The AntiChrist – According to Ezekiel, Joel ... and Paul
A quick review of Daniel's Information regarding Anti-christ showed this sequence:
A man whose homeland is to the North of Israel rises to power by his use of 'intrigue' (or as the King James puts it, by use of flattery). In other words, rises to power peacefully. He has an eye to ultimate control of the world, but his challenge will be to conquer 'the King of the South' which seems to represent a large portion of the western world. His 'peace covenant' is for a seven year period and is made between himself (His kingdom North of Israel including many allied countries) and Israel. This covenant likely includes provision for the Jews to build a temple and begin worship as they knew it before AD 70. After the first year into the covenant he strikes out against the kingdom of the South (including western alliances). A year later he initiates another strike against the King of the South, with an idea to have complete control over Israel. The outcome is not what he wanted; complete freedom to assume full control of the Holy Land. The conflict being ended, he returns to Israel with his somewhat limited freedom and negotiates with enough of the non-orthodox Jews in power there, and receiving their support, puts an end to Old Testament Judaism and puts an end to Temple worship. At the time of the end (of the seven-year agreement) The King of the South attempts to remove the Northern King from power but fails totally due to the Northern king now having an even greater alliance of partners.
Now having total freedom to do as he pleases the Northern king actually moves his center to Jerusalem. Very shortly thereafter he receives another threat from powers in the far north and east. He goes to engage them in battle but nothing is said about the outcome, then, it is matter of factly stated that this Northern king is destroyed. What immediately follows is a change in focus.
So that is Daniel's description of the Antichrist.
The prophet Ezekiel describes the 'end-time' as well. He does not seem to address the last 7 years as completely as Daniel does but he gives a very detailed account of the actions of the anti-Christ right after he defeats the king of the South.
Read from chapter 38:1 to 38:23. This chapter describes the final activities of Anti-christ and his destruction.
Here is what we have noted from the scriptures:
-The identifying name of Anti-christ is Gog, of the land of Magog.
-He (unknowingly) is under God's control. (v4)
-The last battle will be on horseback
-He has a large group of supporting armies at his side.
-Eze 38:5 Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from
the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.
The time of this final manoeuvre is against Israel at a time when it:
A quick look at the Old Testament book of Joel will show that it is a vivid description of the destruction of the armies of Anti-christ. Jesus does this Himself. The event is called the battle of Armageddon.
Read Joel 1:15 – 2:- Chapter one describes the devastated condition of the earth right at the end of the seven year 'tribulation'. Chapter two – describes the coming of Jesus at the final battle of Armageddon.
Joel describes the destruction of Antichrist and his army. (2:1-11)
God's army, as it is here described, could be something out of a modern day science fiction movie. This battle, the battle of Armageddon, is here called 'The Day of The Lord'. (re-read verse one and verse eleven).
1This word in Hebrew is translated as 'village' on one occasion, and as 'young lions' in 30 other occurrences. Sheba and Dedan represent Saudi Arabia, Tarshish likely refers to Great Britain, the young lion refer to her colonies including the USA
A quick review of Daniel's Information regarding Anti-christ showed this sequence:
A man whose homeland is to the North of Israel rises to power by his use of 'intrigue' (or as the King James puts it, by use of flattery). In other words, rises to power peacefully. He has an eye to ultimate control of the world, but his challenge will be to conquer 'the King of the South' which seems to represent a large portion of the western world. His 'peace covenant' is for a seven year period and is made between himself (His kingdom North of Israel including many allied countries) and Israel. This covenant likely includes provision for the Jews to build a temple and begin worship as they knew it before AD 70. After the first year into the covenant he strikes out against the kingdom of the South (including western alliances). A year later he initiates another strike against the King of the South, with an idea to have complete control over Israel. The outcome is not what he wanted; complete freedom to assume full control of the Holy Land. The conflict being ended, he returns to Israel with his somewhat limited freedom and negotiates with enough of the non-orthodox Jews in power there, and receiving their support, puts an end to Old Testament Judaism and puts an end to Temple worship. At the time of the end (of the seven-year agreement) The King of the South attempts to remove the Northern King from power but fails totally due to the Northern king now having an even greater alliance of partners.
Now having total freedom to do as he pleases the Northern king actually moves his center to Jerusalem. Very shortly thereafter he receives another threat from powers in the far north and east. He goes to engage them in battle but nothing is said about the outcome, then, it is matter of factly stated that this Northern king is destroyed. What immediately follows is a change in focus.
So that is Daniel's description of the Antichrist.
The prophet Ezekiel describes the 'end-time' as well. He does not seem to address the last 7 years as completely as Daniel does but he gives a very detailed account of the actions of the anti-Christ right after he defeats the king of the South.
Read from chapter 38:1 to 38:23. This chapter describes the final activities of Anti-christ and his destruction.
Here is what we have noted from the scriptures:
-The identifying name of Anti-christ is Gog, of the land of Magog.
-He (unknowingly) is under God's control. (v4)
-The last battle will be on horseback
-He has a large group of supporting armies at his side.
-Eze 38:5 Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from
the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.
The time of this final manoeuvre is against Israel at a time when it:
- had spent a long period of time in total desolation
- has been brought out of the nations.
- is dwelling safely
- The key word or 'buzz-word' will be peace. Finally peace! (v11)
- Several nations will 'question' what Gog is doing.
Sheba, Dedan, Merchants of Tarshish and all her young lions1.
- Although God is allowing and leading Gog against Israel, His fury and wrath turns against Gog (who was an 'all-too-willing' pawn in God's hands!) - (v17)
- The destruction of Gog (anti-Christ) is surrounded by a description that sounds like the book of Revelation. (v19: great earthquake, effects on fish, birds, creeping things, people responding in terror, the levelling of mountains, confusion resulting in self-destruction, pestilence, great hailstones.)
A quick look at the Old Testament book of Joel will show that it is a vivid description of the destruction of the armies of Anti-christ. Jesus does this Himself. The event is called the battle of Armageddon.
Read Joel 1:15 – 2:- Chapter one describes the devastated condition of the earth right at the end of the seven year 'tribulation'. Chapter two – describes the coming of Jesus at the final battle of Armageddon.
Joel describes the destruction of Antichrist and his army. (2:1-11)
God's army, as it is here described, could be something out of a modern day science fiction movie. This battle, the battle of Armageddon, is here called 'The Day of The Lord'. (re-read verse one and verse eleven).
1This word in Hebrew is translated as 'village' on one occasion, and as 'young lions' in 30 other occurrences. Sheba and Dedan represent Saudi Arabia, Tarshish likely refers to Great Britain, the young lion refer to her colonies including the USA