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GABRIEL'S EXPLANATION OF THE END |
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Outline 1. THE PERSONALITY OF THE ANTICHRIST a) A Harsh Person b) A Helpful Person 2. THE POWER OF THE ANTICHRIST a) The Source of His Power b) The Force of His Power 3. THE POLICY OF THE ANTICHRIST a) Deceitful Policy b) Defiant Policy c) Destructive Policy d) Defamatory Policy
For the past several studies we
have been looking at the dreams and visions of Daniel. In chapters
7-8 we find two particular dreams that Daniel received. As we have
seen, these dreams give us a sketch of history and prophecy. We can
get out our history books and see much of the dreams that have
already been fulfilled. The parts of the dream that have already
been fulfilled remind us of the truthfulness of the Bible.
When we read the Bible we can
read it with the assurance that we are reading a Bible that is
believable and reliable. Contrary to what the skeptics may say, the
Bible is 100% true.
Century follows century –there it
stands.
Empires rise and fall and are
forgotten –there it stands.
Storms of hate swirl about it
-there it stands.
Higher critics deny its claim to
inspiration -there it stands.
Infidels predict its abandonment
-there it stands. Modernism tries to explain it away -there it
stands.
Christians pick and choice from
its pages -there it stands.
The lost world ignores its
warnings -there it stands.
As we have seen there are parts
of Daniel’s dream that have not been fulfilled and remain a part of
prophecy. The part of Daniel’s second dream that we are looking at
in this study is one example. What he saw is yet to be fulfilled.
We read in verses 15-16,
“And
it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision,
and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as
the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the
banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man
to understand the vision.”
Daniel had a special visitor that appeared in the form of a man as
he sought to discover the meaning of the dream. No doubt Daniel was
in prayer when this visitor suddenly appeared. The visitor spoke to
him. Most believe that was the Lord Himself. He is not described as
a man, but rather having the appearance of a man.
Whoever the visitor was, He gave Gabriel instructions to help Daniel
understand the dream. The name
“Gabriel” means
“strong man of God” or
“hero of God.” Gabriel
appears four times in the Scripture and on each occasion he is
bringing a message from God to man. It was Gabriel that that
appeared to announce the birth of John the Baptist and the Lord
Jesus. In Revelation 12:7 he is represented as a leader among the
holy angels and in Jude 9 he is identified as an archangel.
Archangels were the chief angels of all God’s angels.
Angels are a fascinating subject in the Bible. They are heavenly
messengers and attendants. It has always been commonly believed that
every believer has an angel watching over them. The way I have seen
some drive, I have no doubt there are some angels whose nerves are
about shot. Angels serve those who are saved, caring for them day
after day, although we are not even aware of their presence.
We read in verse 17, “So he
came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell
upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at
the time of the end shall be the vision.” Daniel is at
first afraid when Gabriel approaches him. This reaction was no doubt
due to being in the very presence of God, not so much that he was
afraid of Gabriel.
Gabriel tells Daniel that what he
is about to explain involves
“the time of the end.” The dream now goes beyond the historical
characters and fulfilled prophecy that we considered in our last
study and takes us into unfulfilled prophecy. The “time of the end”
or the end times speaks of that time just before the Lord returns.
I believe that Gabriel describes
for us the antichrist that will one day rule upon this earth. Daniel
in his dream had just learned of a little horn that waxed great and
desecrated the
In find verse 18 encouraging to
me as a preacher. We read, “Now
as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward
the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.”
If Daniel went to sleep while Gabriel was talking to him, I don’t
feel so bad when people go to sleep while I am preaching.
No doubt the whole affair was an
exhausting experience for Daniel. However, Gabriel touches Daniel,
wakes him up and proceeds to explain the meaning of the dream. We
read in verse 19, “And
he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end
of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.”
Gabriel calls the time that is
involved in this dream as
“the last end of the indignation.” In the Bible “indignation”
refers to God’s wrath. The tribulation period is a time when God’s
wrath will be poured out on the earth. This will be a “time
appointed” in the end times when God will judge this earth. The Book
of Revelation gives us a good understanding of this period of time
upon the earth.
First, Gabriel explains the
historical aspect of the dream. I say historical, because to us
these events are a matter of history, although they were prophetic
to Daniel. We read in verses 20-22,
“20
The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the
kings of Media and
Then in verse 23 we read of
“the
latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the
full.”
It is my opinion that the phrase “when transgressors are come to the
full,” takes us into the tribulation when God’s mercy and patience
with sinners comes to an end. It is during this time that a
personality arises that is described in verses 23-25 which is none
other than the antichrist.
About the mid point of the tribulation period, the Bible tells us
there will rise to power a man that will control the world. He will
bring a short period of peace to the world, but in so doing will
take over control of the world. He will be energized by Satan
himself and even declare himself to be the Christ, thus his name,
antichrist.
Who he is, no one can accurately say. However, there are many who
believe that he may even be living today, and it is just a matter of
time before he begins to emerge onto the world scene. I can’t say
that he is living today, but this I do know. One day Jesus will come
back and take His people out of this world initiating the
Tribulation. During this time the antichrist will rise to power.
When you consider that the Scripture seems to indicate that we are
nearing the return of the Lord, it is possible that this person
could every well be living today.
In 1976 there came out a movie entitled
The Omen. These were
about a boy named Damien. He was the son of an American ambassador
who learns through a series of events that his son is the
antichrist. There were the numbers 666 that were found on his head
and others things that revealed his identity. The movie trailer
began with the numbers 666 flashing on the screen and then the
words, “His day will come.” One day his day will come and it will be
more than a movie. It will be a fact of history.
We thought about the antichrist in chapter seven as we looked at the
“little horn.” Now, let’s consider the description that is given to
Daniel by Gabriel in chapter eight.
1. THE PERSONALITY OF THE ANTICHRIST
In verse 23 we see that he is described as
“a king of fierce
countenance, and understanding dark sentences” and how he
“shall stand up,” or
rise to power. These words give us insight into the personality of
the antichrist. What kind of person will the antichrist be?
First, we see that He will be:
A) A Harsh Person
He is described as “a king
of fierce countenance.” The word “fierce” speaks of someone who
is “strong, rough, and harsh.” The antichrist will be someone who is
harsh in his manner and in how treats those who oppose him. No doubt
he will appear to be one thing to the public, but behind the scenes
he will be cruel to get where he wants to get and will allow no one
to stop him from doing what he wants to do.
History has had such characters. Saddam Hussein was one such
personality. When in power, he ran an authoritarian government,
suppressing any movements that he deemed threatening to him. For
example, on July 22, 1979 he convened an assembly of Ba’ath party
leaders in which he claimed that he had found spies and conspirators
within the party. He read out the names of 68 members who he thought
opposed him. These 68 members were put on trial and 22 were executed
for treason.
I think about two brothers that were wicked as could be. One died
and the other went to see a preacher about doing his funeral. He
handed the preacher a check for a large amount of money and said,
“I’ll give this to the church, but on one condition. At my brothers
funeral you must say that my brother was a saint.”
The preacher said he would and took the check. At the funeral, the
preacher got up and said, “Everyone knows what kind of fellow so and
so was. He was an evil man. He cheated on his wife and abused his
family. He was a liar and a drunk, but next to his brother, he was a
saint.”
You could say that Saddam Hussein was a saint compared to the
antichrist. There has never been a person as evil as will be the
antichrist. Understanding that he derives all his power from Satan
one can only imagine how evil, wicked, and harsh he will be.
Not only is he described as a
harsh person, but we also see
him as:
B) Helpful Person
He is described as
“understanding dark sentences.” It is literally, a master of
intrigue. The phrase is used in 1 Kings 10:1 to describe the hard
questions that the Queen of Sheba put to Solomon. The phrase
signifies that the antichrist will be one that will be able to solve
difficult problems. I refer to him as a helpful person in the sense
that he will help bring about a solution to many of difficult
problems in the world.
As I said earlier, the antichrist will bring peace to the world for
a short period of time. It is my personal opinion that this is one
of the reasons he will rise to power and be accepted by the world.
He will have a solution for all the problems that are going on in he
world, whereas, everyone else has failed.
However, all that he does is
selfishly motivated. He will be evil personified and all that he
does will be to bring about his own wicked and diabolical purposes.
Even the peace that he will help bring to the world will only serve
to fulfill his selfish and satanic purposes.
Secondly, Gabriel describes to
Daniel:
2. THE POWER
OF THE ANTICHRIST
We read in verse 24,
“And
his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall
destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall
destroy the mighty and the holy people.”
Gabriel not only speaks of his personality but also of his power.
As we look at his power we see:
A) The Source of His Power
Verse 24 says that “his
power shall be mighty.” The word “mighty” speaks of the strength
and scope of his power. His power will be great and it will have
world-wide reach. He will be the most powerful man who has ever
lived upon the face of the earth.
However, Gabriel explains that his power is
“not by his own power.”
In Revelation 13:2 the Bible says
“the dragon gave him his
power, and his seat, and great authority.” The dragon is Satan
himself. The antichrist will be the personal servant of Satan,
empowered and energized by Satan himself. Satan will bring him to
power and give him his power and authority to carry out his end time
objectives.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:9 we read,
“Even him, whose coming is
after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders.” Again, the source of the antichrist’s power is Satan.
You hear of people selling their souls to the devil to achieve
certain things. Here is a man who soul belongs to Satan. All that he
is and all that he does is because of Satan.
Furthermore, we see:
B) The Force of His Power
Verse 24 says “he shall
destroy wonderfully.” The idea is that he will cause astounding
devastation. The latter part of verse 24 says that he
“shall destroy the mighty.”
The word “mighty” speaks of “nobles” and important people,
militarily and politically. Any leader that is not on board with him
will be marked for termination.
Also on his hit list is “the
holy people.” This speaks of the Jewish people. Throughout
history Jews have been targeted by evil despots like Hitler. During
the tribulation period, the antichrist will be merciless in his
hatred and persecution of the Jewish people.
We read in verse 24 that he
“shall prosper, and practice.” He will prosper and do whatever
he pleases. No one will be able to stop him. He will be a Hitler,
Mussolini, Saddam Hussein wrapped up in one person ruling the world.
In the part of Daniel’s dream that he saw that is now history he saw
great and powerful rulers such as Cyrus the Great and Alexander the
Great. They were mighty and powerful leaders of the world at their
time, but nothing compared to might and power of the rule of the
antichrist.
Lastly, Gabriel described for Daniel:
3. THE POLICY OF THE ANTICHRIST
We read in verse 25, “And
through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand;
and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall
destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;
but he shall be broken without hand.”
The word “policy” as used here speaks of the dark side of his
cunning and understanding. We often hear people talk about the
policy of the President or some important person. The policy of the
antichrist is now described by Gabriel.
We see that it will be a:
A) Deceitful Policy
He “shall cause craft to
prosper in his hand.” The word “craft” speaks of “deceit.” It is
speaks of “fraud.” All that he does will be build on lies and
deception. He will appear to have all the answers, but in reality,
he is but deceiving the world.
The Chinese have an idom, "Honey in mouth, but dagger in heart."
This Chinese idiom speaks of treachery and craftiness. Li Linfu,
Prime Minister during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang
Dynasty, was a cunning and sinister person who knew how to curry
favour with those above him. Jealous of those who were talented and
prestigious, he racked his brains to elbow them aside and even
murder them.
He fawned on the influential eunuchs so that they might put in a
good word on his behalf in Xuanzong's presence. Consequently, he
wormed himself into the good graces of the emperor and held a high
official post for 17 years. Li Linfu always feigned humbleness,
politeness, kindness and spoke cajolingly, but he was vicious
inwardly, always ready to harm others. By and by, people saw through
his hypocrisy. "Li Linfu has honey in his mouth," they said, "but
dagger in his heart."
The antichrist will speak with honey in his mouth, but he will have
a dagger in his heart. He will deceive the world and cause them to
believe his lies.
His policy will also be a:
B) Defiant Policy
He “shall magnify himself in
his heart.” He will view himself as superior to all others thus
daring anyone to question or doubt his authority. In fact, he will
view himself as God. He will see himself as the ultimate authority.
He will not allow his word to questioned or challenged. As far as he
is concerned, he is all authority.
Rabbi Simeon said, "The world is
not worth thirty righteous persons such as our father Abraham. If
there were only twenty righteous persons in the world, I and my son
should be of the number. If there were only ten, I and my son should
be of them, if there were only five, I and my son should be of the
five. If there were but two, I and my son would be those two, and if
there were but one, myself should be that one."
The antichrist in his conceit and
arrogance will see himself as the most important person in the world
and act accordingly.
Thirdly, we see that it will be a:
C) Destructive Policy
We read that “by peace shall
destroy many.” He will bring about peace in the world, howbeit,
it will be false peace. People will be lulled into a feeling of
security and then when they are at ease, he will turn loose his
hellish venom upon the earth.
Last of all we see that it will be a:
D) Defamatory Policy
We read that “he shall also
stand up against the Prince of princes.” He will even defy the
God of heaven, boasting that he is God himself. He will do
everything in his power to tear down the name of God and rid the
world of anything that is associated with God.
However, Gabriel adds: “but
he shall be broken down.” When he picks a fight with God, he
picks the wrong person to attack. Revelation 19 describes the Lord
returning and defeating the antichrist and hurling him into the lake
of fire.
We read in verse 26, “And
the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is
true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for
many days.” Gabriel assures Daniel that everything he has seen
is true and will be fulfilled just as God had revealed. When we talk
about the antichrist and future events, don’t take them as just the
wild imagination of Daniel or John. They are truths that one day
will happen on the earth.
The words “shut up the
vision” speak of sealing the vision. In Daniel’s day, a document
was sealed for preservation. He was not telling Daniel to not tell
what he had seen, but preserve it for future generations. God wanted
us to know what the future holds. That is why we have the dreams of
Daniel and the Book of Revelation. He wanted to know what will
happen in the days to come.
We read in verse 27, “And I
Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose
up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision,
but none understood it.” The whole affair left Daniel
completely wiped out, as we would say, for several days. He would
later return to his duties, but the impact of what he had seen
lingered.
When I think about the antichrist and the days that he will rule
upon the earth, I rejoice that I will be gone. The Lord will take
me, and all who are saved, out of this world at the rapture. He will
come just as God said, but glory to God, I will be gone. How about
you? © 2007 by the Living Word |
