A King of Fierce Countenance


	Chapter Five “A King of Fierce Countenance” Celebrated prophecy “experts” commonly teach that the antichrist will be revealed to the world through a “peace treaty” with Israel when *“. . . he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:”* (Daniel 9:27). By peace he shall destroy many with mighty power, but not of his own (Daniel 8:24-25). His coming shall be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders (II Thess.2:9). He will be revealed to the world after the falling away occurs(II Thess. 2:3), and the Spirit and belief of the truth that withholdeth is taken away (II Thess. 2:6-13, John 14:16-18, I Thess. 4:13- 18). All those that do not receive the love of the truth will believe his lies by strong delusion, thus sealing their damnation and torment in the lake of fire (II Thess. 2:10-12, Rev. 20:11-15). His identity is the speculation of books, movies and endless debates. When and where he will appear captivates the minds of believers and the lost alike, even more so as we see the promise of the Lord coming soon. In the book of Revelation, he is simply called *“the beast”* (Rev. 13:1-4, Rev.16:13, Rev.17:8). Surprisingly, the word *“antichrist”* is not found at all throughout the Revelation; only in the Epistles of John do we find the term “antichrist.” Yet, both works are by the same author, John the apostle. We look to find what purpose John had in calling this “man of sin” and “son of perdition” in one scripture, the *“antichrist”* (I John 2:18) and in another *“the beast”* (Rev. 17:11). The answer to this question is revealed when we recognize that in the Epistles of John, he is serving as a second witness to Paul as to the character of this man (II Thessalonians Chapter 2) and in the Revelation, as the second witness to Daniel testifying of his heritage and the place of his origin (Daniel chapters 7, 8 & 11). Therefore, to avoid confusion of terms, we should also keep separate in our own minds, the use of the word *“antichrist”* and *“the beast”* according to which attribute of this man we are speaking. Therefore, when speaking of his place of origin, it is most expedient to use the term “the beast” so that we can follow the symbolic language of both Daniel and John more clearly. The most important lesson gained from the study of the word “antichrist” is the understanding that the word not only applies to a specific “person,” but also to the “people of antichrist” and to the “spirit of antichrist.” In I John 2:18, the “person” of antichrist is prophesied to come just as Paul likewise tells of “the man of sin” and the “son of perdition” that is to come (II Thess. 2:3-4). Both Paul and John confirm that this was an already accepted and well-known doctrine to the believers (II Thess. 2:5, I John 2:18). Secondly, all those that deny that Jesus is the Christ and come in the flesh are called antichrist (I John 2:18, 2:22, II John 7). Likewise, Paul speaks of all those that will be lost because they have pleasure in unrighteousness and will not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (II Thess. 2:10-12). The truth of the gospel is that our Lord Jesus came in the flesh ( John 1:1-14) and anyone that does not receive the love of the truth and still loves the darkness rather than the light already is condemned (John 3:16-20). By the witness of both men, these are those “people” of antichrist that will be given over to strong delusion that they might believe the lie. Lastly, both men testify to the mystery of iniquity that *“doth already work”* (II Thess 2:7) and the spirit of antichrist that “already is it in the world” (I John 4:1-3). Therefore, the term antichrist reveals the person, the people and the spirit of antichrist with their deeds and character. Moreover, this same triune nature is found in the prophecies of “the beast” and the “false prophet” in the book of Revelation; thereby confirming specific prophetic fulfillment in a “person,” a “people” and a “spirit” for “the beast” in the Revelation. Understanding this concept will be of extreme importance when we explore the heritage and places of origin for not only the antichrist, but also for other characters spoken of in the Revelation. The witnesses of John and Daniel reveal where this “man of sin” shall originate. Although no man can identify who that individual will be until after the rapture has occurred and that “Wicked” (II Thess 2:8) be revealed, his heritage and place of origin are even now emphatically confirmed by these two prophets of God. In fact, the Lord has given through them at least five sets of scriptures divulging the truth of “the beast from Greece.” In addition, there are at least two verses which speak against the currently popular, false doctrine of the “Roman Antichrist.” Yet the clarity of God’s Word alone declares the truth for all to examine and choose whether they shall believe, by faith, the Bible exclusively; or hold fast to the traditions, doctrines and teachings of men that make the commandments of God of none effect (Matt. 15: 3-9, Isaiah 29:13). A) THE BEAST FROM GREECE 1) Daniel 8:19-27: In Daniel chapter eight, a vision appeared unto Daniel of a “ram” with two horns and a “he goat” with a great horn between his eyes. He interprets the meaning of these two symbolic beasts in verses 8:19-27. Here the “ram” with two horns are the kings of Media and Persia (Daniel 8:20). They are conquered by the “goat” with the “notable horn between its eyes” (Daniel 8:5), which is the first king of Greece (Daniel 8:21). And it is through this nation that four kingdoms arose after the first king, Alexander the Great died at the age of thirty-three. Then from one of their kingdoms a king of fierce countenance shall stand up in the latter time (Daniel 8:22-23). His power will be mighty, but not of his own (Daniel 8:24, Rev. 13:2, Rev. 17:12-13). He shall destroy many by peace (Daniel 8:25, Daniel 9:27) and stand up against the Prince of princes. Only the antichrist himself can fulfill these prophecies *“in the latter time.”* He is the “man of sin,” “the son of perdition” and is the “beast from Greece.” Photo Gallery http://atgspot.com/alex_web/alexfram.htm 2) Daniel 11:36-45: In Daniel chapter eleven, the Lord declared to Darius the Mede, the truth of the Media-Persian Empire and the Greek empire that would topple the fourth and greatest of the Kings of Persia. Then beginning in Daniel 11:5 the Lord reveals the intimate details of two of the four Greek kingdoms that will prevail after the death of Alexander the Great. "Alexander's empire was divided at first into four major portions: Cassander ruled in Macedon, Lysimachus in Thrace, Seleucus in Mesopotamia and Persia, and Ptolemy I Soter in the Levant and Egypt. Antigonus ruled for a while in Anatolia and Syria but was eventually defeated by the other generals at Ipsus (301 BC). Control over Indian territory passed to Chandragupta Maurya, the first Maurya emperor, who further expanded his dominions after a settlement with Seleucus." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great http://www.bu.edu/mzank/Jerusalem/mp/hellenisticworldmap.jpg More than two hundred years before it came to pass, the Word of God chronicled the story of the Seleucid kings (king of the north) and their rivals in Egypt, the Ptolemies (king of the south). Together, they are represented in Daniel chapter two by the two thighs of brass that trampled Jerusalem underfoot (Daniel 2:32, Luke 21:24). In Daniel 11:21-35, the account is given of Antiochus Epiphanes who profaned the sanctuary with the abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 11: 31). Daniel 11:30-35 prophesied of the Maccabean revolt that overthrew the far superior Syrian army of Antiochos IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC). This is the origin of the continued celebration of Hanukah unto today. Verse 11:35 clearly shows that this abomination of desolation is a prototype of that to come and not the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27 (Daniel 8:19&23; Matt 24:15) as we read: *“And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white,* even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Antiochos IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) Antiochos IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) was not a time of the end. Ignoring the detail of the Scriptures renders the false interpretation that the Abomination of Desolation has already been fulfilled. Instead, this was a prototype of the future abomination that will come to pass when the “Beast from Greece” profanes God’s Holy of Holies just as did Antiochos Epiphanes in 165 BC. http://www.barnsdle.demon.co.uk/hist/sel.html The history of the Seleucid kings from Syria and the Ptolemies from Egypt cries out to us from Daniel 11:5 to 11:35. The wars, the battles and the marriages between these two Macedonian empires are documented in the living Word of God given to Daniel the prophet in the sixth century B.C. But starting in Daniel 11:36 to 11:45, we cannot yet find a time in the history of these two empires fulfilling the subsequent verses. Indeed, these verses speak of the king of the north that is living and prospers *“till the indignation be accomplished”* (Daniel 11:36, Daniel 8:19). The king of the south that fights against him does so *“at the time of the end”* (Daniel 11:40). *“This king of the north”* from Syria, who will be a descendant of the Seleucid kings is he that “shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36, Daniel 7:25, II Thess. 2:3-4, Rev. 13:6). This is “the beast from Greece,” out of the Syrian empire that will rule the world during the days of great tribulation. The “Assyrian” of Isaiah chapters ten and fourteen reveal a second witness of the antichrist arising out of the territory of the king of the of the north as shown on Daniel chapter eleven. First, Isaiah 10:24-25 speaks of the *“Assyrian”* at the end of God’s indignation: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid if the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.” The sixth king of the north shall prosper *“til the indignation be accomplished”* (Daniel 11:36). Second, in Isaiah 14:25, the *“Assyrian”* will be tread under foot in God’s mountains: “That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.” So likewise the king of the north at the time of the indignation will meet his end between the seas *“in the glorious holy mountain;”* (Daniel 11:45). This is the *“Assyrian”* who is the king of the north. This is the antichrist. Most interestingly, the book of Revelation testifies of the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8) Culturally, the Greek Empire was actually at the heart of the Roman Empire which conquered Greece and even today, the western world is still greatly influenced by Greek culture more so than any other ancient civilization. Thus, the Greek civilization that was, and is not, and yet is can be seen distinctly in western culture today in such things as the Olympics, the original New Testament language and the classical logic and philosophy that dominates our higher centers of education. Likewise, during the time of the Roman Empire, even though the military might of Rome had conquered Greece, the language spoken throughout the Roman Empire was universally Greek, the routes of commerce had been established by the Greeks, and the gods that were worshipped were Greek with Roman names given. Yes, Greece truly is an empire that was, and is not, and yet is even until today. 3) Daniel 2:39: The third verse confirming that the “antichrist,” or “the beast,” will come out of the Greek empire is in a prophecy yet to be fulfilled by the third kingdom of brass: *“which shall bear rule over all the earth.”* No matter how strong and mighty Alexander the Great was, he in no manner had *“rule over all the earth”* during his short lifetime. Therefore, Daniel 2:39 is speaking of a future fulfillment during the great tribulation and then only by the rule of the “antichrist” in the seventieth week. Alexander the Great’s empire extended only from Greece to India and then to Egypt in the south. Therefore, Daniel 2:39 is speaking of a future fulfillment during the great tribulation and then only by the rule of the “antichrist” during the seventieth week. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/MacedonEmpire.jpg 4) Daniel 7:6: In Daniel chapter seven, *“dominion”* is given only to the third beast that is *“like a leopard.”* The fourth beast does not receive this dominion anywhere throughout Daniel chapter seven. Yet the king that is *“diverse”* and speaks “great words against the most High” has his dominion taken away when the *“judgement shall sit.”* (Daniel 7:24-26). This is the dominion given only to the third kingdom. This is the dominion of the “beast from Greece.” 5) Revelation 13:2: In this verse, John uses the precise format that Daniel uses in describing the four beasts of Daniel chapter seven. Each kingdom was described *“like unto"* a beast and then Daniel later defined what each beast symbolized. Once defined, this apocalyptic language now reveals the identity of *“the beast”* in Revelation 13:2: “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” http://www.blueridge.net/~prophetic-visions/leopard.htm “The beast” of Revelation is *“like”* the third beast of Daniel chapter seven which represents the Greek Empire. He will be *“like unto a leopard”* in that he will be the "beast" from the "Revived" Greek Empire at the time of the end. He will also have the *“feet of a bear”* (Media-Persia) and the *“mouth of a lion”* (Babylon) thus identifying him with the king of the north as this was the territory occupied by the Seleucid kings. Together, these three characteristics identify which part of the Greek empire that occupied the territory of Babylon and the Media-Persian Empire. This is one of the thighs of brass seen in Daniel chapter two. This is the king of fierce countenance, understanding dark sentences, that is the king of the north from Syria. This is the *“antichrist.”* This is also the second witness that the *“antichrist”* will come out of the Seleucid Empire since this prophecy in Revelation 13:2 cannot be fulfilled by the Ptolemies from Egypt, which are the second thigh of brass. This is the glory of the Word of God that reveals where the beast that *“was,” “and is not”* and who is “of the seven” will arise (Rev. 17:11). From the kingdom of Babel, to the seventh kingdom of the ten kings in Revelation chapter seventeen, Babylon is the city common to all seven. Therefore, *“the beast”* that is the *“eighth”* is also the “beast from Greece” as is emphatically and undeniably established by these five separate references. B) THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF THE “ROMAN ANTICHRIST” There are many books written on the subject of the “Revived Roman Empire” and “the Roman Antichrist.” As an early born again believer, I studied dozens of prophecy books and likewise was convinced of these doctrines. However, as I turned to the Word of the Lord, by the purity of God’s Holy Word alone, the Holy Spirit convicted me of many contradictions between the doctrine of the “Roman Antichrist” and what the Word of God teaches. The first contradiction that I encountered was that the antichrist will come out of the “seventh” kingdom, which they claim, is the “Revived Roman Empire.” However, the Word of God in Revelation 17:11, states that *“the beast,”* which is the *“eighth”* will be *“of the seven,”* and not "of the seventh”: *“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition”* This distinction, grammatically, between “of the seventh” and *“of the seven”* defines whether the eighth king will belong “inclusively” to all seven preceding kingdoms, or will be “exclusively” of the “seventh.” This is, again, a distinction of no minor importance, because as the second witness, it will clarify the interpretation of Daniel 7:19-27 that at first appears to imply that the *“antichrist”* will arise from the Roman Empire (Daniel 7:24): “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall arise after them; and shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.” There is general agreement throughout Bible prophecy circles and most fundamental, God fearing, devil hating, soul winning churches that these verses “undeniably establish” the doctrine of “the Roman Antichrist” coming out of the “Revived Roman Empire.” The second witness most commonly cited by those who wish to establish the doctrine of the “Roman Antichrist” is Revelation 17:11. Yet they can only use this verse after changing the wording from an inclusive *“seven,”* to an exclusive “seventh” kingdom. In other words, if the eighth king is from the “seventh” kingdom, then the doctrine of “the Roman Antichrist” would effectively be established. But, in fact, the true reading, *“of the seven,”* establishes that his place of origin can only be in an area that is common to all seven kingdoms which actually limits the eighth king to the common territory of all seven. There are at least two separate scriptures that help to demonstrate this fact well and will exclude Rome as a possible source of origin of the antichrist. 1) Revelation 17:10-11: Revelation 17:10 and 17:11 are two separate verses which, acting together, are a word puzzle that identify where the eighth king will not arise. As we reviewed in chapter three, from Revelation 17:10, there are five that have *“fallen”* (Babel, Egypt, Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece), one that *“is”* (Rome, the fourth beast of Daniel chapter seven) and one “not yet come” (the ten kings out of the Roman Empire). Likewise, Revelation 17:11 follows the exact same time line. He is the eighth king who is *“the beast”* that *“was,”* and *“is not.”* The full impact of this word puzzle made up of these two separate verses stands out when we display them in a table, parallel in time to each other. The eighth king is therefore first of all the beast that *“was”* Greece, and *“is not”* Rome. Although the *“dragon”* and “the ten kings” will give him their power, seat and great authority (Rev. 13:2, Rev. 17:13), he will not actually arise from Rome. Instead he will come out of an area and a heritage that is common to all seven kingdoms, starting with Babel. Therefore, the only region that is common to all seven kingdoms is, inclusively, the territory occupied by Babel, Babylon and Assyria. This is exactly the testimony of Daniel chapter eleven and Revelation 13:2 (see previous discussion). Therefore it is not a contradiction to state that the “beast from Greece,” will not arise from Rome and will not be “the Roman Antichrist,” while at the same time he will be from a common territory that Rome controlled. This is the first witness against the false doctrine of “the Roman Antichrist.” 2) Daniel 9:26: Daniel 9:26 is a frequently quoted scripture that many “authorities” claim establishes the doctrine of “the Roman Antichrist.” They refer to the second half of this verse that states: “. . . and the people of *the prince that shall come* shall destroy the city and the sanctuary . . .” They further assert that this verse was fulfilled by the Roman general Titus, who as a “prince,” was the son of Caesar Vespusian. History confirms that this prince did destroy the city, but the claim that this proves that the antichrist will come out of Rome fails on two points. First, this prophecy is speaking of “the prince” that shall come and “confirm the covenant with many for one week.” This prince is yet even now for a future fulfillment by “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition” during the tribulation. Therefore, those that propose the theory that Titus fulfilled this prophecy fail to recognize the context that the next verse, Daniel 9:27, establishes. Second, a closer look at Daniel 9:26 reveals the true interpretation of this verse: *“. . . and the people* of the prince that shall come *shall destroy the city and the sanctuary . . .”* Looking at this verse from the perspective of *“the people”* of the prince that shall come helps us to see clearly the proper focus of this verse. Instead of looking at the Roman prince Titus, we can review the history of the siege against Jerusalem as best recorded by Josephus and keep in mind that the fourth beast of Daniel chapter seven, is made of “two legs of iron.” Therefore, we must take into account that both the *“kings of the earth,”* and “that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” participated in the destruction of Jerusalem. Third, the “people of the prince that shall come,” had two prophetic duties to fulfill: to destroy the city and the sanctuary. Although Rome is given credit for destroying the city, the account by Josephus reveals that Titus and thereby Rome, did not condone the destruction of the sanctuary. In “The War of the Jews, Book 6, chapter 4, paragraph 7,” we read: “And now, Caesar was no way able to restrain the enthusiastic fury of the soldiers, and the fire proceeded on more and more, . . . and thus the holy house burnt down, without Caesar’s approbation.” Therefore, it was not Titus or Caesar that destroyed the sanctuary, but instead “the people” or “the soldiers” assembled against the Jews that destroyed the sanctuary and the city. Which soldiers were present on that day is not specified by Josephus, but we know that it was both Roman and outside auxiliary militias fighting as one army together in the campaign against Jerusalem and it included "people" from Assyria. It was thus yet by the hand of God in that the “people” of the prince to come destroyed the sanctuary against the order of Caesar himself. Therefore the history of the account actually does not confirm Rome as the *“people of the prince that shall come,”* but actually speaks against Titus foreshadowing the so called “Roman prince” to come. In summary, we have reviewed seven specific scriptural references that establish the true Biblical doctrine of “the beast from Greece” and denounce the false, yet popular doctrine of “the Roman Antichrist.”Instead, please do not be deceived in looking for the "Revived Roman Empire" when the Bible clearly admonishes us to look for the "Revived Greek Empire."As the children of God, we must stand before our Lord Jesus and give an account of all things that we have done. In the first Epistle of John 2:26-28, the Word of God admonishes us to avoid those that would seduce us with lies, and abide in the Word of God written in truth under the moving of the Holy Ghost alone: “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” If we are to avoid shame at the time of His coming, then we must study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15). This can only be done by holding fast to God’s Word alone and forsaking the popular, false teachings and doctrines of devils that permeate our churches today. To avoid shame we must glorify God’s Word in our hearts and call upon the “Comforter,” the Holy Ghost, to teach us all things. Return to Home Page (www.kjv1611revealed.com)