STUDY #4 – AN END TIME IMPRESSIONIST STUDY OF DANIEL CHAPTER 8 and MACCABEES CHAPTER ONE

Daniel’s Vision of the Ram and Male Goat

A. The Revelation of the Vision 8.1-12

B. The Length of the Vision 8.13-14

C. The Interpretation of the Vision 8.15-27

Chapter 8 is a dual prophecy that has been fulfilled in history by Antiochus Epiphany, the Greek king who took over Jerusalem in 167 BC – 160 BC and defiled the temple causing the daily sacrifices to cease. This started the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire and their Hellenistic (Greek) influence on Jewish life. This revolt is recorded in                1 Maccabees chapters 1 through 4. Antiochus Epiphanes is a type of the anti-Messiah during the tribulation.

We know this is a dual prophecy because Yeshua referred to it in Matthew 24.15 when his disciples asked him about the sign of his coming and the end of the world: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)…Yeshua was speaking of the end of the world and the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. It was a dual prophecy.

Chapter 8 describes the vision Daniel had concerning the rule of Antiochus Epiphany that would occur from 167 BC-160 BC and the Maccabean revolt. The chapter contains information on the cessation of the daily sacrifice he would impose on Judah. Later the chapter describes the nations which the animals represent. It plainly says they were the kings of Media-Persia and the Greeks. It goes on to explain the breaking apart of Alexander the Great’s kingdom into 4 parts.

From 8.23 forward it becomes a dual prophecy once again describing what Antiochus will do when he comes into power, wages war on the Jews, and causes the evening and morning sacrifices to cease (verses 11, 14 & 26).

Some teachers also use the descriptions of these animals to determine the identity of nations which will participate before and during the tribulation. There are many interesting teachings on this.

In our study we are only going to focus on the actions of Antiochus Epiphany as a type of what will occur when the Anti-Messiah causes the sacrifices at the 3^rd temple to cease during the tribulation.

I call this Daniel’s Hanukkah Prophecy as it is a great example of how the anti-Messiah is going to carry out his short reign on earth. Yeshua told us to read Daniel and understand this very thing. I will include the 1^st Chapter of Maccabees at the end of this study describing these events. It is a great help in understanding the coming anti-Messiah.

¶ In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, Daniel, after that vision which had appeared unto me before. And I saw in the vision; (and it came to pass, when I saw it, that I was at Shushan, which is the head of the kingdom in the province of Persia); so that I saw in that vision, being by the river of Ulai, and I lifted up my eyes and saw, and, behold, a ram was standing before the river, which had two horns; and even though they were high, the one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.

I saw that the ram smote with the horns to the west, to the north, and to the south and that no beast could stand before him, nor could anyone escape from his hand; but he did according to his will and made himself great. And as I was considering, behold, a he goat came from the west upon the face of the whole earth and did not touch the earth: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

And he came to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing before the river and ran against him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he rose up against him and smote him, and broke his two horns: because the ram did not have the strength to stand before him; therefore he cast him down to the ground and trod him under; and there was no one to deliver the ram out of his hand.

And the he goat made himself very great, and when he was at his greatest strength, that great horn was broken; and in its place came up another four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of the first of them came forth a little horn, which grew much toward the south and toward the east and toward the desirable land.

 And it magnified itself unto the host of heaven, and it cast down part of the host and of the stars to the ground and trod them under. Even against the prince of the host did he magnify himself, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast to the earth. Daniel 1-11

Antiochus Epiphany magnifies himself as god, takes away the daily sacrifice, and desecrates the temple. The next three verses give us important information about the daily sacrifices. The story in 1 Maccabees 1-4 gives the details.

 And the host was given over by reason of the prevarication upon the daily sacrifice; and he cast the truth to the ground; and he did whatever he would and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto the one which spoke, how long shall the vision of the daily sacrifice last and the prevarication of desolation that places both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?  And he said unto me, unto two thousand and three hundred of evening and morning; then shall the sanctuary be justified. Daniel 1-14

Our take away here is the two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings. In the verse above it says DAYS OF EVENING AND MORNING which is an incorrect translation. My JPS Jewish study bible has the correct translation: two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings. The Jewish Study Bible says this means the two daily sacrifices. These are evening (3 PM) and morning (9 PM) i.e, 1150 days. In the past many have translated it as 2300 days or years.

During a day the morning sacrifice is at 9 AM and the evening sacrifice is at 3 PM each day. Therefore 2,300 evenings and mornings equal 1150 days—almost the same as 3 ½ years. The question among prophecy teachers and students is when does this occur—during the first 3 ½ years or the final 3 ½ years? More on that later.

¶ And it came to pass, as I, Daniel, was considering the vision and seeking to understand it, behold, there stood before me the likeness of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called and said, Gabriel, teach this man the vision. So he came near where I stood, and with his coming, I was afraid and fell upon my face; and he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time appointed by God the vision shall be fulfilled.

Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep on the ground upon my face; and he touched me and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will show thee that which is to come in the last end of the wrath; for at the time appointed this shall be fulfilled.

The ram which thou didst see having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.  And the he goat is the king of Grecia, and the great horn that he had between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up in its place, means that four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his strength.

The He Goat represents Alexander the Great from Greece conquering many nations. He is the great horn between the He Goat’s eyes. When Alexander the great dies unexpectedly four of his generals divide the conquered territories between themselves. After Alexander’s death his Empire was divided among his four generals Lysimachus, Cassander,

Ptolemy and Seleucus. They are known in Latin as the Diadochi, from the Greek, Diadokhoi, meaning "successors".

1. Lysimachus took Thrace and much of Asia Minor.

2. Cassander, Macedonia and Greece.

3. Ptolemy seized Egypt, Palestine, Cilicia, Petra, and Cyprus (This Dynasty in Egypt lasted until the death of Cleopatra Vll in 31 BCE.

4. Seleucus took control of the rest of Asia (so founding the Selucid Empire which covered Syria, Babylon, Persia, and India). The Seleucus Empire was the empire of Antiochus Epiphany who is the type of he anti-Messiah. This history is in the 1^st Book of Maccabees.

 

As we continue Daniel is describing the things Antiochus Epiphany does as recorded in 1 Maccabees:

And at the end of their empire, when the prevaricators are come to the full, a king of arrogant countenance and expert in enigmas shall raise himself up.  And his power shall be strengthened, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy marvelously and shall prosper and do according to his will and shall destroy the mighty and the people of the saints.

And with his understanding he shall cause the deceit in his hand to prosper, and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace he shall destroy many; he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, and without hand he shall be broken. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true; therefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.  And I Daniel was broken and was sick certain days; and after I rose up, I did the king’s business; but I was astonished at the vision, and there was no one who could understand it. Daniel 8.15-27

We see this man of sin as arrogant and an enigma. Enigma means mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand. By peace he will destroy many and he will stand up against the Prince of princes (Messiah), and will be broken. The vision made Daniel very sick.

Daniel is told the vision of the evening and morning is true, now shut up the vision for it will be in latter days (for many days)—in the future.

The cessation of the evening and morning sacrifices will be a sign that we are in the tribulation if anyone in that time might not be sure! When does it happen? My opinion is it happens during the final 3 ½ years. The first half of the tribulation the man of sin appears to be a problem solver and one who has brought peace. The second half he begins to reveal his evil nature. That would seem to be the time the daily sacrifices are shut down. He is showing they are not necessary as he is god, he is the Messiah and there is no need for further sacrifices.

Here is a possible timeline: The first half of tribulation is 1260 days or 3 ½ years. The second half of tribulation is 1290 days. Daniel 12.11-12 says: “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

Chapter 12.12 says blessed is he that comes to the 1335^th day. Tishri 1 to 15 would be the final 15 days. Tabernacles begins on the 15^th and celebrates God dwelling with his people in booths or tabernacles—Sukkah’s. The final judgments on mankind may take place from Trumpets through Yom Kippur, 10 days. Five days later, after the smoke clears, the joyous fall feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) begins. The number 10 signifies kedushah or holiness. Yom Kippur is called “the closing of the gates” 10 days after Yom Teruah. No repentance once the gates are closed!

The second half of the tribulation is 1290 days. What do those additional 30 days represent? Then from 1290 it says “blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.” What could this mean? Is there hidden information here for us?

The Biblical Calendar may contain the answers. The 5^th month on the calendar is the month of Av, when historically, some awful things have happened to the Jewish people—the first and second Temples were destroyed and the spies came back with their bad report in the month of Av. The thirty days from 1260 to 1290 may be the 5^th month of Av in the closing days of the tribulation.

The following 6^th month of Elul is the month of repentance (Teshuva) prior to Yom Teruah (Trumpets), Yom Kippur, and the beginning of Sukkot on the 15^th of Tishri. This would account for the additional 45 days from 1290 to 1335. These 75 days will most likely be the most terrible days at the end of the tribulation. This may explain the extra 75 days. The Fall Feasts are a dress rehearsal for the second coming of Yeshua and provide us an outline of what to expect when He comes with the Heavenly Hosts—the army of the Lord! Revelation 19.

Briefly then, the 30 days of Av might be full of judgments, then the next month, Elul, may represent the mourning and repentance due to those judgments, then the Fall Feasts of Trumpets and Day of Atonement are the final days before the closing of the gates and final judgment. Is Yahweh giving us some important information in the Biblical Calendar?

At the end of the Empires, the 4^th Empire which was, and is not, yet is, is seen in Revelation 17.8: The beast that you saw was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall go into perdition; and those that dwell on the earth shall wonder (whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Daniel 2 describes the final kingdom (Rome if you see it) as the one the stone smashes to pieces. This is the same beast as described in Revelation 17 which the Harlot rides.

Daniel 8.19-27 are a dual prophecy describing the actions of Antiochus lV and anti-Messiah which is to come. Below is Maccabees chapter one describing Antiochus as a type of anti-Messiah during his reign of terror.

When the third temple is built the Jewish nation will re-institute the animal sacrifices. They have not accepted Yeshua as Messiah. They will begin the sacrifices again. This link describes their plans. https://templeinstitute.org/  

The Jewish people will see the anti-Messiah as a great deliverer the first half of the tribulation when they have rebuilt the temple and re-instituted animal sacrifices. Then he will turn on them, cause the sacrifices to cease, and persecute them. The ultimate double-cross!

THE BOOK OF MACCABEES CHAPTER ONE – A TYPE OF ANTI-MESSIAH

The book of Maccabees is not considered part of the canon of scripture, but it is an historical writing of what happened when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple in Jerusalem. In this case we use the book of 1 Maccabees to understand what happened at this time. It furnishes important clues to what will happen during the time of the Anti-Christ and how the Anti-Christ will act.

 

1 Maccabees 1.1-9 - The Death of Alexander the Great

Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius king of the Persians and Medes: He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of all, and slew the kings of the earth: And he went through even to the ends of the earth, and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.

And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and his heart was exalted and lifted up. And he subdued countries of nations, and princes: and they became tributaries to him. And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and knew that he should die.

And he called his servants the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died. And his servants made themselves kings everyone in his place.

 

This is the time when Alexander the Great’s Kingdom was divided into 4 sections among his generals.

 

Antiochus Epiphanes Comes to Power 1.10-14

And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them many years, and evils were multiplied in the earth. And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go, and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us. And the word seemed good in their eyes. And some of the people determined to do this, and went to the king: and he gave them license to do after the ordinances of the heathens.

 

We see several interesting things here. Antiochus Epiphanes was a hostage in Rome. There he would have learned many things about Rome and the Romans. We see him come to power in Judea and that many wicked men in Israel made a pact with him to serve him. The Lord would not have been pleased with His people making a pact with such a man. They were, in effect, trading in their inheritance in God for a pagan lifestyle. In the future Israel will make a peace treaty with this man.

 

The Double Cross 1.17-21

And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms. And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots and elephants, and horsemen, and a great number of ships: And he made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt, but Ptolemee was afraid at his presence, and fled, and many were wounded unto death.

And he took the strong cities in the land of Egypt: and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt. And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel.

 

Antiochus Epiphanes waged war against the Ptolemy’s of Egypt and then came up against Israel. He had previously made a pact with Israel, but now was double crossing them. His aim was to force Hellenism on the Jewish culture and destroy it completely. He was in effect, attempting to create a new world order based on Greek culture.

 

Antiochus Epiphanes Sacks the Temple 1.22-26

And he went up to Jerusalem with a great multitude. And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces.

 

And he took the silver and gold, and the precious vessels: and he took the hidden treasures which he found: and when he had taken all away he departed into his own country. And he made a great slaughter of men, and spoke very proudly. And there was great mourning in Israel, and in every place where they were.

 

The Slaughter Continues 1.27-37

And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed. Every bridegroom took up lamentation: and the bride that set in the marriage bed, mourned:

And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion. And after two full years the king sent the chief collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.

And he spoke to them peaceable words in deceit: and they believed him. And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in Israel. And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:

 

And they took the women captive, and the children, and the cattle they possessed. And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress for them:

And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up armor, and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem; And laid them up there: and they became a great snare.

 

This second slaughter was worse than the first. Antiochus was now going to defile the temple and declare himself to be God. Any who stood in his way would be executed. A “new” religion would be imposed on Judea. The Anti-Christ will impose his brand of religion on the Jews and the entire world.

 

One World Order Declared 1.38-44

And this was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil devil in Israel. And they shed innocent blood round about the sanctuary, and defiled the holy place.

And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason of them, and the city was made the habitation to strangers, and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her. Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honors were brought to nothing. Her dishonor was increased according to her glory, and her excellence was turned into mourning. And King Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law. And all nations consented according to the word of King Antiochus.

 

Antiochus changed the times and festivals. Now only pagan rituals would take place in the temple. We also see the establishment of a New World Order. This is how the spirit of the air, Satan, operates. He wants to bring the entire world under his domination. We see these same forces at work in our day and age. This is a classic example of the spirit of the world in operation. The coming Anti-Christ will also change the times and religious observances and try to impose a new world order on earth.

 

Jews Forbid to Practice Their Faith - Temple Desecrated 1.45-52

And many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the Sabbath. And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda: that they should follow the law of the nations of the earthand should forbid holocausts and sacrifices, and atonements to be made in the temple of God. And should prohibit the Sabbath, and the festival days, to be celebrated.

 

And he commanded the holy places to be profaned, and the holy people of Israel. And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine's flesh to be immolated, and unclean beasts. And that they should leave their children uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all uncleanness and abominations, to the end that they should forget the law, and should change all the justifications of God. And that whosoever would not do according to the word of king Antiochus should be put to death.

 

We see the temple defiled as swine are sacrificed on the altar of God. Jews are forbidden to practice their faith. Antiochus was demanding they become Hellenized. An interesting side note: Recently in San Francisco an attempt to pass a law forbidding circumcision was voted down. Is this a harbinger of things to come? The coming Anti-Christ will rule with a strong arm and will heavily persecute the Jews and true believers.

 

Abomination of Desolation Set Up 1.53-60

According to all these words he wrote to his whole kingdom, and he appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these things. And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.

 

Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:  And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.

On the fifteenth day of the month Kislev in the hundred and forty-fifth year, King Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round about:

And they burnt incense, and sacrificed at the doors of the houses, and in the streets. And they cut in pieces, and burnt with fire the books of the law of God:

And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the king. Now read Daniel 9.

 

On the 15^th of Kislev the Abomination of Desolation was set up. On the 25^th of Kislev the first pig was sacrificed.

All Jewish customs were banned and the holy books were burned. This is exactly what the Nazi’s did to the Jews! They burned books, synagogues, and forbid Jews to worship God.

 

First Pig Sacrificed 1.62-67

And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over against the altar of God. Now the women that circumcised their children, were slain according to the commandment of King Antiochus.

 

And they hanged the children about their necks in all their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put to death. And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: and they chose rather to die than to be defiled with unclean meats. And they would not break the holy law of God, and they were put to death: And there was very great wrath upon the people.

 

On the 25^th of Kislev the first pig was sacrificed on the altar. There was a remnant that refused to deny their faith.

Our final study will focus on Daniel chapters 11 and 12

STUDY #3 – AN END TIME IMPRESSIONIST STUDY OF DANIEL CHAPTER 7

Chapter 7 – Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts

A. The Revelation of the Vision 7.1-14

B. The Interpretation of the Vision 7.15-28

I believe the 4^th beast of Daniel 7 is a continued revelation of the 4^th kingdoms in Daniel 2. The 4^th beast in Daniel 7 is quite similar to the 4^th kingdom in Daniel 2 in its ferociousness. The fourth kingdom in Daniel 2 has ten toes, the 4^th beast in chapter 7 has 10 horns. In Revelation 13 and 17 we also see 10 horned beasts. I believe these are all describing the same beast.

Without question these chapters in Daniel and Revelation 13, 17, and 18 are incredibly difficult to examine and understand. What follows is my ever developing and changing understanding of these chapters. Like all teachers of these books none of us have a complete understanding at this time.

A read of the entire chapter indicates it is describing the modern day nations which will participate in the New World Order and tribulation period described in Revelation 13, 17, and 18. For our impressionist study we will look at these beasts as caricatures of modern western nations. For those who understand, these nations represent the Gentile nations.

These nations are considered Christian nations but their roots and DNA suggest much more than that. The Book of Hosea describes how the tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel where dispersed among the nations and assimilated into Gentile pagan nations. So these Gentile nations may include Israelites who lost their identities within the nations. Seek an understanding of Hosea. It explains who the House of Israel is in world prophecy!

We begin with Daniel’s vision in verses 1-14:  ¶ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream and penned the sum of the matters. Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven fought the great sea.

And four great beasts came up from the sea, different one from another.

The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings; I beheld until its wings were plucked off, and it was removed from the earth, and it stood up on its feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold the second beast, like unto a bear, which went off to one side, and it had three ribs between its teeth; and thus was said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and behold another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; this beast also had four heads; and power was given to it.

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold the fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and exceedingly strong; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and trod down that which was left with its feet; and it was very different from all the beasts that had been before her; and it had ten horns. As I was considering the horns, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking grand things. Daniel 7.1-8

We’ll look at these nations in a moment. The Book of Daniel is still an unfolding prophecy and has not been totally revealed or fulfilled. In our study we will speculate on who these nations are. As history is constantly unfolding and each generation is closer to the end of the age it will become increasingly clear who these beasts represent.

¶ I beheld until thrones were cast down, and an Elder of great age did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: his throne a flame of fire, his wheels burning fire. A river of fire issued and came forth from before him; thousands of thousands served him, and ten thousands of ten thousands stood before him; the Judge sat down, and the books were opened.

I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I beheld even until the beast was slain and its body was undone and given over to be burned in the fire. They had also taken from the other beasts their rule because their lives had been prolonged until a certain time.

I saw in the vision of the night, and, behold, in the clouds of heaven like a Son of man that came and drew near unto the Elder of great age, and they brought him near before him. And he gave him dominion and glory and kingdom; and all the peoples, nations, and tongues served him: his dominion is an eternal dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom such that it shall never be corrupted. 7.9-14

These verses above give us comfort that our Elohim and his Son Yeshua will win the final battle!

The following is our impression gleaned from prayer and many other teachers who have studied Daniel. Finally we want to remember the 4^th kingdom in Daniel 2 is the two legs and toes. This historically is describing the Roman/Holy Roman Empire. This was the final world empire described in chapter two.

In chapter 7 the 4^th Kingdom is also the same final kingdom. Revelation 17 describes the Harlot that is riding the beast. This beast is human government, the harlot is a false religious system. Having said that, I don’t believe the Pope is the anti-Messiah. I see him as possibly the false prophet who points the nations to worship the anti-Messiah.

The beast with 10 horns in Revelation is similar to the 10 toes of the image in Daniel 2. We are seeing that Daniel 2 and 7 agree that the fourth beast also is the final earthly kingdom. They match well with the beasts in Revelation 13 and 17. We will now speculate what modern nations these beasts represent.

The Lion with Eagles wings – Great Britain is often compared to a lion and their heraldry has lions upon them. Do the Eagles wings represent America who came forth from the British Empire? These two nations may also represent Ephraim “a multitude of nations” and Manasseh “he will be great” in the Genesis 48 prophecies by grandfather Jacob/Israel. The Eagles wings are plucked from the Lion. More on that later.

The Bear – Throughout history Russia has been identified with the Bear. They are a nation which has devoured other nations and put them under their tribute. They are a country without a functioning democratic system which has at times devoured their own citizens. It has three ribs in its teeth.

I thought about the three ribs in its teeth and looked to see if there were 3 Pillars of socialism and I found there are!

1. A Planned economy led by Ideological Socialists, the leading politicians

2. Planned Economy fueled by Educated Emotional Elitist Socialists who believe tout and implement the socialist programs.

3. Ownership of the means of Production by the government which is produced by useful idiot workers (in the government’s opinion).

The Leopard with 4 wings of a Fowl and Four Heads – Dominion is given to this beast. German means “war-man” and they are a nation who has started many wars. They authored the blitzkrieg (lightning war) for surprise attacks and have dominated Europe many times throughout history. In our day they are the dominate power in the European Union financially, in trade, and in military power.

We’ve already seen 3 periods of German Reich’s with Hitler’s Third Reich the most recent. It was going to last for a thousand years if Hitler had his way. Could the European Union be a reincarnation of the 4^th and final Reich?

France – the wings of the Fowl – France has often been characterized as a Rooster. They mingled with the Germans in early European history is Saxony and the northern area of France. The Frankish Kingdom of Charles and Charlemagne came from this area in the 800 AD era.

They have been a partner with Germany in the European Union acting as the nation of diplomacy. They are not as powerful as Germany but have been taking sides with Germany in EU politics. France may represent the wings of the fowl on the leopard.

The Beast which is dreadful, terrible, and exceedingly strong, diverse and with ten horns- Daniel watched as a little horn came up among the ten and which plucked up 3 horns by their roots and this little horn had eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things.

This beast has similarities with the beast in Revelation 13, which beast rises out of the sea having 7 heads and 10 horns with 10 crowns and upon the heads the name of blasphemy. It also looks like a Leopard with the feet of a bear, mouth as a lion, and is given power, a seat, and great authority by the dragon. It is the final kingdom or political empire upon earth prior to Yeshua’s return.

Upon the heads the name of blasphemy is interesting. Could that be the name of the anti-Messiah? He is the blasphemous man of sin. An interesting concept.

The Wings of the Lion and Leopard – Mr. Gavin Finley of www.endtimepilgrim.org believes the wings represent the two wings of the political parties in the US and France…the left wing and right wing of the political chambers! The Congress of the United States has two chambers, a right wing and a left wing.

Continuing in Daniel 7.15-28 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

The beasts are 4 kings or kingdoms.

“Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.

This 4^th beast is similar to Daniel 2.40: And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others.

“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. This horn that comes up wages war against the saints.

 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings.

The ten horns are ten kings. These kings could be 10 geopolitical trade zones which are currently in existence but may have greater power at a later time. https://www.cbcg.org/the-10-free-trade-zones.html

Another horn subdues three kings. This could be a merger of these trade zones or—it could mean something entirely different.

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.

This horn that comes up persecutes the saints of the Most High and intends to change the times and law. What are the times and law? Daniel is written to Judah, the Jews. The times and laws are the Biblical times and laws. These are the feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23) and the laws of God in the Torah, which includes the 7^th day Sabbath. They will not be permitted.

‘But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

At Yeshua’s second coming true justice and judgment will be carried out and all the earth will bow before him!

We certainly can interpret these verses as the second coming of King Yeshua at the bequest of his Father Jehovah! He comes with his angels and slays the beast which is then burned in fire. His kingdom is eternal and all peoples and nations serve him! Revelation 19 is a picture of Yeshua’s coming as Lord of Hosts—the army of heaven.

The 4^th Beast is the final kingdom/empire prior to the second coming. It is the Anti-Messiah Empire. Let’s review these final verses in Daniel 7:

And he shall speak great words against the most High and shall break down the saints of the most High and think to change times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the half or dividing of a time. And the Judge shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to destroy and to cast out unto the end; and that the kingdom and the dominion, and the majesty of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, be given to the holy people of the most High, His kingdom shall be an eternal kingdom, and all the dominions shall serve him and hear him. 7.25-27

Time, times, and half time = 3 ½ years. Final three years of tribulation. We will discuss this in greater detail in our study on chapter 8.

Think to change the time and the laws – This is a most important verse. Daniel was written to Judah and Israel. The laws the Anti-Messiah seeks to change are the Bible law and calendar. The spirit of Anti-Messiah in this world has no regard for the laws or calendar of our Elohim. Read what the Apostle John has to say in 1 John 2.18-21: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that anti-Messiah shall come, even now are there many ant-Messiahs; whereby we know that it is the last time.

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. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

John is pointing out that the spirit of anti-Messiah was already operating in the world. He says they went out from us. The anti-Messiah spirit comes out of the community of those who were grafted into Israel. They became the Holy Roman Church who did away with the Biblical laws, feasts, and calendar. Most of “Christianity” is already operating on the anti-Messiah laws, times, and calendar.

The true Feasts of the Lord are the Biblical Feasts, the true Sabbath is Saturday, and the true calendar is the Biblical Hebrew calendar, not the Roman calendar which the world observes. This came out from “us”. The Biblical laws and calendar were done away with when the Holy Roman Empire eliminated anything which they deemed as “Jewish”. Early believers had followed the Biblical feasts, Sabbath, and calendar of the Bible.

The coming anti-Messiah will take this to a higher level. He will not allow the Biblical law, feasts, or Shabbat. He is going to change it all! He will shut down all Biblical times and laws.

This identifies the beast that is, was not, and yet is! It is a false harlot church. Rome was, was not, and yet it still is!

Revelation 13 and 17 contain much more information on these beasts and the events which follow. This study is merely an impressionist view. Read the chapters in Revelation and compare the beasts. Everything is hidden in plain sight.

Up unto here was the end of the word. I, Daniel, was very troubled in my thoughts, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the word in my heart. 7.28

Summary – The Brief Impression to share with others

A. The beasts are forms of government and nations of the coming final world empire/new order.

B. These beasts are presently forming. The European Union/Revived Roman Empire is an example.

C. The 4^th Beast represents the empire the Antichrist will lead—the others will give their power to him.

D. Israel and Islam will also play a role as ground zero and the action will be taking place in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

E. The final beast empire will be defeated by Yeshua the Son of Man at his return.

 

Next week we’ll look at the duality of the Chapter 8 prophecy concerning King Antiochus Epiphany and the Maccabean revolt and how it applies to the coming 3^rd temple and the anti-Messiah shutting down the daily sacrifices during the tribulation.