Future History 101 Part 6: The Old Testament Portrayal of Jesus (Section C)

WILL THE ANTICHRIST EMPIRE COVER THE WHOLE WORLD

+ The Antichrist will come from the Middle-East

The Antichrist will come out of an existing but unconsolidated empire of nations in the last days.

While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns. While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man’s, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly. -Daniel 7:7-8 HCSB

This is what he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them (the Antichrist) and subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. -Daniel 7:23-25 HCSB emphasis added

What is the beast?

The fourth beast is a final unconsolidated empire. The empire is not initially a united empire. The empire will encompass a large area of the earth, namely the Middle-East.

Who are the ten horns?

Ten rulers out of the final beast empire will give their power to the Antichrist. Seven of the ten rulers will give their power willingly, while three rulers will be conquered by the Antichrist

The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. -Revelation 17:12-13 HCSB

Future History 101 Powell 54 What are the uprooted horns?

The three kingdoms that the Antichrist (who comes from the North) will conquer will be Egypt, Libya, and Cush (see Part 6 section B)

At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites. He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission. -Daniel 11:40-43 HCSB emphasis added

Who is the little horn with an arrogant mouth?

The Antichrist. He will consolidate the final beast empire and attempt to institute the religion of the empire (Islam) throughout the entire land.

A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act for 42 months. He began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling those who dwell in heaven. -Revelation 13:5-6 HCSB emphasis added

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God. -2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 HCSB emphasis added

Will the empire cover the entire globe?

No! The empire will not be spread over the entire globe. The empire and power of the Antichrist will be concentrated in the Middle-East. Jesus’s kingdom will be the only kingdom that will ever cover the entire globe.

And he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All those who live on the earth (ge) will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.

Future History 101 Powell 55 -Revelation 13:7-8 HCSB

ge: Greek for earth, means territory, region, a land enclosed with fixed boundaries

The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying: The kingdom of the world (kosmos) has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever! -Revelation 11:15 HCSB

kosmos: Greek for world, means world, universe, circle of the earth, the entire globe

+ The Antichrist will arise out of the Northern part of the Middle East

If the Bible never mentions a single European, North American, South American, East Asian, or Australian nation as a part of the Antichrist empire, how then could the Antichrist come from any of those nations? The Antichrist will come out of the Middle East.

The prophet Daniel plainly reveals the region in the Middle East from which the Antichrist will arise. In Daniel 9, Daniel is visited by Gabriel the angel of God, and he is told a prophecy about the future. The prophecy included the birth and death of Jesus called the “Messiah the Prince,” and the prophecy foretold the destruction of Jerusalem (the city) of the Jewish Temple (the sanctuary) in A.D. 70 by the people of the “coming prince.” The coming prince is another name for the Antichrist.

… The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. -Daniel 9:26 HCSB emphasis added

Therefore, if one can identify the people who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple, the nationality of the Antichrist could be discovered. Many advocates of a European Antichrist, are quick to point out that the Roman Empire destroyed the city and the sanctuary in A.D. 70. There are, however, serious problems with the Roman view. First, Gabriel told Daniel the people of the coming prince not the empire of the coming prince would destroy the city and the sanctuary. The second problem with the Roman view, is that it fails to understand the true history and facts surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem. While it is true that Roman legions destroyed the city and the sanctuary, it is not true that the Roman Legions were made up of Roman (European) people.

History tells us that the Roman General Titus led the Eastern (Middle Eastern) Legions of the Roman Empire. Titus’s army was comprised of Arabs,

Future History 101 Powell 56 Syrians, and Turks. The soldiers were Roman citizens but were not from the western (European) portion of the empire, they were Middle Eastern.

The First Century Jewish Historian Josephus recorded the make up of the eastern Roman legions under Roman General Titus.

“The greatest part of the Roman garrison was raised out of Syria: and being thus related to the Syrian part, they were ready to assist it.” -Flavius Josephus, The Works of Josephus: Wars of the Jews p. 614

“So Vespasian sent his son Titus from Achaia, where he had been with Nero, to Alexandria, to bing back with him from thence the fifth and the tenth legions, while he himself, when he had passed over Hellespont, came by land into Syria, where he gathered together the Roman forces, with a considerable number of auxiliaries from the kings in that neighborhood.” -Flavius Josephus, The Works of Josephus: Wars of the Jews p. 640

“The multitude of the Arabians, with the Syrians, cut up those that came as supplicants, and searched their bellies. Nor does it seem to me that any misery befell the Jews that was more terrible than this, since in one night’s time about two thousand of these deserters were dissected.” -Flavius Josephus, The Works of Josephus: Wars of the Jews p. 725

(For more on the Antichrist see Future History 201 Part 4: The Beast)

WHAT ABOUT EZEKIEL 38-39

+ The Battle of Gog of Magog

The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, turn your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him and say: This is what the Lord GOD says: Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army, including horses and riders, who are all splendidly dressed, a huge company armed with shields and bucklers, all of them brandishing swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shields and helmets; Gomer with all its troops; and Beth-togarmah from the remotest parts of the north along with all its troops many peoples are with you. -Ezekiel 38:1-6 HCSB

+ Who are Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-Togarmah

Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-Togarmah are grandsons of Noah

These are the family records of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. They also had sons after the flood. Japheth’s sons: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan,

Future History 101 Powell 57 Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. Gomer’s sons: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. -Genesis 10:1-3 HCSB

+ Does Ezekiel prophesy that Russia will invade Israel in the Last Days

One of the most popular prophetic passages in the Bible is Ezekiel 38-39, what is popularly known as the Gog and Magog Invasion. For over one hundred years, Bible prophecy teachers have been teaching that there is a coming Russian invasion of Israel. Prophecy teachers have for years taught Magog is Russia.

The “Russian” of Ezekiel 38-39 was largely popularized by C. I. Scofield through the Scofield Reference Bible that was published in 1909 and revised in 1917. Scofield was a Dispensational Premillenialist (places strong distinction between Israel and the Church, teaches that God has two covenant peoples [a dangerous error]). Scofield produced the reference Bible just before the onset of World War 1, during a time of optimism and prosperity for world peace, but Dispensationalism is far from optimistic concerning world peace. Dispensationalism rightly interprets Biblical prophecy to teach that peace will only come through the literal kingdom reign of Christ in the Millennium, but Dispensationalism misses the fact that God only has ONE covenant people (See Part 3: The Covenants). After World War 2 ended the Scofield Reference Bible had sold more than two million copies in the United States. The Scofield Reference Bible and the writings of Scofield have heavily influenced many modern Bible prophecy teachers such as: Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Chuck Missler, and Joel Rosenberg. The Scofield Reference Bible continues to be published and sold to this day.

Here are the Scofield study notes on Ezekiel 38:1-6:

“That the primary reference is to the northern (European) powers, headed up by Russia, all agree… Gog is the prince, "Magog," his land. The reference to Meshech and Tubal (Moscow and Tobolsk) is a clear mark of identification. Russia and the northern powers have been the latest persecutors of dispersed Israel, and it is congruous both with divine justice and with the covenants… that destruction should fall at the climax of the last mad attempt to exterminate the remnant of Israel in Jerusalem. The whole prophecy belongs to the yet future "day of Jehovah;" and to the battle of Armageddon. But includes also the final revolt of the nations at the close of the kingdom- age.” -C. I. Scofield, The Scofield Study Bible: 1917 p. 883

Scofield’s “Russian” view of Ezekiel 38 is still extremely popular to this day. The “Russian” view has gone so far to influence the decisions of World leaders including American Presidents.

Future History 101 Powell 58 “Ezekiel tells us that Gog, the nation that will lead all of the other powers of darkness against Israel, will come out of the north. Biblical scholars have been saying for generations that Gog must be Russia. What other powerful nation is to the north of Israel? None. But it didn’t seem to make sense before the Russian revolution, when Russia was a Christian country. Now it does, now that Russia has become Communistic and atheistic, now that Russia has set itself against God. Now it fits the description of Gog perfectly.” -Ronald Reagan, speech given in 1971 while he was Governor of California

+ The “Russian” view even affected some modern Biblical translations

Scofield’s “Russian” view was also shared by several modern translations of the Bible. The Scofield Reference Bible is an Authorized King James Version (1611) Bible. Note below the change in the translations of Ezekiel 38:2.

The Authorized King James Version:

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

The New King James Version:

Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

The New American Standard Bible:

Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him

The Holman Christian Standard Bible:

Son of man, turn your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him

As noted above, the NKJV and the NASB translate Ezekiel 38:2 differently. Rather than translating the verse to read, “the chief prince,” they translate the verse to say, “Prince of Rosh.” Rosh is the Hebrew word for chief or first, but rather than translating the verse to say “chief,” the NKJV and NASB translate the word rosh as a proper noun referring to a specific country or land. The “Rosh” change represents a major reinterpretation of the text. Rosh refers to an ancient people who resided in what is currently the southern portion of the modern nation Ukraine. The “Rosh” interpretation (sounding like Russia) has led many to believe and teach that Rosh refers to Russia, and Meshech and Tubal refer to the Russian cities Moscow and Tobolsk.

Future History 101 Powell 59 See Map below for an example of the Rosh interpretation:

© Lion and Lamb Ministries

There are, however, several major problems with interpreting rosh as a proper noun. Of the 598 times the word rosh is translated in the KJV, HCSB, ESV, NIV, NLT, and RSV: it is translated as chief or first in every instance. In fact, nowhere else does the Bible refer to a nation or a people named “Rosh.”

“The chief prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. This should be translated ‘chief prince of Meshech and Tubal’ because Rosh (more than 600 times) in the Hebrew Old Testament is an adjective, ‘chief,’ often in reference to the chief priest.” -John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary: location 32903

Because modern prophecy teachers teach the Antichrist is coming from Europe or Rome, the Ezekiel 38 war is seen as an event entirely separated from the Antichrist and his empire and confounds the understanding of future events.

Modern conservative biblical scholarship has long rejected the view that Gog is a prince of Russia and Magog is Russia, but many prophecy teachers continue to wrongly teach the Russian view despite clear evidence that it is gravely mistaken.

*As an example, compare the maps at the back of the notes from Prophecy Resources as compared to peer edited Modern Biblical resources.

+ Who is Gog

-The last days leader of the Antichrist Nations.

Future History 101 Powell 60 The Lord tells the prophet Ezekiel that Gog will be the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (modern day Turkey). Gog is the seed of Satan, the final manifestation of the spirit of antichrist (See Future History 101 Part 5: The Spirit of Antichrist) prophesied in Genesis 3:15. (See Future History 101 Part 2: The Foundation)

I will put hostility between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your seed (Antichrist) and her seed (Jesus Christ). He will strike your head (Jesus will crush the Satan’s antichrist kingdom), and you will strike his heel. -Genesis 3:15 HCSB emphasis added

“If (the name Gog) refers to a person, described as a prince from the land of Magog, who is the final Antichrist.” -John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary: location 32889

“Gog seems to transcend historical categories, serving as a symbol of the forces of antichrist.... Gog represents the ‘beast’ as well as ‘Satan.’” -HCSB Study Bible p. 1412

-The leader of a last days Middle-Eastern confederation of nations

The Lord will bring Gog and his confederation of nations out against Israel. Ezekiel 38 parallels with Zechariah 14. While Gog will rise out of Magog, Meshech, and Tubal (modern day Turkey), he will lead a confederation or empire of other nations: Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, Beth-togarmah, and many peoples.

I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army, including horses and riders, who are all splendidly dressed, a huge company armed with shields and bucklers, all of them brandishing swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shields and helmets; Gomer with all its troops; and Beth- togarmah from the remotest parts of the north along with all its troops many peoples are with you. -Ezekiel 38:4-6 HCSB emphasis added

A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided in your presence. I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle. The city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city. -Zechariah 14:1-2 HCSB emphasis added

-One who seeks plunder

The motivation for Gog’s invasion of Israel will be to seize the resources that Israel has accumulated. Ezekiel indicates that just prior

Future History 101 Powell 61 to the invasion of Gog, Israel will be living at peace in the land and will have become an economic superpower in the Middle East.

You will say, “I will go up against a land of open villages; I will come against a tranquil people who are living securely, all of them living without walls and without bars or gates in order to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against ruins now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have been acquiring cattle and possessions and who live at the center of the world.” -Ezekiel 38:11-12 HCSB emphasis added

-One who takes advantage of peace in the Middle-East

You will say, I will go up against a land of open villages; I will come against a tranquil people who are living securely, all of them living without walls and without bars or gates. -Ezekiel 38:11 HCSB

Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, there has not be one occasion that could be described as, “ Israel living at peace with her neighbors.” However, just prior to the invasion of Gog, the people of Israel will be living at peace with their neighbors. The immediate question becomes, “why are the people of Israel at peace with their neighbors?”

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and the manifestation of his kingdom will establish everlasting peace on the earth (Luke . The peace Israel will experience in Ezekiel 38:11 is clearly not Christ’s peace (for it will be everlasting.) The peace will be a false peace that has been established by the Antichrist and nations of the Middle East.

The prophet Daniel confirms that the Antichrist will be the one to establish temporary peace among the Middle Eastern nations including Israel. Daniel goes to prophesy that the Antichrist will break the peace after just 3 ½ years.

He (Antichrist) will make a firm covenant with many for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week (3 ½ years) he (Antichrist) will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator. -Daniel 9:27 HCSB emphasis added

Therefore, in the last days there will be peace in Israel and the Middle East, and then all Hell will break loose.

Future History 101 Powell 62 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. -1 Thessalonians 5:3 HCSB emphasis added

-One who invades from the north

Gog will invade from the North of Israel from Magog, Meshech, and Tubal. (modern day Turkey)

And come from your place in the remotest parts of the north you and many peoples with you, who are all riding horses a mighty horde, a huge army? -Ezekiel 38:15 HCSB emphasis added

At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood. -Daniel 11:40 HCSB emphasis added

-One who will receive international opposition to his invasion

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its rulers will ask you, “Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hordes to carry off plunder, to make off with silver and gold, to take cattle and possessions, to seize great spoil?” -Ezekiel 38:13 HCSB emphasis added

Sheba and Dedan are the modern nations of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Tarshish is in Western Europe (Spain, France, Italy, and possibly Great Britain and the United States.)

There will be international protest against Gog’s invasion of Israel. The international protest will ultimately draw other nations into the final battle of Armageddon. (See Future History 201 Part: 6)

-One prophesied in all of the prophets to come against Israel in the last days

This is what the Lord GOD says: Are you the one I spoke about in former times through My servants, the prophets of Israel, who for years prophesied in those times that I would bring you against them? -Ezekiel 38:17 HCSB

Ezekiel’s prophesy is clear that all of the prophets have spoke about Gog’s invasion of Israel. However, Gog is never mentioned by name in any other Old Testament book. Ezekiel is clearly indicating that Gog is the Antichrist (the final head of Satan’s Kingdom).

Future History 101 Powell 63 -One who’s doom will usher in the Messiah’s Kingdom

Gog will be destroyed not by another nation, but he will be destroyed by Jesus Christ in person, and Jesus’s followers will with Christ crush the head of Satan. The entire world will know Jesus is Messiah on the day he destroys Gog.

As for you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: This is what the Lord GOD says: Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, drive you on, and lead you up from the remotest parts of the north. I will bring you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will knock your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. You, all your troops, and the peoples who are with you will fall on the mountains of Israel. I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and to the wild animals. You will fall on the open field, for I have spoken.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “I will send fire against Magog and those who live securely on the coasts and islands. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. Yes, it is coming, and it will happen.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “This is the day I have spoken about. -Ezekiel 39:1-8 HCSB emphasis added

Then I saw the beast (the Antichrist), the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse (JESUS CHRIST) and against His army (all the saints of God). But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. -Revelation 19:19-21 HCSB emphasis added

Jesus’s followers will with Christ crush the head of Satan.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. -Romans 16:20 HCSB emphasis added

(For more on the Antichrist see Future History 201 Part 4: The Beast)

Future History 101 Powell 64 Prophecy Maps

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Future History 101 Powell 66

Future History 101 Powell 67