Antichrist

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 25, 2011

Anti-Christ [and its related terms]

"AntiChrist" - "Son of Perdition" - "Man of Sin" - "Lawless One" - "That Wicked" - "Little Horn" - "Beast" - "Mystery Babylon"

Who or what is the "AntiChrist"?

What does this term even mean?

How shall this "AntiChrist" be identified, made known and revealed?

Let us look at the Key Points that Identify this "AntiChrist":

(A) It would be a "little horn" and come up among and arise after the "ten horns" of the ten-horned beast with "iron teeth" [Daniel 2:40-41, 7:7-8] rising up out of the "sea" ["peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues"][Revelation 13:1] and would rule over them [Revelation 17:1,15]

(B) It would have a human leader as its spokeman's/head with "eyes" and "mouth of a man" [Daniel 7:8,25]

(C) It would "subdue" three kingdoms/horns of the "ten horns" as it arises, and they would be "plucked up by the roots" [Daniel 7:8,20]

(D) It would be "diverse" and different than the other ten kingdoms/horns that came before it [Daniel 7:24]

(E) It would be a persecuting power especially one that shall "wear out the Saints of the Most High" God, all the while it claims to promote peace, and "by peace shall destroy many" [Daniel 7:21,25, 8:25; Revelation 17:6,14]

(F) It would be clearly seen in power amidst the division of the "Iron" Kingdom [Daniel 7:7,8]

(G) It would rule for "a thousand, two hundred [and] threescore days" [1,260 prophetic days/literal Years], which is also the same as and signified as "a time and times and the dividing of time" [3 ½ prophetic years/1,260 literal years] and still also given as "forty [and] two months" [42 prophetic months/1,260 literal years], which in total are given 7 times in scripture and then it would receive "as it were" what seemed to be a mortal "deadly wound" [Daniel 7:25, 12:7; Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6,14, 13:5]

(H) It would have a "mouth" speaking "[great] words" of "blasphemy" [as defined by scripture, 'claiming to forgive sins', 'claiming to have the perogatives or be in the place of God on this earth', and also a persecuting crusader - a "blasphemer"] against and in the place of The Most High God [Daniel 7:8,25; Revelation 13:5-6, 17:5; John 10:33; Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21; 1 Timothy 1:13, 2:5]

(I) It would "think to change" the "times" and "laws" of "the Most High God" [Daniel 7:25]

(J) It would begin as a "little horn" power/kingdom in smallness but it would grow into a worldwide power, a universal power, and become "more stout" than those 10 horns/kingdoms before it [Daniel 7:20,23; Revelation 13:3, 17:18]

(K) In it would be seen the teachings and ways of the "Lion", "Bear", "Leopard", and "Beast, dreadful and terrible" with "Iron Teeth" Kingdoms [Revelation 13:2]

(L) It would receive what seemed like a mortal "deadly wound" around the same time [at the end of the 1,260 prophetic days/literal years] that the "Beast" with the "two horns like a Lamb" [having no crowns] which "yet spake as a dragon" is arising in power from the "earth"[Revelation 13:11]

(M) It would receive, in one of its "heads", something like a mortal "deadly wound", though itself would not be killed [Revelation 13:3]

(N) That which looked like a mortal "deadly wound" would be "healed" [Revelation 13:3]

(O) It would cause and or require the "world" to "worship" it, and control buying and selling ["buy or sell"], being a Kingdom "diverse", both religious and political [Revelation 13:8, 14:9]

(P) It would deny and "confess not" that Jesus came "in the Flesh" by teaching something else [1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7]

(Q) It would "denieth the Son" by setting another, Anti [in the place of] Jesus Christ [Anointed] [1 John 4:3; "Anti" means "against" or "in the place of"] in what it proclaims [1 John 2:22-23], being yet "lawless"/"wicked" [without the True Laws of God] and promoting its own form of righteousness, for it "thinks to change" the "times" and "laws" of "the Most High God" [Daniel 7:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:8]

(R) Another power, which itself had come from, would at first hold it in check in its infancy, but after this other power was "taken out of the way" it would be "revealed" [2 Thessalonians 2:1-12] and shown that it did not remain true to the Gospel [1 John 2:19]

(S) The "Dragon" ["that old Serpent, which is the Devil and Satan" [Revelation 12:9, 20:2] working in and through that previous power] would give it it's "power and his seat, and great authority" [Revelation 13:2]

(T) There would be, "antichrists", which means more than one individual in its time [1 John 2:18] as its head, a position of authority filled in successions, a "man of sin" [2 Thessalonians 2:3]. It would not desire others ["women"], lifting itself "above all that is called God, or that is worshipped" [2 Thessalonians 2:4], both "forbidding to marry" and forcing and "[commanding]" other non-biblical abstentions [Daniel 11:37; 1 Timothy 4:1-3]

(U) It would "sitteth in" [English: in; Greek: heis; towards or among] "the Temple of God" [1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16], "shewing himself that he is God", ruling over the people of God [2 Thessalonians 2:4], claiming to be of God, yet it is a "son of perdition" [2 Thessalonians 2:3], just as "Judas" was [John 17:12], coming in "sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" [Mark 7:15]

(V) It would have a "mark" which is in opposition to the "seal of God" [Revelation 16:2, 19:20] and this power would continue to exist from the time it appears until the very end when its "dominion" is taken "away" by God Himself and finally the "beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame" [Daniel 7:11,22,26; 2 Thessalonians 2:8]

(W) It is also classified in whole as a "woman", the "MOTHER OF HARLOTS" [harlot daughters, at are in some way like her] that came from her and carry her teachings [Revelation 17:5]

(X) It exists as its own "great city" which sits among "seven mountains" and who is rich, and decked with "precious stones", "gold" and "pearls" and costly array, even "purple" and "scarlet", having a "golden cup in her hand" [Revelation 17:4,9,18, 18:12,16]

(Y) And "all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" [fermented Wine, a symbol for corruption of Biblical principles] [Revelation 17:2,4], and "she" would be "fallen, fallen", having refused to repent of "her" sins and fornication [Revelation 2:21] and "she" has "become the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of unclean and hateful bird" [devils][Revelation 18:2]

(Z) It also has a number of "Six hundred threescore [and] six" [666] ["χξς"] which may be "counted", the "number of a man", being its head, the "man of sin" [2 Thessalonians 2:3], it is "his number" [Revelation 13:18]

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Now that these identifying marks [all of which are pointing the finger of judgment at the very AntiChrist power] have been identified from Scripture, let us now prayerfully and carefully scour the Bible and History, looking at those points in detail to see how they all intertwine, connect and converge upon one power only...

..."To the law and to the testimony..." [Isaiah 8:20] and "...line upon line..." [Isaiah 28:10] ...

In order to understand this "Antichrist" power, of what it is, what it would do, when it would arise and when and how long it would exist, it is necessary to take note of the specific words of JESUS when HE named "Daniel the prophet" directly and quoted from those texts as being most relevant, "...abomination of desolation..." [Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14] which were a reference to texts in that Book of Daniel [Daniel 11:31, 12:11].

By these very identifying marks given in the Word of GOD, it will be shown that this power exists now, already existed in the past and will continue to exist until the end.

Joe67 · May 25, 2011

Anti-christ(s) are part of the flock. Eventually, like Judas, they will go out from us and it will be spiritual night to them, though they will feel like they are in a win win situation, as they kiss the one they are betraying, while calling him master.

1 John 2:18-19
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. KJV

Ps 2:11-12
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
KJV

Joe

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 27, 2011

Gathering the texts needed [colour coded]. Let us "readeth" "Daniel".

In the Book of Daniel Chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon, has dreams. What do they mean? How shall any know? Is it up to "private interpretation" to determine them? No, for "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." [2 Peter 1:20]

What do the scriptures themselves say?

"...I will shew unto the king the interpretation." [Daniel 2:24;p]

"...make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart." [Daniel 2:30;p]

"...I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation." [Daniel 2:25;p]

"This (is) the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king." [Daniel 2:36]

"...the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream (is) certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." [Daniel 2:45;p]

Daniel will tell us what the Dream means, "the interpretation", step by step, and all should know that, "the dream (is) certain and the interpretation thereof sure".

And so, what does Daniel say about the dreams given from GOD to Nebuchadnezzar and himself?

"But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;" [Daniel 2:28]

"...he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass." [Daniel 2:29;p]

The vision is of the future, for "what shall be in the latter days" and "what shall come to pass" and "hereafter".

[A Brief Overview of the Dream]

The King of Babylon sees a Giant Image [an idol of a man] in various metals:

Head of Gold,

Chest and Arms of Silver,

Waist and Thighs of Brass [Bronze],

Legs of Iron,

and finally Feet and Toes of Iron mixed with Clay.

Then a Stone cut out of a Mountain without Hands smashes the Great Image at the Feet.

The Giant Image is forever destroyed into nothing.

The Stone becomes a great Mountain and fills the whole earth.

What is the "Head of Gold"?:

"Thou, O king, (art) a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom... Thou (art) this head of gold." [Daniel 2:37-38]

The "Head of Gold" is the "Kingdom" of Babylon.

What then is the "Breast and Arms of Silver"?:

"...And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee..." [Daniel 2:39;p]

The "Breast and Arms of Silver" is the next successive [Second] Kingdom to Rule directly after Babylon, and would be inferior to the "Gold", a "Silver" Kingdom [It is not given at this specific time in Daniel Chapter 2 what the name of this Second Kingdom is to be, but in Daniel Chapter 1, there is already the hinting at it: "And Daniel continued [even] unto the first year of king Cyrus." [Daniel 1:21]].

What then is "his Belly and his Thighs of Brass"?

"...and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth" [Daniel 2:39;p]

"His Belly and His Thighs of Brass" are the successive "Third Kingdom" [It is not yet given at this specific time in Daniel Chapter 2 what the name of this "Third Kingdom" is to be, but something interesting is given to consider about it, in that it would "...bear rule over all the earth." and more shall be made known the further the Book of Daniel is read and studied along with the rest of Scripture].

What then are "His Legs of Iron"?

"And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all (things): and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise." [Daniel 2:40]

"His Legs of Iron" are the successive and all conquering "Fourth Kingdom" [It is not yet given at this specific time in Daniel Chapter 2 what the name of this "Fourth Kingdom" is to be, but it is given that it would "breaketh those before it and break in pieces and bruise." and more shall be made known the further the Book of Daniel is read and studied along with the rest of Scripture].

What then are "his feet part of iron and part of clay."?

"And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay." [Daniel 2:41]

"And (as) the toes of the feet (were) part of iron, and part of clay, (so) the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken." [Daniel 2:42]

"And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." [Daniel 2:43]

"His feet part of iron and part of clay." are still the very "Fourth Kingdom" again, but this time it is this very "Fouth Kingdom" "Divided", becoming "partly strong and partly broken". The "Fourth Kingdom" during this period of being "Divided" shall then seek to "mingle themselves with the seed of men" [intermarriage among nations] and they "shall not cleave one to another". [The "Fourth Kingdom" in its "Divided" form, exists until the "Stone" smashes itand all the metals together.]

What then is this "Stone was cut out Without Hands"?

"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed..." [Daniel 2:44;p]

In scripture when something is said to be done "without hands" it is done, completed and finished by GOD [Mark 14:58; Colossians 2:11] and not man. Thus it is where "The God of Heaven" sets "up a Kingdom", "which shall never be destroyed".

When will this happen according to scripture?

What or Who then is this Stone, this Rock?

Searching the Scriptures reveals that this Rock/Stone is none other than CHRIST JESUS [Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 16:18, 21:42,44; Romans 9:32-33; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 10:4; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-8] who comes in Power and Glory in HIS Second Advent.

What then is the ending wherein the "the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."?

"...the kingdom shall not be left to other people, (but) it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." [Daniel 2:44;p]

The Stone that becomes the Great Mountain and fills the whole earth, which shall "break in pieces and consume all" the previous "Kingdoms" of the Giant Metal Man Idol and their ways for good, truly is the Final and Everlasting Kingdom of God on Earth which shall "stand for ever" on the Earth made New [Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1].

"Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream (is) certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." [Daniel 2:45]

...and yet there are more visions given in the Book of Daniel, unfolding in greater details, shedding further light upon these very events and "Kingdoms" given in Daniel Chapter 2...

What has been learned and gained thus far?

[1.] Head of [Gold] is the Kingdom of Babylon

[2.] Another Kingdom arises after it [Silver]

[3.] A Third Kingdom conquers, Bearing rule over the earth [Brass]

[4.] The Fourth Kingdom crushes all those before it, an [Iron] Kingdom

[5.] The Fourth Kingdom becomes Divided [Iron and Clay]

[6.] The Fourth Divided Kingdom mingles the seed of men, but remains divided

[7.] [Stone] Cut without Hands, destroys all of the previous Kingdoms, so that there is no trace of them left and Remains forever and ever [Mountain].

What are these other "Kingdoms" mentioned? When will the "Antichrist" arise among them? Daniel has said that the "dream is certain" and the "interpretation is sure".
What else has the WORD of GOD to say?

Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, [Isaiah 46:9]

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: [Isaiah 46:10]

Read through the chapters of Daniel 3-6 [these shall be brought up later] and then specifically read through Daniel 7, for this is the next chapter to be considered upon this subject.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 27, 2011

[Still colour coded]

Now that we have previously seen that Daniel Chapter 2 reveals the full scope of history from the Kingdom of Babylon down to the very second advent of Jesus Christ and even His Kingdom upon this earth, it is important to then study the Kingdoms that were to follow the Kingdom of Babylon, for in one of these Kingdoms the Antichrist was to arise.

The vision of Daniel 2 gave us the First Kingdom by name [Babylon], but the other Kingdoms that were to follow it were not specifically given.

We are about to learn the name of another Kingdom in Daniel Chapter 7, where Daniel has dreams:

[A Brief Overview of the Dream]

Daniel sees a Great Sea upon which the Four Winds of Heaven blow and Four Great Beasts arise from this Great Sea.

The First Beast was like a Lion with eagles wings whose wings were eventually plucked off, and the Lion-like beast was lifted from the earth and made to stand upon its two feet as a man and a man's heart given to it.

The Second Beast was like a Bear, being raiseed up on one side, having three ribs in its mouth, and was told to devour much flesh.

The Third beast like a Leopard, had four wings of a fowl on its back, and four heads and dominion was given to it.

The Fourth Beast, dreadful and terrible, and exceedingly strong, having great Iron Teeth, devouring and braking in pieces, stamping even the residue with its feet, and it was diverse and different from those Beasts before it, it also having Ten Horns.

Then, amongst the Ten Horns of this Beast, another "Little Horn" [which makes war against the saints] arises and uproots and removes three of the previous ones, so that they are no more.

In this "Little Horn" were eyes like the "eyes of a man" and a "mouth" speaking great and exalted things.

Then "Thrones" are seen to be set in place, and the "Ancient of Days" sits and Judgement commences and the Books are opened.

The "Little Horn" is still seen speaking great words during this time, then the Fourth Beast is slain and given to the Fire.

The remaining "Beasts" had their dominion taken away, yet their lives are prolonged a little season.

Then the "Son of Man" is seen in the vision coming with the clouds of Heaven and comes near the Ancient of Days [we will see what this means later].

Dominion was then given to Him [The Son of Man], and His Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom.

Daniel is troubled by all these things, so he asks one who knows the interpretation, one who "stood by" with him, for we are not left to guess at these things:

So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. [Daniel 7:16]

[At this point, go back and recompare to the Daniel Chapter 2 events, symbols and Kingdoms]

[Now we should continue in Daniel Chapter 7 to know the interpretation]

What are the Four Beasts?

These great beasts, which are four, [are] four kings, [which] shall arise out of the earth. [Daniel 7:17]

Just as Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2 is King of a Kingdom [Babylon], so too these Four Beasts also represent Four Kingdoms [see vs 23; "Fourth Beast" is the "Fourth Kingdom"]:

The Four Beasts are Four Kingdoms.

Who are they?

Compare Daniel Chapter 2 Kingdoms given in the Giant Image, to those of Daniel 7.

We shall see that Daniel 7 gives another perspective and rehashes the events and adding more detail, which unfolds into greater understanding of events that were to come.

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. [Daniel 7:23]

What are the Ten Horns that are in the Head of this Fourth Dreadful and Terrible Beast, which is the Fourth Kingdom?

What is this "Little Horn"?

What does it accomplish?

And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. [Daniel 7:24]

What more shall the "Little Horn" do?

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 into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. [Daniel 7:25]

What have we learned so far in Daniel Chapter 7 [and from previous Chapters 1-6]?

[1.] 1st Beast/Kingdom: The Lion with Eagles Wings = Kingdom of Babylon [Daniel 2:37-38, 7:4]

[2.] 2nd Beast/Kingdom: The Bear with 3 Ribs in its mouth, Raised upon one side = Kingdom of Medo-Persia [Daniel 1:21, 2:39, 5:25-31, 6:8,12,15, 7:5; Jeremiah 50:9; itself having conqueredBabylon, Egypt and Lydia]

[3.] 3rd Beast/Kingdom: Leopard with 4 Wings, then seen with 4 Heads = 3rd Kingdom [Daniel 2:39, 7:6] [we do not yet have a name for this Kingdom, but we will further in]

[4.] 4th Beast/Kingdom: Dreadful/Terrible Beast w/Great Iron Teeth = 4th Kingdom [Daniel 2:40, 7:7-8,19-20] [we do not yet have a name for this Kingdom, but we will further in]

[5.] Division of the Fourth Kingdom into Ten: Ten Horns of the Dreadful/Terrible Beast w/Great Iron Teeth = Ten Divisions of the 4th Kingdom [Daniel 2:41-43, 7:7-8,19-20,24]

[6.] New Development - 11th "Little Horn" arises among the 10 Horns and uproots Three [leaving Him "the 8th"; Daniel 7:8,20-24] and it has the "eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." and who "would think to change times and laws" of the "Most High" God [Daniel 7:25] and makes "war with the saints and prevails against them" [Daniel 7:21 -- for a specific period of time, 1260 prophetic days/literal years, 42 prophetic months, etc Daniel 7:25, 12:7; Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6,14, 13:5] and this power would remain until the "Ancient of Days" came...[Daniel 7:22]

The "Ancient of Days" [God The Father] sits in Judgment and Books were opened [a looking into the Books and a Judgment of them therein takes place before the Second Coming, the Second Advent] [Daniel 7:9-11] Judgment is then given to the saints [Daniel 7:22] then...

[7.] And Afterward, the Everlasting Kingdom comes [Daniel 7:26-27]

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 27, 2011

Now, that we have some of the Kingdoms specifically named [Babylon, which was to be followed by Medo-Persia, to be yet followed by two more Kingdoms] we can be sure that Daniel will lead us to the others and even to the very Antichrist power.

Let us now consider carefully the Dream and Events of Daniel Chapter 8.

[A Brief Overview of the Dream]

Daniel 8, a new vision is given Daniel 8:1-2, and he sees before the river a Ram with Two Horns, one horn higher than the other, and the higher coming up last.

This Ram pushes westward, northward and southward, and no other beasts withstood it.

This Ram becomes "Great".

Then another animal is seen coming from the west, a He-Goat, touching not the ground, swift in speed, with a notable Horn in its head.

The He-Goat with the Notable Horn in its Head comes at the Two-horned Ram in fury and brakes the Two Horns and throws the Ram to the ground and defeats him.

The He-Goat becomes "Very Great".

Yet in the He-Goats strength, the Notable Horn is broken and four smaller horns replace it in the four directions - north, south, east, and west.

Yet these four smaller horns are still part of the He-Goat, but are not in the same strength as the Notable Horn, "not in His power".

A new development is then seen.

Another "Little Horn" is seen coming from one of the four directions of Heaven, different and apart from [not a part of] the He-Goat, a New Power that arises.

This "Little Horn" becomes "Exceeding Great" towards the south, east and pleasant land [Judaea/Jerusalem], thus it becomes greater even than the He-Goat before it.

This "Little Horn" even becomes great not only horizontally, but then shifts focus/phases and becomes "great" vertically, even towards "Heaven".

This "Little Horn" magnifies itself even unto the "Prince of the Host" [Christ Jesus], and takes away and obscures "the daily" ministration of Jesus in the Heavenly Temple, this can only take place after He is Ascended as our High Priest, even it would cast down to the ground the sanctuary.

A "host" was given unto the "Little Horn" against and in the place of "the daily" ministration of Jesus in the Heavenly Temple.

The "Little Horn" cast truth to the ground and did as it pleased, even prospering.

Two from Heaven are then seen speaking, one asking the other a question, "How long shall this be for?" and the answer came back "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."

What does this all mean?

Let us now look, for the answers will be given to us:

And we shall too know for "sure" of the interpretation of this vision, as Gabriel himself ["that stand in the presence of God" Luke 1:19], was to make known unto Daniel the things therein [Daniel 8:15-19]:

What is the Ram with two horns, one higher than the other who waxes "Great", that stood before the river?

Who is it but the Second Kingdom of Medo-Persia [Babylon at the river having been conquered]?

We may see in Daniel 8:4,20 and also in Daniel 1:21, 2:39, 5:25-31, 6:8,12,15, 7:5; Jeremiah 50:9 which are all very clear as to whom the Second Kindgom was.

We may also see Esther 1:19 and in the further chapter of Daniel 9:1 for more evidence.

Historically, the Persians became the stronger, the higher at the last over the Medes [that other horn of the Ram].

What is the Rough He-Goat with the Great Horn who waxes "Very Great" [Daniel 8:8]?

It is the 3rd Kingdom, being now directly named as "Grecia" [Greece] and the Great Horn is this Kingdoms first King [Daniel 8:21]; this historically was Alexander the Great.

What is the meaning of the "broken horn" where four smaller arise in its place upon the Rough He-Goat?

Four lesser kingdoms shall arise from the 3rd Kingdom of Greece, still being of Grecia, then not as strong, after the death of its First King [Daniel 8:23] and this historically can be shown as these Grecian kingdoms were under the four prevailing generals: Ptolemy, Seleucas, Cassander, Lysimachus. This we may also compare to the 4 Heads of the Leopard in the previous vision in Daniel.

What is the meaning of the "Little Horn" that arises out of the "four winds of Heaven"?

We can go back to the previous visions [in Daniel 2 and 7] and see that a 4th Kingdom was to come and it would wax "exceeding great" [Daniel 8:9], towards the south, east and pleasant land [Judaea/Jerusalem].

Not only would it conquer upon the horizontal plane [earthly], but it would later alter forms and then attack vertically [Heavenly, spiritually, toward the Host of Heaven] [Daniel 8:10] and then it would also take away "the daily" [ministration of the Heavenly] and cast down the [Heavenly] Sanctuary [Daniel 8:11].

And a host was given him to cast down Truth to the ground and the place of the Sanctuary was cast down [Daniel 8:12].

Then after the prophetic period given - 2300 days [evenings and mornings], something was to happen.

What was it? Let us see...

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14

What is the meaning of the remaining verses?

[latter time of their kingdom, transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences shall stand up, whose power is mighty, but not by his own, and shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and practice and shall destroy the mighty and holy people, and through his policy cause craft to prosper in his hand and magnify himself in his heart, and by peace destroy many, and he shall stand up against the Prince of Princes, but will be broken without hand - and also the vision of the evening and morning, the prophetic 2300 days is true, but was shut up until later]

We can go back to the previous visions and see that after the 3rd Kingdom [Greece, and its divisions] was to be conquered by the 4th Dreadful/Terrible Kingdom of Iron, which would break in pieces the others.

We can also see that this 4th Kingdom was itself to become divided into 10.

An 11th would arise amidst the Division of the 4th Kingdom and uproot 3 of those 10.

This 11th would have "eyes like the eyes of a man", "mouth speaking great words", "think to change times and laws" of the "Most HIgh" God, and the people of God would be given into his hand for a specific time of 3 1/2 prophetic years, and would wear out the saints and destroy the mighty and holy people, he would stand up against the "Prince of Princes" but in the end would be broken "without hand" as is seen in the other visions at the end in the Second Advent.

What is the 4th Kingdom?

What are the Ten Divisions of the 4th Kingdom?

What is the "Little Horn" that arise among those 10 Divisions?

What and When is the beginning of the 2300 days and what and when was to be its end?

We shall soon know in the further Chapters of Daniel and in Revelation and elsewhere.

What have we learned so far in Daniel Chapter 8?

Dream of Daniel of the Ram, He-goat, [clean animals used in sacrificial system, sanctuary] Horns, Sanctuary and the 2300 Days:

[1.] The Ram stands before the river = Babylon, the First Kingdom has been conquered, the Medo-Persians now Rule in its stead and this vision begins with them with specific reason as we shall see.

[2.] Ram w/one Horn Higher = The Second Kingdom, Medo-Persia waxes "great" (Daniel 2:39, 5:25-31; 7:5, 8:3-4,20; Jeremiah 50:9)

[3.] Rough He-Goat w/Great Horn, the Third Kingdom, Grecia (Greece/Macedonia), waxes "very great", which the Great Horn then breaks and becomes four smaller horns = Grecia [Greece] under Alexander the Great, who dies and Greece becomes divided into four smaller parts under the Generals Ptolemy, Seleucas, Cassander, Lysimachus (Daniel 2:39, 7:6, 8:5-8,21-22, 10:20)

[4.] "Little Horn" out of the 4 Winds of Heaven, waxes "exceeding great" towards south, east and pleasant land [horizontal] = 4th Kingdom Dreadful/Terrible Kingdom (Daniel 7:7-8,19-20,24, 8:9) and it eventually becomes divided (Daniel 7:7-8,19-20,24) (we do not yet have a name for this kingdom, but we shall in further study.)

[5-7.] "Little Horn" shifts phases [vertical], "waxed great" to the host of Heaven, magnifies himself to the Prince of the Host, casts down the host, takes away the daily [ministration] and the sanctuary is cast down, given a host against the daily [ministration], casts down truth to the ground, and at the end of the 2300 days, then the [Heavenly] Sanctuary shall be cleansed = 4th Kingdom during the divisions and the 11th Horn - "Little Horn" (Daniel 7:8,19-20,24, 8:9-14,23-24) which "little horn" would remain until the end and consumation (Daniel 7:22, 8:25) (we have not yet named this power, but it shall be "revealed" in further study.)

The vision is not fully explained [we have no starting point for the 2300 prophetic days, nor can we yet know its ending], Daniel faints (Daniel 8:27)

We are coming closer now to beginning to see the Anti-Christ power revealed.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 27, 2011

[Quick Overview of Daniel 9]

Daniel reads the prophecies of Jeremiah the Prophet, understands that the time of captivity of Israel is almost up and he prays, (Daniel 9:1-20)

God sends Gabriel (whom was sent before) to come finish the explanation of the previous vision in Daniel 8, so that we also will understand:

Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. Daniel 9:21

And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Daniel 9:22

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel 9:23

What vision? The one Daniel had not before fully understood and fainted from.

We are now going to be given the specific starting point of the 2300 prophetic days, and a piece (70 prophetic weeks) of its beginning will be "determined" or cut off/ sectioned for the Jewish Nation and Jerusalem:

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Daniel 9:24

70 prophetic weeks for the Jewish people and Jerusalem are "determined", God gave them 490 years (70 x 7) of forgiveness (Jesus also makes a parallel mention of this to Peter, Matthew 18:22).

One prophetic day is equal to one literal year:

Numbers 14:34 ("...each day for a year..."),

Ezekiel 4:6 ("...I have appointed thee each day for a year.", Ezekiel was a contemporary prophet to Daniel's time);

Luke 13:32,33 ("...to day and to morrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected.", Jesus said this 6 months into His ministry and He did not preach three more days, but rather, three more years. Jesus knew the prophecies of Daniel, even citing that the “time is fulfilled” to begin His ministry and to preach the Gospel, and also when His time was ending and He was about to be Crucified.)

We also know that Jesus makes direct mention of the prophecy of Daniel in the part of the "abomination of desolation", that it was even in His day, yet to come [Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20].

This means that the 70 prophetic weeks, sectioned from and part of the 2300 days, must be 70 weeks of years [70 x 7 years = 490 years] to have continued so long...

...even the Pharisees in Jesus day knew that to build a temple would take way more than a mere couple of weeks, for even they have said of the Temple, “...Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?” - John 2:20

Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. Daniel 9:25

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Daniel 9:26

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:27

The specific starting point of the 70 weeks and 2300 days begins "from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem".

This specific commandment/decree can be found in Ezra Chapter 7 [Ezra 7:7,8,13, wherein a complete decree goes forth, giving Israel autonomy, their Temple services back, their gold, etc. and Ezra was going by the “according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him”.].

This took place in the 7th Year of Artaxerxes reign which is undisputably and historically in the year 457 B.C.

“Artaxerxes I (Latin; Greek Ἀρταξέρξης; Persian اردشیر یکم (Ardeshir) corruption of Old Persian [1] Artaxšacā, "whose reign is through arta (truth)"; … was king of the Persian Empire from 464 BC to 424 BC. He was the son of Xerxes I of Persia and Amestris, daughter of Otanes.” -Artaxerxes I of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(thus the 7th Year would be 457 B.C.)

“457 B.C.
- Persian empire
- Artaxerxes I decrees that the city government of Jerusalem shall be re-established (see Ezra 7, Daniel 9 and Nehemiah 1 in the Old Testament).” - 457 BC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Portrayal in the Book of Ezra and Nehemiah
Artaxerxes (Hebrew: אַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא‎, pronounced [Artakhshasta]) commissioned Ezra, a Jewish priest-scribe, by means of a letter of decree, to take charge of the ecclesiastical and civil affairs of the Jewish nation. A copy of this decree may be found in Ezra 7:13-28.

Ezra thereby left Babylon in the first month of the seventh year (~ 457 BC) of Artaxerxes' reign, at the head of a company of Jews that included priests and Levites. They arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month of the seventh year (Hebrew Calendar)...” - Artaxerxes I of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 70 weeks is then further divided up into smaller sections, being:

7 weeks (49 prophetic days = 49 literal years) and 62 weeks (434 prophetic days = 434 literal years) = 69 weeks (483 prophetic years = 483 literal years) and it comes to Messiah (Christ/Anointed) the Prince (Jesus Christ).

We now know who the 4th Dreadful/Terrible Kingdom is that was to follow Greece...it was the Kingdom of the Iron Monarchy of Rome, the very Roman Empire that conquered all in its path, for it was during this very 4th Kingdom that Jesus Christ was crucified.

He was not crucified during the 3th Kingdom nor during the Divisions of the 4th Kingdom. See Matthew 22:17, Luke 2:1, 3:1; 1 Peter 5:13.

Let us begin then with the date of 457 B.C. Let us now add to it the weeks of Daniel.

7 Weeks of Years +
62 Weeks of Years +
1 Final Week of Years which is divided into halves, 3 ½ day/years each =
70 Weeks of Years total.

457 B.C. + 7 weeks of years (49 years) = 408 B.C.

408 B.C. + 62 Weeks of Years (434 years) = A.D. 27 (no year 0)

A.D. 27 Jesus is Anointed in the Jordan (Luke 3:23).

A.D. 27 after the anointing of Jesus, He ministers and preaches for 3 ½ years.

A.D. 27 + ½ Weeks of Years (3 ½ days) = A.D. 31

A.D. 31 Jesus is “cut off, but not for Himself, in the Midst of the Week [Final 70th Weeks of Years]” (Daniel 9:26) and is crucified.

How then can Jesus, “confirm the covenant” (Daniel 9:27; “testament”: Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24) for the full week (7 years), when He died in the middle of it?

He does so through the Apostles:

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; - Hebrews 2:3

A.D. 31 + ½ Weeks of Years (3 ½ days) = A.D. 34

A.D. 34 Stephen is martyred (Acts 7:59-60, 22:20), being rejected and condemned by the council (as was Jesus), praying for their forgiveness (as had Jesus), and taken out side and killed (as had been Jesus).

The Gospel then goes to the Gentiles through the Dispersion and eventually Paul.

The 70 weeks of Daniel is fulfilled completely, yet is was merely a section of the greater time prophecy of the 2300 days.

457 B.C. (Start point) +2300 prophetic days, literal years, no year 0 =
A.D. 1844 (“...then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” - Daniel 8:14)

or

A.D. 34 (Begin at the end of the 70 Weeks, 490 days/years from 457 B.C.) + 1810 (2300-490) remaining prophetic days, literal years) =
A.D. 1844 (“...then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” - Daniel 8:14)

A.D. 1844 Christ Jesus in Heaven, who was ministering in the Heavenly Holy Place (as type shows he would), moves to the Heavenly Most Holy Place and is now seen even in the Book of Revelation as before the Ark (Revelation 11:19).

This is the working of our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) Christ Jesus in the Anti-typical Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) which will continue until He comes out without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9:28).

Other time prophecies in the Book of Daniel and Revelation also fit within the 2300 days, for instance such prophecies as the "tribulation ten days" (Revelation 2:10), the 1260 days/years (Daniel 7:25, 12:7; Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6,14, 13:5), the 1290 days/years (Daniel 12:11) and the 1335 days/years (Daniel 12:12) and the “an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year” (Revelation 9:15) and the “three days and an half” (Revelation 11:9,11).

Each of those prophecies are fulfilled and do not extend beyond the 2300 days/years. This can be seen in Revelation 10:6.

Since we know that Jesus was born, lived, died, buried, resurrected and ascended all before the 4th Kingdom was divided, what then of the remainder of the Visions of Daniel 2,7,8?

There is more to come.

The 4th Kingdom would be divided and be broken into 10, but even more still was to happen among God's people before Jesus would return, the Anti-Christ...

Paul knew this:

Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. - Acts 20:30

We know that the Anti-Christ is like Judas, the “son of perdition” (John 17:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3), it is a power claiming to be a follower of Christ Jesus and therefore cannot be any other power like Islam or Judaism, but must come claiming to be Christian [claiming to be a follower of Christ, it must betray Him].

We know that this power would be a persecuting power claiming to be doing so in the name of God, even as Saul/Paul had been, a crusader in the name of God, arresting, imprisoning and killing, as Paul says a “blasphemer” (1 Timothy 1:13).

There is more yet to come, for there is much to compare with the Book of Daniel (Revelation 10:10) and the Book of Revelation.

We are going to compare the two books, especially Daniel 7 with Revelation 13. We shall look at this as well and see this Anti-Christ revealed.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Daniel Chapter 7 and Revelation 13 compared.

Daniel 7:

"The first [was] like a lion, and had eagle's wings..." - Daniel 7:4 (One Head)

"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear,..." - Daniel 7:5 (One Head)

"...another, like a leopard...had also four heads" - Daniel 7:6 (Four Heads)

"...behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth...diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns." - Daniel 7:7 (One Head and Ten Horns)

[1+1+4+1 = 7 Heads] [Ten Horns]

Revelation 13:

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. - Revelation 13:1

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. - Revelation 13:2

Notice that in Daniel 7 it is Lion, Bear, Leopard, Beast. Looking Forward. 7 Heads and Ten Horns.

Notice that in Revelation 13 it is Beast, Leopard, Bear, Lion. Looking Backward. 7 Heads and Ten Horns.

Daniel 7:

"...little horn...a mouth speaking great things..." - Daniel 7:8
"And he shall speak [great] words against the most High..." - Daniel 7:25

Revelation 13:

"...a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies..." - Revelation 13:5

Daniel 7:

"...and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." - Daniel 7:25

Revelation 13:

"...power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months." - Revelation 13:5

Daniel 7:

The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. - Daniel 7:23

Revelation 13:

"...and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." - Revelation 13:7

We have seen who the Dragon is:

"...the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan...", yet he was working through a powerful Kingdom [4th Kingdom] in the days of Jesus incarnation:

"...the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." - Revelation 12:4

What Kingdom was Satan working through to destroy Jesus?

It was the 4th Kingdom of Iron, the 4th Beast with Iron Teeth, the Kingdom of Rome:

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king..." - Matthew 2:1

"...for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." - Matthew 2:13

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. - Matthew 2:16

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1

Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes [in] the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. Daniel 11:20

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Luke 2:3

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:5

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, - Luke 3:1 [Jesus at age 30; A.D. 27 Baptised, Anointed/Christ/Messiah]

The first Beast of Revelation 13 is the Anti-Christ power.

The second Beast of Revelation 13 is the False Prophet power.

We should also compare Daniel 3 and Daniel 6 as well with The Book of Revelation.

The scenes are over the "commandments of God", "faith" and "worship".

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Let us now briefly look at Daniel Chapters 3 and 6 and see what more light can be shed upon this power we are looking at.

In Daniel 3 a Great Image of Gold, in defiance of the Prophecy of God in Daniel Chapter 2, is made in the image of man and set up in a great plain so that all the "...princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up." - Daniel 3:3

And what was the purpose? Worship.

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, - Daniel 3:4

[That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: - Daniel 3:5

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. - Daniel 3:6

Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down [and] worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. - Daniel 3:7

Notice the "all kinds of musick" associated with Babylonian worship of the image. Is this in your church? Just because many will associate Jesus' name with it does not make it of Him.

Notice the Image, all the peoples of the Kingdom were Commanded to bow down to it, and worship and finally a death decree to those who do not worship according to the commandment of men.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. - Revelation 14:8

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, - Revelation 14:9

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: - Revelation 14:10

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. - Revelation 14:11

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. - Revelation 13:15

But who lives? Those cast into the furnace? or they who threw them in?

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. - Daniel 3:21

Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. - Daniel 3:22

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. - Daniel 3:25

We will see that this typology reveals that in Revelation, to receive the "Mark of the Beast" is death. To receive the "Seal of God" is life.

Another Law dealing with worship. Another death decree. Another trial. Another Triumph and another tragedy.

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God. - Daniel 6:5

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. - Daniel 6:7

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into the den of lions. [Now] the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. - Daniel 6:16

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? - Daniel 6:20

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. - Daniel 6:22

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. - Daniel 6:23

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast [them] into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. - Daniel 6:24

Daniel obeyed God rather than men. He worshipped God of Heaven, the Creator and not a man or man's commandments. He was thrown into the Lions Den, but he comes out alive and lives. Those who conspired against him and caused the death decree, died.

Commandment Numbers 1, 2, 3 are involved. Worship.

Soon coming is a decree coming against the 4th Commandment and this is to be the trial.

A Law that will go counter to the 4th Commandment of God, a Law against the 7th Day Sabbath. A Decree from Government that will then contain a death decree for those who will still contine to refuse to honor it or worship after the commandments of men.

The Beast and His Mark [of authority, to "change times and laws" of the "Most High God"] OR God and His Seal which is found in the 4th Commandment.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Exodus 20:9

But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: Exodus 20:10

For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:11

Seal: Name, Title, Authority/Territory.

YHWH (Lord); Creator (made, maker); All things (Heaven, earth, Sea and all that in them is)

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Revelation 14:7

More will be seen to help us clearly know for certain...let us look at some symbols of Scripture to help us further, and also let us look at the structure of Revelation and other texts.

William_0 · May 29, 2011

I reckon I know the antichrist personally.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Biblical symbols as defined by scripture [Not an exhaustive list or references]

[quoted/sourced]:

"Why cloak Bible prophecies in Symbols?

Luke 8 :10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'

Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.

...

Animals and their Parts
• Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
• Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
• Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
• Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
• Lion = Jesus/Powerful King i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23
• Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
• Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
• Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
• Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
• Wolf = Disguised Enemies that hunt in a time of darkness Matthew 7:15
• Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
• Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
• Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
• Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
• Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37

Colors
• White = Purity Revelation 12:9; 20:2
• Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
• Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
• Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4

Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects
• Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
• Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
• Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
• Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
• Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
• Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
• Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35,
• Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
• Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
• Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
• Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
• Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
• Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
• Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
• Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
• Stars=Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
• Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
• Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
• Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
• Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
• Winds=Strife/commotion/"winds of war" Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14

Miscellaneous Objects
• Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105
• Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
• Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
• Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
• Wine=blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37
• Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
• Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
• Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
• Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
• Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
• Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
• Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3
• Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
• White Robes=Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
• Jar / Vessel=Person Jeremiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
• Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
• Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5
• Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
• Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5

Actions, Activities, and Physical States
• Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
• Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
• Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11

People and Body Parts
• Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
• Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
• Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
• Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
• Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
• Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105
• Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
• Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
• Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
• Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10"

...quoted directly from: http://www.prophecycode.com/biblesymbols.asp

"Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic or spiritual significance. Both in the Old and New Testaments, numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader. And throughout history, men with great minds, like Augustine, Isaac Newton, and Leonardo Di Vinci, showed more than just a passing curiosity regarding the importance of biblical numbers. Once more, Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are numbered” (Matthew 10:30). So obviously, Bible numbers should be carefully considered.

At least 12 numbers in the Bible stand out in this regard: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 40, 50, and 70. In order to express this truth, one or two biblical examples have been given below. However, much more can be said on this subject, so these examples serve merely as an introduction and are not exhaustive by any means.

...

1 – represents absolute singleness and unity (Ephesians 4:4–6; John 17:21, 22.) (We presume readers need no more than these two citations, as most of the biblical information regarding unity and singleness is common knowledge.)

2 – represents the truth of God’s Word; for example, the law and prophets (John 1:45), two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1), and a sword with two edges (Hebrews 4:12). See Mark 6:7 and Revelation 11:3. It is also used 21 times in the books of Daniel and Revelation.

3 – represents the Godhead / Trinity. The angels cry “Holy” three times to the triune God (Isaiah 6:3). See also Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7, 8.

4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; Revelation 20:8). In Acts 10:11, a sheet with four corners symbolizes the gospel going to all the gentiles.

5 – represents teaching. First, there are the five books of Moses. Second, Jesus taught about the five wise virgins and used five barley loaves used to feed the 5,000.

6 – represents the worship of man, and is the number of man, signifying his rebellion, imperfection, works, and disobedience. It is used 273 times in the Bible, including its derivatives (e.g, sixth) and another 91 times as “threescore” or “60.” Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26, 31). See also Exodus 31:15 and Daniel 3:1.

The number is especially significant in the book Revelation, as “666” identifies the beast. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).

7 – represents perfection, and is the sign of God, divine worship, completions, obedience, and rest. The “prince” of Bible numbers, it is used 562 times, including its derivatives (e.g., seventh, sevens). (See Genesis 2:1–4, Psalm 119:164, and Exodus 20:8–11 for just a few of the examples.)

The number seven is also the most common in biblical prophecy, occurring 42 times in Daniel and Revelation alone. In Revelation there are seven churches, seven spirits, seven golden candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven seals, seven horns, seven eyes, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven thousand slain in a great earthquake, seven heads, seven crowns, seven last plagues, seven golden vials, seven mountains, and seven kings.

10 – represents law and restoration. Of course, this includes the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. See also Matthew 25:1 (ten virgins); Luke 17:17 (ten lepers); Luke 15:8 (healing, ten silver coins).

12 – represents the church and God’s authority. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of Israel. In Revelation 12:1, the 24 elders and 144,000 are multiples of 12. The New Jerusalem city has 12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. (See Revelation 21.)

40 – represents a generation and times of testing. It rained for 40 days during the flood. Moses spent 40 years in the desert, as did the children of Israel. Jesus fasted for 40 days.

50 – represents power and celebration. The Jubilee came after the 49th year (Leviticus 25:10), and Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2).

70 – represents human leadership and judgment. Moses appointed 70 elders (Exodus 24:1); The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 men. Jesus chose 70 disciples (Luke 10:1). Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times 7."

...quoted directly from: http://www.prophecycode.com/biblenumbers.asphttp://www.prophecycode.com/biblenumbers.asp]

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Let us consider one overview of Revelation:

The Book of Revelation is written in a very special way, it is written in several Chiasms ("mirror-like", a chiasm is "x", "v" or "^", for instance A B C D D C B A, or even A B A B, or even a more complex one such as A B 1 2 2 1 C C B A; see Chiasma - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary CHIASM).

Revelation has two "great arms", a historical and eschtological arm and within those two "great arms" of the chiasm are mutltitudes more and even those which are "epanados" (repetition, sometimes in reverse order, or running parallels; Definition of Epanados )

An example in Revelation (notice the structure used, and passages taken from the OT):

(1) Isaiah 55:4 --> Revelation 1:5 (Witness)
(2) Daniel 7:13 --> Revelation 1:7 (Coming with Clouds of angels)
(3) Zechariah 12:10-14 --> Revelation 1:7 (Pierced and Wail)
(4) Isaiah 41:4,6 --> Revelation 1:8 (I AM)
(4) Isaiah 41:4,6 --> Revelation 1:11 (I AM)
(3) Zechariah 4:2 --> Revelation 1:12 (Candlestick, Sanctuary, HolyPlace)
(2) Daniel 7:9,13,22 --> Revelation 1:13-15 (Priest)
(1) Isaiah 49:2 --> Revelation 1:16 (Sharp Sword)

Which is why, Revelation 1:8 "I AM" and 1:11 "I AM" must both be there, for it is inherent within the very structure, remove one of the "I AM" and it destroys that structure and cripples the text.

We will also see that the Structure of the Book of Daniel also cannot be tampered with either, otherwise it destroys the structure inherent as well. This is why such dangerous additions, like the apocryphal "prayer" of the 3, and "Daniel 13, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon" are not actually a part of the Prophetic Book of Daniel at all and were a much later misguided and not Holy Spirit inspired additions, not even written by Daniel at all.

Revelation (and even the whole Bible, take for instance the First two chapters of Genesis (Paradise Lost), and the Last two chapters of Revelation (Paradise Restored), they are written in A B B A pattern, with the Book of Job being sort of a great center for the Great Controversy between Christ and satan.) is written in a special Chiastic structure that cannot be broken.

A Greater Example in Revelation (passages are from the book of Revelation):

PROLOGUE
(1:1-8)
Introduction

(1) Testimony of Jesus 1:2
(2) Blessed is how who reads 1:3
(3) Behold, He is coming 1:7
(4) I AM the Alpha and The Omega 1:8,11

EPILOGUE
(22:8-17)
Conclusion

(1) Testimony of Jesus 22:16
(2) Blessed is He who keeps 22:7
(3) Behold, I am coming soon 22:12,20
(4) I AM the Alpha and The Omega 22:13

Or COMPARE:

7 CHURCHES
(1:10-3:22)
Christ counsels His Church, at War, Scattered in Many Cities

(1) Christ walks among 7 lamps 2:1
(2) Tree of Life 2:7
(3) Open Door 3:8
(4) Christ sits on His Father's Throne 3:21
(5) New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven 3:12
(6) I am coming soon 3:11

NEW JERUSALEM
(21:9-22:9)
Christ Rewards His Church, at Peace, Gathered Into One City

(1) Christ is the Eternal Lamp 21:33
(2) Tree Of Life 22:2
(3) Gates Never Closed 21:25
(4) Throne of God and of the Lamb 21:1,3
(5) New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven 21:10
(6) I am coming soon 22:7

Or COMPARE:

7 SEALS
(4:1-8:1)
Christ Shields His Afflicted People

(1) Heaven Opened 4:1
(2) Rider on White Horse followed by riders on Colored Horses 6:2-8
(3) Souls of Martyrs, under Altar, ask for Judgment 6:9,10 (symbolic)
(4) White Robes 6:11; 7:9-14
(5) Kings, Generals, etc., ask to be killed 6:15,16

MILLENIUM
(19:11-21:8)
Christ Enthrones His Resurrected People

(1) Heaven Opened 19:11
(2) Rider on White Horse followed by rider on White Horses 19:11,14
(3) Souls of Martyrs, Resurrected, are Enthroned as Judges 20:4-6
(4) White Robes 19:14
(5) Kings, Captains, etc., are killed 19:17-21

Or COMPARE:

7 TRUMPETS
(8:2-11:18)
Severe Jugments Warn The World

(1) Earth 8:7
(2) Sea 8:8,9
(3) Rivers and Fountains 8:10,11
(4) Sun, Moon, Stars 8:12
(5) Darkness, Bottomless Pit, Locusts 9:1-11
(6) River Euphrates 9:13-21
(7) Loud Voices: The Kingdom is Christs's 11:15-18

7 LAST PLAGUES
(15:1-16:21)
Very Severe Judgments Punish the World

(1) Earth 16:2
(2) Sea 16:3
(3) Rivers and Fountains 16:4
(4) Sun 16:8,9
(5) Darkness on Throne of the Beast 16:10,11
(6) River Euphrates 16:12,16
(7) A Loud Voice: It is Done! 16:17-21

Or COMPARE:

GREAT CONTROVERSY
(11:19-14:20)
Trials of the True Mother & Her Children

(1) True Mother, dressed in White 12:1,2
(2) Her Children Keep The Commandments 12:17
(3) Woman in Wilderness 12:14
(4) Beast with 7 Heads, 10 Horns 12:3; 13:1
(5) Fallen is Babylon! 14:8
(6) Testimony of Jesus 12:17

FALL OF BABYLON
(17:1-19:10)
Downfall of the False Mother

(1) False Mother, dressed in Purple 17:4
(2) Her Children are Harlots 17:5
(3) Woman in Wilderness 17:3
(4) Beast with 7 Heads, 10 Horns 17:3
(5) Fallen is Babylon! 18:2
(6) Testimony of Jesus 19:10

(HISTORIC ARM --> Fulfilled "side by side" unto the End)
7 CHURCHES
7 SEALS
7 TRUMPETS
GREAT CONTROVERSY

(ESCHATOLOGICAL ARM --> Fulfilled in "pairs" (2 long and 2 short) in the End Time)
7 LAST PLAGUES (short)
FALL OF BABYLON (long)
MILLENNIUM (long)
NEW JERUSALEM (short)

[Quoted and Adapted from several visual charts in "God Cares, Volume 2, The Message of Revelation For You and Your Family" pgs 56-62; C. Mervyn Maxwell, Ph.D; Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985]

This is one aspect of looking at Revelation. There are several others, such as looking at it from the Sanctuary perspective. Golden Candle Sticks, Door, Incense, Temple, Ark, Lamb, etc. We have already seen that we can compare it to the Book of Daniel specifically.

Joe67 · May 29, 2011

William_0 said:
I reckon I know the antichrist personally.

William,

Amen, brother. We all do. He lives in our flesh.

Rom 7:16-17
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. KJV

Rom 7:19-20
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. KJV

Joe

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Beast = Kingdom - Daniel 7:17,23

The Image of Daniel 2, the Beasts of Daniel 7 and 8 Parallel one another in striking ways, as do Daniel 9, 10, 11 and 12 with them. Revelation further confirms it.

Recap/history:

[1.] Gold Head=Kingdom of Babylon (Daniel 2:37-38; Daniel 3, Daniel 4; Daniel 5:1-30)

parallels the Lion w/ Eagles Wings (Daniel 7:4)

Found at the end of its rule in Daniel 8; conquered by Medo-Persia (Daniel 5:24-31).

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_II

- Lion w/ Eagles Wings, noted symbol of Babylon, "A reconstruction of The Ishtar Gate is located in the Pergamon Museun in Berlin." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon...haldean_Empire

- Lion w/ Eagles Wings on fascimile of the Ishtar Gate: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Be...r_-_Lleons.JPG

[2.] Silver Arms/Chest=Kingdom of Media-Persia (great nations from the north country, who conquered Babylon) (Daniel 1:21, 2:39, 5:25-31, 6:8,12,15, 7:5, 8:4,20, 9:1, 10:1,13, 11:1-2,; Jeremiah 50:9; Esther 1:19; Ezra 7; Nehemiah 1; etc.)

parallels the Bear Raised upon one side [Persians later the stronger] w/ 3 ribs in its mouth [conquering Lydia, Babylon and Egypt] (Daniel 7:5)

parallels the Ram with Two Horns one Higher than the Other being named "great" [Persians later the stronger] (Daniel 8:3-4,20)

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon...ptures_Babylon

- "At some point... Cyrus the Great, rose in revolt against the Median empire ..., eventually conquering the Medes and creating the first Persian empire. Cyrus the Great would... eventually incorporate ... Lydian and Neo-Babylonian empires, and ... his successor, Cambyses II to ... defeat... the Egyptian Kingdom." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaemenid_Empire#Origin

[3.] Brass Waist=Greece [Grecia] (conquers Medo-Persia, and old Bablonian areas with great speed) (Daniel 2:39) which would "bear rule over all the earth" (Daniel 2:39) [this systems' form of gov. even prevalent today]

parallels the Leopard with 4 Wings [great speed] (Daniel 7:6) with 4 heads, all of which are Grecian (Ptolemy, Seleucas, Cassander, Lysimachus) (Daniel 7:6)

parallels the rough He Goat with 1 Notable Horn (first king, Alexander the Great) and the Kingdom being "very Great" (Daniel 8:5-8,21-22, 10:20, 11:2-3), but the Notable Horn broke off (Alexander dies at early age in Babylon) and the Grecian Kingdom becomes ruled by 4 smaller horns (Ptolemy, Seleucas, Cassander, Lysimachus) which rule "not in His power" (Daniel 8:22, 11:4).

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon#Hellenistic_period

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic

- "The most powerful dynasts of the empire, now kings in their own right, Cassander, Seleucus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus..." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigonus_I_Monophthalmus

- "...the Hellenistic world settled into four stable power blocks: the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in the east, the Kingdom of Pergamon in Asia Minor, and Macedon." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexand..._of_the_empire

[4.] Iron Legs=Pagan Rome (Daniel 2:40)

parallels the Terrible Beast with "Iron Teeth", diverse from the previous Beasts (Daniel 7:7-8,19-20)

parallels the [horizontal phase of the] "little horn" arising out of one of the "four winds of Heaven" [four cardinal directions] and conquers the He-goat [Greecia], and all others before it, being named "exceeding great", "toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land]" (pleasant land being Judaea/Jerusalem) (Daniel 8:9)

The Iron Kindgom of Rome is the 4th Kingdom and the next on the scene, a "raiser of taxes", within whom "Messiah the Prince" (Luke 3:23) would appear and be "cut off, but not for Himself" and would "confirm the covenant" with "many" (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24) for "one week" (Hebrews 2:3) and in the "midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and obaltion to cease": Daniel 9:24-27, 11:20-22; Matthew 2:1,13,16, 22:17; Luke 2:1,3,5, 3:1; 1 Peter 5:13; Jesus was born, lived, suffered, died, raised/resurrected and ascended from earth in Heaven during the Legs of Iron.

Roman soldiers that Crucified Him, Iron nails that pierced Him, Roman Soldiers that guarded the tomb, Roman Seal over the tomb.

There were desolations ("abomination of desolation" and "overspreading") to come after Jesus Ascended into Heaven (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20) and Rome would become divided and shift phases.

- "In its centuries of existence, Roman civilization shifted from a monarchy to an oligarchic republic to an increasingly autocratic empire." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome#Republic

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome#Empire

[5.] Iron Legs which end in Feet of Ten Toes of Iron mixed with Clay = Ten Divisions of Pagan Rome (Daniel 2:41-43)

parallels the Ten Horns (Daniel 7:7-8,19-20,24) which also has an additional little horn arise amidst them (Papal Rome, the political/religious Kingdom, diverse, different from the rest)

parallels (the little horn in Daniel 8 arises out of one of the four winds, not horns and goes against the He-Goat; Daniel 7:24, 8:9) but Pagan Rome which conquered on the horizontal plain, "exceeding great" (toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land]), this phase of the "little horn" which arise among the Ten Divisions of Pagan Rome, but still of Rome, of the Kingdom of Iron, now moves and waxes "great" vertically and upwards towards the God of Heaven (Daniel 8:10, 23-26)

- "Plagued by internal instability and attacked by various migrating peoples, the western part of the empire... broke up into independent kingdoms in the 5th century. This disintegration is the landmark historians use to divide the ancient period from the medieval era and the "Dark Ages"." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome

- Rome's history spans over two and a half thousand years. It was the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire... Since the 1st century AD Rome has been the seat of the Papacy... After the Middle-Ages, Rome was ruled by popes... - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome

- "During the Roman Republic, Roman religion was organized under a strict system of priestly offices, which were held by men of senatorial rank. The College of Pontifices ... its chief priest, the Pontifex Maximus, was the head of the state religion." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome#Religion

- "Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christian worship,...the position of the Christian Emperor within the Church and the notion of orthodoxy, Christendom, and ecumenical councils that would be followed for centuries to come as the State church of the Roman Empire" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constan...d_Christianity

- "On March 7, 321, Sunday was declared the official day of rest, on which markets were banned and public offices were closed (CJ 3.12.2)" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constan...#Legal_reforms

- "Constantine did hand over the Lateran Palace to the bishop of Rome...Constantine's legalization of Christianity, combined with the donation of these properties, gave the bishop of Rome an unprecedented level of temporal power..." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constan...ishops_of_Rome

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donation_of_Constantine

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Ages#Reformation

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_His...e_Roman_Empire

[6.] Iron Legs which end in Feet of Ten Toes of Iron mixed with Clay continues to exist as "iron mixed with clay", which shall never "cleave one to another" until the stone/Rock cut out without hands out of the mountain destorys the whole Image so that nothing is left of it, and the stone/Rock itself becomes a Mountain filling the whole Earth (Daniel 2:41-45)

parallels the "little horn" of the Ten Horns of the Beast with Iron Teeth, which rises and uproot three previous horns of the ten (Daniel 7:8,11,19-20,24) which would last until the Ancient of Days came and its dominion was forever taken away (Daniel 7:22)

parallels the "little horn" in its latter vertical phase, in which it attacks God, casts down His Sanctuary and mediatorial role in Heaven, taking away the "daily" and hunting His people (Daniel 8:10-12, 23-25), and it would receive what appears to be a deadly wound after many days [1,260 years] (Daniel 7:25, 12:7; Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6,14, 13:5) but the sacntuary which it had cast down would be cleansed after a specific time of 2300 days (Daniel 8:14)

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Inquisition

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_Inquisition

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Inquisition

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxe's_Book_of_Martyrs

"But the judgment shall sit..." - Daniel 7:26

"...then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14

"...even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." - Daniel 9:27

[7.] The Stone cut out without hands out of the Mountain that strikes the Image at the very last is the 2nd Advent (Daniel 2:44-45)

parallels the Beast being destroyed, and the other beasts also having their dominion taken away [though there is more to this in Revelation] (Daniel 7:11-12,14,27; 12:1-3)

parallels the event soon to come (Daniel 7:22) after the Judgment (Daniel 8:14,26) now seated in Heaven, for He shall stand and He comes with His reward and those kingdoms will "be broken without hand" Daniel 2:44-45, 8:25

- http://www.great-controversy.org/Who...f/GC88-all.pdf

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Papal Rome is the "little horn" and the "AntiChrist" power of Scripture.

This is not to say that the individuals therein are wicked, but rather that the system itself and the doctrines it holds to are in apostacy from God and Scripture, just as Israel had done so many times in the past. However, this system will not change though God had given her time to repent, but she would not (Jeremiah 51:9; 1 Peter 5:13; Revelation 2:21-22). God is calling His people out of that system and those doctrines of Rome.

Rome herself even agrees with much of this [Daniel] which has been previously given (though it flees from having itself identified and yet substitutes the greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes IV - Antiochus IV Epiphanes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for the "little horn" and tries to prove that the "little horn" grows out of the Greek empire, completely distancing itself from the Roman Empire which it grew out of) by saying,

"...Four great beasts... Viz., the Chaldean, Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires. ..." - http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan007.htm

Notice what Rome herself says and the order she gives it:

"Four great beasts..."

[1.] Chaldean [Babylon]
[2.] Persian [Medo-Persia]
[3.] Grecian [Greece]
[4.] Roman [Rome]

Rome agrees thus far.

"...Another little horn... This is commonly understood of Antichrist. ..." - http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan007.htm

Notice what Rome says about the "little horn" of Daniel 7, that is was indeed "commonly understood" to be the very "Antichrist".

Shall it not agree then that this "little horn" grew out of the 4th Beast and amongst its Ten Horns? Afterall, look at what Rome has said concerning the 4th Beast, in that it was "Roman".

How then could it be "grecian"?

Impossible, by their own admissions and the text itself and the history revealed.

Rome agrees thus far, but is trying to distance itself from being identified as we shall see.

"... A ram... The empire of the Medes and Persians. ... ...A he goat... The empire of the Greeks, or Macedonians. Ibid. He touched not the ground... He conquered all before him, with so much rapidity, that he seemed rather to fly, than to walk upon the earth. -- Ibid. A notable horn... Alexander the Great. ..." - http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan008.htm

"Daniel sees a ram with two horns (the Medes and the Persians) pushing victoriously towards the west, north and south, until it is struck by a he-goat (the Greeks) with a great horn (Alexander) between its eyes. This great horn is soon broken in its turn, and gives place to four others (the Greek kingdoms of Egypt, Syria, Macedonia, and Thrace), from one of which grows out a "little horn"..." - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04621b.htm

Notice what Rome herself says and the order she gives it:

Already witnessed above as:

[1.] Chaldean [Babylon]

...now more expressly followed in greater detail by:

[2.] "a Ram" - "empire of the Medes and Persians"
[3a.] "a he goat" - "empire of the Greeks/Macedonians"
[3b.] "A notable horn" - "Alexander the Great"
[3c.] "broken...gives place to four" - "Egypt, Syria, Macedonia, Thrace"

...yet at this point it tries to distance itself from what it earlier stated and must admit to, that the 4th Kingdom is "Roman" and that this "little horn" grew out of it, and yet now tries to say that the "little horn", which it admits is "commonly understood" as the "antichrist", now grows out of the 4 parts of "grecian" empire.

[4.] "little horn" - "antichrist"
Again, this is impossible for the previously noted reasons, and more to follow.

It is easy to see why "she" would try to distance herself from this.

Accordingly, towards the close of the century of the Reformation, two of her most learned doctors set themselves to the task, each endeavouring by different means to accomplish the same end, namely, that of diverting mens minds from perceiving the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Antichrist in the Papal system. The Jesuit Alcasar devoted himself to bring into prominence the Preterist method of interpretation, which we have already briefly noticed, and thus endeavouring to show that the prophecies of Antichrist were fulfilled before the Popes ever ruled in Rome, and therefore could not apply to the Papacy. On the other hand the Jesuit Ribera tried to set aside the application of these prophecies to the Papal Power by bringing out the Futurist system, which asserts that these prophecies refer properly not to the career of the Papacy, but to that of some future supernatural individual, who is yet to appear, and to continue in power for three and a half years. Thus, as Alford says, the Jesuit Ribera, about A.D. 1580, may be regarded as the Founder of the Futurist system in modern times.

It is a matter for deep regret that those who hold and advocate the Futurist system at the present day, Protestants as they are for the most part, are thus really playing into the hands of Rome, and helping to screen the Papacy from detection as the Antichrist. It has been well said that Futurism tends to obliterate the brand put by the Holy Spirit upon Popery. More especially is this to be deplored at a time when the Papal Antichrist seems to be making an expiring effort to regain his former hold on mens minds. - From Daniel and the Revelation: The Chart of Prophecy and Our Place In It, A Study of the Historical and Futurist Interpretation, by Joseph Tanner, published in London by Hodder and Stoughton, 1898, pages 16, 17. - requoted from online source, http://www.who-is-the-antichrist.org/

Jesuit Luis De Alcazar (borrowing somewhat from Josephus) strongly formulated the "Preterist" method to shift the "Antichrist" into the Past [a Grecian power, and even some say a Roman Emperor, Nero, etc.]: Look at 'Preterism', while not as popular as 'Futurism', though clearly incorrect by the text of scripture itself, still persists:

- Preterism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histori...n_Developments

- List of Jesuits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jesuit Francisco Ribera strongly then formualted the "Futurist" position, which shifts the "Antichrist" into the future long after the "church" is gone: Look at how it 'Futurism' [a clearly Roman Catholic formulation], and also clearly incorrect by the text of scripture itself, is almost identical with much of today's 'mainline' protestantism, when it did not used to be:

- Francisco Ribera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futuris...hristianity%29

Papal Rome holds to both in her writings, because both methods shift the truth of the matter from identifying her directly, either too far into the past, or too far into the future.

We shall see however that both methods are immediately false.

So before continuing with the identifying points of the Anti-Christ, we are going to take a brief look at why these two systems [Preterism and Futurism] absolutely and miserably fail to fulfill the Biblical texts identifying the Anti-Christ.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Preterism [a false doctrine]:

Antiochus Epiphanes IV cannot be the "little horn" of Daniel 8 by the text of scripture and history:

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_IV_Epiphanes

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land]. - Daniel 8:9

As we have seen in the visions given in the Chapters of the Book of Daniel, Babylon was to be conquered by Medo-Persia, which in turn was to be conquered by Grecia [Greece], which when Alexander the Great died would be ruled instead by four lesser Kings/kingdoms under Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucus and their successors.

Then was to follow more events. This is where Papal Rome deviates from Scripture and History in trying to shift the "antichrist" identification of itself into the Greek period of Antiochus Epiphanes IV [or in some cases a Roman Emperor, Nero, etc.]

Yet, let us see...

The text of Daniel 8:9 says, "out of one of them".

What is the "them"?

In the previous verse we read of only two possibilities it can be, and as by the very inherent structure of the text we see in actuality there is only one understanding that is correct:

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. - Daniel 8:8

[1.] In Hebrew, nouns and pronouns have gender [masculine/feminine]. When the gender of a noun is feminine, a pronoun that refers to it, must also be the same, that is to say feminine. Let us look at the texts again:

...four notable ones [horns] [feminine]... four winds [feminine] of heaven [plural, masculine].

...out of one [feminine] of them [masculine]...

With this evidence before us, there is only a singular correct choice between the two options [horns or winds].

The pronoun them cannot refer back to the words notable ones [horns], because the word them is masculine, not feminine.

This means that the word them can only be referring to the word heaven, which is both plural and masculine.

The numeral one [feminine] then refers to that which is adjoined to the word heaven, namely the winds [feminine].

Therefore:

...out of one [feminine] of them [masculine] of the winds [feminine] of heaven [plural masculine] came forth a little horn...

This power came not out of one of the four notable ones [horns] of the Greek empire when it was divided, no indeed, for this little horn power was something new and came from elsewhere.

[2.] As we have previously seen the Medo-Persian empire was classified as the Ram with Two Horns (Daniel 1:21, 2:39, 5:25-31, 6:8,12,15, 7:5, 8:4,20, 9:1, 10:1,13, 11:1-2,; Jeremiah 50:9; Esther 1:19; Ezra 7; Nehemiah 1; etc.) and was considered "great".

We have also see previously how the He-Goat was the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great [Notable Horn] (Daniel 8:5-8,21-22, 10:20, 11:2-3) was considered "very great".

The Kingdom of the "little horn" was to wax "exceeding great" towards the "south", "east" and "pleasant [land]".

Antiochus Epiphanes IV, a seleucid [Greek] king, called by his detractors "epimanes" [The Mad one] was most definitely not "exceeding great" by any standards, especially when compared to the giants of Medo-Persia [Esther 1:1-4, 127 provinces] and Greece under Alexander the Great.

After Alexander dies scripture says the "four notable ones" [Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucus and their successors] "shall stand up out of that nation" [Greece], but "not in his power" (Daniel 8:22). Definitely not "exceeding great".

What he tried to take from Egypt was almost immediately given back. He fled from the Romans who drew the "line in the sand". He payed tribute to the Romans. He did not "prosper" [Daniel 8:12]. See also apocrypha 1 Maccabees 6:3-4 - "but he was not able", "so he fled", "with great heaviness" and he dies in Persia [East] (apocrypha 1 Maccabees 6:16).

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch..._against_Egypt

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seleuci...thia_and_Judea

[3.] The "little horn" is "exceeding great" towards the "south", "east" and "pleasant [land]" in this specific order.

Antiochus Ephipanes IV does not meet this criteria. He went "south" first towards Egypt (apocrypha 1 Maccabees 1:20) and anything he gained he immediately lost from the Romans, then goes to the "pleasant [land]" [Judaea/Jerusalem] (apocrypha 1 Maccabees 1:20-29), has a revolt [Maccabean] on his hands and then He dies of disease in Persia [East] (apocrypha 1 Maccabees 6:16).

[4.] The "little horn" was to come up in "in the latter time of their kingdom" (Daniel 8:23).

Antiochus Epiphanes IV was the 8th of 26 Kings of the Seleucid [Greek] horns. He was not even close to "the latter time".

- http://www.livius.org/a/1/maps/seleucids.gif

[5.] The "little horn" "magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host". The "prince of the host" is Jesus Christ. See Daniel 2:35,45, 3:25, 7:13, 8:11,25, 9:25-26,27, 10:5-6,13,21, 12:1. See also Isaiah 9:6; Acts 3:15; Revelation 1:5, etc. Jesus Christ was not born/incarnated yet, therefore how can he be the "antichrist"? Jesus is the Anointed/Christ/Messiah that all of the Book of Daniel refers to.

Antiochus did not try to magnify himself to the "Prince of the Host", if anything, he infuriated the Jews by storming into the Temple and trying to replace the God of Heaven with Zeus worship, and he [though temporarily suceeded] ultimately even failed at that.

[6-etc.] Let us simply go back and compare the points about the Anti-Christ we know about in points [A-Z].

He fails most dismally.

He did not come up among Ten Horns.

He did not uproot three kingdoms.

He did not rule in power for 1260 prophetic days [literal years].

He was not the head of a church [woman in prophecy]. He did not have "harlot daughters" [churches].

All the world most definitely did not go after him. He did not receive what seemed to be a deadly mortal wound and yet live.

He did not remain until the Ancient of Days came.

He was not different from those Seleucid kings before him, except for perhaps some 'madness'.

He did not persecute the "saints" while promoting "peace".

He did not "think to change the times and laws" of "the Most High" God, for he merely tried to abolish the ceremonial religious rites.

He did not deny that Jesus came in the flesh [Jesus the Christ/Messiah was not even born yet], etc.

He did not have "great authority" given to him.

He was only one man, not many [Anti-Christs].

He did not forbid marriage.

He had no great city that sat upon seven mountains/hills.

He in no way fits the number 666, and so on and so forth.

For the remainder on Antiochus Epiphanes IV I will refer to other excellent studies:

- http://adventist-defense-league.blog...-daniel-8.html

- http://adventist-defense-league.blog...anies-wax.html

- http://adventist-defense-league.blog...-prophecy.html

- http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch...scleansing.htm

Jesus Himself says that the desolation, spoken of by Daniel was still to come, clearly in the days of Rome, even as far late as A.D. 70:

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand; ) - Matthew 24:15

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: - Mark 13:14

Future tense.

It was then yet to happen, by the Roman Power ["little horn" on the Horizontal].

Yet still further events were to occur after the division of Rome, for the "little horn" was also to have a vertical phase, against "heaven".

Therefore, Preterism fails, and the "little horn", which is "commonly understood" as the "antichrist" cannot be the unknown "mad" Seleucid greek king Antiochus Ephiahnes IV, or even someone like Nero, etc, as we shall see.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

Now that we have taken a look a "preterism" somewhat on the Anti-Christ issue, we can now look at "futurism" (as greatly formulated by the Jesuit Franicsco Ribera, see previous post) a little bit.

We will see how this doctrine is "confusion" and comes from it.

Futurism [a False Doctrine]:

[1.] Futurism confuses who "Israel" really is, and to whom the promises of God belong.

The "futurist" interpretation basically states that national/physical Israel must be re-established (hence a national 'state of Israel') in order to fulfill certain prophecies of the Old Testament, but this is simply unbibilical and destroys their fulfillment by Christ Jesus.

Anyone looking for any of the promises outside of Christ Jesus are denying Him and are instead looking for "another" in His place.

When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. - Hosea 11:1

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. - Matthew 2:15

Anyone "in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24, 8:1-2,39; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30, 4:15; Galatians 3:26,28, 6:15; Ephesians 2:6,13, 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:1) is a True Jew [James 1:1], is indeed "Israel" [John 1:47; 1 Peter 2:22; Revelation 14:5], after the Spirit:

For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen..." - 2 Corinthians 1:20

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. - Acts 4:12

...for a Christian (Matthew 16:24; John 8:11),

...is not of the flesh which cannot receive the spirit (Matthew 21:19, 23:38; Acts 13:46),

...but is of the spirit (Romans 2:28-29, 9:6-8; Galatians 4:29),

...and bringing forth the fruits thereof (Matthew 21:43; 1 Corinthians 7:19),

...obeying Him in His Commandments (Acts 5:32; Hebrews 5:9) and,

...is indeed a child and a seed of Abraham, of faith (Galatians 3:7, 29),

...cut and grafted into the True Vine (Romans 11:17-24,30-32),

...of the spiritual circumcision made without hands keeping the Commandments (1 Corinthians 7:19; Colossians 2:11),

...a Spiritual Jew or Israel after the Spirit (Romans 2:29),

...and the Everlasting Covenant made only with them (Jeremiah 31:31,33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Hebrews 8:8,10, 10:16).

Jesus Christ was the stumbling block for many and for both houses:

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. - Isaiah 8:14

[2.] Futurism also seriously confuses what the Temple is that Jesus Christ spake of.

The "futurist" interpretation basically states that a literal temple building must be at some point rebuilt/erected in the locale of physical Jerusalem on the Holy Mount in the modern day land of national Israel in order to fulfill certain prophecies.

This also denies what Jesus Christ has said on the matter.

Jesus said of the physical Temple Building of those who rejected Him:

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. - Matthew 23:38

"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate:..." - Luke 13:35

Jesus said that the Christian Church, the Body of Christ, is the Temple of God on Earth, and there is a temple in Heaven:

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. - 1 Corinthians 3:9

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? - 1 Corinthians 3:16

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are. - 1 Corinthians 3:17

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? - 1 Corinthians 6:19

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. - 2 Corinthians 6:16

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: - Ephesians 2:21

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2:5

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name. - Revelation 3:12

(See also 2 Thessalonians 2:4)

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament : and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. - Revelation 11:19

Jesus own Body is the Temple:

But he spake of the temple of his body. - John 2:21

See also the Heavenly Temple: (Exodus 25:40, 26:30, 27:8; Hebrews 8:5, 9:23; Revelation 11:19, etc)

[3.] Futurism gives strictly literal renderings to the 1260 [42 months, time, times and the dividing of time [given 7 times in scripture]], 1290 and 1335 days prophecies, without duly considering the contexts and it tears the latter half of the final week of the 70 weeks (which is a whole) in Daniel 9 and places them sometime at the end.

This denies the inherent structure of the Prophetic Book of Daniel and Revelation and the words of Jesus and scripture. Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6; Matthew 24:15, 26:18,45; Mark 1:15, 13:14, 14:41; Luke 9:51, 12:56, 13:32-33, 19:44, 21:20; John 2:20, 7:6,8, 12:7, 16:2,4,32, 19:30; Acts 7:17,59; Romans 5:6; etc.

These time prophecies [1260, 1290, 1335 day/years, etc] will be shown to have already been fulfilled in the past, after the Ascension of Christ Jesus in a post to come.

[4.] Futurism confuses the "Two Witnesses" of Revelation by making them literal persons, who must have supernatural powers, be killed and the physically resurrected.

This denies the events that have already taken place concerning them, for they are the Law and the Testimony, the scriptures themself, ie. the Word of God, the Bible itself.

And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. - Revelation 11:3

They were greatly hampered in the 1260 days/years by the subjugating power of the "little horn".

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. - Revelation 11:4

NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalms 119:105

And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof. - Zechariah 4:3

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. - Zechariah 4:6

[5.] Futurism changes the 2300 days in the Book of Daniel 8:14 and separates them from being intricately woven into the scripture with the 70 weeks (from which the 70 weeks are the first part of, "determined" from).

Since the 70 weeks are the first part (as has been shown previously) of the 2300 days that were "cut off" or "determined" for the Jewish nation, this means that the remaining 1810 days were to continue after the 70 weeks were fulfilled (from A.D. 34, ending in A.D. 1844).

Since Futurism breaks off the last half of the final 70th week and throws it at the end of time, without any support to do so, it negates the 2300 days and the cleansing work that Jesus was and is doing.

It denies His mediatorial role in the Heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest.

It denies the three parts (Courtyard, Holy Place, Most Holy Place) of the Sanctuary that was given to us in type.

[6.-etc.] Futurism and its "antichrist" does not fit the points as specified by the scriptures in points A-Z given at the beginning.

It must be a power claiming to be "Christian" though itself is a betrayer [a Judas, "son of perdition"], a wolf in sheeps clothing.

It will be a crusading persecuting power in the name of God, a "blasphemer".

The system itself will be called "Mother" who has "harlot daughters" that hold to her teachings and refuse to come out.

It will be a "world-wide" or "universal" power.

It will be a "Roman" [Iron Kingdom] power.

It will "think to change the times and laws" of "the Most High" God.

It will have already begun in the days of the Apostles, be seen in power during the breakup of the Roman Empire, and continue throughout history until the Ancient of Days comes and finally be destroyed by the Brightness of the Lord Jesus 2nd Advent. Etc.

Both Preterism and Futurism fall far short of the identifying characteristics given to us for the Anti-Christ.

It also cannot be Islam, Judaism, Antiochus Epiphanes IV, Nero (etc), Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Ronald Reagan, Computer system, or Barak Obama (or any president of the US, ever), etc.

There is only one power on Earth that all of the scriptures point to, and this power has been, is now, and will be for some time longer.

Let us look further in Daniel and Revelation and also begin to look at the points A-Z more closely, for it will be seen that although Papal Rome would not want itself identified by those characteristics, there is no way scripturally, typologically, doctrinally, ecclesiastically, or historically that it cannot be that system. Of course, we shall have to have ample evidence.

When it is fully seen for what it is, I would hope that anyone in that system will trust in the Word of God and have Faith in Christ Jesus to come out of that system as He has asked.

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 29, 2011

What does the Word "Anti Christ" mean?

Let us look at a few definitions:

Antichristos; ἀντίχριστος : "1) the adversary of the Messiah" [Strong's Concordance] and also "the adversary of the Messiah...of the corrupt power and influence hostile to Christian interests, especially that which is at work in false teachers who have come from the bosom of the church and are disseminating error..." [Thayer's Lexicon] and also "...can mean either "against Christ" or "instead of Christ", or perhaps combining the two, "one who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ" (Westcott) ... What the Apostle says of him so closely resembles what he says of the first beast in Rev. 13, and what the Apostle Paul says of the Man of Sin in 2 Thess. 2., that the same person seems to be in view in all these passages, rather than the second beast in Rev. 13, the false prophet; for the latter supports the former in all his Antichristian assumptions." [Vine's Expository]

Anti; ἀντί: "1) over against, opposite to, before; 2) for, instead of, in place of (something); a) instead of; b) for; c) for that, because; d) wherefore, for this cause" [Strong's Concordance] and also "1) over against, opposite to, before; 2) indicating exchange, succession, for, instead of, in the place of (something), ... e) of succession to the place of another; 3) as a prefix it denotes a) opposite, over against; b) mutual efficiency of two; c) requittal; d) hostile opposition; e) official substitution, instead of" [Thayer's Lexicon] and also "...instead of, in the place of, in the room of..." [Vine's Expository]

Christos; Χριστός: "Christ = "anointed"; 1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God; 2) anointed" [Strong's Concordance] and also "anointed" [Thayer's Lexicon] and also "anointed, translates as 'Messiah'" [Vine's Expository] which speaks of Jesus, "the Christ".

Therefore "AntiChrist" means that "which is in the place of or instead of Christ" so "opposing Christ".

Let us see if Rome agrees:

"Antichrist (Greek Antichristos). ... The word Antichristoccurs only in the Johannine Epistles; but there are so-called real parallelisms to these occurrences in the Apocalypse, in the Pauline Epistles, and less explicit ones in the Gospels and the Book of Daniel. ..." [Roman Catholic Online Encyclopedia; "A"; Antichrist] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01559a.htm

"...anti ... (in the place of...)..." [Roman Catholic Online Encyclopedia; "S"; Sacrifice] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13309a.htm

Since the term "AntiChrist" is also related to the "man of sin" and there would be "many", a line of successions [as is indicated] which all stand "in the place of, or takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth" then should not this name be easily applied to this Roman ecclesiastical system and that singular position on earth which is over it?

It can be applied:

"(Latin Vicarius Christi).

A title of the pope implying his supreme and universal primacy, both of honour and of jurisdiction, over the Church of Christ. ..." [Roman Catholic Online Encyclopedia; "V"; Vicar of Christ] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15403b.htm

"Vicar

(Latinvicarius, from vice, "instead of") ..." [Roman Catholic Online Encyclopedia; "V"; Vicar] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15401a.htm

What do we notice?

Greek: Anti (in the place of, instead of) Christos (Christ, Anointed)

Latin: Vicarius (in the place of, instead of) Christi (Christ, Anointed)

Does Rome's definition of the "Vicarius Christi" and also "Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth" and "Vicarius Filii Dei" actually mean that the Pope "stands in the place of Jesus Christ [the Son of God] on Earth", that the Pope "takes the place of Christ [the Son of God] on earth"?

Yes it does.

"...It will be enough, however, to refer to the evidence contained in the epistles of St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, himself a disciple of the Apostles. In these epistles (about A.D. 107) he again and again asserts that the supremacy of the bishop is of Divine institution and belongs to the Apostolic constitution of the Church. He goes so far as to affirm that the bishop stands in the place of Christ Himself. ..." [Roman Catholic Online Encyclopedia; "C"; Church] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm

"...Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth..." [Roman Catholic Online Library; Church Documents; Ad Sinarum Gentem (1954); Point 11.] - http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_pi12ad.htm

"...We, indeed, to all men are the Vicar of Christ, the Son of God..." [Roman Catholic Online Library; Church Documents; In Plurimis (1888); Point 2.] - http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_le13ip.htm

“But since We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty, ...” [“The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII”, Encyclical Letter June 20, 1894] -
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13praec.htm

“All names which in the scriptures are applied to Christ, by virtue of which it is established that he is over the church, all the same names are applied to the Pope.” [Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (Full Italian name: Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino (Canonized-1930 and Doctor of the Church (Jesuit))), Disputationes de Controversiis (aka: Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei adversus hujus temporis Haereticos) [Lectures Concerning the Controversies of the Christian Faith Against the Heretics of This Time], Tom. 2, “Controversia Prima,” Book 2 (De Conciliorum Auctoritate)[“On Authority of the Councils”], Chapter 17, (1628 ed.) Vol. 1, pp. 266-translated]

In Latin: “Secundo probatur ratione, in Scripturis fundata; nam omnia nomina, quae in Scripturis tribuuntur Christo, unde constat eum esse supra Ecclesiam, eadem omnia tribuuntur Pontifici.” - http://cdigital.dgb.uanl.mx/la/1080015572_C/1080015573_T2/1080015573_21.pdf

“The Pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man…the pope’s excellence and power are not only about heaven, terrestrial and infernal things, but he is also above angels...He is of such great dignity and power that he occupies one and the same tribunal with Christ…the Pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power.” [Lucius Ferraris, in “Prompta Bibliotheca Canonica, Juridica, Moralis, Theologica, Ascetica, Polemica, Rubristica, Historica”, article on “Papa, Article II”, titled “Concerning the extent of Papal dignity, authority, or dominion and infallibility“]

"1. Papa tantae est dignitatis et celsitudinis, ut non sit simplex homo, sed quasi Deus, et Dei vicarius

3. Papa idem est se Pater patrum

18. Deveniendo ad Papae auctoritatem, papa est quasi Deus in terra unicus Christifidelium princeps, regum omnium rex maximus, plenitudinem potestatis continens, cui terreni simul, ac coelestis imperii gubernacula ab omnipotenti Deo credita sunt " - http://books.google.com/books?id=VYwsAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=quasi%20Deus%20in%20terra&f=false [page 1823]

"...Ut sicut Beatus Petrus in terris vicarius Filii Deifuit constitutus, ita et Pontifices eius successores..." [...as the blessed Peter in the vicar of the Son of God on earth was appointed, so the Pontiffs his succesors, and..."] [Prompta Bibliotheca Vol. 6, “Papa”, Article 2; pg 41 → ] - http://books.google.com/books?id=uJ8...page&q&f=false

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 30, 2011

Did Jesus leave with us "Another" in His Place?

Yes, but that person is God the Holy Spirit... [He sharing the name; Matthew 28:19]

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5:32)

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2)

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13)

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. (1 Timothy 4:8)

... and not a mortal man, a sinner [like all of us] in need of the saviour, [and his successors] who claims to "take the place of [Jesus] Christ on earth".

Revelation 14:6-12 · May 30, 2011

(Z) It also has a number of "Six hundred threescore [and] six" [666] ["χξς"] which may be "counted", the "number of a man", being its head, the "man of sin" [2 Thessalonians 2:3], it is "his number" [Revelation 13:18]

It was clearly shown that the personage known as the "pope" has a name and title which is commonly and currently used to this day, which being "vicarius christi":

"Vicar of Christ (Latin Vicarius Christi). ... thus, Innocent III appeals for his power to remove bishops to the fact that he is Vicar of Christ (cap. "Inter corporalia", 2, "De trans. ep."). ... and states that it is the Roman Pontiff who is "the successor of Peter and the Vicar of Jesus Christ" (cap. "Licet", 4, ibid.). The title Vicar of God used for the pope by Nicholas III (c. "Fundamenta ejus", 17, "De elect.", in 6) is employed as an equivalent for Vicar of Christ" [Online Catholic Encyclopedia, Vicar of Christ] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15403b.htm

"Vicar (Latin vicarius, from vice, "instead of") ..." [Online Catholic Encyclopedia, Vicar] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15401a.htm

We have previously shown that the Greek term "Anti Christ" is equal to the Latin term "Vicarius Christi".

"Vicarius" from which we get "Vicarious": "serving instead of someone or something else" [Websters]; or substitute, substitionary, in the place of [a vicarious death; such as was Jesus']

As shown by Rome's definition, "Vicar of God" is equal to "Vicar of Christ", is equal to "Vicar of Christ" and is the same as and equal to "Vicar of the Son of God" - http://biblelight.net/Sources/Temporal-140-141.gif , which translates to "Vicarius Filii Dei".

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."- "1 Initium Evangelii Jesu Christi, Filii Dei. ..." [Online Catholic Bible Mark 1:1, Latin Translation] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09674b.htm

"..."Domine Jesu Christe Fili Dei vivi"..." [Online Catholic Encyclopedia, Ambrosian Liturgy and Rite] - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01394a.htm

"...2. We, indeed, to all men are the Vicar of Christ, the Son of God ..." [Online Catholic Encyclopedia, In Plurimi; On the Abolition of Slavery; His Holiness Pope Leo XIII; May 5, 1888; To the Bishops of Brazil.] - http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_le13ip.htm and http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/l...ts/hf_l-xiii_enc_05051888_in-plurimis_en.html

The appellation and title "Vicarivs Filii Dei" has been used in numerous places to designate the popes with, even over a period of several hundred years:

- VICARIUS FILII DEI 666, The Number of the Beast

- VICARIUS FILII DEI and 666 - A Response to "Pope Fiction" by Patrick Madrid

Since we are to "count" the number of this "man of sin", who would be Roman, it can be shown that:

V=5
I=1
C=100
A=0
R=0
I=1
V=5
S=0

F=0
I=1
L=50
I=1
I=1

D=500
E=0
I=1

112 [Vicarivs] + 53 [Filii] + 501 [Dei] = 666 [Vicarivs Filii Dei]

Let us look at the Numbers themselves and their definitions according to Strong's Concordance, and see if there is anything else to consider:

chi-xi-stigma χξC [600+60+6 = 666] Root word: the G22d (agamos ἄγαμος unmarried, unwedded, single), G14th (agathoergeō ἀγαθοεργέω to work good, to do good, to do well, act rightly) and an obsolete letter (4742 as a cross) of the Greek alphabet (intermediate between the G5th (abba ἀββα Abba = "father") andἌβελ G6th vanity (that is: transitory)")) [Strong's Concordance] - http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5516&t=KJV

So we have even from the numbers, an "unmarried" "father" of [unlasting] "vanity" which claims "to do good".

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? - Matthew 7:22

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. - Matthew 7:23

And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. - Matthew 23:9

There is only one place in all of scripture which gives the title "Holy Father" [John 17:11], yet this very position, the 'pope', claims that appellation for itself:

"VATICAN STATEMENT: "The Holy Father died this evening at 9:37 (1937 GMT) in his private apartment. ... John Paul II ..." - http://blog.newadvent.org/2005/04/holy-father-has-died.html

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, - Matthew 23:5

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. - Matthew 6:5

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. - Matthew 6:7

But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. - Matthew 15:9

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. - Mark 7:7

They have "...heaped to themselves teachers..." [2 Timothy 4:3] and "...doctors of the law..." [Luke 5:17].

Let us consider physical evidence:

Notice where this 'pope' is sitting, on a throne between Two Cherubim, just as was the Shekinah Glory of God resting above the Ark [representing the Throne of God] in the Most Holy Place of the True Sanctuary:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_71ZPiLxOV...ADlI/IyTInKSYX9g/s1600-h/VesperPeterPaul8.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XutvOfOj_Dw/SkfZRpo86lI/AAAAAAAAAhY/nGq-LItuIvs/s1600-h/9.jpg

http://www.motherteresa.org/st_paul/sanpaul_PBVXI_2.html

See also another (upper left picture, who is between the Cherubim there? We will find that "Mary" is placed as High as well):

http://www.sanctuaryofthedivinemercy.org/resources/headers/default-header.jpg

Notice the 7 Candlesticks and where the 'pope' is sitting in front of and where they are located, just as was the 7 Branch Candelabra [representing CHRIST JESUS the Light of the World] was in the Holy Place of the True Sanctuary:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_71ZPiLxOV...C8/S08o4YSsBq8/s1600-h/PeterundPaul2008+5.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_71ZPiLxOV...8/-pLk7SocGaY/s1600-h/PeterundPaul2008+20.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_71ZPiLxOVfU/SGdUjvbMtFI/AAAAAAAABFU/HmXWO6OsU_E/s1600-h/PeterundPaul2008+23.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_71ZPiLxOVfU/SGdOI8lUZYI/AAAAAAAABEs/ag5NXkoPJnw/s1600-h/PeterundPaul2008+18.jpg

Notice the Incense, just as there was an Altar of Incense in the Holy Place of the True Sanctuary, the True Tabernacle:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_71ZPiLxOVfU/SkejlB4XChI/AAAAAAAADlg/zYDF-tfRF5c/s1600-h/VesperPeterPaul14.jpg

http://wdtprs.com/images/07_12_31_vespers10.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oTH9ebyg9qU/R006-PXtofI/AAAAAAAAARs/ttHeYse7A98/s400/pap_20071125_alt.jpg

Notice the Giant Golden Censer, filled with Incense, just as there was seen in the True Sanctuary in Heaven [Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 8:3]:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qSdHJD_kZtg/TM63Tgb0FwI/AAAAAAAABq4/B23fjlmqXBI/S230/Incense.jpg

What/where shall we think of where the "bread" is being, 'in the place of'?:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/benodette/Q4%2009%20-%20Q1%2010/Dec31VespersGetty.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/francisjasondiazperez/2438231424/lightbox/

They had already "taken away" and hid "the daily" [Daniel 8:11-13, 11:31, 12:11] ministration of CHRIST JESUS in Heavenly places [see book of Hebrews] from all of Christianity once and now they are attempting to do it again and have replaced and substituted it with the traditions of men and doctrines of ... [1 Timothy 4:1]

A "Host" was given to him against the "Daily":

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/newsblog/RedPopes.jpg

On earth "another" Highpriest wearing the breastplate:

http://www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/Paul_VI_pictures/ephod.jpg

JCFantasy23 · May 30, 2011

This is very thorough. Subscribing to study this in detail over time. Like the color coding as well, makes it much easier.

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In a Kingdom by the Sea.

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