High Time to Awake

Much of Daniel chapter 8 is ancient history

But Daniel 8:9 predicts the Antichrist

By Craig C. White

Daniel chapter 8:3-8 describes the Mede & Persian Empire as it conquers the old world and then is defeated by the Grecian Empire. The two horns on the ram represent Persia and the Medes who were dual rulers over the Mede & Persian Empire. In verse 5 we are introduced to the Grecian Empire. The one notable horn represents Alexander the great. After Alexander died the Grecian Empire was divided into four parts (see verse 8).

Dan 8:3-8 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. 5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

Many Bible prophecy teachers don’t see end time fulfillment in Daniel chapter 8 until it starts talking about Antiochus Epiphanies. It does that twice. Once beginning at verse 9 and again in its interpretation beginning at verse 23. That is because we are also told elsewhere in the Bible about the end time invasion of Jerusalem and the ending of the temple sacrifices.
In Daniel chapter 8:9 we are introduced to Antiochus Epiphanies who was the ruler over one quarter of the Grecian Empire. Most Bible teachers think that Antiochus is a model for the Antichrist. The Antichrist will conquer Egypt, invade Jerusalem, and stop the temple sacrifice just like Antiochus did in 167 BC.

Dan 8:9-12 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Daniel chapter 8 interprets itself beginning at Daniel 8:19.

Dan 8:19-25 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Some prominent Bible teachers try to apply Daniel chapter 8:3-8 to end time events which only results in confusion. The result is that they begin looking for a Greek king to die and for his kingdom to be divided into four parts. They think that the Antichrist will come out of that divided kingdom. I think that this is an unfortunate assumption. There is no hint or indication that Daniel chapter 8:3-8 refers to end time events. On the other hand the historic actions of Antiochus Epiphanies obviously do correlate to the predicted end time invasion of Jerusalem by the Antichrist. The Antichrist will invade Jerusalem and stop the temple sacrifices just like Antiochus Epiphanie did. That is easy to see. The end time invasion of Jerusalem is a major theme in both the Old and New Testaments (See Daniel 12:11, Matthew 24:15, and 2Thessalonians 2:4). Attempting to fit the events described in Daniel 8:3-8 into an end time scenario prevents many Bible teachers from proclaiming outright that Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. Blindness in part has happened to the Christians.

If we look at the way that Bible prophecy paints the development of ancient world empires with broad strokes then we can see how we might look at future world events. There is no surprise character that suddenly appears upsetting the play just before it ends.

Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. He is showing himself more and more each day. Much of the Islamic world has already pledged their allegiance to Erdogan as their promised Mahdi. Erdogan is being worshiped as god and he isn’t complaining about it. Turkish President Erdogan is craftily grabbing complete control in Turkey. He has told the world over and over again that he intends to be the Sultan of a revived Ottoman Empire. Why can’t Christians recognize this? It is High Time to Awake! Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist! Our salvation is so much nearer than when we first believed!

Check out the Antichrist Checklist

Read my first book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist

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