MidnightCall Magazine
News From Israel MagazineDon't Expect Doomsday Anytime Soon
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations…The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?…Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen…For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 2:1–2, 10–11,18–19, 3:1–2).
Whenever we hear about natural disasters or unusual events of destruction taking place around the world, the media often reports the possibility of the end of the world being near.
During the last two Middle East conflicts involving Iraq, some Christian authors even fell prey to the sensationalism, and were asking, “Is this the beginning of Armageddon?”
Countless stories were written during and after World War II “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:)… For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be”speculating that the massive destruction and loss of lives fulfilled prophecies regarding the end of the world. But all these events have come and gone, yet we still have not experienced the end of the world, the Great Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, or “doomsday.” So the natural question that comes to mind is this: Will these things come to pass?
In this article we will examine Bible prophecy, the only source of accurate information about the past, the present and the future, specifically examining three topics:three topics: 1) Doomsday Defined, 2) Some Examples of Doomsday, and 3) Success Before Doomsday.
DOOMSDAY DEFINED
We already quoted from the prophet Joel, who described this day of darkness and gloom known as the Day of the Lord.
Zephaniah described this day with these words: “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers” (Zephaniah 1:14–16). We must point out that God inspired Zephaniah to write this verse 2,600 years ago; “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.” He is speaking about doomsday, the Battle of Armageddon. From this perspective, we must adjust our minds when we read about the coming of the Lord in the New Testament. His return is always near, and it could happen today.
Haggai 2:6–7 explains: “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.” Notice the phrase, “it is a little while.” In other words, “it won’t take long”— yet this statement was made over 2,500 years ago.
The prophet Zechariah identifies Jerusalem as the point of contact for the impending doomsday: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (12:2–3).
DOOMSDAY BECAUSE OF JERUSALEM
We are coming upon that day. Jerusalem already is “a cup of trembling unto all the people round about.” The Jews and Arabs are trembling when it comes to Jerusalem. To the Arabs it is impossible that they could have their own nation without having Jerusalem as its capital. To the Jews, it is unheard of to divide Jerusalem into the capital city of Israel and of the Palestinian state. But note, it’s not only these two groups of people; the text explains that “all” people will be against Jerusalem. People have not physically gathered against Jerusalem, but we cannot deny that all nations agree that Jerusalem should be divided into both a Jewish and an Arab city. The Vatican has proposed to internationalize Jerusalem, but the entire world is involved where Jerusalem is concerned.
God used the prophet Malachi to write: “For, behold, the day cometh,that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).
Our Lord Jesus referred to Daniel when He spoke about this terrible day that is coming upon the earth: “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:)… For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:15, 21).
Let’s also read Daniel 12:1: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
What do all these verses have in common? They each describe the day and the hour when God will judge the entire world. It will be contact between heaven and earth.
Judgment begins at the house of God, which means it will begin with Israel. However, we know from Bible prophecy that this judgment upon Israel will result in its salvation, while judgment of the world will end in its destruction.
For example, when Israel was led from slavery in Egypt, the Jewish people experienced physical salvation but Egypt received judgment unto destruction.
The prophet Jeremiah also wrote about this great day: “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it” (30:7). This is the unique day that the prophets wrote about and which Jesus confirmed — a day like no other. But it is important to mention that Jacob will be saved out of it.
SALVATION AND JUDGMENT
This Day of Judgment, the Great Tribulation, or “doomsday,” is God’s interference because of man’s rebellion against Him. Under the leadership of Satan, man opposes God and doomsday is God opposing man.
The devil claims to be the legitimate owner and ruler of planet Earth. He is called the “prince” and the “god” of this world. The Bible explains that the entire world lies in darkness because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Bible also says those who sin are of the devil, which means all people are children of the devil.
God has not given up on mankind, which is why He chose Abraham, who is called the father of all believers. God established the nation of Israel through Abraham. From the 12 tribes, He chose the tribe of Judah and made it the royal tribe of Israel. And from one family came Jesus, who is identified in Revelation 5:5 as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
He accomplished salvation for all who believe in Him.
THE FREE FAMILY
Jesus came from the House of David because David and his family were the only ones who had become free from the bondage they placed themselves under when they asked for a king to rule over them.
This occurred when David was a young man carrying food to his brothers who were fighting a war against the Philistines under King Saul’s leadership. A man named Goliath challenged anyone in Israel to fight him. First Samuel 17:25 states: “And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.” The House of David became free in Israel and from that house came the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Savior of the world and the Messiah of Israel.
Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the world’s population rejects salvation in Jesus Christ and has built its own religion, even within Churchianity. This new religion does not lead to forgiveness of sin and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but serves to further self, to make man the target of salvation. God has made all the preparations necessary for anyone to be reconciled with the Living God to escape doomsday, but the only way that can happen is through Jesus Christ.
OUR HOPELESS CONDITION
Most people do not realize the severity of our situation before God saved us. Ephesians 2:12 describes our hopeless condition: “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Too often we underestimate the position of the unconverted. You can take the worst type of suffering known to man, the greatest of poverty, sickness and tragedy, and combine them and still not have accurately illustrated the hopelessness of our situation before God saved us. If we remain in our hopeless state then we can expect to spend an eternity in the lake of fire. This type of suffering goes way beyond our comprehension because we try to make hell a “tolerable” place. We do not understand this degree of suffering.
When we ask, “why doomsday?” we must remember that this is our normal position; it’s not that we have done something wrong to be placed in such a predicament, but that we are sinners by nature. We are subject to sin, decay, death and hell. If only people would grasp this horrible truth!
However, a glorious “but” follows in the next verse: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). That is the only escape, the only way out of this cursed world. What happens when we come to Jesus, believing that He paid the price for our sins with His own blood? Verse 19 answers: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” What a glorious message! We’ve gone from being aliens and strangers who had no hope to being “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL REALITIES
Just because we have become members of the household of God doesn’t mean we have arrived; now a conflict begins: a battle between the earthly flesh and blood person and the newly born spiritual person. Our physical reality that is our flesh and blood is bound to earth. No change has taken place in that regard; we still have to eat and drink, maintain our bodies and take care of our daily activities. Ultimately, we succumb to death. That is the reality for all who live on the face of the earth. God inspired the author of Hebrews to write: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
What happens to the spirit/soul? Jesus answered this question in John 8:51: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” In another instance, when His friend Lazarus died, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25–26). Jesus actually ignored the reality of physical death. That fact, however, does not take death away. Death is a bitter reality, but for a believer, it is of limited
duration.
In summary: Man’s body is subject to sin and therefore is temporary. In order to live for eternity, bodies must be changed. This change will take place at the Rapture.
The Apostle Paul wrote of this change in 1 Corinthians 15:50–55: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
DOOMSDAY EXAMPLE: THE DAYS OF NOAH
The history of Noah is extremely important in reinforcing our message: “Don’t Expect Doomsday Anytime Soon.” For the people who lived during Noah’s time, doomsday was decided from heaven, but it took 120 years until the day actually came.
Jesus mentioned Noah in Matthew 24:36–39: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” It is significant that Jesus didn’t mention the various sins being committed at that time; He simply mentioned the daily activities taking place. Not mentioned in the text is how God saw Noah’s generation: “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).
Jesus made a significant point when He said: “And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away” (verse 39). In other words, they disregarded that God had determined doomsday for planet Earth, yet they obviously disregarded Noah’s invitation to come into the ark and be saved. The people were ignorant that this was the time of preparation for doomsday, and as a result, they all perished.
Why was Noah and his family saved? Genesis 6:9 answers that Noah walked with God. He was different from all the other people and doomsday would not catch Noah unprepared.
While Jesus did not list the specific sins committed by the people of Noah’s generation, Genesis 6 makes it clear how God saw the world: “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:5–8).
Noah found grace with the Lord because he walked with God, who provided Noah a plan to escape by offering precise measurements to build an ark to escape doomsday. God instructed Noah to bring two of each species of animals on the earth. Genesis 6:22 explains Noah’s obedience to God: “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Note the word “all.” Noah left nothing undone. He believed God, acted upon his belief, and finished the task. Then he and his family were saved.
The book of Hebrews contains this testimony regarding Noah: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7). The world was condemned; it had experienced doomsday, but Noah and his family were saved.
Until this day, the war of words about whether the story of the Flood is true rages in theological circles as well as in the scientific world. In spite of the extremities used to discount the Noah event, an abundance of scientific evidence of the Flood exists all over earth. Even on the highest mountains on the earth, evidence of sea creatures testifies the doomsday Flood came upon the earth and the people were not prepared.
DOOMSDAY EXAMPLE:THE DAYS OF LOT
Jesus used this event as a picture of His unexpected return: “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28–30).
What happened during Lot’s time? Genesis 18:20–21 explains: “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.” Doomsday was pronounced upon Sodom and Gomorrah, but the people who lived in these cities had no idea what was about to take place because they continued to practice their “grievous sins.” They must have thought that things would continue as they were, much like people do today.
Although we hear so much in the media about certain things happening on planet Earth, the majority of the population remains unaffected; people would rather do their own thing. Thus, they disregard the clear words of prophecy.
The Apostle Peter specifically warned us to heed the prophetic Word: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Later he made this revelation: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:3–5). He, too, referred to the times of Noah and made it clear that disregarding the prophetic Word is the great sin of the people in the “last days.”
TESTIMONY
Bible prophecy is not a popular subject. Who wants to hear about judgment, destruction or doomsday? These subjects don’t fit our society where we like to focus on the positive aspects of life. For that reason, multitudes follow false teachers who are enemies of the cross, yet preach a very positive Gospel that does not correspond to the collective content of Scripture. Without doubt this is the time of great deception that is coming upon the earth.
Back in the 1970s, we ran a small advertisement in a major Christian publication. We received thousands of responses. The advertisement read: “Is prophecy being fulfilled? See God’s plan clearly for today and tomorrow.” Then we listed several important subjects relating to the world at that time.
Many years later we used the identical advertisement and it was printed in a major Christian publication. What was the response? Three letters!
DOOMSDAY DID COME
Who wants to hear about the end of the world, the Battle of Armageddon or the Apocalypse of the endtimes? These things don’t fit our new, psychologybased Christian philosophy, which relates that the church is there to encourage people, help people find a way to live happier, more prosperous, and healthier lives. While these things are good in and of themselves, they do not correspond to the entire content of the Holy Scriptures. Surely, the people of Noah and Lot’s time had it made. Things were going well for them, but suddenly doomsday arrived and there was no escape!
God’s decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah wasn’t made at the spur of the moment. Genesis 13:13 explains: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”
God told faithful Abraham about the judgment to come upon Sodom and Gomorrah. He could have said, “They deserve it; they commit such terrible sins, it’s their own fault.” But Abraham revealed his priestly attitude and pleaded with God on behalf of precious souls. Genesis 18 contains Abraham’s proposal to spare the city if 50 righteous people could be found: “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (verse 23). Fifty people dwindled down to 10, and the Lord answered: “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (verse 32).
THE TIME OF THE SODOMITES
Chapter 19 records the events that transpired in Sodom.
Homosexuality is the sin specifically mentioned and was apparently quite out of control in that city. The two angels who came to rescue Lot from the city had been guests in Lot’s home. While he served the two angels, we read: “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them” (Genesis 19:4–5). Lot pleaded with them: “I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly” (verse 7). How did they answer? “And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door” (verse 9).
Judgment followed: “And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door” (verse 11). Here we see the endtime scenario that will occur again upon planet Earth: Man will not repent despite severe judgment.
These Sodomites were smitten with blindness, yet “they wearied themselves to find the door.” That reminds us of the Great Tribulation, the final doomsday, about which we read: “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds” (Revelation 16:9–11).
ESCAPE FOR YOUR LIFE
Lot was urged to leave Sodom to avoid doomsday. The angel warned him to escape for his life (Genesis 19:17). Then we read: “Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither” (Genesis 19:22). It seems almost impossible, but depending upon Lot’s actions, God was hindered in executing judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. God cannot and will not destroy the righteous along with the sinners.
That is why He will not allow the Great Tribulation to begin until the Church has “come thither.” Only Lot’s successful escape for his life initiated God’s judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Thus, only when the Church of Jesus Christ has been removed at the Rapture can the Great Tribulation begin. In other words, the Great Tribulation is the result of the removal of light from planet Earth.
In the beginning of this article, we mentioned the darkness coming upon this world, but that can only take place when the light has been taken away. Thus, the question: Why does God permit the light to be removed? Because man refuses to heed the light. John put it this way: “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).
We have to understand that the light of the world has been shining for almost 2,000 years. God has saved countless souls; many, however, remain unsaved. Jesus identified us as “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Darkness cannot prevail as long as the light remains in this world. But the moment the light has been removed, darkness will have its day and doomsday will run its course.
MUCH TRIBULATION
We must emphasize that the church’s escape from this world before doomsday does not invalidate or detour what Scripture says: We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Throughout the years, millions have been killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. And millions still suffer because of their faith. Even more are in great spiritual tribulation as they hear the Gospel of Jesus
Christ mocked by modern Bible philosophers, those enemies of the cross who invent new systems to please the flesh. Yes, we are experiencing tribulation — some more and some less, some physically, others spiritually — but this type of tribulation has nothing to do with the Great Tribulation that is specifically reserved to come upon the earth. All of the tribulations we experience on earth will result in fruit for eternity. Our tribulation leads to salvation, while the Great Tribulation is designed to condemn.
SUCCESS BEFORE DOOMSDAY
“Deception” is one of the most important words to remember when we study endtime events based on Bible prophecy. When the disciples asked Jesus about the time of the end and for a sign, He said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Why? “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect…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” (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24, 26).
We all know that deception is not forced, it is an illusion; it is trickery to cause others to believe in something that is not true.
For example, movies are based on deception. The actors play like they are other people. In other words, a good actor must be a good deceiver. He presents a certain character to the point that the audience believes he is the real thing. During ancient Roman times, actors were placed in the same class as prostitutes, who also are deceivers.
POLITICAL-ECONOMIC DECEPTION
Amazing is that so many authors attempt to illustrate the Antichrist’s power by comparing it with Hitler’s power over Nazi Germany. Obviously, this conclusion is influenced by movies that show an uneducated effect from the outside. They either ignore or simply don’t know that the overwhelming majority of German citizens wholeheartedly supported Hitler and his regime because they were deceived! They didn’t support him because they were forced to, but because they wanted to. Law and order were strictly implemented during that time. Children were properly disciplined and well educated; crime was almost eradicated; and prosperity was at an all-time high. I remember my father telling us about one of his friends who had wanted to join the SS troops, but was rejected because he didn’t meet the required high standards. This man actually had wept because he could not serve his country wearing the prestigious SS uniform.
Just as the soldiers who serve in the United States Marines are proud of their service to their country, so too were the Germans under Hitler’s leadership. No one can deny that Hitler's success was confounding. His initiative changed a depressed, downhearted, largely unemployed and impoverished nation into a vibrant and thriving society that had a great future.
People were not forced to join the Nazi party; they happily volunteered because they saw hope for their nation, the promise to create the 1,000-year kingdom of peace!
That, my dear friends, was deception. The Bible states that the Antichrist will look like the real Jesus, that churches will become filled to capacity, that people will worship and praise this “Jesus” who has come to earth to bring about peace, health and prosperity to all people. That will be the epitome of deception.
Incidentally, that is the goal of every politician, businessman, financier and religious leader on the earth. Everyone wants peace, prosperity and unity for their people. The World Bank is a significant global institution designed to provide peace and prosperity to all people. The World Bank’s building located on 19th Street in Washington, D.C., bears the motto, “Our dream is a world without poverty,” prominently displayed inside.
The late Pope John Paul II made it his lifelong service to fight for freedom, human rights and the elimination of poverty all across the globe.
But Deuteronomy 15:11 is just the opposite of that sentiment: “For the poor shall never cease out of the land.” And Jesus explained, “For ye have the poor always with you” (Matthew 26:11). That is an amazing prophecy; neither communism, capitalism, socialism or Nazism had ever successfully eradicated poverty. Now we are being told that poverty is increasing. Statisticians relate that more than 13.4 percent of U.S. citizens live in poverty.
According to my understanding of Bible prophecy, however, poverty will be temporarily eliminated; otherwise, Scriptures such as Revelation 13:3, 8 could not be fulfilled: “and all the world wondered after the beast…And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.” Not only does the final deception include admiration and honor, but it also includes the worship of a man.
SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY
Daniel provided amazing details about the Gentile world, beginning with Babylon and ending with Mystery Babylon, the final leader of planet Earth.
Daniel already described the great image King Nebuchadnezzar had seen and identified it as being the four Gentile power structures. But in contrast to these four, God will establish His own power structure: “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 for ever” (Daniel 2:44). Notice, however, that the text states: “in the days of these kings,” which refers to the time between the beginning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian Empire and the final days of the Roman Empire, which will produce the final superhero. The time span of almost 2,600 years is described in the phrase “in the days of these kings.”
Remember, this must be understood from a heavenly perspective where time and space do not exist. Therefore, from God’s point of view, 2,600 years is but a moment in time, and the times of the
Gentiles is compacted in the words, “in the days of these kings.”
SATAN’S WORLD
Later in chapter 7, animals represent the four kingdoms: the lion, the bear, the leopard and the unidentifiable fourth beast. Daniel receives a response to his inquiry: “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces” (Daniel 7:23).
Chapter 8 is specifically about the Grecian Empire. “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the to the ground, and stamped upon them” (verses 9-10). This leader is now identified as being Satan himself, for no one else can “cast down some of the host of the stars to the ground.” This gives us a glimpse of the demonic world.
Based on my study of the prophetic Word, I have to admit that it is difficult to distinguish between demonic and earthly entities. We know the world lies in sin and darkness, which makes it susceptible to demonic forces, but there has to be a point of contact, and that point of contact is a king, a leader or a system. Daniel 8:21 identified the “goat” empire as Greece: “the rough goat is the king of Grecia.” But the devil and his demonic host are the driving force behind the power structure.
A New Testament example of this would be the conversation that transpired between Peter and Jesus. In Matthew 16:16 Peter identified Christ as the Son of the Living God, but in verse 22 Peter attempted to protect Jesus from His impending death: “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” Verse 23 contains Peter’s response: “[Jesus] said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan.” Peter did not actually become Satan, but the words that opposed the cross came from his mouth through Satan, which is why Jesus rebuked him.
THE LAST GENTILE POWER
In Daniel 11 we see the beginning of the final ruler, the one we call the Antichrist: “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time” (Daniel 11:21-24). Again, force is not being used. Instead, we read words that present an opposite scenario: “peaceably,”
“flatteries” and “deceitfully.”
Later in the chapter, the Antichrist is revealed as the evil one who opposes God: “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done” (Daniel 11:36).
DECEPTIVE SUCCESS
Jesus came to earth to do His Father’s will, but this king will follow his own will, exalt himself, magnify himself and prosper. That is success, which the world says we can’t argue with.
This man is identified in 2 Thessalonians 2:4: “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
The devil’s ultimate goal is to be God, receive worship and replace God by offering himself a substitute of Christ to humanity.
The devil even attempted to deceive Jesus; thus we read: “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8- 9). The devil wants to be God, to receive worship. According to Bible prophecy he will be worshipped: “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave
power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4).
DISCOURAGING PROPHECY
Reading and studying Bible prophecy is discouraging for two types of people: 1) Those who have not surrendered their lives to Christ and 2) Those who build their lives here on earth and whose hope is anchored in the visible. But all that we see will perish and only what is born of the Spirit of God will remain for eternity.
ONLY TWO WAYS
Today may be your last chance to choose whether you wish to belong to those who are blessed for all eternity or to those whereupon the wrath of God remains forever: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
Revelation 12:12 says about these two groups of people: “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” The rejoicing will be for those who are saved through Jesus Christ and the woe will be for those who refuse salvation through Jesus Christ. The devil will have come down to earth and his demonic host will have a free reign upon its inhabitants. The Church will be gone; its members will be in heaven. The light will be out; darkness will prevail. Doomsday will begin.
We may not expect doomsday to happen anytime soon, but it will come and it will be a terrible disappointment for all those who have placed their trust in this world. They will rejoice in their temporary peace and safety, but then destruction will come suddenly. In his letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul identified the group of the world in 1 Thessalonians 5:3: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
Next comes the other group, those who believe they are sinful and who have come to Jesus to receive forgiveness and be born again as new creatures: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-9).