I just wanted to announce here that I will be discontinuing this blog and will be shutting it down soon to consecrate myself to other activities.
In Christ Jesus,
Marcel

Here is the final part of a 9-part PowerPoint document I have written concerning the proper identification of the “temple of God” mentioned by Paul in his prophecy concerning the son of perdition in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:

templegodntpart9e.ppt

It is interesting to compare prophetic passages in Daniel chapter 8 with passages found in chapter 11 in order to better understand the contents of each chapter. Both prophetic visions complement each other.

1) kings of Persia

VISION : “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river (of Ulai - v.2 - in the province of Elam - Persia - in Shushan, the capital of the future Persian kingdom - Esther 1:1-2) A RAM WHICH HAD TWO HORNS: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.” (Daniel 8:3)

INTERPRETATION : “The RAM which thou sawest HAVING TWO HORNS are the KINGS OF MEDIA AND PERSIA.” (Daniel 8:20)

“And now I will shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three KINGS IN PERSIA; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.” (Daniel 11:2)

Daniel received the vision found in chapter 8 “in the third year of king Belshazzar” (8:1) of Babylon, near the end of Babylon’s supremacy and before the coming into power of the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel chapter 5). Daniel received the vision found in chapter 11 “in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia” (10:1), years after the Babylonian empire had fallen. The first king of the current empire, composed of Medes and Persians, was a Mede, Darius (5:31; 11:1). The Medes are represented by one of the two horns of the ram while the Persians are represented by the other one, the horn which “was higher than the other” (Medes) and which “came up last” (8:3). The Persians came to dominate the empire after the Medes and became a greater power than the Medes. The vision given in chapter 11 was received by Daniel during the reign of Cyrus THE PERSIAN, who succeeded Darius THE MEDE. That is why the Medes are not mentioned in chapter 11 because the Persians were now the dominant power in the empire and would remain so until the end of the empire. Only the name Persia appears in that chapter (11:2). In chapter 11, the prophecy is described plainly (”the truth” - 11:2) without the use of symbols as in chapter 8.

2) Alexander the Great

VISION : “And as I was considering, behold, a he GOAT came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a NOTABLE HORN between his eyes… and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great…” (Daniel 8:5,7b-8a)

INTERPRETATION : “And the rough GOAT is the KING OF GRECIA: and the GREAT HORN that is between his eyes is the FIRST KING.” (Daniel 8:21)

“… the prince of Grecia shall come.” (Daniel 10:20)

“And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.” (Daniel 11:3)

The first king of Grecia (Greece) was Alexander the Great who “came from the west” (Daniel 8:5). He conquered the Persians (”the ram”), ruled many countries (”great dominion”) and did according to his will. In verse 2 of chapter 11, it is mentioned that the fourth king of Persia (Xerxes) to come would “stir up all against the realm of Grecia”. Xerxes came to power many years after the death of Daniel. The mighty king, not a king of Persia, of verse 3 was to come from Grecia, the kingdom militarily invaded by Xerxes. The Greek empire is represented in chapter 7 by the leopard which had four heads and received dominion (7:6). It is also represented in chapter 2 by the belly and thighs brass. It is said of the Greek empire in that chapter that the “kingdom of brass… shall bear rule over all the earth.” (Daniel 2:39) So the “great dominion” mentioned in Daniel 11:3 corresponds to the dominion mentioned also in 2:39 and 7:6. Alexander the Great came to power nearly 120-130 (or 200-210 depending on the chronology adopted) years after Daniel received the vision described in chapter 8.

3) the demise of Alexander the Great and the division of his empire

VISION : “… and when he was strong, the GREAT HORN was BROKEN; and for it came up FOUR NOTABLE HORNS toward the four winds of heaven.” (Daniel 8:8b)

INTERPRETATION : “Now that (great horn - v.21) being BROKEN, whereas FOUR (horns) stood up for it, FOUR KINGDOMS shall stand up out of the nation (original Greek empire under Alexander), but not in his (Alexander the Great’s) power.” (Daniel 8:22)

“And when he (Alexander the Great - the mighty king of v.3) shall stand up, his KINGDOM shall be BROKEN, and shall be DIVIDED toward the FOUR winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be pluckt up, even for others besides those.” (Daniel 11:4)

Alexander died at the height of his power. In other words, “when he was strong” (Daniel 8:8). Notice that both Daniel 8:8 and 11:4 use the same expression “toward the four winds of heaven”. Notice also that Daniel 8 mentions that “the great horn was BROKEN” while Daniel 11 mentions “his kingdom shall be BROKEN”. The leopard beast of chapter 7, the third kingdom-beast with the first kingdom-beast representing Babylon and second one Medo-Persia), has four heads (7:6) meaning 4 kingdoms. Alexander’s empire (leopard) came to be divided into 4 main kingdoms (4 heads). Those four kingdoms came to be ruled by men who were not of Alexander’s posterity. Two of those kingdoms, Syria and Egypt, were located geographically next to Israel. Syria was north of Israel and Egypt was south of Israel. That is why the king of the Syrian kingdom is called in chapter 11 the “king of the north” and the king of Egypt the “king of the south”. Let us remember that the vision is given to Daniel, a Jew. From a Jewish perspective, “north” meant north of ancient Israel and not north of America or north of India. The same can be said for “south”. The “king of the north” and the “king of the south” of chapter 11 correspond to the two thighs of brass of the vision of chapter 2 while the belly of brass in that vision represented the Greek empire in its united form under Alexander the Great. Only those 2 Greek kingdoms of the main 4 would have an immediate impact during the history of the Jewish people before the coming to power of the Roman empire.

Note : it is interesting to note that the Greek empire, comprised together of its united form and its divided form (4 main kingdoms), was still considered the same empire in the Book of Daniel; the Roman empire, both in its united form and in its divided form (10 main kingdoms plus a little horn), is also considered just one empire, the fourth in the visions of chapter 2 and chapter 7; the divided form of the Greek empire immediately followed its united form; is that not another clue that the divided form of the fourth empire, the Roman empire, would immediately follow the demise of its united form? Let us remember that there is no air gap between the feet (divided form of Roman empire) and the legs (united form of Roman empire) in the statue vision of chapter 2 which indicates that the last divided form should immediately follow the united form instead of happening more than 1500+ years after the demise of the Old Roman Empire.

Note : I have written previous posts regarding Daniel chapter 8 : http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/daniel-8-2300-days-or-years/ and http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/more-on-daniel-chapter-8/

Here is part 8 of a 9-part PowerPoint document I have written concerning the proper identification of the “temple of God” mentioned by Paul in his prophecy concerning the son of perdition in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:

templegodntpart8o.ppt

Having already recently written an entry about the Book of Daniel, I thought I would add some thoughts concerning chapter 11. Chapter 11 (at least verses 36 to 45) has been greatly misunderstood by many Christians in the past. Some have thought that verses 21 to 45 all speak of Antiochus IV Epiphanes while others have thought that the chapter has nothing to say at all about Antiochus IV Epiphanes and that everything from verse 21 to 45 speaks of a future AntiChrist still to come. Both positions are erroneous. Antiochus Epiphanes, called the little horn in chapter 8, is indeed referred to in that chapter (starting in verse 21) but not in verses 36 to 45. The AntiChrist is nowhere to be found in this chapter. The AntiChrist is only mentioned in Daniel chapter 7 as the little horn. The little horn of chapter 7 (times of the divided Roman empire) is not the same as the little horn of chapter 8 (times of the divided Greek empire which preceded the Roman empire). Many have made the error of thinking those two little horns are the same and that has caused confusion.

To properly interpret chapter 11, one must realize what the purpose of the prophecy was. A few years earlier (Daniel 9), Daniel had received a prophecy concerning a period of seventy “weeks” or “sevens”. The Hebrew word translated “weeks” in the English King James Version is associated with a 7-day week in Leviticus chapter 12 for example. Of course, historical fulfillment has shown that the “weeks” were “weeks” of years and not “weeks” of days or months meaning the period of 70 “weeks” was in fact 490 consecutive years. 70 “sevens” :
- 70 “sevens” of days = 490 days = 365 days + 125 days = about a year and 4 months
- 70 “sevens” of weeks = 490 weeks = approximately 9 and half years
- 70 “sevens” of months = 490 months = about 40 years and 10 months

The prophecy of chapter 11 (succession of kings; wars) helped Daniel understand that the time period of 70 “weeks” was going to be long.

“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but THE TIME APPOINTED WAS LONG: and HE UNDERSTOOD THE THING, AND HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE VISION.” (Daniel 10:1)

The details of chapter 11 could not have been fulfilled within 490 weeks of 490 months. Rebuilding Jerusalem, its temple and its walls would require years and those things were to be done within the first 7 “weeks” of the prophecy of Daniel chapter 9. Solomon’s temple alone took 7 years to build (1st Kings 6:38 ) and it was during a time of peace and plenty in Israel so it was highly unlikely that rebuilding the temple in a time of adversity (read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah) was only going to take 49 days (70 “sevens” of days), 49 weeks (70 “sevens” of weeks) or 49 months (70 “seven” of days). Let us also remember the context of Daniel chapter 9: Daniel realized that the captivity was to last 70 years. Wouldn’t Daniel having the thought of the prophecy of 70 years of captivity in his mind have made the connection between the period of “seven” times 70 with the preceding period of 70 years of captivity? Would he not have thought in terms of years instead of weeks or months or days?

The prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 gave the Jews during the 400 years of prophetic silence (from Malachi to John the Baptist) some clear details concerning historical events which would occur within the period of the first 69 “weeks” of Daniel chapter 9. The prophecy in chapter 11 is given in chronological order. The first kings mentioned are Persian (v.2) and then there is a shift to Alexander the Great (v.3) and the subsequent division of his newly formed empire (v.4). Only the kingdoms of Syria (king of the north) and Egypt (king of the south) among those 4 main kingdoms which sprang out of Alexander’s empire would have a direct impact upon Jewish history during the years of the divided Greek empire. That is why we see the terms “king of the north” and “king of the south” repeated at different times throughout the chapter. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the cruelest of the kings which would afflict the Jews during the years of the divided Greek empire, is first mentioned in verse 21 and his reign is described up to the first part of verse 32. Then there is mention of the Maccabees, “the people that do know their God”, and their exploits (v.32b-35). The “time of the end” mentioned in verse 35 is not referring to the end of the world but the “end” of the 70 “weeks” of Daniel chapter 9. Verses 21 to 32a tie in with Daniel chapter 8 because they both refer to the same time period (divided Greek empire) and the same evil king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

After the Maccabees had dominated Judah for years there came to power Israel’s first king in many, many years : Herod the Great. He is called simply “THE king” in verse 36 and not “king of the north” or “king of the south”. “THE king” of verse 36 is distinct from the king of the north and the king of the south. From the perspective of a Jew, THE king would refer to a king of Israel and not a Gentile king. The “desire of women” of verse 37 refers to the Messiah. What a great privilege and honor was it for a Jewish woman to be the mother of the Messiah! The “desire of women” is not a reference to heterosexuality. Herod certainly had no regard for the “desire of women”, the Messiah, because he tried to have the infant Jesus killed (Matthew chapter 2) after having learned of the birth of the true King of Israel, the Messiah. Verse 36 is not about the future. Chapter 11 is all about events which happened prior to the earthly ministry of Christ. What justification does one have to take a 2000+ year leap into the future starting in verse 36? Herod completely fulfilled the prophecies concerning “THE king”. Check out the writings of Josephus if you need confirmation. The historical fulfillment of the last verses of chapter 11 during the times which immediately preceded the birth of Jesus Christ point to His era as the era that Messiah was to appear in Israel, the last “week” of the 70 “weeks” of Daniel chapter 9. The Messiah who was to be cut off (killed) but not for Himself (Daniel 9:26) is the same suffering servant of Yahweh in Isaiah chapter 53 who was wounded for the transgressions of God’s people. Both prophecies, Daniel chapter 9 and Isaiah chapter 53, point to Jesus Christ and no other person. The time that Messiah was to appear has come and gone. One will look in vain for a future Messiah which is yet to come. The Messiah has already come. The time period of Daniel’s prophecy of 70 “weeks” and the historical fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 point to the time of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ as the “end time” of the period of 70 “weeks”.

The last “king of the north” mentioned refers to Augustus, the Roman Caesar who ruled when Christ was born, and the last “king of the south” refers to Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. The battle mentioned in the final verses refers to the Battle of Actium. Augustus, the king of the north, was victorious over the king of the south and the Roman empire extended its territory and took control of Egypt.

There is nothing left to be fulfilled in chapter 11. If someone needs more confirmation just read these words in the following chapter : “And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, HOW LONG SHALL IT BE TO THE END OF THESE WONDERS (referring to what is written in chapter 11 and the preceding verses of chapter 12)? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and WHEN HE SHALL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TO SCATTER THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE (when were the Jews scattered? 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem), ALL (not some of) THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED.” (Daniel 12:6-7)

A good book dealing Scripturally with the prophecies of chapters 9, 11 and 12 can be found here online:

http://www.historicist.com/mauro/

Having seen among referrer terms the question “was roman empire divided into 10 kingdom” I thought I would write this a post dealing with the question by excerpting some portions from part 6 of my 9-part PowerPoint document dealing with the identification of the son of perdition of 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:

“This view of AntiChrist would tie in with the ROMAN Whore (Harlot=Apostasy) of Revelation chapter 17 and the little horn (kingdom) of Daniel chapter 7, distinct from earthly temporal kings (the other 10 horns) by being an ecclesiastical kingdom plus a temporal kingdom and having special EYES to SEE and watch over the other horns/kingdoms (overSEER = bishop), which would spring up out of the final divided form of the fourth ROMAN beast kingdom which came into existence after the Barbarian invasions (5th century) and consequent dissolution of the old Roman empire.”

“After the dissolution of the Western Roman empire, Europe came to be divided into 10 main kingdoms, in other words the 10 toes of the image of Daniel chapter 2 and the 10 horns of the fourth beast of Daniel chapter 7.”

“Here is a quote from Ralph Woodrow’s “Great Prophecies of the Bible” (chapter 4): Macchiavelli [not a Protestant trying to prove that the Pope was AntiChrist], the Roman historian, described the Empire as being divided among the various Gothic tribes – their number being ten : 1) Heruli, 2) Suevi, 3) Burgundians, 4) Huns, 5) Ostrogoths, 6) Visigoths, 7) Vandals, 8 ) Lombards, 9) Franks and 10) Anglo-Saxons. These have ever since been spoken of as the ten kingdoms that rose out of the Roman Empire.”

“Here is another quote from Ralph Woodrow’s “Great Prophecies of the Bible” (chapter 4): The little horn was to pluck up three of the other horns the interpretation being that “he shall subdue three kings (kingdoms)” (Daniel 7:24). Did the Papacy subdue three of these ten kingdoms? Elliott says: “I might cite three that were eradicated from before the Pope out of the list first given, viz., the Heruli under Odacer, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths.” The Heruli were overthrown in 493, the Vandals in 534, and the Ostrogoths in 553.”

Let us remember that the number 10 does not necessarily mean 10 exact kingdoms at all times because over the centuries Europe at some times had more than 10 exact kingdoms if you take into account subordinate kingdoms and dukedoms and small kingdoms within larger countries. We should take it as meaning 10 PRINCIPAL or MAIN kingdoms. 10 not only represents a quantity in the Bible but is also used as an ideal number with symbolical value. After the death of Judas Iscariot and prior to the election of Matthias as the 12th apostle to replace Judas in Acts chapter 1, the ELEVEN apostles were called “the TWELVE”:

“But Thomas, one of THE TWELVE, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” (John 20:24)

In Revelation chapter 21, it speaks of 12 foundations of New Jerusalem corresponding to the 12 apostles. Who’s the 12th apostle? Matthias? Paul? Barnabas was also called an apostle. Must we think that the number 12 in that verse necessarily and solely means exactly 12 in quantity? Can we not also see 12 as an ideal number having a symbolical value associated with a united group/body/entity?

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14)

We should think of 10 in terms of a GROUP of the 10 most important and prominent kingdoms and not get nit-picky over whether smaller dukedoms or principalities within larger kingdoms should be counted or not as kingdoms fulfilling the prophecy and then try to see whether the exact number of kingdoms at all times was exactly 10. If a past historian like Machiavelli who wasn’t a true Christian could understand that Europe had been divided into 10 main kingdoms why can’t others?

Let us not forget that in the vision of chapter 2 which is the vision of chapter 7 presented in another form (metals instead of beasts) that the legs and feet are seen connected together. They are not separated by some large air gap which would indicate a 1500+ year gap between the first form of the Roman empire and the last, divided form of the Roman empire. The Persian empire immediately followed the Babylonian empire. The Greek empire immediately followed the Persian empire. The Roman empire in its first united form immediately followed the Greek empire. The dividing of the Roman empire into 10 main kingdoms has already occurred and Europe has remained divided since that time with Charlemagne, Napoleon and Hitler for example failing to bring all European kingdoms under their power. The division of the Roman empire is not something that will happen in the future. Europe is divided and will remain divided until the Return of Christ.

Also check out my recent post : “A Quick Look at Daniel”

A brother-in-Christ (http://www.gohg.net) sent me this news article link concerning the Pagan tombs located under Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and I sent him my comment which I decided to also put up here on this blog :

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/05/27/vatican.pagan.tomb.ap/index.html

I heard once that the word Vatican comes from Vaticanus which means “the place of divination”. This is what is written in Wikipedia (article : Vatican Hill) :

“Vaticanus mons, “vates,is” the root of vaticanus is translated “PROPHET or SEER” in English.”

The pope, in matters of faith and practice, claims PROPHETIC infallibility. Let us remember that Daniel mentioned in chapter 7 that the little ROMAN horn, distinct from the other 10 horns (who are merely political kings), would have the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. Not eyes in the natural, physical sense otherwise we would have to think the 10 other horns are 10 physically blind kings. The eyes of a SEER. Eyes in the spiritual sense. An over-SEER. In other words, a bishop. The pope who claims infallibility certainly does have a mouth which speaks great and blasphemous things. He falsely claims to speak for God.

Augustine mentioned in his book “The City of God” that the ancient Romans had a false god called Vaticanus. Here’s the quote from a Roman Catholic source:

“Next let us ask, if they please, out of so great a crowd of GODS WHICH THE ROMANS WORSHIP, whom in special, or what gods they believe to have extended and preserved that empire. Now, surely of this work, which is so excellent and so very full of the highest dignity, they dare not ascribe any part to the goddess Cloacina; or to Volupia, who has her appellation from voluptuousness; or to Libentina, who has her name from lust; or to VATICANUS, WHO PRESIDES OVER THE SCREAMING OF INFANTS…”
(Source: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120104.htm)

Hmmm… isn’t it kind of strangely poetic that a religious group whose headquarters is located on Vaticanus Mons (Vatican Hill), a hill anciently associated with a false god who presided over SCREAMING INFANTS, would be prominently associated with PEDOPHILIA?

Speaking of pedophilia… I read this recently and I thought I would like to share it. Remember the passage in Matthew chapter 18 (the context of the chapter is centered on ECCLESIASTICAL matters - see verse 17 - and relationships between believers) where it mentions that should someone offend a young believer that it were better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and thrown into the sea?

“But whoso shall OFFEND OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHICH BELIEVE IN ME (not young Buddhists or young Moslems but young PROFESSING* Christians), it were better for him that a MILLSTONE were hanged about his neck, and that he were DROWNED IN THE DEPTH OF THE SEA.” (Matthew 18:6)

* professing does not necessarily equate to true; a Catholic is a professing Christian (as I once was) but is in reality a false Christian (Matthew 7:21) trusting in a false works-salvation gospel and belonging to a false church trusting in a false priesthood and false mediators

Notice what it says in chapter 18 concerning the judgment of Mystery Babylon, associated with a city sitting on seven hills (Rome):

“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great MILLSTONE, and CAST IT INTO THE SEA, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city BABYLON be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” (Revelation 18:21)

Just a coincidence or another clue among many given by the Holy Spirit that the Great Roman Whore is a Roman Catholic Whore?

Having seen in my blog statistics today the referrer question “what does daniel chapter 11 mean” I thought it would be useful to give a quick view of the Book of Daniel and provide some helpful resources.

MAIN DIVISIONS IN THE BOOK
Daniel chapters 1 to 6 : historic (from Daniel’s captivity to first year of Darius the Mede)
Daniel chapters 7 to 12: prophetic (Daniel directly received different visions rather than just interpreting dreams/visions as in chapters 2, 4 and 5)

POLITICAL CONTEXT
Chapters 1 to 4 : reign of Nebuchadnezzar (Babylonian empire)
Chapters 5, 7 and 8 : reign of Belshazzar, last king of Babylon (co-regent)
Chapters 6 and 9 : reign of Darius the Mede (Medo-Persian empire)
Chapters 10 to 12 : reign of Cyrus (Medo-Persian empire)

The visions of chapters 7 and 8 were given to Daniel near the end of the Babylonian empire while the visions of chapter 9 and chapters 10 to 12 were given after the establishment of the Medo-Persian empire.

CHAPTERS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
Chapters 1-4
Chapters 7-8
Chapters 5-6*
Chapters 9*-12

* the events of each chapter occur during the same year but it is not revealed clearly in the book whether Daniel received the vision of the 70 weeks before or after the events of chapter 6

Note : I suggest a person should read the chapters of Daniel in chronological order

MAIN VISIONS OF INTEREST
Chapter 2 : vision of the great statue representing 4 successive empires
Chapter 7 : vision of four beasts representing 4 successive empires
Chapter 8 : vision of 2 beasts : ram (Medo-Persian empire) and he-goat (Greek empire)
Chapter 9 : vision of the seventy “weeks”
Chapter 11 : description of historical events from Cyrus to death of Herod the Great (in other words, events which would occur within the time of the Persian and Greek empires leading up to the time of Christ’s earthly ministry)
Chapter 12 : mainly time of ministry of Christ and His apostles up to destruction of Jerusalem (approximate time period : 26(7)-70 AD)

LARGEST TIME FRAMES FOR VISIONS
1 - Visions of chapters 2 and 7 (from Babylonian empire to end of the world)
2 - Vision of chapter 9 (70 “weeks” of years = 490 years; period within time frame of chapter 7)
3 - Vision of chapter 11 (events of first 69 “weeks”; period within time frame of chapter 9)
4 - Vision of chapter 8 (events within first 69 “weeks” - Daniel 11:1-35)
5 - Vision of chapter 12 (70th and final week)

The visions of chapter 2 and chapter 7 are related to one another. Both deal with 4 Gentile empires and the kingdom of Christ. In chapter 2 the Gentile empires are represented by metals (gold, silver, brass, iron) and clay. In chapter 7 the same empires are represented by beasts. The first empire represented by the head of gold was the Babylonian empire. The second empire was the Medo-Persian empire which immediately followed the Babylonian empire (see Daniel chapter 5). The third empire was the Greek empire founded by Alexander the Great which would come to power many years after the death of Daniel. That empire split into 4 main kingdoms with 2 of them - Syria (king of the north) and Egypt (king of the south) - having a great influence upon the nation of Israel for many years. The Medo-Persian empire and the Greek empire are the two beast empires mentioned in chapter 8. The last empire was the Roman empire presented under two forms : its united Pagan form with Caesar at its head and its divided Roman Catholic form (after the fall of the Western Roman empire) with the papacy as its spiritual head for many centuries. The last form of the Roman empire is represented by 10 toes in chapter 2 and 10 horns in chapter 7. The toes and horns represent the same thing : 10 main kingdoms. After the fall of the Western Roman empire, Roman Europe became divided into 10 main kingdoms. Along with those 10 kings, there came up another little horn in Rome - the city sitting on seven hills (Revelation 17) - who was different from those other horns (political kings). An ecclesiastical horn. That horn has EYES which SEE because the pope claims to be a universal bishop (over-SEER) watching over all the kingdoms of Europe and a SEER (prophet of God). The Book of Revelation deals with the last of those 4 empires in both of its forms (united Pagan Rome : chapter 12 ; divided Roman Catholic Europe : chapters 13, 17 and 18). In Daniel 7, we have a beast with 10 horns and a little horn. In Revelation chapter 13, instead of a little horn we have 7 heads (7 hills of Rome, the headquarters of the little horn). In Revelation chapter 17, we have a woman sitting on top of the seven heads. (Please check out my 9-part PowerPoint document dealing with the son of perdition mentioned in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 here : http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/temple-of-god-document-part-7-of-9/).

Some people currently believe (as I once did) that AntiChrist is mentioned in chapters 8, 9 and 11. I have come over time through study of the Scriptures to reject that view. The AntiChrist is only mentioned in chapter 7 and he is symbolized as a “little horn”. The little horn of chapter 7 is not the same little horn mentioned in chapter 8 because the events described in chapter 8 already happened many years before the birth of Christ. The little horn of chapter 8 is a Greek horn (Greek empire) and the little horn of chapter 7 is a Roman horn. Two different eras. Two different horns. (Check out my blog entries about Daniel chapter 8 : http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/daniel-8-2300-days-or-years/ and http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/more-on-daniel-chapter-8/) It is good to point out that Nebuchadnezzar is an interesting type of the AntiChrist of Daniel chapter 7 :

Nebuchadnezzar as Babylon’s Supreme Pontiff

The prophecy of the 70 “weeks” of years (”week” = 7 years; a prophetic “day” = 1 actual year; see Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6) has been fulfilled completely. Christ was the one who put an end to animal sacrifices through His death on the Cross (in other words, His being “cut off but not for Himself”) in the midst of the “week” (Christ’s ministry was about 3 years and a half long - the middle of the last “week” of 7 years). We are not to expect a future AntiChrist putting an end to reinstituted animal sacrifices. Such reinstituted animal sacrifices (according to some prophecy scenarios) would not be of God because they are not only unnecessary but represent a denial of what Christ came to accomplish once for all through His shed blood (see Hebrews chapters 9-10). Let us remember that the vision of chapter 9 is Christ-centered and not AntiChrist-centered. A good book dealing Scripturally with the vision of chapter 9 can be found here online:

http://www.historicist.com/mauro/

There are three kings mentioned in chapter 11 : the king of the north, the king of the south and THE king (verse 36). THE king of verse 36 is not the king of the north or the king of the south. (Note : I wrote a blog entry about the last king of the south mentioned in Daniel 11 : http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/antony-and-cleopatra-and-daniel-chapter-11/) He was THE king of Israel. Let us remember that this vision was given to a Jew, Daniel, who did not know at that time that there would not be a king ruling over Israel until Herod the Great came to power. Daniel must have expected with other Jews that after the end of the Babylonian Captivity there would be a re-establishment of the kingdom of Judah. To speak to a Jew about “THE (definite article) king” would naturally make him think about the king of Israel. Verses 21 to 32a deal with the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the little Greek horn of Daniel chapter 8, and verses 32b to 35 deal with the times of the Maccabees. (I wrote a blog entry concerning Daniel 11 and the Maccabees : http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-maccabees-and-daniel-chapter-11/) After the times of the Maccabees, there appears in Israel its first king in many centuries : Herod the Great. Chapter 9 gave Daniel the time period - 69 “weeks” of years - which would extend from the time of the decree of Cyrus (Ezra chapter 1) to the anointing of Christ (”Messiah” means anointed) at His baptism, the only precisely dated event in the Gospels (see Luke chapter 3). Chapter 11 describes events which were to occur during those 69 “weeks” of years. Chapters 9 and 11 go together just like chapters 2 and 7 go together. Events described in chapter 8 occurred within the time frame of chapter 11.

I won’t get into what the vision of chapter 12 (the 70th and final “week” of years) teaches here but I will mention that the last book mentioned does deal with those passages because they fit with Daniel chapter 9 and Matthew chapter 24. That book also describes the historical fulfillment of each verse of chapter 11. I highly recommend the book.

Note : the events described in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther all occurred within the time frame described by Daniel 11:2 and within the first seven “weeks” of the prophecy of 70 “weeks”; for a good online book about Bible chronology go here : http://www.amen.org.uk/eh/biblical/anstey/

Here is the seventh part of a 9-part PowerPoint document I have written concerning the proper identification of the “temple of God” mentioned by Paul in his prophecy concerning the son of perdition in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:
templegodntpart7g.ppt

I was reading Isaiah chapter 30 this morning and I had a thought. I read the words “Holy One of Israel”, an expression that appears at different places in the Old Testament, and thought to myself : “Hmmmm… it seems to me that that expression is found most often in the Book of Isaiah.” I checked out the number of instances of the terms “Holy One” and “Holy One of Israel” and my suspicion was verified. Those terms appear the most in Isaiah. Not surprising when we think his ministry really began officially after having had a vision of the preincarnate Christ (Isaiah chapter 6; John 12:37-42) where he saw holy cherubims who had never sinned in their existence covering their faces before the holy majesty of God and crying out “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts”. (Isaiah 6:3) In the presence of such holiness, Isaiah who was a pious Jew cried out in despair : “WOE IS ME! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5) Isaiah didn’t try to say to himself : “Well, I’m not that bad a person. I never killed anyone. I give to the poor. God will be glad to have me in heaven. I think those cherubims are exaggerating a bit.” Isaiah didn’t make excuses. Light reveals darkness. The light of God reveals the darkness of the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9). Only when we understand (as much as finite minds can be enlightened by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit) the holiness of God do we see ourselves as truly sinful in our thoughts, our actions, our inaction and our speech. We are soiled by imperfection and sin in everything we do. Our motives and will are tainted by sin. But one day true believers will have minds no longer tainted by sinful motives and sinful desires. I believe that in our future glorified state (Philippians 3:21) no longer having any desire to sin and having perfectly obedient hearts like the holy angels we will see sinners judged by God and rather than sympathize with rebels (even our unsaved loved ones) we shall praise the justice, patience and holiness of God. Why? Because we will truly see with our own eyes sinners and their sinfulness in the light of God’s holiness. I think the doctrine of an eternal hell (Matthew 25:41) can only be understood in the light of a Holy and Eternal God. Not some kind of a Mr. Potato Head god that you build according to your wishes : “My god is love. My god is this. My god is that. My god would not send anybody to hell, etc…” Wishful thinking equals poor theology.

Another thing that caught my attention in Isaiah chapter 30 was this verse:

“Now go, WRITE it before them in a table, and note it IN A BOOK, that it may be for the time to come FOR EVER AND EVER:” (Isaiah 30:8 )

The apostles and prophets didn’t write the individual books of the Bible for fun as some intellectual exercise. They did so because it was the will of God. This shows us the importance of the written word in the eyes of God. The written Word of God is not some kind of accessory. It is not a Plan B. The written Word of God is not a temporary measure but “for ever and ever” (Isaiah 40:8 ). It is our spiritual bread (Matthew chapter 4) to sustain our spiritual life when taken in by faith.

Many religionists tend to despise the Word of God and try to seek other sources of knowledge falsely so-called. Only a true child of God can affirm “Sola Scriptura”. We have a complete and perfect Word of God. Inspired from Genesis to Revelation. No errors (e.g. science, history, etc…). No real contradictions. The same God who expects us to obey His commandments had to insure that those commandments were infallibly written down once for all without dilution or error.

Only when we know that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of
water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1) that we can believe and understand that the inspired writers wrote down exactly what God wanted them to set down in writing. “For the prophecy came NOT in old time BY THE WILL OF MAN: BUT holy men of God spake as they were moved BY THE HOLY GHOST.” (2nd Peter 1:21) God chose the writers. God placed those authors in specific circumstances. God chose how their lives would unfold and what knowledge they would acquire over time. God gave them specific revelations at specific times. God, the Author of languages (Genesis chapter 11, verses 1 to 9), chose the languages (Hebrew and Greek) and the words used. All of the writers inspired by the Holy Ghost pointed to Christ either prior to His coming or after His coming. All united by the same Spirit.

The same sovereign God who went to all the effort of choosing certain men and inspiring them to write down His ultimate revelation to men would have been inconsistent if He had not made any efforts to preserve the Word throughout the centuries so that future believers would know His will. If not how then could God expect anyone today to know His will perfectly if it had not been inspired and preserved in the first place? How could He have said “for ever and ever” without any kind of divine preservation of the written word?

I remember a man wrote to me once : “Sola Scriptura doesn’t work.” Doesn’t work? How is it supposed to work? According to what criteria? How did that man know God’s plan and how things are supposed to “work”? Any “failure” can only be attributed to sin and human ignorance. As Jesus said to the Sadducees : “YOU (not God) do err, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES, nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29) The Sadducees were responsible for understanding the word correctly. The fault was with them for not understanding and not with the written revelation. Christ promised that not of one of His elect sheep for whom He died would perish so how is Sola Scriptura not “working”? God has saved, is saving and will save each sinner chosen unto salvation (2nd Thessalonians 2:13) without fail. Not one sinner lost. How is Sola Scriptura not “working”?

Jesus Christ: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:11,26-28 )

Jesus Christ: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

“…as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts of the Apostles 13:48 )