Four Beasts from the Sea - Daniel Part 7

As we've been learning the book of Daniel is one of the most controversial books in all of the Bible. The reason for that. Of course, is because in Daniel chapter 2 and again in Daniel chapter 8, the book of Daniel predicts with remarkable accuracy. Future events that Daniel had absolutely no way of knowing at the time when he was writing. The only explanation for how Daniel could have written these things down is the explanation of the Bible gives and that is that there is a living personal God who knows the future, and that is living personal God revealed supernaturally these things to his prophet Daniel, who then wrote them down now for scholars to admit the book of Daniel is genuine prophecy, forces them to admit that this living God really exists.

There's no other explanation for and if they exist. Have to admit that this living God really exists that forces them to come to grips with what is living God says about their sin and about their need for repentance. And since most of these men and women are not willing to hear any of this. The easiest way around the problem is simply to discredit the book of Daniel to simply say it was written on hundred and 65 BC instead of in the sixth century BC the way it claims it was written after all of the events that Daniel predicts have already happened and that the writer is merely writing history and disguising it as prophecy. We as Christians in Bible believers. We reject this approach to the book of Daniel because we know that the living and true God really exists and the idea that that the living and true God could give supernatural prophecy to his prophet doesn't bother us in the least. We we accept that we say that that's that mixing and we are thrilled as we study God's predictions of the future that he gave to Daniel and that have been fulfilled, at least many of them as the centuries have gone on and some of which are still yet to be fulfilled. But we know they'll happen exactly the way God said they would in the book of Daniel tonight as we tackle chapter 7 were addressing one of the greatest prophetic passages in the entire Bible. This chapter opens the second major section of Daniel. Daniel chapters 1 to 6 is the first section of the book which is essentially history. Now in chapter 7 through 12. We have the second section of the book which is essentially prophetic in nature. And yet, even though most of us who are Bible believers will get that this is genuine prophecy even among us. We don't all agree as to how Daniel seven to be interpreted so tonight I really plan to challenge your thinking. I hope you came with your thinking caps ready because were in a really do some digging in to challenge your thinking about what is really being predicted and said in Daniel chapter 7. I think when we discover it is unbelievable what God is predicting in this chapter. What's ahead for this world now. Chapter 7 I want to read it to you say the whole thing. It wants it. Follow along that will come back and will take it apart in the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed and he wrote down his dream. Daniel said in my vision at night I looked there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea, the Mediterranean for beasts, each different from the other came up out of the sea. The first was like a lion, and it had wings like an eagle and I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so the on 2 feet like a man in the heart of a man was given to there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth and it was told to get off and eat your fill of flesh. After that I looked in here before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule and after that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a Ford least terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth that it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the other beasts and it had 10 horns. While I was thinking about these 10 horns, there before me another one, a little one came up from among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before the little horn and this horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully and as I look thrones were set in place in the ancient of days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire and its wheels were ablaze a river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him, and thousands upon thousands attended him 10,000×10,000 stood before him, and the court was seated, the books were opened. Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words of the little horn that was speaking and I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. The other beast had been stripped of their authority, but were now allowed to live for a period of time in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven, and he approached the ancient of days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power all peoples and nations and men of every language worshiped him and his dominion was an everlasting dominion that will not pass away in his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed by Daniel Strobel.

My spirits and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me and so I approached one of those who were standing there and asking what was the meaning of all of this so he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things that he said four great beasts that you saw are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth but the saints of the most high will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. Yes, forever and ever. And then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast who was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth in its bronze claws. The beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.

I also wanted to know about the 10 horns on its head and about the little horn that came up, before which three of the other horns fell the horn that looked more imposing than the others and the I had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully and as I watched this horn the little horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them until the ancient of days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the most high, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. And so he gave me this explanation before the beast is the fourth kingdom that will arise on earth, and it will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.

The 10 horns are 10 kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones. He will subdue three key he will speak against the most high and oppress the saints, and even tried to change the set times and law. The saints will be handed over to him for a time and times and half a time with the court will sit in his power will be taken away. He will be completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty and power and greatness of the kingdoms of the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the most high in his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.

This is the end of the matter died. Daniel was deeply troubled by my thoughts. My face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself, who yeah what is all this me well. Chapter 7 begins by telling us the year in which Daniel had this vision.

It says in verse one of this vision came in the first year of Belshazzar as her the king of Babylon. You remember that Belshazzar was not actually the king of Babylon.

He was actually the son of the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon's name was now tinnitus and now tinnitus. If you remember I told you love to travel and he used to go off for months at a time and he would leave the Sun Belt shouts are home to run the kingdom and so eventually this became such a common practice that now the night is actually made his Sun Belt shouts are co-regions cocaine with him.

We know from history that this happened in 553 BC and so this being the first year in which Bell says it was also the king. We can date this prophecy to the year 553 BC now. That means that chapter 7 actually occurred between chapter 4 and chapter 5 of the book of Daniel password actually happened. The vision is about four beasts that arise out of the great see the Mediterranean. There were a lion affair, a leopard, and 1/4 beast that was different than all of the rest, and horrifying in its ferociousness. Verse 17 tells us that these beasts represent earthly kingdoms. Verse 17 also tells a second of all, would you notice that from Daniel's vantage point all four of these kingdoms were future. Look at verse 17.

The four great bees are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. In other words, at the time in which Daniel was riding. Apparently none of them were in existence at that time, we need to hold onto that because that is a crucial part of getting this prophecy interpreted correctly. Notice also that all four of these all four kingdoms exist simultaneously on the earth together as to how do you know that because if you look it says in verse 12 that after the fourth beast is destroyed and killed the other three bees to have their authority taken away by the fourth. These continue to exist for little while, so all four of these these all four of these kingdoms existed simultaneously or will exist simultaneously on the earth at the same time. It's just that during the existence of the fourth bees. The other three kingdoms have their authority taken away and are subjected to the fourth kingdom number four of these is a ferocious kingdom that will take over the other three and noticed not only does the fourth bees take over the other three, but he takes over, that kingdom does the entire earth. Verse 23 tells us that it says that the Ford lease is 1/4 kingdom that will appear on the earth. It will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing verse 24 tells us that this fourth bees had 10 horns on it, representing 10 kings who would be a part of this kingdom. That is another player that enters the scene.

Besides these these and he's called the little horn we find them in verse eight, and it's clear that we here are looking at, not a kingdom, but a person. This is an individual person. Notice from verse eight that this person arises from with in the fourth kingdom. Verse eight says that while I was thinking about this another horn, a little one came up from among them meeting the other 10 horns. Notice also in verse 20. In verse 24 that this little horn was more imposing than any of the other king he kills three of them who apparently resisted his rise to power and once he is in power. Verse 25 tells us that this man speaks great blasphemies against the most high God. Not only that but he wages war against God's people. Verse 21 says that he wages war against the saints, and he defeats him.

Verse 25 tells us that he (the saints and also that the saints will be handed over to him will be under his of power and authority for what the Bible says is a time eight times the and half the time.

Say what in the world is that well the word the choosier means a period of time and then in Hebrew the dual issues meeting two of something to periods of time and then I have a period of time. So in other words, one +2+1/2 is 3 1/2 3 1/2 years obviously 3 1/2 years. Saints will be under the control and domination of this little horn who will wage war against them, and the Bible says who will subdue them and overcome for 3 1/2 years. Notice also verse 25 where it says that this little horn will try to change the set times and the laws now, no one is really quite sure with this me, but I would like to suggest to you that this tells us that this person the little horn is going to set out to completely restructure human society.

He's out to change the set times he's out to change the laws of human society. He will try to reorganize human culture based on entirely new values and entirely new moral and his sales pitch will be that our own morals and our old values have failed so miserably that now it is time for a new world order based on different values and different principles and we got to get rid of these old and antiquated notions about God and about morality and about decency and about ethics and about right and wrong, but that now we must restructure all of mankind under a non-Christian nonbiblical non-Judeo-Christian ethic.

We got a restructure human society were to change the times and the laws of all of human society is a little more.

Finally, the hero of the prophecy appears and that is in verse 13, one like a son of man, now in Hebrew, a son of something is a something you understand what I'm saying, a son of Israel is an Israelite, and so a son of man basically just means a human being a man and Daniel I'm sure was a little disturbed her little confused as to what a man is doing in the hallways of heaven, but nonetheless Daniel said. I looked at the ancient of days, set up his throne and then a human being looking person came in and stood before him had to this human being looking person God, the ancient of days gave sovereignty and power and the authority and all the world worship him. Verse 14 what he does is the Son of Man judges the little horn destroys the little horn, destroys his kingdom throws in verse 11 says into the blazing fire, and then sets up his own kingdom gives it to the saints to run and it lasts forever and ever. That's a broad overview of the prophecy and let's see if we can begin to identify those who and what's what in all of this. First of all, who was the ancient of days and who is the Son of Man.

Well, I believe these people can be quickly identify the ancient of days is obviously certainly God the father of the Son of Man is obviously the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now of course he's guy he's been resurrected. He has ascended into heaven, and of course now he is at the right hand of God, waiting to come back again and set up his kingdom. As I said earlier, it's interesting to remember that Daniel knew very little about the Lord Jesus living in the six century like Daniel did and I'm sure he was very interested in wonder why this human being looking person is being given this kind of authority, but thank God Daniel didn't try to interpret the word of God. He wrote it the way he saw it and so we got it accurately.

So what we see here is that this vision culminates the culmination of Daniel seven is with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. His second coming to set up his kingdom which will last forever and ever.

That's the end of the process. Now who is the little horn where this person is one who is leading the earthly kingdom that the Lord Jesus Christ destroys when he comes back.

Not only does the Lord Jesus destroyed his earthly kingdom.

But he also takes the little horn, and he throws them in the blazing fire for all of eternity and leaves no other possibility in my mind other than the fact that the little horn is got to be the antichrist is got to be the antichrist and everything that Daniel seven says about the little horn fits exactly with what the rest of the word of God says about the endocrine effect of like you to flip over to the book of Revelation chapter 13, because we are going to see incredible corroboration between what Revelation 13 says about the antichrist and what Daniel seven says about the little horn.

Let me give it to you. Revelation 13. First of all, what is Daniel seven say it says that the little horn speaks boastfully against God right now look at Revelation chapter 13 verse five it says and the beast. The antichrist was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for 42 months, verse six and he opened his mouth to blaspheme God and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven and that exactly would Daniel sevens is a little horn does and you can compare if you want.

Second Thessalonians chapter 2, which also says that the man of sin.

The antichrist comes and sets himself up as God demanding people's worship.

What else is Daniel seven tells about the little horn while it tells us that he controls the whole world and that's exactly what Revelation 13 says look at chapter 13 verse three the end of the verse it says the whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Skip down to verse seven it says in the end of verse seven and he the antichrist was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All the inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life. What else does. Daniel seven.

Tell us about the antichrist. It tells us that he makes war on the saints and overcomes them look at chapter 13 verse seven and he was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them the exact same thing. What else is Daniel seven tells about the little horn will it tells us how long he was given his power. Remember in Daniel seven. He was given it for a time. At times and 1/2 a time. 3 1/2 years now look here in Revelation 13 verse five it says that the antichrist will exercise his authority for 42 months. How long is that by about 12 3 1/2 years exactly the same and finally, what about the end of the antichrist. Daniel seven says that the little horn will be thrown into the fire and although were not going to turn there. You can check out Revelation 19 verse 20 word says that when the Lord Jesus returns Revelation 19 verse 20 he will take the beast and he will throw him in the lake of fire forever never, I mean, what, how, how much more corroboration. Would you like between what the Bible says in the New Testament out the antichrist and would Daniel seven says about the little horn is Avalon.

What about all this. Changing the values of society thing that you said well the New Testament gives some indication the antichrist is going to try to do that right here in Revelation chapter 13. Look at verse 17 it says that he makes everyone takes it take his mark and no one could buy or sell unless he has the mark of the bees. Obviously the antichrist is going to rearrange the whole economic system of the world. This is why second Thessalonians 2 calls him the law lists one, meaning everything about the law of God. He's going to reject he's going to invoke all kinds of practices and values that can only come out of first Timothy four calling that seared consciences in the last days so how are you going to identify the little horn of Daniel seven. In my mind he is got to be the antichrist of the end of the day itself that takes us back to try to identify the four beasts let's go back to Daniel seven and now that we know the ancient of days is now that we know who the Son of Man is, and now that we know who the little horn is now receiving figure out who these four kingdoms are. Let me start by giving you the commonly accepted interpretation of who these four kingdoms are. It goes like this that the four kingdoms.

In Daniel seven are the exact same four kingdoms of Daniel to remember the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had a Daniel chapter 2 and it was they have a goal and that was the breast of silver and it was the loins of bronze and there were the legs of iron your member that people say, okay, those four kingdoms that we know from Daniel chapter 2 what they were. The head was Nebuchadnezzar.

The Babylonian Empire. The rest of silver with the Medo Persian Empire that the loins of bronze was the Greek empire and people argue about what the legs of iron was but anyway they said is of the same four kingdoms.

This is an exact match between these kingdoms beast number one the lion with the wings is the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, and to prove this. They point to the fact that there were lions with wings on them that were used on the gates of ancient Babylon, and this idea that that that that all of a sudden the heart of a man was given to these these to the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel for where he finally understands who God is and he becomes not a beast anymore, but a real man in God's beast number two is a bear leaning up on one side and this corresponds they say to the Medo Persian Empire and the reason of leaning up on one side is to indicate that one side of that coalition was stronger than the other.

The Persian side was stronger than the median God and that's what was up on one side like that in the three ribs in a row represent media Persia and Babylon. The three major parts of that empire. The third beast was a leper with four heads on the common interpretation is that represents the Greek Empire under Alexander the great leopards were known for their swiftness and Alexander conquered the ancient near East with the swiftness of the world has never seen that after Alexander's death, his kingdom was split into four parts.

We know this from history under his four main generals.

And that's why the leper has four head and finally beast number for the terrible beast left the Roman Empire because the Roman Empire was: voracious and the 10 horns that represent the 10 kingdoms by the 10 kings rather well that's a little problem even wall over who holds to this view says and I quote the interpretation, identifying the fourth kingdom is Rome has a major problem in that there is no real correspondence to the Roman Empire.

Historically, anywhere in the phrase and it had 10 King say will Jan this will not problem. How does the Roman Empire end up with the antichrist ruling well. This of course is the theory of the revived Roman Empire where the antichrist would be the leader of the revived Roman Empire and that that's how the antichrist gets connected up with Rome. Now that's a common interpretation. If you remember back in Daniel chapter 2, I demonstrated to you why I believe that the fourth kingdom in Daniel to the legs of iron is not the Roman Empire has nothing to do with the Roman Empire is a rebuilt Babylonian Empire in the last days is okay long stick that in and that solves everything Noah does not at all thereof, in my opinion there are all kinds of problems. In this interpretation did you pick any of them up so I think I got one, maybe, or to let me give you a 50 the problems the listen number one according to Daniel 717. These four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth at the time of Daniel's writing. The prophecy is that these are kingdoms that will rise in the future. And yet, when Daniel's writing the Babylonian Empire in 553 BC is not only risen, but it is already crested and is heading down the backside and the Persian Empire under Cyrus already exists Cyrus is going to capture Babylon in only 14 years. So to say that these are all future kingdoms. If one of them is Babylon, and another one is Persia. It doesn't fifth second reason in Daniel seven. All four of these kingdom. All four beasts exist simultaneously. Remember verse 12 and three of them actually are still in existence for a short time after the fourth kingdom is gone but never was there a time in history when the Babylonian empire the Persian Empire. The Greek empire.

The Roman Empire ever existed at the very same time it is done work for in Daniel chapter 7. The 4/3 beast with beforehand. You know the leopard with four heads that's commonly identified as Alexander the great's kingdom.

While it's true that Alexander the great's kingdom was divided into four parts. After he died, but that was after he died. When the kingdom arose and conquered the earth didn't have four heads on. It is not one Alexander and so this beast however starts with four heads it done fifth done work number four. Trying to make the fourth kingdom and the Roman Empire won't work for a number of reasons. First of all we've Artie talked about the 10 kings wall over leaving holes in his views as I can find 10 kings anywhere in the Roman Empire that were but second, if you remember the antichrist is part of the fourth kingdom. In Daniel seven Daniel seven has no room for the Roman Empire to die in 2000 years.

Come back.

It doesn't happen that way.

And remember Jesus Christ returns on the fourth kingdom is in power placing the fourth kingdom at the end of the age. My point is the fourth kingdom just won't fit with Rome. Finally, reason number five and I think the most damaging reason of all why lining Daniel seven up with Daniel to won't work is the Daniel 712. Look at verse 12 it says in verse 12. The other fees had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time after the fourth kingdom, and the antichrist were destroyed by the return of Christ.

This verse has always given this to interpreters, and they come up with more contorted ways to explain how somehow the Babylonian kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar is still going on with the return of Christ after the antichrist been destroyed, but it won't work. Dear friends, these three kingdoms.

The Bible says will actually outlast the antichrist kingdom for short time. How in the world could that be Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar media Persia under Cyrus, and Alexander the great, that they say what he really saying. I'm saying I don't think Daniel seven and Daniel to word all parallel model for maybe a couple points where it looks nice to put them next to each other but I don't think they go together. I don't think the kingdoms of Daniel seven are Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome disabled and what the world are they well what is the Bible say it says verse 17, the four great. These are the four kingdoms that will arise in the earth, and if we know for certain that the fourth kingdom is an end of the age kingdom and that they all exist together simultaneously and the first three kingdoms outlast the fourth kingdom.

Doesn't it make sense that all four kingdoms are future all four kingdoms arise at the end of the age and all four kingdoms are brought to an end by the coming of the Lord Jesus, to me that's the only thing that makes any sense in this prophecy that all four of these kingdoms are future kingdoms that none of them have yet existed. Rather, as the end of the age draws near and the return of the Lord Jesus draws near. We will see four great kingdoms arise from the area around the Mediterranean's. We will see them vying for power. We will see them all absorbed into the fourth kingdom.

We will see the antichrist arise in auspicious Lee from the fourth kingdom. Remember he started as just a little more. Not one of the 10 original horns you know everybody says were when looking for the antichrist were looking for the antichrist on 100 Saddam Hussein.

I wonder if it was Hitler friends read the Bible more carefully. The fourth kingdom arises and takes over before the antichrist ever appears you won't see the antichrist ahead of the fourth kingdom. He comes out of it halfway through its kills three kings who try to stop them from arising and quickly consolidates his power to look for the antichrist.

You will see him. He doesn't start this thing. He comes later to take over by the power of Satan's kingdom will soon dominate the earth. He will set himself up as God, he will require people's worship, he will persecute every true worshiper of the living God, and for 3 1/2 year saints on earth will be delivered into his power and it will go on to the point where where it looks as though the entire plan of God is about to go out the window. He will begin to restructure all of human society based on satanic wisdom and satanic values to the point that it looks like God has totally lost but at the end of 3 1/2 years Jesus Christ will come back when he comes back he will defeat the antichrist will destroy his kingdom will set up his own righteous kingdom. People will rule and reign with him his people forever.

I was with a friend out in San Francisco who was telling me that years ago when he was going to seminary. They used to play basketball on Tuesday nights.

I think it was and they go over to this gentleman and every Tuesday night when they go over this, Jim. There was this elderly black man who would janitor and he would sit outside the gymnasium. While they all play their ballgame because he had to stay there till they were done 80 Mazzola little wooden chair and he read the book of Revelation and one time my friend was a seminary student at the time was so intrigued that here was this elderly black man who you notice from the way he carried himself. Uchitel was not a highly educated man and here he was reading the book of Revelation is a one time my friend went up to him and and ask him just out of curiosity said what what he read in their he said while I'm reading the book of Revelation in my friend said to him, well the understand everything that you read in the black man said yes. I think I do and and and my friend was a little taken back that he would answer was so much confidence about the book of Revelation.

So he said to them well gee I think that's great. What you understand. The book of Revelation the meaning is black man looked up at him and he said I understand it to mean that in the end Jesus a win. I said to my friend. We talked about us and that's about as good an interpretation book of Revelation without ever. That's the point in Nesta for the prophecy in the end Jesus is going to win.

That's the whole point and establish his kingdom which is forever and ever. Now assuming this interpretation that I've given you is correct, what is it all mean for us. What is Otello why believe it tells us three very important things. Number one that the Middle East is going to be the focal point of the end of this age. You can already see it happening. Can't you buy what the focal point of the world now was of the Cold War, not more is if the Iron Curtain, not them.

Or is it the bamboo curtain. Not anymore. Where is the focus of the world, shifting to the Middle East, not only politically but economically it shifting to the Middle East.

You can see it happening. Sec. Baker for the last couple months is not been traveling to Russia and China is been going to Middle East and I believe that the events leading up to the end of this age will involve you conflicts among Middle Eastern kingdoms vying for power with one another. I suggest to you that the Middle East is not going to be a place of peace.

As we approach the end of this age, but that rather it's going to be a place of constant conflict and war constant jockeying for position and all the trips in the world that Sec. Baker made is not going to bring peace to the Middle East because these four kingdoms provide for power in the end of the age all coming in the Middle East. The second thing I think this tells us is that the Western powers. United States, Great Britain, France, Russia and the eastern powers China, Japan, that you're going to see them fade from international prominence salon. I don't really like that conclusion will automatically like it either be an American ritual search in vain throughout the word of God.

For any mention of Western or Eastern power in the events of the last day which is not they save a lot. How can this happen. I mean we just went over there. We stopped the rack mean how the will of those people going to ever conquer us from it. We got all these nuclear warheads and always well I don't really know I'm not profits, but I know this. I know that in light of America's financial problem and in light of the financial problems of most of the industrialized world.

I meant what I said this morning and our morning message. If OPEC chooses to squeeze its fist.

OPEC, the Middle East could bring the industrialized world need any time it wanted and I believe is going to come a time when they're going to do exactly that. Squeeze and friends were going die. We got $1 trillion in debt and mow a lot of that debt is owed to the Middle East when I can make it. You say one that's great news. I am really glad I came the night well I can help you all I can tell you is that we because of our financial importance in the West over the next few years, 10 years, 20 years I believe are going to lose our role as world power, and the world powers that belong to the people with money. We got any people of the money of the people Middle East, they have the oil that I believe were going to see the power focus shift to the Middle East over the next several decades. Third, I believe this tells us that is small is very likely to be the religious system of the antichrist and his kingdom.

Islam is already the fastest growing religion in the world and the world and Islam all. I believe I'm correct in my understanding of this prophecy, Islam is going to be the religious system that the antichrist follows and out of which the antichrist establishes world domination dear friends, you know, we've seen the ability of Islam to be molded into hero worship. Any of you remember it hasn't been that long ago the images of the returning Ayatollah Khomeini to Iran. Do you remember that you member the people who will bow down and worship this man. The unbelievable fanaticism of an entire nation around this may look at a rock these people follow Saddam Hussein. It doesn't make logical sense.

The man took him over the brink and is still following. I mean that it happened in any Western country.

We arisen up had a revolution thrown the guy out done something back in Central America. They rise up doing women don't even have a crisis, but in the Middle East. There's a hero worship that goes with this long with the religious leaders was very interesting to find a quote GH lag GH Lang wrote a book on Daniel in 1940, 1940.

The snow what he said in this interesting and I quote in practice hero worship has never been more more readily exhibited that in the flaming devotion of file of the followers of Mohammed. This system is long may be expected to blend easily into that of the antichrist when he arises in his own native region, the Middle East is early career of wide and ruthless desolation will resemble closely that of Mohammed and his fierce alternative submit or perish will be precisely that of Islam. The very word itself which means submission" is a man writing 50 years ago saying watch out for as long watch her. My understanding of Daniel seven is correct. Keep your eyes on the Middle East. Keep your eyes on Islam and fundamentalist Islam and enjoy your last days of America's greatness before she fades because I believe she's going to. In fact, I believe Britain and France already have and were going the same direction before the Lord comes back when all of this stuff is taking place in the Middle East.

I don't believe America is going to be in any position militarily or financially or politically, to do anything about it. And that's why were not in any of this from it's all Middle Eastern phenomena is they will long as I look at all additional.

I'm not so sure I see the coming of Christ as being just room friends tell you is I look at this. I feel a lot like you do.

As I studied this this week I said to myself, you know what when you look at the political system in the world today. I don't see how if we've interpreted this right that the coming of Christ is is just around the corner because I don't see the stuff shaping up.

Yet the Daniel seven. Talk to Bill I tell you things can change quick you got Satan orchestrating the events the way we know he's going to do in the last days, we could see the events of this chapter rise and come into being almost overnight, so who knows how close it really is. Who knows and who knows whether the rapture of the Lord coming to get us who knows how many years that separated from the actual beginning of all of this, none of us know one of these days we will one of these days when you look back and study it all. In retrospect, and will will go will sure it was right there, plain as the nose on her face when we see it was all there, but hey. Looking forward is little bit tougher. I'm just thankful about how it happens or when it happens, can you be here to be part of. That's all I I'm happy Jesus Christ is coming back to get me and that is bad is it going to be. Jesus said it's going to be great tribulation, such as the world has never seen and will never see again buying things pretty bad tribulation world seen, can't you about the mustard gas in World War I or Hitler in World War II.

I mean, I can think of some pretty bad stuff that happened in this world, the Middle Ages, where weather was the black plague in an and all of all of human society fell apart.

Jesus said those things are nothing compared with the system. Hey, I'm sure glad the Bible tells me Jesus coming back to get so I'm not going to have to go through this and I hope you got that same confidence the matter when it happens or how it happened. Our concern is not that we know how it all's going to happen. Our concern is that we know Christ because he's going to take us as the Bible says alto tribulation make his heaven let's pray