Monday, May 11, 2020

Introduction To Antichrist

Daniel 11: 36-39

Gabriel is continuing to tell Daniel future events. Now that he's described the type in Antiochus Epiphanes, he will now describe the antitype (the fulfillment of the type) who will come in the Last Days.

(36) "Then the king will do as he pleases, 

This man will not think he has to listen to anyone, not any government, not any court, not any god. 

and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god 

He will be his own god, worshiping himself, and set himself above everything else that is worshiped. 

and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; 

Our God is the one he will need to disparage and slander the most, because He is the only one who is really God.

and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. 

He will only be allowed to continue for a limited time, because that is what God has decreed!

(37) "He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers 

This megalomaniac has no respect for any of the idols, demons, or any god anyone ever worshiped before.   

or for the desire of women, 

Antiochus didn't care if any women liked him, as his cruelty toward all of his sexual partners showed. This future antichrist will also spurn women, and may even prefer the intimate relationships with other men instead. 

nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. 

This world dictator will consider himself as greater than every other god, and God. He doesn't need any of them, he considers himself the greatest of all.

(38) But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures. 

This god of fortresses is not any god worshiped before in the world, but one he considers a powerful aid to conquer strongholds. This could be a future new name for an old entity, our enemy, Satan himself, as his power will be coming from the dragon (see Revelation 13: 4).

(39) "He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; 

This foreign god is the new name he will have for that old enemy, and he will think that he has the power and authority to overpower every other power in the world.

he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price." 

Of course he will honor those who worship him, and give them high positions over large districts and major cities, for personal profit--the consummate politician. 

Next we will look at the final battles at the end of time. 

O my Father, we are so close to the ending of Your great Plan of the Ages! Please give Your children, Your warriors, understanding when these final actions are taken, to recognize that You are working out Your will, and the time for our rewards is approaching! 

My Father, strengthen us in Your strength, hold us securely in Your hand, and carry us safely into Your Kingdom of Light. 

O Father, show us how to reach out to all the world, so that every living person can understand that You love them more than they can imagine! Let them discern and realize the wonderful, gracious, generous gift of Salvation that You offer to each one of all of Mankind. Enable every person to make an informed decision to accept or reject Your love. 

Send us out, Father, to bring them in. To bring all of Your children to the New Birth into Your own family, to fill Your great house with Your uncountable family members, and surround Your grand Banquet Table with us all, to have everlasting sweet fellowship with You and one another through all eternity future! 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, the Lawgiver and Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!