Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 3 * PART 4 * BOOK 80
DANIEL – PART III – 4
Daniel 4:26 – 7:8
Okay, program number four for the afternoon. We’re all back, and we’ll get right on with it so we can get out on time and be on our way home. For those of you out in television, I trust you know by now that we put four of these programs together in one afternoon. If you’re ever in the Tulsa area, we’d love to have you stop by. The food is all gone, isn’t it? It’s just unbelievable. I went over to see if there was anything left, and, no, it’s all gone. So, if you want a good afternoon of snacks and meat from the Word – why, come in and see us.
Okay, we’re going to pick right up where we left off in Daniel chapter 7. Then we’re going to run back to the New Testament. We’ll get a brief picture, where I’m not getting real in depth. And again, I always realize that when it comes to these prophetic things, it’s just like chronology. You can’t find two prophecy guys that agree. Everybody has their own idea.
And I still like to stick pretty much to the ones I’ve had over the years. I’ve seen no reason to change a lot. Now, I know with the advent of Islam and the Muslim world, a lot of the prophecy guys are going in that direction—that the anti-Christ will be Muslim and all that. But I don’t think so. He may be Muslim, but he will still come out of a revived Roman Empire, and that, of course, means Western Europe. You want to remember that Europe is turning Muslim so fast, it’s no problem for somebody in the European government to be a Muslim.
But anyway, the anti-Christ is probably alive and well. I think so. I think we’re that close. He will never be made known while we’re here, because he cannot make his move until after the Church is gone, as II Thessalonians tells us. But we’ll look ahead at him a little bit. You know, I don’t like to spend a lot of time on these things. We’re going to be gone in the Rapture anyway. This isn’t what really matters.
It’s all right to have a cursory knowledge of these things, but don’t get all hung up on those final seven years—because, after all, we’re gone. One of the most ridiculous statements I ever got was the guy who wrote, “I can’t agree with you on a pre-trib Rapture. I want to be here.” Imagine? He can have it! He thought he wanted to be here to witness it. Well, these kinds of people are so ignorant. Just as soon as the Church is gone, our Gospel of Grace ends. And that’s the only Gospel that he would know, I would think.
But you see, Jesus made it so plain in Matthew 24, that when these final seven years start, it will go back to the Kingdom Gospel, Matthew 24:14, “And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world…and then shall the end come.” Well, when’s the end coming? When the seven years are finished! So somebody of the Grace persuasion won’t get very far in those seven years. So, it’s ridiculous to even think in those terms. If you’re saved, you’ll go in the Rapture; if you’re lost, you will stay.
All right, we left off in Daniel 7. I’ll read it again before we jump into the New Testament and pick up some more descriptions of this little horn who comes up out of the Ten. Daniel chapter 7 once again, just to pick up where we left off—verse 8.
Daniel saw in verse 7, of course, a vision of this beast who had ten horns. Now remember, these beasts are all governments. They’re not wild animals. They’re merely symbolic of these empires that would be coming, and this last revived Roman Empire would have ten horns—ten nation states or ten governments. All right, verse 8 again:
Daniel 7:8a
“I considered the horns, (in other words, these ten nations) and, behold there came up among them another little horn, (in the midst of the ten) before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots:…”
In other words, I think it’s the three nations that are the smallest in the European Union. I’ve said this for 35 years, and I see no reason to change. It will be the three little nations of The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. They’re all three part of the ten of the European Nations, and I think that they will all of a sudden just lose their identity. Out of those ten nations, then, will come this man anti-Christ.
Daniel 7:8b
“…among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn (this coming world leader, the anti-Christ) were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.” And I made my comment just before the end of the half hour, that he will be charismatic. He’s going to be a smooth-tongued manipulator. He’s going to be brilliant, and the world will fall at his feet.
All right, come up with me now into the New Testament. We’ll go to II Thessalonians chapter 2 where is one of the few instances Paul makes a reference to Old Testament prophecy. But he hits the nail right on the head, of course, because the Holy Spirit inspired him to write it. II Thessalonians chapter 2 starting at verse 3 and we’ve looked at these verses many, many times over the years.
II Thessalonians 2:3
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (That is the beginning of those final seven years when the peace treaty is signed between Israel and the Muslim world, brokered by this man anti-Christ.)shall not come, except (or unless) there come (a departure first) a falling away first, and that man of sin (See, that was one of his titles in Scripture) and that man of sin (the one horn of Daniel) be revealed,(Here’s another title.) the son of perdition;” These are all titles concerning this man anti-Christ. Now look how Paul describes the son of perdition.
II Thessalonians 3:4a
“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, (In other words, the world is going to forget all about the God of Scripture, and this guy is the one to whom they’re going to be loyal.) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God…” The anti-Christ will actually be like the Caesars, you know, who claimed Deity. Only this guy is going to do it even to a greater extent.
II Thessalonians 3: 4b
“…so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, (Which, of course, will be reconstructed in the first three-and-a-half years by virtue of the seven-year peace treaty.) so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, (Which will be rebuilt in Jerusalem) showing (or letting the world know) himself that he is God.”
All right, now that’s Paul’s account. Now let’s come back to Revelation chapter 13 and John the Revelator gives us another description of this same individual. And remember, he will be a human, born of a woman. But in the middle of the seven years, Satan is going to indwell him like he did Judas at Christ’s first advent.
Revelation 13:1
“(John writes) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, (a symbolic picture of the sea of humanity—the teaming billions of the world’s population. And out of the sea of humanity–) and saw a beast (Now again, this is a symbolic picture of this political world leader that’s coming.) rise up out of the sea, (out of humanity) having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Now, the beast in Revelation I usually picture as two entities. It can be the government of that final seven years, and it can be the man anti-Christ. Now here, of course, we’re dealing with this government with the ten horns and so forth—which I still feel is the composite of the European Union. And this government that will be coming forth will have all the vestiges of the previous empires before. I’ve gone over this a hundred times.
The Babylonian was what? The banking system. The Medes and the Persians were commerce. They are still known for their carpet production and so forth The Greek Empire was known for its intellectualism—the arts and the sciences and the architecture and the literature and so forth. That was all part of the Greek Empire. Well, it’s still with us. Then the Roman Empire was predominately known for its democratic form of government and the courts of justice.
That’s why Paul, when he couldn’t make first base there in Israel in Caesarea, who did he appeal to? Caesar. Why? Because the Roman government prided itself that a man was innocent until proven guilty. Well, isn’t that our credo. Absolutely! So where did it all begin? In the Roman Empire. That was unheard of in the first three empires. So, you have all those attributes of the first four great Gentile empires coming together now in a revived Roman Empire. And I feel it’s headed up by the European Union. That’s why I said, thirty-some years ago, that the Euro would appear and it would go right by the dollar. Well, it did. And it still is. And now, I think, we’re probably headed to a completely new global currency, but that’s neither here nor there.
But here in chapter 13, we have the appearance, first, of the seven year government out of which will come this great world despot. All right, so now in verse 2:
Revelation 13:2
“And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, (the vestiges of the Greek Empire) and his feet were as the feet of a bear, (the remains of the Medes and the Persians) and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (the remains of the Babylonian): and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.” But now, remember, who is Sovereign above Satan? Well, God is. God is still the One that’s in control. So this man will come into authority and power and satanic indwelling by virtue of God’s Sovereignty.
All right, now in order to see how Satan is going to indwell this individual, back up a page or two in Revelation to chapter 12. Now, these are things that are hard to take except by faith. You cannot put two and two together and make it make sense, because it’s not the way we normally consider these things. But the Word of God says it, and that’s what we have to go by. Revelation chapter 12 and we’re at the midpoint. That’s obvious because of verses 5 and 6, so at the midpoint of those final seven years, verse 7:
Revelation 12:7-8
“And there was war in heaven: (Who would ever think of war in the Glories of Heaven? But there’s going to be.) Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; (Who’s the dragon? Satan.) and the dragon (or Satan) fought and his angels, (in other words, all his demonic hordes) 8. And prevailed not; neither was their place (that is Satan and his demons) found any more in heaven.” And here’s why.
Revelation 12:9
“And the great dragon was cast out, (out of heaven) that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Now, just to make this more believable, come all the way back to the Book of Job—which is probably one of the first portions of Scripture put to print. Job. You all know the account. But again, I want to have you see it with your own eyes. The Book of Job chapter 1 verse 6—I trust you all know them, but let’s look at it. Now, why am I coming back here? That Satan has access to heaven.
Job 1:6
“Now there was a day when the sons of God (Which in this case, we feel, were the angelic hosts.) came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.” You see that? In other words, when God is having a conference with his angelic hosts, old Satan is in the midst of them. Verse 7:
Job 1:7-8a
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? (Where’d you come from?) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job,…” All I want you to see, was that Satan was already having access into the heavenlies clear back here at the time of Job.
All right, come back with me quickly, then, to Revelation chapter 12. Now at the midpoint of the Tribulation:
Revelation 12:9b-10a
“…Satan was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God,…” I’ve been emphasizing throughout these last years of television that there’s coming an earthly kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule and reign. Well, at this point now in Scripture, it’s just three-and-a-half years away.
Revelation 12:10b
“…Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: (Why?) for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, (That is, out of heaven.) who accuseth them before our God day and night.”
Now that’s hard for us to comprehend. But I have taught it before, and I’ll say it again—every time one of us sins, who points it out to God? Satan does. He’s right there, “See what your servant just did?” He’s a constant accuser of you and me as believers. All right, now verse 11.
Revelation 12:11-12
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe(Now watch this carefully.) to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil (Satan) is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” How long? Three-and-half years.
Now, isn’t it evident that at the midpoint of the Tribulation he’s cast out of heaven knowing he only has three-and-a-half years left? He’s going to pour out everything of his vile and his power and his hatred, particularly to the nation of Israel, but to humanity in general. That’s why I, many times, make the statement that the Tribulation’s last three-and-a-half years, which Psalms calls the wrath and vexation of God, is also the wrath and vexation of Satan. So, it’s double-barreled. It’s a doubled-barreled attack on planet earth by virtue of this satanic being.
All right, now when he comes down to the earth, he’s going to indwell this man anti-Christ. That’s where he’ll get his power according to this verse in chapter 13. Now then, come back to Revelation 13 verse 2, repeated.
Revelation 13:2
“And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, (This is the empire. The government has all, like I said earlier, the vestiges of the previous four.) and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.” So, Satan is going to indwell him just like he did Judas of old.
Revelation 13:3
“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered (or were amazed) after the beast.” And now, of course, we’re not talking about the empire; we’re talking about the individual.
Revelation 13:4-5a
“And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) who gave power unto the beast: (the man anti-Christ) and they worshipped the beast (anti-Christ), saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5. And there was given unto him a mouth…” Remember what Daniel said—he will come speaking flatteries. He has the wherewithal to speak fluently.
Revelation 13:5
“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; (He’s satanic to the core, remember.) and power (first, from Satan; but sovereignly under God) was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” See, that’s why I can definitely say this is the middle of the seven years. Because what’s forty-two months? Three-and-a-half years. And he’s going to continue until the end, which is the end of the seven years.
Revelation 13:6
“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” See, that’s what Daniel foretold at first, and the Lord Jesus repeated it in Matthew 24. And that is in the middle of the seven years.
I think we’ve got time. Go back to Daniel a minute, so that you’ll see where I’m coming from. Go back to Daniel. Jump ahead a couple of chapters from where we are, and go to chapter 9. These are verses I think most of my listeners are aware of. That in the middle of the week, that final seven years that as yet has not been consummated—it’s still out there in the future regardless of what some of these scoffers may say. The prince that shall come up there in verse 26–
Daniel 9:27
“And he shall confirm (or make) the covenant (or a treaty) with many (It will involve Israel and the whole Arab world—the whole Middle East.) for one week: (Or seven years—it will be a seven-year treaty. But here’s the kicker. Here’s the whole clue.) and in the midst of the week (or at the end of three-and-a-half years) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it (that is the restored Temple in Jerusalem) desolate, (He will defile it.) even until the consummation, (in other words, the end of those three-and-a-half years) and that determined (In other words, everything that’s been prophesied.) shall be poured upon the desolator.”
All right now, that’s the horn that we talked of in chapter 6. Now back to Revelation 13. This is the man anti-Christ in all of his satanic power. And with that power, of course, he’s going to just literally get the world to fall at his feet. All right, back to Revelation 13 So here, again, is a reference to that rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. He’s going to blaspheme—verse 6.
Revelation 13:6b-7
“…to blaspheme the name of God, and his tabernacle, (In other words, the Temple that had been operating for three-and-a-half years. He shuts it down. But he’s also going to blaspheme the–) and them that dwell in heaven. 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, (or languages and dialects) and nations.” In other words, he’s going to have total control of the whole world’s population.
Now, I had a fellow in the business world tell me already two years ago, that the world now has computer capability of giving a bio—about a one page biography—of every human being on earth. All seven billion of them. So he will have total control of every individual and will be able to track them. You know, this is mind-boggling, and yet it shouldn’t be any more when we see the technology that’s exploding around us.
All right, so he’s going to have total political power under the satanic power, but still under God’s Sovereignty. All right, now verse 8 and, listen, when you see what is happening right here in our own country; my, this isn’t hard to believe. This next verse:
Revelation 13:8a
“And all that dwelleth upon the earth shall (What?) worship him,…” Why? They’ll think he’s the messiah. Israel is going to take him as the Messiah, and the rest of the world will fall in suit. So they’ll worship him, those who have never become believers.
Revelation 13:8b-9
“…whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9. If any man have an ear, let him hear.” Wake up! Be aware of what’s taking place in the world now-a-days. We are in exciting times, no doubt about it. Now then verse 10:
Revelation 13:10
“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” This world ruler with absolute power, almost like Nebuchadnezzar of old, will be ruling planet earth at least for the last three-and-a-half years. Now, he will be evident in the first three-and-a-half, but not with the satanic power. He’s going to be more or less doing it on his own. But he’s still going to be something to be dealt with through the first three-and-a-half years.
All right, then his “sidekick,” if I can call it that, is in chapter 11. And that is another beast, or another human personality, coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but speaks also as a dragon. We call this individual, then, the False Prophet. Now where we get the title is in chapter 19. I think we’ve got time to look over there a minute. So these two men working in consort, under the power of Satan, will literally control planet earth. All right, we pick them up in their end in Revelation 19 verse 20. Then we’re going to close.
Revelation 19:20a
“And the beast (the man anti-Christ) was taken, and with him the false prophet…” The one with the two horns like the lamb—he is a religious leader under the world religion that’s coming.
Revelation 19:20b
“…These were both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with fire and brimstone.” So those are the two major characters of those final seven years—the Beast anti-Christ, and the False Prophet.