Bible Insights at Peterfostertasmania

My Insights from the Bible

Daniel’s Vision of the Antichrist 2

Out of one of them (four conspicuous horns) came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, "For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?" And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state." (Dan 8: 9 - 14 ESV)

Daniel’s vision of the ram and the goat

Is the ‘abomination of desolation’ referred to in Revelation literal or symbolic? In the above text it is referred to as ‘transgression that makes desolate’. This prophecy was fulfilled literally by Antiochus Epiphanes when a pig was sacrificed in the temple of God in Jerusalem, but will be fulfilled again at the end of the age. Next time many of the details outlined by Daniel could be literal, symbolic or both. We just don’t know.

However, chapter 8 gives us more clues to the timing of the Antichrist’s appearance. Verse 22 tells us that four kings or kingdoms arise from Greece and that the Antichrist comes out of one of them.

The work of the Antichrist is described in greater detail in this chapter. For 3 1/2 years the Antichrist will prosper in his determination to rid his kingdom of God’s people and all worship of the true God. Apostate Christians and Jews will think he is the Messiah; Muslims will think he is the Mahdi. He will even claim to be divine, God’s son or even God Himself.

Where does he come from? The text says Greece. But Greece today is not the global power is once was; so it cannot be Greece. In biblical days the kingdom of Greece would have covered a greater area than it does today. Perhaps even parts of Europe and Turkey. We are told the goat representing Greece came from the west, ‘across the surface of the earth’, and is very great and powerful.

Eventually this king or leader is replaced or deposed by four other leaders, or his kingdom is split into four separate states. It is out of one of these that the Antichrist emerges.

Many people believe that Greece represented by the goat is the EU (European Union). It could be. However, going even further west could it possibly be the USA since we are told that the goat travelled over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground, quite a substantial distance? This of course remains to be seen. It is purely speculation; we just don’t know.

Some Christians believe all this happens to the Jews that are left behind after the rapture because of the reference to the Jewish sacrificial system. I believe it could have a more general meaning indicating what will happen rather than giving specific details.

There are a lot of things we don’t know yet. Maybe we have to wait until they happen before we can understand them.

PeterF

Total Views: 481

All submitted comments will be read, but may only be displayed at my discretion. Please keep comments brief. Large comments, that are displayed, will be shortened to around 100 words. Your email address will not be displayed, only the senders' name will be shown.


First Name:
Last Name:
Email:

See All Insights

If you would like an easier way to find one of my Bible insights click on the "List All Insights" button above, and select the item you want to read.

MORE INSIGHTS

Read Other Reflections on the Bible

Love Never Ends

1 Cor 13: 8 - 13

Chapter 13 is the well known Scripture reading often read at wedding ceremonies. It is very meaningful in the new relationship between husband and wife. However, for the Christian love, true love, is the basis for eternal existence together now . . .

Eternal Life with Eternal Bodies

1 Cor 15: 50 - 57

At the end of time when Jesus returns we who are still here will be changed. Our new bodies will last forever and not grow old and die. Those who have died will be raised to life again with new bodies. This only applies to Christians whose names . . .

Jesus' Destiny Revealed

Mark 12: 1 - 12

We learn in the Bible that many of the Scribes and Pharisees hated Jesus because He didn't mince words exposing their hipocricy and evil. The message of this passage was directed at them but Jesus also spoke of His death and resurrection to His . . .

Preaching as a Career Option

1 Cor 9: 9 - 14

Most of us have heard about the "money preachers". Watch late night television in the wee hours before dawn and you find any number of televangelists spruiking their "name-it-and-claim-it" gospel. They may agree with the verses shown above about . . .

Understanding Spiritual Truths

1 Cor 2:12-14

In Paul's letter to the Corinthian church we read how the Holy Spirit given to Christians reveals God's truths and wisdom. These were decreed by God even before the creation of the world. The truth about salvation, about His plan for a coming . . .

Joel’s Image of the End Times

Joel 2: 28 - 32

The passage above is a favourite among prophecy teachers. There are two schools of thought on the interpretation of the text. The popular view is that it applies to all Christians in the days prior to Christ’s return. Some disagree and claim it . . .

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Revelation 1: 10 – 11

These letters to the seven churches, in chapters 1 to 3, are written in a different style to the rest of the prophetic text of Revelation. We are not told why these particular towns were selected but perhaps the apostle John who wrote down the . . .

The Just Will Live by Faith

Hebrews 10: 26 - 39

Many Christians believe that once saved you are always saved. But the Bible tells us otherwise as we read here in chapter 10. What they fail to realise is this: God gave us a free will to choose our own destiny. God’s long-term plan was to create . . .

As in the Days of Noah and Lot

Luke 17: 23 - 36

Firstly, although we understand God to be a God of love, wanting all people to be saved, why did He bring destruction on those living at the time of Noah and Lot? How can that be love? Universalists think because God is Love He will relent . . .

Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 11

St Paul wrote to the Corinthian church so they would not be ignorant of the gifts of the Spirit. It was God’s plan for His people to live and work in unity with one purpose and have an overwhelming love for one another. These spiritual gifts were . . .