Introduction

In 70AD The Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem, and the Jewish people were scattered into the nations. In a sense, 2000 years of exile,but on May 14th, 1948, The Modern state of Israel was born. God had promised that he would bring them back to the land.

Ezekiel 36:8–10

God also promised that he would save Israel.

Romans 11:25–26

Israel would never again be uprooted (Amos 9:14-15) and would continue to exist as long as there is a sun and a moon (Jeremiah 31:35-36)

Israel back on the map, sets the stage for then end of the times of the Gentiles.

Luke 21:24

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The time of the Gentiles will conclude with the rapture of the church. Daniel’s 70th week kicks off with the anti-christ ruling the final Gentile kingdom. 7 Years called the tribulation period, with the last half called the great tribulation.

 

Historical Background

Working with end time prophetical passages is like building a puzzle. You place all the pieces down on the table and see where they fit. With some pieces, we don’t know for sure where they fit.

It’s only after you have built most of the puzzle that you are able to see exactly where the pieces fit. This is the case with our passage this morning. You and I are in a sense placed in the same place as Daniel was when he received the vision from the angel. This time, just like Daniel, we look forward to the future towards events predicted by God.

History has already shown us how accurate God’s predictions were. So, there is no doubt that these events will happen. The question just is as we look at these pieces, we should be careful about becoming dogmatic about where each piece fits.

So, join me this morning as we look at the pieces on the table. And I will give my best suggestion about where these pieces fit. But we realize that just as Daniel and just as the majority of commentators, we should hold lightly to this interpretation.

Future history will either confirm or correct this interpretation. Let’s look at some of the pieces of this puzzle.

 

Daniel 7

Daniel 7:7-8 revealed the vision of the fourth empire (final gentile empire/tribulation period).

This empire would have two parts.

The historical ancient Roman empire which was during the time of Christ, then the future revived the Roman empire.

This future revived Roman empire will have 10 kings. (Daniel 7:24)

An eleventh (the anti-christ) will subdue three of the Kings.

Revelation 17:12-14 reveals that the kings will hand their power and authority over to the beast, that is the anti-christ.

Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5, reveal that the anti-christ will utter blasphemous words, slandering God and exalt himself.

Daniel 7:25 He will make war on the saints. The persecution of the saints will happen for a period of time, times and half a time (3 1/2) years

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 tells us he will come with signs and wonders to deceive. He is called various names.

• Daniel 7:8- the little horn
• Daniel 7:24 King
• Daniel 9:26 a prince (heb= ruler)
• 1 John 2:18 John calls him the anti-christ

Daniel 7:9-12, Daniel 7: 26 revealed a court scene in which books are opened and reveals the judgment of the anti-christ, and his death and destruction is predicted. predicted.

Daniel 8:9-12 and Daniel 8:23-25 revealed Antiochus IV Epiphanes who serves as a picture of the future anti-christ. We learn from this that

• The anti-christ would become a powerful leader just as Antiochus did
• During the anti-christ reign evil will reach its pinnacle just as Antiochus did
• The anti-christ will seek to elevate himself just as Antiochus did
• The anti-christ will use great displays of power to destroy the rulers in Israel just as Antiochus did
• The anti-christ will desecrate the temple just as Antiochus did
• The anti-christ will kill those who are not willing to worship Him, just as Antiochus did to those who did not worship Zeus

 

Daniel 9</strong>

Daniel 9:26 revealed that the anti-christ would come from the future revived Roman empire and in Daniel 9:27, he revealed that the anti-christ will make a covenant with Israel for a period of 7 years. This will likely be a security agreement that guarantees their protection. It also serves as the starting point for the tribulation period.

In the middle of the 7 years, he will break the covenant with Israel. He will make an end to temple worship. He will an abomination (do a detestable thing that brings horror and revulsion) in Israel.

 

Jesus Predicted this in Matthew 24:15.

Paul described it in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 that the anti-christ will exalt himself above all other gods or objects of worship, take his seat in the temple and proclaim himself as God.

A Great Vision

Daniel 10 serves as an introduction to a great vision. This vision would be the truth and would be concerning the conflict Israel would face until the end and their sin is so serious that even after having faced 70 years of exile, God would continue to discipline (chasten them) to the end until their finally delivered by God. Daniel 10 reveals the authority behind the vision is Christ and also revealed that behind these great empires are angelic conflicts taking place in the background with the powers of the evil one.

The Transitioning of the Persian Empire

Daniel 11 was introduced to the vision that revealed the transitioning of the Persian empire, to the Greek empire, and how many battles were fought over the land of Israel. Daniel 11: 20-35 were again introduced to Antiochus IV Epiphanes and we see characteristics that the anti-christ would display.

We see the deceptive nature of his character as he will rose to power in Daniel 11: 21-27, as he will use flattery to obtain his kingdom. He would utterly defeat armies, broker alliances only to act deceitfully, and use money to purchase influence.

 

Daniel 11:28-31 we saw his hatred for God and Gods people

We saw how he would profane the temple and take away the regular burnt offerings and how he would set up the abomination that makes desolate We see how his actions led to the Daniel 11:32-35 Maccabean rebellion

Finally, Daniel 11: 35we saw how the wise (referring to those who knew the Scriptures, who were faithful to God stumbled (killed and persecuted).

God uses this to purify and sanctify Israel.

Finally, in Daniel 11:36-39 the reader meets the anti-christ.

His character is described.

• Self-willed – He will be doing what’s right in his own eyes, the absolute dictator, totally selfish (self-centered)
• Prideful, magnifying himself above every god and even proclaiming himself God
• profane, blasphemer, scoffer, mocker of God)
• Successful initially in all his endeavors
• Apostate, renouncing the families’ religious beliefs
• May be homosexual – showing no regard for the desires of women
• self-deifying himself’
• an idolater worshiping military power and violence
• subjugate and other military enemies
• Schemer, using deception, and deals to gain loyalty

But notice the timing of these events.

Daniel 11:35 tells you that the suffering and purifying of Gods people in Israel will continue until the time of the end.

Daniel 11: 40 moves the reader to the time of the end.

 

This is important.

This could mean that Daniel 11: 36-39 would indicate the character of the anti-christ as revealed in the first half of the 7 years of tribulation going into the 2nd half.

Daniel 11: 40-45reveals then events that appear to happen that culminate at the end of the tribulation period.

Which we understand as the events in the run up to Armageddon. It’s as if the angel gives us a glimpse first in the character of the anti-christ and then his final conquests and his condemnation or demise.

 

Proposition

 

The Conquests and Demise of the anti-christ that Gives You Hope.

1. The anti-christ military victoriesDaniel 11:40
2. The anti-christ victims and survivors. Daniel 11: 41
3. The anti-christ conquests Daniel 11: 42-43
4. The anti-christ fearful actionsDaniel 11: 44