Posted on 08/13/2011 12:49:58 PM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
Ever since Sir Robert Anderson published his seminal work, The Coming Prince at the turn of the 20th century, prophecy watchers have been trying to figure out who he is. Sir Robert took his title from Daniel 9:26’s identification of the antichrist as a prince of the Roman Empire:
“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.”
Of all the prophetic clues to the identification of the antichrist, this seems to me to be the most unassailable. There have been only two ‘peoples’ whom history records destroying both the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary of the Temple.
The first was Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who sacked Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, carried off its treasures and took the Judean intelligentsia captive to serve the Babylonian Empire. Daniel’s prophecy was recorded from Babylon, many years after the event.
The second time was in AD 70 when Titus of Rome, together with elements of the V Macedonia, XII Fulminata and XV Fretnensis, lay siege to Jerusalem and the Temple.
On the Jewish feast day of Tisha B’av (the Ninth of Av) and exactly four hundred and ninety years to the day from the date of Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of the First Temple, the Romans fired and destroyed the Second Temple.
The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, was an eyewitness to the events that he described:
"Now as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder, because there remained none to be the objects of their fury (for they would not have spared any, had there remained any other work to be done), [Titus] Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and Temple . . . but for all the rest of the wall [surrounding Jerusalem], it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it [Jerusalem] had ever been inhabited."
According to Josephus, as many as one million, one hundred thousand Jews were killed during the siege, with less than a hundred thousand surviving to be captured and enslaved.
"The slaughter within was even more dreadful than the spectacle from without. Men and women, old and young, insurgents and priests, those who fought and those who entreated mercy, were hewn down in indiscriminate carnage. The number of the slain exceeded that of the slayers. The legionaries had to clamber over heaps of dead to carry on the work of extermination."
Most amazingly, Titus reportedly refused to accept a victory wreath from Ceasar, on the grounds that, “there is no merit in vanquishing a people forsaken by their own God.”
Assessment:
Scripture paints a detailed portrait of the man Daniel said would be a prince of the people who would destroy the city [Jerusalem] and the sanctuary [the Temple].
Daniel 7:8, 24 says that the antichrist will rise from obscurity, but with a 'mouth speaking great things'. He will blaspheme God [Daniel 7:25; 11:36; Revelation 13:5] slandering His Name, dwelling place, and departed Christians and Old Testament saints [Revelation 13:6]
He will confirm a covenant between Israel and the 'many'. [Daniel 9:27] This covenant will likely involve the establishment of a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. [see Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15]
He will put an end to Jewish sacrifice and offerings after 3 ½ years and will set up an abomination to God in the Temple [Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15]. His power will be as absolute as any 'king' of the ancient Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks. [Revelation 13:2] He will not answer to a higher earthly authority; “He will do as he pleases.” [Daniel 11:36]
Daniel 11:37 says he will pay lip service to the religion of his ancestors, but will give honor to the 'god of [military] forces. His whole focus and attention will be on his military. He will conquer lands and distribute them [Daniel 11:39-44]
He will claim that Jesus did not come in the flesh, or that Jesus did not rise bodily from the grave. [2 John 7]. He will deny that Jesus is the Messiah [I John 2:22]
He will be worshiped by many people [Rev. 13:8] He will hate a nation that initially will have some control over his kingdom, but he will destroy this nation [Rev 17:16-18] In some fashion, his name will be related to the number six hundred and sixty six— but not necessarily in an obvious fashion. [Rev 13:17-18]
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, he will be indwelt and empowered by Satan himself. [Revelation 13:2]
I believe that he is alive today and is probably already a well-known politician. But I don’t believe that it is the responsibility of the Church to identify him or even to be on the lookout for him. The Scriptures tell us to be watching for the coming of Christ.
Signs pointing to the antichrist are important only in that the revelation of the antichrist means the return of Jesus Christ is only seven years away from that moment. The Tribulation Period lasts for 2,520 days, which works out to seven Hebrew calendar years.
Over the years, I’ve heard dozens of novel interpretations by folks who find a seven year Tribulation Period inconvenient to their own theories but the big hurdle to get over is that Daniel says the antichrist’s covenant is for one “week” (Hebrew: shabua).
(“Shabua” is used here in the same sense that the Greeks used “decade” to measure multiples of ten years, except the Hebrews worked in multiples of seven.)
The arguments are interesting and novel and some of them show evidence of years of effort at making the numbers match the theory being offered, but you can’t make Daniel’s Seventieth Week into anything but a week of years without trashing the incredible accuracy of Daniel’s prediction regarding the Messiah.
Josh McDowell wrote his thesis at Dallas Theological Seminary on the Book of Daniel, and his thesis was subsequently published as a book entitled, “Evidence that Demands a Verdict.”
McDowell calculated the date of Xerxes commandment to restore the Temple on March 5, 444 BC and counted forward 483 lunar years, which equals 173,855 days.
And exactly 173,855 days after Xerxes issued that commandment, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on the foal of an ass, was received as King and was ‘cut off’ (killed) “but not for Himself”.
“Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one Man should die for the people.” (John 18:14)
So to argue that Daniel’s Seventieth Week is anything but seven years trashes Daniel’s most spectacular prophetic fulfillment. If the first sixty-nine weeks weren’t multiples of seven, then McDowell’s calculations are meaningless.
And so is Daniel’s prophecy – so why bother to either cite or study it?
Furthermore, the Prophet Jeremiah identifies the Tribulation Period as the “time of Jacob’s trouble” which comports to Daniel’s vision of the seventy weeks being determined for Israel and not the Church.
Remember, it is to make ‘reconciliation for sin’ and to ‘bring in everlasting righteousness’.
For the Church during the Church Age, those goals were already accomplished at the Cross.
But the Tribulation Period is the final week of the Age of the Law. The Temple will be in full operation and the Mosaic Law in full force. The Church Age is concluded with the antichrist’s treaty.
We don’t know who the antichrist is -- but we do know that the covenant the antichrist confirms is based on the formula of “land for peace” the formula upon which the Oslo Agreement (September 13, 1993 –September 13, 2000) was based.
So the treaty exists, but collapsed before it was fully implemented. The principle of land for peace remains at the heart of every peace proposal. The antichrist is said to ‘confirm’ the covenant, not write it, or negotiate it or sign it. He ‘confirms’ it.
One cannot confirm anything unless it first exists!
If the symbols, heads, horns and beasts of Daniel and Revelation make sense that is because this is the generation to whom they were addressed. Daniel didn't understand all that he was seeing in his vision, and he asked for an explanation. Instead, the revealing angel told Daniel,
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." [Daniel 12:4]
The Book is unsealed in this generation, a generation in which a person can circumnavigate the planet in a day. A generation that has unlocked the secrets of the human genome, one in which knowledge doubles every eighteen months.
Daniel’s treaty already exists. All that remains is for it to be confirmed and guaranteed by Sir Robert’s coming prince.
At some point before that treaty is finally confirmed, Jesus Christ will descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of an archangel, and all those living who placed their faith in Christ will be snatched away, to be forever with Christ.
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
Ping!
ping
Wow - thanks for this!
I agree! Thank You GiovannaNicoletta. Nothing bothered my Spirit.
Yep, and the prophecies are finally beginning to be fulfilled.
But but but it can't be because it isn't what's been believed for two thousand years!How could all those people be wrong?
The people who will believe will believe, and those who won't believe won't believe.
God has made sure the information we need to know in order to be reconciled to Him and to spend our eternity with Him is out there. And He tells us that more people will reject that information than will accept it.
Things are rapidly wrapping up. It's glaringly obvious to those who have the eyes to see.
More computers for your skin:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-computers-will-soon-get-under-our-skin-2336246.html
From Stick-on tattoos go electric:
"The mechanics behind the design for our serpentine-shaped electronics makes the device as soft as the human skin," says Northwestern University engineer Yonggang Huang, also a lead researcher on the project. "The design enables brittle, inorganic semiconductors to achieve extremely vast stretchability and flexibility. Plus, the serpentine design is very useful for self adhesion to any surface without using glues."
"While some areas of the body are ill-suited to adhesive electronics, such as the elbow, most regions commonly targeted for medical and experimental studies are ideal, including the forehead, extremities and the chest."
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead (Revelation 13:16)
It's getting easier and easier to connect the dots!!
absolutely!
and the verses about the entire world being covered, impossible until modern times. Israel being remade - miraculously in a single day, false Prophet and “another religion” becoming the largest (Islam), and much more!
...but respectfully, i think ALL of what you say is absolutely correct. I read your posts avidly!
...except i don’t understand how the Christians will suffer great persecution, if they are taken away before the chaff.
(which Jesus said would be collected and burned BEFORE the good wheat was collected.)
Matthew 24 has persecution coming early:
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
...
...
...
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
///
if the Church will be raptured back at earlier verses,
then why is SO much of the Bible, in Matthew, Revelation, Daniel, etc.,
concerned about minute details during the 7 years of Tribulation, like the Temple sacrifices in 3 1/2 years, etc.?
Why would so much of the Bible discuss details that would be utterly irrelevant to a raptured Church ?
(sure, Tribulation could be mentioned, as a message of what to avoid. but even the fires of Hell itself, only require a few words in scripture.
and the 2nd coming itself, the rapture in the clouds,
which should be the greatest event in the NT (if true), receives only one single verse, and not even from the lips of Jesus or an Apostle?
and again, huge sections OT and NT, concerned with details of events years AFTER the church is raptured?)
Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:41)
I did a short study years ago on "despisers" re the above verse.It meant those that "think over" or "think around" or those who "count as nought".
"God has made sure the information we need to know in order to be reconciled to Him and to spend our eternity with Him is out there"
Amen and thank God!
"This is the work of God,that ye believe on Him whom He has sent...behold,I tell you before it come,that when it is come,ye may believe...be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy"
doesn’t Revelation 13:16 (the mark) also come long after the Rapture?
again, you do great research. and i am trying to prepare and have “extra oil” for my lamp.
because it seems to me, that some good Christians will still be here in Tribulations:
“22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”
and your excellent research and posts, give me excellent guidance. i do thank you. and i would be happy to be wrong! so i will continue to read your posts.
Because there are two separate groups of people who are associated with Jesus Christ. The first, those who have accepted Christ as Savior during this present Church Age, are the people who are described as the "bride" of Christ, and they are the people who will be removed from the earth before Jesus judges the earth.
There is a second group, those who were not saved at the time of the Rapture, who will be left behind to go through the Tribulation. This group of people will come to Christ during the Tribulation, and it is they and the Jews who will be the target of the persecution of the Antichrist.
The Church, aka the bride and the body of Christ, will be taken out before the Tribulation begins. The Tribulation saints, those who come to Christ during the Tribulation, will suffer persecution and most of them will be killed by the Antichrist during that time.
Matthew 24 has persecution coming early: 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
Matthew 24 is directed at the Jews, not the Church. The Church had not yet been established at the time of Matthew 24. This passage of Scripture is Jesus talking to a Jewish audience about what the Jewish people will go through during the Tribulation. It does not refer to the Church.
if the Church will be raptured back at earlier verses, then why is SO much of the Bible, in Matthew, Revelation, Daniel, etc., concerned about minute details during the 7 years of Tribulation, like the Temple sacrifices in 3 1/2 years, etc.? Why would so much of the Bible discuss details that would be utterly irrelevant to a raptured Church ?
Because, as the article states, the Tribulation is not about the Church and does not involve the Church. The Tribulation is about God turning His attention back to Israel and purifying her, and preparing her to recognize her Messiah at the end of the seven years, and to accept Him as their Messiah, and to go into the Millennial Kingdom and be able to carry out her assigned roles during that thousand year reign.
The Tribulation is also Jesus Christ judging this fallen, evil, Christ-rejecting earth, but it is the final week of Daniel's prophecy and is about Israel, not the Church.
(sure, Tribulation could be mentioned, as a message of what to avoid. but even the fires of Hell itself, only require a few words in scripture. and the 2nd coming itself, the rapture in the clouds, which should be the greatest event in the NT (if true), receives only one single verse, and not even from the lips of Jesus or an Apostle? and again, huge sections OT and NT, concerned with details of events years AFTER the church is raptured?)
Well, first of all, every bit of prophecy came from God, not man:
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20, 21)
So all Scripture is God-breathed, including prophecy, so the passages regarding the Rapture were not dreamed up by man, but were given to man by God.
Second, the Rapture is simply God fulfilling His promise to His bride to get us off the scene before He judges this world. It is an event which will take place in less than a second. I guess that some people would be of the opinion that the Rapture would be the greatest event of the New Testament, and others would think that the literal, physical return of Christ to this earth would be the greatest event of the New Testament, then others would think that the birth and death of Christ would be the greatest event.
The bottom line is, all the questions you ask have a simple answer: the Church is important in the economy of God, and we have a role to play, but we are not the only players in the game. You must be willing to accept the fact that God is not finished with Israel, and you must be willing to accept that the vast majority of Scripture which refers to Israel and God's future plans for her, are true. Without that acceptance, you can never understand prophecy, or the Bible, and you will constantly be at war with the facts as God gave them to us.
It's not all about the Church, and God has told us how everything works out and how everything ends. You just have to be willing to believe it.
And yet when the most terrible of persecutions are visited on believers,when satan himself is thrown down from heaven to visit his vengance on those who call upon Jesus name,when the whole world wonders after the beast,when the very earth itself reels to and fro like a drunkard,there's not one single reference to the church.No..."fear not" no "be not afraid" nothing.
Instead,the language turns to...Lion of the tribe of Judah,lampstands,candelsticks,temple sacrifices,abominations in the temple,terms that any beleiving Jew would fully understand.I think that may be because the Revelation of Jesus is written primarily for Jews,in a type of OT sybolic language they would understand.The church is no longer here.Now there are two witnesses on the temple mount,an angel proclaiming the gospel etc.
God bless.
ping to above GN,great thread and thanks for the ping.
INDEED. Indeed.
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I agree with you! The problem many people have with accepting this truth is because they have been deluded by revered "church" doctors that, a few thousand years ago, had an entirely different perspective than we do today. For example, after 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem along with the diaspora of the Jewish people, there was no inkling that the Jews would return to their land and be reborn as a nation. Yet, this was a distinct prophecy that foretold exactly that it would happen in the last days. Many that experienced the persecution of Christians during the Roman empire assumed they were already in the last days, but we know now that they were wrong because many of the events foretold had not occurred yet.
Even today, there are Christians STILL being persecuted and killed for their faith. This one fact was NOT the main tipping point signaling the end-times spoken of by Daniel. Jesus did say that all along we are to be ready for his return because his coming would be as a thief in the night. Paul had to even reprimand the believers in Thessolonica because some had quit working sure that Jesus' return was imminent. They were sponging* off the others who were still taking care of their families and this was not right. We should always be ready for his return, looking up because our redemption is drawing near, but we glorify the Lord by living every day as if it was our last in obedience and faith.
(* little joke: Make a REAL sponge cake, borrow all the ingredients.) ;o)
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