Abide in Him

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out , in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.

But you have an annointing from the Holy one, and you all know.

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.

As for you, let that abide in you which you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.

These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

And as for you, the annointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His annointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

And now little children abide in Him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him with shame at His coming.

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

                             1 John 2:18-29 NASB

My previous post dealt with the topic of deception in the last days. You can read it here. I would like to continue with this theme as I believe that it is vital for us to be well grounded in the faith, not just in the end times, but even now, as false teachers have always been among us.

John is writing to Christians who have received the faith (the gospel, doctrine etc.) firsthand from the eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ (see 1John 1:1-4). These Christians as John states, knew the truth. That was the purpose of his epistle. He was confronting false teaching that threatened the Church. He was not protecting a group of believers who didn't have a grasp on the truth, but they knew the truth from the beginning. They were literally grounded in the apostle's teachings.

This is important in so many ways. We must be firmly grounded in the truth. Although the original Apostles are long gone, the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is the same faith built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20) that has been handed down to us through the word of God. 

Let us endeavor to grasp it, understand it, believe it, and make it ours. It must not merely be a faith of the head, but a living, active faith that is obeyed and followed, and allowed to transform us into the image of Christ. Anything less than that is not the faith found in the pages of scripture.

What we believe about Jesus affects our worship and submission to Him. Anything other than what is revealed in scripture will impact our faith in a negative way. Ultimately, the danger is that we will end up believing a different gospel, and following a different Jesus than the only Jesus who can save us (Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4). Our abiding in the truth, and consequently in Christ, is where our safety is found. To be outside of the truth is to be outside of Christ, and to be susceptible to all forms of error.

John was confronting heresy in his day that twisted the truth of who Jesus truly was. This was, and is the spirit of antichrist. There is nothing new under the sun, and new twists on old heresies still abound today. No doubt when the final beast kingdom arises, false prophets will arise out of it deceiving many with the same attacks on the person and work of Jesus.

It is my firm belief that the end time beast prophecied to arise will be made up of the Muslim nations surrounding Israel today. The scriptures are clear, all the nations mentioned in prophetic passages concerning end times events surrounding the day of the LORD are Muslim majority nations today. While many teachers are looking to a coalition of European nations to spawn the antichrist, the Bible actually directs us to look at the Middle East. 

You must understand that Islam has its version of "Jesus." The Jesus (Issa) of Islam is a mere man. He never claimed to be God, He was never crucified, and in the last days He will return to help an individual referred to as the Mahdi (the antichrist?) eliminate Jews and Christians, and install Islam as the final religion. This Issa destroys a man known as the Dajaal, (Islam's version of the antichrist) who by the way refers to himself as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." That's a bit eerie isn't it?

It wouldn't be too farfetched to imagine the false prophet of Revelation 13:11-18 claim to be Issa (Jesus), deny his deity, deny that he was crucified, and instead direct all worship to the man known as the Mahdi. Now I admit this is speculation at this point in time. We don't know how everything will play out, but we have the warnings found in the scriptures telling us of false prophets and false Christs raising and deceiving many. 

I want to make something clear. I love Muslim people. My wife and I are aquainted with many Muslims. We have had some of them in our home, and been in their homes as well. We see a people who are themselves blinded by a deception that has run for 1,400 years now. They are born into this, and desperately need the light of Christ to shine into their hearts. Just as you or I at one time also were lost without Christ, so are they. Unless they come to a knowledge of the truth and surrender their lives to Jesus, they too will perish. God loves all people and sent Jesus to die for the Muslim as well as the Hindu, atheist etc. We are all on level ground at the foot of the cross.

So with that in mind, we must know what we believe, why we believe it, and make sure it is the truth. It can be hard to debate a Jehovah's witness, a Mormon, or a Muslim. Many people fall for the deception that these groups spread. It is amazing how similar these three cults are in their beliefs. An attack against the person and work of Jesus Christ is at the heart of these group's message. Indeed they preach a different gospel and a different Jesus than that which has been revealed in scripture.

Back to our passage, John speaks of an annointing that we as believers possess. This annointing is the Holy Spirit, who Jesus also refers to as "the Spirit of truth" in John 14:15-26. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in each believer. Through the indwelling presence of the Spirit we have fellowship with the Father and Son. This is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27). 

The Holy Spirit is referred to by Christ as the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit guides us into the truth, and without the revelation of the Holy Spirit we cannot expect to abide in truth in our own strength. With this annointing we do not need the opinions of men to direct us into the truth. While the ministry gifts are meant for the edification of the Church, and are vital in guiding the Church through deception and on to maturity (Ephesians 4:12-15), ultimately we have the responsibility to study these things for ourselves with the annointing of the Holy Spirit.

Men are fallible, prone to make mistakes, and even deliberately mislead. We must always back up what we hear with the word of God, made clear to us by the Holy Spirit. That is the meaning of this passage.

If we remain in the truth, submitted to Christ in trust and obedience, we have nothing to fear at His return. His truth will preserve us from error. With the Holy Spirit to guide us we can be confident in these days we live in. I read something years ago, and I don't remember who said it, 

"The Holy Spirit will not lead you where the word of God cannot keep you."

These are meaningful words for us to ponder. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us press on to know Christ, abiding in His presence, safe in the storm, and not ashamed at His return.

For further reading

The Spirit of Antichrist.

Do Not Be Deceived

Deception has been Satan's weapon from the very beginning when he approached Eve saying, "Indeed, has God said..."  (Gen 3:1). It has always been a deadly thing to watch out for, and will be until the very end when Satan is ultimately destroyed in the lake of fire (see Rev 20:10).

We find verses throughout the scriptures warning us against deception. If we are to stand before the Son of man at His return, we must be strong in our faith, unmoved in the face of what might be the strongest deception the earth has ever seen.

On one occasion Jesus' disciples asked about the signs of His second coming. Jesus begins His reply with a warning against deception.

It is quite amazing to look at the various "prophecies" concerning the return of Christ that have been floated out there over the last few centuries. Up to this point none of them have come to pass. As a result, people have been disappointed, disillusioned, and the word of God has been malinged. People have been deceived by men who could have been easily refuted if someone would have only tested them against the word of God. Therefore it becomes us to make sure that we are not deceived. Our souls, and the souls of others depend on it.

So in Matthew 24:4 Jesus says to His disciples, "See to it that no one misleads you."

Immediately He explains that many will come in His name, declaring that they are the Christ, and mislead many (verse 5). 

He then goes through the signs of the end. Wars and rumors of wars, nations rising up against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, famines and earthquakes in various places. Note in verse 8, these are not the end, but the beginning of the birth pains!

Then severe tribulation, persecution and death, a great falling away, people betraying one another. The arrival of false prophets with more deception. Here we hear that the love of most will grow cold, but the one who endures all of this to the end will be saved.

This is the general flow of things that Jesus lays out in Matthew 24:3-14.

Jesus zeros in on the final great tribulation (3 1/2 years) leading up to His return and gathering of His elect in the next section of this chapter (Matt 24:15-31. Starting with the event that signals the start of this time of tribulation, the abomination of desolation, Jesus again describes the events leading up to His second coming. He warns of false Christ's and false prophets deceiving many. The signs and wonders performed by them will be so powerful as to mislead the elect if that is possible (Matt 24:23-24).   

This is the same thing Paul warns of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. Note here that Paul, in his response to those who were confused about the timing of Christ's return and the gathering of the saints (rapture) tells them, "Let no one in any way deceive you." (2 Thess 2:3).

He then states that His second coming and the rapture/gathering of the elect, will not occur until after the great falling away occurs, and the man of lawlessness is revealed (the abomination of desolation). Just like Jesus, Paul does not want us to be in the dark about the events leading up to the return of Christ. When these events begin to unfold we dare not be taken by surprise, as the deception will only get worse.

And like Jesus,  Paul also tells of a time of false signs and wonders that will decieve many. Let's compare these scriptures,

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

                                   Matt 24:24 NASB

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.

That is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but too pleasure in wickedness.

                          2 Thess 2:8-13 NASB

Jesus and Paul are speaking of the same thing. The revealing of the Antichrist corresponds with the abomination of desolation. This is that. He will sit in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God (2 Thess 2:3-4). This is going to be a time of great deception, as we also see in Revelation 13:11-18.

Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.

He exercises all the authority of he first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out if heaven to the earth in the presence of men.

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.

And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the the image of the beast to be killed.

And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to he given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

And he provides that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that if a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty six.

Here we are introduced to another beast, who is later referred to as the "false prophet" ( Rev 19:20). He operates with the same authority as the first beast or Antichrist. This period in time will be filled with all sort of miraculous signs, perhaps the most stunning will be the resurrection from the dead of the Antichrist ( see Rev 13:3). This event will cause the whole earth to follow after the beast in amazement. The false prophet, just as Jesus predicted, will perform amazing signs to deceive the world into worshipping the beast and his image. The whole economic system will be tied into this worship. It will be a line drawn in the sand so to speak, an irrevocable choice to make.

I fear that we won't be ready for this when it happens. Most Christians are not expecting to see these things unfold. As I previously stated, no one talks about this, no Sunday sermons on this topic, no midweek Bible studies. We need to understand what will someday come, perhaps in our lifetime, and prepare ourselves, by God's grace to stand firm come what may.

How can we be strong? How can we keep our focus and avoid falling into deception?

In John 8:32-32 Jesus exhorted to those who had come to believe in Him,

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

There is freedom in the truth. To hold the truth dear, to love it, and to put it into practice is costly, but freeing. To stand in the truth in the midst of Earth's darkest hour might cost you everything in the physical realm, but you will be spiritually free. 

There is no need to be misled. God has given us by His word, everything we need to know to make it through whatever we may face in this life. We have His Holy Spirit within us bringing to our remembrance what we need, when we need it (John 14:26). Study the word, rely on the Holy Spirit to teach you. Now is the time to prepare. Keep your lamps full of oil, and a little extra as well, for some day there might not be time to buy more ( see Matt 25:1-13).

Those who do not love the truth, but instead reject it, can expect to be deceived. In fact, God will send them a deluding influence as a judgement because they did not love the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness (2 Thess 2:10-12). People may be shocked by this, but God will not be mocked, you reap what you sow (Gal 6:7-8). At this time in history evil will have reached it's fullness. To allow yourself to fall into deception, to worship the beast and receive his mark will involve a deliberate choice to align yourself with evil. 

But again, God gives more grace, and we can depend on Him to bring us through. We have His word which is truth. By taking heed to it we can see clearly in the midst of error, and avoid the pitfalls and traps that would otherwise ensnare us.

Watch and Pray

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

                                1 Peter 4:7 NASB

If we look back at the previous verses in this chapter we read that the time past is sufficient for us to pursue a course of sensuality and self indulgence (see 1 Peter 4:1-7). This is the way the rest of the world lives, but we are no longer of this world, but seek a heavenly kingdom (John 18:14, Heb 13:14). 

In keeping with the theme of 2 Peter 3:10-11, But the day of the Lord will cone like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and it's works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness...

How then should we be living now? How should we prepare for the coming day of the Lord? As I previously have stated, we may not be the generation to see the final days of Earth's history, but yet we will all stand before God someday, so how can we be prepared for that day?

Prayer is vital to our spiritual survival. Just as the air we breath is necessary to our physical well being, prayer is necessary for our spiritual well being. Without air we die, likewise, without prayer we die.

So according to the above passage we can see that sound judgement and self control are absolutely necessary if we are to maintain a healthy prayer life. How can one be alert and focused on the spiritual realm while indulging in the flesh? 

As Christians, we are in a spiritual battle for our very souls. As we approach the end of time things can only intensify. Therefore we must be alert, and understand what is going on around us. It is time to be sober minded, and constantly bringing everything to God in prayer. I think that focused prayer is one of the hardest things for us as believers to maintain. I speak for myself here. We can be so easily distracted, the "noise" in our busy minds smothering our faith.

Jesus, in His discourse on the last days and the signs of His return, says this,

"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

for it will come up on all those that dwell on the face of all the earth.

"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of man."

                           Luke 21:34-36 NASB

Jesus is telling us the same thing here. If we become wrapped up in the cares of life, or spend our time indulging our fleshly desires, we will be taken by surprise when the things He has foretold begin to take place. We will be blindsided when actual tribulation arrives, when deception abounds everywhere. We are to be alert, vigilant, watching, and fervently praying for the grace to stand in the face of a trial unseen yet by the world.

If we aren't alert now, how can we expect to "spring into action" when the rubber meets the road? Jesus tells us that it is by our endurance we will gain our lives (Luke 21:19). He foretells of a time when the love of many will grow cold, but the one who endures to the end will be saved (Matt 24:12-13).

In Luke 18:1-8 we have a parable that is meant to encourage persistent prayer. We are to pray and not give up, we have the promise that God will bring justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night. But here Jesus makes a statement that should cause each one of us to stop and think. "However, when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

When Jesus comes back will He find me, you, watching, praying, trusting Him while everything is falling apart around us? That is a challenge for each one of us as we "see the day approaching."

What Will It Cost?

In keeping with my previous post, I would like to share a few more thoughts on being prepared for the final days. Again, whether we live to see the last days and return of Christ or not, we will all appear before God anyway, so we must be ready for that day 

Jesus tells us to count the cost in Luke 14:25-33. I think this is foundational for us. Just like the individual in Christ's example could not finish what he started, we need to be aware of what it means to follow Jesus. I am afraid that many make a quick decision that does not last when the going gets tough. What will you or I do when our world falls apart around us? If we have truly counted the cost, we should not be surprised when difficult times come 

I would like to focus on five things that Jesus touches on concerning the cost of discipleship.

1. Our wills

2. Our comfort 

3. Our possessions 

4. Our families 

5. Our lives 

In Mark 8:34-38 we read this,

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, " If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

"For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

                                Mark 8:34-38 NASB

1. If we are to follow Jesus, and make it all the way to the end, our wills must be surrendered to Him. We can't have a divided allegiance. Jesus won't take a part of us, and let us have the rest. There is a saying, and I don't know who said it, but it goes like this, "Either Christ is Lord of all, or He isn't Lord at all."

That is hard. But to deny ourselves means literally that. We say no to our plans, purposes, comforts, in order to follow, and do what Jesus desires us to do. To enlist in the army involves a giving up of a right to yourself to do what your commander asks of you. Likewise, we are in God's service, and it's not about us. 

In the New Testament we run into the idea of a "bond servant." Someone who had entered into this was now no longer their own. They had no plans of their own, no will of their own, no purpose other than to do their masters bidding. Ideally their master took care of their needs, but they lived for him. Likewise, a man carrying his cross is a "dead man walking." He no longer has any will of his own. It is completely out of his hands now. All of his plans are gone.

So, our wills must be surrendered. It is Jesus who is in charge, it is His will that we obey, no matter how hard it is. Of course, we can trust Him completely, as He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our helper, so we do not need to be afraid of what man may do to us (Hebrews 13:5-6).

2. Our comfort can hinder our following Jesus. Imagine being without electricity, plenty of food, a good vehicle, a nice house. You fill in the blank. What if Jesus called you to go to a place where those things were unavailable? Imagine the hardships that people all over the world now suffer for the sake of Christ. We have so much here in America. It can be hard to fathom what others go through who lack many of the things we take for granted. What we enjoy today here in the land of plenty might be gone someday. We have no guarantee what the future holds for us. Then what? 

In response to a scribe who told Jesus that he would follow Him wherever He went, Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head (Matt 8:18-21).

To follow Jesus we must expect hardships. We cannot let our comfortable lifestyles hinder us from going wherever Jesus leads us, and enduring whatever He allows in our lives as His disciples.

3. Our possessions can become great stumbling blocks as we follow Jesus as well. In Luke 14:33 Jesus demands the forsaking of our possessions if we are to follow Him. If we are not our own, it follows reason that our things are not our own either. How many people will turn back over a treasured possession that they refuse to give up? 

In Matthew 24:15-18 Jesus warns about the coming abomination of desolation. At that point in time in Judaea, everyone must flee, there will be no time to get your things before you go. I remember years ago, before I was saved, trying to figure out how I could last through the tribulation while holding on to some of my most treasured items. I thought Jesus command here in these verses seemed a little ridiculous. That in a nutshell is the foolishness of covetousness. Preserving your things will cost you in the end. 

There was a fire a century or so ago that wiped out several towns, not far from where I live, killing many people. The story is told of a train waiting on the tracks to take fleeing people to safety. People were coming with their things. One lady pushing a treadle sewing machine, another a piano. The fire was literally right behind them, the rails were red hot from the heat. When the abomination of desolation occurs the last thing on our minds at that point should be our possessions. Don't let your stuff anchor you to this earth.

4. We love our families, and for most of us we would do anything for them. But Jesus warns us not to let family keep us from following Him (Luke 14:26). 

This verse seems harsh to many, and Jesus doesn't want us to literally hate our families. He is making a point. Who does our allegiance belong to? A disciple wanted to bury his father first. Jesus told him to "Let the dead bury the dead. You come follow me." (Matt 8:21-22). Again, Jesus is making a point about our allegiance to him. Remember the command to honor our parents? Jesus upheld that command. We are expected to love our enemies, how much more our families! How many people have refused the call of God on their lives because they put family ahead of God? That is the point. To follow Jesus will naturally bring division to many families (Matt 10:34-39). Again, in these verses we see the concept of carrying the cross, and losing our lives for Christ. Jesus here states that if we love family more than Him we are not worthy of Him. And back up a few verses and we find that in times of persecution betrayal will come from the members of one's own household (Matt 10:21). 

5. And finally we must embrace the fact of martyrdom. We may be called to physically lay down our lives for the cause of Christ. Jesus assures us that persecution goes with discipleship (Matt 10:22-23, John 15:18-21). Millions of Christians have suffered and died for the sake of Jesus, and multitudes are yet to die in His service. In Revelation we read of "souls under the altar" who were slain because of the word of God, and the testimony they maintained (Rev 6:9). The truth is there will be a number too large to count, of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation, who will suffer and die for Jesus during the great tribulation (Rev7:9-17). Popular teaching denies this, but scripture paints a picture of those who are victorious over the beast through death, and how do they overcome this onslaught instigated ultimately by Satan?

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

                        Revelation 12:11 NASB

That is key. They did not hold their lives so dear as to renounce their faith, even when faced with death. Countless Christians have made this same choice between life and death. Compromise or faithfulness. 

It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; 

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

                       2 Timothy 2:11-13 NASB

Here the choice, in the greater context of the hardships suffered by the apostle Paul, is set before us. 

So this is hard. Remember Peter? His bold declaration to die with Jesus, only to deny Him a short time later. We need to make a firm choice, but not a rash choice. Our sufficiency is not of ourselves, but our strength comes from God. 

Again, do not fear what man can do, but rely upon God. Remember that this life is temporary, and death is the doorway into the eternal. To die in Christ is to enter into an eternity with Him in glory. To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21-23).

To sum up, now is the time to count the cost, to make our resolution to follow Christ, by God's grace, no matter what may come. When dark days are upon us, will our lamps be full, or will we be out of oil (see Matt 25:1-13). It will be hard to stand strong then, if we are not prepared now 

Our Response

I have written several posts recently about the last days. While I believe this is important information, and people need to hear it, what good is it if we don't prepare for it now? And even if this generation does not live to see these events take place, we will all eventually stand before God anyway.

Peter tells us that the day of the Lord will bring sudden destruction upon the world as we know it. In view of that, how should we be conducting ourselves now (2 Peter 3:10-11)?

We find an answer a few verses later,

But according to His promise we are looking for a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.

                          2 Peter 3:13-14 NASB

First, let's get our focus on the eternal. This world we live in is temporary. Ever since the fall it's been wearing out. We read in Romans that the whole creation is groaning for deliverance (Romans 8:19-22). Our possessions are temporary. Nothing lasts forever, and we can't take it with us anyway. So we must come to an understanding about this reality, and look forward to a new heavens and earth, and even more than that, long for Jesus to return. Jesus is coming for those who eagerly look for Him (Heb 9:27). 

Just like a child who eats a candy bar just before supper, our hunger for Jesus can be ruined by our possessions. We can get to a place where our happiness and security is all bound up in what we have here and now. Jesus warns about this, telling us that our treasures will steal our hearts

(Matt 6:19-21).

Then, we must be found by Jesus in peace. We must be at peace with God, and also with one another. Romans 5:1 tells us that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. He is our justification, we appropriate it through faith. However, we can get complacent and neglect keeping short accounts with Him. In 1John 1:9 we read, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you are aware of sin in your life confess it, turn from it. Be diligent to be found in Him at peace, spotless and blameless. It's easy to get dirty in this life, therefore we are told to be diligent. Make every effort, by God's grace and strength, to live in conformity to His will and word! 

And we cannot neglect peace with our fellow man. That involves love, forgiveness, overlooking things that really don't matter. Jesus finds this so important that He has this to say about it, 

Therefore, if you presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

Leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

                            Matt 5:23-24 NASB

And in Hebrews we read this,

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

                        Hebrews 12:14 NASB

Again, peace with our fellow man is not an option. We must do what we can to maintain it. Our brother may refuse, but we need to do as much as possible on our part (Romans 12:18). 

And sanctification is another way of saying holy living. It's our growth in godliness. We who have found salvation in Christ, now must grow in that grace. We learn what pleases the Lord, and we act accordingly. 

There is so much more I could say here, but I think it will be better to take several posts and discuss how we can live now in preparation to someday meet Jesus.

Two Opposing Mysteries (part 2)

In this post I would like to continue from where I left off in my previous post. You can read that one here.

 We have been looking at the Abomination of desolation as the event that signals the start of what is known as the "great tribulation." This event was foretold by the prophet Daniel, Jesus in the Olivet discourse, and Paul the apostle in his second epistle to the Thessalonian Church.

It is at this point that the Wicked is revealed: the man of lawlessness or Antichrist. Previously, he has subtly risen to a place of power (Daniel 11:21-23). He confirms a covenant of some type with many (Daniel 9:27). This is probably something that will allow a temple to be built on the temple mount in Jerusalem. Quite possibly a temple alongside the dome of the rock, and the Al Aqsa mosque.

I have had people ask me why would God want a temple? After all, Jesus has procured salvation for us by His sacrificial death and resurrection. The short answer: the Jews have been without a temple and sacrifices for close to two thousand years now. They desire it, as they cannot practice Judaism without it. Remember, outside of their Messiah Jesus, they are still under law. It is prophecied that this temple will be desecrated by the Antichrist when he breaks this covenant, starting his assault upon Israel. So if scripture is right (of course it is),  a temple will someday exist again. Ultimately, God will use all of this to turn the hearts of His chosen people (Israel) back to Him.

I would like to now look at some scriptures describing similarities between the Antichrist and Satan.

In the previous post we looked at Daniel 8. I would like to quote a few verses from there once again.

And out of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

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.

                                Daniel 8:9-10 KJV

Those two verses apply to the Antichrist. Now compare this to Revelation 12, where we read of a war in heaven,

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

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.

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.

And prevailed not; neither was there place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which decieveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and if the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

And the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

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.

                      Revelation 12:1-17 KJV

A brief description is needed here. I think a lot of people are confused by a few things in this passage. 

The woman represents Israel, the dragon represents Satan, and the man child is the Messiah, Jesus.

The vision tells of Satan's desperate attempt to thwart God's plan to bring forth one who would reverse the curse of Genesis chapter three. This is the one who would ultimately crush the head of the serpent (see Genesis 3:15).

So when is Satan cast out of heaven? Many believe this must have happened some time in the pre- creation past. But if you carefully look at this, he has access to heaven where he is accusing the brethren even now ( see also Job 1:7-13, 2:1-7). The context of verse 10 makes it impossible for this to have occurred some time in the past. The reference to Israel's flight into the wilderness for 1,260 days in Revelation 12:6, and again in verse 14, where it is referred to as a "time, times, and half a time" place this at the mid point (3 1/2 years in, and 3 1/2 years left) of the seventieth week of Daniel. This is when the abomination of desolation occurs, this is when Jesus says to flee, as the time of great tribulation is now here.

Compare the dragon who sweeps a third of the stars to the ground, with the little horn who is said to cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground and stamp on them, before magnifying himself and removing the daily sacrifice (Daniel 8:19-11). They are both described as casting these stars to the gound. Now compare the dragon who is described as a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns with the description of the beast found in Revelation 13:1-3,

And I stood up on the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth if a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

This beast is a composite of the beasts of Daniel's vision recorded in Daniel 7:3-8. It is made up of the kingdoms represented by a lion, bear, and a leopard. This is the dreadful beast with iron teeth that was diverse from the first three, and it has ten horns (Daniel 7:7).

Notice the similarities between this beast and the dragon. Seven heads, and ten horns. Also, in Revelation 17:3 we see this same beast again. This time we are also told it is a scarlet beast. Now, one thing should be noted here. When the Bible refers to the beast, it can refer to either the kingdom, or the head of the kingdom, the Antichrist. For example the seven heads stand for seven mountains (mountains represent kingdoms), but also refer to the seven kings of those kingdoms (Rev 17:9-10). So this seven headed beast with ten horns, that comes out of the sea, is the unification of ten kings under the rule of the little horn, or Antichrist. In other places, we will see the Antichrist himself refered to as "the beast".

Throughout history, Satan has used kingdoms to thwart God's plan of redemption: specifically seven are represented by the seven heads of this beast. The crowns on the seven heads of the dragon signify this. When we see the beast rise out of the sea, the crowns are now on the ten horns, this shows us that this is the final end time assault of Satan, through this beast. Compare this with the ten toes on the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream  in Daniel 2,

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

                                Daniel 2:44 KJV

When this kingdom is destroyed, that is it. Jesus is back, and His kingdom will endure forever.

It gets interesting as we continue on. Strangely, non of this ever makes a Sunday morning sermon, or a mid week Bible study. For whatever reason, people tend to leave much of this alone, but I think it's vital for us get a grasp on these things. Someday these things will begin to occur, and I wouldn't want to be taken by surprise if they were to happen in my lifetime. So I would encourage everyone to get into the Bible and begin to study these things for themselves.

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

And worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? 

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.

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

If any man have an ear, let him hear.

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and faith of the saints.

                    Revelation 13:3-10 KJV

Apparently something happens to this individual. It would seem that he is killed, and then supernaturally raised from the dead. It must be pretty spectacular, as we see the world go after this man with amazement. In fact, he will be worshipped by all, that is, those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.

The timing of this event has to be somewhere around the middle of the final seven year period that starts with a covenant made with this man. So he rises from the dead, invades Jerusalem, puts a stop to the daily sacrifice, takes his seat in the temple, and declares himself to be God. The text tells us that Satan gives this beast his power. We are also told that his authority will last forty two months, or three and one half years. Just as Jesus has warned us, now there will be tribulation such as has never been, nor will ever be again. 

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake like a dragon.

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and then which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

And decieveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live.

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

                       Revelation 13:1-15 KJV

We are introduced to another beast, one who has the same authority as the first beast or Antichrist. This beast is elsewhere called the "false prophet" (Rev 19:20). This beast directs the worship of everyone towards the Antichrist, who receives the fatal wound but then comes back to life. This, along with all of the miracles and signs this false prophet performs, will be a source of great deception in these days. This is in line with what we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11.

What an unholy trinity we see in these verses. We have the dragon (Satan), the beast or Antichrist, and the false prophet. Satan will always have his counterfeit. We have just read of a man rising from the dead, receiving Satan's power, seat and authority. The Devil will imitate all things holy in order to exalt himself, and deceive the world. 

The truth is, Jesus died for the sins of the world, that includes your sins and mine. He was vindicated by His resurrection from the dead, ascended back to the Father's right hand where he now sits highly exalted, waiting to return and establish His righteous rule. He alone is worthy of our worship.

Meanwhile, for those alive during these days of tribulation, it will take great faith and endurance. Jesus said that the one who endures to the end will be saved (Matt 24:13). Remember, a great falling away is occuring during this time also (2 Thess 2:3). The deception will be strong, and the persecution severe. It is at this time what is known as the "mark of the beast" will be implemented. Without it no one will be able to buy or sell (Rev 13:16-18). There will be a choice to make. And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death (Rev 12:11).

There are some teachers who believe that the deadly wound that is healed does not refer to an actual resurrection from the dead, but a "reviving of one of the previous empires that Satan has used in the past. The Bible does indeed teach that the final end times beast empire is a renewed kingdom, a modern version, of a previous kingdom. However, I take the healing of this mortal wound literally. I believe that is what will happen, and that is a huge reason why the world wonders after this beast, as he declares himself God. It is one thing to be shocked when out of the blue a powerful empire comes into existence, and quite another to see a man who has just come up out of the abyss along with all of the other miraculous deceptions, demanding, and receiving worship.

We see this beast again in Revelation 17:1-18. And again, it is a mirror image of Satan the dragon. It is a scarlet beast upon which a great whore sits. The beast has seven heads and ten horns, and it is full of names of blasphemy. The woman that rides this beast has a name written on her forehead,

Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.

Now here comes the bottomless pit or abyss,

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

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.

And here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

And there are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

 There it is in verse 8. The beast was, is not, and ascends out of the bottomless pit. We read that the seven heads represent seven kings (and their respective kingdoms). John received a riddle, but it can be figured out. Five of these kings had fallen, meaning they were in the past. One existed in John's day. The seventh king was yet to come. They beast that was, and is not, and goes to destruction is the eighth. This is the Antichrist and his empire. He is the king who receives the deadly wound and is resurrected out of the bottomless pit ( Rev 17:9-11). I will place a link to a post where I discuss who these seven kingdoms represent at the end of this post.

So does Satan get cast out of heaven at the same time this beast receives his fatal wound? All of this is happening around the middle of the seventieth week of Daniel. Does he enter the bottomless pit, take possession of the slain Antichrist and come up, take his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God? Is it the Antichrist that does this, Satan that does this, or both of them as one?

There is a passage of scripture found in Isaiah that used to puzzle me. It is speaking about the king of Babylon, but ultimately pointing to Satan and his rebellion. I believe this passage makes the point I am trying to make.

The passage I am referring to is found in Isaiah 14. The previous chapters have been foretelling of the future deliverance of Israel from the oppression of her enemies. Chapter 13 specifically speaks of the destruction of Babylon. The language of 13:6-13 specifically places these events at the time of the end; the day of the LORD. Chapter 14 follows this same train of thought. Remember, originally there were no chapter or verse divisions found in the books of the Bible. So what we are about to read flows seamlessly from the events surrounding the destruction of Babylon at the return of Christ.

For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall rule over their oppressors.

And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,

That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! The golden city is ceased!

The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the scepter of the rulers.

He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger is persecuted, and none hindereth.

The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us?

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

How thou art fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken nations!

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

This is not about Nebuchadnezzar, or some other Babylonian king from ancient history. This passage is referring to the end time Antichrist who ruled without mercy. He is the man who caused the earth to tremble and shook kingdoms. At his destruction the whole world is now at rest. We read even the trees rejoice. The devastation at this time will effect everything, and now it is over. The little horn who magnified himself up to the heights of heaven has been brought low to the grave.

Suddenly we see a switch, and it is Lucifer who has fallen. Satan, the one who weakened the nations, who exalted himself, who boasted that his throne would be above that of God's, has been brought down, and hell awaits. This is exactly what the Antichrist does when he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.

But those that see him ask, "Is this the man that made the earth tremble, that shook kingdoms, made the world a wilderness and destroyed cities?"  Notice how this is going back and forth between this "king of Babylon" and Lucifer. 

This is the mystery of iniquity, Satan taking full possession of a man. This is as evil as it gets. When this has run it's course (42 months), Jesus returns, destroying the Beast, and the false prophet, and binding Satan for a thousand years (Rev 19:19-20:3). Ultimately they will spend eternity in the lake of fire. The mystery of godliness prevails, as Christ sets up His kingdom that shall never be destroyed.

To read my post on the identity of the seven heads click on the link The Beast in Revelation

You can also check out Outline of Daniel (Formation of the Beast Kingdom)

Two Opposing Mysteries (part 1)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

            1 Timothy 3:16KJV

The incarnation of Jesus Christ was the ultimate display of perfection seen by the world.

The Word that existed with God and as God from eternity past took on flesh and dwelled among men (John 1:1-2, 14). In Christ the fullness of God dwelled in bodily form (Colossians 1:15, 2:9).

The apostle Paul writes that Jesus emptied Himself, took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death by crucifixion. As a result, Jesus was highly exalted, given the name above every name (Philippians 2:6-11).

What a mystery. God coming to earth clothed in flesh, living a sinless life, perfect in every way. Facing the things that we face, tempted as we are tempted except for the fact that He never fell, never sinned (Hebrews 4:15 1 Peter 2:22). 

Jesus came and modeled self sacrificial love openly in front of a wicked world. He was the just, righteous one dying for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18). While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). This is the highest possible act of love that the world has been shown (John 15:13). Jesus, God in the flesh, sinless and undefiled, was betrayed, arrested, faced an unjust trial and put to death in one of the most horrendous ways to die ever invented by cruel men. He went through this for you, for me, because of love (John 3:16).

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

                               Romans 1:3-4 KJV

By His resurrection from the dead, Jesus has been vindicated. Everything He said, everything He claimed is true. He has been exalted to the highest. At His name every knee will one day bow. The gospel has gone out into the world, and millions have surrendered their lives to His service down through the centuries. One day He will return to reign, and judge the wicked. This is where the next mystery will come into focus.

The world has yet to see evil reach it's fullness. While history has recorded horrendous events of man's cruelty to man, what will someday unfold will be something unlike anything we have experienced up to now. This is the mystery of iniquity, Satan taking full possession of a man.

I would like to begin this next section by quoting from Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonian Church. They apparently were concerned that they had missed the second coming of Christ.

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit,  nor by word, nor by letter as from us, that the day of Christ is at hand.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the Son of perdition;

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

                            2 Thess 2:1-10 KJV

Paul, in encouraging these believers assured them that two things must happen before the day of Christ, that is, the day of His return and gathering of His saints. A great falling away, and the revealing of the Antichrist must occur before this day comes.

Jesus mentions this in His olivet discourse, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matt 24:12)

"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:) 

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Let him which is on the houstop not come down to take anything out of his house:

Neither let him which in in the field return back to take his clothes.

And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

                            Matt 24:15-22 KJV

This event that Jesus refers to as "the abomination of desolation" is the event Paul has in mind in the passage written to the Church in Thessalonica. Jesus refers us back to Daniel the prophet. Daniel has much to say about the coming of the Antichrist, and it makes good sense to study what is prophecied there. 

Daniel refers to this individual as the "little horn." We read in Daniel chapter seven of three beasts (empires) that arise upon the earth. Then a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, quite different from the three beasts that preceeded it. It had ten horns (Daniel 7:1-7).

Daniel continues,

I Considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

                                    Daniel 7:8 KJV

I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body was given to the burning flame.

                                   Daniel 7:11 KJV

Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which stamped the residue with his feet.

And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgement was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

                           Daniel 7:19-22 KJV

What Daniel sees in this vision is the end times beast empire. A conglomerate of the first three beasts mentioned in this chapter, more fierce and dreadful than the previous three (see Rev 13:1-2).

        

This empire is ruled by the "little horn" who we can also refer to as the "man of lawlessness", or Antichrist. Ten kings give their allegiance to him, three apparently by force (see Rev 17:12-13). 

This man of lawlessness speaks arrogant, boastful words against God Himself, and makes war against the saints for forty two months (3 1/2 years). 

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.

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and the tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

                       Revelation 13:5-7 KJV

Daniel, and the book of Revelation are in agreement. A beast empire led by an individual who has an absolute hatred of God and anything holy. He will unleash a persecution unlike anything the world has ever seen. According to what Jesus states in Matthew 24:15, an event known as the abomination of desolation is what signals the start of this time of unequaled tribulation that lasts for 3 1/2 years.

Back to Daniel we read further,

And out of one of them came a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

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.

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.

And a 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.

                                Daniel 8:9-12 KJV

Daniel chapter 8 records another vision that Daniel was given. In it a ram (Medo -Persia) is defeated by a shaggy goat (Greece, the actual word is Yavan, an ancient country including what is known today as Turkey). 

 

This conflict results in the breaking up of an empire into four nations. Out of one of these, a little horn appears. This horn grows strong and eventually conquers the "beautiful land" (Israel). He causes the daily sacrifice to end and somehow defiles the temple. Daniel 7:13 calls it the transgression of desolation. 

Many commentators place the fulfillment of this vision in the past. They apply is to the conquest of the Persian empire by Alexander the great, the subsequent breaking up of the Greek empire into four sections, leading up to the arrival of Antiochus Epiphanes an individual who is no doubt a type of Antichrist. They claim that the little horn of chapter seven is a different little horn from chapter eight.

I disagree with this interpretation for several reasons. First, the visions in the book of Daniel build upon each other. Chapter 7 builds upon Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter two, chapter eight builds upon chapter seven, and chapters nine through twelve build upon that. All of them terminating in this same little horn as the end times Antichrist. To introduce the little horn in chapter seven, and then in the very next chapter introduce a little horn again, but expecting your audience to know they are two different individuals is a stretch in my opinion.

The most compelling reason to look at this as being fulfilled at the very end however, is because the text actually says that.

So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell on my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of  man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

                                   Daniel 8:17 KJV

Again, this is repeated in Daniel 8:19, referencing the end times as the time of the indignation. So, however you look at this chapter, it must terminate in the desecration of the temple, by the Antichrist, in the very last days before Christ returns. 

And in the latter time of  their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and destroy the mighty and the holy people.

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.

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.

                              Daniel 8:23-26 KJV

Compare to 2 Thessalonians 2:9. He comes by the working of Satan. And in Revelation 13:2 we read that the dragon (Satan) gives him his power, seat, and great authority. This man reaches the culmination of evil as Satan's puppet. In fact, as I will labor to show, he is possessed by Satan himself.

There are a few more mentions of the abomination of desolation found in Daniel 9:27, where we see this man confirm a covenant for seven years. This covenant quite possibly paves the way for a temple to be built in Jerusalem, and the sacrificial system to resume. However, three and one half years into this covenant, he puts and end to the sacrifices and places the abomination of desolation that Jesus refers to in the Olivet discourse.

Daniel 11:31 mentions the desecration of the temple, the end of the daily sacrifice, and the placing of the abomination that makes desolate by the king of the North, who has to be the Antichrist because Daniel 11:40 places these events at the time of the end. And again, in Daniel 12:11 we see this event mentioned one last time. Again, it is placed at the end of time, somewhere in the middle of the final seven years of this present age.

This has been a long post, and I have a lot more to say. Many people avoid this subject for a variety of reasons. However, the Bible gives us great details about these coming events. It is up to us to learn and understand so that we are aware of what is happening when these days come. 

I will continue this post, where I will explore the idea of the "incarnation" of Satan, the mystery of iniquity.