delayed for many in these days also. But I believe that as we are approaching the end of this age, God is opening up the scriptures and wants to give His children understanding of what is coming upon us.

In this vision, God focuses our attention even more specifically upon just where the Antichrist will arise. It begins with what for us now is ancient history.

Simply repeating the last vision, it commences by telling us about the future of the Media-Persian Empire. This is where Daniel was living at that time. Next, we are again told about Alexander the Great (Dan 11:3) and of his four generals who divide his empire (Dan 11:4).

PTOLEMY AND SELEUCUS

Then the vision focuses upon two of these four generals. This part about the two generals is new, so please follow along carefully. One general is called the “King of the South” (Dan 11:5). Historically, this king was a general named Ptolemy who assumed control of Egypt after Alexander’s death. Since Egypt is south of Israel, calling him the “King of the South” makes perfect sense for an Israelite such as Daniel.

The other king is “King of the North” (Dan 11:6). The general who took control of the area north of Egypt was someone named Seleucus. He took command of what today is known as the Middle East.

As we go along, it will become clear that the Antichrist arises out of the territory of one of these two generals. Therefore, we have now narrowed down the area at which we must look. Instead of the four horns, now we have only two left. Which one of these horns is the “one horn” which becomes the Antichrist will become clear as we proceed.

The next passages of this chapter deal with the relationships between these two kings and their successors. It is a history which covers several hundred years and involves various rulers who came after the “King of the North” and the “King of the South.”

As you read this passage you will notice a series of wars, intrigues, marriages, and interactions between these two kingdoms. These are historical events which were predicted beforehand by God and, up until verse 35, have already happened. 

Above we have a chart of two of Alexander’s generals and their successors. This should help the reader have a more visual image of this prophecy. This abbreviated list will give the reader an idea of how and when all these events took place. These kings are represented by two of the four “horns” in Daniel 8:8.

It is not essential for everyone to remember all these kings and their deeds in these two columns. What is important is to realize that it is the “Kings of the North” side which eventually gives rise to the Antichrist. This points us in a very specific, clear direction.

If you are interested in a more detailed study of this subject, I would like to recommend to you a book entitled, Daniel, the Key to Prophetic Revelation by John F. Walvoord, published by Moody Press. According to Mr. Walvoord, this vision of Daniel, chapter 11 up until verse 35, contains 135 statements which have already been literally fulfilled.

ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES

Our investigation will now continue by focusing on someone named Antiochus Epiphanes. He is the last historical ruler on our “King of the North” list. He is the last successor of one of Alexander’s generals mentioned in the Bible. Walvoord states: “The title Epiphanes, meaning ‘glorious,’ was a title which Antiochus gave himself, in keeping with his desire to be regarded as god.”

This ruler is called a “vile person” (Dan 11:21). He was not a legitimate heir to the throne of the Syrian kingdom. But it appears that he was a very shrewd operator. He managed to take control of the kingdom through “intrigue.” Perhaps because of this he was not given “the honor of royalty” (Dan 11:21). It appears that Antiochus was power hungry, sneaky, and violent. “Vile” seems to a very accurate description of him.

After consolidating his power, he began to persecute the Jewish people. He worked to force them to change their laws, including stopping their sacrifices. He is reported to have sacrificed a sow on their sacred altar in the temple and even set up an idol there. This was an act of desecration. The Jewish people regard pigs as unclean. Also, their sacrifices were always done with male animals. So the sacrifice of a female pig was an attempt to pollute and dishonor the Jewish religion.

This is the event which the Jews of that time called “the abomination of desolation.” It seems that Antiochus Epiphanes had a hatred for the Jews. He tried to do whatever he could to destroy their religion, including favoring any who would turn their back on the law and work along with him to defile the Jewish nation.

ANTIOCHUS – ANTICHRIST

Antiochus is important to us in our discussion for the following reason. As this prophecy in chapter 11 of Daniel progresses, Antiochus morphs or changes into the Antichrist. Up until a certain point, the prophecy is very easily verified historically. The different actions, wars, etc. predicted by God through Daniel, actually happened.

But around verse 35, a peculiar thing happens. The prophecy ceases to have any historical fulfillment. It seems as if the sacred writing takes a great leap through history, from Antiochus Ephiphanes to the Antichrist. It is as if Antiochus “becomes” the Antichrist (in a manner of speaking) during the prophecy.

It seems very clear that God is demonstrating for us something important. Our Lord is showing us the exact location from which the Antichrist will come. This “leap of history” is not just some kind of prophetic accident. Instead it is God’s way of revealing to us the origin of the future enemy of His people. This prophetic vision is a wonderful example of how God shows His servants future events so that they can be prepared.

There is no other logical reason for God to spend so much time explaining to us, in such detail, about the “Kings of the North” and their activities. If this kingdom is of no importance to us in understanding the origins of the coming Antichrist, why would God dwell on this theme? Why would Antiochus and the Antichrist be connected in the scriptures in this way?

Clearly, God is revealing to us the exact area of the world from which the Antichrist will arise. Beginning with the Babylonian Empire, following on through the Media-Persian reign, Alexander the Great, his four generals and their successors right on down to Antiochus, the Bible focuses us down to exactly the point of origin of the Antichrist. Although this is ancient history, it is really not very difficult to understand.

THE BEAST WHO “WAS AND IS NOT”

In the book of Revelation we also read about the Antichrist, or the “Beast.” But here a mysterious fact is mentioned. It almost looks like this antichrist figure has been on the earth before.

During the end times, this beast seems to be resurrected from the bottomless pit. We read: “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and [then] go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is {or, shall be present}” (Rev 17:8).

It is possible that this beast which reappears is Antiochus Epiphanes. Perhaps it is not the literal person. But just as John the Baptist came in “the spirit and power of Elijah” (Lk 1:17), so too the spirit of this “vile person” reappears again to persecute God’s people.

Certainly the same spirit of hatred for and persecution of God’s people that seemed to possess Antiochus will be upon the end-times Beast. This would fit very well with what we have been seeing about Antiochus “turning into” the Antichrist in the Daniel prophecy.

So here we have laid out clearly for us the exact origin of the Antichrist. He will come out of the Seleucid Empire and from that portion of the globe which Antiochus Epiphanes governed. He will originate from and rule over the Middle East. So far two prophetic visions have confirmed this. We will now investigate still another revelation which says the same thing. 

End of Part 2

Read other chapters online:

Chapter 1 - Part 1: PART I: THE RAM AND THE GOAT

Chapter 1 - Part II: A HISTORICAL PROPHECY (Current Chapter)

Chapter 1 - Part III: THE FOUR BEASTS

Chapter 1 - Part IV: NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S IMAGE

Chapter 2: THE ANTICHRIST

Chapter 3: “ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT”

Chapter 4: GOD’S TIMETABLE

Chapter 5: BABYLON

Chapter 6: WAR ON THE SAINTS

Chapter 7: THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Chapter 8: PERSECUTION

Chapter 9: IMPORTANT SIGNS

Chapter 10: WORTHY TO ESCAPE

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