R2 The Wise Shall Understand Daniel – Chapter 11 THE KING WHO EXALTS HIMSELF, Part 2 of 2 Lesson 16 Daniel 11:36-45

Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Plato's Tyrant1

As soon as [a tyrant] disposes of his enemies without the city, coming to a compromise with some and killing others, and when he is no longer troubled by them, then, I fancy, he begins to stir up one after another in order to keep the public in need of a [leader]? Plato - The Republic

Social Conflict2

Social conflict is a means to an end... [used by the ruling elite] to instill in the population an unqualified dislike for any other group of citizens... to successfully maintain an unbalanced society in need of "controls" and thus introduce their "New World Order." A. H. Krieg - The Satori and the New Mandarins

A Man with the Answers Today we see that our nation is polarized by many crises: Abortion, racism, political (right/left, black/white, Republican/Democrat, etc.), gun control, global warming, and terrorist threat, just to name a few. As this world advances closer to the end time we can expect this confusion to result in a demand for a leader. The current political situation is somewhat similar to that which gave rise to Adolph Hitler in Germany during the 1930s. In order to control the mass of people, a particular process is used which is called Hegelian Dialectics. In order to sway the masses of people to acceptance of an otherwise undesirable proposition, a tension is introduced, usually with help from the media. Once the tension creates the desired effect, and the people demand relief, the desired solution is introduced. The solution, although undesirable to the masses, is certainly preferable to the tension. To create the tension, a crisis is used or created, such as a new Pearl Harbor or the threat of an attack, whether real or created. The perceived enemy need not be real in order to create the tension, only the people must be made to believe that it is. Thus, a whole mass of people may be controlled, through fear or pressure in this manner. As an example, the war on terror is an endless war against a supposed external enemy, whether real or not, that has resulted in tighter control over the masses. The environmental movement has used similar tactics in order to promote their agenda. Such control is beneficial to those in leadership for sustaining their hold on the reins of power. The general masses do not understand this, believing that their leaders are serving the

1 Plato, A. D. Lindsay (transl.), THE REPUBLIC, New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1992, p. 252. 2 Adrian H. Krieg, THE SATORI AND THE NEW MANDARINS, Tampa, FL: Hallberg Publishing Corporation, 1997, p. XV, 55. "Satori" is the author's term for the "ruling elite." Its origin is feudalistic Japan, and means "the hidden organizers." The "Mandarins" were the people and organizations that tended to the day-to-day operations for the Satori. 1 R2 greater good. We may just be ready for the final great deception brought about by the final world leader - the Antichrist. The Antichrist will be a man who professes to have all the answers. He will use flatteries, lies, signs, and wonders. He will be like a snake charmer. The unbelievers will be conditioned to accept the lie. He is identified as the “man of sin” of 2 Thessalonians.3

2 THESS 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Like the gap of Daniel's 70th week of chapter 9, we find a gap in the historical narrative of chapter 11 and jump to the time of the end. We see Antiochus Epiphanes no more, but we find instead a willful King who exalts himself. There is no specific fulfillment in history for the verses that follow. Someone other than Antiochus Epiphanes is in mind. Scholars who view Daniel as genuine Scripture usually view the following verses as future and unfulfilled.4 John Walvoord comments:

“Because of the completely unsatisfactory explanation of an historical fulfillment of verses 36-45 in contrast with the precise fulfillment of the earlier portion, conservative expositors relate this passage to the climax of history culminating in the second advent of Christ. This, of course, is in keeping with the total tenor of Daniel’s prophecies which characteristically have their climax in the end of the interadvent age and the triumph of the kingdom of heaven which the Son of man will accomplish when He returns. The passage, therefore, is to be considered as contemporaneous with the climax of chapter 2, the destruction of the image, and the destruction of the little horn of Daniel 7, a period described in the book of Revelation, chapters 6-19. The king described in verses 36-39 of Daniel 11 and the events of the subsequent verses therefore have nothing to do with the second century B.C., and are entirely future and unfulfilled.”5

The King Who Exalts Himself - The Antichrist DAN 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

We've looked at the type of the Antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes. Now we will look at the real thing. This verse presents a future king that will arrive in the time of the end. This king will have absolute power as he will “do according to his will.” He will tolerate no restraints upon himself and he will recognize no law or authority greater than himself. He is the world ruler of Daniel 7:23 who shall devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and break it in pieces.6 He is "that man of sin" and "the son of perdition" in 2 Thessalonians 2, and the beast of the sea in Revelation 13. He will have great pride and will exalt himself above every god. He will speak blasphemy against God. The words "marvelous things" can be rendered "monstrous things." He will succeed, deceiving all. He will be all things to all people. He will look like the Messiah to the Jews and will be the ideal of the humanists. He will look like Christ to apostate Christianity. A panic-stricken world will run after him "till the indignation be accomplished." He will “prosper” until the indignation (God’s chastening program for His people) is accomplished

3 John F. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1971, p. 272. Robert Jamison, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, A COMMENTARY: Critical, Experimental, and Practical, Electronic Database, 1997, Biblesoft, 2 Th 2:3. 4 John F. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1971, p. 270. Renald E. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1982, pp. 162, 163. 5 Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 271. 6 Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 272. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 163. 2 R2 when Christ comes in His glorious second coming. The "indignation" is God's indignation against the nation of Israel, which rejected Jesus as Messiah and proclaimed the following:7

MAT 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

This rejection has lasted nearly 2000 years. The Great Tribulation will finally open their eyes.8 The “indignation may also refer to the blasphemous course of the Antichrist against God’s people.9

DAN 11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

The word translated God is “Elohim” rather than “Jehovah.” Elohim is the plural form of the word for God that was first used in Genesis 1:1. Its usage in Genesis 1 is made singular by its association with the singular verb “bara” (created). That he will not "regard the God of his fathers" could indicate that he comes from a religious family, possibly Jewish.10 However, there is no evidence anywhere in Scripture that he is Jewish. The inference is that he will not regard the god worshiped by his ancestors.11 It may be that he comes from a pagan family, believing in many gods, but he will have none of that.12 This is supported by the fact that many experts believe the wording should be instead, "the gods of his fathers." The plural, "gods," then is a reference to pagan gods. This means the Antichrist would be a non-Christian Gentile. This interpretation is permitted because Elohim is used instead of Jehovah, allowing a “general reference to any deities whether pagan or the true God”13 That he will not regard (value, esteem) the "desire of women" has the possible meaning that down through the ages the desire of the Jewish mother was to be the mother of the Messiah, the seed of the woman of Genesis 3:15. That is the most plausible interpretation. Since they do not believe that the Messiah has come, that desire is still valid. Another possible meaning of "desire of women" is that he will be a homosexual.14 A simple explanation is that he has no time or thought for women. It most probably refers simply that the Antichrist will have no regard for the Messiah.15 One other possibility is that since this statement, "desire of women," is placed in context between two nouns referring to actual gods, it must refer to some individual deity sought after by women, such as the Goddess of Nature worshiped primarily by women throughout history. This goddess is Beltis, or Mylitta, of the Babylonians. The Assyrians called her Ishtar. To the Phoenicians she was Astarte. She is the Queen of Heaven mentioned by Jeremiah. She is Tanata of the Persians, Isis of the Egyptians, Shing Moo (Holy Mother) of the Chinese, Aphrodite of the Greeks, Artemis (Diana) of the Ephesians, and Venus of the Romans. She is Friga of the Scandinavians. She is found as Amida, with her son Xaca, found by Francis Xavier as the goddess of Japan. She is also the woman to be worshiped as indicated by Strauss, Comte, and the Theosophists. This goddess is today morphed by the influx of paganism into the church. As such she is the representation of the Virgin Mary of the Eastern and Western Catholics. In this regard she is "Our Lady of Lourdes" and "Fatima," and numerous other appearances venerated by the Catholics.16 That he will not regard any god, and even exalts himself above all gods, indicates that he will oppose pagan gods as well as God almighty, attributing the title to himself.17

2 THESS 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and

7 John Phillips, Jerry Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1990, pp. 189, 190. Warren Wiersbe, WIERSBE'S EXPOSITORY OUTLINES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT. Copyright © 1992 by Chariot Victor Publishing, an imprint of Cook Communication Ministries, Rev 13:1-10. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 163. 8 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 190. 9 Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 273. 10 Noah W. Hutchings, DANIEL THE PROPHET, Oklahoma City, OK: Hearthstone Publishing, Ltd. 1990, 1998, p. 298. 11 Arthur E. Bloomfield, THE END OF THE DAYS: A STUDY OF DANIEL'S VISIONS, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1961, p. 225. 12 Daymond R. Duck, Larry Richards (editor), DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, Lancaster, PA: Starburst Publishers, 1998t, p. 303. 13 Duck, DANIEL: God's Word for the Biblically-Inept, p. 304. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, pp. 273, 274. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 164. 14 Hutchings, DANIEL THE PROPHET, p. 300. Duck, DANIEL: God's Word for the Biblically-Inept, pp. 303, 304. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 274. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 164. 15 Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 274. Bloomfield, THE END OF THE DAYS: A STUDY OF DANIEL'S VISIONS, p. 255. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 164. 16 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, pp. 190, 191. See also: Rev. Alexander Hislip, THE TWO BABYLONS, Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1916, 1943, 1959. 17 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 189. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 275. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 165. 3 R2 exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

DAN 11:38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

Satan is the "God of forces." This is who the Antichrist will give his allegiance to.18 "Forces" indicates power. The Antichrist will spend great wealth to obtain power, and use it to honor his god, Satan. He will place great confidence in military power, used to solidify world domination and control. He is a complete materialist rather than religious. He deifies war. His god personifies War.19

REV 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority…. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

DAN 11:39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

Taken as a whole, Daniel 11:36-39 shows that the final system will be a combination of materialism, militarism, and religion.20 Antichrist will acknowledge and build up his god (Satan) among the strongholds of world power. This is false religion. He will appoint his own supporters to positions of power as well. He will divide up the land of Israel and apportion it to his most trusted followers. The present state of Israel is on the verge of seeing fulfillment of this prophecy.21 The two state solution of the Palestinians and Israel may involve, as some have already proposed, making Jerusalem an international city where Christians, Muslims, and Jews can each have their holy sites. This may finally allow the building of the Jewish Temple alongside the Muslim Mosque. Today we hear that the world is becoming Democratic. Our nation was not founded as a democracy, but a republic. When did our nation become a democracy? Listen as Plato speaks of democracy:

Democracy22 Tyranny arises from no other constitution than democracy, severest and most cruel slavery following, I fancy, the extreme of Liberty... [There is a] class of idle and desolate men; some of them are desperately brave and leaders of the whole, the rest are more cowardly and follow... Now those two classes... when they arise, make a disturbance in the whole constitution... the class that we have described makes one, and that, you know, by reason of the permissive principle, flourishes as much fear as in the oligarchic city... But in a democracy, you know, this class practically rules the state. The fiercest of them speak and act, and the rest crowd buzzing around the platform and won't hear or of any opposition, so that almost everything in this constitution is managed by the drones... Another class of this nature may always be distinguished in the crowd... Of all the men engaged in making money, those that are of a most orderly nature usually become the richest... Then from them, I imagine, honey oozes for the drones in greatest profusion and readiness... Then these rich men, I fancy, are called the drones' garden... The people would form a third class including all who work with their hands and take no part in affairs, who have got but few possessions. And in a democracy this class, when it is assembled, is the most numerous and most powerful… But it won't come to the assembly often unless it gets a share of the honey.

18 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 191. 19 Duck, DANIEL: God's Word for the Biblically-Inept, pp. 304, 305. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 276. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 165. 20 Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 274. 21 Hutchings, DANIEL THE PROPHET, pp. 302, 303. Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 191. 22 Plato, THE REPUBLIC, p. 248, 249. An oligarchy is a form of government in which the power is in the hands of a few. A pure democracy is one in which the people hold the power directly; majority rule. In a democracy the people can vote benefits to themselves whether or not it is beneficial for the whole. In a republic the people are the electorate who elect representatives who represent them. The representatives are free to decide what is beneficial to the whole. Many of our representatives today have never held a real job, are more concerned about re- election, and are beholden to special interest groups for their campaign finances, rather than to the people they are supposed to represent. A democracy eventually falls to a tyrant. 4 R2 And therefore it always gets a share... so long as the leaders can managed to plunder the propertied classes, divide the spoil among the people, and yet keep the biggest share for themselves.

Our true republic was lost with the ratification of the 17th amendment of the Constitution, changing the appointment of U.S. Senators by state legislatures to direct vote of the people. This made the Senators now beholden to the whims of the majority of voters, rather than being accountable to the state which they were to represent. The Senator was to directly represent the state. Thus the Constitution allowed for the people to be represented at the Federal level by their district representatives, while, the state was represented by the Senators. This allowed a balance of accountability and representation while retaining the sovereignty of each separate state. Each state was to act as a sovereign nation within the federation.

DAN 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

This will occur during the Tribulation. This is a separate campaign from the battle known as Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38 and 39 which can occur at any moment before the Rapture or the Tribulation. In Gog and Magog specifically named nations will come against Israel sometime before the Tribulation begins or during the first half of the Tribulation. In Gog and Magog, Russia (possibly) and Muslim nations (certainly) will be the participants, however, the kings of the north and south (Syria and Egypt) are not mentioned at all. However, in the campaigns of Antichrist all nations (Zech 14:2) will eventually gather against Jerusalem.23 During the Antichrist’s Tribulation rule, the kings of the south and north, the modern representatives in the areas of Egypt and Syria, will join forces and will, come against the Antichrist (“him”) in the end times, in order to break free from his rule. Possibly this war will begin with an attack on Israel, who may at this time, “before the abomination of desolation,” be allied in a seven-year covenant confirmed by the Antichrist. The Antichrist will swiftly attack “Egypt” and will overcome “Syria” and “Egypt”.24 He will march into Israel ("the glorious land") and attack Jerusalem, probably because of Jewish revolts.25 Remember, he is the leader of the one-world system. All nations are under his control.

ZEC 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

He will lose control over the eastern part of his one-world empire, the Muslim nations.26 Ammon, Moab and Edom will escape out of Antichrist’s hand. In Revelation chapter 12 there is additional insight regarding Ammon, Moab, and Edom:

REV 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The wilderness is most likely the area of Ammon, Moab, and Edom. Petra is located in Edom. Many believe that Israel will flee to Petra during this time, after the “abomination of desolation” is set up. God’s outcasts (Israel) will dwell with Moab.

ISA 16:1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela [Petra] to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. 2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. 3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not him that wandereth. 4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. 5 And

23 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, pp. 192-194. 24 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 192. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 277. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 167. 25 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 193. 26 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 192. 5 R2 in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

ISA 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

AMMON, MOAB, AND EDOM27

Jordan River

Dead Sea Ammon

Moab

Edom

Today the country of Jordan represents Ammon, Moab, and Edom.28

DAN 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

The Antichrist will deal severely with the countries he overthrows in his march on Egypt. He will plunder Egypt. Egypt's allies, Libya and Ethiopia, will abandon Egypt and make friends with the Antichrist.29 The kings of the east will mobilize and cross the Euphrates River toward Megiddo. Nations from the north will join those of the east, together with the Muslim nations. The Antichrist will mobilize his western allies toward Armageddon.30

REV 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which

27 Emil G. Kraeling (edit.), HISTORICAL ATLAS OF THE HOLY LAND, New York, NY: Rand McNally & Company, 1959. 28 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 193. 29 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, p. 193. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p. 168. 30 Phillips, Vines, EXPLORING THE BOOK OF DANIEL, pp. 193, 194. Duck, DANIEL: God's Word for the Biblically-Inept, p. 313. 6 R2 go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Keep in mind, as stated before, that this is not the same battle as the Gog and Magog battle of the Ezekiel 38 and 39, therefore the northern nations are speculative.

Demon Army According to some, an army will come from the direction of the Euphrates River numbering 200 million. Some commentators confuse this demon army with the armies of the kings of the east of Revelation 16. China has sufficient men to field such an army. Not only that, it is possible today for them to cross the River as on dry ground. Supposedly, a dam across the Euphrates exists today that makes this possible in the natural. But that is not what Revelation 9 says. Revelation 9, in context, refers to a demonic locust army as part of the tribulation plagues.31 Notice the context of Revelation 9:

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. 13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

Revelation chapter 9 refers to a demon army. Contrary to what some contemporary Bible teachers have taught, this army is different from the armies of the kings of the east in Revelation 16. This difference can be seen in that the two hundred million are in the trumpet judgments (Rev 9), while the kings of the east are in the vial (bowl) judgments (Rev 16). Furthermore, the kings of the east are Mesopotamian kings, not Chinese. Nowhere in Scripture is China mentioned, other than speculation because of the size of the demon army mentioned in Revelation chapter 9. Everywhere else in Scripture, the “east” always refers to Mesopotamia.32

REV 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

Gog and Magog, and Armageddon There are definite differences in the description of the Gog and Magog battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 when compared to the Battle of Armageddon described in Revelation 16 and 19. The players are different and the direction of the attack is different. Other differences are shown in the following chart.

31 Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003, 2004, pp. 225-231. 32 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 228, 310. 7 R2 Battles of Gog and Armageddon33

DAN 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

He will prepare for the final confrontation and plant his headquarters somewhere between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The Lord will come with the armies of Heaven first to Bozrah, near Petra and will defeat the Antichrist’s forces that are against His remnant Israel. The armies assembled at Armageddon will march to do battle with the Lord at Jerusalem and will die in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the Kidron Valley, where blood will reach the horse’s bridles. Others believe that the Valley of Jehoshaphat is in the divide made when an earthquake splits the Mount of Olives (Zec 14:4). In either case, this is where it is thought that Christ will judge the individuals of Gentile nations (Mat 25:31-46; sheep and goats) that survive the Tribulation since Jehoshaphat means Jehovah judges.34 Armageddon is the gathering place, not the scene of the battle.35

The Location of the Second Coming is Edom near Bozrah. MAT 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Five passages of Scripture pinpoint the location of the Second Coming as Edom near Bozrah where a great slaughter is to occur. The five passages that pinpoint the location of the Second Coming are Isaiah 34:1-7, Isaiah 63:1-6, Habakkuk 3:3, Micah 2:12, 13, and possibly Judges 5:4, 5.36

ISA 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. 2 For the indignation of the Lord is upon all

33 John Phillips, EXPLORING THE FUTURE, Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1983, revised 1992, p. 359. 34 David Levy, JOEL, THE DAY OF THE LORD, Belmawr, NJ: THE FRIEND’S OF ISRAEL Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1987, pp. 59, 60. 35 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 312. 36 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 339, 342. 8 R2 nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. 3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. 4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. 5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea [Edom], and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. 6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea [Edom]. 7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

In Isaiah we see a picture of the King of Kings marching towards Jerusalem triumphantly from Bozrah with His garments soaked with blood. Isaiah also indicates that He fights alone as protector of the Remnant Jewish forces.37

ISA 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Micah records that the Lord is protecting the remnant Jews, like a Shepherd, against the Antichrist’s forces at Bozrah. Keep in mind that Bozrah is situated near Petra where God’s Remnant is preserved. Keep also in mind that the entrance to Petra is a narrow canyon, like a sheep’s gate. In this passage “the Breaker, “their King,” and “the Lord” are all the same person. Micah links Bozrah with the Second Coming.38

MIC 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. 13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.

The Battle. The battle will begin at Bozrah and will extend to the eastern walls of Jerusalem in the Kidron Valley, also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat.39 Armageddon will be the staging area for the armies gathered initially to challenge the rule of the Antichrist; but, while engaged in the battles with Antichrist the battle will suddenly culminate in their destruction when Jesus Christ suddenly appears at His Second Coming. When these armies see the signs of the Lord’s return, they will turn and direct their hostility toward Him.40 The armies will “come up” to the Valley of Jehoshaphat to meet the Lord.

JOEL 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. 12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

37 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 341, 343. 38 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, p. 342. 39 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, p. 351. 40 David M. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries, 1999, p. 185. John F. Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1966, pp. 238, 279. 9 R2 The Antichrist’s army will be slaughtered all the way to the winepress in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.41

ZECH 14:12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

REV 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

A possible explanation of the distance of 1,600 furlongs (200 miles) is given by Jeremiah as the fighting which begins in Bozrah extends south down the Arabah until the Red Sea at Eilat and Aqabah (Jer 49:20-22). From there to Jerusalem is about 200 miles. Since the fighting will end in Jerusalem at the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the blood bath will extend over a 1,600 furlong (200 mile) distance. It also should be noted that the round trip between Bozrah and Jerusalem is also 200 miles.42

Victory at the Mount of Olives. With the battle won, Messiah will ascend the Mount of Olives for the climax.43 Zechariah 14:3 is often used to prove that Jesus’ Second Coming will be to the Mount of Olives. However, Arnold Fruchtenbaum shows that Zechariah 14:3 is dealing with two separate events; first – fighting against nations, then; second – Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives. As we have seen, other Scriptures show that Jesus’ initial return is to Bozrah to fight against the nations. Zechariah 12:7 also says that “the Lord will save the tents of Judah first.” Judah then is pictured as living in tents, not in Jerusalem. The remaining Jews in Jerusalem will be saved after the battle against the nations at Bozrah.44

ZECH 12:7 The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.

ZECH 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

The Lesson to Ponder Christians should always consider themselves as servants of all. With this attitude it will be difficult to exalt ourselves. We should consider ourselves unimportant in the larger scheme of things. Jesus washed His disciple’s feet. Should we do less? Antiochus exalted himself and died insane in 164BC.45 The Antichrist will exalt himself and will have his inheritance in the lake burning with fire.

REV 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

MATT 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

41 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 353, 354. 42 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 354, 355. 43 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, p. 355. 44 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp. 350, 351, 355. 45 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPAEDIA, Electronic Database, 1996, Biblesoft, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. 10