Chris Alstad
Advanced Member
Member # 2534
|
posted
In answer to the question concerning the ‘horn’ which grows out of the ten horn. This is the great Anti-Christ, which comes up from the kings that rule during the reign of the fourth kingdom. The four kingdoms were the Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, and Romans. It is this fourth king that makes war on the saints and overpowers them, Daniel 7:15-28. The Jews won their independence from the Greeks in 142 BC. However, they lost it again under Roman emperor Pompey, when he imposed Roman rule of Jerusalem in 63 BC. His powers of this fourth kingdom is destroyed when the saints of the Highest One set up their heavenly kingdom. This is the same kingdom that is carved out of the mountain without hands. This kingdom is the Christian kingdom that was established by the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Notice the reference in 7:25, when he is the most powerful, the period of 3 ½ years, the time of Christ’s ministry. This period of time, the Romans were at the height of their power. However, in verse 27, the rulership of the kingdoms is passed unto the fifth kingdom, the Kingdom of Christ, which now lasts forever. Thus, the meek have inherited the earth, that is, the ‘meek toward God’ have inherited all things. This was the symbolism of the story of the Exodus, when the Hebrews, as the children of God, plundered the Egyptians.(Exodus 12:36)
Chapter 8, regresses somewhat, and starting at vs. 9, a small ‘horn’ appears out of the third kingdom, which is the kingdom of the Greeks, or the third kingdom. This was Antiochus Epiphanes, called the illustrious one. He appeared about 170 BC. The forerunner of the great Anti-Christ which would come from the fourth kingdom of the Romans. He is an example of what will appear under the Roman rulers. In vs. 17, there is a reference to the event or vision that pertains to the time of the end. That is, the end of the rule of the Greeks, yet it also, since it is a fore-runner vision, also will take place at the end of the OT Covenant, which occurred in 70 AD. (Often called the end of the age, or last days). The Anti-Christ, therefore, had to appear before the end of the fourth kingdom and before the end of the OT Covenant. It is not a vision that pertains to the end of the world (nor of the 21st. Century). This is what Christ made reference to in Matt. Ch. 24, when He referred to the time of the end. Peter identified the ‘last days’ as having appeared on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:17, a direct quote of Joel 2:28-32. Other wise, we must assume that Christ, as well as, the Apostles were confused about the ‘time of the end’ or ‘last days.’ Christians have inherited the kingdom of the four earthly and beastly kingdoms, and this kingdom will endure forever. That is, as long as the earth stands. Yet, the battle for the nations is not yet completed.
The Anti-Christ has been identified with so many different people, it becomes almost comical. Such as, the Roman Church, the Pope, Hitler, Mussolini, Napoleon etc. The list is almost endless, and it seems never to end, more are added daily, it seems. There now seem to be, thousands of theological explanations of the event that is almost here, yet, it is always just about to appear. Perhaps we need to put up our crystal balls.
The old Roman Empire was crushed into dust, (not pieces), it blew away with the wind. Nowhere in scripture is it taught that it will return to rule the kingdoms of the world. The rule of the world has been passed in favor of Christ’s kingdom, which endures forever.
I hope this little explanation helps your understanding of these events. Best wishes in your studies of the Bible scriptures. For more information on these subjects, please feel free to e-mail me. I’ll do my best, as time allows, to be of help. I teach both Daniel and Revelation, but not as is taught by Premill theologians. I find in these two books, the absolute center of Christian thought and understanding.
From: Chris Alstad
www.CMM3.com
Posts: 68 | From: California | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged | 
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
