To see the time line for the last days please visit http://timelineforthetimeoftheend.weebly.com/
7 Different Entities
There are several entities that need to be understood before you can see a clear picture of the timeline of events over the next few years. If you have been able to grasp the revelation I described earlier you should be able to understand these as I explain them. It is really just a job of believing what the scriptures say above what is being taught. Ultimately you have to discern truth from error. If there is an ounce of pride in you it will try to distort your understanding so be cautious as you draw your conclusions. Understand that one of your worst enemies is religious pride. I will leave you to ponder that.To begin with here is a list of entities that need clarification:
The last four in this list have been taught by many to be one and the same, however, if you read about each one in context it is not hard to see that they are four different individuals.
1. Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots.
I have heard this taught to mean the literal city of Babylon, Islam, England and even the USA. However, while each of these is very ungodly, none of them fits the description, except Babylon, but even it is by name only. The rest of the description doesn't match at all. On the other hand there is one entity that fits the description perfectly. This is the Roman Catholic Monarchy with the Jesuit Order.
Let us analyze the description in revelation 17 and see how it matches:
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Waters are considered nations in this book. Do Babylon, Islam, England and the USA sit on many nations, does the Catholic Church sit on many nations? By sitting on nations it means dominates many nations. Well England, with her British Colonies, and Islam might be candidates for this scripture as well as the Catholic Church, but certainly not Babylon or the USA. However, let's carry on.
Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Fornication here is not the act of unmarried couples having sex, but rather blending the word of God and his prophets with the word of other religions and their prophets. Again, Babylon could not easily fit this description, tho the other three candidates might, but the Catholic Church is certainly guilty of this offense. They have adapted every religious way from other cultures into their doctrines. The Pope is even guilty of praying to other gods in other religious temples in public and on TV for all to see.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
I hope to be able to prove that this beast with its seven heads and 10 horns and seven crowns on his heads is the Catholic Monarchy with 6 other religions as the seven heads reigning along side of a confederacy of ten Muslim nations before we are finished.
Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Can you see Babylon, Islam, England or the USA as dressed in purple and scarlet as described here? I can't, but the robes of the priests in the Vatican are scarlet with some purple. The Pope wears a huge diamond and sometimes wears the crown of jewels on special occasions.
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
If you can see what I am saying here then you must realize that, tho the Catholic Monarchy is guilty of this spiritual fornication against the bible, so are the leaders of the other 6 religions that worship with her, who commit the same type of fornication against their ancient doctrines. This is why Babylon the Great is called the Mother of Harlots. She has given birth to many harlots.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
The Catholic Church, in the past, has killed Christians by the thousands. Thru the crusades alone she burned and butchers Christians as well as Jews hand in hand at the order of the Popes, all across Europe and into Jerusalem. Anyone who refused to bow to the authority of the Pope and his generals was slain mercilessly. All in the name of Jesus. She is certainly drunk with the blood of saints and those who spoke up for the truth of scripture. It was commonly taught to Catholic peasants that they could not understand the bible so there was no reason to read it. By keeping their people ignorant of scripture it was impossible for them to realize the truth.
Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were 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.
The Roman Empire ruled the known world in Jesus time on the earth. However, since the fourteen hundreds it has all but disappeared. In Rome the remnants of the Roman Empire remain only in the establishment of the Vatican. When the Germanic hordes invaded Italy they were intrigued by the organization of the Vatican and allowed her to remain intact while they took the rest of the empire. Almost a thousand years later they took what was left of this once powerful empire in Turkey and thru-out the Mediterranean. The Roman Empire dissolved into the mist of time.
For those who can see it, the beast that ascends from the pit once obeyed Rome. It is the last seed of that great empire hidden far beneath the crust in the bottomless pit. However, the beast hates the whore and will destroy her in one hour.
Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
In and around Rome there are seven hills that are famous in that part of the world.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
I have already explained these kings and given my evidence as to who the eighth king is. He is one of the seven and I believe is Herod Antipas himself; rose from the pit. This is one of the hardest things to swallow. Without seeing it one could hardly believe it, however, if it is true all of these scriptures suddenly come together. I don't expect you to believe this part. I do expect you to watch as time reveals the truth of the matter.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Notice that these ten horns only have power for one hour. Why is it then that the beast in Revelation 13 reigns for 42 months? I believe it is because Islam will reign from the time they set up the abomination that causes desolation in Jerusalem until this beast ascends from the pit and after five months of war finally takes control of the ten nations and sets up his own ten kings over them. Islam hates Catholicism. It will only tolerate her while moderate Muslims hold the power in the coming Caliphate. Notice that when speaking of the wicked who sits in the temple, according to Second Thess, that he casts down all that is worshiped and proclaims that he is God. No Jew or Muslim would ever do that. He would be killed by his own people for blasphemy, just as Jesus was. Think about that.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
The Roman Empire will be revived in a sense when the King that comes out of the center of the earth takes control. He once was, but he is not, yet he is, and will ascend from the pit and go into perdition.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
After the beast has destroyed the Vatican in one hour, according to the next chapter, Jesus will destroy the beast at his coming.
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Here is how we know that the waters where Babylon sits are nations. It says so.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
This could not be any clearer than what it says.
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The Vatican rules the hearts of Kings around the globe. If they are not oriental or Muslim they are ruled by the Vatican. Tho many in the past few hundred years have become Protestant, in these last few years they are selling out to the Popes will. Leaders of Christian denominations around the globe are bowing and kissing the Popes ring in the past few years. Not all of the little people, but many along with their leaders. Christianity is about to go under ground. I believe that the bible reveals that Jesus will remove many Christians from the earth in a very short time, but those who are left behind because they refused to repent will be persecuted by the Demonic head of Babylon the Great and her one world religion of many faiths.
There are many false teachings about the removal of Jesus church. I hope to shed some light on what the bible really says about it for you as you read this article. But first, I must explain the other seven individuals that have been so miss-taught. To get a greater understanding of the sins of the Catholic Monarchy you could do a study on the Black Pope. I didn't even know he existed 2 years ago. Search Google for a copy of the oath Jesuits have to make. It will curl your hair. Search up Slavi, Illuminati defector. Then you will believe the bible and know why God will destroy her in one hour. If you are a Catholic, that's ok. But God says come out of her my children, less you partake of her sin.
2. The beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns on its heads (Revelation 12)
So what is this beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns on it's heads? This is found in Revelation 12.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
This is depicted as a great red dragon. Job 38 reveals the dragon as father of all of the children of pride. So this entity is full of pride. Satan is called the dragon so then this entity is possessed by Satan. Jesus called Peter Satan when he said he would not abandon Jesus. Jesus said Peter was the enemy of all righteousness. We are told that Jesus is our righteousness and that Jesus is the word of God and the spirit of prophecy. We are also told that the revelation is God's righteousness. Jesus said Satan was the enemy of all righteousness. So is it safe to say that Satan is in total control of this entity that has 7 heads and 7 crowns. I would say so.
This entity is not the beast that reigns for 42 months at the end of this age. If you look at the next chapter the beast has 7 heads, ten horns and ten crowns on the horns. So they are different entities that work together during the last 42 months. When we read of Babylon the great we learned that this was the Catholic Monarchy. Before we are thru you will see that the beast with the 10 horns is a confederacy of Muslim nations in the Middle East. This will be clearer as you see these two entities and how they reign together in the final years. The Beast (Islam) hates the whore (Catholicism) and will destroy her in one hour with fire.
But what are the seven heads on this dragon representing? Well they represent the whoredom that Babylon is guilty of. I believe these are 7 main-line religions in the earth today that have joined forces with the Pope to become the New One World Religion. Not only are many of the leaders of denominations gathering around the pope and kissing his ring in adoration, but so are the moderate leaders of many world religions. Not all but many. Just as not all Christians will bow to the Pope and his insolence. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam leaders are all coming together in prayer to their gods each, as fear takes hold of the leaders of this age because of the news of coming apocalyptic events. These do not stand for the righteousness of the God of the bible, but stand for humankind as one. They give no regard to Jesus atoning blood and the righteousness of his word but join in unison to pray against his anointing. Blind leaders of the blind, they no nothing of what God is doing to save mankind and the earth itself. It is their own corporate will that they worship.
If you don't believe this keep reading. Perhaps it will come together for you before we are finished.
This dragon hates the true Christians because true Christians will not join their corporate will. The mother and the child of Revelation 12 are the true Christians. This is evident from verse 12 of Revelation 12.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
No-one has the testimony of Jesus but the true Christians, persecuted for standing against the world in the last day, preaching Christ and him crucified with the hope of snatching some poor soul from the grips of hell's eternal flame.
Does this sound like some movie set? Well it is exactly what the bible discribes for the final 42 months before Christ returns.
3. The beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns on its horns (Revelation 13)
Now let's look at the beast from Revelation 13. Notice first, as I said before the there are 10 crowns on the horns, unlike the 7 crowns on the heads of the former dragon. This reveals how they, (the dragon apostate church) and the beast (Islam) will reign as one, yet they are two, and in fact hate one another.
So why do I say the beast is Islam? What scripture do I have to back this up?
Remember that this comes from the bible written about 2500 years ago. Though it has been translated many times scholars all agree that today's translations all parallel the original scriptures with uncanny accuracy. Yes there is some difference, but for the most part it is accurate.
Rev 13:2 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.
Take note that the dragon from Revelation 12 gives the beast it's power, seat and authority.
Now let's look at Daniel 7 and compare:
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
You see the highlighted red words in Revelation 13 and how they parallel Daniel. The fourth beast in Daniel is the beast in revelation 13. It bears the likeness of all of the former three beasts put together.
Notice the following verse and how the former beasts were allowed to continue.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
This is because the confederacy will be broken but the people with their religions will continue. If you look at Revelation 20 you will find that they have one more job to do before they are destroyed completely by fire coming down from God. But that is a later topic.
So who were the lion, bear, and the leopard that came in the past? To answer this we look at the history of the Middle East following Daniels dream, and the answer will become plain. All prophecy points to Israel and the surrounding Middle East.
The lion was Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian kingdom. God humbled him and he received the heart of a man.
Following Nebuchadnezzar was the Medes and the Persians depicted by the bear.
The third was Alexander the Great with his four generals. After his death these four fought one another and the kingdom was divided amongst them.
The fourth beast has often been taught to be the Roman Empire, however, the Roman Empire has never fulfilled all of the scriptures attributed to the fourth beast and at it's demise the Kingdom of God was not ushered in. Hence it is my belief that this fourth and final beast has not yet risen to power. Just as the final week of Daniel 9 has never been fulfilled so has this scripture never been fulfilled. These two run parallel in their fulfillment as the one makes the covenant and the other later brakes the covenant. Therefore both of these scriptures apply to taday's age.
As we look at the little horn this should become more apparent.
4. The second beast with two horns who looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon (Revelation 13)
This second beast of Revelation 13:11 is taught to be the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11 by many, however, the only thing these two have in common is that they are both two. Nothing else in their description matches. Let us look at what the word says about this second beast:
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
First let us look at the fact that this second beast has 2 horns. The first beast has 10 horns and in Daniel 7 we are told point blank that these horns are 10 kings. Does it not make sense that seeing as horns are kings in the first beast that the horns in the second beast would also represent kings? This seems to be totally obvious. I really don't understand why people argue about this. It boggles the mind. It is as if you are talking to unblelievers whan they profess to be Christians and even pastors and yet argue over the interpretation of the word if it comes against their faith. Are we not told to cast down every high thought that rises up against the knowledge of God and to bring into captivity every thought into Christ?
So, anyway, this second beast, which is two nations, lends all of it's power to the first beast. Do the two witnesses lend their God given power to the first beast? That would be ridiculous. These two horns look like a lamb but have the voice of a dragon. Do the two witnesses have the voice of Satan, the dragon? I won't even answer that. Think on this.
Conclusion: the two horns are two powerful nations that lend all of their power to the 10 nations. When one of the kings in the 10 nations gets killed but is brought back to life somehow, this second beast makes a robotic image of the king and puts modern technology in it to cause it to speak like a man. Then he causes all people to worship it. That is hardly the job of the two witnesses.
These teachers may preach the blood but they are not preaching his righteousness which is the Revelation. They are preaching their own righteousness and their own understanding. Run from them for their blindness is contagious. They preach the fear of God but have no fear of God themselves. They attempt to snare those who refuse to study what God's word says for themselves. Fear God and seek the truth. We will all be judged on every word we speak.
I "am" so sure that the first beast is Islam and in the Middle East now. They will come into unity very soon. This second beast has to be the US with one ally. The USA has recently come under the power of Islam. Few understand this, but it can be proven. Who their Ally will be is yet to be seen, but it appears to be the UK, so far.
I will address the mark of the beast later.
5. The Little Horn (Daniel 7-8 )
Many have taught that this 'little horn' is the same as the prince who makes the 7 year covenant in Daniel 9, the king of the north of Daniel 11, the Anti-Christ of the books of John, the beast who ascends from the pit, and the wicked who sits in the temple at the end of time in 2nd Thessalonians 2:4. However, I intend to reveal that scripture declares otherwise.
Many have also declared that the little horn is the President of the USA, the Prince of Wales, or the head of the European Union. I intend to quickly prove from Daniel that he is none of the above. I fail to understand how any of these bible scholars get their credentials other than the fact that their credentials are man given by others who refuse to study the scriptures.
First let us prove the last statement. Look with me at Daniel 8:
Dan 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river 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.
Dan 8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
Dan 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an 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.
Dan 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
Dan 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
Dan 8:8 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.
Dan 8:9 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.
Dan 8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
Dan 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.
Now here we have a ram coming from the east with two horns (two kings). This is revealed to be the Medes and the Persians in verse 20 of the same chapter. Following this we have a he goat coming against the ram from the west. This is revealed to be Greece in verse 21 and history reveals was Alexander the Great just as in chapter 7 of Daniel. The four notable ones again are the four generals that fought amongst themselves until they finally had split the kingdom into four regions.
Verse 9 is the clincher here: out of one of them came forth a little horn. It is scripture. It is in context of the final little horn. It says he comes out of one of the four notable ones. Now the question arises, "Where did these four generals rule?", because out of one of those four areas is where the little horn will come from according to what is written.
First there was Ptolemy. (Click here to read a history and map of Ptolemy's empire) He settled and ruled Egypt.
Second there was Seleucus. (Click here to read a history and map of Seleucus empire) He ruled Palestine and eastward as far as India. He had by far the greatest area to rule.
Third there was Cassander. (Click here to read a history and map of Cassander's empire)
The fourth and final was Lysimachus. (Click here to read a history and map of Lysimachus empire)
For a picture of the land where the little horn "MUST" come from click here.
If you understand that the word is truth and we are to cast down all ideas that are contrary to the word, if we want to know the truth, then you must admit that the one they call the little horn comes from the Middle East. It is impossible that he come from anywhere else.
6. The prince of the people who destroyed the temple (Daniel 9:26,27)
This scripture reads as follows:
Dan 9:26 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.
Dan 9:27 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.
On a side-note it is very interesting that Jesus was crucified exactly threescore and two weeks from the date that Daniel received this prophecy. Understand that each week in this scripture represents 7 years (each day is a year) Since Jesus was crucified this prophecy has been frozen. The last almost 2000 years is called the church age. During this time God has been building His church. In the book Armageddon Appointment with Destiny, written by Grant Jeffery, he gives the math to show this as well as math and scripture to show that Israel became a nation exactly on the day prophesied in the bible. If any Jew ever reads that book, I am sure he will realize that Jesus is his Messiah and will turn himself over to him.
However, our quest is to understand who the prince is that will make this covenant. He comes from the people who destroyed the city and the sanctuary. In 70 A.D. the Roman soldiers went into Jerusalem and destroyed it. Much of the inner sanctuary was overlaid in gold. They burned the temple and tore down every stone leaving no stone unturned as they sought to take the gold that ran down between the stones. This happened just as Jesus said it would.
Below is copied from http://goodnewspirit.com/herodstemple.htm I found it to be a very good explanation, though I have edited it somewhat:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Destruction of Herod's Temple in 70 A.D.
As Foreseen by the Prophet Ezekiel "...I knew you to be obstinate...
And so I revealed things beforehand,
before they happened I announced them to you,
so that you could not say, 'My idol was the one that performed them"
Is.48:3-5
In 70 A.D., just 40 years after Jesus was crucified, the Roman army burned down Herod's Temple in Jerusalem. It was a stunning loss. It happened on the 10th day of Loos in the Hebrew calendar (August 29th in 70 A.D.), the exact same day the Babylonians had burned down Solomon's temple 657 years earlier. Like bookends, the identical dates spoke loudly of divine correlation. The Bible's ancient prophecies agreed.
The destruction of Herod's temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by Titus and Vespasian was foretold in astonishing detail by passages in the Book of Ezekiel. Seemingly written to bear witness to the destruction of Solomon's temple by the Babylonians, the wording of Ezekiel's predictions pointed, instead, to a similar catastrophe farther in the future. The correlating dates for both events coupled with Ezekiel's almost verbatim account of the loss of the second temple tie both destructions to the same prophecy the dispersion to Babylon forseen by Moses.
Ezekiel wrote:
Eze 21:18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
Eze 21:19 Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.
(There are spiritual meanings in scripture. In the New Testament we are told that Jerusalem is symbolic of the church or the true religion. In the same way we understand that Egypt is symbolic of life in the world before one accepts Christ Jesus. The description of Babylon the Great in Revelation reveals that Babylon is symbolic of Rome)
Interpreting the prophecy, the 'sword' indicates the warfare against Judea, and the 'two roads' point to two separate campaigns both originating from the same country. This 'same country' is Babylon but history proves the second Babylon is Rome and helps prove Revelation's Babylon is the Roman Monarchy. What the prophecy foresaw was that the king of Babylon (Vespasian, the emperor of Rome, and his son Titus) would one day launch a military campaign against Judea.
This was fulfilled when the Roman general, Vespasian, started the military campaign against Judea in 66 A.D., invading and capturing Galilee and then proceeding south, town by town to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Before Jerusalem fell he was called back to Rome to become the new Caesar and was replaced by his son, Titus, who completed the seige and later became the emperor of Rome as well. Father and son both became Caesars, "kings of spiritual Babylon".
Ezekiel's prophecy continues:
Eze 21:20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
The 'way', of course, is the prophecy itself. Written 600 years before the event, it made an appointment for the prophecy.
Eze 21:21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
After conquering Galilee and the northern provinces, Vespasian halted outside Jerusalem. He set up his camp atop the Mount of Olives, where he could look down on the walled city and ponder the best approach to breach the wall. While he was doing this, Nero suddenly died, and Vespasian was called back to Rome to become emperor in Nero's place. Hence the "stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways"
This is the point where the two roads diverged, because it was here that Vespasian went a different way and his son, Titus, assumed command of the Roman forces in place of his father. "Into his right hand the lot for Jerusalem falls..." In the prophecies of scripture, one's 'right hand' always refers to His son. Therefore, Vespasian's 'right hand' must be interpreted as his own son, Titus.
Eze 21:22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.
Entering the walled city of Jerusalem was a major task. The Roman historian, Tacitus, writing in his 'Histories' in 109 A.D. said:
"...Jerusalem, standing upon an eminence, naturally difficult to approach, was rendered still more impregnable by redoubts and bulwarks by which even places on a level plain would have been competently fortified. Two hills that rose to a prodigious height were enclosed by walls constructed so as in some places to project in angles and in others to curve inwards. Consequently, the flanks of the Romans were exposed to the Jewish weapons. The extremities of the rock were abrupt and craggy; and the towers were built, upon the mountain, sixty feet high and in the low ground, one hundred and twenty feet high. These works presented a spectacle altogether astonishing. To the distant eye they seemed to be of equal elevation. Within the city there were other fortifications enclosing the palace of the kings, including the tower of Antonia, with its conspicuous pinnacles...The temple itself was in the nature of a citadel, enclosed in walls of its own, and more elaborate and massy than the rest. Even the porticoes that surrounded it were a capital defense. A perennial spring supplied the place with water. Subterranean caverns were scooped out in the mountains, and there were basins and tanks as reservoirs for rain-water."
This is why Vespasian had to camp outside the city even though he had an invincible Roman army with him. Taking this city required all the equipment that the prophecy envisioned.
The Jewish historian Josephus, who was personally present during the Roman siege of Jerusalem described the event in great detail. The Romans built entrenchments against the arrows and missiles of the Jewish defenders, and they constructed a gigantic earthwork leading up to the top of the walls so that a large number of Roman soldiers could pour into the city right over the top of the wall. Jerusalem's walls were so high that this massive earthwork had to reach to the height of a ten story building.
The Romans also used immense battering rams against the gates. All this took a good deal of time, a commodity of which the Romans had ample supply. In fact, they could have simply waited outside until the defenders starved to death, but Tacitus wrote that Titus and his Roman army were too proud to secure the victory this way. Therefore they engaged in all the activities the prophecy predicted. Not only that, but Tacitus revealed in his writings that these very prophecies were widely known at the time and were believed by the Jews to be omens for their survival and victory, not for their defeat.
Tacitus wrote:
"The majority of the Jews were deeply convinced that it was contained in the ancient writings of the priests, that, at this very time, the east would renew its strength, and those who would go out from Judea would go forth from this small country to rule the whole world. Mysterious words, which foreshadowed Vespasian and Titus; but the Jews, according to the usual course of human fondness, interpreted this consummation of destiny as referring to themselves, and were not induced to abandon their error even by affliction."
History had proved that the rest of Ezekiel's prediction was also accurate. Ezekiel had prophesied:
Eze 21:23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
Eze 21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
Eze 21:25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
Eze 21:26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
Eze 21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
Notice that he said overturn three times. This points to three times that Jerusalem will fall from the hands of Israel. The first was when Solomon's temple was destroyed. The second was here where Titus destroyed the temple. The third time is when the abomination is set up in the Temple of God according to what Jesus foretold, in Matthew 25:15 and Luke 21:20, would come according to Daniel the Prophet. Luke tells us, "hen you see the armies camped about Jerusalem, then flee to the mountains..." However, that is another topic.
When Titus conquered Jerusalem, in 70A.D., he tore down the temple, and the other structures, stone by stone until no evidence of any buildings remained. This was to get at the gold that ran down between the stones. His demolition of the city left Jerusalem in complete ruin, and initiated the exile the binding of the Jewish population into a slavery to 'Babylon' that would last almost 2000 years. It was truly ruin on ruin. The crown of the prince of Israel was removed and will be held for Christ when he returns.
The Jews had seen all the prophecies and correctly interpreted that they were living in the days of their fulfillment, but they had completely misinterpreted the divine application of these visions.
The Jews were able to escape from the Babylon of Ezekiel's time rather quickly, but they were never able to escape from the captivity of Rome. The Jews returned to Jerusalem just 70 years after the loss of Solomon's temple and their captivity at the banks of the Euphrates, but they had to wait almost two thousand years to recover their city after the Roman campaigns.
And despite their return just 60 some years ago, they still do not control of the Rock of Abraham, the site of Solomon and Herod's temples, which is the central focus of the Jewish religion. This shows that the exile continues, even now. We can see in this that Ezekiel's words were not meant to relate a historical record, and were not for the events of Ezekiel's own time. As Peter said, in 2nd Peter, the Holy Spirit meant the words of the prophets for us and for our time. We must view Daniel's prophecies of the last days in exactly the same way. While Daniel's words are built on the pattern of Antiochus and Alexander, they actually have very little to do with those two men or with the times in which they lived. They are about the future. They are about now.
We can look at the Bible's ancient prophecies today, long after all the events have been laid to rest, and recognize the accuracy of the Holy Spirit's words. We can, at the same time, see how completely wrong all of the contemporary 'experts' had been, trying to analyze them. It is not surprsing that we can see this same pattern repeating itself in our own time with respect to the words of Daniel and John.
It is on this point that many bible scholars disagree. Scholars cannot prove that Daniel's words are about the future, but they can easily superimpose his words on the historical events surrounding his time and see that there is a close similarity. For this reason, many biblical scholars tend to deal with Daniel (and all the other prophets for that matter) mostly on the basis of the past. They preferentially see the prophets less as visionaries of the future, and more as accuracy-challenged historians. This is why they are so concerned about what the prophets were thinking when they wrote down their words.
Ezekiel and his fellow prophets did not even know what their prophecies were about because it was the Holy Spirit who authored their revelations. (1 Peter 1:10-12). Instead of recording historical realities, they and their disciples were divinely chosen people that allowed themselves to become the instruments of God's Spirit by recording what God instructed them to see and write. Since the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the words that they wrote down, and not through the intent of their thinking, there can be no imperfection in their writings. We can interprit scrpture in error, but the word will prove us right or wrong in the end.
It is written in scripture that "no prophecy ever came from man's own initiative. When men spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them."
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where-unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 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.
Therefore, although seen to be imprecise now by the scholars, the accuracy of their words, just as they were with Ezekiel's visions of Vespasian and Titus, will ultimately be proved when the events that they were truly writing about actually occur.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This all proves that the "prince" that makes the covenant for 7 years, in Daniel 9:26,27, is a commander from Roman Empire. Therefore, he is not the "little horn of Daniel 7 and 8" who comes out of one of the nations once ruled by the four generals of Alexander the Great. These are two different people entirely. The only thing these two have in common is that one, the prince from Rome, confirms the covenant, while the other, the little horn of Islam, stops the sacrifice and oblation that will begin shortly, and he sets up the abomination that causes desolation. This little horn then goes on to rule a league of 10 horns (nations) for 42 months.
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
So then who is this prince who shall come? Well let's look in Revelation 17 for a second. He could be mentioned there.
Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition
Notice this does not mention the 10 horns of Revelation 12 or 13, but only the seven heads. Remember, these are two entities working together for a time. The horns are ten Islamic states in the Middle East, while the seven heads, I am sure, are seven world religions working in compromise with one another and with the beast. However, it says they are also 7 kings, so this has a double meaning.
Consider these seven kings. John received the Revelation in about 87 A.D. At that time the Angel of the Lord said five had fallen and one is. He then said that one was yet to come. And then that the eighth is of the seven. Many translations say the eighth is "one of the seven".
I think, not know, that the prince who will come and make the covenant, in Daniel 9:27, and the 7th one who is yet to come, in Revelation 17, are the same person. They are both to come in the future and are both related to end time prophecy. This is where is requires wisdom. Earlier in this site I explained how Herod Antipas could be the eighth who is one of these seven kings. I don't say he is, for this is hard. However, if he is, then the prince who makes the covenant, in Daniel 9:27, is some how related to the Herod family.
WEW!! This is getting deep. Keep this in mind as I attempt to reveal that the actual covenant was made in 2007 on January 1st. I know, the middle of that seven years would have been June 2010. But humor me. I think I can give evidence to support this.
I know I have stepped on many toes up until now, so you won't be surprised if I step on a few more, I am sure. There are literally thousands of interpretations out there. It is our calling, if we love Christ, to seek the true doctrine concerning all things as we grow in knowledge. Religious pride will bind us to a specific doctrine (or in many cases blind us to prophecy altogether) and not allow us to prove it right or wrong. It is to the religious that Jesus meant the parable about the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Many who come to know Jesus in these days will be caught up as the child in Revelation 12, while many who are full of their religious pride, though they love the Lord, will have to suffer the last 3 1/2 years of this time to humble them and make them Christ like. It has to be this way. Jesus will take those who are true to prove those who are in error as in error to themselves and their followers. If you can receive that you are truly wise and humble. Many will close this website at this point. But that is OK. This word is only for those who will hear.
When one comes to know Christ Jesus they are made pure. However, over time we all stumble and many fall. But the love affair with Christ is strongest and we are the humblest during our first months and years with him. This is why he said the last shall be first. Because, tho they are new to the Lord, they are pure as they are just born again of his Spirit and have not yet been contaminated by religion. Their search and love for truth has just begun. They know they have been in error all of their lives and are desiring to be filled with the oil of the Spirit without pride. On the other hand, there are few who have been with the lord more than 3 to 5 years who have remained teachable by him. Most have found mentors who they admire and follow with their whole heart, even as they are slowly led into error, built on error.
The conclusion of this walk is to remain humble to the lord and always be willing to be proved by the word, if we are wrong. Do not be so proud as to think the devil cannot talk to you or teach you, if you will. He tried to lead Jesus, he will try to lead you. Or are you greater than Jesus? Meditate on these words and remain humble. If you have "absolute proof" that my words are error, then don't walk away but run. However, I can find no absolute proof of my error at this point, and therefore I believe I am close to truth. I find my reasoning stronger than my opponents to this day and therefore my reasons convince me I am right, tho I admit I could be wrong. Is there something I have missed in reasoning? I cannot know if I have missed it, but I always pray Lord reveal to me my error that I may serve you.
This being said, who then is the prince who makes the covenant?
If there were 5 Herods before the Revelation was given to Jesus and if only one Herod reigned when the Revelation was given; and If the earth is hollow and if the inner world is not effected by aging in the same way as the outer world, then it stands to reason that, if there is no true record that Herod Antipas actually died, other than the proof of time itself, and if he went inside the earth to the inner world, THEN he is the eighth king, who is one of the seven kings of Revelation 17:9-11 who was, is not and yet is and will ascend from the bottomless pit and go into perdition.
That is a lot of ifs, however, they will all be true if the earth is hollow, and so this whole understanding hinges on whether or not the earth is hollow. I am sure, by the reasons shown in the segment of this website that dealt with the hollow earth, that it is indeed hollow and therefore this is sound truth that can be relied on. I am afraid you will have to be the judge of that for now, but ultimately God will be the judge thru time and that time is closing fast. Perhaps within 5 years as I will show soon.
Again, if this is true, then the prince of the covenant, therefore, should be related to Herod the Great.
Now, as I have said, we have a 7 year covenant now. It is the European Neighborhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI). I know that the majority of the church believe that the 7 year covenant is a 7 year peace treaty. However, I challenge anyone to show where it says so in the bible. The teaching hinges on one verse taken completely out of context, and two other teachings that are also not in the bible. The verse taken out of context is:
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
They say that the peace and safety here is speaking of the peace treaty. It doesn't say so and when the Jews are removed from Judea there will be peace. All the world will cry, "Finally peace and safety is Israel." and, according to Mathew 24:15 there will be sudden destruction immediately after the tribulation of those days.
The two teachings that are not in the bible are the 7 year tribulation and the pre-tribulation rapture (which is built on the 7 year tribulation period lie).
So to reveal who the prince is, we must first tear down the idols of a 7 year great tribulation which in turn will allow us to tear down a pre- 7 year pre-tribulation rapture and a 7 year peace treaty will topple next.
A 7 year great tribulation is based on Matthew 24:15-31:
Mat 24:15 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:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Ok, so verse 21 tells us there will be great tribulation, so we know that there actually is a period of time when there will be great tribulation. However, the popular teaching says that it is a period of 7 years. In these verses we are told when it will be. From verse 15 we see that it begins after we see the abomination that Daniel spoke of, in the midst of the 7 years, not at the beginning of the 7 year covenant. We know from Daniel 9:27 that this happens sometime during the 7 year covenant. Not in the exact middle of the 7 years, as most teach, but sometimes in the MIDST of the 7 years. It could be near the beginning, half way thru or near the end of the seven years. From Daniel 9:27 we cannot tell exactly where in the seven years it will land. This will become important as we study the timeline of the last few years before Christ's return.
However, Daniel 8:11-14 tell us exactly when it will land, if we take it in context:
Dan 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
So we know that from the time the covenant is made til the abomination is set up there will be two thousand and three hundred days.
And how long is this great tribulation?
We will look in the parallel scripture from Luke 21:20-27
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter there-into.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
So it begins when you see armies surrounding Jerusalem. It ends when all of the Israelis are taken out of Judea. This may take 6 months, 10 months or a year. It is unlikely that it will take much longer than this though. From Matthew 24:29 we see that immediately after the Israelis are taken away their will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. This flows perfectly with all other scripture as where the asteroid will come in, described in Rev 8:7-12.
So from all of his we know that the prince of the people who destroyed the temple comes from Rome and makes a 7 year covenant. On January 1st 2007 Jovier Solana, the high representative of the European Union, took a drive to the office and signed a covenant that promises Israel, and many other Middle East nations, the financial aid needed to bring them into prosperity both agriculturally and financially. It is not a peace treaty, but a covenant. It was not made on January 1st 2007, but it was confirmed on this date. The agreements were made with each nation at different times and different years, but they all commenced on the day Solana signed to confirm or set his seal to the agreements before made.
This covenant is in exact agreement with the word concerning the covenant of Daniel 9:27. Is it the covenant? Time alone will tell. From Daniel 8:14 we know that it will be broken on April 18th, 2013, if it is the true covenant of scripture, and this will begin the reign of the beast of Revelation13 and Daniel 7&8.
So, is Solana related to Herod the Great in some way? This I haven't proved yet. I would appreciate any help I can get in this area.
7. The King of the North (Daniel 11:29)
The King of the North is found in chapter 1 of Daniel. Most or all of the prophecies concerning this king have already been fulfilled in past history. In verse 8 the bible tells us that the King of the South is Egypt. When we look into the history of Egypt we find that they have had a long standing feud with Syria. During the history of this feud virtually all of the events in chapter 8 have unfolded as it is written. From verse 20 forward were all finished by Herod the Great, from what I have read. This is not a prophecy concerning the little horn. It has nothing to do with the little horn. It is possible that the vile person that rises out of Syria is repeated in our time. If so, we should see someone rise to power within the next year and in early 2013 he will try to attack Egypt via the Mediterranean Sea. Watch and pray over this for understanding.
However, let us first look at the historical fulfillment of the preceding scriptures.
After studying the following teaching I find it more than likely a true interpretation of Daniel 11. I therefore have copied it in whole to this page. Credit goes to:
Back to Compilation List - BiblePlus Home Page
THE KINGS OF THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH A COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 11 WITH ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 10 & 12 By Ed R. Meelhuysen
(Originally published March 15, 1992, updated 2003)
Edited by Harry Thomas Frank
Copyrighted © Hammonds Incorporated.
INTRODUCTION The Kings of the North and the South referred to in Daniel chapter 11 and its associated chapters of Daniel 10 and 12 have proved an enigma to many. Who or what countries do the terms refer to? Is there a quantum leap forward to the end of the world as seems to be indicated somewhere in these chapters? If so, then at what verse does that take place? If one of the kings is the Anti-Christ, could Saddam Hussein or any of the past dictators of the 20th century have fulfilled the requirements? If not, then what would be required of a future King of the North in order to fulfill these prophecies?
In this fascinating study, we will be taking an in-depth look at Daniel, chapters 10 through 12. We will look at a number of the more commonly used arguments for explaining the prophecy, examine their benefits and shortcomings, and in the end come away with a much greater appreciation for God and His omniscience. For truly "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. " (Dan. 2:21)
In attempting to learn about the kings of the North and the South for my own study, I picked up a number of books that offered interpretations of the passages. Although the beginning of Daniel 11 seemed to have a common interpretation, as the middle and end of the chapter approached, all of a sudden, the interpretations left their logical progression and spontaneous conclusions were arrived at rather abruptly. This procedure reminded me of when I was taking higher math classes in college. On several occasions, the teacher would describe a math problem, turn around to the black board, and scribble something while shielding the board from our eyes with his body. He would then turn around, and "Voila!" show us the answer! As students, we called it "hand-waving." Wave your hands here and there, and Presto! A Conclusive Result!
Having an engineer's analytical background and disposition, I needed a more logical approach to solving the enigmas of the kings of the North and the South. I felt that this "hand-waving approach" is not quite appropriate for God's children. "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD." (Isaiah 1:18). Therefore as I compiled the thousands of texts on various topics contained on this website and its predecessor publication Sola Scriptura and through my study of God's Word, I observed the following:
Premises 1) The words "the end" or "the end of time" do not necessarily refer to the literal end of the world. Although they can refer to the end of the world, they more generally refer to the end of whatever the writer or angel has been talking about. This may include a certain kingdom or series of events. One must examine the context to determine what the phrase "the end" or "an end" applies to.
For example: The angel giving the vision to Daniel says to Daniel at the end of the book, "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." (Daniel 12:13). It should be apparent to the reader that the end as it is used in the first part of the verse refers to Daniel's end or his death. The second "the end of the days" refers to the resurrection. More on that later.
Another example: "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." (Dan. 11:35). Later as we study this verse in its context, we find that the time of the end as used in the text does not refer to the end of the world, even though we may learn a great lesson from it. In other words, it's primary application is for another time. However, the principles involved are applicable to all time and especially at the end of the world.
2) The argument of obscurity to downplay certain kings which some interpreters use, is not appropriate. Just because something or someone is little known to the 21st century population does not mean that it wasn't important to the people back then being affected by the fulfillment of that prophecy.
3) A smooth transitional interpretation is preferable to a discontinuous large leap forward or backward. If evidence can be found to support a smooth transition, then if supported by following fulfillments, use it. I don't believe that God hop-scotches forwards and backwards in time in prophecy. One only finds leaps forward in time.
4) If a tiny bit of historical information is missing, but the events after that missing piece took place as prophesied, then let's allow ourselves the option of skipping finding an exact fulfillment of that part of a prophecy, especially if it is not very significant to our time. One can more appropriately blame past historians for lack of accurate recording or the destruction of recorded history, rather than placing all the events after that missing link into the future. For example, the great library in Alexandria, Egypt was destroyed as were many other ancient libraries, causing an enormous loss of knowledge of recorded history.
Let me try to explain this using an story: Let's say I participated in a bike rally in which I was to ride past about ten guide points. Between two of the guide points, I was to do a zigzag between several city streets and pass by a certain deli store. Suppose due to some mistake, even though I passed all the guide points and ended the course successfully, I realized that I had zigzagged one block too soon and subsequently missed the deli store. At the conclusion of the route, I could have stated, "since I missed the deli, all the guide points must still be ahead of me." But doing so would ignore the fact that all the other guide points had been visited.
5) Assume first that the prophecy is literal rather than symbolic. There are two types of bible prophecy, primarily literal and primarily symbolic. There are guidelines for differentiating between the two. If the prophecy is symbolic, then the Bible should be able to provide an interpretation of that symbol.
For example, there is no Biblical interpretation of ships in prophecy. Therefore, a ship, is a ship, is a ship. However, a star may mean a star or an angel, or in the case of a falling star, a fallen angel or an asteroid.
Conventions Used In the following paragraphs, the italic portions are my commentaries and additions such as quotes or excerpts from the references listed at the end. The non-italic plain face portions are Daniel's observations and narration. The non-italic Boldface are the words of a holy one such as an angel speaking.
Verse numbers are left in place, even though it may affect readability.
All dates are B.C. unless otherwise noted by the letters A.D.
With these premises and conventions in mind, let's begin our look at Daniel 10 to 12.
Daniel 10 to 12 Dan. 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. 2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. 6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. 7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. 10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." 15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." 18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength." 20 So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. (The thought continues in the next sentence. The chapter breaks were added later.)
Dan. 11:1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede (not Darius I, but rather the Darius of Lion's Den fame), I took my stand to support and protect him.) 2 "Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will appear in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
'After the death of King Cyrus, who was reigning at the time of the vision, the next three kings of Persia were Cambyses (530-522 B.C.), a usurper called the False Smerdis or Bardiya (522) and Darius I (522-486 B.C.). The fourth king was Xerxes (486-465 B.C.), known in the Bible as Ahasuerus and the husband of Queen Esther. He spent four full years stockpiling supplies and assembling manpower for a military expedition against Greece, just as the angel had predicted. He truly stirred up "all." His army teemed with contingents from forty nations . . . Together they marched, perhaps 300,000 of them, mostly on foot, all the way from their homelands to the battles of Salamis (480) and Plataea (479) in Greece--and to complete defeat.'
v 3 Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.
This king was Alexander the Great who conquered most of the civilized world by 331 B.C.
v 4 After he has appeared, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
Realizing he was dying after a drunken debauchery (others suggest dying from swamp fever or malaria), Alexander parceled out his kingdom to four of his generals, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus I "Nicator" and Ptolemy I "Soter". An examination of the map of that time as well as the following verses indicates that the Seleucid kingdom based around Syria became the King of the North, and that the Ptolemaic kingdom encompassing part of Egypt became the King of the South. These two kingdoms were constantly striving to conquer the other. Since Israel was located in the middle of the two, its territory was continually exposed to the military campaigns of the two kingdoms, Israel's land and people being at times subservient to one kingdom, then the other.
v 5 "The king of the South (Ptolemy I Soter) will become strong, but one of his commanders (Seleucus I Nicator) will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power.
'Egypt was immensely wealthy and rather easy to protect (from the start). The "prince" who became "stronger than he" was Seleucus I Nicator, the general who originally won the eastern part of Alexander's empire. Seleucus was driven out of the east by yet another one of Alexander's generals and fled to Egypt for safety. Ptolemy gave him special status and helped him outfit a new army. Quickly successful in driving his rival out of the east, Seleucus followed through by pushing Lysimachus out of Syria and Asia Minor, thus making himself "King of the North" and the master of most of Alexander's former empire. He would have liked to control Judea too, taking it away from Egypt; but Ptolemy reminded Seleucus that without his help in the first place, he would never have staged his comeback.'
v 6 After some years, they (King Ptolemy II Philadelphus and King Antiochus II Theos of Syria) will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South (Berenice) will go to the king of the North (Antiochus Theos) to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be handed over, together with her royal escort and her father (other translations use or include "child") and the one who supported her.
"Around 250 B.C., King Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt (285-246 B.C.) and King Antiochus II Theos (261-246 B.C.) of Syria attempted to guarantee peace between their countries by having King Antiochus marry King Ptolemy's daughter, Berenice. Antiochus already had a wife, called Laodice. It was part of the deal that he divorce her. So the divorce was arranged, the new marriage was celebrated, and in due course a baby boy arrived who could someday be the next king. Unfortunately, Antiochus soon found that he didn't like Berenice very well. He kept making comparisons between her and his first wife. And when Berenice's father, the king of Egypt, died, Antiochus divorced her and took Laodice back again. But Laodice had become bitter. She was afraid, too, of what her husband might do next. So using her royal powers in a manner all too common in those days, she had Antiochus, Berenice, and Berenice's attendants and Bernice's little son all murdered.'
v 7"One from her family line will arise to take her place (Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246-221 B.C.). He will attack the forces of the king of the North (Antiochus II Theos, 261-246 B.C.) and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.
8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 'By his divorce and remarriage, Antiochus lost far more than he could have hoped to gain. For the next king of Egypt, Ptolemy III (246-221), a brother of Berenice's, determined to avenge Berenice's death by invading Syria. He took his army all the way to Babylon and beyond before voluntarily pulling back! His navy occupied Seleucia, the port that served Antioch, the capital of Syria, and for some time Egyptian shipping dominated the eastern Mediterranean.'
v 9 Then the king of the North (a new king, Seleucus II) will invade the realm of the king of the South, but will retreat to his own country.
'In the year 242, Seleucus II Callinicus (246-225) attempted to avenge himself for Egypt's deep penetration of his ancestral lands, but his army was vanquished and his navy blown away. He returned to Antioch badly bloodied and empty-handed.'
v 10 His sons (the two sons of Seleucus II, namely Seleucus III Ceraunos, who was assassinated after a short reign [225-223] and Antiochus III the Great [223-187]) will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress. 11 "Then the king of the South (Ptolemy IV) will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North (Antiochus III), who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated. 12 When the army (Antiochus') is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant.
'These three verses deal principally with the battle of Raphia, June 22, 217 B.C. . . . in which over 70,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 cavalry were committed on each side. The body count the next day showed that Antiochus III had lost 10,000 killed and 4,000 taken prisoner. Ptolemy's loses were lighter but still significant . . . . Egypt won the battle, for Antiochus lacked discipline . . . Yet Ptolemy failed to follow up on his victory and Antiochus III was eager for a rematch'
v 13 For the king of the North (Antiochus III) will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.
After his defeat, Antiochus III sprung back and reconquered the territory to the east all the way to India and to the west to the Aegean Sea. He then prepared for a second attack on Egypt. At this time, the king of Egypt was Ptolemy V Epiphanes, a boy of six.
Divergent Paths At this point, the interpretations applied to the succeeding passages vary greatly between several different schools of thought. We will investigate the various options and interpretations.
v 14 "In those times many will rise against the king of the South. The violent men among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success.
At this time, many of the Egyptians began rebelling against the ruling Grecian family and began rioting and defying them. Many of the more zealous Jews also began rebelling against the Ptolemaic regime, hoping to establish their own independence.
v 15 Then the king of the North (Antiochus III the Great) will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.
Antiochus III the Great took Palestine, the Beautiful Land, from the Ptolemies at the Battle of Panias in 197 B.C. The Ptolemaic kingdom was never able to reclaim it from the Seleucid kingdom.
v 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back upon him. 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.
Antiochus III the Great took many of the coastline territories bordering on the eastern and northeastern edges of the Mediterranean Sea away from the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
While there may be additional information regarding the intermarriage and commander referred to, I have not found it yet.
v 20 "His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he (the successor) will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
This verse most likely reflects Antiochus III's son (Seleucus IV Philopater, 187-175 B.C.) who sent Heliodorus to Jerusalem to collect the "untold sums of money" from the temple treasury. Heliodorus was prevented from accomplishing his task by the reported personal intervention of God as he sought to enter the temple. See 2 Maccabees 3. However, a plot arose against Seleucus the IV, and he was assassinated (i.e. neither in anger nor in battle).
Alternately (though not likely) this verse could reflect the following incident instigated by Antiochus III the Great's other son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes as reported in 1 Maccabees. "Two year later (after carrying away most of the temple's belongings) the king (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force. Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel. He plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls. And they took captive the women and children, and seized the cattle. Then they fortified the city of David with a great strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel. And they stationed there a sinful people, lawless men. These strengthened their position; they stored up arms and food, and collecting the spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great snare." 1 Maccabees 1:29-35. This interpretation, however, would be out of order.
v 21 "He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will take over the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.
The Living Bible translates this text as: "Next to come to power will be an evil man not directly in line for royal succession. But during a crisis, he will take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue.".
The King James Version translates this as "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom; but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was not directly in line to succeed the assassinated Seleucus IV Philopater, as Philopater's son, Demetrius I should have been the next king. However, upon Philopater's death, Antiochus IV Epiphanes through flatteries ingratiated himself with the Romans and took over the kingdom, even though Demetrius petitioned the Roman senate to let him return from Rome where he was being held as a "hostage" (common in those days). Demetrius I, after Epiphanes' death, escaped from Rome, returned to Antioch and had Antiochus V and Lysias, his guardian, killed.
v 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.
The phrase "prince of the covenant" is a combination of two Hebrew words, beriyth (Strong #1285) and nagid (Strong #5057).
Nagid has been translated as "captain, chief, governor, leader, noble, prince, ruler" and is defined as: a commander, either civil, military or religious with generally an honorable connotation.
Beriyth has been translated as: "covenant or league", for example: a contract made by the passing between two piece of cut flesh (similar to what Abraham did in Gen. 15:9-21)
In this setting, the interpretation that the nagid beriyth is Jesus Christ is a "forced" interpretation based upon usage of those two terms in Daniel 9:24-27. However, it should be noted that the term nagid is used once in Dan. 9:25 to apply to the Messiah and once in 9:26 to apply to the coming ruler which will desolate Jerusalem. Interpreting nagid beriyth as Jesus Christ doesn't fit into the sequence of events of this prophecy.
A more reasonable transliteration would be "contracting ruler" or "a ruler who had made an agreement or contract" or a "ruler of the Jewish people by their covenant with God". This would be consistent with the verses following (see verses 23 and 30).
Many interpreters consider this 'prince of the covenant" to be Onias III, a godly priest who lead the Jewish nation at that time. Others suggest a ruler named Jason (which I am not knowledgeable of).
v 23 After coming to an agreement with him (a leader in Israel), he (Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of the North) will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his nor his forefathers did (note the relationship tie-in to the former kings). He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses --but only for a time. 25 "With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South 26 Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. 28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.
Note the consistency of this diabolic cunning plotting king, not only in his attainment of the kingdom, but his military conquests. He later turns his fury upon the Israelite worship service.
v 29 "At the appointed time he will invade the South (Second invasion in 169 B.C. when Egypt was still governed by Ptolemy VII Philometer) again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands (literally from Chittim or i.e. Roman warships) will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
Antiochus' victory in Egypt was short-lived. When the Romans showed up with their warships, the Roman ambassador C. Popilius Laenas, informed Antiochus that the Roman Senate wanted him to leave. The grim Roman drew a circle around Antiochus with his cane and demanded a decision before he stepped out of it.' GC Vol. 1, p. 159. You can imagine after this humiliating ejection from Egypt that Antiochus was looking to vent his fury.
"After subduing Egypt, Antiochus [IV Epiphanes] returned in the one hundred and forty-third year [169 B.C.]. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the lights, and all its utensils. He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censors, the curtain, the crowns and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off. He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found. Taking them all, he departed to his own land." 1 Maccabees 1:20-24.
v 31"His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. 33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
'And the king [Antiochus IV Epiphanes] sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, to forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifices and drink offering in the sanctuary, to profane Sabbaths and feasts, to defile the sanctuary and the priests, to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, so that they should forget the law and change all the ordinances. "And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die." . . . Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah, and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death. They kept using violence against Israel, against those found month after month in the cities. And on the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice [probably of swine] on the altar which was upon the altar of burnt offering. According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised, and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mother's necks. But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. And very great wrath came upon Israel.' 1 Maccabees 1:41-50, 54-64
How could I write more about this prophecy’s fulfillment than what historical writings record?
v 36 "The king (of the North) will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.
There are two possible interpretations here. 1) The first and most rational continues with Antiochus IV Epiphanes as the chief player. As was common in those days, Antiochus IV considered himself a god, though he took it a bit further than many of his predecessors. Several examples of Antiochus' arrogance are found in the Maccabean books. '
"So Antiochus (IV) carried off eighteen hundred talents from the temple, and hurried away to Antioch, thinking in his arrogance that he could sail on the land and walk on the sea, because his mind was elated." 2 Maccabees 5:21, 22.
In another incident during which Antiochus was torturing a family for refusing to defile themselves, one of the family members responded to the king, ". . . But you, unholy wretch, you most defiled of all men, do not be elated in vain and puffed up by uncertain hopes, when you raise your hand against the children of heaven. You, by the judgment of God, will receive just punishment for your arrogance." 2 Maccabees 7:34.
In a letter to the Hellenistic Jews from Antiochus V, Epiphanes' son, wrote that his father had gone on to the gods." 2 Maccabees 11:23. In the footnote of The Oxford Annotated Apocrypha, pg. 284, it is mentioned that "in his (Antiochus IV) lifetime, he had been worshiped."
Antiochus IV Epiphanes also honored those who followed him with wealth. "Then the king's officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. Then the king's officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: 'You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.' " Mattathias and his sons (including Judas Maccabees) refused and began leading a rebellion against the vile Syrians
2) A second, though less likely interpretation, involves an unstated timing jump to the Roman period, where now the King of the North is the secular Roman Empire which conquered Palestine by coming down from the North. The Roman Empire, though having many idolatrous gods, also considered the Emperor to be a god and he was worshipped as such. In general, nations that were conquered by the Roman armies submitted and joined the empire. One notable exception was the Jewish nation with its fiercely loyal and religious people. Their refusal to be loyal subjects and eventually their refusal to provide offerings and prayers for the emperor resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Those that became subject to the Romans were honored with power and possessions.
v 40 "At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him (the King of the North) in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians (Ethiopians) in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
The Most Likely Interpretation 1) As mentioned at the beginning of this study, the term "at the time of end" does not always mean the literal end of the world. It is a "time leap indicator".
In verse 40 above, the most straightforward approach is to ask, "what does the end refer to?" I believe it refers to the end of what we've been talking about, namely, the end of the Ptolemaic Empire and the Seleucid Empire.
At the time of the end of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic Empires, the King of the North, now the Roman Empire (Julius Caesar and his general Pompey) swept down through Palestine, into Egypt, and into Libya and Ethiopia (Nubia). The Roman galleys (warships) struck terror in the sight of many of the countries and eventually, the Roman Empire controlled all the coastal countries around the Mediterranean Sea. However, the countries of Edom, Moab and Ammon, fell just outside the borders of the Roman Empire and remained free of their control. (see the adjacent map for the location of the kingdoms of Edom, Moab and Ammon.)
The beautiful holy mountain could refer to the hill that Jerusalem was on (Mt. Zion), Mt. Sinai (in Saudi Arabia), or Mt. Nebo (east of the Jordan).
The location of Mt. Sinai is held by tradition to be on the Sinai Peninsula. The peninsula has the Red Sea on the south, the Gulf of Suez on the west, the Gulf of Aqaba on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea on the north. However, this was a location chosen by the Emperor Constantine's mother whom he sent to that area to pick a Mt. Sinai. But 1500 years of tradition doesn't make it fact! More accurate evidence indicates that the true Mt. Sinai is actually the mountain known as Jabel El Lawz, located in Saudi Arabia (see Galatians 4:24) and the Red Sea crossing was actually over the Gulf of Aqaba, rather than the Gulf of Suez.
The argument is best made for Caesar camping in the neighborhood of Jerusalem with the Dead Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. While it is possible that Caesar may have camped near Mt. Nebo or the true Mt. Sinai, neither is really sandwiched between two seas that are fairly close by.
While Caesar was in Egypt, concerning himself with Cleopatra and the governance of Egypt, reports came from the north and east that the Syrians were invading. Enraged, he marched his troops for several days to surprise his foes. When he and his troops arrived at the scene, he and his soldiers fell immediately upon the invaders, gaining the victory in a short time. It was after this battle that Caesar is reported to have spoken the immortal words "Veni, Vidi, Victi," I came, I saw, I conquered!
Subsequent to his exploits, Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome in 44 B.C. at the hands of sixty fellow Romans led by G. Cassius Longimus, one of his commanders. These senators and friends were afraid of Julius' growing popularity and that it might take away from the Roman democratic form of government. Hence, no one raised a hand to help him.
The Time of the End Some will argue that the "time of the end" just mentioned connects directly with Dan. 12:1 which says 'At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress . . . etc.' This verse has strong references to the events just preceding Jesus Christ's Second Coming and we will look at this text shortly. However, we need to recognize an important biblical principle: "With the Lord, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are as a day" (2Pet. 3:7). Thus, whether two events happen within days or thousands of years, to the Lord, it is if it happens at the same time. There are numerous times in the Bible where events that we recognize as being separated by long periods are detailed as if they occurred together. See Isaiah 7:14, 18, 11:1,10, Dan. 12:2 compare to Rev. 20:4-6 for a few examples,
God has always permitted and even encouraged a sense of eminency regarding coming events, even though relative to man's short lifespan, they may be far distant. God, in His infinite knowledge knew that man would not respond just to His love, but would procrastinate in sharing the good news of salvation and of coming judgment if they knew the events were far distant. Secondly, if someone reads the "soon" style writings of the prophets and apostles, then they will be more encouraged to apply the writings to their own time. Let's look at several interpretations that use a "last day event's" type of perspective.
- Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots (Revelation 17-18)
- The beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns on its heads (Revelation 12)
- The beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns on its horns (Revelation 13)
- The second beast with two horns who looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon (Revelation 13)
- The Little Horn (Daniel 7-8 )
- The prince of the people who destroyed the temple (Daniel 9:26,27)
- The King of the North (Daniel 11:29)
- The wicked who sits in the temple. (This one I have already explained)
The last four in this list have been taught by many to be one and the same, however, if you read about each one in context it is not hard to see that they are four different individuals.
1. Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots.
I have heard this taught to mean the literal city of Babylon, Islam, England and even the USA. However, while each of these is very ungodly, none of them fits the description, except Babylon, but even it is by name only. The rest of the description doesn't match at all. On the other hand there is one entity that fits the description perfectly. This is the Roman Catholic Monarchy with the Jesuit Order.
Let us analyze the description in revelation 17 and see how it matches:
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Waters are considered nations in this book. Do Babylon, Islam, England and the USA sit on many nations, does the Catholic Church sit on many nations? By sitting on nations it means dominates many nations. Well England, with her British Colonies, and Islam might be candidates for this scripture as well as the Catholic Church, but certainly not Babylon or the USA. However, let's carry on.
Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Fornication here is not the act of unmarried couples having sex, but rather blending the word of God and his prophets with the word of other religions and their prophets. Again, Babylon could not easily fit this description, tho the other three candidates might, but the Catholic Church is certainly guilty of this offense. They have adapted every religious way from other cultures into their doctrines. The Pope is even guilty of praying to other gods in other religious temples in public and on TV for all to see.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
I hope to be able to prove that this beast with its seven heads and 10 horns and seven crowns on his heads is the Catholic Monarchy with 6 other religions as the seven heads reigning along side of a confederacy of ten Muslim nations before we are finished.
Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Can you see Babylon, Islam, England or the USA as dressed in purple and scarlet as described here? I can't, but the robes of the priests in the Vatican are scarlet with some purple. The Pope wears a huge diamond and sometimes wears the crown of jewels on special occasions.
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
If you can see what I am saying here then you must realize that, tho the Catholic Monarchy is guilty of this spiritual fornication against the bible, so are the leaders of the other 6 religions that worship with her, who commit the same type of fornication against their ancient doctrines. This is why Babylon the Great is called the Mother of Harlots. She has given birth to many harlots.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
The Catholic Church, in the past, has killed Christians by the thousands. Thru the crusades alone she burned and butchers Christians as well as Jews hand in hand at the order of the Popes, all across Europe and into Jerusalem. Anyone who refused to bow to the authority of the Pope and his generals was slain mercilessly. All in the name of Jesus. She is certainly drunk with the blood of saints and those who spoke up for the truth of scripture. It was commonly taught to Catholic peasants that they could not understand the bible so there was no reason to read it. By keeping their people ignorant of scripture it was impossible for them to realize the truth.
Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were 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.
The Roman Empire ruled the known world in Jesus time on the earth. However, since the fourteen hundreds it has all but disappeared. In Rome the remnants of the Roman Empire remain only in the establishment of the Vatican. When the Germanic hordes invaded Italy they were intrigued by the organization of the Vatican and allowed her to remain intact while they took the rest of the empire. Almost a thousand years later they took what was left of this once powerful empire in Turkey and thru-out the Mediterranean. The Roman Empire dissolved into the mist of time.
For those who can see it, the beast that ascends from the pit once obeyed Rome. It is the last seed of that great empire hidden far beneath the crust in the bottomless pit. However, the beast hates the whore and will destroy her in one hour.
Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
In and around Rome there are seven hills that are famous in that part of the world.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
I have already explained these kings and given my evidence as to who the eighth king is. He is one of the seven and I believe is Herod Antipas himself; rose from the pit. This is one of the hardest things to swallow. Without seeing it one could hardly believe it, however, if it is true all of these scriptures suddenly come together. I don't expect you to believe this part. I do expect you to watch as time reveals the truth of the matter.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Notice that these ten horns only have power for one hour. Why is it then that the beast in Revelation 13 reigns for 42 months? I believe it is because Islam will reign from the time they set up the abomination that causes desolation in Jerusalem until this beast ascends from the pit and after five months of war finally takes control of the ten nations and sets up his own ten kings over them. Islam hates Catholicism. It will only tolerate her while moderate Muslims hold the power in the coming Caliphate. Notice that when speaking of the wicked who sits in the temple, according to Second Thess, that he casts down all that is worshiped and proclaims that he is God. No Jew or Muslim would ever do that. He would be killed by his own people for blasphemy, just as Jesus was. Think about that.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
The Roman Empire will be revived in a sense when the King that comes out of the center of the earth takes control. He once was, but he is not, yet he is, and will ascend from the pit and go into perdition.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
After the beast has destroyed the Vatican in one hour, according to the next chapter, Jesus will destroy the beast at his coming.
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Here is how we know that the waters where Babylon sits are nations. It says so.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
This could not be any clearer than what it says.
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The Vatican rules the hearts of Kings around the globe. If they are not oriental or Muslim they are ruled by the Vatican. Tho many in the past few hundred years have become Protestant, in these last few years they are selling out to the Popes will. Leaders of Christian denominations around the globe are bowing and kissing the Popes ring in the past few years. Not all of the little people, but many along with their leaders. Christianity is about to go under ground. I believe that the bible reveals that Jesus will remove many Christians from the earth in a very short time, but those who are left behind because they refused to repent will be persecuted by the Demonic head of Babylon the Great and her one world religion of many faiths.
There are many false teachings about the removal of Jesus church. I hope to shed some light on what the bible really says about it for you as you read this article. But first, I must explain the other seven individuals that have been so miss-taught. To get a greater understanding of the sins of the Catholic Monarchy you could do a study on the Black Pope. I didn't even know he existed 2 years ago. Search Google for a copy of the oath Jesuits have to make. It will curl your hair. Search up Slavi, Illuminati defector. Then you will believe the bible and know why God will destroy her in one hour. If you are a Catholic, that's ok. But God says come out of her my children, less you partake of her sin.
2. The beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns on its heads (Revelation 12)
So what is this beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns on it's heads? This is found in Revelation 12.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
This is depicted as a great red dragon. Job 38 reveals the dragon as father of all of the children of pride. So this entity is full of pride. Satan is called the dragon so then this entity is possessed by Satan. Jesus called Peter Satan when he said he would not abandon Jesus. Jesus said Peter was the enemy of all righteousness. We are told that Jesus is our righteousness and that Jesus is the word of God and the spirit of prophecy. We are also told that the revelation is God's righteousness. Jesus said Satan was the enemy of all righteousness. So is it safe to say that Satan is in total control of this entity that has 7 heads and 7 crowns. I would say so.
This entity is not the beast that reigns for 42 months at the end of this age. If you look at the next chapter the beast has 7 heads, ten horns and ten crowns on the horns. So they are different entities that work together during the last 42 months. When we read of Babylon the great we learned that this was the Catholic Monarchy. Before we are thru you will see that the beast with the 10 horns is a confederacy of Muslim nations in the Middle East. This will be clearer as you see these two entities and how they reign together in the final years. The Beast (Islam) hates the whore (Catholicism) and will destroy her in one hour with fire.
But what are the seven heads on this dragon representing? Well they represent the whoredom that Babylon is guilty of. I believe these are 7 main-line religions in the earth today that have joined forces with the Pope to become the New One World Religion. Not only are many of the leaders of denominations gathering around the pope and kissing his ring in adoration, but so are the moderate leaders of many world religions. Not all but many. Just as not all Christians will bow to the Pope and his insolence. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam leaders are all coming together in prayer to their gods each, as fear takes hold of the leaders of this age because of the news of coming apocalyptic events. These do not stand for the righteousness of the God of the bible, but stand for humankind as one. They give no regard to Jesus atoning blood and the righteousness of his word but join in unison to pray against his anointing. Blind leaders of the blind, they no nothing of what God is doing to save mankind and the earth itself. It is their own corporate will that they worship.
If you don't believe this keep reading. Perhaps it will come together for you before we are finished.
This dragon hates the true Christians because true Christians will not join their corporate will. The mother and the child of Revelation 12 are the true Christians. This is evident from verse 12 of Revelation 12.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
No-one has the testimony of Jesus but the true Christians, persecuted for standing against the world in the last day, preaching Christ and him crucified with the hope of snatching some poor soul from the grips of hell's eternal flame.
Does this sound like some movie set? Well it is exactly what the bible discribes for the final 42 months before Christ returns.
3. The beast with 7 heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns on its horns (Revelation 13)
Now let's look at the beast from Revelation 13. Notice first, as I said before the there are 10 crowns on the horns, unlike the 7 crowns on the heads of the former dragon. This reveals how they, (the dragon apostate church) and the beast (Islam) will reign as one, yet they are two, and in fact hate one another.
So why do I say the beast is Islam? What scripture do I have to back this up?
Remember that this comes from the bible written about 2500 years ago. Though it has been translated many times scholars all agree that today's translations all parallel the original scriptures with uncanny accuracy. Yes there is some difference, but for the most part it is accurate.
Rev 13:2 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.
Take note that the dragon from Revelation 12 gives the beast it's power, seat and authority.
Now let's look at Daniel 7 and compare:
Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
You see the highlighted red words in Revelation 13 and how they parallel Daniel. The fourth beast in Daniel is the beast in revelation 13. It bears the likeness of all of the former three beasts put together.
Notice the following verse and how the former beasts were allowed to continue.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
This is because the confederacy will be broken but the people with their religions will continue. If you look at Revelation 20 you will find that they have one more job to do before they are destroyed completely by fire coming down from God. But that is a later topic.
So who were the lion, bear, and the leopard that came in the past? To answer this we look at the history of the Middle East following Daniels dream, and the answer will become plain. All prophecy points to Israel and the surrounding Middle East.
The lion was Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian kingdom. God humbled him and he received the heart of a man.
Following Nebuchadnezzar was the Medes and the Persians depicted by the bear.
The third was Alexander the Great with his four generals. After his death these four fought one another and the kingdom was divided amongst them.
The fourth beast has often been taught to be the Roman Empire, however, the Roman Empire has never fulfilled all of the scriptures attributed to the fourth beast and at it's demise the Kingdom of God was not ushered in. Hence it is my belief that this fourth and final beast has not yet risen to power. Just as the final week of Daniel 9 has never been fulfilled so has this scripture never been fulfilled. These two run parallel in their fulfillment as the one makes the covenant and the other later brakes the covenant. Therefore both of these scriptures apply to taday's age.
As we look at the little horn this should become more apparent.
4. The second beast with two horns who looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon (Revelation 13)
This second beast of Revelation 13:11 is taught to be the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11 by many, however, the only thing these two have in common is that they are both two. Nothing else in their description matches. Let us look at what the word says about this second beast:
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
First let us look at the fact that this second beast has 2 horns. The first beast has 10 horns and in Daniel 7 we are told point blank that these horns are 10 kings. Does it not make sense that seeing as horns are kings in the first beast that the horns in the second beast would also represent kings? This seems to be totally obvious. I really don't understand why people argue about this. It boggles the mind. It is as if you are talking to unblelievers whan they profess to be Christians and even pastors and yet argue over the interpretation of the word if it comes against their faith. Are we not told to cast down every high thought that rises up against the knowledge of God and to bring into captivity every thought into Christ?
So, anyway, this second beast, which is two nations, lends all of it's power to the first beast. Do the two witnesses lend their God given power to the first beast? That would be ridiculous. These two horns look like a lamb but have the voice of a dragon. Do the two witnesses have the voice of Satan, the dragon? I won't even answer that. Think on this.
Conclusion: the two horns are two powerful nations that lend all of their power to the 10 nations. When one of the kings in the 10 nations gets killed but is brought back to life somehow, this second beast makes a robotic image of the king and puts modern technology in it to cause it to speak like a man. Then he causes all people to worship it. That is hardly the job of the two witnesses.
These teachers may preach the blood but they are not preaching his righteousness which is the Revelation. They are preaching their own righteousness and their own understanding. Run from them for their blindness is contagious. They preach the fear of God but have no fear of God themselves. They attempt to snare those who refuse to study what God's word says for themselves. Fear God and seek the truth. We will all be judged on every word we speak.
I "am" so sure that the first beast is Islam and in the Middle East now. They will come into unity very soon. This second beast has to be the US with one ally. The USA has recently come under the power of Islam. Few understand this, but it can be proven. Who their Ally will be is yet to be seen, but it appears to be the UK, so far.
I will address the mark of the beast later.
5. The Little Horn (Daniel 7-8 )
Many have taught that this 'little horn' is the same as the prince who makes the 7 year covenant in Daniel 9, the king of the north of Daniel 11, the Anti-Christ of the books of John, the beast who ascends from the pit, and the wicked who sits in the temple at the end of time in 2nd Thessalonians 2:4. However, I intend to reveal that scripture declares otherwise.
Many have also declared that the little horn is the President of the USA, the Prince of Wales, or the head of the European Union. I intend to quickly prove from Daniel that he is none of the above. I fail to understand how any of these bible scholars get their credentials other than the fact that their credentials are man given by others who refuse to study the scriptures.
First let us prove the last statement. Look with me at Daniel 8:
Dan 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river 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.
Dan 8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
Dan 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an 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.
Dan 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
Dan 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
Dan 8:8 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.
Dan 8:9 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.
Dan 8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
Dan 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.
Now here we have a ram coming from the east with two horns (two kings). This is revealed to be the Medes and the Persians in verse 20 of the same chapter. Following this we have a he goat coming against the ram from the west. This is revealed to be Greece in verse 21 and history reveals was Alexander the Great just as in chapter 7 of Daniel. The four notable ones again are the four generals that fought amongst themselves until they finally had split the kingdom into four regions.
Verse 9 is the clincher here: out of one of them came forth a little horn. It is scripture. It is in context of the final little horn. It says he comes out of one of the four notable ones. Now the question arises, "Where did these four generals rule?", because out of one of those four areas is where the little horn will come from according to what is written.
First there was Ptolemy. (Click here to read a history and map of Ptolemy's empire) He settled and ruled Egypt.
Second there was Seleucus. (Click here to read a history and map of Seleucus empire) He ruled Palestine and eastward as far as India. He had by far the greatest area to rule.
Third there was Cassander. (Click here to read a history and map of Cassander's empire)
The fourth and final was Lysimachus. (Click here to read a history and map of Lysimachus empire)
For a picture of the land where the little horn "MUST" come from click here.
If you understand that the word is truth and we are to cast down all ideas that are contrary to the word, if we want to know the truth, then you must admit that the one they call the little horn comes from the Middle East. It is impossible that he come from anywhere else.
6. The prince of the people who destroyed the temple (Daniel 9:26,27)
This scripture reads as follows:
Dan 9:26 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.
Dan 9:27 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.
On a side-note it is very interesting that Jesus was crucified exactly threescore and two weeks from the date that Daniel received this prophecy. Understand that each week in this scripture represents 7 years (each day is a year) Since Jesus was crucified this prophecy has been frozen. The last almost 2000 years is called the church age. During this time God has been building His church. In the book Armageddon Appointment with Destiny, written by Grant Jeffery, he gives the math to show this as well as math and scripture to show that Israel became a nation exactly on the day prophesied in the bible. If any Jew ever reads that book, I am sure he will realize that Jesus is his Messiah and will turn himself over to him.
However, our quest is to understand who the prince is that will make this covenant. He comes from the people who destroyed the city and the sanctuary. In 70 A.D. the Roman soldiers went into Jerusalem and destroyed it. Much of the inner sanctuary was overlaid in gold. They burned the temple and tore down every stone leaving no stone unturned as they sought to take the gold that ran down between the stones. This happened just as Jesus said it would.
Below is copied from http://goodnewspirit.com/herodstemple.htm I found it to be a very good explanation, though I have edited it somewhat:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Destruction of Herod's Temple in 70 A.D.
As Foreseen by the Prophet Ezekiel "...I knew you to be obstinate...
And so I revealed things beforehand,
before they happened I announced them to you,
so that you could not say, 'My idol was the one that performed them"
Is.48:3-5
In 70 A.D., just 40 years after Jesus was crucified, the Roman army burned down Herod's Temple in Jerusalem. It was a stunning loss. It happened on the 10th day of Loos in the Hebrew calendar (August 29th in 70 A.D.), the exact same day the Babylonians had burned down Solomon's temple 657 years earlier. Like bookends, the identical dates spoke loudly of divine correlation. The Bible's ancient prophecies agreed.
The destruction of Herod's temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by Titus and Vespasian was foretold in astonishing detail by passages in the Book of Ezekiel. Seemingly written to bear witness to the destruction of Solomon's temple by the Babylonians, the wording of Ezekiel's predictions pointed, instead, to a similar catastrophe farther in the future. The correlating dates for both events coupled with Ezekiel's almost verbatim account of the loss of the second temple tie both destructions to the same prophecy the dispersion to Babylon forseen by Moses.
Ezekiel wrote:
Eze 21:18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
Eze 21:19 Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.
(There are spiritual meanings in scripture. In the New Testament we are told that Jerusalem is symbolic of the church or the true religion. In the same way we understand that Egypt is symbolic of life in the world before one accepts Christ Jesus. The description of Babylon the Great in Revelation reveals that Babylon is symbolic of Rome)
Interpreting the prophecy, the 'sword' indicates the warfare against Judea, and the 'two roads' point to two separate campaigns both originating from the same country. This 'same country' is Babylon but history proves the second Babylon is Rome and helps prove Revelation's Babylon is the Roman Monarchy. What the prophecy foresaw was that the king of Babylon (Vespasian, the emperor of Rome, and his son Titus) would one day launch a military campaign against Judea.
This was fulfilled when the Roman general, Vespasian, started the military campaign against Judea in 66 A.D., invading and capturing Galilee and then proceeding south, town by town to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Before Jerusalem fell he was called back to Rome to become the new Caesar and was replaced by his son, Titus, who completed the seige and later became the emperor of Rome as well. Father and son both became Caesars, "kings of spiritual Babylon".
Ezekiel's prophecy continues:
Eze 21:20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
The 'way', of course, is the prophecy itself. Written 600 years before the event, it made an appointment for the prophecy.
Eze 21:21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
After conquering Galilee and the northern provinces, Vespasian halted outside Jerusalem. He set up his camp atop the Mount of Olives, where he could look down on the walled city and ponder the best approach to breach the wall. While he was doing this, Nero suddenly died, and Vespasian was called back to Rome to become emperor in Nero's place. Hence the "stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways"
This is the point where the two roads diverged, because it was here that Vespasian went a different way and his son, Titus, assumed command of the Roman forces in place of his father. "Into his right hand the lot for Jerusalem falls..." In the prophecies of scripture, one's 'right hand' always refers to His son. Therefore, Vespasian's 'right hand' must be interpreted as his own son, Titus.
Eze 21:22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.
Entering the walled city of Jerusalem was a major task. The Roman historian, Tacitus, writing in his 'Histories' in 109 A.D. said:
"...Jerusalem, standing upon an eminence, naturally difficult to approach, was rendered still more impregnable by redoubts and bulwarks by which even places on a level plain would have been competently fortified. Two hills that rose to a prodigious height were enclosed by walls constructed so as in some places to project in angles and in others to curve inwards. Consequently, the flanks of the Romans were exposed to the Jewish weapons. The extremities of the rock were abrupt and craggy; and the towers were built, upon the mountain, sixty feet high and in the low ground, one hundred and twenty feet high. These works presented a spectacle altogether astonishing. To the distant eye they seemed to be of equal elevation. Within the city there were other fortifications enclosing the palace of the kings, including the tower of Antonia, with its conspicuous pinnacles...The temple itself was in the nature of a citadel, enclosed in walls of its own, and more elaborate and massy than the rest. Even the porticoes that surrounded it were a capital defense. A perennial spring supplied the place with water. Subterranean caverns were scooped out in the mountains, and there were basins and tanks as reservoirs for rain-water."
This is why Vespasian had to camp outside the city even though he had an invincible Roman army with him. Taking this city required all the equipment that the prophecy envisioned.
The Jewish historian Josephus, who was personally present during the Roman siege of Jerusalem described the event in great detail. The Romans built entrenchments against the arrows and missiles of the Jewish defenders, and they constructed a gigantic earthwork leading up to the top of the walls so that a large number of Roman soldiers could pour into the city right over the top of the wall. Jerusalem's walls were so high that this massive earthwork had to reach to the height of a ten story building.
The Romans also used immense battering rams against the gates. All this took a good deal of time, a commodity of which the Romans had ample supply. In fact, they could have simply waited outside until the defenders starved to death, but Tacitus wrote that Titus and his Roman army were too proud to secure the victory this way. Therefore they engaged in all the activities the prophecy predicted. Not only that, but Tacitus revealed in his writings that these very prophecies were widely known at the time and were believed by the Jews to be omens for their survival and victory, not for their defeat.
Tacitus wrote:
"The majority of the Jews were deeply convinced that it was contained in the ancient writings of the priests, that, at this very time, the east would renew its strength, and those who would go out from Judea would go forth from this small country to rule the whole world. Mysterious words, which foreshadowed Vespasian and Titus; but the Jews, according to the usual course of human fondness, interpreted this consummation of destiny as referring to themselves, and were not induced to abandon their error even by affliction."
History had proved that the rest of Ezekiel's prediction was also accurate. Ezekiel had prophesied:
Eze 21:23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
Eze 21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
Eze 21:25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
Eze 21:26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
Eze 21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
Notice that he said overturn three times. This points to three times that Jerusalem will fall from the hands of Israel. The first was when Solomon's temple was destroyed. The second was here where Titus destroyed the temple. The third time is when the abomination is set up in the Temple of God according to what Jesus foretold, in Matthew 25:15 and Luke 21:20, would come according to Daniel the Prophet. Luke tells us, "hen you see the armies camped about Jerusalem, then flee to the mountains..." However, that is another topic.
When Titus conquered Jerusalem, in 70A.D., he tore down the temple, and the other structures, stone by stone until no evidence of any buildings remained. This was to get at the gold that ran down between the stones. His demolition of the city left Jerusalem in complete ruin, and initiated the exile the binding of the Jewish population into a slavery to 'Babylon' that would last almost 2000 years. It was truly ruin on ruin. The crown of the prince of Israel was removed and will be held for Christ when he returns.
The Jews had seen all the prophecies and correctly interpreted that they were living in the days of their fulfillment, but they had completely misinterpreted the divine application of these visions.
The Jews were able to escape from the Babylon of Ezekiel's time rather quickly, but they were never able to escape from the captivity of Rome. The Jews returned to Jerusalem just 70 years after the loss of Solomon's temple and their captivity at the banks of the Euphrates, but they had to wait almost two thousand years to recover their city after the Roman campaigns.
And despite their return just 60 some years ago, they still do not control of the Rock of Abraham, the site of Solomon and Herod's temples, which is the central focus of the Jewish religion. This shows that the exile continues, even now. We can see in this that Ezekiel's words were not meant to relate a historical record, and were not for the events of Ezekiel's own time. As Peter said, in 2nd Peter, the Holy Spirit meant the words of the prophets for us and for our time. We must view Daniel's prophecies of the last days in exactly the same way. While Daniel's words are built on the pattern of Antiochus and Alexander, they actually have very little to do with those two men or with the times in which they lived. They are about the future. They are about now.
We can look at the Bible's ancient prophecies today, long after all the events have been laid to rest, and recognize the accuracy of the Holy Spirit's words. We can, at the same time, see how completely wrong all of the contemporary 'experts' had been, trying to analyze them. It is not surprsing that we can see this same pattern repeating itself in our own time with respect to the words of Daniel and John.
It is on this point that many bible scholars disagree. Scholars cannot prove that Daniel's words are about the future, but they can easily superimpose his words on the historical events surrounding his time and see that there is a close similarity. For this reason, many biblical scholars tend to deal with Daniel (and all the other prophets for that matter) mostly on the basis of the past. They preferentially see the prophets less as visionaries of the future, and more as accuracy-challenged historians. This is why they are so concerned about what the prophets were thinking when they wrote down their words.
Ezekiel and his fellow prophets did not even know what their prophecies were about because it was the Holy Spirit who authored their revelations. (1 Peter 1:10-12). Instead of recording historical realities, they and their disciples were divinely chosen people that allowed themselves to become the instruments of God's Spirit by recording what God instructed them to see and write. Since the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the words that they wrote down, and not through the intent of their thinking, there can be no imperfection in their writings. We can interprit scrpture in error, but the word will prove us right or wrong in the end.
It is written in scripture that "no prophecy ever came from man's own initiative. When men spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them."
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where-unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 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.
Therefore, although seen to be imprecise now by the scholars, the accuracy of their words, just as they were with Ezekiel's visions of Vespasian and Titus, will ultimately be proved when the events that they were truly writing about actually occur.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This all proves that the "prince" that makes the covenant for 7 years, in Daniel 9:26,27, is a commander from Roman Empire. Therefore, he is not the "little horn of Daniel 7 and 8" who comes out of one of the nations once ruled by the four generals of Alexander the Great. These are two different people entirely. The only thing these two have in common is that one, the prince from Rome, confirms the covenant, while the other, the little horn of Islam, stops the sacrifice and oblation that will begin shortly, and he sets up the abomination that causes desolation. This little horn then goes on to rule a league of 10 horns (nations) for 42 months.
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
So then who is this prince who shall come? Well let's look in Revelation 17 for a second. He could be mentioned there.
Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition
Notice this does not mention the 10 horns of Revelation 12 or 13, but only the seven heads. Remember, these are two entities working together for a time. The horns are ten Islamic states in the Middle East, while the seven heads, I am sure, are seven world religions working in compromise with one another and with the beast. However, it says they are also 7 kings, so this has a double meaning.
Consider these seven kings. John received the Revelation in about 87 A.D. At that time the Angel of the Lord said five had fallen and one is. He then said that one was yet to come. And then that the eighth is of the seven. Many translations say the eighth is "one of the seven".
I think, not know, that the prince who will come and make the covenant, in Daniel 9:27, and the 7th one who is yet to come, in Revelation 17, are the same person. They are both to come in the future and are both related to end time prophecy. This is where is requires wisdom. Earlier in this site I explained how Herod Antipas could be the eighth who is one of these seven kings. I don't say he is, for this is hard. However, if he is, then the prince who makes the covenant, in Daniel 9:27, is some how related to the Herod family.
WEW!! This is getting deep. Keep this in mind as I attempt to reveal that the actual covenant was made in 2007 on January 1st. I know, the middle of that seven years would have been June 2010. But humor me. I think I can give evidence to support this.
I know I have stepped on many toes up until now, so you won't be surprised if I step on a few more, I am sure. There are literally thousands of interpretations out there. It is our calling, if we love Christ, to seek the true doctrine concerning all things as we grow in knowledge. Religious pride will bind us to a specific doctrine (or in many cases blind us to prophecy altogether) and not allow us to prove it right or wrong. It is to the religious that Jesus meant the parable about the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Many who come to know Jesus in these days will be caught up as the child in Revelation 12, while many who are full of their religious pride, though they love the Lord, will have to suffer the last 3 1/2 years of this time to humble them and make them Christ like. It has to be this way. Jesus will take those who are true to prove those who are in error as in error to themselves and their followers. If you can receive that you are truly wise and humble. Many will close this website at this point. But that is OK. This word is only for those who will hear.
When one comes to know Christ Jesus they are made pure. However, over time we all stumble and many fall. But the love affair with Christ is strongest and we are the humblest during our first months and years with him. This is why he said the last shall be first. Because, tho they are new to the Lord, they are pure as they are just born again of his Spirit and have not yet been contaminated by religion. Their search and love for truth has just begun. They know they have been in error all of their lives and are desiring to be filled with the oil of the Spirit without pride. On the other hand, there are few who have been with the lord more than 3 to 5 years who have remained teachable by him. Most have found mentors who they admire and follow with their whole heart, even as they are slowly led into error, built on error.
The conclusion of this walk is to remain humble to the lord and always be willing to be proved by the word, if we are wrong. Do not be so proud as to think the devil cannot talk to you or teach you, if you will. He tried to lead Jesus, he will try to lead you. Or are you greater than Jesus? Meditate on these words and remain humble. If you have "absolute proof" that my words are error, then don't walk away but run. However, I can find no absolute proof of my error at this point, and therefore I believe I am close to truth. I find my reasoning stronger than my opponents to this day and therefore my reasons convince me I am right, tho I admit I could be wrong. Is there something I have missed in reasoning? I cannot know if I have missed it, but I always pray Lord reveal to me my error that I may serve you.
This being said, who then is the prince who makes the covenant?
If there were 5 Herods before the Revelation was given to Jesus and if only one Herod reigned when the Revelation was given; and If the earth is hollow and if the inner world is not effected by aging in the same way as the outer world, then it stands to reason that, if there is no true record that Herod Antipas actually died, other than the proof of time itself, and if he went inside the earth to the inner world, THEN he is the eighth king, who is one of the seven kings of Revelation 17:9-11 who was, is not and yet is and will ascend from the bottomless pit and go into perdition.
That is a lot of ifs, however, they will all be true if the earth is hollow, and so this whole understanding hinges on whether or not the earth is hollow. I am sure, by the reasons shown in the segment of this website that dealt with the hollow earth, that it is indeed hollow and therefore this is sound truth that can be relied on. I am afraid you will have to be the judge of that for now, but ultimately God will be the judge thru time and that time is closing fast. Perhaps within 5 years as I will show soon.
Again, if this is true, then the prince of the covenant, therefore, should be related to Herod the Great.
Now, as I have said, we have a 7 year covenant now. It is the European Neighborhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI). I know that the majority of the church believe that the 7 year covenant is a 7 year peace treaty. However, I challenge anyone to show where it says so in the bible. The teaching hinges on one verse taken completely out of context, and two other teachings that are also not in the bible. The verse taken out of context is:
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
They say that the peace and safety here is speaking of the peace treaty. It doesn't say so and when the Jews are removed from Judea there will be peace. All the world will cry, "Finally peace and safety is Israel." and, according to Mathew 24:15 there will be sudden destruction immediately after the tribulation of those days.
The two teachings that are not in the bible are the 7 year tribulation and the pre-tribulation rapture (which is built on the 7 year tribulation period lie).
So to reveal who the prince is, we must first tear down the idols of a 7 year great tribulation which in turn will allow us to tear down a pre- 7 year pre-tribulation rapture and a 7 year peace treaty will topple next.
A 7 year great tribulation is based on Matthew 24:15-31:
Mat 24:15 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:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Ok, so verse 21 tells us there will be great tribulation, so we know that there actually is a period of time when there will be great tribulation. However, the popular teaching says that it is a period of 7 years. In these verses we are told when it will be. From verse 15 we see that it begins after we see the abomination that Daniel spoke of, in the midst of the 7 years, not at the beginning of the 7 year covenant. We know from Daniel 9:27 that this happens sometime during the 7 year covenant. Not in the exact middle of the 7 years, as most teach, but sometimes in the MIDST of the 7 years. It could be near the beginning, half way thru or near the end of the seven years. From Daniel 9:27 we cannot tell exactly where in the seven years it will land. This will become important as we study the timeline of the last few years before Christ's return.
However, Daniel 8:11-14 tell us exactly when it will land, if we take it in context:
Dan 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
So we know that from the time the covenant is made til the abomination is set up there will be two thousand and three hundred days.
And how long is this great tribulation?
We will look in the parallel scripture from Luke 21:20-27
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter there-into.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
So it begins when you see armies surrounding Jerusalem. It ends when all of the Israelis are taken out of Judea. This may take 6 months, 10 months or a year. It is unlikely that it will take much longer than this though. From Matthew 24:29 we see that immediately after the Israelis are taken away their will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. This flows perfectly with all other scripture as where the asteroid will come in, described in Rev 8:7-12.
So from all of his we know that the prince of the people who destroyed the temple comes from Rome and makes a 7 year covenant. On January 1st 2007 Jovier Solana, the high representative of the European Union, took a drive to the office and signed a covenant that promises Israel, and many other Middle East nations, the financial aid needed to bring them into prosperity both agriculturally and financially. It is not a peace treaty, but a covenant. It was not made on January 1st 2007, but it was confirmed on this date. The agreements were made with each nation at different times and different years, but they all commenced on the day Solana signed to confirm or set his seal to the agreements before made.
This covenant is in exact agreement with the word concerning the covenant of Daniel 9:27. Is it the covenant? Time alone will tell. From Daniel 8:14 we know that it will be broken on April 18th, 2013, if it is the true covenant of scripture, and this will begin the reign of the beast of Revelation13 and Daniel 7&8.
So, is Solana related to Herod the Great in some way? This I haven't proved yet. I would appreciate any help I can get in this area.
7. The King of the North (Daniel 11:29)
The King of the North is found in chapter 1 of Daniel. Most or all of the prophecies concerning this king have already been fulfilled in past history. In verse 8 the bible tells us that the King of the South is Egypt. When we look into the history of Egypt we find that they have had a long standing feud with Syria. During the history of this feud virtually all of the events in chapter 8 have unfolded as it is written. From verse 20 forward were all finished by Herod the Great, from what I have read. This is not a prophecy concerning the little horn. It has nothing to do with the little horn. It is possible that the vile person that rises out of Syria is repeated in our time. If so, we should see someone rise to power within the next year and in early 2013 he will try to attack Egypt via the Mediterranean Sea. Watch and pray over this for understanding.
However, let us first look at the historical fulfillment of the preceding scriptures.
After studying the following teaching I find it more than likely a true interpretation of Daniel 11. I therefore have copied it in whole to this page. Credit goes to:
Back to Compilation List - BiblePlus Home Page
THE KINGS OF THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH A COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 11 WITH ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 10 & 12 By Ed R. Meelhuysen
(Originally published March 15, 1992, updated 2003)
Edited by Harry Thomas Frank
Copyrighted © Hammonds Incorporated.
INTRODUCTION The Kings of the North and the South referred to in Daniel chapter 11 and its associated chapters of Daniel 10 and 12 have proved an enigma to many. Who or what countries do the terms refer to? Is there a quantum leap forward to the end of the world as seems to be indicated somewhere in these chapters? If so, then at what verse does that take place? If one of the kings is the Anti-Christ, could Saddam Hussein or any of the past dictators of the 20th century have fulfilled the requirements? If not, then what would be required of a future King of the North in order to fulfill these prophecies?
In this fascinating study, we will be taking an in-depth look at Daniel, chapters 10 through 12. We will look at a number of the more commonly used arguments for explaining the prophecy, examine their benefits and shortcomings, and in the end come away with a much greater appreciation for God and His omniscience. For truly "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. " (Dan. 2:21)
In attempting to learn about the kings of the North and the South for my own study, I picked up a number of books that offered interpretations of the passages. Although the beginning of Daniel 11 seemed to have a common interpretation, as the middle and end of the chapter approached, all of a sudden, the interpretations left their logical progression and spontaneous conclusions were arrived at rather abruptly. This procedure reminded me of when I was taking higher math classes in college. On several occasions, the teacher would describe a math problem, turn around to the black board, and scribble something while shielding the board from our eyes with his body. He would then turn around, and "Voila!" show us the answer! As students, we called it "hand-waving." Wave your hands here and there, and Presto! A Conclusive Result!
Having an engineer's analytical background and disposition, I needed a more logical approach to solving the enigmas of the kings of the North and the South. I felt that this "hand-waving approach" is not quite appropriate for God's children. "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD." (Isaiah 1:18). Therefore as I compiled the thousands of texts on various topics contained on this website and its predecessor publication Sola Scriptura and through my study of God's Word, I observed the following:
Premises 1) The words "the end" or "the end of time" do not necessarily refer to the literal end of the world. Although they can refer to the end of the world, they more generally refer to the end of whatever the writer or angel has been talking about. This may include a certain kingdom or series of events. One must examine the context to determine what the phrase "the end" or "an end" applies to.
For example: The angel giving the vision to Daniel says to Daniel at the end of the book, "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." (Daniel 12:13). It should be apparent to the reader that the end as it is used in the first part of the verse refers to Daniel's end or his death. The second "the end of the days" refers to the resurrection. More on that later.
Another example: "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." (Dan. 11:35). Later as we study this verse in its context, we find that the time of the end as used in the text does not refer to the end of the world, even though we may learn a great lesson from it. In other words, it's primary application is for another time. However, the principles involved are applicable to all time and especially at the end of the world.
2) The argument of obscurity to downplay certain kings which some interpreters use, is not appropriate. Just because something or someone is little known to the 21st century population does not mean that it wasn't important to the people back then being affected by the fulfillment of that prophecy.
3) A smooth transitional interpretation is preferable to a discontinuous large leap forward or backward. If evidence can be found to support a smooth transition, then if supported by following fulfillments, use it. I don't believe that God hop-scotches forwards and backwards in time in prophecy. One only finds leaps forward in time.
4) If a tiny bit of historical information is missing, but the events after that missing piece took place as prophesied, then let's allow ourselves the option of skipping finding an exact fulfillment of that part of a prophecy, especially if it is not very significant to our time. One can more appropriately blame past historians for lack of accurate recording or the destruction of recorded history, rather than placing all the events after that missing link into the future. For example, the great library in Alexandria, Egypt was destroyed as were many other ancient libraries, causing an enormous loss of knowledge of recorded history.
Let me try to explain this using an story: Let's say I participated in a bike rally in which I was to ride past about ten guide points. Between two of the guide points, I was to do a zigzag between several city streets and pass by a certain deli store. Suppose due to some mistake, even though I passed all the guide points and ended the course successfully, I realized that I had zigzagged one block too soon and subsequently missed the deli store. At the conclusion of the route, I could have stated, "since I missed the deli, all the guide points must still be ahead of me." But doing so would ignore the fact that all the other guide points had been visited.
5) Assume first that the prophecy is literal rather than symbolic. There are two types of bible prophecy, primarily literal and primarily symbolic. There are guidelines for differentiating between the two. If the prophecy is symbolic, then the Bible should be able to provide an interpretation of that symbol.
For example, there is no Biblical interpretation of ships in prophecy. Therefore, a ship, is a ship, is a ship. However, a star may mean a star or an angel, or in the case of a falling star, a fallen angel or an asteroid.
Conventions Used In the following paragraphs, the italic portions are my commentaries and additions such as quotes or excerpts from the references listed at the end. The non-italic plain face portions are Daniel's observations and narration. The non-italic Boldface are the words of a holy one such as an angel speaking.
Verse numbers are left in place, even though it may affect readability.
All dates are B.C. unless otherwise noted by the letters A.D.
With these premises and conventions in mind, let's begin our look at Daniel 10 to 12.
Daniel 10 to 12 Dan. 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. 2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. 6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. 7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. 10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." 15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." 18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength." 20 So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. (The thought continues in the next sentence. The chapter breaks were added later.)
Dan. 11:1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede (not Darius I, but rather the Darius of Lion's Den fame), I took my stand to support and protect him.) 2 "Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will appear in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
'After the death of King Cyrus, who was reigning at the time of the vision, the next three kings of Persia were Cambyses (530-522 B.C.), a usurper called the False Smerdis or Bardiya (522) and Darius I (522-486 B.C.). The fourth king was Xerxes (486-465 B.C.), known in the Bible as Ahasuerus and the husband of Queen Esther. He spent four full years stockpiling supplies and assembling manpower for a military expedition against Greece, just as the angel had predicted. He truly stirred up "all." His army teemed with contingents from forty nations . . . Together they marched, perhaps 300,000 of them, mostly on foot, all the way from their homelands to the battles of Salamis (480) and Plataea (479) in Greece--and to complete defeat.'
v 3 Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.
This king was Alexander the Great who conquered most of the civilized world by 331 B.C.
v 4 After he has appeared, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
Realizing he was dying after a drunken debauchery (others suggest dying from swamp fever or malaria), Alexander parceled out his kingdom to four of his generals, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus I "Nicator" and Ptolemy I "Soter". An examination of the map of that time as well as the following verses indicates that the Seleucid kingdom based around Syria became the King of the North, and that the Ptolemaic kingdom encompassing part of Egypt became the King of the South. These two kingdoms were constantly striving to conquer the other. Since Israel was located in the middle of the two, its territory was continually exposed to the military campaigns of the two kingdoms, Israel's land and people being at times subservient to one kingdom, then the other.
v 5 "The king of the South (Ptolemy I Soter) will become strong, but one of his commanders (Seleucus I Nicator) will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power.
'Egypt was immensely wealthy and rather easy to protect (from the start). The "prince" who became "stronger than he" was Seleucus I Nicator, the general who originally won the eastern part of Alexander's empire. Seleucus was driven out of the east by yet another one of Alexander's generals and fled to Egypt for safety. Ptolemy gave him special status and helped him outfit a new army. Quickly successful in driving his rival out of the east, Seleucus followed through by pushing Lysimachus out of Syria and Asia Minor, thus making himself "King of the North" and the master of most of Alexander's former empire. He would have liked to control Judea too, taking it away from Egypt; but Ptolemy reminded Seleucus that without his help in the first place, he would never have staged his comeback.'
v 6 After some years, they (King Ptolemy II Philadelphus and King Antiochus II Theos of Syria) will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South (Berenice) will go to the king of the North (Antiochus Theos) to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be handed over, together with her royal escort and her father (other translations use or include "child") and the one who supported her.
"Around 250 B.C., King Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt (285-246 B.C.) and King Antiochus II Theos (261-246 B.C.) of Syria attempted to guarantee peace between their countries by having King Antiochus marry King Ptolemy's daughter, Berenice. Antiochus already had a wife, called Laodice. It was part of the deal that he divorce her. So the divorce was arranged, the new marriage was celebrated, and in due course a baby boy arrived who could someday be the next king. Unfortunately, Antiochus soon found that he didn't like Berenice very well. He kept making comparisons between her and his first wife. And when Berenice's father, the king of Egypt, died, Antiochus divorced her and took Laodice back again. But Laodice had become bitter. She was afraid, too, of what her husband might do next. So using her royal powers in a manner all too common in those days, she had Antiochus, Berenice, and Berenice's attendants and Bernice's little son all murdered.'
v 7"One from her family line will arise to take her place (Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246-221 B.C.). He will attack the forces of the king of the North (Antiochus II Theos, 261-246 B.C.) and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.
8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 'By his divorce and remarriage, Antiochus lost far more than he could have hoped to gain. For the next king of Egypt, Ptolemy III (246-221), a brother of Berenice's, determined to avenge Berenice's death by invading Syria. He took his army all the way to Babylon and beyond before voluntarily pulling back! His navy occupied Seleucia, the port that served Antioch, the capital of Syria, and for some time Egyptian shipping dominated the eastern Mediterranean.'
v 9 Then the king of the North (a new king, Seleucus II) will invade the realm of the king of the South, but will retreat to his own country.
'In the year 242, Seleucus II Callinicus (246-225) attempted to avenge himself for Egypt's deep penetration of his ancestral lands, but his army was vanquished and his navy blown away. He returned to Antioch badly bloodied and empty-handed.'
v 10 His sons (the two sons of Seleucus II, namely Seleucus III Ceraunos, who was assassinated after a short reign [225-223] and Antiochus III the Great [223-187]) will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress. 11 "Then the king of the South (Ptolemy IV) will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North (Antiochus III), who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated. 12 When the army (Antiochus') is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant.
'These three verses deal principally with the battle of Raphia, June 22, 217 B.C. . . . in which over 70,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 cavalry were committed on each side. The body count the next day showed that Antiochus III had lost 10,000 killed and 4,000 taken prisoner. Ptolemy's loses were lighter but still significant . . . . Egypt won the battle, for Antiochus lacked discipline . . . Yet Ptolemy failed to follow up on his victory and Antiochus III was eager for a rematch'
v 13 For the king of the North (Antiochus III) will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.
After his defeat, Antiochus III sprung back and reconquered the territory to the east all the way to India and to the west to the Aegean Sea. He then prepared for a second attack on Egypt. At this time, the king of Egypt was Ptolemy V Epiphanes, a boy of six.
Divergent Paths At this point, the interpretations applied to the succeeding passages vary greatly between several different schools of thought. We will investigate the various options and interpretations.
v 14 "In those times many will rise against the king of the South. The violent men among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success.
At this time, many of the Egyptians began rebelling against the ruling Grecian family and began rioting and defying them. Many of the more zealous Jews also began rebelling against the Ptolemaic regime, hoping to establish their own independence.
v 15 Then the king of the North (Antiochus III the Great) will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.
Antiochus III the Great took Palestine, the Beautiful Land, from the Ptolemies at the Battle of Panias in 197 B.C. The Ptolemaic kingdom was never able to reclaim it from the Seleucid kingdom.
v 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back upon him. 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.
Antiochus III the Great took many of the coastline territories bordering on the eastern and northeastern edges of the Mediterranean Sea away from the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
While there may be additional information regarding the intermarriage and commander referred to, I have not found it yet.
v 20 "His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he (the successor) will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
This verse most likely reflects Antiochus III's son (Seleucus IV Philopater, 187-175 B.C.) who sent Heliodorus to Jerusalem to collect the "untold sums of money" from the temple treasury. Heliodorus was prevented from accomplishing his task by the reported personal intervention of God as he sought to enter the temple. See 2 Maccabees 3. However, a plot arose against Seleucus the IV, and he was assassinated (i.e. neither in anger nor in battle).
Alternately (though not likely) this verse could reflect the following incident instigated by Antiochus III the Great's other son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes as reported in 1 Maccabees. "Two year later (after carrying away most of the temple's belongings) the king (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force. Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel. He plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls. And they took captive the women and children, and seized the cattle. Then they fortified the city of David with a great strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel. And they stationed there a sinful people, lawless men. These strengthened their position; they stored up arms and food, and collecting the spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great snare." 1 Maccabees 1:29-35. This interpretation, however, would be out of order.
v 21 "He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will take over the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.
The Living Bible translates this text as: "Next to come to power will be an evil man not directly in line for royal succession. But during a crisis, he will take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue.".
The King James Version translates this as "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom; but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was not directly in line to succeed the assassinated Seleucus IV Philopater, as Philopater's son, Demetrius I should have been the next king. However, upon Philopater's death, Antiochus IV Epiphanes through flatteries ingratiated himself with the Romans and took over the kingdom, even though Demetrius petitioned the Roman senate to let him return from Rome where he was being held as a "hostage" (common in those days). Demetrius I, after Epiphanes' death, escaped from Rome, returned to Antioch and had Antiochus V and Lysias, his guardian, killed.
v 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.
The phrase "prince of the covenant" is a combination of two Hebrew words, beriyth (Strong #1285) and nagid (Strong #5057).
Nagid has been translated as "captain, chief, governor, leader, noble, prince, ruler" and is defined as: a commander, either civil, military or religious with generally an honorable connotation.
Beriyth has been translated as: "covenant or league", for example: a contract made by the passing between two piece of cut flesh (similar to what Abraham did in Gen. 15:9-21)
In this setting, the interpretation that the nagid beriyth is Jesus Christ is a "forced" interpretation based upon usage of those two terms in Daniel 9:24-27. However, it should be noted that the term nagid is used once in Dan. 9:25 to apply to the Messiah and once in 9:26 to apply to the coming ruler which will desolate Jerusalem. Interpreting nagid beriyth as Jesus Christ doesn't fit into the sequence of events of this prophecy.
A more reasonable transliteration would be "contracting ruler" or "a ruler who had made an agreement or contract" or a "ruler of the Jewish people by their covenant with God". This would be consistent with the verses following (see verses 23 and 30).
Many interpreters consider this 'prince of the covenant" to be Onias III, a godly priest who lead the Jewish nation at that time. Others suggest a ruler named Jason (which I am not knowledgeable of).
v 23 After coming to an agreement with him (a leader in Israel), he (Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of the North) will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his nor his forefathers did (note the relationship tie-in to the former kings). He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses --but only for a time. 25 "With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South 26 Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. 28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.
Note the consistency of this diabolic cunning plotting king, not only in his attainment of the kingdom, but his military conquests. He later turns his fury upon the Israelite worship service.
v 29 "At the appointed time he will invade the South (Second invasion in 169 B.C. when Egypt was still governed by Ptolemy VII Philometer) again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands (literally from Chittim or i.e. Roman warships) will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
Antiochus' victory in Egypt was short-lived. When the Romans showed up with their warships, the Roman ambassador C. Popilius Laenas, informed Antiochus that the Roman Senate wanted him to leave. The grim Roman drew a circle around Antiochus with his cane and demanded a decision before he stepped out of it.' GC Vol. 1, p. 159. You can imagine after this humiliating ejection from Egypt that Antiochus was looking to vent his fury.
"After subduing Egypt, Antiochus [IV Epiphanes] returned in the one hundred and forty-third year [169 B.C.]. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the lights, and all its utensils. He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censors, the curtain, the crowns and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off. He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found. Taking them all, he departed to his own land." 1 Maccabees 1:20-24.
v 31"His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. 33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
'And the king [Antiochus IV Epiphanes] sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, to forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifices and drink offering in the sanctuary, to profane Sabbaths and feasts, to defile the sanctuary and the priests, to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, so that they should forget the law and change all the ordinances. "And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die." . . . Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah, and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death. They kept using violence against Israel, against those found month after month in the cities. And on the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice [probably of swine] on the altar which was upon the altar of burnt offering. According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised, and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mother's necks. But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. And very great wrath came upon Israel.' 1 Maccabees 1:41-50, 54-64
How could I write more about this prophecy’s fulfillment than what historical writings record?
v 36 "The king (of the North) will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.
There are two possible interpretations here. 1) The first and most rational continues with Antiochus IV Epiphanes as the chief player. As was common in those days, Antiochus IV considered himself a god, though he took it a bit further than many of his predecessors. Several examples of Antiochus' arrogance are found in the Maccabean books. '
"So Antiochus (IV) carried off eighteen hundred talents from the temple, and hurried away to Antioch, thinking in his arrogance that he could sail on the land and walk on the sea, because his mind was elated." 2 Maccabees 5:21, 22.
In another incident during which Antiochus was torturing a family for refusing to defile themselves, one of the family members responded to the king, ". . . But you, unholy wretch, you most defiled of all men, do not be elated in vain and puffed up by uncertain hopes, when you raise your hand against the children of heaven. You, by the judgment of God, will receive just punishment for your arrogance." 2 Maccabees 7:34.
In a letter to the Hellenistic Jews from Antiochus V, Epiphanes' son, wrote that his father had gone on to the gods." 2 Maccabees 11:23. In the footnote of The Oxford Annotated Apocrypha, pg. 284, it is mentioned that "in his (Antiochus IV) lifetime, he had been worshiped."
Antiochus IV Epiphanes also honored those who followed him with wealth. "Then the king's officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. Then the king's officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: 'You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.' " Mattathias and his sons (including Judas Maccabees) refused and began leading a rebellion against the vile Syrians
2) A second, though less likely interpretation, involves an unstated timing jump to the Roman period, where now the King of the North is the secular Roman Empire which conquered Palestine by coming down from the North. The Roman Empire, though having many idolatrous gods, also considered the Emperor to be a god and he was worshipped as such. In general, nations that were conquered by the Roman armies submitted and joined the empire. One notable exception was the Jewish nation with its fiercely loyal and religious people. Their refusal to be loyal subjects and eventually their refusal to provide offerings and prayers for the emperor resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Those that became subject to the Romans were honored with power and possessions.
v 40 "At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him (the King of the North) in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians (Ethiopians) in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
The Most Likely Interpretation 1) As mentioned at the beginning of this study, the term "at the time of end" does not always mean the literal end of the world. It is a "time leap indicator".
In verse 40 above, the most straightforward approach is to ask, "what does the end refer to?" I believe it refers to the end of what we've been talking about, namely, the end of the Ptolemaic Empire and the Seleucid Empire.
At the time of the end of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic Empires, the King of the North, now the Roman Empire (Julius Caesar and his general Pompey) swept down through Palestine, into Egypt, and into Libya and Ethiopia (Nubia). The Roman galleys (warships) struck terror in the sight of many of the countries and eventually, the Roman Empire controlled all the coastal countries around the Mediterranean Sea. However, the countries of Edom, Moab and Ammon, fell just outside the borders of the Roman Empire and remained free of their control. (see the adjacent map for the location of the kingdoms of Edom, Moab and Ammon.)
The beautiful holy mountain could refer to the hill that Jerusalem was on (Mt. Zion), Mt. Sinai (in Saudi Arabia), or Mt. Nebo (east of the Jordan).
The location of Mt. Sinai is held by tradition to be on the Sinai Peninsula. The peninsula has the Red Sea on the south, the Gulf of Suez on the west, the Gulf of Aqaba on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea on the north. However, this was a location chosen by the Emperor Constantine's mother whom he sent to that area to pick a Mt. Sinai. But 1500 years of tradition doesn't make it fact! More accurate evidence indicates that the true Mt. Sinai is actually the mountain known as Jabel El Lawz, located in Saudi Arabia (see Galatians 4:24) and the Red Sea crossing was actually over the Gulf of Aqaba, rather than the Gulf of Suez.
The argument is best made for Caesar camping in the neighborhood of Jerusalem with the Dead Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. While it is possible that Caesar may have camped near Mt. Nebo or the true Mt. Sinai, neither is really sandwiched between two seas that are fairly close by.
While Caesar was in Egypt, concerning himself with Cleopatra and the governance of Egypt, reports came from the north and east that the Syrians were invading. Enraged, he marched his troops for several days to surprise his foes. When he and his troops arrived at the scene, he and his soldiers fell immediately upon the invaders, gaining the victory in a short time. It was after this battle that Caesar is reported to have spoken the immortal words "Veni, Vidi, Victi," I came, I saw, I conquered!
Subsequent to his exploits, Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome in 44 B.C. at the hands of sixty fellow Romans led by G. Cassius Longimus, one of his commanders. These senators and friends were afraid of Julius' growing popularity and that it might take away from the Roman democratic form of government. Hence, no one raised a hand to help him.
The Time of the End Some will argue that the "time of the end" just mentioned connects directly with Dan. 12:1 which says 'At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress . . . etc.' This verse has strong references to the events just preceding Jesus Christ's Second Coming and we will look at this text shortly. However, we need to recognize an important biblical principle: "With the Lord, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are as a day" (2Pet. 3:7). Thus, whether two events happen within days or thousands of years, to the Lord, it is if it happens at the same time. There are numerous times in the Bible where events that we recognize as being separated by long periods are detailed as if they occurred together. See Isaiah 7:14, 18, 11:1,10, Dan. 12:2 compare to Rev. 20:4-6 for a few examples,
God has always permitted and even encouraged a sense of eminency regarding coming events, even though relative to man's short lifespan, they may be far distant. God, in His infinite knowledge knew that man would not respond just to His love, but would procrastinate in sharing the good news of salvation and of coming judgment if they knew the events were far distant. Secondly, if someone reads the "soon" style writings of the prophets and apostles, then they will be more encouraged to apply the writings to their own time. Let's look at several interpretations that use a "last day event's" type of perspective.