Lesson 39 — The Book of Daniel

1. 1 THE BOOK OF DANIEL

THE BOOK OF DANIEL

Before taking up a study of this book, let us first list the 110 prophetic future wonders to come from 1949 into eternity and consider a few fundamental principles of interpretation of prophecy that will help us to understand our future studies. We do not claim infallibility in ourselves, but we do claim that every simple statement and event in prophecy that God has given us is infallible. We claim for God and by His authority that the Bible gives predictions of things to come that are 100 percent correct, not 80 percent correct as is claimed by some modern prophets of current events. The following 110 future prophetic wonders are plainly stated and as nearly as possible we shall deal with them in the proper order of fulfillment.

110 Prophetic Wonders From 1949 Into Eternity

1. 1 Israel firmly established as a nation in Palestine. This is now in process of fulfillment, as we have already explained in Lesson Eighteen, Points V and VI.

1. 1 The revision of the Roman Empire into ten separate kingdoms ruled by ten kings which is the result of the first tri-continent war Daniel 7:7, 8. This will mean the defeat of Communism and Russia, for in the formation of the ten kingdoms Russia must give up her control of Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and all parts of the old Roman Empire. Thus we can say with definite authority that Russia and Communism will never rule the world.

1. 1 The rapture of the Church—the end of the Church Age 1 Thessalonians 4:13-171 Thessalonians 5:92 Thessalonians 2:7, 81 Corinthians 15:23, 51Philippians 3:20, 21Revelation 4:1. It is not clear whether the rapture of the Church will come before the formation of ten kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire or not. The rapture could take place today without any prophecy being fulfilled and without any sign that the end of the age is coming to pass. The revision of Rome and the rapture are due to happen at any time. At what time each one will be fulfilled, no one knows as yet. The rapture will take place in a moment, whereas it will take longer for Rome to be revised following the war that will cause the ten kingdoms to be formed.

1. 1 A world revival or spiritual awakening Acts 2:16-21James 5:7Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 12:12, 17Revelation 15:2-4. There may be a great spiritual awakening before the rapture, but this is not definite for nothing needs to happen before the rapture, in order to fulfill it. If there is no religious revival before the rapture we know from the above passages there will be one after the rapture and during the future tribulation days when God is showing wonders in Heaven and in Earth, even up to the great and dreadful day of the Lord itself Acts 2:16-21. We hope and pray that there will be a revival in our day before the rapture, but to definitely teach that it is so, is to teach that the rapture cannot come any day and before such a revival and no one has any authority to say this. True believers are always ready for the rapture so a religious revival does not have to come to get the Church ready, as is taught by some men. Therefore, if we have no definite Scripture to prove an event will happen, we are not going to make such a prediction.

1. 1 The rise of the Antichrist Daniel 7:7-8, 19Daniel 8:8-9, 20Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:35-452 Thessalonians 2:1-12Revelation 6:1-2. By this we mean the coming of the Antichrist out of one of the ten kingdoms at the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week Daniel 9:27. This Week as well as the rise of the Antichrist must take place after the rapture and after the ten kingdoms are formed Daniel 7:23-242 Thessalonians 2:7-8.

1. 1 The seven-years covenant between Antichrist and the new nation of Israel Daniel 9:27. This seven years of the covenant will be the last seven years of this Age of Grace in which we now live. This seven years will be the Tribulation period, as seen in Lesson Forty.

1. 1 The building of the Jewish temple at Jerusalem Daniel 9:27Matthew 24:15Revelation 11:1-2. This event will be discussed in Lesson Forty-One. Whether the temple will be built before the seven-years covenant is not clear, but it must be built by the middle of the Week. It is at this time that the Antichrist breaks his seven-years covenant with Israel and does away with their worship in the temple. He then sets himself up in the temple declaring himself to be God Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:45Matthew 24:152 Thessalonians 2:3-4Revelation 11:1-2Revelation 13:1-18.

1. 1 The Revival of the Grecian Empire—the second tri-continent war Daniel 7:23-24Daniel 8:8-9, 23Daniel 11:35-45Revelation 13:1-7Revelation 17:8-17. After the ten kingdoms are formed inside the old Roman Empire by the first tri-continent war and after the ten kingdoms (which is the seventh kingdom of Rev. 17:9-12) exist “a short space” the Antichrist comes out of one of these ten kingdoms and overthrows three others of the ten and forms the eighth and last kingdom symbolized by the leopard of Rev. 13 and 17. It will take Antichrist the first 3½ years of the seven-years covenant with Israel to overthrow these three kingdoms and to get power over the other six and form the eighth kingdom which will rule for the last 3½ years of this age. This will be explained more fully later in our study of Daniel in this lesson.

1. 1 The rise of Syria to be a world power Daniel 8:8-9, 20Daniel 11:35-45. We shall see in our study of Daniel below that Antichrist will come from Syria and will make it a world power.

1. 1 Military alliance between Russia, Germany, and many other countries of Europe and Asia outside of the Roman Empire territory Daniel 11:44. While the Antichrist will be rising to power over the ten kingdoms of the old Roman Empire, the countries of the north and east of these ten kingdoms will be preparing for a death struggle with Antichrist and the ten kingdoms.

1. 1 The fall of Russia, Germany, etc.—the third tri-continent war Daniel 11:44. In the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week when the Antichrist comes to power over the ten kingdoms, war will be declared against him by the countries of the north and east of the old Roman Empire. This war will continue through most of the last 3½ years of the Week. Antichrist will conquer Russia and her allies in the north and east and he then will become the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezek. 38; 39). He will then lead these newly conquered countries, together with the ten kingdoms, along with many other nations whom he has not yet conquered but who will cooperate with him through the ministry of the three unclean spirits of Rev. 16:13-16, and make war against Jerusalem to totally destroy the Jews and to stop Christ from setting up His kingdom Revelation 19:11-21. This will result in the second defeat of Russia and Communism at the end of this age. After this, Russia will be defeated by Jesus Christ at Armageddon, for she will be one of major powers under the Antichrist in that battle. We can say with scriptural authority that Russia will be defeated in wars three times between now and the Millennium, once in the formation of the ten kingdoms, once by the Antichrist, and once by Jesus Christ at His second advent.

1. 1 The Judgment Seat of Christ—the judgment of the raptured saints in Heaven during Daniel’s Seventieth Week Romans 14:10-112 Corinthians 5:9-101 Corinthians 3:11-15. (See Lesson Thirty-Eight, Point III).

1. 1 The heavenly tabernacle—scenes in Heaven after the rapture Revelation 4:1–5. In this passage we have different scenes in Heaven that will happen just as John saw them centuries ago. These will be discussed in Lesson Forty-One.

1. 1 The first seal—the rise of the Antichrist Revelation 6:1-2. This event begins the fulfillment of the prophecies of Rev. 6:1–19:21, which are to be fulfilled during Daniel’s Seventieth Week. The following points reveal the order of the events as to the time of fulfillment from the beginning of the Week to its end. These events will be discussed in the future lessons and in my book Revelation Expounded.

1. 1 The second seal—war Revelation 6:3-4. These last two events are the same as those set forth in Points 5 and 8, above.

1. 1 The third seal—famine Revelation 6:5-6. This will be the natural result of the wars caused by the rise of the Antichrist to get power over the ten kingdoms.

1. 1 The fourth seal—death and Hell Revelation 6:7-8. This will be the natural result of the wars, famines, and pestilences of the previous seals.

1. 1 The fifth seal—the lesser tribulation martyrs Revelation 6:9-11. These will be the first martyrs of the Tribulation period after the rapture of the Church.

1. 1 The sixth seal—the wrath of God begins Revelation 6:12-17. God’s wrath begins at this point in the first 3½ years of the Week and continues through the Week and ends when the seven vials are poured out and Christ comes at the end of the Tribulation Matthew 24:29-31Revelation 19:11-21.

1. 1 The sealing of the 144,000 Jews Revelation 7:1-8. They are sealed for their own protection from the trumpet judgments which follow immediately up to the middle of the Week Revelation 7:1-3Revelation 9:4.

1. 1 The vision of the great multitude of tribulation saints Revelation 7:9-17. The martyrs of the fifth seal and all their brethren of the whole tribulation period who are to be killed are included in this company Revelation 14:13Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:4-6.

1. 1 The seventh seal—silence in Heaven for half an hour Revelation 8:1.

1. 1 The seven trumpet angels and the priestly angel Revelation 8:2-6.

1. 1 The first trumpet—hail, fire, and blood Revelation 8:7.

1. 1 The second trumpet—one-third of the sea turned to blood Revelation 8:8-9.

1. 1 The third trumpet—drinking waters poisoned Revelation 8:10-11.

1. 1 The fourth trumpet—one-third of the planets affected Revelation 8:13.

1. 1 The messenger angel—three woes upon men announced Revelation 8:13.

1. 1 The fifth trumpet—the first woe, men tormented five months Revelation 9:1-12.

1. 1 The sixth trumpet—the second woe, one-third of men killed Revelation 9:13-21.

1. 1 The mighty angel—announcement of no delay in completion of the mystery of God and John’s further commission and receiving of the rest of the Revelation Revelation 10:1-11.

1. 1 Seven-years covenant between Antichrist and Israel broken Daniel 9:27Matthew 24:15Revelation 11:1-2. In the order of the future prophetic wonders, this brings us down to the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week when Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and enters Palestine Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:40-45. The following events will come immediately thereafter.

1. 1 Jerusalem falls and the Jewish temple will be seized as the capital building of the Antichrist Revelation 11:1-2Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:40-452 Thessalonians 2:3-4Matthew 24:15.

1. 1 The two witnesses will appear on Earth Revelation 11:3-13. They will protect Israel and turn her to God and withstand the Antichrist the last 3½ years of this age.

1. 1 The great tribulation begins Daniel 9:27Daniel 12:1-7Matthew 24:15-31Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 12:1-17Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 14:9-11Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:4-6.

1. 1 The seventh trumpet—the third woe or the casting out of Satan Revelation 11:15-19Revelation 12:7-12.

1. 1 The 144,000 Jews are translated Revelation 12:5Revelation 14:1-5Daniel 12:1Isaiah 66:7-8. These Jews will be protected through the trumpet judgments until the middle of the Week. They will be caught up to Heaven as the manchild in Rev. 12:5 and they will be in Heaven in Rev. 14:1-5, as we shall prove in Lesson Forty-Five.

1. 1 War in Heaven Revelation 12:7-12. Satan and his angels will be cast down to the Earth to be among men for the last 3½ years, causing the third woe of Rev. 8:13; 11:15-19; 12:12.

1. 1 Israel flees to the countries of Edom and Moab for the last 3½ years Revelation 12:6, 13Isaiah 16:1-5Ezekiel 20:33-39Daniel 11:40-45Hosea 2:14-16Matthew 24:15-21. These Scriptures name the very place to which Israel will flee for protection, where the Arabs will protect Israel from the Antichrist. This we shall discuss fully in Lesson Forty-Five.

1. 1 The Earth opens and swallows the armies of the Antichrist who follow fleeing Israel Revelation 12:13-16.

1. 1 The remnant of Israel is protected from the Antichrist Revelation 12:17. This will be done by the two witnesses Revelation 11:3-13 and the new wars of the north and east Daniel 11:44. Antichrist will be too busy in his new wars to concentrate upon the destruction of Israel. After he conquers the countries of the north and east he will then seek to destroy Israel, but the Lord Jesus Christ appears in Heaven and delivers them when they are about to be destroyed Revelation 19:11-21.

1. 1 The rise of the beast out of the sea Revelation 13:1-10. This symbolizes the Antichrist being given power over the ten kingdoms of the old Roman Empire to continue for the last 3½ years Revelation 13:1-7, 18Revelation 17:8-17.

1. 1 The rise of the beast out of the Earth Revelation 13:11-18. This represents the rise of another man, the false prophet, who will exercise the power of the Antichrist, who precedes him Revelation 16:13-16Revelation 19:20Revelation 20:10.

1. 1 The setting up of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet Revelation 13:11-18Daniel 9:27Daniel 12:7Matthew 24:15. This simply means that the Antichrist will do away with the Jewish worship in their temple and establish his own worship. He will be worshipped as God in the temple Daniel 11:45Daniel 12:7Revelation 13:11-182 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

1. 1 The making of a living image of the Antichrist Revelation 13:11-18.

1. 1 The increase of satanic powers Revelation 13:1-18Matthew 24:242 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

1. 1 The branding of the beast worshippers Revelation 13:16-18Revelation 14:9-11Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:4-6.

1. 1 The destruction of Mystical Babylon Revelation 17:16-18.

1. 1 The Jewish choir in Heaven—the 144,000 Jews in Heaven Revelation 14:1-5.

1. 1 The first messenger angel—preaching the everlasting gospel Revelation 14:6-7.

1. 1 The second messenger angel—the Fall of Literal Babylon announced Revelation 14:8Revelation 16:17-21Revelation 18:1-24.

1. 1 The third messenger angel—the doom of beast worshippers Revelation 14:9-11.

1. 1 The announcement—the blessed dead, those by Antichrist Revelation 14:13.

1. 1 The harvest and the vintage—Armageddon symbolized Revelation 14:14-20.

1. 1 The seven angels, the sea of glass, and the temple in Heaven Revelation 15:1–16.

1. 1 The first vial—boils upon men Revelation 16:2.

1. 1 The second vial—the sea to blood Revelation 16:3.

1. 1 The third vial—rivers to blood Revelation 16:4-7.

1. 1 The fourth vial—the great heat that scorches men Revelation 16:8-9.

1. 1 The fifth vial—the dense darkness upon the kingdom of the beast Revelation 16:10-11.

1. 1 The sixth vial—the river Euphrates dried up Revelation 16:12.

1. 1 The three unclean spirits—the gathering of nations to Armageddon Revelation 16:13-16.

1. 1 The seventh vial—a great earthquake and hail Revelation 16:17-21.

1. 1 The destruction of Literal Babylon Revelation 16:17-21Revelation 18:1-24.

1. 1 Translation of the Tribulation saints Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:4-6.

1. 1 The defeat, death, and translation of the two witnesses Revelation 11:7-13.

1. 1 Worship in Heaven by all the redeemed and holy angels Revelation 19:1-6.

1. 1 The marriage of the Lamb and the Marriage Supper Revelation 19:7-10.

1. 1 The first coming of God the Father to the Earth Daniel 7:9-14Zechariah 14:5. God the Father will come to the Earth at the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will give the Earth kingdoms to the Son to rule and to put down all rebellion 1 Corinthians 15:24-28Daniel 7:13-14.

1. 1 The second advent of Jesus Christ to the Earth Revelation 19:11-212 Thessalonians 1:7-10Matthew 24:29-31Isaiah 63:1-7Daniel 7:13-14.

1. 1 The Mount of Olives splits into two parts. It will then pass away, making a very great valley and raising the Dead sea Zechariah 14:1-5.

1. 1 The Battle of Armageddon—the defeat of Antichrist Revelation 19:11-212 Thessalonians 1:7-10Malachi 4:1-4.

1. 1 Judgment of the beast and the false prophet Revelation 19:20Revelation 20:10.

1. 1 Expulsion of Satan from the Earth Revelation 20:1-7.

1. 1 Salvation of a nation in a day Isaiah 66:7-8Romans 11:25-28.

1. 1 The end of “the times of the Gentiles” Luke 21:24Romans 11:25-29.

1. 1 The judgment of the living nations at the second coming of Christ Matthew 25:31-46.

1. 1 The final and complete regathering of Israel as an eternal nation under the Messiah Isaiah 11:10-12Matthew 24:29-31Romans 11:26-29Luke 1:32-33.

1. 1 Jerusalem rebuilt as the world capital of the kingdom of Heaven Isaiah 2:1-4Zechariah 14:1-21.

1. 1 The Millennial and eternal temple built Ezekiel 43:7Zechariah 6:12-15.

1. 1 Millennial and eternal worship established Isaiah 2:1-4.

1. 1 The establishment of the kingdom of Heaven Daniel 12:7-13Revelation 20:1-10Isaiah 2:1-4Ezekiel 43:7Matthew 25:31-46.

1. 1 Restoration of normal light as before the Fall Isaiah 24:21-23Isaiah 25:7Isaiah 30:26Isaiah 60:18-22. The day light will be increased seven-fold and the night will be as light as our present day.

1. 1 Restoration of fertility to barren lands Ezekiel 36:8-12.

1. 1 The nature of the animals changed Isaiah 11:6-8Isaiah 65:20-25.

1. 1 The whole Earth evangelized Isaiah 2:2-4Isaiah 11:9Zechariah 8:22-23.

1. 1 Great outpouring of the Holy Spirit Joel 2:28-32Isaiah 32:5Ezekiel 36:25-27.

1. 1 Universal physical healing Isaiah 32:1-5Isaiah 33:24Isaiah 35:3-6.

1. 1 New form of government—a theocracy Isaiah 9:6-7Daniel 7:13-14Matthew 25:31-46Luke 1:32-33Revelation 1:5-6Revelation 5:10Revelation 11:15Revelation 20:1-10.

1. 1 New eternal laws Isaiah 2:2-4Micah 4:2Ezekiel 40:1–48.

1. 1 Proper division of the Earth Ezekiel 47:13-23Ezekiel 48:1-35Isaiah 60:21.

1. 1 The Millennial river created and the Dead Sea healed Zechariah 14:8.

1. 1 New and universal religion Malachi 1:11Zechariah 14:16-21Isaiah 2:1-4Joel 2:28-32Jeremiah 31:31-36Ezekiel 40:1–48.

1. 1 Universal peace Isaiah 2:1-4Isaiah 9:6-7Micah 4:3-4.

1. 1 Universal prosperity Isaiah 2:1-4Isaiah 65:24Micah 4:1-5.

1. 1 Human life lengthened Isaiah 65:20-25Zechariah 8:4Luke 1:33.

1. 1 The glory of God continually manifest Isaiah 4:4-6Ezekiel 43:1-7.

1. 1 New financial system for the universal government and for world religion Genesis 14:20Malachi 3:7-12Proverbs 3:9-10Hebrews 6:20Hebrews 7:1-11.

1. 1 Universal justice for all Isaiah 9:6-7Isaiah 11:3-5Isaiah 57:15Isaiah 65:20Isaiah 66:1-2.

1. 1 The loosing of Satan and the last rebellion Revelation 20:7-10.

1. 1 The second resurrection and the Great White Throne Judgment Revelation 20:11-15.

1. 1 The renovation of the atmospheric heavens and of the Earth 2 Peter 3:10-13.

1. 1 The new Heaven and the New Earth Isaiah 65:17Isaiah 66:22-242 Peter 3:10-13. These will be the old ones renovated and changed, not annihilated Hebrews 1:10-12Hebrews 12:25-28Romans 8:21-23Ecclesiastes 1:4Psalms 104:5.

1. 1 The second coming of God the Father to the Earth Revelation 21:1-7. The New Jerusalem, God’s capital city of the universe, and the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, moved from Heaven to the New Earth to be among men forever Revelation 21:1-27Revelation 22:1-5.

1. 1 Eternal generations of natural peoples Genesis 8:22Genesis 9:12Isaiah 9:6-7Isaiah 51:8Isaiah 59:21Ezekiel 37:24-28Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:13-14, 18Luke 1:31-35Deuteronomy 7:9Psalms 105:8Jeremiah 31:35-36Jeremiah 32:38-40Revelation 11:15.

1. 1 No more curse Revelation 21:1-8Revelation 22:1-7. Everything on Earth will be as it would have been if man had not fallen. There will be on Earth perfect eternal natural conditions, peoples, animals, planting and harvesting, marriages, childbirth, worship, natural life, covenants with God, laws, government, feasts, pleasures, food, raiment, and innumerable eternal natural blessings, as we shall see in Lesson Fifty-one.

1. 1 The river of life for all peoples Revelation 22:1-5.

1. 1 Trees of life for all peoples Revelation 21:1-5.

1. 1 An eternal kingdom—the kingdom of God firmly established forever Hebrews 12:25-28Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:13-14, 18Isaiah 9:6-7Luke 1:32-35Revelation 11:15Revelation 22:4-6.

1. 1 God all-in-all as before rebellion started in the universe by Satan and Adam 1 Corinthians 15:24-28Revelation 21:1-8Revelation 22:1-7Isaiah 66:22-24.

How to Interpret Prophecy

Before taking up a study of prophecy let us first learn how to interpret it. Thousands of preachers and teachers of the Bible constantly make the statement that prophecy is hard to understand. It is true that it is hard to understand if one has to harmonize all the many foolish speculations and interpretations of men on the subject. But thank God it is not hard to understand if one will follow the few common-sense rules below:

This same writer says concerning the trumpet judgments, that they are not literal. The grass of the first trumpet Revelation 8:7 means the common people and the trees mean the dignity of man, so instead of the grass and one-third of the trees being literally burned, as is plainly stated, all common men and one-third of the dignity of man will be burned.

Instead of a third of the sea being turned to blood, one-third of the creatures dying, and one-third of the ships being destroyed in the second trumpet Revelation 8:8, 9, the burning mountain causing this, he says, means spiritual Babylon cast into the sea of nations and destroyed by the people.

Instead of the drinking waters being made bitter by a star falling from Heaven causing the death of many men as in the third trumpet Revelation 8:10, 11, he says, the star falling from Heaven means the pope of Rome or some religious dignitary. But how could the pope Fall from Heaven into the waters and poison them? How will he ever get to Heaven to Fall from Heaven in the Tribulation? How could he poison the drinking waters if he did Fall in them?

The darkening of a third of the sun, moon, and stars as in the fourth trumpet Revelation 8:12, he says, means spiritual darkness instead of the literal darkening of part of the Earth.

This writer explains the fifth trumpet Revelation 9:1-12 as follows, “the star that falls from Heaven with the key to the Abyss is the pope or the apostate religious leader of the third trumpet. (This would make the pope Fall from Heaven twice, once under the third trumpet and once again under the fifth trumpet.) The key is the system that opens the Abyss. The smoke of the pit is the blotting out of the true light in man’s spiritual sky by demon powers, when false religions are dominant after the Holy Spirit is taken out of the world. The locusts are not literal but they symbolize these false religions spreading like locusts. The torment of the stings of these creatures is the torment that these religions will bring. The faces of men that these creatures have signify intelligence and reason (but since they are not real creatures how are they to exercise these faculties?). Their hair like women represents an unholy life and the iron breastplates mean that the conscience is destroyed. The grass and the trees are not symbolical as they are in the first trumpet. The five months these creatures torment men are not literal and it is not explained what they mean. Thus nothing in Revelation is literal if we believe this method of interpretation.

The sixth trumpet Revelation 9:13-21, he says, is not literal, but the 200 million creatures refer to Asiatic hordes that overran Europe and Palestine through many centuries. This writer says the two witnesses are not two men, but are symbolical of the witnessing Jewish remnant. He also says the manchild is Christ; the woman is Israel; the sun is the glory of the New Testaments; the moon the glory of the Old Testament; the twelve stars the twelve tribes; the 1,260 days of Rev. 12:6 mean the first part of Daniel’s Seventieth Week when the woman flees, or Israel is scattered among the nations; the “times” of Rev. 12:14 refer to the last half of the Week; and the water the dragon casts out of his mouth is evil teaching but Israel will escape these teachings and be the only testimony for God.

He says the beast of Rev. 13 is the Revived Roman Empire, the seven heads are seven nulls on which the city of Rome is built, the head wounded to death is imperial Rome Revived, but how could one of these literal hills be imperial Rome to be revived if it is part of the ground on which Rome is built?

He says the seven vials Revelation 16:2-21 are not literal except the fourth and fifth ones, but who is he to decide for us that these are the only judgments of the seals, trumpets, and vials that are literal? He explains the sores of the first vial as a spiritual plague, the second and third vials are the drying up of the source of life (whatever that means), and are not the sea and rivers literally turned to blood as it reads. The sixth vial is the destruction of the Turkish Empire instead of the literal drying up of the river Euphrates, but why not give this river the same meaning as in Gen. 2:14; 15:18; Jer. 13:4-7; 46:2-10; 51:63; Rev. 9:14, and see how ridiculous it would be? He says that the “earthquake” of the seventh vial that destroys the city of Babylon and many cities of the nations is not literal. It means the destruction of every religious institution and civilization as we now know it today.

This method of interpretation of Revelation really should be called how ‘not’ to interpret prophecy, for it does away with the literal meaning of God’s own revelation and substitutes man’s theories instead. If these ideas are really what God wanted revealed as going to happen, could not God have made this clear when He gave the Revelation instead of giving us what He did reveal? Would He have to wait until this man lived to finally get to us what He was really intending to convey?

Others find the United States in prophecy by taking the letters U. S. A. out of the name Jer-USA-lem. If this is the only way we can find the United States in prophecy, it would be best to leave her out. The fact is that the United States is not once mentioned in prophecy anywhere. Isaiah 18 refers to the inhabitants of the Sudan “which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia” and it does not refer to the United States. The white horse rider of Rev. 6 and the false prophet of Rev. 13:11-18; 19:20; 20:10, do not refer to the United States, as we shall see in future lessons.

Still others find the mark of the beast in the faces on the American dime, in keeping Sunday as the sabbath, in union cards, in social security numbers, in rationing, and many other theories that are ridiculous. These and many other foolish theories are constantly preached to the ignorant masses who take them up and scatter such ideas worldwide while truth is getting on its boots. The more a man pronounces foolish and sensational theories and the more he finds so-called hidden meanings to Scriptures, the more intelligent he is heralded by men who should know better. The devil stands back and laughs at such foolish speculation and distortion of God’s Word, for he knows that such silly interpretations disgust intelligent men and cause many to discard prophecy and become skeptical about the real truth when they do hear.

What we mean to emphasize by this point is that all true prophecy is clear in itself as to what is to happen, and it is just as clear before it happens as it is after it is fulfilled. Take the subject of modern inventions as being a fulfillment of prophecy. Men never dreamed of an automobile and never interpreted Nah. 2:3, 4 in connection with one until they were invented. Men never dreamed of airplanes, radios, locomotives, or any single invention and never interpreted any Scripture as definitely predicting them until after they were invented. After we got them, students of prophecy soon claimed they found them in prophecy. Prior to 1945 Bible students never dreamed of atom bombs as being a subject of prophecy, but immediately after they were dropped in that year, not only did Japan wake up but prophetic sensationalists arose from their long slumber and ignorance and found them in prophecy. Thus, in such a short time nearly everyone in Christendom (if sensationalists are believed), knows that the atom bomb is a fulfillment of several prophecies and they also know now just how several other prophecies are going to be fulfilled. The world is coming to an end, and many other prophecies will be fulfilled by the atom bomb, so these men say.

The sooner that we all have our speculative, sensational, prophetic “appendix” removed, the better off all of us will be, and the sooner the good name of prophecy will be restored, and men will again respect true prophecy as stated by God. The fact is that no single invention is mentioned in particular in the Bible. The so-called automobile in Nah. 2:3, 4 refers to horse-drawn chariots of the king of Nineveh and those of Nebuchadnezzar in actual combat in the streets of Nineveh over the possession of the Assyrian Empire. This fact is made clear in Nah. 2:1-4, 13; 3:1-3, where we have mention of “the whip . . . rattling of the wheels, and of the prancing horses” and “the horsemen.” The so-called locomotive of Job 41 is “king over all the children of pride,” according to the last verse. The phrase “as birds flying” in Isa. 31:5 does not refer to the airplane but to the second coming of Christ as is proven in the passage itself. It states that “as birds flying” God, not airplanes, will come down to fight for Israel and at that time every man shall cast away his idols forever, and we all know that this did not happen in 1917 when General Allenby took Jerusalem from the Turks. This prophecy will be fulfilled when the armies of Heaven come with Jesus “as birds flying” as in Zech. 14:1-5; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14; Rev. 19:11-21; etc. And so it goes with any single invention that men have found in prophecy. The context proves that the subject of the passage is not some modern invention. Daniel 12:4 is the only verse in the entire Bible that covers inventions of today. One can use this verse and preach on inventions and not be so sensational and foolish in preaching on prophecy by using passages that do not refer to inventions.

A. The law of double reference. In some passages two distinct persons are referred to, the visible person addressed and the invisible person who is using the visible one as a tool, as we have already explained in Lesson Seven, Point IV and Lesson Nine, Point VIII, 2.

B. The law of prophetic perspective. This law is that of recording future events as if they were continuous and successive, but the fact is that there may be thousands of years between the events. For example, in Isa. 61:1-3, as recorded in Lk. 4:17-20, Christ stopped His reading in the prophecy at the words “the acceptable year of the Lord.” He closed the book and said, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” If He had continued reading the prophecy and had said, “and the day of vengeance of our God,” and had said this was fulfilled that day His statement would have been untrue, for “the day of vengeance” has not yet come. There has been already about two thousand years since “the acceptable year of the Lord.” The day of vengeance has not yet come, and will not come until the Tribulation of the future. Both events are in one verse in the prophecy and have only a comma between them, which would indicate that since both events were given together they would follow each other in succession, but they did not.

In other words, the prophets see things in the same vision as one would look at a distant range of mountain peaks where the valleys between them are not seen. One must learn to take each separate event in prophecy and collect together all that is said about it in all the Bible and see when it will be fulfilled in connection with the other events. This is rightly dividing the Word of Truth 2 Timothy 2:15.

A Gist of the Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel was written by the person whose name it bears, as is clear from Dan. 1:6, 8, 21; 2:46-48; 4:19; 5:29; 6:2; 7:1-2, 28; 8:1; 9:2; 10:1; 12:4-13; Mt. 24:15. Daniel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. He was a godly man and is mentioned along with Noah and Job for his uprightness Ezekiel 14:19-20. He was a man of great wisdom and understanding in visions and dreams Ezekiel 28:3Daniel 1:17. He belonged to the royal family of Judah and became a eunuch fulfilling Isaiah’s prediction spoken about 100 years before that Hezekiah’s seed would serve the king of Babylon Isaiah 39:1-8. He was trained for palace service and did serve as prime minister during the seventy years captivity to Babylon and even in the reign of Darius the Mede Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:1-3Daniel 9:1-2.

Daniel was one of the greatest prophets of all time. In many respects his prophecy is the most comprehensive and consecutive of world history from his day to the second coming of Christ. He saw even into the eternal future when God’s kingdom will be over all the Earth forever Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:13-14, 18Zechariah 14:9. Daniel gave the first definite chronological prophecy of the first coming of Christ Daniel 9:24-27 and of the events immediately preceding the second advent Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:7-14, 17Daniel 8:20-25Daniel 9:24-27Daniel 11:35-45Daniel 12:1-13. Without the book of Daniel, many other prophecies would not be clear. It is a foundation upon which many prophecies rest. It is a commentary on “the times of the Gentiles” and an introduction to all the New Testament prophecies. Daniel does not cover the whole length of “the times of the Gentiles,” as can be seen in Lesson Fifteen, but it does cover that part from Daniel’s day to their end. Daniel predicted the whole course of the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, Revised Rome, and Revived Grecia, as we shall see. He also predicted the eternal Kingdom of the God of Heaven succeeding these empires.

The Book of Daniel is in four clearly defined divisions:

I. The Personal History of Daniel (from the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to the first year of Cirrus, the Persian, Dan. 1:1-21).

II. The Visions of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:1–4.

III. The Personal History of Daniel (from Belshazzar, king of Babylon, to Darius, king of Medo-Persia, Dan. 5:1–6:28).

IV. The Visions of Daniel Daniel 7:1–12.

There are twelve chapters, and 357 verses in Daniel. There are 215 verses of history, 78 verses of fulfilled prophecy, and 64 verses of unfulfilled prophecy. These unfulfilled prophecies concern the revision of the old Roman Empire, the revival of the old Grecian Empire, the rise of the Antichrist and the great tribulation, the last three wars before the second coming of Christ, and other latter day events that we shall study in the exposition of the book of Daniel. We shall study only briefly the historical parts of Daniel, but we shall go more fully into the prophetic parts mentioned above in the four divisions, as follows:

The simple history of Daniel and the three Hebrew children recorded in Dan. 1 is very clear in itself, as can be seen by reading the chapter with the following outline:

1. 1 The time of Daniel’s captivity Daniel 1:1-2.

1. 1 Daniel and companions chosen Daniel 1:3-6. This fulfilled Isa. 39:1-8.

1. 1 Change of their names Daniel 1:7. Daniel means “God my judge.” His name was changed to Belteshazzar, meaning “prince of Bel.” The name Hananiah means “gift of the Lord.” It was changed to Shadrach, meaning “command of Aku,” the moon god. The name Mishael means “who is what God is.” It was changed to Meshach, meaning “who is what Aku is.” The name Azariah means “whom Jehovah helps.” It was changed to Abednego, meaning “servant of Nego,” or Nebo, the Babylonian god of science and literature.

1. 1 Daniel’s purpose not to be defiled with the king’s meat Daniel 1:8.

1. 1 Daniel’s favor with the prince of the eunuchs Daniel 1:9.

1. 1 The fear of the prince of eunuchs Daniel 1:10.

1. 1 Daniel’s request to be tested by being fed with pulse for ten days Daniel 1:11-14. Pulse means vegetable foods and fruits so as not to be defiled with meat killed with blood contrary to the Law of Moses Leviticus 3:17Leviticus 7:26Leviticus 17:10-14Leviticus 19:26 and offered to idols Exodus 34:151 Corinthians 10:20Acts 15:29.

1. 1 The mental and physical result of the test Daniel 1:15-16.

1. 1 God’s gift of wisdom and knowledge Daniel 1:17.

1. 1 Result of God’s gift and three years’ training Daniel 1:18-21. The magicians were supposed to have power to expel demons by incantations. The astrologers were the prophets of Babylon who were supposed to be able to know the will of the gods and predict the future by the stars. The sorcerers were those that pretended communication with the dead the same as the witches of Exod. 22:18; Deut. 18:10. The Chaldeans were a sect that made natural science and divinations their study. These classes of Dan. 2:2 abounded in Babylon. They all sought the same end by different means. Hence in Dan. 2 they were all called to help solve the mystery of the king. Daniel and the three Hebrew children were found to be ten times better than all these men.

II. The Visions of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:1–4

1. 1 THE VISION OR DREAM OF THE GREAT METALLIC IMAGE (Dan. 2). In this chapter we have the prophetic future of the world, from Daniel’s day to the eternal future when God will reign forever. This dream concerns the latter days in particular Daniel 2:28, 44. Daniel 2 is in four parts as follows:

(1) The details leading up to the dream Daniel 2:1-30.

A. Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and sleeplessness Daniel 2:1.

B. The wise men of Babylon called Daniel 2:2-3.

C. The king’s demand of the wise men Daniel 2:4-9. They professed to be able to reveal secrets so the king demands that they live up to their profession.

D. The inability of the wise men Daniel 2:10-11. Their confession of inability was an acknowledgement that they had no communication with the supernatural.

E. The king’s resentment and sentence of death upon the wise men Daniel 2:12-13. The king saw that he and his people had been made a victim of deception so he determined to destroy them, including Daniel and his companions who had not been called with the others.

F. Daniel is sought and he promises to reveal the secret Daniel 2:14-16.

G. United prayer to God for the secret Daniel 2:17-18.

H. The secret revealed to Daniel and he praises God Daniel 2:19-23.

I. Daniel requests the king to spare the wise men Daniel 2:24-26.

J. Testimony of God as the source of the secret Daniel 2:27-28.

K. The occasion and purpose of the dream Daniel 2:28.

(2) The dream revealed, a great metallic image in five parts Daniel 2:21-35.

A. The image’s head was of fine gold Daniel 2:32.

B. His breast and his arms were of silver Daniel 2:32.

C. His belly and thighs were of brass Daniel 2:32.

D. His legs were of iron Daniel 2:33.

E. His feet and toes were a mixture of iron and clay Daniel 2:33.

F. A stone smote the image on the feet and broke all the metals in pieces and it became a great mountain and filled the whole Earth Daniel 2:34-35.

(3) The interpretation of the dream Daniel 2:36-45. The great image made of five different materials represents five great world empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Revised Rome made up of ten kingdoms in the last days.

A. THE HEAD OF GOLD Daniel 2:32, 35

The head of gold portion of the great image represents the first of the five kingdoms of this vision, Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar’s own kingdom Daniel 2:37, 38Jeremiah 15:4Jeremiah 24:9Jeremiah 25:11, 12Jeremiah 29:18. The successive kingdoms are brought into view only as they come into the fulfillment of God’s plan in punishing Israel. They all existed before they were used to punish Israel and each in turn, after punishing Israel and fulfilling the will of God, was absorbed in the succeeding kingdom. Babylon conquered Israel in the first year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, about 616 b.c., and continued in power for seventy more years Daniel 9:2.

Nebuchadnezzar reigned for forty-three years and was succeeded by Evil-Merodach who reigned for two years, Neriglissar for four years, and then Nabonidus and Belshazzar reigned jointly until Babylon was overthrown (Dan. 5). This empire oppressed Israel from 616 b.c. to 546 b.c.

B. THE BREAST AND ARMS OF SILVER Daniel 2:32, 35

This part of the great image symbolizes the Medo-Persian kingdom which succeeded Babylon at the end of the seventy years’ captivity of the Jews Daniel 2:39Daniel 5:1-31Daniel 8:20Daniel 9:1Daniel 10:1Daniel 11:1-3Ezra 1:1-3. The two arms symbolize the two nations making the dual kingdom, the Medes and the Persians. This kingdom was inferior to the Babylonian Empire as silver is to gold. It was not inferior in power for it overthrew Babylon, but it was inferior in form of government, wealth, luxury, and glory Isaiah 13:19. In Babylon the king was the absolute power Daniel 5:19, but in Medo-Persia law was superior to the king who could not alter a law even for the best good of his subjects Daniel 6:1, 14. Similarly, in the third and fourth kingdoms, the forms of government were inferior and they were inferior in wealth and glory to each preceding one. Babylon took Israel captive (Jer. 25) and Medo-Persia liberated them Isaiah 44:28Isaiah 45:1-5Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 6:1-14 and these are the principal events in Scripture concerning these two kingdoms. Medo-Persia continued until Alexander the Great who founded the old Grecian Empire, 334 b.c.

C. THE BELLY AND THE THIGHS OF BRASS Daniel 2:32, 35

This part of the great image symbolizes the third or Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great which also dominated Israel in “the times of the Gentiles” Daniel 2:39Daniel 8:20-21Daniel 11:1-34. This third empire became the greatest in territory of the three kingdoms studied so far. Alexander started from Greece and Macedon and conquered all the territories of the other two kingdoms and even conquered part of India. The Grecian Empire began to decay with the death of Alexander. His vast territory was divided into four parts, as we shall see when we study Dan. 8, below.

D. THE LEGS OF IRON Daniel 2:33-35, 40

This part of the great image symbolizes the old Roman Empire which followed Greece in the domination of Israel Daniel 2:40Daniel 7:23-24Daniel 9:26Luke 2:1John 11:48Matthew 24:1-2Luke 20:20-24Acts 16:21Acts 22:25-29. This kingdom was to be stronger than all the preceding kingdoms as iron is stronger than gold, silver, and brass. This kingdom is called the fourth but it is not necessarily the last of the Gentile world kingdoms to persecute Israel in “the times of the Gentiles.” There will yet be two kingdoms that will reign over Israel before the coming of their Messiah to deliver them and set up the kingdom of God in the Earth forever. The two legs of iron represent the eastern and western divisions of the old Roman Empire about 364 a.d. (See the great image on your chart over the Dispensation of Law.)

E. THE FEET AND TOES OF IRON AND CLAY Daniel 2:33-35, 44

This part of the image represents the future revised Roman Empire Daniel 2:31-43Daniel 7:23-25Revelation 17:12-17. This was to be the last part of the image and was to be destroyed by the stone from Heaven. This Revised Rome will be dealt with more fully in the next chapter. This kingdom was to be a divided one, partly strong and partly weak, as symbolized by the two materials of the feet and toes. The clay represents the rule by the masses and the iron the rule by kings. These two forms of government will not mix even as iron and clay will not mix. The final outcome will be that the iron will again become predominant. Kings will again rule inside the Roman Empire territory. Ten kingdoms will be formed therein and be ruled by ten kings. These ten kingdoms represented by the ten toes will exist in the last days before the coming of Christ and will be destroyed at His coming. They will be ruled by ten kings during the first 3½ years of the Seventieth Week, then by the Antichrist the last 3½ years Daniel 2:44, 45Daniel 7:7-14Daniel 7:17-25Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 17:8-172 Thessalonians 2:1-12. The ten kingdoms will form what is known to Bible students as the Revised Roman Empire dealt with in Point IV, below.

F. THE STONE THAT SMOTE THE IMAGE Daniel 2:34-35, 44

This stone symbolizes the kingdom of Heaven headed by the Lord Jesus Christ who will, at His second coming, destroy the kingdoms of this world. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever . . . Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure” Daniel 2:35, 44Daniel 7:13-27Matthew 24:29-31Matthew 25:31-46Zechariah 14:1-212 Thessalonians 1:7-112 Thessalonians 2:4-8Revelation 11:15Revelation 19:11-20. Christ Himself is called a “stone” in Ps. 118:22; Mt. 21:44; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:6-8. The phrase “without hands” is an expression always emphasizing the absence of all human instrumentality and the act of God alone Daniel 2:45Daniel 8:25Job 34:20Lamentations 4:6. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar had revealed unto him what would come to pass from his day down to the time that the God of Heaven sets up a kingdom in the world at the second coming of Jesus Christ. The head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, and the legs of iron are already history. We are living at a time represented on the image as near the feet and ankles. We can expect the last form of the Roman Empire to be made up of ten separate kingdoms. In the days of these ten kingdoms the God of Heaven will set up His kingdom and it will continue forever.

(4) The effect of the revelation of the king’s secret Daniel 2:46-49. God was accepted as the true God and Daniel and his three companions were exalted over all the rulers and wise men of Babylon.

1. 1 NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S VISION OF THE ANGEL Daniel 3:1-30

In Dan. 3 we have the historical record of the fiery trial of the three Hebrew companions of Daniel. Where Daniel was at this time is not known. The main points are:

(1) Events leading up to the vision Daniel 3:1-23.

A. The great idol god (12½ x 125 feet) made and set up Daniel 3:1.

B. The gathering to the dedication of the idol God Daniel 3:2-3.

C. The command to worship the idol and the penalty stated Daniel 3:4-7.

D. The three Hebrew children refuse to worship the idol and are accused Daniel 3:8-12.

E. Nebuchadnezzar’s rage; he commands the Hebrews to worship his idol Daniel 3:13-15.

F. They reject the command to worship the image Daniel 3:16-18.

G. The Hebrew children cast into the fiery furnace Daniel 3:19-23.

(2) The vision of the angel Daniel 3:24-25. The statement, “the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” literally should have read, “like a son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar was used to the worship of all kinds of gods and offspring of the gods, so this is the way he expressed the vision of the angel. He no doubt learned that this person seen in the furnace was an angel from the three Hebrews when they came out of the furnace Daniel 3:28.

(3) The effect of the vision upon Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 3:26-30. God is again accepted as the greatest of all gods and a decree is made that men must not speak against the true God. The Hebrew children are restored to their position over the affairs of Babylon.

1. 1 NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S VISION OF HIS DETHRONEMENT Daniel 4:1-37

In this chapter we have the self-exaltation, dethronement, insanity, and the restoration of Nebuchadnezzar to his kingdom.

(1) The king’s proclamation exalting the God of Heaven Daniel 4:1-3.

(2) The announcement of his new dream Daniel 4:4-5.

(3) The new dream’s interpretation requested of the wise men, but they again failed to give the meaning of the dream as they had failed in Dan. 2 some forty years before Daniel 4:6-7.

(4) The tree vision recited to Daniel Daniel 4:8-18.

(5) The vision interpreted Daniel 4:19-26. Nebuchadnezzar was to become insane for seven years until he was humbled to know that God rules in the kingdoms of men.

(6) Daniel’s advice to the king to humble himself Daniel 4:27.

(7) Daniel’s advice rejected and the king exalts himself Daniel 4:28-30.

(8) The dream fulfilled Daniel 4:31-33. Nebuchadnezzar was stricken with a mental disease called Lycanthropy in which a man images himself to be a wolf or some other animal.

(9) Nebuchadnezzar healed and restored to his kingdom extols God Daniel 4:34-37.

III. The Personal History of Daniel Daniel 5:1–6

In this third section of Daniel we have the personal history of the prophet continued in the reigns of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, and Darius, king of the Medes.

1. 1 DANIEL’S PERSONAL HISTORY UNDER BELSHAZZAR (Dan. 5)

In this chapter we have the drunken feast of Belshazzar and the end of the Babylonian Empire which had ruled Assyria, Phoenicia, Judea, Arabia, and Egypt. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus and was made co-regent while his father was fighting the Medes and Persians in some part of the empire. This is why he could only make Daniel the third ruler in the kingdom Daniel 5:29. The phrases “his father” and “thy father Nebuchadnezzar” are clear when we understand that there is no word in Chaldee or Hebrew for “grandfather” and that “father” is used of an ancestor in Scripture Romans 9:101 Kings 15:11-132 Kings 15:1-2.

The following is an outline of Daniel 5:

(1) Belshazzar’s feast and idolatry Daniel 5:1-4.

(2) The supernatural handwriting on the wall Daniel 5:5.

(3) The effect of the miracle on Belshazzar Daniel 5:6.

(4) The wise men fail to interpret the writing Daniel 5:7-9.

(5) The queen advises the king of Daniel’s wisdom Daniel 5:10-12.

(6) Daniel brought in and promised rewards to interpret the writing Daniel 5:13-16.

(7) Belshazzar rebuked for his pride and idolatry Daniel 5:17-25.

(8) The handwriting interpreted and Daniel is exalted Daniel 5:26-29.

(9) The handwriting prophecy fulfilled; the Fall of Babylon Daniel 5:30-31.

1. 1 DANIEL’S PERSONAL HISTORY UNDER DARIUS (Dan. 6)

In this chapter we have the record of Daniel continuing as prime minister under the Medes and Persians after the fall of Babylon.

The outline of the chapter is as follows:

(1) Daniel made prime minister under Darius the Mede Daniel 6:1-3.

(2) Ancient politics; the plot against Daniel Daniel 6:4-9.

(3) Daniel steadfast in his worship of the true God Daniel 6:10.

(4) Daniel accused to the king as a lawbreaker Daniel 6:11-13.

(5) The king seeks to deliver Daniel but is powerless Daniel 6:14-15.

(6) Daniel cast into the den of lions Daniel 6:16-17Hebrews 11:33.

(7) The king spends a sleepless night in fasting for Daniel Daniel 6:18-20.

(8) Daniel delivered from the lions by an angel Daniel 6:21-22.

(9) Daniel delivered and his enemies are cast to the lions Daniel 6:23-24.

(10) The decree of Darius that all nations honor the true God Daniel 6:25-28.

IV. The Visions of Daniel Daniel 7:1–12

In this section of Daniel we have the prophetic visions of Daniel concerning world events from his day to the second coming of Christ and the eternal kingdom of the God of Heaven. These visions are all interpreted by God to the prophet and are plainly recorded so there can be no misunderstanding as to any detail. The visions are as follows:

1. 1 The Vision of the Four Beasts Daniel 7:1-27

In Dan. 2 God shows the Gentile world kingdoms to Nebuchadnezzar from the human standpoint, as a great and beautiful metallic image. In Dan. 7 God shows Daniel the same kingdoms from the standpoint of ferocious wild beasts. The beasts are symbols of kingdoms as is clearly stated in Dan. 7:17. “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” All scriptural language is to be taken literally when it is at all possible, or unless there is some clearly stated reason that the language is not to be taken literally. Even all the figurative language is to be interpreted by that which is literal. That the language in the visions of Dan. 7 and 8 are symbolic is clear from the fact that both of these chapters are interpreted for us in detail by an angel from Heaven. Man’s interpretation is no more necessary than it is in understanding Dan. 2 concerning the metals of the image. All anyone has to do is to accept God’s own interpretation and every symbol in these chapters will be clear.

Winds in symbolic passages denote wars, strife, and judgments from God Jeremiah 25:32-33Revelation 7:1-3. Seas represent peoples Revelation 17:15. Beasts represent kingdoms and rulers Daniel 7:17, 23Daniel 8:20-23Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 17:8-17. Heads represent kingdoms Daniel 7:6Daniel 8:20-23Revelation 17:8-17, and horns represent kings or rulers of kingdoms Daniel 7:23-24Revelation 17:12-17. The vision itself is recorded in Dan. 7:1-14 and the interpretation is given in Dan. 7:15-28.

The lion symbolizes Babylon, the same as the head of gold on the image of Dan. 2:38-46. This is clear from the fact that the four beasts symbolize four kingdoms from Daniel’s day on to the eternal kingdom of God Daniel 7:17-25. The vision was seen during the reign of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, and the first beast would naturally represent this kingdom that was in existence when Daniel saw the vision, just as this was true of the first kingdom represented by the metals of the image in Dan. 2:38-46. The wings on the lion symbolize the swiftness of the conquests of the Chaldeans as stated in Hab. 1:6-8; Ezek. 17:1-24. These wings were plucked and the lion stood on its feet as a man, which represents that Babylon no longer was strong as a lion that could rush upon its prey like an eagle and devour it. A man’s heart—weak and faint—took the place of a lion’s strength. Such was the case of Babylon at the end when she was given over to wealth and luxury as seen in Dan. 5. Babylon is also pictured as a lion in Jer. 4:7; 50:17, 43, 44. Since the first beast represents Babylon, the other three naturally represent Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome that succeeded Babylon. (See Point II, 1, (3), A, above.)

The bear symbolizes Medo-Persia the same as the silver in the image of Dan. 2. It raised itself up on one side representing the greater military strength and influence of the Persians. The three ribs in its mouth represent the Medo-Persian conquests of Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt. This kingdom of Medo-Persia is mentioned in Dan. 5:24-31; 6:1-28; 7:5, 17; 8:1-4, 20; 10:1-20; 11:1-2; Isa. 13:17-22; 21:2; 2 Ki. 17:6; 18:11; Esther 2:6. (See Point II, 1, (3), B, above.)

The leopard symbolizes Grecia the same as the brass in the image of Dan. 2. It had four wings of a fowl representing the swiftness of the conquests of Alexander, therein being similar to the lion in Point (1), above. It also had four heads, which represent the four divisions of the empire after the death of Alexander, as we shall see in Point 2, below. This kingdom is mentioned in Dan. 2:32, 35, 39, 45; 7:6, 17; 8:5-25; 10:20; 11:3-45; Zech. 8:13.

This beast symbolizes Rome the same as the iron in the image of Dan. 2. It had great iron teeth and was very strong for it broke in pieces all the beasts that were before it. It had ten horns and later on another little horn, making eleven altogether Daniel 7:23-24. This little horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and spake very great things Daniel 7:8, 19. The beast itself symbolizes the old Roman Empire Daniel 7:7-8, 23Romans 11:48. The ten horns and the “little horn” symbolize different truths as seen below.

The ten horns symbolize ten kingdoms out of the territory of the old Roman Empire that shall arise in the last days and be in existence at the time of the second coming of Christ. The ten horns will make the fifth kingdom dealt with in this chapter. They correspond to the ten toes on the image of Dan. 2 and the ten horns on the beast and dragon in Rev. 12:3; 13:1-4; 17:8-17, for they all exist at the same time and are destroyed the same way and by the same person.

No Revived Roman Empire Taught in Scripture

According to the above scriptures there will be ten kingdoms formed inside the old Roman Empire instead of one empire. Therefore, it is misleading to teach that the Roman Empire will be revived as one vast empire ruled by the Antichrist. We can call these ten kingdoms the Revised Roman Empire for it will be the present twenty-three states inside the Roman Empire territory brought down to ten kingdoms ruled by ten kings. Then and then only can the Antichrist come, as we shall see in the next point. That these ten kingdoms are yet in the future is proven in Rev. 17:12-17. In this passage the ten kings fight against Christ at His second advent, so they must be latter day kings instead of ten barbarous tribes that overran the Roman Empire in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries, as some teach.

Daniel 7:24 states that, “The ten horns out of this kingdom [the fourth, Rome] are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first [the ten], and he shall subdue three kings [of the ten].” This will give him four of the ten kings. The other six of the ten will agree to give their power to this “little horn” and he will form the eighth kingdom of Rev. 17:8-17.

It is clear that this “little horn” arises “after” the ten horns and not “before” them and that he does not have a thing to do with causing the rise of the ten. He does not revise the Roman Empire and is not on the scene of action until after the ten kingdoms are fully formed. These facts exclude the possibility of Stalin, the pope, or any man now prominent in world affairs from being the Antichrist of the future.

The sensational writings of men that some present or historical man will be the future Antichrist is unscriptural, and cause much confusion. The ten horns are the last form of the old Roman Empire and are within the same territory. They were first seen on the beast before Daniel saw the “little hornet come up out of the ten. Daniel said, “As I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn” Daniel 7:8. This “little horn” is yet in the future and is the same as the “beast” in Rev. 13 as proven in the following:

A. Both are conquerors Daniel 7:8, 20Revelation 6:1-2.

B. Both speak blasphemies Daniel 7:8, 20Revelation 13:5.

C. Both prevail against saints Daniel 7:21-25Revelation 13:7.

D. Both control the ten horns Daniel 7:20-25Revelation 13:1Revelation 17:12-14.

E. Both change the times and laws Daniel 7:11, 21Revelation 13:17.

F. Both are slain and given to the burning flame by the same person and at the same time Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:9-11, 18Revelation 19:11-21.

G. Both reign over the ten horns “until the Ancient of days came . . . and the saints possessed the kingdom” Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:8-11, 18Revelation 17:12-14Revelation 19:11-21.

H. Both are destroyed at the second coming of Christ Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 7:9-14Revelation 19:11-21.

I. Both continue for the same length of time Daniel 7:25Revelation 11:2-3Revelation 12:6, 14Revelation 13:5Revelation 19:11-21.

J. Immediately following both, the kingdom of Heaven is set up Daniel 2:44-45Daniel 9:14, 21Luke 1:32-35Isaiah 9:6-7Revelation 19:11-21Revelation 20:1-6.

K. Both come out of the ten kingdoms and subdue three others Daniel 7:7-8, 23Daniel 8:8-9, 20Revelation 6:1-2Revelation 13:1-5Revelation 17:12-17.

L. Both rise “after” the ten horns Daniel 7:7-8, 23Daniel 8:23Revelation 13:1-7Revelation 17:12-17.

M. Both are kings of fierce countenance Daniel 7:8-25Daniel 8:23Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 17:12-172 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

N. Both cause craft to prosper Daniel 7:8, 20Daniel 8:252 Thessalonians 2:4-12Revelation 13:1-18.

O. Both exalt themselves Daniel 7:8, 20Daniel 8:252 Thessalonians 2:4-12Revelation 13:1-18.

P. Both fight against Christ at His coming Daniel 7:20-25Daniel 8:25Revelation 17:12-17Revelation 19:11-212 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

Q. Both shall be destroyed “without hand” Daniel 2:44, 45Daniel 7:9-11, 22Daniel 8:25Revelation 19:11-212 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

R. Both do according to their own will for the same length of time Daniel 7:25Daniel 8:24Daniel 11:362 Thessalonians 2:8-12Revelation 13:5-7.

S. Both will be alive at the second coming of Christ Daniel 7:11Daniel 8:22-25Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:40-452 Thessalonians 2:8-12Revelation 19:19-21.

T. Both will cause the great tribulation Daniel 7:21-27Daniel 8:23-25Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:40-45Daniel 12:1, 7Matthew 24:15-312 Thessalonians 2:1-12Revelation 7:14Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 14:9-11Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:4-6.

U. Both will do away with the Jewish sacrifices in Jerusalem Daniel 7:25Daniel 8:24Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:35-45Daniel 12:7Matthew 24:15.

V. Both will reign from the Jewish temple in Jerusalem Daniel 8:9-14Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:45Daniel 12:72 Thessalonians 2:4Revelation 11:1-2Revelation 13:1-18.

W. Both will disregard the God of their fathers Daniel 7:11Daniel 9:25Daniel 8:22-25Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:38-39John 5:43.

X. Both will honor Satan and get their power from him Daniel 8:24Daniel 11:35-452 Thessalonians 2:8-12Revelation 13:1-4.

1. 1 The Vision of the Ram and the He-Goat (Dan. 8)

This vision deals with only two of the kingdoms symbolized in the metals on the image of Dan. 2 and by the four beasts of Dan. 7—the Medo-Persian and the Grecian. The purpose of this vision is to narrow down the place of the coming of the “little horn” or the Antichrist, geographically, from the ten kingdoms to four of the kingdoms, and reveal that his kingdom will be the Revived Grecian Empire instead of the Revised Roman Empire. The Antichrist is seen in this chapter as coming out of one of the four Grecian divisions, so we can eliminate entirely the other six of the Revised Roman Empire as being the countries from which he will come. In Dan. 7 he is seen coming out of the ten kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire. He uses the kingdom he comes out of, to overthrow three others which are the other three divisions of Greece. Thus he revives the Grecian Empire by coming out of one of its divisions and overthrowing the other three. The six kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire which were never a part of the Grecian Empire will submit to him, and his kingdom will then become the eighth of Rev. 17:8-17, which immediately succeeds the seventh or Revised Rome, but which is destroyed by Christ at His coming. The Antichrist arises at the beginning of the Seventieth Week of Daniel and in 3½ years conquers and gains control of all the ten kingdoms which he will rule for the last 3½ years of the Seventieth Week. All the kings will continue to rule under him, but as subordinate kings during this short period.

The vision of the ram and the he-goat is given in Dan. 8:1-18 and interpreted in Dan. 8:19-27. Such expressions as “at the time of the end shall be the vision . . . the last end of the indignation . . . the end shall be . . . the latter time of their kingdom . . . stand up against the Prince of princes . . . broken without hand” prove that the vision concerns the last days just before the coming of Christ to Earth.

The ram symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire the same as the silver in the image of Dan. 2 and the bear of Dan. 7. It had two horns corresponding to the two arms on the image of Dan. 2 and represents the two leaders of the Empire, Darius the Median, and Cyrus the Persian. The ram did according to its own will for a period but at the height of his power an he-goat came from the west and destroyed the ram, representing the conquests of Medo-Persia by Greece.

The he-goat symbolizes the Grecian Empire the same as the brass in the image of Dan. 2 and the leopard in Dan. 7. He came from the face of the west and touched not the ground as he went, representing the swiftness of Alexander’s conquests. The he-goat had a notable horn between the eyes, representing the first king or Alexander the Great. The notable horn was broken (Alexander died) and in its place there came up four notable ones (horns) toward the four winds of Heaven, representing the division of the Grecian Empire into four parts.

Daniel predicted that the third or the Grecian Empire would be divided into four parts Daniel 8:8, 9Daniel 11:4. This was fulfilled after the death of Alexander the Great when four of his generals seized upon his empire as follows:

A. Cassander took Greece and Macedon.

B. Lysimachus took Asia Minor or present Turkey and Thrace.

C. Seleucus took all the eastern parts of the empire including the modern states of Syria, Irak, and Iran.

D. Ptolemy took the kingdom of Egypt. Palestine became a buffer state between Syria and Egypt who waged war with each other for about 150 years ending in 165 b.c. with the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria.

All these divisions except the extreme eastern part of the kingdom of Seleucus were conquered by the Romans and they became a part of the old Roman Empire. These four divisions of Greece will become four of the ten kingdoms that will be formed inside the old Roman Empire in the last days.

Daniel saw the “little horn” coming out of one of the four divisions of the Grecian Empire Daniel 8:8-9, 21. He said, “And out of one of them came forth the little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” This was to be “in the latter time of their kingdom” and it must yet be in the future for these kingdoms still exist Daniel 8:23. These four divisions are known today as Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt. In Dan. 7 we have the Antichrist coming from ten kingdoms inside the Roman Empire and if we did not have the vision of Dan. 8 we could believe that he could come from England, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Albania, or some other part of the old Roman Empire outside of the four divisions of the Grecian Empire. But since we have in Daniel 8 the narrowing down of the Antichrist from ten kingdoms to four of the ten and definitely limiting his coming from either Greece, Turkey, Syria, or Egypt, we must therefore limit his coming from one of these four countries.

If the Antichrist is coming from either Greece, Turkey, Syria, or Egypt, then it is definite that he cannot come from Italy, the Vatican, England, America, Germany, Russia, or any other country of the world, as men have been teaching in the past for a number of years. Therefore, all the foolish speculation of the past about Mussolini, Hitler, Judas Iscariot, Antiochus Epiphanes, and many others has been unscriptural. Likewise the present speculation that the pope, Stalin, or some other man is the Antichrist is unscriptural.

This much is clear, no man knows who the Antichrist will be for he has not yet come and cannot come until after the ten kingdoms are formed inside the Roman Empire and until after the rapture of the Church, as we have seen in past supplements and as we shall see in future lessons. It is also clear that Antichrist cannot be any man in past history, as we shall see. These facts automatically eliminate about 90 to 95 percent of modern prophetic teaching on the Antichrist, Italy, Russia, and Germany. Antichrist will not come from any of these countries nor will he reign from any of the capitals of these countries. In Point 3, below, we shall show that Antichrist will come from the Syrian division of the Grecian Empire.

If ten kingdoms are to be formed inside the old Roman Empire from twenty-three present states in that territory, then it is clear that there will be at least another war in Europe, Asia, and Africa in order for this to be fulfilled. When the ten kingdoms are formed then Dan. 7:23-24 will be fulfilled. We call these ten kingdoms the Revised Roman Empire which is symbolized by the ten toes on the great image of Dan. 2, the ten horns on the fourth beast of Dan. 7:7-8, 19-24, the ten horns on the dragon and beast of Rev. 12, 13, and 17. This formation of the ten kingdoms will be necessary to fulfill both Dan. 7 and 8.

After a tri-continent war has been waged and is over and the ten kingdoms are formed and they exist for a short time Revelation 17:8-12, then the Antichrist will arise out of one of the ten kingdoms. That is, he will come from one of the eastern four of the ten, and he will start another war. He shall subdue three of the ten in his rise to power over the ten Daniel 7:23-24Daniel 8:8-9, 21. He will make a seven-years covenant with the new nation of Israel and break it in the middle of the seven years and start another war Daniel 9:27Daniel 11:36-45. It takes him 3½ years to get power over these three kingdoms that he subdues. By that time the countries of the north and east unite to make war on the nations inside the Roman Empire. In these circumstances the other six of the ten kingdoms he does not overthrow will give their kingdoms to him and make him their leader against these countries of the north and east Daniel 11:40-45. God puts it into the hearts of the ten to give their kingdoms to the Antichrist and to help him in these new wars Revelation 17:12-17. The Antichrist becomes the victor over these countries in the last 3½ years of this age and becomes the chief ruler of Russia, Germany, etc. He then gathers these newly conquered countries against the Jews and seeks to stop Christ from setting up His kingdom Revelation 19:11-21.

Thus Antichrist rises after the ten kingdoms are formed and in the first 3½ years of Daniel’s Seventieth Week he revives the Grecian Empire by getting power over the four original divisions of the Grecian Empire. Then the other six of the ten kingdoms making up the Revised Roman Empire will submit to him without a struggle so as to unite against Germany, Russia, and other countries of the north and east during the last 3½ years of this age.

The Revised Roman Empire will exist as ten separate kingdoms for a short time before Antichrist comes. When he does come he gets power over these ten kingdoms and he then forms the eighth kingdom of Rev. 17:8-17. It is this eighth kingdom that will be under one ruler, the Antichrist. The seventh kingdom made up of the ten kingdoms will be succeeded by this eighth one under Antichrist. Thus there are two world empires yet in the future, the Revised Roman and the Revived Grecian, as seen on your chart in the Dispensation of Grace. (See the map in the Dispensation of Human Government for the Roman Empire territory out of which will be formed the ten kingdoms of the latter days.)

1. 1 The Kings of the North and the South Daniel 10:1–12

Daniel received this vision after much prayer and fasting Daniel 10:1-3. He saw a vision of the Son of God Daniel 10:4-9. Then the angel Gabriel touched him and stated he had been detained twenty-one days by “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” Daniel 10:10-13. Note the divine and angelic appearances in this book Daniel 3:25Daniel 4:13, 17Daniel 6:22Daniel 7:16Daniel 8:13-14, 16Daniel 9:21Daniel 10:4-8, 10Daniel 12:1, 5. The words “prince” and “princes” in Dan. 10:13 come from the Hebrew sar, which means “a chief ruler.” It is generally rendered “prince” in this book Daniel 1:7, 8Daniel 8:11, 25Daniel 9:6, 8Daniel 10:13, 20Daniel 11:5Daniel 12:1.

These spirit rulers may be good or bad. In this chapter, they are good and bad angels who control certain kingdoms. “The prince of Persia” Daniel 10:13, 20 is the satanic ruler of the kingdom of Persia, a mighty wicked angel who could detain in actual struggle the angel Gabriel dispatched by God to reveal to Daniel this vision in answer to prayer. Michael, one of God’s chief rulers, had to deliver Gabriel and help him get through these spirit forces to Daniel. Michael is the good angel who is Israel’s Prince and is never mentioned apart from them Daniel 10:13, 21Daniel 12:1Revelation 12:7.

In Dan. 10:20 we have another satanic prince mentioned, “the prince of Grecia,” who was to rule the Grecian kingdom when it came, as the satanic “prince of Persia” was then ruling the kingdom of Persia. Gabriel told Daniel that on his return he was to fight with “the prince of Persia” in order that “the prince of Grecia” might come Daniel 10:20. God must defeat satanic forces over each present existing kingdom of the world before He will bring other kingdoms on the scene to fulfill other parts of His prophetic Word. In Dan. 10:21 Daniel is told that “Michael your prince” (the prince of Israel) was Gabriel’s helper as he (Gabriel) was Michael’s helper two years previously in the first year of Darius, in order that the satanic “prince of Babylon” might be overthrown and “the prince of Persia” might come Daniel 11:1.

In Dan. 10:14-19 we have the subject of the vision. It concerns “what shall befall thy people [Israel] in the latter days: for the vision is yet for many days.” The vision really begins in Dan. 11:2 with the revelation that three kings were to follow the Cyrus of Dan. 10:1. The “fourth” was to be richer than all the other three kings and by his strength and through his riches he was to stir up “all against the realm of Grecia.” These four kings were Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius I of profane history, and Xerxes. Alexander the Great is the “mighty king” of Dan. 11:3 whose kingdom was divided into four parts as stated in Dan. 7:6; 8:8-9, 21-23; 11:40. In Dan. 11:3-31 we have a somewhat detailed vision of the history of two of these four divisions, “the king of the south” (Egypt), and “the king of the north” (Syria) for a period of over 150 years, ending with the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, 165 b.c. Daniel 11:32-35 describe the condition of Israel in general from the beginning of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, and then during his reign, to the “time of the end.”

The Antichrist, the King of the North

Daniel 11:36–12:13 definitely identifies the Antichrist as “the king of the north” (Syria) at “the time of the end.” The whole purpose of this vision was to show “what shall befall thy people [Israel] in the latter days” Daniel 10:14 under the last Syrian king who is foreshadowed by Antiochus Epiphanes Daniel 11:21-34, and to narrow down the coming of the Antichrist, geographically, from the four divisions of Grecia to one—the Syrian division. The visions of Dan. 2 and 7 were given to show the formation of ten kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire and that the Antichrist was coming out of one of these ten kingdoms and would lead these nations against Christ at His second advent. The purpose of Dan. 8 was to give additional information to that of Dan. 2 and 7 and was given to narrow down the coming of the Antichrist, geographically, from the ten kingdoms to the four divisions of the Grecian Empire, which will make four of the ten kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire before Antichrist comes. The purpose of the last vision Daniel 10:1–12 was to narrow down the coming of the Antichrist, geographically, from the four divisions of the Grecian Empire to one of these divisions, the Syrian, and complete the visions of Daniel concerning the last days and the reign of the Messiah.

Daniel 11:35–12:13 is the third and last description of the Antichrist in Daniel. Note the following description of him here as compared to Dan. 7-8; 2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13-17.

1. He shall do according to his will Daniel 11:36Daniel 8:242 Thessalonians 2:10-12Revelation 13:5-7.

2. He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god Daniel 11:36, 37Daniel 8:252 Thessalonians 2:4.

3. He shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods Daniel 11:36Revelation 13:1-72 Thessalonians 2:4.

4. He shall prosper TILL the indignation (tribulation, Dan. 8:19; Rev. 6-19) be accomplished Daniel 11:362 Thessalonians 2:8Revelation 19:11-21.

5. He shall not regard the God of his fathers Daniel 11:37Daniel 8:25Revelation 13:1-72 Thessalonians 2:4John 5:43.

6 He shall honor a god whom his fathers knew not Daniel 11:38-392 Thessalonians 2:8Revelation 13:1-4.

7. He shall exist at the time of the end and be successful in his conquests in the same territories as in previous chapters Daniel 11:40-42Revelation 13:1-10Revelation 17:8-17.

8. He shall reign from Jerusalem “in the glorious holy mountain” and have his throne in the temple Daniel 11:452 Thessalonians 2:4Revelation 11:1-2Revelation 12:1-17Revelation 13:1-18.

9. He shall cause the greatest time of trouble ever on the Earth Daniel 12:1Daniel 8:19, 24Daniel 9:27Matthew 24:15-232 Thessalonians 2:8-12Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 15:2-4Revelation 20:1-6.

10. He shall war on Israel during the same time and length as the “little horn” and “beast” Daniel 12:7Daniel 8:24Matthew 24:15-23.

11. He shall take away the daily sacrifices and cause the abomination of desolation Daniel 12:11Daniel 8:24-25Matthew 24:152 Thessalonians 2:4.

12. He shall come to an end Daniel 11:45Daniel 8:252 Thessalonians 2:8Revelation 19:11-21Revelation 20:10.

The Three Periods of Daniel 12

1. 1 The “time, times and an half,” or the 3½ years Daniel 12:7, are the forty-two months of Antichrist’s war on Israel till God shall have brought them to the place where every rebel is purged from Israel and willing to do His will Ezekiel 20:33-38Zechariah 13:9Malachi 3:3. Antichrist could easily destroy Israel in a short time after he breaks his covenant with them, if God were not to interfere. But God will supernaturally cause the ground to open and swallow the armies of the dragon and Antichrist as they flee after Israel when she goes into the wilderness of Moab and Edom to escape from the hands of Antichrist Daniel 11:41Isaiah 16:1-5Matthew 24:16Revelation 12:14-17 and He will protect the remnant of the woman which does not flee into the wilderness through stirring up the countries of the north and east against the Antichrist. Antichrist leaves the remnant during the last 3½ years and goes forth to conquer these nations, which keeps him occupied during this time. Then after conquering these countries, he leads them and many other nations against Jerusalem to destroy it, but God comes and puts an end to Gentile dominion and delivers Israel (Zech. 14; Rev. 19).

1. 1 The next period is an addition of 30 days to the 1,260 days of the above-mentioned period, during which time the cleansing of the city and the erection of the Millennial Temple of Ezek. 40-43; Zech. 6:12-13 will perhaps take place, as well as the gathering of the nations to judgment Matthew 25:31-46.

1. 1 The last period is 1,335 days, an addition of 45 days to the second period, during which time the nations and Israel will be judged and the kingdom of Heaven actually set up Matthew 24:31Matthew 25:31-46.