The End Times Roman Empire
The Bible speaks of four empires that will come to power in succession (Daniel 2 & 7). The book of Daniel identifies the first empire as the Babylonian Empire. The empires that rise and fall after this are listed in the chart below:
The fourth kingdom is destroyed by God at his coming to set up an eternal kingdom. The fourth kingdom is the Roman empire.
Because the fourth kingdom is destroyed by God at his coming to judge the world, it is required for the Roman empire to come back into existence prior to the second coming. This position is verified by the fact that the Antichrist is a Roman ruler (Daniel 9:26-27).
10-Nation Confederacy
An important part of this end times Roman empire is a group of ten kings.
“The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.” (Daniel 7:24)Since this end times Roman empire is composed of a group of ten kings, many theologians have expected the rise of a ten-nation confederacy in Europe.
Hal Lindsay believed in a “ten nation confederacy of European nations” (Late Great Planet Earth, 1970)
Eminent prophecy scholar John Walvoord anticipated the “formation of the revived Roman Empire composed of a ten-nation confederacy.” (1967)
Subduing of Three Kings
Prior to his reign of terror for 3 1/2 years, the Antichrist will somehow subdue three of the ten kings during his rise to power.
"The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time." (Daniel 7:24-25).7-Year Deal with Israel
He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." (Daniel 9:27)
- The man who confirms the covenant is from Europe
- Daniel 9:26 says that this ruler will come from the same people group that will destroy the temple.
- These people were the Romans
- The ruler confirms the agreement for seven years.
- The historical fulfillment of the first part of the prophecy (Daniel 9:24-26) clearly define one "seven" as seven years.
- The covenant is made with Israel.
- The entire prophecy given by the angel is decreed for the Jews and Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24).
The Middle of the Seven
In the middle of the seven the "abomination that causes desolation" occurs. This is the last single event Jesus describes prior to his second coming (Matthew 24:15).
Jesus says that this stands in the "holy place" which is the temple. Mark 13:14 applies the masculine pronoun to this abomination, implying that it is a person. In addition, more literal translations of Daniel 9:27 (see ESV and NASB) also speaks of the desolater as if he is a person.
The last event Paul describes before the second coming is the Antichrist setting himself up as God in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This is the time when the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Also in the middle of the seven, the Antichrist (the signer of the 7 year covenant) stops sacrifice and offering. Daniel 12:11 also says that at the time of the end time abomination of desolation, sacrifices will be stopped. This implies that the Jews will resume their sacrifices prior to this event occuring.
World Dictatorship and Final Consolidation of the Ten Kings
The Bible makes clear that the Antichrist will exercise world domination for a period of 42 months (3.5 years). It is during this time that he makes war with all of God's people and demands worship.
5The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.8All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (Revelation 13:5-8)The Bible also speaks of a future day in which the ten kings will no longer have authority alongside the Antichrist. There will come a day when they simply hand over all their power and authority to the Antichrist.
12"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." (Revelation 17:12-14)
No comments:
Post a Comment