This morning, I was reminded of my daughter’s prayer when she was only 5 or 6 years-old. Some things in your memory just stay with you. This is one of them.
On a bright fall day, before my children were born, I was finishing up a bicycle ride that started at my Grandmother’s house and meandered through a local park. As I stopped at a four-way stop sign, I heard the weak sound of a kitten. I looked around and saw nothing until I heard the “plop” of a little black kitten fall from a small tree growing in the median of the two-lane parkway leading to Shelby park.
The desperate meowing grew louder as she came towards me. Her little skinny body and the pitiful sounds melted my heart! When I picked her up and cradled her in my hand next to the warmth of my body she began to purr loudly. I rode the last mile to my Grandmother’s house with the little furry sweetheart close to my heart in my left hand and the other hand on my handlebars. A very dangerous situation that prohibited me from shifting gears.
We feed her. She lapped up the milk and anything else we pulled from the refrigerator. Once she was feeling better, she showed-off her tree climbing skills. We were impressed that such a little kitten could race up the big oak tree so fast! She seemed at home in the tree.
From that day forward, Puss (from the story of Puss N Books) became a member of our little family. She grew to become a sleek athletic cat who preferred the outdoors. She was there waiting when we brought home all three of our children. She was always curious and protective of the new babies. As they grew older, the girls would dress Puss in doll clothes and push her around in a baby buggy. She endured her role as their infant for a while but eventually would jump out and run off…The girls would giggle and laugh as Puss shook her legs to kick off the remaining doll clothes!
During any holiday requiring fireworks, we kept Puss indoors because fireworks would frighten her, but on one 4th of July, she escaped to her beloved outdoors early in the day and we couldn’t find her as the day grew darker and the fireworks began. But, we didn’t worry because she always showed up.
The next morning, Puss did not scratch on the front window of the living room wanting in as was her usual custom. Sadly, one day turned into a week and a week into a month. My heart sank as I imagined a hawk or coyote snatching her up!
I was surprised that my oldest daughter said nothing about her missing furry sister. Almost three months later, I gave up and decided to put away Puss’s food bowl that was left out just in case she came home. Her food had long since been thrown away.
As I was thinking about this, my 5 or year-old daughter asked,
“Daddy, where is my cat?”
“I don’t know. Sweetheart. I think she may have found a new home.”
“Well, I”m going to pray she will come home.”
So she, her Mom, and I knelt at the foot of the floral-design living room couch where my doubting heart heard the simple precious words of my sweet little girl petition the God of the universe to send her little cat home. As she prayed I wondered how to tell her that Puss would probably never return. But then I thought I heard a familiar desperate meow. My heart jumped as the scratching at the back door began, accompanied by another weak meow. My wife and I looked at each other in unbelief, but my daughter jumped up and exclaimed as she ran, “My cat is home!”
We fed the skinny cat who lapped up the milk and anything else we could find in the refrigerator, just like the first time I brought her home!
Coincidence? I think not. Had the cat been living in the woods off mice or fed at someone else’s home? Probably. But, God in His great wisdom anticipated the sincere prayer of a little girl and sent Puss home.
God’s omnipotence is a hard thing for us to understand, but examples of the simple faith of a child demonstrate He knows our desires and needs before we ever ask for them.
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
If you do this, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord Who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. Deuteronomy 7:15
Some may view the following experience as only an anecdote and somehow irrelevant. but all of us mortals have had similar experiences, which changed our lives forever. Some in a good way. Some in a bad way.
In the year 1971, I was 20 years old and a newly-wed. That year, an unexpected tragic event changed my life forever. Julie, my new wife, and I were just starting out on our life journey. We were in the prime of our youth and eager to experience life. But a shift in our thinking would occur from the events of the day starting with the ringing of our phone.
Since that hot summer day, I began to get interested in superior, not just good, health and longevity (except for ten years when I had a death wish-another story for another time.). Our new health motivation started with a phone call from my wife’s mother, Dorothy. On the other end of the line was a frantic and out-of-control screaming. Dorothy poured out almost unintelligible words that we interpreted as, “Come to your Grandad’s house!!! I think he’s dead!”
After scrambling through the yellow pages, we found and called an ambulance. Julie and I jumped in the car and raced several miles from Madison to Goodlettsville. 911 was in its infancy and not well-known back then. Cell phones were almost non-existent.
When we arrived, the crowd of three or four were outside including Dorothy. They seemed to be afraid of some monster that had gotten loose in the house. They refused to go in. The ambulance had not arrived. After a few questions to the sobbing family members, I went inside to the small kitchen in this simple little country home.
There he was! Lying peacefully on his back next to the kitchen sink, like he simply laid down to take a nap. I took his wrist to feel for a pulse from the wrist of this mid-sixty-year-old man in his overalls. From the first touch of his skin, I knew he was dead. He was cold and slightly stiff. Of course, there was no heartbeat. This big gentle farmer had passed into eternity.
At the time I was an atheist and had few words of comfort for the family…or myself. I liked this quiet man. He never showed a dislike for anyone and came across to most people as shy and humble. He was not educated by today’s standards, but he had reserved wisdom not often seen in our crazy society.
Well, the ambulance came and they rolled his body out the door to the sound of loud wailing from his adult daughters. They were also simple and poor people. I had a difficult time relating to them and never came into a close relationship with them. My lose.
When we got home and the adrenaline faded, I began to think about life and death. It bothered me that one day I, too, would pass into eternity. I wondered about the day of my death… ”would my family come home and find me lying on the floor dead from a heart attack?”
From that day forward I began to explore how to stay healthy. After much reading (no quick answers from google back then), I turned to a life of exercise, athletics, and changed my diet to a vegetarian after reading a book called “Food for Fitness.” Don’t bother trying to google it. I think it has long since gone out of print. In one chapter, it described the healthiest people in the world…those who lived the longest. For the first time in my life, I heard about the Seventh-Day Adventist that followed the simple health principals given by God to the nation of Israel. With that kind of name, I imaged them to be some hippie cult living in the deserts of California. Years later, I would find them to be warm Bible Christians with a desire to let the world know what they knew. They were far from what I thought.
So my new life as an athlete and vegetarian began. I would overdo the exercise! Over the next many years, I would train to run long distances and run eight marathons at or below a 3-hour pace. This qualified me to run the Boston Marathon, which I ran twice. I also became an avid bicycler and eventually the president of a local bike club. To this day (age 68), I enjoy biking. My time was spent either racing our touring on my expensive bikes. Research is now beginning to reveal that endurance athletes are not that healthy in their later years. A simple routine of exercise is much better.
But, little did I know, that about five years after the death of my wife’s Grandad, this self-centered atheist would reach out to God as I road on a bike trip across an Arizona desert. A simple prayer for Him to reveal Himself to me would lead to an extensive study of the Bible. In its pages, I would find the health laws God gave to help his creation stay healthy and the Bread of Life that would give them eternal life.
Today, I am amazed at the fact that the wealthiest country in the world is not the healthiest. I am also amazed that Christians have all this great health knowledge at their fingertips, but minimize God’s words. There are multitudes of health plans and diets to keep its writers wealthy for a long time. But all (including Christians) have dismissed the health laws that God promised Israel would make them disease-free… if they would simply listen and obey. He said, I will… “take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known.” Deuteronomy 7:15
Some say, “That was for the Jews only.” But I wonder, “how are their stomachs different than ours?” This is no anecdote! Today there are millions who live by the health principals contained in God’s owner manual. The result is longer, healthier, happier lives especially if they consume the Bread of life.
Salvation is not based on the food we eat, but God desires that we prosper in health just as our souls. Life is so much more productive and enjoyable if we are healthy. It even helps our spiritual lives. Our bodies are temples that can glorify Him not only in physical health, but mental, and spiritual health.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2
“…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
One day, all of us will pass away. But, I don’t want my family to find me dead on the floor. My desire is to be like Moses in this life,
“Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.” Deuteronomy 34:7
My first wife, Julie, and I started to grow older with each passing of the day, just as all people do. She died of cancer this year. She now sleeps waiting for the day of the Lord. My ten years of a death-wish turned me from my healthy lifestyle. I ate and drank whatever I desired and eventually had a heart attack. My heart has never been the same.
But, several years ago, I returned to a healthy lifestyle. At age 68, I am more active than my peers and disease-free…hopefully forever. God’s grace and forgiveness are beyond words. We live in a dangerous and unhealthy world. This body is wearing down, but there are things we can do to make the journey from mortal to immortal better. Without a doubt, the death of a beloved Grandfather 1971 sent me on a journey that led me not only to a knowledge of the best health plan possible from God’s owner manual but to the Bread and Water (Jesus) that will give me eternal life. It is not an anecdote, it is the testimony of millions of people.
Next time, we will talk about the health plan from God. It will change your life and your experience with God…for the good.
My wife and I own and operate an Airbnb in our country home. We try to make everyone’s stay memorable and a blessing. But, oftentimes our guests are a blessing to us.
In this story, David is a fictitious name for the sake of his privacy.
David is a very kind soft-spoken Christian with an artificial leg. He doesn’t mind showing the tricks he can do with it! His sense of humor at the expense of his “handicap” is refreshing. He has state-of-the-art technology that can operate the type of walking or exercise he is doing through an app on his phone! He told us when he skis, he can set the app for downhill skiing!!
David is the director of a hospice center in a western state. His God-given talent is singing to those people who have come to the end of the road. He told us what a blessing it is to be with people and encourage them in their final days. But, as you will see God, had plans for him to serve and comfort people. God would turn a tragedy into triumph and groom him for this type of ministry.
My wife asked about how he lost his leg. It is here where his inspirational story begins…
He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident years ago. The speeding driver of a car hit and ran over him and his wife. His new wife of 3-months was on the seat behind him. Sadly, she died instantly. A paramedic was in a restaurant and saw the entire grisly crash. He immediately got up and ran to assist the downed riders. He was on the scene within seconds. But, when he got there, there was a black man already standing there comforting David. This surprised the paramedic! How did he get there so fast? But the man of color stayed with David the entire time comforting him even as they loaded David into the ambulance.
When the police and the paramedic began to focus their attention on writing the report of the accident, they turned to look for the black man. But he had vanished! Again, the paramedic was surprised! This was a small town where everyone knew each other. But no one knew the identity of the man, nor had anyone seen him come or go.
David was not supposed to live, but he did! He made a remarkable recovery to the astonishment of the doctors. There he stood before me on our back porch, with no evidence of the traumatic wreck except for his high-tech right leg. The story does not end here.
When David had recovered, he sought out the paramedic who was the second person on the scene and instrumental in saving his life. The paramedic said to David, “I have something odd to tell you about what happened that day. This is when he described the unusual presence of the unknown “man” who appeared and then vanished. Of course, David was amazed. But, what happened next added to the miracle of the day.
After leaving the paramedic, David sought out the policeman who also arrived at the accident within minutes. He told David he had pictures of the scene for him to see if he desired. David agreed although the policeman warned him of the stark bloody pictures. David looked through about 30 pictures. You guessed it! The black man was not in any of the pictures!!
My wife and I both said at the same time, “That was an angel!” David agreed. Shortly thereafter, David was asked to direct a hospice center. Now his purpose in life is to be an angel for those soon to pass into eternity. God had plans for David!!!
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20
The revelation of the Anti-Christ begins in Daniel 7 and 8. This is a study that provides many facts and history easily verified in any library. It is not for the faint-of-heart, but for those who have a living relationship with the Savior or for those seeking the truth as found in God’s word and through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Much thanks to Amazing Facts for this material. If you would like more information about Amazing Facts, please go to https://www.amazingfacts.org/
Who … or what … is the antichrist? Evil alliance—or sinister individual? Some say his appearance is still in the future. Others say he appeared long ago in the days of ancient Rome. But the Bible indicates that he is alive today! Bible prophecies teach that this antichrist power will play a crucial role in the final events of earth’s history. Do you know who he is? Are you sure? You need to be, for you can’t understand last-day events until you understand this evil power. Be prepared for one of the most intriguing Study Guides yet!
This Study Guide is based on the book of Daniel chapter 7 and clearly and unmistakably identifies the antichrist. But it is only an introduction. Future lessons will reveal details of some of his activities that will have worldwide impact. What you discover today may displease or sadden you, but please remember that the prophecy of Daniel 7 comes from Jesus, who loves you. Pray for God’s guidance as you delve into this urgent subject. Be sure to read Daniel 7 before studying this lesson.
1. As chapter 7 begins, Daniel sees four beasts coming up out of the sea. In prophecy, what does a beast represent? What does the sea represent?
“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth” (Daniel 7:23). “The waters … are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15).
Answer: A beast represents a kingdom or nation. Water represents multitudes of people or large populations.
2. The four beasts of Daniel 7 represent four kingdoms (verses 17, 18). Babylon, the first kingdom (Daniel 2:38, 39), is represented as a lion in Daniel 7:4. (See also Jeremiah 4:7; 50:17, 43, 44.) What do the “eagle’s wings” mean? What do the “four winds” of verse 2 represent?
“The Lord will bring a nation against you … as swift as the eagle flies” (Deuteronomy 28:49). “Says the Lord of hosts: … a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the farthest parts of the earth. And … the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:32, 33).
Answer: The wings of eagles represent speed. (See also Jeremiah 4:13; Habakkuk 1:6–8.) Winds represent strife, commotion, and destruction. (See also Revelation 7:1–3.)
The bear with three ribs in its mouth symbolizes Medo-Persia.
3. What kingdom does the bear represent (Daniel 7:5)? What do the three ribs in its mouth symbolize?
Answer: Read Daniel 8. Notice that the beasts in chapter 8 parallel those in chapter 7. Daniel 8:20 specifically names Medo-Persia as the kingdom that precedes the male goat—that is, Greece—of verse 21. Medo-Persia is the second kingdom—the same power as the bear of Daniel 7. The empire was made up of two groups of people. The Medes came up first (represented in Daniel 7:5 by the bear raising up on one side), but the Persians eventually became stronger (represented in Daniel 8:3 by the ram’s second horn that grew “higher”). The three ribs represent the three principal powers conquered by Medo-Persia: Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.
The leopard beast of Daniel 7 represents the world kingdom of Greece.
4. Greece, the third kingdom (Daniel 8:21), is represented by a leopard with four wings and four heads (Daniel 7:6). What do the wings represent? What do the four heads represent?
Answer: The four wings (instead of two, as the lion had) represent the incredible speed with which Alexander conquered the region (Jeremiah 4:11–13). The four heads represent the four kingdoms into which the empire of Alexander the Great was divided when he died. The four generals who headed these areas were Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus.
The world empire of Rome is symbolized by the monster beast of Daniel chapter 7.
5. The Roman Empire, the fourth kingdom, is represented by a powerful monster with iron teeth and 10 horns (Daniel 7:7). What do the horns represent?
Answer: The 10 horns represent the 10 kings or kingdoms into which pagan Rome was eventually split (Daniel 7:24). (These 10 kingdoms are the same as the 10 toes of the image described in Daniel 2:41–44.) Roving barbarian tribes swept in upon the Roman Empire and carved out land niches for their people. Seven of those 10 tribes developed into the countries of modern Western Europe, while three were “uprooted” and destroyed. The next section will discuss those kingdoms that were rooted up.
Visigoths – Spain
Anglo-Saxons – England
Franks – France
Alemani – Germany
Burgundians – Switzerland
Lombards – Italy
Suevi – Portugal
Heruli – Rooted up
Ostrogoths – Rooted up
Vandals – Rooted up
The little horn of Daniel 7:8 represents Antichrist.
6. In the Daniel 7 prophecy, what happens next?
“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words” (Daniel 7:8).
Answer: The “little horn” power appears next. We must identify it carefully because the biblical characteristics identify it as the antichrist of prophecy and history. There must be no mistake in making this identification.
7. Does the Bible give clear points identifying antichrist?
Yes. God’s Word gives us nine characteristics of the antichrist in Daniel 7 so we can be certain of his identity. And even though some might find these truths painful, we must be honest enough to accept them as His revealed will. Now let’s discover these nine points.
Answer: A. The little horn would come “up among them”—that is, from among the 10 horns that were the kingdoms of Western Europe (Daniel 7:8). So it would be a little kingdom somewhere in Western Europe.
B. It would have a man at its head who could speak for it (Daniel 7:8).
C. It would pluck out or uproot three kingdoms (Daniel 7:8).
D. It would be different from the other 10 kingdoms (Daniel 7:24).
E. It would make war with and persecute the saints (Daniel 7:21, 25).
F. It would emerge from the pagan Roman Empire—the fourth kingdom (Daniel 7:7, 8).
G. God’s people (the saints) would “be given into his hand” for “a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).
H. It would “speak great words against” or blaspheme God (Daniel 7:25 KJV). In Revelation 13:5, the Bible says the same power speaks “great things and blasphemies.”
I. It would “intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25).
Don’t forget—all these identification points come directly from the Bible. They are not some human opinion or speculation. Historians could tell you quickly what power is being described because these points fit only one power—the papacy. But in order to be certain, let us carefully examine all nine points one by one. There must be no room left for doubt.
8. Does the papacy fit these points?
Answer: Yes—it fits every point. Let’s take a closer look:
A. It came up among the 10 kingdoms of Western Europe. The geographical location of the papal power is in Rome, Italy—in the heart of Western Europe.
B. It would have a man at its head who speaks for it. The papacy meets this identifying mark because it does have one man at the head—the pope—who speaks for it.
C. Three kingdoms were plucked up to make way for the rise of the papacy. The emperors of Western Europe were largely Catholic and supported the papacy. Three Arian kingdoms, however, did not—the Vandals, Heruli, and Ostrogoths. So the Catholic emperors decided they must be subdued or destroyed. Here is how theologian and historian Dr. Mervyn Maxwell describes the results in volume 1, page 129, of his book God Cares: “The Catholic emperor Zeno (474–491) arranged a treaty with the Ostrogoths in 487, which resulted in the eradication of the kingdom of the Arian Heruls in 493. And the Catholic emperor Justinian (527–565) exterminated the Arian Vandals in 534 and significantly broke the power of the Arian Ostrogoths in 538. Thus were Daniel’s three horns—the Heruls, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths—‘plucked up by the roots.’ ” It is not difficult to recognize that the papacy fits this point.
D. It would be different from the other kingdoms. The papacy clearly fits this description, as it came on the scene as a religious power and was different from the secular nature of the other 10 kingdoms.
E. It would make war with and persecute the saints. That the church did persecute is a well-known fact, and the papacy admits doing so. Historians believe the church destroyed at least 50 million lives over matters of religious conviction. We quote here from two sources:
1. “That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history.” 1
2. In The History of the Inquisition of Spain, D. Ivan Antonio Llorente provides these figures from the Spanish Inquisition alone: “31,912 persons were condemned and perished in the flames,” and 241,450 were “condemned to severe “penances.”
Words of Care and Concern Lest anyone should think that we are attacking fellow Christians by identifying the little horn power, please keep in mind that the prophecy is aimed at a system and not individuals. There are sincere, devout Christians in all churches, including the Catholic faith. Daniel 7 is simply a message of judgment and correction upon a large religious institution that compromised with paganism, as many other churches have also done.
Prophecy Reveals Faults of All Faiths Other prophecies point out the faults of the Protestant and Jewish faiths. God has true people in all religions. His true people (no matter what their faith) will always humbly accept the correction of the Lord and will not shut their ears and hearts against Him. We should be thankful that God’s Word speaks with impartial honesty on every subject.
Prophetic Time: Time = 1 year Times = 2 years ½ time = ½ year
F. It would emerge from the fourth kingdom of iron—the pagan Roman Empire. We quote two authorities on this point:
1. “The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptized. … The very capital of the old Roman Empire became the capital of the Christian empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of the pope.” 2
2. “Whatever Roman elements the barbarians and Arians left … [came] under the protection of the Bishop of Rome, who was the chief person there after the emperor’s disappearance. … The Roman church … pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation.” 3
G. God’s people (the saints) would “be given into his hand” for “a time and times and half a time.” Several things need clarification here:
1. A time is a year, times is two years, and half a time is half of a year. The Amplified Bible translates it: “Three and one-half years.” 4
2. This same time period is mentioned seven times in the books of Daniel and Revelation (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5): three times as a “time, times, and half a time”; twice as 42 months; and twice as 1,260 days. Based on the 30-day calendar used by the Jews, these time periods are all the same amount of time: 3½ years = 42 months = 1,260 days.
3. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34).
4. Thus, the little horn (antichrist) was to have power over the saints for 1,260 prophetic days; that is, 1,260 literal years.
5. The rule of the papacy began in ad 538, when the last of the three opposing Arian kingdoms was uprooted. Its rule continued until 1798 when Napoleon’s general, Berthier, took the pope captive with hopes of destroying both Pope Pius VI and the political power of the papacy. This period of time is an exact fulfillment of the 1,260-year prophecy. The blow was a deadly wound for the papacy, but that wound began to heal and continues healing today.
6. This same period of persecution is mentioned in Matthew 24:21 as the worst period of persecution God’s people experience. Verse 22 tells us it was so devastating that not one soul would have survived if God had not shortened it. But God did shorten it. The persecution ended long before the pope was taken captive in 1798. It is plain to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy.
H. It would speak “pompous words” of blasphemy “against [God].” Blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:
1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21).
2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33).
Does this point fit the papacy? Yes. Let’s first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins, taken directly from its own literature: “Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ.”5 The papacy further undermines Jesus by setting up a system of confession to an earthly priest, thus bypassing Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; 8:1, 2) and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Next, consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: “We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.”6 Here is more evidence: “The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.”7
I. It would “intend to change times and law.” In a future Study Guide, we will deal with the “times” of this point. It is a major topic and needs separate consideration. But what about changing “law”? The Amplified Bible translates “law” as “the law.” The reference is to changing God’s law. Of course, no one can really change it, but has the papacy attempted to do so? The answer is yes. In its catechisms, the papacy has omitted the second commandment against veneration of images and has shortened the fourth commandment from 94 words to eight and divided the tenth commandment into two commandments. (Check this for yourself. Compare the Ten Commandments in any Catholic catechism with God’s list of the commandments in Exodus 20:2-17.)
There is no doubt that the little horn power (the antichrist) of Daniel 7 is the papacy. No other organization fits all nine points. And, incidentally, this is not a new teaching. Every Protestant Reformer, without exception, spoke of the papacy as antichrist.8
The angel told Daniel that the prophecies of this book would be sealed until 1798, the time of the end.
9. Wasn’t Daniel told to seal up his book “until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4)? When will Daniel’s prophecies be opened to our understanding?
Answer: In Daniel 12:4, the prophet was told to seal the book till the “time of the end.” In verse 6 an angelic voice asked, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” Verse 7 says, “It shall be for a time, times, and half a time.” The angel assured Daniel that the section of the book dealing with end-time prophecies would be opened after the end of the 1,260-year period of papal control, which was, as we learned earlier in this Study Guide, 1798. So the time of the end began in the year 1798. As we have seen, the book of Daniel contains crucial messages from heaven for us today. We must understand it.
All religious teachings must be compared with Scripture to determine their accuracy.
10. Many Christians today have been misinformed regarding the antichrist. To believe an untruth about the antichrist could cause a person to be deceived. What should a person do when new Bible teachings are encountered?
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Answer: When a new Bible teaching is encountered, the only safe procedure is to compare it carefully with Scripture to see if it is in harmony with God’s Word.
11. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it might be painful?
Concluding Remarks
Many momentous prophecies from the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation will be featured in upcoming Amazing Facts Study Guides. God has given these prophecies to:
A. Reveal earth’s closing events.
B. Identify the participants in the final phase of the battle between Jesus and Satan.
C. Clearly reveal Satan’s sinister plans to ensnare and destroy us all.
D. Present the security and love of the judgment; God’s saints will be vindicated!
E. Uplift Jesus—His salvation, love, power, mercy, and justice
Major Participants Will Appear Repeatedly
Key participants in the closing war between Jesus and Satan will appear repeatedly in these prophecies. These include: Jesus, Satan, the United States, the papacy, Protestantism, and Spiritism. Jesus repeats and expands His messages from the prophets to make certain His warnings of love and protection come through with clarity and certainty.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. I always thought the antichrist is a person, not an organization. Am I wrong?
This Study Guide has presented evidence that the antichrist is an organization—the papacy. The words “eyes of a man” in Daniel 7:8, however, do point to a leader. Revelation 13:18 speaks of a man with a number being involved. In Daniel 8, Greece is represented by a goat and its leader, Alexander the Great, is symbolized by a horn. The same is true of antichrist. The organization is the papacy. The pope in office is its representative. The prophecy of Daniel 7 is not saying that popes are evil and that Catholics are not Christians. There are many warm, loving Catholic Christians. The system, however, is called antichrist because it has attempted to usurp Jesus’ authority and attempted to change His law.
2. Do you think it is wise for Christians to pass laws enforcing Christianity?
No. The Bible is clear that all should have freedom to choose the direction they wish to go in matters of conscience (Joshua 24:15)—even if they choose to deny God. The Creator permitted Adam and Eve to choose to disobey even though it hurt both them and Him. Forced worship is not acceptable to God. Forced worship is the devil’s way. God’s way is loving persuasion. History shows that virtually every time the church passed laws to enforce its beliefs, persecution and murder of others resulted. This is a lesson we can learn from the history of the little horn during the Middle Ages.
3. Perhaps I have misunderstood, but my concept has always been that antichrist would be an evil being who openly opposed God. Is this concept incorrect?
We usually consider the word “anti” to mean “against.” It can also mean “in the place of” or “instead of.” Antichrist is guilty of assuming the prerogatives of God. It claims:
A. Its priests can forgive sins—which only God can do (Luke 5:21).
B. To have changed God’s law by dropping out the second commandment (against worshiping images) and splitting the tenth into two parts. God’s law cannot be changed (Matthew 5:18).
C. That the pope is God on earth.
Satan’s Original Plan Satan’s original plan was to assume God’s position and authority. His aim was to oust God and rule in His place. (See Study Guide 2.) When Satan was ejected from heaven, his aim did not change but rather intensified. Through the centuries he has endeavored, using various human agencies, to discredit God and take over His position.
Antichrist Appears to Be Spiritual Satan aims to replace God in these last days by deceiving people into following the antichrist, who appears spiritual and holy. The main purpose of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation is to expose Satan’s traps and strategies and lead people to anchor in Jesus and His Word for safety.
Antichrist Will Deceive Many Most people will follow the antichrist (Revelation 13:3) thinking they are following Christ. Only the elect will be safe (Matthew 24:23, 24). They will be secure because they test every spiritual teaching and leader by Scripture (Isaiah 8:20). Religious deception is everywhere. We cannot be too careful.
4. Doesn’t the Bible say in 1 John 2:18–22 that there are many antichrists?
Yes. There have been many antichrists down through history who have worked against the kingdom of God. However, there is only one entity that specifically fulfills all the prophesied characteristics of the antichrist. In Daniel chapters 7 and 8 and in Revelation chapter 13, you will find at least 10 identifying traits of the antichrist. These 10 identifying marks are all fulfilled in only one entity—the papacy.
5. In prophecy, does the symbol “beast” mean “beastly” characteristics?
Not at all. God uses the symbolism of a beast to signify a ruler, nation, government, or kingdom. It is His way of depicting governments in prophecy. We do this ourselves to some degree: We have depicted Russia as a bear, the United States as an eagle, etc. The symbol “beast” is not a demeaning, disrespectful term. It is synonymous with “animal” or “creature.” Even Christ is portrayed as a lamb by John the Baptist (John 1:29) and the apostle John (Revelation 5:6, 9, 12, 13). The term “beast” is utilized by God to give us a message about nations and leaders—good and evil.
Quiz Questions
1. Which four world kingdoms are represented by beast symbols in Daniel chapter 7? (4)
_____ Computer. _____ Kingdom or nation. _____ Creature or alien.
3. The 10 horns on the monster beast represent (1)
_____ Ten years. _____ Ten special cities. _____ Angels. _____ Riches. _____ The kingdoms into which pagan Rome eventually split.
4. How many tribes or nations were “rooted up” by the little horn power? (1)
_____ Eight. _____ One. _____ Six. _____ Three.
5. The little horn power, or Antichrist, represents (1)
_____ One of Babylon’s generals. _____ An evil ruler from the days of old pagan Rome. _____ An evil power that will arise after the second coming of Jesus. _____ Atheism. _____ The papacy.
6. Check the true statements about the little horn (Antichrist) power from the list below: (3)
_____ It came from Egypt. _____ It would persecute God’s people. _____ It arose immediately after Babylon fell. _____ It speaks great words against God. _____ It attempted to change God’s law.
7. In prophecy, “time, times, and a half time” is symbolic of (1)
_____ Three and one-half literal days. _____ 42 years. _____ 1,260 literal years.
8. When did “the time of the end” begin? (1)
_____ A.D. 31 _____ A.D. 1991 _____ A.D. 588 _____ A.D. 1798
9. Antichrist is an organization, rather than a person. (1)
_____ Yes. _____ No.
10. Antichrist exists today. (1)
_____ Yes. _____ No.
11. God approves of enforcing true worship by law. (1)
_____ Yes. _____ No.
12. General Berthier’s capture of the pope only wounded the papacy. Its deadly wound began to heal and continues healing today. (1)
_____ Yes. _____ No.
13. What item from the list below is essential for the spiritual safety of God’s people in these end-time days? (1)
_____ Learn to preach. _____ Pray much in public. _____ Test every religious teaching by the Bible.
14. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it may be painful? (1)
