Series: Out Of This World

Transcription

1 Series: Out Of This World Two Little Horns Daniel 7:15 8:27 Dr. Jon McNeff, Senior Pastor November 22, 2009 Note: The following are the pastor s notes used in preaching this message. This is not a complete, word-for-word transcription of what was preached. These notes serve as a companion to the complete message, which is available by listening to the audio version. I. THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL SEVEN A. Who is he? Must first learn the identity of the fourth beast in Daniel 7:8 interpretation is in verse 19 I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet we know this is some kind of revived Roman Empire how? 1. It is the fourth in the sequence of empires just like Daniel 2 Babylonian, Medo Persian, Greek, Roman 2. Same picture in that goes beyond the Roman Empire 2:44 In the days of those kings the mixed group of ten kings from the seed of men in verse In the same way in Daniel 7:8 It had large iron teeth It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet Daniel 7:19 same are Roman Empire 4. But it was different from all the beasts that were before it Daniel 7:7 not an animal like lion, bear, and leopard 5. Daniel 7:23 this fourth beast identified as different than previous world kingdoms it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it never done by Roman Empire 6. Daniel 7:24 the ten horns are identified as ten kings never seen after Roman Empire 2000 prophetic gap before Daniel 7:8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Who is this? four clues in Daniel 7: 7:8 has intelligence and arrogance 7:20 larger in appearance than its associates 7:24 since ten horns there are identified as ten kings out of that ten another one will arise after them another king this means the little horn is a person a king who is strong and boastful and vicious enough to destroy three surrounding kings 7:21,22 that little horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the Kingdom. Positive ID clearly Antichrist of the New Testament used only four times in Bible only in 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7 anti means instead of world leader who will openly and vehemently oppose Christ and everything about Him his hatred will be turned especially on Israel as God s people during Tribulation has many other titles: Daniel 9:26 the prince who is to come Daniel 11:21 a despicable person Zechariah 11:16 a worthless shepherd English Standard Version adds who doesn t care for the ones being destroyed 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9 the lawless one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan 1 Out of This World Series: Two Little Horns

2 Revelation 11:7 the beast that comes up out of the abyss used 29 of 36 times in Revelation to describe him The identity of the Antichrist: never revealed National leader of the revived Roman Empire Charismatic leader Daniel 7:8, 23; 8:20 a mouth uttering great boasts Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High Revelation 13:5 6 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. powerful and persuasive speaker like Hitler stirring music grand entrance started quiet ended big! Promises peace Daniel 9:27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week he will negotiate a peace pact between Israel and her enemies impressive job every President since Nixon has tried to do the same Empowered by Satan Revelation 13:2 in Revelation 12:9 we find the great dragon is thrown down out of heaven he is identified as the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan and is he mad! Revelation 13:1 Satan takes a stand on the sand of the seashore middle of the nations calls a beast out of the sea pictures the abyss, the abode of demons from Revelation 11:7 we know the abyss is the place that a demon comes out of the abyss Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion, And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. Deceives the nations Revelation 13:14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. one world government Displays himself as God 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4 the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. B. What will he do? Notice his progression: Daniel 8 a little horn not big at first he had eyes intelligence mouth uttering great boasts smooth orator Daniel 7:20 was larger in appearance than its associates bigger than life commanding personality, physical presence, speaking abilities Daniel 8:23 says he is skilled in intrigue cunning, cruel, demanding Daniel 7:21 has cruel, cold heart of stone he is seen waging war with the saints and over powering them what does this refer to? after the negotiated peace treaty with Israel in Daniel 9:27 but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering: and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. Daniel 7:23 he will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. after crushing the three nations and gaining power over the rest of the ten nations, he will dazzle the world with his peace treaty with Israel but will break it and then the hellish nature of the last three and a half years of the Tribulation will be unleashed Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law he will blaspheme God, pursue God s people, attempt to change the natural order of everything holidays and laws Out of This World Series: Two Little Horns 2

3 regarding worship and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Revelation 13:5 authority to act for forty two months was given to him. We tend to think of his power as unlimited not so: Daniel 7:26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Zechariah 11:17 His arm will be totally withered And his right eye will be blind. power and intelligence taken Daniel 7:11 his empire will be slain and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. Daniel 8:25 he will be broken without human agency 2 Thessalonians 2:8 the Lord will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end the appearance of his coming Revelation 19:20 he will be thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. Revelation 20:10 he and the false prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever. II. THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL EIGHT A. Who is he? Daniel 8:1,2 Daniel saw himself in Susa little village in 550 B.C. during his time capital of Persian Empire by time of Nehemiah in 430 B.C. Daniel saw himself in Persia s capital before it existed! The ram Daniel 8:3-4 Who is this? verse 20 tells us The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia. Cyrus the Persian and his son Cambysis II built the largest empire the world had seen to that day The male goat Daniel 8:5-7 Who? fairly easy Greece followed the Medo Persian empire five prophecies concerning this kingdom: 1. The identity of the kingdom Daniel 8:21 the shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Alexander the Great 2. A strong leader Daniel 8:5 and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. picture of prominence Alexander the Great fits everything accomplished here Educated under Aristotle Father was Philip of Macedon who had already united Greece with Macedon and was planning to fight Persia Told him the kingdom of Macedonia was too small for him so Alexander set out to conquer the world. Father murdered Alexander took over at 20 years old 3. Medo Persian empire goes down Daniel 8:5 a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground verse 7 I saw him come beside the ram and shattered his two horns, and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the ram from his power. flying goat whose feet don t touch the ground pictures speed of Alexander in taking Medo Persian empire in 12 years he moved from Macedonia to India conquered everything in sight Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Tyre for 13 years and couldn t take it Alexander conquered Tyre and burned it to the ground made the city a bare rock fit only for spreading fishing nets in fulfillment of Ezekiel 26:14 Daniel prophesied all this 200 years before it happened 3 Out of This World Series: Two Little Horns

4 4. The death of the leader Daniel 8:8 But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken Alexander died at 33, the victim of a fever after a bout of heavy drinking. 5. Four succeeding kingdoms at his death his kingdom was divided into four sections Daniel 8:8 the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. Ptolemy (Egypt), Seleucus (Babylon), Cassandar (Europe), and Lysimacyhus (Asia Minor) The little horns are not the same Daniel 8: 9 11 this small horn is not the same as the one in Daniel 7 First one Fourth kingdom (Rome) Second one third kingdom of divided Greek Empire First one 11th horn came up among ten horns Second one came out of one horn First one Persecuted God s people three and a half years Second one Persecuted Jews for six and a third years First one subdued three kings Second one didn t This king is Antiochus Epiphanes: He came out of four horns of Daniel 8:8 the eighth ruler of the Seleucid kingdom from 175 to 164 B.C. He matched the rather small horn which grew exceedingly (v. 9) unexpected career not the rightful heir came to throne after his brother, Selecus Philopater was murdered his son, Demetrius, was in prison in Rome Antiochus grew exceedingly manipulated his way into the throne through bribery and flattery. The timing of his activities matches the timing of Daniel 8:13 How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and host to be trampled? He said to me, For 2300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored. exactly matches the six and a third years of his reign of terror from September 6, 171 B.C. to December 25, 165 B.C. 2,280 days! B. What did he do? He was a very cruel man wanted to conquer the world: Came to power in 176 B.C. After being stopped by Roman armies in his attempt to conquer Egypt, he came to beautiful land Israel sacked the city killed 80,000 Jews and sent 40,000 into slavery Plundered the Temple stole golden articles of worship dedicated it to Jupiter took a pig and spread its blood on the altar abomination of desolation pre cursor to Antichrist will do Blasphemous attacks against God and His people Abolished the Feast of Tabernacles and substituted it with the Feast of Bacchanalia, the god of pleasure and wine. Forced the Jews to observe the pagan festival of Saturnalia using prostitutes in the Temple for that observation Forbade the Sabbath and reading of the Torah burned every copy of the Torah he could find One of his generals set up games outside the temple all participants were stripped naked including the priests Forbid circumcision two Jewish mothers defied him killed their babies, hung them around their neck and marched the women through Jerusalem to the highest wall threw them over Another woman with seven sons defied him he cut out the boys tongues in front of their mother fried them on a flat iron I believe Daniel saw all this in his vision and it caused him great pain like he was there. He heard a holy one ask in Daniel 8:13 How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the Out of This World Series: Two Little Horns 4

5 transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled? The answer came back in verse 14 For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored. revolt of Hasmonean family in 163 Hanukkah C. Why are we told this? Why is this passage important? Daniel 8:17 understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end. not Antiochus verse 19 I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end. verses Antiochus is just a picture of a future destroyer he will pop up again in Daniel 9:24 27 There will be another Antiochus worse than the original worse than anything the world has ever known it warns us of the folly of following sin 2 John 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Daniel 8:27 Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it. the world can t project the future only God can Antichrist will come to plunder and destroy because he is furious at seeing his time end and then the deliverer will come He has already come for those who hear. Questions for Further Study 1. What do you think most people think of when they hear antichrist? 2. What clues do we have to the identity of the little horn of Daniel 7:8 from Daniel 7:20 26? 3. What does the little horn do in Daniel 7:20 26? 4. Compare Daniel 7:20 26 with Daniel 8:8 14 and note the differences between the little horns mentioned in both passages. 5. What does the ram and the goat in Daniel 8:1 8 represent? (Check out Daniel 8:20 22.) 6. How do these prophecies effect you in comparison to what they did to Daniel in Daniel 7:28 and 8:27? 5 Out of This World Series: Two Little Horns