The beasts of the last days
Here are some notes I have been writing down in my note pad on the subject of the beasts in the last days.
This topic has been done hundreds of times by hundreds of biblical Christian scholars. I am not trying to add or take away what good work has already been done. What I will say however is that it's important for all Christians to take some serious time out to look at the subject of the last days and what is coming upon the earth before Jesus returns. Why is such an important subject? Because before Jesus returns 2 things must happen according to 2Thess 2. Firstly the falling away, that is the apostasy. Secondly, the revealing of the son of perdition, who will be working under the power of Satan. It is very clear that the first part is happening and has been going on for some time. Look at the increase in the faith prosperity movement, it's a love of the world. It's all about how much we get for ourselves, but Jesus' example was to lay down His life, becoming poor, so we could become spiritually rich. This is just one main point to show the falling away underway. Then there is the embracing of same-sex marriage, ecumenism, inter-faith, contemplative prayer, positive thinking and so on a so forth. For the son of perdition to come to power, he needs a beast system to rule and a false prophetic
beast to raise his up so that he will be worshipped. (see Rev 13) It is so obvious that it's coming very soon. Jesus Himself said before He comes many will be deceived, even the elect, if it were possible. See Matt 24.
I'll jump right in. Daniel was given all the detail we need for today to understand how the little horn will come to power. The little horn comes out of the 3rd and 4th kingdom.
Daniel 7 The 4th beast has 7 heads and 10 horns, Dan 7:7, 23-24. Notice Dan 7:8 gives specific detail of the little horn coming up who consumes 3 of the other horns. It could be argued now that there are 8 horns, including the little horn. BUT LOOK NOW in verses 9-11.
9. “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;
10. A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.
11. “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.
So the order goes straight from the little horn coming to power to the judgment of God and the beast was slain. Question, has that happened yet? Well, part of it did. Remember from Daniel 2 God revealed the dream and the meaning of the dream that king Nebuchadnezzar had all the detail is unpacked from the reign of Babylon to now. Amazing. So the part that has not happened is the coming of God's kingdom and that's coming right after antichrist' reign.
The way the Holy Spirit works is to give a quick overview, the gives the detail. The pattern of the end is seen over and over throughout scripture. It's worth remembering is that God is working all things together for good for those who love God, Rom 8:28. When His people turn away, God uses the reign of a beast (kingdom) to come against them and to put them into captivity, this causes Israel to repent. Then God brings judgment and destruction upon the kingdom that came against His people. This is going to happen with the anti Christ - beast kingdom that God will smash when He comes.
However it's going to be tough for those saints who are given over to the little horn. This is how it reads in Dan 7:23-27
23. “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces.
24. The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings.
25. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
26. ‘But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever.
27. Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
Many Christians have been taught that this is referring to Israel, as they have taken the bate and swallowed the pre trib rapture hook. Ok let's see what Rev 13:1-10 says, "1. Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
2. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
3. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marvelled and followed the beast.
4. So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5. And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."
Anyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ is called a saint. The Roman Catholic teaching of course would have us believe that only special Christians who have been known to have performed a miracle get to receive this title. That is a false teaching.
So as we can see Rev 13 gives more or less exactly the same detail as Dan 7.
So here we have a clear order of events, concluding with the kingdom of god coming as Christ comes to gather his elect both dead and alive to meet Him in the clouds and he brings His wrath upon the wicked and the son of perdition destroyed by the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming 2thess 2:8-9, 1Cor 15:21-23.
