END TIME STUDY--Pt.23

Now we turn our attention to verse twenty three of Daniel chapter 11. This verse gives us another subtle hint to the identity of the Antichrist. "---He shall come up, and shall be strong with a small people." I believe that this may well be referring to a small, seemingly insignificant tribe or political party. We know that there are 12 tribes of Israel and two or three major political parties in Israel. There are numerous Islamic tribes as well as many political groups so this twelveth Imam, the Mahdi, the Antichrist will more than likely rise up from a small political party. We need to be aware of the various groups of Islam (i.e. Sunnia, Shi'ites, Sufi, Hezballah, Hamas,etc.), that we may better be prepared to identify the Antichrist. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6). "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." (I Thes. 5:4). As believers we should be able to declare to the world who the Antichrist is and what his true purposes are.

Verses 25-28 speak of the Antichrist invading countries to his South, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which will gain him military strength as well as a greater economic power. Though these countries attempted to defend themselves from this invasion, their efforts are unsuccessful. Even the kings own advisers will betray them "---they shall forecast devices against him." (v.25) And the very ones who eat at the king's table shall be the very ones who lead to his destruction. "They that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him." (v.26) These countries are being destroyed from within before they are defeated from without.

Are we not witnessing this already in these countries? The Muslim Brotherhood along with other radical Muslim groups have stirred up strife within these countries, as well as others, in an attempt to overthrow the existing governing power. All of this is setting the stage for the organization of the Islamic caliphate which will be the political structure that the Mahdi will head up that the Muslims believe is to rule the world. I also believe that there are those within our own country, including the far left liberals, who are setting in motion those things that will destroy our nation from within. There has never been such an all-out attack against our Constitution, our religious liberties, our right to bear arms, our rights to speak out against sin and injustice as there is right now (2012)in the United States. Our own political correctness is so weakening our nation that we may not be able to prevent an Islamic takeover of our blessed country. It is time for the church to rise up and sound the alarm.

Verse 27 is already being fulfilled in our present age. "Kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table." These leaders are to represent their respective countries, sit around negotiation tables and speak lies. They will (and are right now) brokering peace treaties, making promises of support, telling each other whatever is necessary for them to gain the upper hand in world power. Although these world leaders may think they are achieving their set goals, "it shall not prosper." We must be constantly reminded that God has a plan and He is working His plan. Until God says it's time to attack, conquer or retreat, all of the negotiations, plans and lies of man are futile. I think the irony of all of this is that the Antichrist and his lackeys will think they are so smart and powerful as they set out to conquer the world, and all along God is allowing this overconfident bunch of losers just enough rope to hang themselves.

After the Antichrist has been victorious in his military maneuvers, he then will "return to his land with great riches." (v.28) He will be riding on a natural high. He will be more confident of his power to conquer and to rule. He will feel that he no longer needs to tolerate those who oppose him, especially the Jews and the Christians. He will set "his heart against the holy covenant." All other religions will be outlawed that the world may worship the Antichrist. He now will "speak out against the Most High and wear down the Saints of the Highest One." (Dan.7:25) the Antichrist's true colors are now seen. He will attempt to destroy any who oppose him. This now begins the Great Tribulation that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:21. This is the beginning of the end. There will be only a little over three years before Jesus comes back and gathers his bride.