Daniel's Vision Of World History Part 2 Series

Last time we looked at the first part of the vision given to Daniel and saw that the events in the vision have now already occurred in history. We stopped at Daniel 11:35. There seems to be a definite break between verses 35 and 36. What we are about to see in the remainder of this vision is future prophecy that has not yet occurred. Beginning with verse 36, the king referred to in passage is the Antichrist who is to arise in the last days of human history. There are three facts that show us this is referring to the antichrist:

1. The king in our passage tonight is definitely a different King because he is opposed and attacked by the kings of both the North and the south.

2. The facts that are given to us in this passage did not take place during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes or any other king down through history. Nor have they taken place yet today.

3. The king that we will look at tonight must be the Antichrist who was predicted earlier by Daniel.

As this passage will show, the wars and horrors of war will continue right up to the very end of time. And human history will climax in the horrifying battle known as Armageddon. All of this portion of the vision is covered in the Book of Revelation.

As a brief overview of this passage, the Antichrist will arise in the end times of human history and seek to become the supreme ruler of the world. But his rise to worldwide power will not come through military conflict. He will be elected as the leader of a ten Nation European coalition. He will be the little horn that arises from the ten horns that have been discussed in chapter 7. The Book of Revelation actually says that he will arise from among the people because of the enormous increase in world violence, terrorist activities, natural catastrophes such as famine, earthquakes, and disease. People and nations will be clamoring for a brilliant leader who can offer solutions to the problems that are threatening the earth. The Antichrist will be this leader, providing solutions and giving the people the hope for which they've been craving.

Daniel 11:36-39. As we discussed in chapter 7, the Antichrist will arise as a man of peace, a man offering answers to the world's problems. But he will prove to be wicked, a man whose basic character is selfish and evil. You might remember that we discussed that he will do as he pleases. He will be an atheist. He will curse the Lord and will be used by the Lord as God's agent of judgment upon the wicked of the earth. He will reject the religion of his people. He will reject the Lord Jesus Christ. He will honor the imperial State as the supreme power. And he will gain power by military conquest and peaceful negotiations or treaties with other nations.

Daniel 11: 40-43. Now the scripture covers the wars and military conquests of the Antichrist. These events are said to definitely take place at the end time of human history. When the Antichrist declares himself and his government to be the supreme ruler and state of the world, not every government will willingly submit.

The rulers of the south and of the north will ignore his claims and attack Israel. These forces are probably a coalition of Arab nations. Whatever the case, he will conquer many nations as a result of this uprising. For some unknown reason though, the territories that were under the ancient Kingdom of Edom, Moab, and Ammon will not be destroyed by his army. However, he will conquer Egypt and gain control of the nation's enormous wealth as well as the wealth of Libya and Ethiopia. It should be pointed out that some scholars suggest that this battle is the Battle of Gog and Magog that are predicted by the prophet Ezekiel and in Revelation, and the battle will take place in the middle of the tribulation.

Daniel 11:44-45. The Antichrist will finally meet his end and be wiped from the face of the earth at the Battle of Armageddon. The army of the Antichrist will also be aroused by the devil and his angels. In the Battle of Armageddon, neither army will be marching for justice or for a righteous cause, to free people. They will be marching for selfish purposes, for the right to dominate the world and subject its citizens to the will of the imperial government and its rulers. The great battle of Armageddon will take place in the valley of Megiddo. The very name Armageddon means mountain of Megiddo.

So the most evil man ever to walk the face of the earth will meet his end and die when the armies gather for the great battle of Armageddon. But the Antichrist will not die by the hand or weapons of men. He will die by the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The Lord will simply speak and the Antichrist will be struck dead immediately. The Antichrist will then be cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his horde of demonic angels. We need to realize that THIS battle is not a spiritual battle in the heavenly realms. THIS battle will take place here on this earth.