Daniel 8

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler

THE RAM AND THE GOAT (Daniel 8:1-8)

The focus is back on Israel

This vision, like the vision of Daniel 7, is given before the fall of Babylon, during the reign of Belshazzar. Starting with Daniel 8, however, the narrative switches back to Hebrew, a hint that the focus of the subject has now switched from the Gentiles back to the Jews.

The Ram is the Persian Empire (Daniel 8:3-4, 20)

The Persian Empire started out as Media Persia because Cyrus was both a Mede and a Persian, and under his rule, he united both peoples. However, as the empire grew, Persia became greater. Cyrus conquered like no other kings before him and established a great empire (Daniel 8:4).

The Goat is the Grecian Empire (Daniel 8:5-8, 21)

The Goat attacked so fast, it doesn't touch the ground. The Ram is a larger animal and stronger than the Goat. Yet with speed, the Goat nails the Ram (Daniel 8:5-6).

Alexander the Great, at 20 years old, assumed the throne of his father, Philip of Macedon. Within 6 years, Alexander the Great swiftly conquered the great Persian Empire with his skills and great speed (Daniel 8:7). At 30 years old (just another 4 years), Alexander the Great's kingdom stretched from the Mediterranean to the Hindu Cush. And just as quickly as he came up, Alexander the Great died at the very young age of 32 years old. He had a very short but impressive career, conquering many nations in a short amount of time. It was said that at 29 years old, Alexander the Great fell to his bed crying that there was no more worlds left to conquer!

At its peak, the Goat's large horn is broken (Daniel 8:8, 22)

Alexander the Great rose to greatness at 32 years old and died. When he was on his death bed, he told his advisors that his throne shall be given to the strong (as opposed to his heir). This led to the division of his empire among his top four generals (Cf. Daniel 7:6, where the Leopard had 4 heads, stressing again the 4 kingdoms that rose out of Alexander the Great's empire).

The Four Kingdoms after Alexander the Great

Cassander (Macedonia, including Greece)

Antigonus (Asia)

Seleucus (Asia)

Ptolemy (Egypt)

ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES IS THE LITTLE HORN (Daniel 8:9-14)

The Little Horn of Daniel 8:9 is not the same as the one that arises out of the 10 kings (Daniel 7:7-8). For an obvious reason, the two horns are of different time periods.

Satan is the power behind kings of the earth (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28)

Antiochus Epiphanes is mentioned here for historical reasons but also prophetic reasons. He will set the stage for the final world leader.

Antiochus Epiphanes reigned as the 8th king of the Syrian Empire from 175-164 BC. He messed around with God's rituals, preventing sacrifices, etc. He went out of the way to make the lives of Israelites miserable. He outlawed Mosaic Judaism and murdered God's people who chose to continue to follow God.

2300 "Days" (Daniel 8:14, KJV)

The Hebrew text for "day" should really be translated as "evenings and mornings" (which is reflected in the NIV translation).

Are the days 24-hour days? There aren't currently any precise data to suggest it is. However, if it were, it would fit loosely with the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes that eventually led to the Macabbean revolt and the cleansing of the Temple within 6-7 years (Daniel 8:9-14).

Antiochus Epiphanes's deeds culminated at the erecting of an idol in the Holy of Holies. The Macabbeans took that as the last draw, and in three years, they successfully revolted against and overthrown Antiochus Epiphanes. The Temple was then re-dedicated, and this successful revolt is celebrated every year as Hanukkah.

The "evenings and mornings" could also be referring to offerings, aka evening and morning offerings. Thus, 2300 evening and morning offerings would actually be 1150 days. This is 110 days short of 1260 days (the most documented period of time known as the Great Tribulation). Scholars therefore suspect that this is using Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist.

ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES FORESHADOWS THE ANTICHRIST (Daniel 8:15-25)

The purpose of this vision is not just the Ram or the Goat. It is also to provide insight on the character of Antiochus Epiphanes. Why? Because he foreshadows the coming world leader, the Antichrist to come.

Daniel 8:19

This vision is related to the end times. 

Daniel 8:23

There is a switch in tone here. The focus switches to talk about the LATTER DAYS, where transgressors have come to full.

THE ANTICHRIST

"King of fierce countenance" (KJV)

This is one of the 33 titles used in the Old Testament to describe the Antichrist.

"Not by his own power" (Daniel 8:24)

The Antichrist, just as Antiochus Epiphanes was, will be powered by Satan (Revelation 12:9, 13).

"By peace he shall destroy many" (Daniel 8:25)

The Antichrist will not come as a military leader but a peacemaker who eventually becomes very powerful. 

The Antichrist will... (Daniel 8:24-25)

- Achieve great power by subduing others 

- Rise to power by promising false security

- Be intelligent and persuasive

- Be controlled by another, namely Satan

- Be a great adversary of Israel

- Subjugate Israelites to his authority 

- Rise up in opposition to the Prince of princes, Jesus Christ 

- Be terminated by divine judgment

Revelation 19

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler
http://www.god.tv/node/2609


THE RETURN OF THE KING

The Christmas Story (Luke 1:31-33)
"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

The Throne of David did not exist during Jesus’s ministry. Jesus has never sat on the throne of David. He is on His Father’s throne today.

This is what Revelation 19 is about: Jesus coming to sit on the Throne of David!

God's Promise about the Throne of David
- The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:11-16)
- God promised David a royal dynasty (Isaiah 7:13)
- An eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:13, 16, 19; 1 Chronicles 17:12; 22:10; Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 37:25)
- A political kingdom (Genesis 17:2-8)
- It was even confirmed by oath (Psalm 132:11; 89:3, 4, 34)
- This cannot be applied to the Church; the Church has not replaced Israel! (Ezekiel 37:21-28)
- It was this future throne that was recognized by the First Church Council in Acts 16 (Acts 15: 16-18, quoting Amos 9:11-12, Cf. Jeremiah 30:7, 11, 18).

The oldest prophecy in the Bible is about the second coming of Jesus (Jude 1:14-15)
"It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'"


PRAISE GOD FOR HIS JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS (Revelation 19:1-8)
The 24 Elders is no longer mentioned when the Church as the Bride is introduced. Why? Possibly because the 24 Elders join the Church as the Bride. This would support the theory that the 24 Elders are representatives of the Church.


THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB (Revelation 19:9)

The Bride of Jesus is the Church
- The Church is the Bride (2 Corinthians 11:2)
- The Church is a chaste virgin (Ephesians 5:22-23) – Is she really chaste? Of course not. She has plenty of blemishes. However, the blood of Christ washes her of all her sins.
- Jesus is the Bridegroom (John 3:22; Matthew 9:15; 22:1-13; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32)
- Jesus’s promise to His Bride (John 14:2-3)
- John the Baptist is the Friend of the Bridegroom, not the Bride (John 3:29; Luke 16:16; Matthew 11:11-13)
- The Bride enjoys a unique relationship with the Bridegroom (John 17:23-26)

Israel is not the Bride of Jesus
- Israel is presented as the “Wife of Yahweh” (Isaiah 54:1, 5)
- Israel has been described as a Harlot (Ezekiel 16:35)
- Hosea was told to love a woman who was pictured as a type of Israel – The Idolatrous Wife (Hosea 2:14-23): This woman was a wife from whoredoms; gifts were given to lovers to prevent want; she was bought at slave market but Hosea was to lover her anyway
- Hosea’s three children were named with prophetic meaning: Jezreel = cast away; sowed for later harvest; Lo-Ruhamah = unpitied; without mercy (Hosea 1:6); Lo-Ammi = not my people (vs. Romans 11:1)
- That is, through Hosea, God is telling the Israelites that He is disowning them. However, Israel is not permanently cast away: Hosea 1:11, 2:23; Romans 9-11; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 62:5 – God will one day restore Israel in Him!
- A priest, by God’s Law, may not marry a divorced woman – Jesus is our High Priest, therefore He cannot be the “groom” of Israel

The Jewish Wedding

Stage I: The Ketubah (Betrothal)
- Payment of the purchase price is established
- The bride is set apart (sanctified) (Isaiah 61:10; Judges 14:10-11; Jeremiah 2:32; Isaiah 49:18; Psalm 45:8-15)

Stage II: Preparations
- The Bridegroom departs to the Father’s house, leaving the Bride to be sanctified.
- The Bridegroom then goes back to the Father’s house to add a room to that house for him and his bride.
- The Bride prepares for his imminent return – She does not know the day or the hour of his return but is expected to always be ready for his return.

Stage III: The Huppah (Wedding)
- The Bridegroom usually comes for his Bride at night, as a surprise. Hence, the Bridegroom is busy preparing a place for his bride, while his Bride is expected to wait patiently. (Jeremiah 7:34; 16:9; 25:10; Psalm 45:8-15; Matthew 25:1-13)
- This surprise gathering leads to the wedding

Stage IV: 7-Day Marriage Supper Feast
Judges 14:12; Matthew 9:15; 22:11-14; John 2:1

The marriage between Jesus and the Church is fulfilled
- The Covenant is established (1 Corinthians 11:25)
- The Purchase Price has been paid (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- The Bride has been set apart (Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10; 13:12)
- The Bride has been reminded of the Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25-26)
- The Bridegroom (Jesus) has left for the Father’s House
- Jesus will have an escort to accompany Him upon His return to gather His Bride (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
- There will be a great wedding supper/banquet (Isaiah 25:6-10; 26:1-4, 19; Cf. Luke 22:15-16; Matthew 26:39)

At the marriage supper, Jesus will finally drink from the Last Cup
“And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’ After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’” (Luke 22:15-18; Cf. Mark 14:25; Matthew 26:29)


EVERY PROPHECY POINTS TO JESUS (Revelation 19:10)
- Angels do not allow themselves to be worshipped


THE COMING KING ARRIVES ON A WHITE HORSE (Revelation 19:11)
Psalm 2; 45; 46; 47; 50:1-6; 68; Isaiah 11, 24:19-25, 26:20-21; 63:1-6; 65:6-16; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:9-14; Joel 3; Habakkuk 3; Zechariah 14


JESUS COMES WITH BLOOD-STAINED GARMENT (Revelation 19:13-15)
Jesus comes the second time not as a Lamb but as a Lion, a King who has come to judge the world. He first goes to Petra to redeem the faithful and fights all the way to Magiddo before ending on the Mount of Olives (Isaiah 63:1-6).


JESUS’S SECOND COMING
- This is not the Rapture but the Revelation of Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- Jesus is not in the air but coming to the earth.
- Jesus is not coming for the saints but WITH the saints.
- Jesus is coming not to comfort but to conquer.
- Jesus is coming not to protect us in Heaven but to rule with us on Earth.


MAN DARES TO MAKE WAR WITH GOD BUT WILL FAIL (Revelation 19:19-21)
Cf. Psalm 2:1-12; Zechariah 14:2-4

Genesis 4:25-5:32

Notes compiled with my BSF group

CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD (Genesis 4:25–26)

Beginning in Enosh’s lifetime, men began to call on the name of the Lord.

Why call on the Lord?

Psalm 34

- When we seek God, He answers (Psalm 34:4, 6).

- God delivers us from our fears and troubles (Psalm 34:4, 6, 19).

- When we look to God, we are never covered with shame (Psalm 34:5).

- When we take refuge in God, we are blessed (Psalm 34:8, 22).

- When we place our lives in His hands, we fear nothing else, because we will lack nothing (Psalm 34:9-10).

- When we walk with the Lord, God hears us; when we walk against the Lord, our names will be blotted out (Psalm 34:15-18).

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH (Genesis 5)

“… and then he died” (Genesis 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31)
Since the Fall, man no longer had access to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:23) and thus no longer lived forever.

If we are born once, we die twice; if we are born twice, we die once.

John 3:6-8

Flesh gives birth to flesh – That is, since we are born of Adam who has sin and therefore dies, we, too, will have sin and will die. However, the Spirit gives birth to spirit – That is, when we are born in the spirit of God who has no sin but eternal life, we, too, will have no sin and have eternal life.

This is why scholars say, if we are born once, we die twice. If we are born twice, we die only once. What does that mean? 

We are first born into the world in flesh. This is our first birth. But because of sin, our flesh deteriorates, and our physical bodies experience death. This is the first death. However, if we are born also in the spirit (the second birth), even though the physical body would die, we will receive everlasting life in the spirit and enjoy life with God forever. And for those who are not born in the spirit, they will continue to die in their sins. They would die first a physical death in their sins. And they will dies again in the spirit in their sins.

So, to sum up, we are born in the flesh. We will die in the flesh, because the flesh is sinful. If we are born again in the spirit, then our birth of the spirit will give us eternal life. This is why if we are born twice, we die only once. However, if we were never born in the spirit, then our spirit will be condemned to eternal death. And this is why if we are born only once, we will die twice: once in physical death, and another in the spirit.

John 8:24

Without Jesus, we would die in our sins, because there is no way we can cleanse ourselves of our sins. However, if we receive Jesus, His blood will cleanse us of our sins, and we will be redeemed in Him to enjoy eternal life.

Romans 5:14

Since the Fall, death entered with sin through Adam. And from Adam, we continue to die in our sin.

Romans 6:23

The wages of sin is death. But through Jesus Christ, we can receive the gift of eternal life.

Romans 5:12, 18-19

In the likeness of God, we are righteous and filled with eternal life. In our own likeness, we sin and die.

ENOCH WAS FAITHFUL TO GOD AND WAS RAPTURED (Genesis 5:21-24)

"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Genesis 5:24)

Enoch was faithful (Hebrews 11:5-6; Jude 1:14-15)

Enoch lived his life by faith, earnestly sought God, and pleased God and did not experience death. Because Enoch was a holy man, he was also given visions and prophesied (Jude 1:14-15). What did Enoch prophesy? The second coming of Jesus in the end times that is also documented in details in the Books of Daniel and Revelation.

Enoch was raptured (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 5:10)

Scholars believe that Enoch shows us how God will remove the Church before Christ’s return. Enoch was removed before the flood during Noah’s time. The flood is a judgment of God for the wickedness in the world (Genesis 6).

Before Jesus's return, the Tribulation will take place to judge the Earth (Revelation). Just as Enoch, the righteous one, was removed before the judgment of the flood, Christians (who are declared righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ) will also be removed before the judgment of the Tribulation.

For more information on the Rapture, here are some readings:
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/2012/04/rapture-and-tribulation.html
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/2011/10/mystery-of-rapture.html
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/2011/07/misunderstandings-about-rapture.html

THE GOSPEL IS HIDDEN IN THE GENEALOGY

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest
Adam = Man
Seth = Appointed
Enosh = Mortal
Kenan = Sorrow
Mahalalel = The Blessed God
Jared = Shall Come Down
Enoch = Teaching
Methuselah = His Death Shall Bring
Lamech = The Despairing
Noah = Rest or Comfort

Methuselah was the oldest man, a sign of God's grace
Methuselah's name means "his death shall bring" -- and indeed, when Methuselah died, the flood judgment came. Yet, Methuselah was the oldest man ever lived, which is a symbol of God's mercy in forestalling the coming judgment of the flood.

Similarly, God's final judgment on Earth in the end days will not occur until God's mercy is exhausted. And who will exhaust God's mercy? Satan and his cohorts -- those who choose to follow Satan.

Reference:
http://www.khouse.org/articles/1996/44/

AFTERTHOUGHTS

Sin is serious. Because of sin, we die. We were not designed to die. We were made to have eternal life by walking with God. We were made in His image!

To ensure we do not end up with Satan, to ensure we are not condemned to eternal death, we need to reach out to Jesus and accept His gift of salvation. He has come to cleanse us of our sins so that we can once again return to be with God. We should walk with God like Enoch did, so that we may one day be kings and priests with Jesus as opposed to suffering eternal death with Satan in the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 17-18

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler
http://www.god.tv/node/2608

BACKGROUND

Euphrates
- The cradle and grave of man’s civilization (Zechariah 10:11; Isaiah 11:15-16
- Eastern boundary of Israel and the Roman Empire (Genesis 15:18)

Spiritual Babylon
- All form of occult practices have had their origins in the original city of Babylon (Isaiah 47)
- Tammuz, the son of Nimrod and his queen, Semiramis, was identified with the Babylonian Sun God and worshiped following the winter solstice: ~ Dec. 22-23
- As Babylon was conquered by subsequent empires, this entire religious system was transplanted, first to Pergamos, and then to Rome (Revelation 2:12-17) – The priests always followed the money!
- As Christianity was established as the official state religion of Rome, many of the religious traditions and practices of the earlier pagan worship were adapted and incorporated, including: Many of our traditions surrounding Christmas; the Babylonian worship of Ishtar, the Golden Egg of Astarte, and the fertility rites of spring gives us Easter
- The calendar year, for certain ancient cultures, ended on October 31, and its associated occult rituals, gave us our Halloween; this was related to worship of Baal (Mars) and may have been stimulated by the perturbations of the orbit of the earth associated with the planet Mars.

The Two Women

Israel (Revelation 12)
- In Heaven
- Mother of Man-Child
- Clothes with sun
- Identified with the Sun, Moon, and Stars
- Enemy is the dragon
- Hated by the world
- Sustained by the wings of heaven
- Has a headdress of Crown of 12 Stars
- Is said to be widowed, divorced
- Final destination is New Jerusalem

The Women riding Beast (Revelation 17)
- The Beast is the world system
- Located upon many waters
- Mother of harlots
- Clothed with purple, scarlet, gold
- Identified with reign over kings of the earth
- Enemy of 10 Kings
- Caressed by the world
- Sustained by the Dragon
- Has a headdress of Mystery Babylon the Great
- She says, “I am no widow” (Revelation 18:7)
- Final location is habitation of demons


MYSTERY BABYLON

The Great Whore (Revelation 17)
- Rides the Beast with 7 heads, 10 horns
- Mother of Harlots and Abominations: She is the ROOT of ALL false doctrines!
- Drunk with the blood of the saints

Babylon the Great City (Revelation 18)
3 groups of people that will be very upset when this city gets its final judgment
- Kings
- Merchants
- Those that trade by sea

JOHN WAS SURPRISED AT THE SIGHT OF MYSTERY BABYLON (Revelation 17:6)

John was surprised at seeing the Woman who was drunk with the blood of saints. Why?

If the Woman was pagan Rome of John's day, John would not have been surprised – Pagan Rome has always been the enemy of the Church, severely persecuting Christians. 

However, today, many Roman Catholics consider themselves Christians (though some Catholics separate themselves from Christians). To have a particular group of Christians be the Woman – That IS surprising! (I realize this is oversimplifying the implications of the assumptions that I have voiced here. I will make it clear these ARE assumptions. There is compelling evidence that suggest the Roman Catholic Church will be the Woman -- This is addressed below -- However, there is no solid proof, so do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Going along with this assumption, it's important to note that this doesn't mean Roman Catholic individuals will be a part of this system -- It just means that Satan will use the Roman Catholic Church as his vehicle. This is the same concept of how the nation of Israel as a whole remains blind to Jesus as their Messiah until the end of days. However, there are hundreds of Jews converting to Christians today. Each individual still have the choice to stick with Jesus or follow Satan, regardless of the fate of the church or the nation.)

The Revived Roman Empire 
Revelation 17:8 describes the revived Roman Empire. No one nation conquered the Roman Empire – It fell into pieces on its own.

"Hill/Mountain" (Revelation 17:9) is symbolism for God’s government.


SATAN’S SEVEN SUPER-KINGDOMS

“Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.” (Revelation 12:3)
- Egypt 
- Assyria 
- Babylon 
- Persia 
- Greece 
- Ancient Rome 
- Rome II that has yet to come and has 10 horns + The 11th horn (aka, the Little Horn) (Daniel 2:31-35, 40-45; 7:7-8, 19-25; Revelation 13:1-2; 17:3, 7, 12-18)

Daniel’s 4+1
Babylon
Persia
Greece
Rome + Rome II

Daniel described Rome + Rome II as one.

“They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.” (Revelation 17:10)

7 Kings
Egypt
Assyria
Babylon
Persia
Greece
Rome
Rome II

5 kingdoms had fallen during John’s day
Egypt
Assyria
Babylon
Persia

“One is,” aka, the kingdom that stood during John’s day
Rome

“The other has not yet come”
Rome II (for the lack of a better name)

“The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” (Revelation 17:11)
The beast is the eight king, the Little Horn. He is the Little Horn that arises out of the 7th kingdom. He is to come out of the seven previous empires. Which one(s)? Well, which one fits the description, one that “once was, and now is not”? Assyria (Micah 5:5-6; Isaiah 10:5).

“And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men. They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land and marches into our borders.” (Micah 5:5-6)
Isaiah 10:5, 12, 24 share similar statements. Iraq and Syria now occupy land that once ruled by the Assryians.

The 10 kings will be revealed when they are revealed (Revelation 17:12)
The 10 kings will be given kingdoms that have never existed before – So, don’t bother speculating who these 10 kings will be. We won’t know until they are revealed!

"Water" (Revelation 17:15) = unrest among people; the lack of peace, the lack of calm

Rome ruled during John's day (Revelation 17:18)
That city IS… -- Present tense by John: What city ruled during John’s time? Rome.


SUMMARY OF REVELATION 17
- The prostitute is not the beast but rides the beast. She initially exploits the beast but is eventually destroyed by him (Revelation 17:16-17).
- Mystery Babylon as a false religious system has been identified with the city of Rome from the early centuries to this day.


TEN CLUES THAT ROME IS MYSTERY BABYLON
- She’s a prostitute: promiscuous, unfaithful
- Has universal influence, all over the world
- Seated upon the beast (steers and dominates the beast)
- Wears purple, scarlet, gold, and jewels (Roman Catholic church)
- The Golden cup is precious yet a counterfeit, filled with abominable things
- Mystery, Babylon the Great has been linked with Babylon of Nimrod (Revelation 11:8)
- Mother of Prostitutes has spiritual offspring; not alone – This is not a single system; it’s the FOUNTAIN of MANY systems
- Prosecutor of Christians, revels in their blood (Cf. David Hunt’s research)
- Seven hills: Rome was built on seven hills (Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, and Viminal)
- The Great City that rules over the kings of the Earth – In John’s days, it could only be Rome


BABYLON THE GREAT IS DESTROYED (Revelation 18)

The Kings, the merchants, and those that trade by sea will be affected by the fall the most. Revelation 18:11-13 details the goods that will be affected by the fall.


The chapter is pretty straight forward, so I will just direct readers to check out the chapter yourselves.


THE RISE, FALL, AND DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON

Babylon
- Mentioned over 300 times in the Bible
- Alluded to 3 times in Christ’s genealogy
- Capital of the 1st world dictator and the last world dictator
- The rebuilding of Babylon is a litmus test for the literal view

The Origin of Babylon
- The first world dictator: Nimrod (whose name means, “We will rebel”) – He was a mighty hunter in defiance of the Lord (Genesis 10:9).
- The final global dictator (the Antichrist) will be an Assyrian (Micah 5:5-6; Isaiah 10) 
- Babel = Gateway to the gods (Bav = gate; El = God) – This was the beginning of Babylon

The Conquest of Babylon
- On October 12, 539 BC, Cyrus’s general captured Babylon without a battle.
- The Persians diverted the River Euphrates into a canal upriver so that the water level dropped “to the height of the middle of a man’s thigh” (Herodotus), which rendered the flood defenses useless and enabled the invaders to march through the river bed to enter by night.

Cyrus was prophesied to allow the Jews to rebuild their Temple (Isaiah 44:27-28; 45:1-5)
- Cyrus, because of these passages found in Isaiah, freed the Jewish captives and returned the vessels that had been plundered from the Temple 70 years earlier.
- Cyrus even gave them incentives to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple (2 Chronicles 36:22; Ezra 1:1-4)
- The Cylinder of Cyrus: “… without any battle, he entered the town, sparing any calamity; … I returned to sacred cities on the other side of the Tigris, the sanctuaries of which have been ruins for a long time… and established for them permanent sanctuaries. I also gathered all their former inhabitants and returned to them their habitations” (British Museum, London)

The Decline of Babylon
- Cyrus claimed the title “King of Babylon.” He made his son Cambyses as his viceroy in Babylon in 538 BC. Things remained faithful until his death in 522 BC.
- Darius II (521-486 BC)
- Nidintu-Bel (Nebuchadnezzar III): 522 BC
- Araka (Nebuchadnezzar IV): 521 BC
- In the 4th year of Xerxes (485-465 BC), the Babylonians made another attempt to gain their independence. Bel-shimanni and Shamash-eriba claimed the throne in 482 BC, and this revolt was suppressed with much cruelty and damage to Babylon. However, in 460 BC, Herodutus visited and reported that the city was virtually intact.

The Rise of Greece
- In 331 BC, Alexander III, the Great, was welcomed by the Babylonians when he entered the city after his victory over the Medes at Gaugamela. He was acclaimed king and made Babylon his capital. Nine years later, he even planned extensive renovations and a port for 1000 warships.
- Alexander the Great died on June 13, 323 BC. His career is detailed in advance (Daniel 8), and his successors were also detailed in advance (Daniel 11).

The Greek Empire
Alexander the Great was succeeded by his 4 generals:
- Cassander: Macedonia and Greece
- Lysimacus: Thrace, Bithynia, most of Asia Minor
- Ptolemy: Egypt, Cyrene, Arabia; they sponsored the Septuagint Translation (LXX) in 270 BC
- Seleucus: Syria and East to India; Antiochus Epiphanes (The “Little Horn” – Daniel 8)
- The “Silent Years” are profiled in advance (Daniel 11)

Babylon atrophies and decays
- A new rival capital city, Selucia, on the River Tigris, expedited the decline of the ancient metropolis of Babylon.
- Up to 75 AD, merchants continued to trade in Babylon.
Trajan visited Babylon in 115 AD
- Septimus Severus reported that Babylon was deserted in 199 AD and gradually becomes a ruin.
- In the 1800s, 10,000 inhabitants were found still living on site. Robert Kodewey, a German archeologist, even hired Babylonian locals to help with his work.

The Fall of Babylon (539 BC – That is, it’s already happened)
- Without a battle
- Became Alexander’s capital
- Atrophied over the centrueis
- Presently being rebuilt

The Destruction of Babylon (Isaiah 13-14; Jeremiah 50-51 – That is, this has not yet been fulfilled)
- “Never to be inhabited”
- “Building materials never reused”
- “Like Sodom and Gomorrah”

Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17-18 – Again, this has not yet been fulfilled)
- The Woman in the Ephah is the Harlot (Zechariah 5:5-11)
- Ephah: A woman called “Wickedness” was sealed inside a basket measuring an ephah with a talent of lead
- The basket was carried by two women with wings of a stork (an unclean bird) between Earth and Heaven.
- The plan was “to build it a house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base,” aka, Babylon.

To fully understand prophecies revealed in the Book of Revelation, read also the Book of Daniel. My notes on that can be found here:
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/search/label/Daniel

Daniel 7

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler

QUICK RECAP OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS
- The last 6 chapters (Daniel 6-12) are prophetic chapters.
- Those chapters are not written in chronological order.
- Daniel 7-8 occur between Daniel 4-5.
- After the lions' den, Gabriel gave Daniel visions of Daniel 9. - Daniel was from the tribe of Judah.
- Daniel 2-7 were written in Aramaic because the focus of those chapters were on the Gentile world. This is huge because almost everywhere else in the Bible is portrayed from the lens of Israel, God's chosen people, through whom the Messiah was brought forth!


DANIEL 7 IS ALSO KNOWN AS...

4 Visions and the Great Sea
(The Great Sea is the Mediterranean.) 

The Times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24)
This period starts with Nebuchadnezzar and ends with the Antichrist. This period is not to be confused with the Fullness of the Gentiles.


THE FOUR BEASTS ARE FOUR KINGDOMS (Daniel 7:2-12)

Daniel 7:2
Wind = Spirit 
Sea = Mass of humanity, aka, the background from which God brings up the four beasts; could be taken literally and symbolically

Note that for each beast, dominion was given to them. By who? By God. None of these kingdoms rose to power on their own. They rose to power because God allowed them to do so. From history, we tend to think each nation conquered the previous one, but here, we see that God gave each one over to the next. 

Beast 1: like a lion with wings of an eagle (Daniel 7:4)
Babylon -- Gold (Daniel 2:38)

Beast 2: like a bear with three ribs between its teeth (Daniel 7:5)
Persia -- Silver (Daniel 2:39)

Three ribs: Babylon, Egypt, Lydia -- The three nations Persia conquered to establish their empire (Isaiah 13)

A bear is stronger than an eagle: The Persian Empire was greater than the Babylonian Empire -- Persia filled 2.5 million men in its army. Cyrus won many battles without a fight. Just the sheer presence of him was enough to force his opponents to flee.

Beast 3: like a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads (Daniel 7:6)
Greece -- Bronze (Daniel 2:39)

The leopard is fast-moving. The way Daniel described its movement is that it moves so fast, it doesn't even seem like it touches the ground (very much like the goat in Daniel 8:5).

The speed at which Alexander the Great conquered the world was astonishing. He conquered most the known world in just a few years. At age 29, he was said to have fallen into his bed crying because he feared that there was no more worlds left to conquer.

The 4 heads: When Alexander died, his kingdom was handed over to his 4 generals.

Beast 4: ten horns and the little horn (Daniel 7:7-12)
Roman Empire -- Iron + Clay (Daniel 2:41-43)


DANIEL IS CONFUSED ABOUT BEAST 4 (Daniel 7:19-25)

Daniel had no trouble deciphering the first three beasts because most of them were fulfilled (Babylon and Persia) and another was on the horizon (Greece). However, he had a lot of questions about the fourth beast.

Daniel used animals to describe the first three beasts but not the fourth. He was so confused about it, he couldn't even come up with a relevant animal idiom for this fourth beast. He just calls it "the great and terrible and strong beast" (Daniel 7:7).

How is this beast diverse from the ones before? Instead of taking advantage of the nation before it, this empire will destroy the nation before it.

Babylon did not destroy Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar, instead, took advantage of the best Jewish boys (including Daniel, see Daniel 1) and trained them to serve on his staff. The Persians did not destroy Babylon and maintained Jerusalem. Cyrus took Babylon without a fight and took pride in honoring the religion of the Jews by allowing them to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Greece also did not destroy its predecessor, with Alexander the Great even making Babylon his home. The Roman Empire, however, took a completely different approach. The Roman Empire took pride in what they could destroy. They tried to wipe out those that stood before them (Daniel 7:7).


THE LITTLE HORN IS THE ANTICHRIST (Daniel 7:8-12)

Horn = Power
The little horn comes out among the ten horns. The little horn comes out with authority.

"This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully" (Daniel 7:8)

The Little Horn represents a boastful man (Daniel 7:8, 11)
This horn represents a man. This little horn destroys the first three (most likely because they didn't go along with his plan).

This horn has a mouth speaks great things: he is a boaster. He is always shooting off his mouth. He is Mr. Big mouth. 

On a side...

Ephesians 3
Matthew 13
Why are the 24 elders mentioned in Revelation and eluded to here (Daniel 7:9) but not mentioned anywhere else in the Old Testament?

Jesus revealed something about the foundation of the world to his disciples in Matthew 13, something that the Jews did not know before Jesus's revelation. Paul tells us in Ephesians 3 that it was his unique privilege to reveal something that was previously not revealed in the Old Testament: The Church!!

Daniel 7:9
The thrones of the elders are eluded to here but the elders are not visible. The elders represent the Church. This pattern of speaking about the Church BEFORE the Church was revealed is consistent throughout the Old Testament: Since the Church is a Mystery to Old Testament Jews, any mentioning of the Church in the Old Testament is by indirect reference.

The Little Horn will conquer the three previous beasts (Daniel 7:12)
The three beasts will be relieved of their dominions, most likely through military conquer by the fourth beast. The fourth beast will be relieved not by military force but by divine judgment. The three beasts that are relieved will be allowed to live for a time. (This is a deeper study, which I will not elaborate on here. However, I will point those interested to Job, Matthew 25, and Revelation 1.)

The Little Horn will prevail against the Tribulation Saints (Daniel 7:21)
The Antichrist will go against the saints and prevail against them! This should be shocking to us especially knowing about the promise given to us by Jesus in Matthew 16:18.

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Jesus said of the church that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church!

We see also that in Revelation 13, the Antichrist will overcome the saints.

Is this a contradiction? Only if we assumed all saints are in the same bracket! That is, only if we believed that the Rapture occurs after the Tribulation! This belongs to another detailed teaching, so I point those interested in this discussion to these posts:
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/2012/04/rapture-and-tribulation.html
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/2011/10/mystery-of-rapture.html
http://aletheia-seekers.blogspot.com/2011/07/misunderstandings-about-rapture.html

Why would Jesus say "No man born of woman is greater than John" (which is emphasizing that John the Baptist was greater than Moses, Abraham, and other great Jewish patriarchs), but in the next breath say that "He that is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than John"? (Matthew 16:18)

What does that mean? 

Matthew 11
Luke 16:16 
The Law and the Prophets were until John! John the Baptist closed the Old Testament period! That is, we see Jesus here making the distinction between groups of saints. There are distinct differences between the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints.

Types of Saints
- Old Testament saints
- New Testament saints = the Church
- The Tribulation saints

This passage sheds light on the idea that the Church will not go through the Tribulation. Why? Logic. Jesus promised the Church that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Yet, during the Tribulation, those who follow Christ will be overcome by Satan and his Antichrist. The only way for this to work would be that the Church is removed, or raptured, PRIOR to the Tribulation.

The Little Horn will form and rule a global government (Daniel 7:23)
This is not hard to envision. Terrorism mocks borders. The development of nuclear weapon requires global supervision. Our economy is already tied globally today. Just look at the world today, and we will find plenty of clues that point toward a global government.

The Little Horn will rule for 3 1/2 year, 42 months, 1260 days (Daniel 7:25)
Cf. Daniel 9:27, 12:6-7; Revelation 11:2-3, 12:14, 13:5

This also requires a deeper teaching, and I'll point interested readers to my notes on Revelation.

This period of time is emphasized and re-emphasized throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament, making this the most documented period of time in the Bible. It is clear that this is a very literal and real 1260 days.

The Little Horn will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Daniel 7:10-11)
The Antichrist will boast great things, but he will get his due. He will be tossed into the Lake of Fire.

God's reign will conquer all (Daniel 7:13-27)
God's reign will never be destroyed. These beasts, these kingdoms, are all powered by Satan. (My notes on Daniel 10 elaborates on this.)

When Satan boasted and tempted Jesus with his earthly kingdom, Jesus didn't challenge this claim. It wouldn't be a temptation if this claim was not true! This same temptation will be offered to the Antichrist, but unlike Jesus, he will accept it (Revelation). Bad, bad choice.

Saints will rule over all the Heaven (Daniel 7:27)
Saints will rule over all the Heaven, not the Earth, and Jesus's reign will last forever.

From this point on, the language of the Book of Daniel reverts back to Hebrew. The rest of the book continues to be prophetic, but the focus returns to Israel (Cf. Revelation 13). 

On a side note, the same four beasts that Daniel talked about in Daniel 7 are also listed in Revelation 13 BUT IN REVERSE ORDER. Why? Because John is looking back in time whereas Daniel was looking forward!