THE COMING WORLD LEADER

Daniel Chapter 7

BACKGROUND:

The Empires of World History: Some try to match Dan 7 with Dan 2.

The Empires of Dan 2 are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.

But it is not that easy to demonstrate that they are the same as

those described in Chapt 7 of Daniel. There are many exceptions

in Dan 7 to following that pattern. Verse 12 provides one of the

strongest exceptions to the theory that the empires of Dan 2 are

the same as in Dan 7.) "The other beasts had been stripped of

their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time"

(another translation says... "for a season and a time"). It is

very possible that the lion with an eagle's wings (Dan 7:4) does

not represent Babylon at all. One cannot connect Nebuchadnezzar

with this since he has already been DEAD for 12 years. It is

POSSIBLE that this is indicating the nation that will be in

existence at the time this little horn will rise. It is possible

that this could be referring to the British empire. It is just a

suggestion, not that there is anything here that INDICATES it.

Reference to the bear has always been to Russia, and cannot be

the ancient Medo-Persia empire which CERTAINLY doesn't continue

until the end times of the confederacy of nations mentioned in

connection with the 4th and terrible beast. Russia has never

ruled over the whole earth. As to the leopard with the four wings

like that of a bird (Dan 7:6) with four heads and dominion given

to it, some refer this to the break up of Alexander the Great's

empire, which is extremely debatable in light of the passage and

the prophetic dimensions of it. That is, this prophesy doesn't

seem to emphasize the greatness Alexander's empire had attained.

Compared to Alexander's empire, this passage greatly underplays

it. However, more recently some have begun to view this passage

as a possible Arab alliance. Possibly someone rising with

swiftness and power like Saddaam Hussein in IRAQ and associated

nations with him. Some have suggested that the three ribs in the

mouth of the bear would NOT represent ancient Egypt, Babylonia

and Lidya (that Medo-Persia conquered) but perhaps it could be

the three nations that are associated with Russia in its invasion

in Ezekiel 38: Persia, (Ethiopia and Sudan), and Libya. It is

interesting to point out that these are the three nations (along

with Syria) that voted with Saddaam Hussein in the Persian Gulf

crisis last year. Regarding these particular beasts, we can only

say that there is a lot of speculation but NOT a lot of

certainty.

THE ENTRANCE OF THE LITTLE HORN: THE FOURTH BEAST

But there is something about the FOURTH beast that we know and

that is that the fourth beast represents the Roman empire and its

final stage of the end times. This is the beast that I want to

concentrate on today.

The fourth beast really parallels what is in the book of

Revelation as the seventh head on the seven headed beast of

Revelation 13. The fourth beast of Daniel 7 is THAT seventh head

upon which are ten horns. This fourth beast is NOT speaking about

Rome (specifically) although it IS the revived Roman Empire. It

is ten horns on the fourth beast and that is the terrible empire

of the end times. We have not as yet seen another world empire

since Rome. Many have tried. But he world empire of the end times

will be a confederacy of nations. And out of that confederacy

will arise an INDIVIDUAL that will become the eighth world empire

of the world. The Bible describes that in Revelation Chapter 17

speaking of the woman and the beast (verses 8 to 18). This great

world leader in and of himself will be a world empire. He will

dictate all decisions, he will defile the temple of God that will

be rebuilt in Israel. He is going to persecute Israel as they

have NEVER been persecuted before. Through his efforts, ALL

CHRISTIANS THAT REFUSE THE MARK OF THE BEAST WILL BE KILLED! All

gentiles. The Bible teaches that some Jewish people will be

spared, a remnant, one third of them, by escaping to the

wilderness. Some believe that Rev. 14 which describes the 144,000

Jews that will be spared to preach the gospel. I do not see that

the Bible says that. This is the time known as the Great

Tribulation. If you read and pay attention to Bible prophesy and

also follow recent world events, you will conclude that we are

now witnessing world history that MORE and MORE correlates with

the impending end times described in these prophesies.

Four things to notice about the entrance of the little horn:

1. THE COMING OF THE LITTLE HORN:

His (the antichrist) coming is described in verse 8 of chapter 7:

"While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was

another horn, A LITTLE ONE, which came up among them, and THREE

of the first horns were uprooted by it. This horn had eyes like

that of a man AND A MOUTH THAT SPOKE BOASTFULLY.

Two things to note about his coming:

a. His beginning seems rather small and insignificant at

first. The use of the adjective LITTLE. The horns represent kings

and kingdoms of the end times: a confederacy of ten nations. Is

this the European Economic Community of today (the Common

Market)? We know already that once their plans are executed and

they have a common currency, this confederacy of nations will be

the most powerful economic "nation" on the face of the earth. It

will encompass some of the most strongest currencies today.

Within the last several weeks we saw how the German Deutch Mark

has been extremely valued by investors while the US dollar

continues to fall. The Mark rivals the Japanese yen and the U.S.

dollar. We WILL have to deal with the common European currency. I

think that is why we have seen the U.S. working on the free trade

agreement with Mexico and Canada, which, by the way, will make us

the largest economic power in the world if we would do the same

things the EEC is doing. My personal guess is that after the EEC

is fully established then the US, Mexico and Canada will forge

together for a common currency. Think about it. We will totally

ERASE our national debt and start out using a new accounting

system. How else will we bail ourselves out of this enormous debt

our nation has? Certainly not by actually PAYING it! No one wants

to make the cuts and the sacrifices necessary to actually PAY IT.

I also would suggest that after we do join with Canada and Mexico

to rival the EEC, then discussions will be started on us JOINING

with the EEC to take the first major step towards forming the NEW

WORLD ORDER, as spoken of so frequently by Pres. George Bush. I

believe that this would be necessary for BOTH the EEC and the

U.S./Can./Mex. in order to coexist economically and to not

economically harm the other.

There are some speculations by European christians that the

little horn is really the United States and that the antichrist

will actually emerge from the U.S. I am mostly of an opinion that

concurs with this. The U.S. is the major peace negotiations

middle man on behalf of Israel. There is NO other nation in the

world that is as PRO-ISRAEL as the U.S. No one else concentrates

on human rights as much as we do. We go to war for it.

b. The balance of power quickly changes. Verse 8 says that

"three of the first horns were uprooted." Who is he uprooting? It

is very possible that this little horn, in order to survive in

this economic struggle in the confederacy, quickly gathers up

three of the smaller nations under his dominion and control. We

have witnessed how Germany swallowed up East Germany. We could

see the same kind of move happen economically in Europe. These

things are not necessarily specified in the Bible as I am

describing them today, but rather I am trying to examine what is

written in the word of God and see how the world we live in could

fit it.

2. HIS CHARACTERISTICS:

a. He is a man (verse 8). He is called the "man of

lawlessness" in 2 Thes. He is the same person referred to in

Daniel 9. HE IS A MAN. But, he will be so nice and likeable that

those who are not saved will not know him as such (2 Thess. 9-11)

"For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they

will believe the lie." He could be among us now and that we do

not recognize him. I often wonder about Jim Baker and how he

played such an important role as the middle man in the

Israel/Arab peace talks this last year. We have had OTHER world

leaders that have deceived the people as well: Joseph Stalin,

Adolph Hitler, etc.

b. He has great speaking ability. The use of TV and

multimedia is really how to communicate with the public these

days. Look at how Ross Perot is conducting his campaign. He is

literally NOT on the campaign trail, as most politicians have

traditionally done. He is simply utilizing a massive television

blitz in order to reach the public, purchasing half hour spots

on prime time television networks. Keep an eye on this stuff. It

is scary what power it conveys. Most U.S. presidents in recent

years are NOT people who offer any great plans for success, but

rather they are the ones who SMILE the best, are the most

photogenic, the ones who deliver the best speeches. People vote

for the candidates they LIKE. The bible states that he is going

to speak boastfully or with pompous words.

c. He is more imposing than the others (verse 20). Another

interpretation is that "he appears to be of larger size than his

contemporaries." Again, I think of former Chief of State Jim

Baker, who is MUCH taller than any of the Israeli delegation he

worked with and still taller than the Arabs.

d. He is empowered by Satan to do amazing things. See 2nd

Thess. Chapter 2. verse 3.: "Don't let anyone deceive you in any

way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and

the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to

destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over

everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets

himself up to be God." Skip down to verse 9: "The coming of the

lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan

displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and

wonders," Many speculate that the antichrist will be a major

religious leader of the world and that he will use his greatly

respected religious position to deceive many people of the world.

See Revelation Chapter 13 where the deception of miraculous deeds

empowered by Satan are described. Verse 2 says "The dragon gave

the beast his power and his throne and great authority." Verse 4

says "Men worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to

the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked 'Who is

like the beast? Who can make war against him?'" And concerning

the assistant of the beast, the false prophet, verse 13 says:

"And he performed great and miraculous signs...."

3. HIS CONFLICT WITH GOD AND WITH GOD'S PEOPLE

Verse 21, Daniel Chapter 7: "As I watched, this horn was waging

war against the saints and DEFEATING THEM." Verse 25: "He will

speak against the most high and OPPRESS HIS SAINTS and try to

change the set times and law." Hence, the conflict with God and

God's people. Some people these days believe that the SAINTS

refers to the nation of Israel. Some say that the anti-christ's

primary target is Israel. However, I believe that the term SAINTS

refers to those who are saved in the name of Jesus Christ. It

could ALSO include the people of Israel, but I have not ever

found anything in the bible that indicates that. In fact, God

most times refers to the people of Israel as "stubborn, stiff

necked" and not necessarily as "saints". We do know, however,

that the anti-christ will act on behalf of world peace and "He

will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.'...." (Dan

9:27). But after that he will show how he has betrayed the people

of Israel. Dan 9:27 continues: "...In the middle of the 'seven'

he will put an end to the sacrifice and offering, and on the wing

of the temple, he will set up an ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES

DESOLATION, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

THIS is the only definitive indication of 1) that we ARE in the

time of the Beginning of Sorrows 2) the definite exposure of the

identity of the anti-christ. This is when we all shall recognize

him as the anti-christ. 3) The beginning of the Great Tribulation

period. This is when MANY people will be executed for not

following him.

Let's look at the last part of verse 25: "...and try to change

the set times and law. The saints will be handed over to him for

a time, times, and half a times." And the footnote in my NIV

Bible tells me that this could also be read as "for a year, two

years, and a half a year.", which is a total of 3 1/2 years. He

very well may make some significant changes in the legal systems.

If you haven't noticed, as we move more and more into societies

that operate on greed and power, the legal profession has gained

more and more popularity. Most of the U.S. politicians are

lawyers. Law firms provide MOST of the political contributions

(at all levels) in our country today. Just look at any

politicians list of who he received contributions from and there

will be more law firms than any other type of business or

industry.

THE FINAL CONCLUSION OF THE REIGN OF THE COMING WORLD LEADER

Dan 7 verse 11: "Then I continued to watch because of the

boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the

beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the

blazing fire." Also in verse 26: "But the court will sit and his

power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever." And

in Revelation 19, verse 20: "But the beast was captured and with

him the false prophet who had performed miraculous signs on his

behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received

the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them

were THROWN ALIVE INTO THE FIERY LAKE OF BURNING SULFUR." In Rev.

20, verse 10 it says: "And the devil, who deceived them, was

thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the

false prophet had been thrown. THEY WILL BE TORMENTED DAY AND

NIGHT FOR EVER AND EVER." This is the hell that the Coming World

Leader has to look forward to and in his place Jesus Christ our

Savior will reign in peace for ever and ever.

Now let's look at the execution of God's judgement. Dan 7, verses

9 to 12: "As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient

of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow, the

hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with

fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was

flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands

attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

The court was seated, and the books were opened." This is also

referred to in Revelation 20, verse 11-15 which is called the

Great White throne Judgement. But the Great White throne

Judgement of Rev. 20 does not occur until 1000 years AFTER the

events of Daniel 7. Notice that in Dan 7, verse 10 that it refers

to "ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." If you

multiply this out, you get one hundred million people

(100,000,000). Note that this verse specifies a particular

(limited) number of people, which Revelation 20 does NOT specify.

This COULD be the judgement of the nations of the world, which is

the only other judgement we know of that God will perform. See

Matthew 25:31-46. You see, you have the events of Daniel 7 (the

activity of the anti-christ, the Beginnings of Sorrows [3.5

years], the Great Tribulation [another 3.5 years], the Day of the

Lord, Armageddon and the Judgement of the Nations, the

establishment of the millennial temple, the millennial reign of

Christ (while the devil/dragon is bound), release and capture of

the devil, then the Great White Throne Judgement.

4. THE WORLD LEADER IS A PRELUDE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOD'S

KINGDOM ON EARTH

Verse 13 of Daniel Chapter 7: In my vision at night I looked, and

there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds

of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his

presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all

peoples, nations, and men of every language worshipped him. His

dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and

his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

a. The coming of the Son of Man The establishment of God's

kingdom on earth requires the coming of the Son of Man. Peace

will only be with us when the Prince of Peace returns and brings

it with him.

b. The cause to establish God's Kingdom on earth From Daniel

7, verse 14, we see why God will establish his kingdom here on

earth: "....all peoples, nations, and men of every language

worshipped him." The reason is to have us serve him in the very

place where we lived in rebellion. Where people lived and tried

to be in charge and refuse to acknowledge God, God will establish

his kingdom here as a final act of authority.

c. The control of the kingdom is given to the believers

Chapter 7 verse 18: "But the saints of the Most High will receive

the kingdom and will possess it for ever and ever." Verse 22 says

"until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgement in favor

of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when THEY

POSSESSED THE KINGDOM." Also, verse 27: "Then the sovereignty,

power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven WILL

BE HANDED OVER TO THE SAINTS, THE PEOPLE OF THE MOST HIGH. His

kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all rulers will

worship and obey him." This is the heaven we look forward to. See

Revelation Chapter 1, verse 6: "and has made us to be a kingdom

and priests to SERVE his God and Father...". See also, Rev.

Chapter 20, verse 4: "I saw thrones on which were seated those

who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of

those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus

and because of the word of God. They had NOT worshipped the beast

or his image and had NOT received the his mark on their foreheads

or their hands. THEY CAME TO LIFE AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A

THOUSAND YEARS. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until

the thousand years were ended.) This is the FIRST RESURRECTION.

BLESSED and HOLY are those who have a part in the first

resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but THEY

WILL BE PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST AND WILL REIGN WITH HIM FOR

A THOUSAND YEARS." Now, finally, look at Revelation 22, verse 3:

"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the

Lamb will be in the city, and HIS SERVANTS WILL SERVE HIM. THEY

WILL SEE HIS FACE, AND HIS NAME WILL BE ON THEIR FOREHEADS. There

will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or

the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. AND

THEY WILL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER."

d. The character of the kingdom of God. Daniel Chapter 7,

verse 14: "...His dominion is an EVERLASTING dominion that will

NOT pass away, and his kingdom is one that will NEVER be

destroyed. Verse 18: "But the saints of the Most High will

receive the kingdom and will possess it FOREVER - yes, FOR EVER

AND EVER." Verse 27: "...His kingdom will be an EVERLASTING

kingdom, and all ruler will worship and obey him." We can

obviously summarize this whole idea with one word: EVERLASTING.

Now, 2nd Peter 3, verse 9: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his

promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not

wanting ANYONE to perish, but EVERYONE to come to repentance. But

the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will

disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire,

and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since

everything will be destroyed this way, WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE OUGHT

YOU TO BE? YOU OUGHT TO LIVE HOLY AND GODLY LIVES AS YOU LOOK

FORWARD TO THE DAY OF GOD AND SPEED ITS COMING." I contend, dear

Christians, that if you do NOT study these prophesies about the

return of Christ Jesus, then you are NOT looking forward as you

are commanded here to. If you overlook this portion of God's

word, then you are looking at God and Jesus of TODAY, not

tomorrow. Verse 14 provides more guidance: "So then, dear

friends, make EVERY EFFORT TO BE FOUND SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS AND AT

PEACE WITH HIM." This means that if you are ANGRY with people in

your life, and you keep carrying that anger around with you, then

you are NOT spotless, you are NOT blameless, and you are NOT at

peace with him. This includes attitudes towards your Christian

brothers! Verse 17 says: "Therefore, dear friends, be on your

GUARD so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless

men and fall from your SECURE position. But grow in the grace and

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Ralph Yost

10/18/92