LORD’S DAY, JUNE 24
Daniel 11:36-39
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“Let no man deceive
you by any means …”

ANTICHRIST PREVIEWED

From Daniel 11:36 our attention is focused on the end time Antichrist of whom Antiochus was a type. This is one school of interpretation. According to Whitcomb, verses 36-39 speak of events which will occur during the future Great Tribulation, for two main reasons:

1. The chronological reference of Daniel 12:1 (“And at that time …”) places the events of verses 36-45 into the time of the final resurrection and the judgment.

2. The transitional events of verses 35-36 continue “even to the time of the end” (Dan 11:35).

From as long as 1,500 years ago, Jerome (AD 347-420) had the view that “those of our persuasion believe all these things are spoken prophetically of the Antichrist who is to arise at the end time. … Antiochus is to be regarded as a type of the Antichrist, and those things which happened to him in a preliminary way are to be completely fulfilled in the case of Antichrist …. The Jews believe that this passage (Dan 11:36) has reference to the Antichrist. … We too understand this to refer to the Antichrist.” Daniel 11:36 is of special interest and importance. Whitcomb commented: “… this king will attempt to control both the bodies and the souls of all human beings on earth. Satanic pride and blasphemy, shockingly present in Antiochus, will reach their ultimate expression in this ‘wilful king.’ He is surely the final Antichrist of 1 John 2:18a and 4:3, because ‘the beast’ that dominates the central section of John’s final book (Rev 11-13; 17) not only fits the description of Daniel 11:36-39 but also the picture of the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 7:25 (including the chronological framework). … this Roman ‘beast out of the sea’ comes into focus either explicitly (Dan 11:36-39) or implicitly (Dan 11:40, 44-45; 12:1). What Antiochus Epiphanes foreshadowed, he embodies.” The unchallenged and undisputed supremacy of the future Antichrist will deceive the world into believing that he is indeed the Saviour. In the midst of rebellion, let us see the hand of our God in absolute and overall control.

 THOUGHT: Will Antichrist be a Jew or Gentile?

PRAYER: Father, Thou art still on the throne.