Who Are The “Holy People” Of Daniel 12: 7?

  In the present endtime controversy, there are a large number of views regarding the “Great Tribulation.”  Daniel 12 seems to be a key pivot on which much of the debate (at least insofar as the Old Testament ties in with Matthew 24) seems to turn.  In Daniel 12: 7, Daniel heard the man clothed in linen say to one of the men by the bank of the river Hiddekel, that “when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”  OK.  The first question is, who is “he?”  Then we ask, who are the “holy people?”

   Unless we answer these two questions properly, we’ll be far at sea when it comes to getting at the timing of the Great Tribulation.  I think it’s safe to say that the “he” is Antichrist, for the context involves the 1,290 days — or last half of Daniel’s 70th week, during which the beast (i.e., Antichrist) shall have power (see Rev. 13: 5).  If this position is correct, then the “holy people” can be none other than the saints which are persecuted by Antichrist during the tribulation.

  Now, Preterists would tell us that the Great Tribulation happened in A.D. 67-70, and that the “holy people” were the Jews, which were “scattered” when the temple was destroyed.  But there are several difficulties in this view.  First, everyone knows that the Jews retained their national existence long after A.D. 70.  They even had enough “power” to foment another major rebellion under Bar-Cochebas in A.D. 135.  So I cannot see in what sense their power was scattered in A.D. 70. 

   It also occurs to me that whatever power the Jews possessed had long been forfeited to Rome.  Israel was subject to Roman rule when the temple was destroyed; and so in order to give Daniel 12 an A.D. 70 application, qualifications must be placed on the meaning of the word “power;” and this is unfeasible.

  However, there is a graver concern.  It is blatantly unscriptural to call the apostate and rebellious Jews of the first century the “holy people.”  This, I think, is the crux of the whole issue.  Preterists fail to see the Dispensational change which occurred on the Day of Pentecost. 

   When the church was conceived on Pentecost, the earthly Israel was made of none effect, and the heavenly came into play.  No longer would circumcision according to the flesh, or the keeping of the letter of the law, avail.  As Jesus Christ told the Jews: “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing” (John 6: 63). This looked forward to the coming Dispensational change, which took place in A.D. 30.

   To say that the natural Jews who remained uncircumcised in heart and unrenewed by the power of the Holy Spirit were the “holy people” is to adopt a curious twist of reasoning which contradicts the very words of our Savior.  If the Preterist thesis is correct, then Christ’s words are not true, and “the flesh profiteth something.” 

  Far from being the case, though, we mustn’t forget that after A.D. 30 it could be truly said that: “He is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2: 22-23).

  Now, mark well that I am not endorsing any kind of “Replacement Theology.”  What I am saying is that Israel has two aspects.  There is the natural, which is as the dust of the earth (Genesis 13: 16); and the spiritual, which is as the stars of heaven (Genesis 15: 5).  During the Mosaic economy the natural had predominance — but not to the exclusion of the spiritual.  So in this present Dispensation, the spiritual has predominance — but not to the exclusion of the natural (see Romans 11: 1-12). 

  The promises of future blessing were made to Abraham, who (loosely speaking) was a “spiritual Jew,” but also a “natural Jew.”  He was not only circumcised in the flesh, but also in the inward man.  Now, to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  Christ is the Seed of Abraham (Gal. 3: 16), Who unifies the two aspects of Israel. 

   Therefore, the promises will be fulfilled when the Heir returns, and the two seedlines of Israel — both natural and spiritual — converge once more.  This is not Replacement Theology, but an affirmation that all of God’s promises will be fulfilled to the letter.  What we have, then, in this Dispensation is a converse of what took place during the Mosaic Dispensation.  We have an enforcement of spiritual principles and regulations, which correspond to the natural things of the Mosaic economy.

  The Dispensational change that took place on the Day of Pentecost mustn’t be overlooked.  Prior to the resurrection and ascension of Christ it could truly be said that the natural Jews were the “holy people.”  However, when the promise of the Holy Spirit was given from above, and the apostles sent forth to preach the glad tidings of God’s grace, God’s principles of administration changed.  No longer were the natural Jews reckoned as “holy people.”  The only “holy people” that God recognizes during this Dispensation are those who have been sanctified by the blood of Christ, and washed in the spiritual waters of regeneration (Titus 3: 5). 

  This was the very principle that obtained during the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70; and so it is incorrect to say that the rebellious (and in many cases apostate) Jews were the “holy people” whose power was scattered.  I believe that the “holy people” will constitute Israel — but Israel during the last 7 years of the age, after the 144,000 saved Israelites are presented to God as a first-fruits offering of national repentance.  Then will the signs and miracles re-commence, and the purging (i.e., refinement) of the nation be effected during that period of Great Tribulation. 

   Antichrist will scatter the power of the holy people when he slays the two witnesses in the middle of the Daniel’s 70th week (Rev. 11: 7), and then wars against the saints during the remaining 3 1/2 years of the age.  This will be the true fulfillment of Daniel 12: 7.  And in connection with this “time of trouble,” there will be a resurrection of many from the dust of the ground (Dan. 12: 1-2). 

   Now, it is clear that none of these things happened in A.D. 67-70.  There is no evidence that 144,000 Israelites were saved and sealed before the investment of Jerusalem.  Nor did the Emperor Nero (whom Preterists label the Antichrist) function until the temple was destroyed [Note: he actually committed suicide in A.D. 68].  Neither was there a resurrection; and to say that there was is to tamper with the Sacred text. 

   No, friends.  The Preterist interpretation of Daniel 12 certainly doesn’t fit the bill. But only recognize the “he” of Dan. 12: 7 as Antichrist, and the scattering of the holy people as the persecution of the saints during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week, and all the facts will harmonize.

Zechariah 14, Daniel 12, & The Great Tribulation

By comparing the many prophecies that speak of last-days events, we may form a tolerably clear picture of what will be happening on this globe when Christ rends the heavens and comes down (Isaiah 64: 1), to execute judgment on the wicked and give rewards to His faithful servants. Will it be a time of universal peace & plenty, or an era of tumult and unrest among the nations? I think a closer investigation of Zechariah 14 will give us an answer.

   The prophet envisions a gathering together of all nations against the City of Jerusalem (Zech. 14: 2). It is at this time that the Lord shall return–in precisely the same manner as when He left; that is, visibly and bodily. The thing to remember is this: When the Lord comes, He will stand upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14: 1). This is not figurative & speculative language, for it is obviously the fulfillment of Acts 1: 11. Study these passages very closely, for they contain deep and solemn truths.

   At what time will the Lord return? The Bible tells us it will be immediately after “The Great Tribulation” (Matt. 24: 21). We may learn that Zechariah 14 predicts this same tribulation. The event was not fulfilled in the past, because Daniel informs us that a resurrection will occur “at that time” (see Dan. 12: 1 ff.). He writes: “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12: 2).

   The key word is “many.” It denotes the non-general nature of the resurrection. Not all men will be raised, but only the Lord’s visible church. This is the “exanastasis ton nekron” of Paul (Phil. 3: 11) and the “First Resurrection” of John (Rev. 20: 5). It is not a general resurrection of all the dead, but a resurrection of the professing church from among the dead.

   Instructing Emperor Constantine on the principles of eschatology, Lactantius wrote: “Not all men, however, shall then be judged by God, but those only that have been exercised in the religion of God. For they who have not known God, since sentence cannot be passed upon them for their acquittal, are already judged and condemned, since the Holy Scriptures testify that the wicked shall not arise to judgment. Therefore they who have known God shall be judged, and their deeds, that is, their evil works, shall be compared and weighed against their good ones: so that if those which are good and just are more and weighty, they may be given to a life of blessedness; but if the evil exceed, they may be condemned to punishment.” (Divine Institutes, VII. xx).

   Then the wheat & the tares will be separated. Christ refers to the better resurrection, that of the just, in Matthew 13: 43: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Furthermore, the Lord promises that the “harvest” shall occur at “the end of the age” (Matt. 13: 40). In the same discourse He had already defined “age” (aion) as “This life” (Matt. 13: 22; cf. Luke 8: 14). It is the present world order, which will cease when our Lord returns from heaven.

   When Daniel asked “how long it would be to the end of these wonders,” the angel replied that “it should be for a time, times, and a half” (Dan. 12: 7); that is, after three-and-a-half years. This is precisely the same period during which Antichrist is given to persecute the saints (Rev. 13: 5). This the angel implies, saying, “when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished” (Dan. 12: 7).

   The “scattering of the holy people” does not mean “the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70,” but the persecutions waged against the Saints during the last half-week of the present age. Hippolytus writes: “Now Daniel will set forth this subject to us. For he says, And one week will confirm a covenant with many, and it shall be in the midst (half) of the week my sacrifice and oblation shall cease. By one week, therefore, he meant the last week which is to be at the end of the world; of which week the two prophets Enoch and Elias will take up the half. For they will preach 1,200 days clothed in sackcloth, proclaiming repentance to the people and to all the nations.” (Treatise On Christ and Antichrist, xliii).

   And again he writes: “For when the threescore and two weeks are fulfilled, and Christ is come, and the Gospel is preached in every place, the times being then accomplished, there will remain only one week, the last, in which Elias will appear, and Enoch, and in the midst of it the abomination of desolation will be manifested, viz., Antichrist, announcing desolation to the world. And when he comes, the sacrifice and oblation will be removed, which now are offered to God in every place by the nations.” (Fragments From Commentaries; Daniel, II. xxii).

   This agrees with the predictions of John the Apostle. In the Apocalypse, the resurrection of the martyrs follows on the heels of Antichrist’s persecution (Rev. 11: 12); and this is concurrent with the great earthquake, the subsequent fall of the city (Rev. 11: 13), and the coming of the King to establish His Divine kingdom over the nations of the world(Rev. 11: 15).

   Now compare with Zechariah 14. When Christ returns visibly and bodily, in like manner as He ascended, the Mount of Olives “will cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley: and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” (Zech. 14: 4). Then men shall flee as from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah (Zech. 14: 5), when the Lord shall come and all His saints. At that time, “The Lord shall be King of all the earth” (Zech. 14: 9).

   It is obvious that John the Apostle was referring to Zechariah’s visions when he wrote of the great city being divided into three parts (Revelation 16: 19). The context states that this will occur at the battle of Armageddon–a mass gathering together of the world’s military forces against the City of Jerusalem to prevent the Lord’s visible glorious return to reign upon the earth (Revelation 16: 14).

   In order to find out what will be the outcome of this monumental warfare, let us go back to Zechariah. The prophet says: “Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle” (Zech. 14: 3). This occurs immediately after the Great Tribulation. The prophet states that preceding Christ’s visible return, there will be a time of rapine and violence within the city. He writes: “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the city shall not be cut off from the city” (Zech. 14: 2).

   The outcome of Armageddon? The nations that fight against Jerusalem shall be utterly destroyed. “And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people who have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth” (Zech. 14: 12). From a comparison with the Apocalypse, we learn this is the same time when the vials of wrath are poured out! (Rev. 16: 8-11).

   And when the enemies (i.e., Antichrist and his forces) are destroyed, the Lord shall rule over all the kingdoms of the world. Then shall all nations go to Jerusalem to keep the feast of tabernacles and do homage to Jesus Christ the King (Zechariah 14: 16). Then His faithful servants shall take part in the “First Resurrection” and will rule and reign with Christ, having “power over the nations” (Rev. 2: 26). Then also will Daniel “stand in his lot” at “the end of the days” (Dan. 12: 13). In the resurrection of the just, all of Christ’s New Covenant people, the entire Israel of God, shall reign as priests and kings with Christ.

   Now when will these events take place? To recapitulate, they must occur at “the end of the age.” According to Daniel they will come at the close of a Great Tribulation, which John himself equates with “an hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3: 10). All nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues shall go through this tribulation (Rev. 7: 9, 14) but its focal point will be the City of Jerusalem, where the Lord will return to execute judgment on His enemies and to establish His kingdom. When Christ comes, there will be a resurrection of His saints & a worldwide manifestation of His glorious kingdom. Blessed are they who shall attain unto these times.

 [Note: In recent years there has been much speculation concerning the true nature of “Armageddon.” As I gather from Scripture, the facts run thus. When Antichrist’s allotted period is almost expired, the supernatural signs preceding Christ’s Second Advent will result in a mad effort to prevent His visible, glorious return. Antichrist will despatch secret ambassadors to all the nations, instructing them to mobilize military forces to the City of Jerusalem–his own personal headquarters. With all the weapons of mass destruction that technology has ever devised, the nations will be gathered together outside the city to battle against The Lord and His saints. This will be the final culmination of man’s wickedness and rebellion against God. But Antichrist will not prevail. Rending the heavens and coming in the clouds with great power, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives from whence He ascended. There will then be a judicial vindication of God’s righteous government in the eyes of all nations, the contrary powers will be beaten asunder & cast alive into hell, and all secular world government will be brought to an end. Until that time, let men scoff and jeer. In the words of Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Tim. 1: 12).]

Reformed Chiliasm (Part 11)

   Naturally, the rise of Antichrist will precipitate a state of things that results in hostility to the people of God.  We’ve already seen how wars and devastations must continue until the world is divided into ten nations. Lactantius, alluding to these times, writes: “First, the kingdom will be enlarged, and the chief power, dispersed among many and divided, will be diminished.  Then civil discords will be perpetually sown; nor will there be any rest from deadly wars, until ten kings arise at the same time, who will divide the world, not to govern, but to consume it.  These, having increased their armies to an immense extent, and having deserted the cultivation of the fields, which is the beginning of overthrow and disaster, will lay waste and break in pieces and consume all things.” (Divine Institutes, VII. xvi).

   Thus will the world will be brought into bondage by the powers of wickedness, and evil will prevail among all classes of men.  During or after this preliminary division of nations, Antichrist will arise and defeat three of the world-powers, after which he will be constituted the head of the entire confederacy–not to mention, he will be hailed as the Messiah.  He will likely come forward as a humanitarian leader, professing his wish to inaugurate a new era of peace throughout the world.  But his words will be only a pretext to gaining office.

   Once he has wheedled his way into the government, and obtained the power he desires, he will wage a wicked persecution against mankind, but especially against the saints.  It is he, in fact, who will cut off the two witnesses.  Here it should be noted that both Lactantius and Commodian speak of two Antichrists, the first one being that prince who shall be denominated head of the ten-nation confederacy, and under whose rule laws will be changed, and the world’s peoples subjected to continual harassment and vexation.  Then, after he has reigned a short time, he shall be defeated by the true Antichrist, who shall demand divine honors. As the mechanics of this “dual-Antichrist” theory are somewhat obscure, being as they are fetched from epitomes and fragments, we are unable to give details.  However, it would appear that this school of prophecy identifies these individuals as “the beast” and the “false prophet” of Rev. 13.  But regardless of whether you believe in one Antichrist or two, you’ll have to admit that fulfillment will come in the midst of catastrophic worldwide events.  It will not be a very good time to be living upon the earth.

   As implied in certain passages of John’s Apocalypse, the battle-ground for many of these events will probably be the City of Jerusalem.  And this is corroborated by our Lord’s Olivet Discourse.  However, lest any should think that other areas of the world will be unaffected, please think again.  For as Antichrist will have power over all the nations, his machinery shall extend throughout the whole earth.  John, writing to the church in Philadelphia, speaks of an “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3: 10).  This, of course, can only signify a worldwide tribulation, and the idea is opposed to any excessive localization of the prophecy. 

   Let us go back to Christ’s Olivet Discourse and see if we can follow the course of this tribulation-period.  I am aware that theories exist which place the Tribulation as a past event.  However, these theories will not be discussed in the present course of articles.  The language itself, which speaks of significant signs in the heavens (Matt. 24: 29 ff.) should tell us that the whole period of which are Lord is speaking, although it may have been foreshadowed by previous events, is to take place at the end of the world (aeon), when Christ comes to gather His saints and bear rule on the earth. It is entirely sufficient that we read these passages with a believing heart, knowing that they are addressed to the church of God. 

   We made mention in our last two articles of those “wars and rumors of wars” (Matt. 24: 6) which must occur prior to the rise of Antichrist.  Attendant upon these wars will be an increase of persecution and betrayal, which bespeaks a great intolerance for Christianity in general.  But during the whole of this time, the Gospel shall be preached unto all nations.  “And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24: 14).  From these Scriptures, and from what we’ve already said, we learn that the days preluding the advent of Antichrist will be characterized by certain general tendencies: 1): By a ‘falling away’ or apostasy; 2): By numerous wars and upheavals; 3): By persecutions and betrayals; 4): By a fervent preaching of the pure Gospel.  Not to mention, there will be “famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places” (Matt. 24: 7).  But when the Gospel shall have been preached to all nations, then will the end come.

   What will be the sign of the commencement of the Tribulation itself?  Christ tells us: “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 Judea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the house-top not come down to take any thing out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and 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 shall ever be“ (Matt. 24: 15-21).

   Thus, the Lord tells us that the Tribulation will be heralded by the “abomination of desolation.”  This evidently refers to Antichrist himself.  Referring to Daniel’s prophecy of the Seventy Weeks (Dan. 9: 24-27), Hippolytus writes: “For when the threescore and two weeks are fulfilled, and Christ is come, and the Gospel is preached in every place, the times being then accomplished, there will remain only one week, the last, in which Elias will appear, and Enoch, and in the midst of it the abomination of desolation will be manifested, viz., Antichrist, announcing desolation to the world.  And when he comes, the sacrifice and oblation will be removed, which are now offered to God in every place by the nations.” (Fragments from Commentaries; Daniel, II. xxii).   Of course, we can probably learn the true nature of Antichrist’s sacrilege by going back to the times of Antiochus Epiphanes, to whose abominations Daniel’s prophecy seems to have a principal reference.  For as Antiochus persecuted the Jews and defiled their sanctuary, so shall Antichrist persecute the church in a like manner.

   And as Christ relates, the “abomination of desolation” will precipitate the events of the Great Tribulation.  But lest we should seem to dip our pen too much in earthquake and thunder, let us have a few words of comfort.  Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem during the fourth century, writes: “For this cause the Lord knowing the greatness of the adversary grants indulgence to the godly, saying, Then let them which be in Judea flee to the mountains.  But if any man is conscious that he is very stout-hearted, to encounter Satan, let him stand (for I do not despair of the Church’s nerves), and let him say, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ and the rest?  But, let those of us who are fearful provide for our own safety; and those who are of good courage, stand fast.  But thanks be to God who hath confined the greatness of that Tribulation to a few days; for He says, But for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened; and Antichrist shall reign for three years and a half only.” (Catechetical Lectures, XV. xvi).  There is thus an appointed time for the prevalence of wickedness, after which it shall be vanquished and overthrown.

   At this juncture, the hopes of the godly shall run high.  And it appears from Christ’s words that wicked and impious men will spread false knowledge of the Lord’s coming in all places.  “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false Christ, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.  Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  For as lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24: 23-27). 

   Here the Lord gives us a solemn warning to beware of any Gnostic/ subjective interpretations of His coming.  For during this period false teachers will be zealously active in lulling to sleep the Christian conscience, and fooling unwary disciples.  They will promise that “everything is under control;” and that “Christ is reigning on earth now.”  Notwithstanding the oppressions and robberies, the accusations and persecutions, the devastations and conflagrations, they will succeed even in luring away many to their views, and in almost deceiving the very elect.  But Christ tells us not to listen to such heretics; for His coming will be visible and glorious.  And thus Christ gives encouragement and counsel to all believers who shall live to see those times. 

   Thus, in a somewhat imperfect fashion, owing to the fact that “we see through a glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13: 12), we have given a brief sketch of the Great Tribulation.  And we must here pause to thank heaven that we have not yet arrived at such a pass.  And we pray the Lord that He will continue to keep His church safe from the persecutions of anti-Christian powers.  However that may be, we know that “through much tribulation” alone may we enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14: 22).  Let it be enough for us that we abstain from evil, and “resist unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12: 4). 

   Fighting against the old man is tribulation enough.  And those who keep His word and do not deny His name, may be given that “open door” to escape from real Tribulation (Rev. 3: 8).  Notwithstanding, even if we be accounted worthy to suffer for Jesus Christ’s name, we must remember the persecutions endured by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Daniel 3: 13 ff.).  Their being cast into the fiery oven by Nebuchadnezzar was a type of the Tribulation which shall be waged by Antichrist. As Christ was with them in the furnace (Dan. 3: 25), so we know that they who endure persecutions for Jesus Christ’s sake will have His presence, and be ensured the safety of their souls.  “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt. 24: 13).

   But why must there be a future Tribulation?  Anyone who seriously considers the topic from a Christian perspective will see the necessity of some such event taking place.  In order for good to prevail, there must first be a displacement of evil. In order for Christ to reign, there must first be a subjugation of all hostile powers. When Satan sees that his time is short, he will re-double his persecutions.  And the warfare he will wage during the last half-week of the present age shall end with his binding in the bottomless pit, that he may no longer be permitted to deceive mankind.  Then will Daniel’s prophecy of Christ’s kingdom (Dan. 7: 14, 22, 27) be fulfilled. 

   Although we admit that it is not pleasant to consider the possibilities of Tribulation and persecution, we must concede that it shall issue in a more glorious dispensation than the world has ever seen.  However you regard these events, whether reluctantly, or with acknowledgement of the greater hope, know that Satan’s hourglass is getting low; his time is running out.  As we await his period of defeat, let us keep our candles burning brightly as worthy stewards of the grace of God, ever crying, Maranatha! The Lord cometh!

To be continued…

Reformed Chiliasm (Part 10)

   By studying the eschatological writings of the early Fathers, and diligently comparing their several descriptions, it is not impossible to put together something like a composite view of end-time events.  In our last article, we discussed the Great Apostasy, briefly touching upon its general character.  Now we must discuss the rise of Antichrist.  Looking back through a number of early writings, it seems that the church always, from day one, held an expectation that some such personage would arrive on the scene in the last days of the world’s history.  In recent years, however, the doctrine of Antichrist has been pronounced a fable; and since that time, rationalistic theologians have tried to relegate this mysterious individual to the pages of past history.  But it won’t do.  No person in history has ever matched with the delineations given in Scripture of Antichrist; or, if some parallels be found, the discrepancies are too great to admit of any assent. 

   One common view among modern Bible-critics is that Nero was the Antichrist.  But, there is no trustworthy evidence that Nero’s infamous persecution ever extended beyond Rome itself.  This alone makes the theory highly unlikely; and only a headstrong enthusiast would maintain it in absence of any proof beyond an assumption.  Withal, the persecution of Antichrist is to be waged during the last half-week (i.e., three-and-a-half years) of the present age, which period will close with the coming of Jesus Christ in glory.  These data do not match up with the Roman emperor.  Nero was never “destroyed with the brightness of the Lord’s coming” (2 Thess. 2: 8),  nor “taken, and cast alive into the lake of fire” (Rev. 19: 20).  In fact, he committed suicide in A.D. 68. Nor did he ever sit in the temple at Jerusalem, boasting himself as God.  Obviously, he is not the man we are looking for.

   In all events, we must have recourse to the proper fountains, and study the ancient church fathers.  For they, leaning back to Apostolic tradition, had greater knowledge of these matters than ourselves.  One of the earliest allusions to Antichrist is contained in the Didache, or “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.”  In this primitive document, he is referred to as “the world deceiver” (ho kosmoplanos).  The full text reads: “For in the last days, false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increaseth, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning.” (xvi. 3-5).  This prediction certainly approximates more closely to the truth.  That Antichrist is to exercise his power over the entire world, is evident from various passages of Scripture.

   But who is he? From whence does he come?  What are his origins?  Is he a man, as many believe?–or the devil incarnate?  We shall discuss these matters to the best of our ability.  Nearly all orthodox writers describe his advent as occurring at a time of great worldwide discord and calamity.  We’ve already seen how the Apostasy creates conditions favorable for a shattering of worldwide peace, and that numerous wars and rumors of wars must first take place before Antichrist comes on the scene.  The Apostasy will pave the way for his appearance. Lest we be carried away by conjecture, however, let us study the visions and interpretations of the prophet Daniel.  For his accounts are the best starting-point for learning of the times of Antichrist.

   We’ll remember King Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, wherein he saw the great image depicting the prominent world kingdoms from his time to Christ’s coming in glory.  Daniel says: “Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image.  This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.  This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors.  And the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (Dan. 2: 31-35). 

   Daniel then gives us the exposition.  He tells Nebuchadnezzar: “Thou art this head of gold.  And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.  And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.  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“ (Dan. 2: 38-44).

   While Daniel does not identify the successive kingdoms by name, he nonetheless gives an accurate account of those mighty nations that would follow Babylon in dominion of the world.  Most commentators agree that the head of gold represents Babylon; the breast and arms, the Medes and Persians; the belly and thighs of brass, the Grecians; while the legs of iron stand for the Roman empire.  When we come to feet of iron and clay, however, opinions are divided.  Some early expositors believe that the feet represent the Roman empire at its very close.  Thus from the beginning there was a strong tradition that Christ would come at the dissolution of the Roman Empire.  But, if we look carefully at Daniel’s interpretation, we’ll perceive that Daniel only attributes the quality of strength to the iron of the feet.  Thus, if the legs represent the Romans, the feet must partake of the power of that empire.  This does not necessarily argue for the identity of the legs and the feet.  At any rate, Daniel’s vision of the great stone breaking the image to pieces predicts a time when human governments will be brought to nothing by the Kingdom of Christ. 

   The feet, then, must represent the last kingdom which shall bear rule over all the world before Christ returns.  It shall be one empire divided into ten nations.  Interestingly, Hippolytus identifies these ten nations as democracies.  If we take his view, it is quite reasonable to assume that the ten nations will be held together by the strength of a Rome-like administration.  Howbeit, because of the wide intermixture of various ethnic and cultural classes (represented by the clay) it shall not cleave together.  That is, there will be no common interest among the several toes.  This I think is the best, or at least the most credible, exposition of Daniel’s vision.  Of course, we cannot be absolutely certain.  But one thing is sure.  The world must first be re-organized into ten nations, ere Daniel’s prophecy of the feet can be fulfilled.  How will this take place?  Who knows.  Perhaps this preliminary division of the world will be preceded by a Third World War, or some such upheaval so great as to break down the structures of national governments.  It is too early to tell.

   However,  this division will clear the way for Antichrist.  And it is here that we must refer to Daniel’s vision of the four beasts, which in many particulars lines up with his vision of the great image.  In Daniel 7: 3-8, the prophet sees four beasts rising out of the ground.  The first is like a lion, having eagles wings.  This has been identified as the Babylonian empire.  After this arises another beast, like a bear.  This was the Persian empire.  Then Daniel sees a third beast, like unto a leopard, with four wings.  This can be none other than the Grecian power, which after Alexander the Great’s death was partitioned into four empires.  Following the leopard Daniel sees a fourth beast, “dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.  And 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 man, and a mouth speaking great things” (Dan. 7: 7-8). 

   Almost all the early commentators agree that the ten horns of the fourth beast parallel the ten toes of the image, while the “little horn” represents Antichrist.  Hippolytus, harmonizing Daniel’s visions, writes: “As these things, then, are destined to come to pass, and as the toes of the image turn out to be democracies, and the ten horns of the beast are distributed among ten kings, let us look at what is before us more carefully, and scan, as it were, with open eye.  The ‘golden head’ of the image is identical with the ‘lioness,’ by which the Babylonians were represented.  ‘The golden shoulders and arms of silver’ are the same with the ‘bear,’ by which the Persians and Medes are meant.  ‘The belly and thighs of brass’ are the ‘leopard,’ by which the Greeks who ruled from Alexander onwards are intended.  The ‘legs of iron’ are the ‘dreadful and terrible beast,’ by which the Romans who now hold the empire are meant.  The ‘toes of clay and iron’ are the ‘ten horns’ which are to be.  The ‘one other little horn’ springing up in their midst is the ‘antichrist.’  The stone that ‘smites the image and breaks it in pieces,’ and that fills the whole earth, is Christ, who comes from heaven and brings judgment on the world.” (Fragments from Commentaries, II. iii).

   With the sole exception of his identification of the fourth beast as the Roman empire, I agree on the whole with Hippolytus’ interpretation.  If we concede, then, that the little horn represents the Antichrist, it will be a relatively simple matter to form some notion of end-time events.  Firstly, the world must be divided into ten nations.  Then, Antichrist shall arise as a great political leader.  He shall subdue and conquer three of the nations, and will probably be constituted the head of the entire confederacy.  But, we are going too far.  We must back up a little and try, if we can, to get some idea of the personal character of this Antichrist.  From whence does he arise?  Is he a Jew or a Gentile? Interestingly, this latter question seems to be a hot topic of debate among students of prophecy.  Some are for maintaining his Jewish origins, whilst others proclaim him to be of pure Gentile extraction.  What do we think?

   The opinion of the early church was that Antichrist would arise from among the Jews, and be hailed as their Messiah.  Moreover, it was believed that he would draw his lineage from the tribe of Dan.  The evidence in support of this view is fetched mainly from Jeremiah 8: 16, where the prophet writes: “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan; the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones: for they have come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.”  Another proof-text is Gen. 49: 16-17: “Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.  Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse-heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.”  Then, too, there is the likening of Dan to a lion, in imitation of the true Lion, Christ.  Moses writes: “Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan” (Deut. 33: 22).  Thus, there is strong support for the view that Antichrist will rise from among the Jews, and constitute himself as their leader.

   Moreover, it is likely that he is the one who shall rebuild the temple at Jerusalem.  For his crowing act of iniquity will be to sit in the temple of God and demand divine worship (2 Thess. 2: 4; cf. Isa. 14: 13-14).  But, we ask, when shall these events take place?  It is evident that they shall be fulfilled in the last half-week of the world’s history.  That is, when the first half of Daniel’s 70th week has expired, Antichrist shall arise and deceive all mankind.  He shall function for three years and six months, after which he will be brought to nothing.  The first half of the week will be taken up by the two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, who shall preach the Gospel unto all nations, exhorting men to turn from their iniquities and embrace the way of life.  These matters are related more fully in John’s Apocalypse, and may be verified by comparing Rev. 11: 1-7 with Rev. 13: 1-7. 

   Again, hearken to Hippolytus: “Thus, then, does the prophet [Daniel] set forth these things concerning Antichrist, who shall be shameless, a war-maker, and despot, who, exalting himself above all kings and above every God, shall build the city of Jerusalem and restore the sanctuary.  Him the impious shall worship as God, and will bend to him the knee, thinking him to be Christ.  He shall cut off the two witnesses and forerunners of Christ, who proclaim his glorious kingdom from heaven, as it is said: ‘And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.’  As also it was announced to Daniel: ‘And one week shall confirm a covenant with many; and in the midst of the week it shall be that the sacrifice and oblation shall be removed’–that the one week might be shown to be divided into two.  The two witnesses, then, shall preach three years and a half; and Antichrist shall make war upon the saints during the rest of the week, and desolate the world, that what is written may be fulfilled: ‘And they shall make the abomination of desolation for a thousand two hundred and ninety days.'”  (Fragments from Commentaries, II. xxxix).

   This gives us a tolerably clear picture of what shall occur during the last seven years of the world’s history; that is, prior to Christ’s coming in glory to establish His throne among us, and to rebuke iniquity.  And our Lord Himself, in His Olivet Discourse, foretells all the events which shall lead up to His coming.  As related in our last article, the Apostasy must first break out.  Although we feel that the beginnings of the Apostasy have arrived, we have not yet seen the persecutions and betrayals (Matt. 24: 9-10) that shall follow in its wake.  Only a calamitous state of the world could give rise to such conditions as pave the way for these tragic events.  And what more likely than that a Third World War should occur to shatter the comity of nations?  We believe that such an event is not unreasonable, considering the perturbed state of present-day politics.  And that two such wars have already occurred, do not render it improbable that a repeat event, on a larger and more disastrous scale, may become a reality.  And then only will the long-contested Apocalyptic imagery have its true fulfillment.

To be continued…