FINAL WARNING

Daniel 11 Revealed at Last!

What is the amazing TIME SEQUENCE of Daniel 11 as it applies to

the END TIME? Here is astonishing new insight into the "longest

prophecy of the Bible" -- the remarkable prophecy of Daniel's 11th

chapter! Here are staggering prophecies hidden through the ages which

have been finally unlocked and revealed for the very first time!

William F. Dankenbring

The real, true meaning of the last part of Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 11 has never been fully or properly understood!

God has kept this portion of His Word closed up and sealed UNTIL NOW! As God told Daniel, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and SEALED till the time of the END. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried [tested]; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Dan.12:9-10).

But now God's time has come to reveal the incredible, amazing significance of this vital prophecy which unlocks future events which are destined to occur in our generation, only a few years into the future!

In the final, end-time, anti-typical fulfillment of this historic prophecy, what nobody has understood, is that the prophecy of the END TIME KING of Babylon, or the King of the North, as Daniel calls him, really begins with verse 21. Let us go through this chapter, beginning with verse 21, and let the Bible itself interpret the Bible!

The "Vile Person"

Notice! In verse 21, we read: "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries" (v.21).

Who is this "vile" person? The Hebrew word for "vile" here is bazah and means "disesteem, contemptible, scornful, disdain." This vile, contemptible person will scorn the laws and people of God, and will hold God Himself in contempt: He is the same as the "little horn" of Daniel 8, where we read: "And out of one of them came forth a little horn (that is, a "little king"), which waxed (became) exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east and toward the pleasant land (Israel, in the Middle East). And it waxed (became) great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground [God's saints of the End-Time], and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the DAILY SACRIFICE was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down" (Dan.8:9-11).

This "little horn" may seem despised, and not be taken seriously at first. But his plan is bold and ingenious. This same "vile" person is more carefully described in the latter part of Daniel 8. We read: "'And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king Of FIERCE countenance, and understandinq dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfull , and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft [deception, intrigue, craftiness -- including wicca or witchcraft!] to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many ["by catching them off guard as they bask in false security," as the Living Bible has it]. He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand" -- that is, Christ Himself, the divine Son of God, will finally bring him to his total defeat (Dan. 8:23-25; compare Dan.2:44-45).

Notice! This final ruler of the world system, the "New Babylon" or "New Roman Empire" -- the "New World Order" or "New International Order" -- will be a resurrection of ancient Rome in Europe patterned after the Holy Roman Empires of Charlemagne, or the Hapsburg Empires of the Middle Ages, or a "resurrection" of the ancient "Babylonian Empire." It will come to dominate the world, even as Rome and Babylon did in their day. It will cause political intrigue and deception -- "craft" and "witchcraft" -- to prosper in the land. He himself will be involved in such Satanic activities.

Going back to Daniel 11, we find out more about this "policy" he will institute. Notice again: He shall "come in peaceably [Daniel 8:25 says, "by peace shall destroy many"] and obtain the kingdom by flatteries" (Daniel 11:2l). Notice also verse 24: "He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province" (Dan.11). This is one and the same person! This truth has NEVER been clearly understood until now!

The Coming League

Now notice further! "'And with the arms of a flood shall they [his opposition] be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant [that is, a future Jewish High Priest, or possibly an Israeli Prime Minister, is meant, here].

"And after the LEAGUE [treaty, covenant, or "peace agreement" -- perhaps a reference to the Oslo Peace Accords!] made with him he shall work DECEITFULLY, for he shall come up, and shall become STRONG with a small people" (Dan.11:22-23). That is, he, the "little horn," will become -- "wax" -- GREAT, as Daniel 8:9-10 says. This is the same vile king mentioned in Daniel 8! It can be no other! GodIs Word interprets itself very clearly!

But what is this "league" in Daniel 11:23? The Hebrew word for "league" is chabar and means "to fascinate; to charm; to join or couple together; to join together, to make a union"!

What kind of "league" or "union" is this talking about? Could this be talking about the hammered out peace accords conducted at Oslo, Sweden, begun in 1993, and Oslo II in 1995, followed by the Hebron agreements in January, 1996? Certainly, these agreements have "fascinated" the world. They appear to be like a "charm," seductively hypnotizing many people to believe they will result in eventual "peace." They would have been a "union" of sorts -- bringing together the Israelis and Palestinians -- with the backing of the United States, and Europe -- into a new relationship! But the Oslo accords FAILED! When Prime Minister Ehud Barak was willing to give Arafat and the Palestinians 95% of everything they wanted, they rejected the offer, and on Tom Yeruah, the Jewish holy day beginning a new year in the fall of 2000 A.D., the Palestinians began a new “Intifada” or revolt, which has lasted until the present time!

Perhaps this “league” or “agreement” then will be a successor to the Oslo accords – some NEW agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians, giving the Palestinians statehood and a portion of Jerusalem for their capital.

Again, the Bible interprets the Bible. Daniel 2 explains clearly: "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken [i.e., weak; the Hebrew word is tebar, and means "'fragile"]. And whereas thou sawest iron MIXED with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves [Heb. arab, meaning "commingle" or mix together] with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another [it will not be a strong union, treaty, or "peace" agreement!], even as iron is not mixed with clay" (Dan.2:4l-43). This is talking about the final WORLD UNION of the End Times – the coming NEW WORLD ORDER! It will include the Israelis and Palestinians!

Interestingly, the Hebrew word for "mingle" is arab, which is a clear reference to the "Arabs" -- that is, the Arab nations surrounding Israel, and in particular the Palestinians! In the End-Time, therefore, the world's attention will be drawn to this "fragile alliance" -- this Middle Eastern peace pact. The "iron" refers to the powerful nations in the New World Order -- including Israel; the "clay" refers to the weaker nations, including the soon-to-be-formed Palestinian state! They will not "cleave" together, or mix well, at all. The Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and in the middle of Hebron itself, will be isolated, and hated, by the Palestinians!

This passage in Daniel 2, of course, is a reference to the End-Time world-ruling Empire, and its being structured out of many peoples -- the new and revamped United Nations -- comprised of both "iron"-like countries, and the masses of poor and underdeveloped nations, comparable to the "clay" of the prophecy. The United Nations is a mixture of peoples, some strong and some weak. But, this strange end-time reality also is manifesting itself in the Israeli-Palestinian peace agreements -- a duality in fulfillment, as it were!

The Final "Ten"

This "image" in Daniel 2 describes a final resurrection of the ancient Babylonian Empire. Daniel is told the "head" of the image -- which is in the likeness of a man -- is Babylon itself (Dan.2:36-37). The next world kingdom, following Babylon, was the Persian Empire, followed by the Grecian Empire of Alexander the Great (v.39). It was followed by a fourth kingdom -- the Roman Empire (v.40).

But in the End-Time, just before the coming of the Messiah, who strikes the image on its ten toes, the world kingdom will be divided into TEN REGIONS [THE TEN TOES of the image!]. These could be ten permanent nations of the Security Council of the United Nations, five of which are yet to be added, or to ten powerful nations of NATO, or some other end-time configuration of "ten." Interestingly, the Club of Rome has divided the world into ten regions for world government -- a blueprint for the New World Order!

Whoever or whatever these "ten toes" will ultimately represent, they do represent TEN MILITARY POWERS, or "ten kingdoms" united in the End Time! They are the "ten horns" of the Beast Kingdom depicted in the book of Revelation (see Rev.13:1-5; 17:3). This "Beast" is also a description of the final World Government or "New World Order" of the End-Time, probably the United Nations, led by the Security Council!

Notice that these kingdoms of the final World Empire, called "Babylon the Great" in the book of Revelation, because historically it originated in the ancient Babylonian system, will form a union for a very short time, and will even fight against Christ at His coming! (Rev.17:14). The apostle John recorded, "And the ten horns which thou savest are TEN KINGS [modern nations or kingdoms], which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast [the coming "vile person" or "little horn"]. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb [Christ] shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev.17:l2-14).

Now notice again in Daniel 11. We read, "And after the LEAGUE [or TREATY, the "peace accords"] made with him he shall work deceitfully for he shall come up and shall became STRONG with a small people" (Dan.11:23).

Let me interject here, there was another "treaty" signed in recent years -- in spring of 1991, Saddam Hussein signed a "peace treaty" with the Allied powers, led by the United States, putting an end to the Gulf War! Since that time, Saddam has been rebuilding his forces, his army, and military super-weapons, in hidden enclaves underground -- including chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons! Today, in actual fact he is stronger than he was before his abortive invasion of Kuwait in September of 1990! Could this verse in Daniel 11:23 refer at least in part, or in type, to Saddam Hussein of Iraq -- the literal land enclave of ancient "Babylon"? Remember, many Bible prophecies are DUAL, and could have more than one single fulfillment!

Verse 24 goes on: "He shall enter peaceably even upon the FATTEST places of the province." Now notice! "And he shall do that which his father's have not done, nor his fathers' father; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches, yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time" (v.24).

Notice! There will be "prey," and "spoil," and "riches"; he will attack "STRONG HOLDS." The Living Bible puts it, "he will BESIEGE and CAPTURE POWERFUL STRONGHOLDS." This is talking about WAR! The one being spoken of is the “king of the NORTH.” In ancient times, this was Syria, north of Israel; but during this End-Time fulfillment, this would be the NORTHERN UNION – the “WEST” – that is, Europe and the United States of America and their allies!

Could we be seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of these prophecies with the devastating attack of the United States and Europe on the land of Afghanistan? Few people realize it, but Afghanistan is geo-politically very significant! It lies between massive Russian oil reserves and the Indian Ocean! For decades oil companies have dreamed of creating a pipeline to bring this oil to market, making the world much less dependent on Arab oil from the Middle East! The “king of the north” has already struck in Kosovo, and changed the government of Serbia (the former Yugoslavia). It is now attacking Afghanistan. Who will be next? Saddam Hussein and Iraq?

The prophecy of Daniel 11 also indicates that soon the "king of the north" will attack to the South as well. Verse 25 of Daniel 11 states, “And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South” -- a future North African/Middle Eastern Arab/Muslim Empire, right now being formed. It will include Egypt, and will constitute the "king of the south," historically, ALLIED with Saudi Arabia, and the oil principalities of the Gulf region. He will attack “with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him . . . and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain” (verses 25-26). Could this mean that in a future conflict, America and Europe will attack Iraq/Babylon, led by Saddam Hussein, who will be supported by the Muslim nations

Evidently, this coming battle apparently will not continue for long. A truce or armistice will quickly be called. As Daniel foretold: "'And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief ("plotting against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other" -- says the Living Bible), and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed" (verses 26-27).

Notice! This is NOT the final "end." This attack stops short of overwhelming the Middle Eastern nations! Nevertheless, "Then shall he return into his land with GREAT RICHES; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land" (Dan.11:28).

The Great Tribulation

At this point, there appears to be a break in the prophecy. The following section, from verse 29 through 39, is a prophecy of the coming time of Great Tribulation!

We read in verse 29: "At the time appointed [the beginning of the Great Tribulation, or thereabouts] he shall RETURN [the "king of the north" will enter the Middle East once again], and shall come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter." This incursion will not be like the "former" time -- such as at the Gulf War -- nor like the "latter" time – other invasions, including a final invasion during the "Day of the Lord" which leads to Armageddon. This incursion will lead to an arrangement which leads to the Great Tribulation, and the pollution of the Temple of God, and the taking away of the daily sacrifices. Notice!

We read in verse 30: "For the ships of Chittim [Cyprus -- that is a fleet of ships in the Mediterranean] shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant" (Dan.11:30).

This appears to be a strong indication that the leader of the Western nations, the New World Order, will come into Israel ostensibly for "peaceful purposes" -- to "safeguard the peace process" between Israel and the Palestinians, and the surrounding Arab states. The ships of "Chittim" here could refer to the Russian fleet, which is stationed in the Black Sea, and makes sorties into the Mediterranean Sea. A "threat" from Russia could conceivably cause the New World Order/Babylon to "back off" somewhat, so that rather than "take over" and occupy Israel, and the Middle East, it instead conspires with the secular Israelis to form a compact or agreement that will lead to persecution of the religious Jews, and faithful Messianic Jews and true Christians.

The world's greatest naval power today besides the United States, is the nation of Russia. This powerful armada could be the Soviet fleet. Or, it could refer to the American fleet which opposes Europe attempting to force its way upon “Israel” at this time.

It is at this time that the "beast" or coming tyrant of the New World Order -- the "king of the north" -- will "pillage Jerusalem and pollute the sanctuary, putting a stop to the daily sacrifices, and worshiping idols inside the Temple. He will leave godless Jews in power when he leaves -- men who have abandoned their fathers' faith. He will flatter those who hate the things of God," just as Antiochus Epiphanes did in 165-167 B.C., "and win them over to his side" (Dan.11:30-32, Living Bible).

Now notice carefully! This incursion into the Middle East will not be an "attack" like the former time, or like the latter time (v.29), but could occur perhaps result from an "invitation" to bring United Nations troops to patrol the unstable, inflamed regions of Israel, such as the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and even Gaza. This “invitation” might be extended by a newly formed “Palestinian state”! These UN soldiers could be United Nations peace keeping troops, and could include soldiers from all nations, including European soldiers, Chinese, Japanese, Americans, Canadians, the British, Scandinavian troops, as well as Germans and the French! At this time, thinking it is safe and secure, things will turn for the worse, for the religious Jews and those who keep God's commandments. Why? Because Israel will come under the control and government of the "Beast."

Says the Septuagint version, beginning in verse 31: "And seeds shall spring up out of him, and they shall profane the sanctuary of strength [the Temple of God in Jerusalem!], and they shall remove the perpetual sacrifice, and make the abomination desolate. And the transgressors shall bring about a covenant [treaty, "peace" agreement] by deceitful ways: but a people knowing their God shall prevail, and do valiantly. And the intelligent among the people shall understand much [much truth will be revealed!]: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, and by captivity, and by spoil of many days" (Dan.11:31-33).

Notice! the word "many" in the preceding verse is supplied by the translators and is not in the original. The term "days" here could mean "years" as the prophecy is fulfilled. The prophet Hosea speaks of this same time: "Blow ye the trumpet on the hills, sound aloud on the heights: proclaim in the house of On, Benjamin is amazed. Ephraim [the United States] has come to nought in the days of reproof: in the tribes of Israel I have shown faithful dealings. The princes of Judah became as they that remove the BOUNDS [boundaries or borders!]: I will pour out upon them my fury as water" (Hos.5:8-10).

This describes the "land-for-peace" agreement Israel -- the "princes of Judah" -- have entered into with the Palestinians, under the leadership of President Clinton and the United States. God says they have "removed the borders" -- tampered with the borders of Israel -- and because of this flagrant violation of His divine Law, He will pour out His fury upon them! Both Ephraim -- the United States -- and Israel will suffer greatly! Yet, in their sufferings, they will turn to God and seek Him "early."

Hosea continues the prophecy, with God saying: "I will go and return to my place, until they are brought to nought, and then shall they seek my face. In their affliction, they will seek me early, saying, Let us go, and return to the Lord our God; for he has torn, and will heal us; he will smite, and bind us up. After two days [years, being fulfilled, a "day for a year" -- see Num.14:34] he will heal us: in the third day [third year] we shall arise, and live before him, and shall KNOW him; let us follow on to know the Lord: we shall find him ready as the morning, and he will come to us [the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ!] as the early and latter rain to this earth" (Hos.5:15; 6:1-4, LXX).

At this time, Jerusalem and the Temple of God will not be destroyed. The newly constructed Temple will be left standing, but it will be polluted with idolatrous worship. The apostle Paul tells us in the New Testament that the beast, this wicked tyrant, "that man of sin [shall] be revealed, the son of perdition; 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" (II Thessalonians 2:3-4).

This is the time when the beast -- the Antichrist -- will clearly and finally be "REVEALED" for all to see and identify!

Now notice how this compares with the wicked "King of the North" in Daniel 11. We read: "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" (Dan.11:36).

This is obviously one and the same person!

This great King will proclaim himself to be "God"'! He will claim to be Christ, the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords. And for a while, God will let him get away with it! How long shall he prosper?

Forty Two Months

The apostle John speaks of this same wicked "prince." He says: "And they worshiped the dragon [Satan the devil, see Rev.12:9] which gave power unto the beast [the end-time Babyonian/Roman Emperor or dictator]: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months" (Rev. 13:4-5).

This wicked ruler will be allowed by God to bear sway for 42 months -- which is three and one half prophetic years! "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to OVERCOME THEM; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Rev.13:7).

Another very cryptic Scriptural passage which bears heavily on the coming rule of the tyrant or Beast, or Antichrist, is found in Daniel 9. This passage is the “70 weeks prophecy.” It has been greatly misunderstood and misinterpreted. Notice carefully! Daniel is told 70 weeks will pass until the Messiah comes. But the prophecy is complicated. First, 63 weeks pass – then Messiah comes, and is “cut off” (verses 24-26. The 70 “weeks” begins with a decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem (v.24). This was the decree by Artaxerxes in 457-58 B.C. (Ezra 7). These 63 weeks are a total of 483 years (a “day” equaling a ‘year” in actual fulfillment). From 457 B.C. till the coming of Christ, the Messiah, was 483 years – fulfilled in 27 A.D. when Jesus Christ – Yeshua, our “Salvation” – began His ministry!

The King James version says, "And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood [army], and unto the end of the WAR desolations are determined" (verse 26).

This prophecy was originally fulfilled by Titus and Vespacian who conquered Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and destroyed the Temple of God. The Jews were dispersed into all nations in 135 A.D. after the Bar Kochba rebellion, resulting in the prophesied “desolations” till the time of the end.

Now notice verse 27: "And he [another END-time “prince” or world leader – of END-time “Rome” – that is, the leader of the WESTERN and NORTHERN kingdom or alliance] shall confirm the covenant [a treaty or agreement] with many for one week [seven days, which equal seven years in being fulfilled -- see Numbers l4:34 and Ezek.4:4-6]: and in the MIDST (middle) of the week [after 3 1/2 years, or 42 months] he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation [that is, offerings in the Temple] to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it [the Sanctuary or Temple] desolate [that is, he will raise up the "abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel and Christ -- compare Daniel 8:11-14; 11:31; Matt.24:15], even until the consumation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate" (Daniel 9: 27).

This whole passage, discussing the "final week," in verse 27, is speaking of the END TIME -- our day, today! It is not history; it is future PROPHECY! It is speaking of the final seven year period of this world, and the REIGN of the Beast or Antichrist! What is the ‘COVENANT” or treaty made with many for “one week”? One week means 7 years. The word “confirm” in this verse does not necessarily mean the covenant becomes law – rather, the Hebrew word means, “pushed, forced, coerced” – that is, the world leader arm-twists the protangonists, to attempt to get them to agree to the treaty FOR SEVEN YEARS. This was true of the Olso agreements, from 1993 until 2000 – when they finally collapsed in dismal failure!

However, the verse goes on to say that in the “midst” of the final “week” of the 70 weeks, this world leader will cause the sacrifices and offerings in the Temple of God to cease. This is not a reference to the 7-year treaty attempt, but to the final 7 years of the 70 weeks prophecy!

Now notice! in the MIDDLE of this seven years, with just three and one half years left, he will pollute the Temple, raise up the abominable idol of sacrilege, in the Temple, undoubtedly a statue or image of himself as "God." He will do this with the connivance of a wicked Jewish High Priest (Dan.8:11; 11:32). At this time the daily sacrificing in the Temple will cease to be offered, until the very end.

But notice! He confirms a "covenant" -- that is, the Hebrew word is berith meaning a "cutting, or a compact," a "league" -- with "many for one week" (Dan.9:27). What is this "covenant"?

The "Covenant" or "Agreement" with Death

Notice two things:

1) This verse implies that this leader will be in power on the world scene for at least seven years or longer -- because he makes or "confirms" this treaty or covenant toward the beginning of the final seven years; then, three and one half years into the final “week” of the prophecy, he actually sends military forces to the Middle East, to Israel, and in the process he pollutes the Temple and sanctuary.

2) This is a special covenant or league he attempts to make. This treaty could well be the Oslo I and II and Hebron peace accords, signed off in 1993, 1995, and January 16, 1997! Hidden, secret provisos of this treaty include not only the obvious "land for peace" accords, but a secret defense pact, guaranteeing Israel's security, by the power of the United States and Europe. Also involved, as an item of understanding, are undoubtedly special "foreign aid" provisos, as well as special trade rights, negotiated between the United States, Europe, and the state of Israel. The whole package was been made so attractive that most of the leaders of Israel have fallen for this ruse, and have signed on to the agreement! But the Palestinians, to date, have rejected the treaty, bringing the peace process to a stand-still. Can it be jump-started once again?

This covenant is not speaking of the true covenant between God and His people at all. Its primary meaning is that a new ungodly covenant or treaty will be made between Israel and her neighboring nations, the Arabs, under the guidance of and in the presence of the leader of the modern world – perhaps the United Nations, under the current or a future “Secretary General,” with the backing of the United States and European Union.

It appears it will be the false Messiah, the Antichrist, who will guide and leverage and orchestrate this "done deal" -- what God calls a "covenant with death."

Notice what the prophet Isaiah had to say about this "treaty":

"Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, ye afflicted men, and ye princes of this people that is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with Hades [the grave, death], and agreements with death; if the rushing storm [war] should pass, it will not come upon us; we have made falsehood our hope, and falsehood shall we be protected: therefore thus saith the Lord, even the Lord, Behold, I lay for the foundations of Sion a costly stone, a choice, a corner stone, a precious stone, for its foundations: and he that believes on him shall by no means be ashamed . . . ye that trust vainly in falsehood shall fall: for the storm shall by no means pass by you, except it also take away your covenant of death, and your trust in Hades shall by no means stand" (Isaiah 28:14-18, LXX).

Although professing love for Israel, this coming Beast, Antichrist, ruler of the New World Order will hate God's covenant with His people. Remember, he will have "indignation [anger] against the holy covenant" (Dan.11:3O). He will "have intelligence [secret dealings through the Central Intelligence Agency, or similar agencies] with them that forsake the holy covenant" (same verse).

His "heart shall be against the holy covenant" (Dan. 11:28).

The Hebrew word for "intelligence" in Daniel 11:30 is bene and means "to come to an understanding, be cunning, perceive, look well to, mark, teach, instruct, deal wisely, to understand." This of course refers amazingly well to the Oslo and Hebron peace accords, and the attempt to “force” a form of “peace” on the Israeli nation, which causes them to exchange “land for peace” promises.

The Moffatt Translation is very interesting here. Moffatt has verse 27 of Daniel 9, "For a week of years the main body of the people shall cease to practise their religion; for half of that time sacrifice and offering small cease, an instead of this there shall be an appalling abomination, till finally the appointed doom falls upon the sacrilegious abomination" (Dan. 9:27).

Isn't it amazing that the vast, overwhelming majority of Israelis, in Israel, today, are SECULAR JEWS, and do not really practice the tenets of their religion, Judaism? Only a small minority practice the faith of their fathers, and are Orthodox Jews!

A Mighty Spirit Witness!

This diabolical world ruler, the "Antichrist," will PERSECUTE the religious Jews, and the true Christians who keep the commandments of God. He will "make war" with them, and cause many thousands to be martyred for the Word of God's sake. His rule will last for only three and one half years, as he makes havoc of the true followers of Jesus Christ. The devil, who will inspire him, will lead him to "make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17). John tells us that "the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months" (Rev.l1:2).

Reading back in Daniel 11 again, we find that this will be a period of time of great witness, even amidst terrible persecution and travail. Daniel was told, "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for a time appointed" (Dan.11:32-35).

The Living Bible puts it: "Those with spiritual understanding will have a wide ministry of teaching in those days. But they will be in constant danger, many of them dying by fire and sword, or being jailed and robbed. . . . And some who are most gifted in the things of God will stumble in those days and fall, but this will only refine and cleanse them and make them pure until the final end of all their trials, at God's appointed time.

Among the great witness of those days will be the "two witnesses" of Revelation 11. These two men will stand in the streets of Jerusalem. God says, "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (1260 days or 42 months!), clothed in sackcloth" (Rev.11:3).

Notice! They won't be wearing fancy suits, dressed up with coat and tie. Rather, they will wear sackcloth -- a coarse cloth usually made of goat's hair, worn in mourning. Cheap, plain and durable, sackcloth symbolizes repentance of sin and prayer for deliverance.

These two witnesses will perform great signs. “And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth. and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will” (Rev.11:5).

But after the days of their witness and testimony are fulfilled, they will be slain by the great tyrant, the Roman Emperor (verses 6-8). After this, their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and one half days, while the wicked gloat over them (v.9-11). But then God will bring them back to life again, in a mighty miracle that will confound the wicked (verses 11-12).

At the End of the Great Tribulation -- The "Day of the Lord"

During the persecution of those bitter days, the sun and moon will turn black as sackcloth. Jesus said, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (Matthew 24:29). These great heavenly signs will immediately precede the awesome time known as the "Day of the Lord," when God Himself begins to intervene in human affairs. The prophet Joel wrote, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, BEFORE the great and the terrible day of the Lord come" (Joel 2:31).

What will happen next?

Now, at this point, we come to the FINAL attack on the Middle East!

At this juncture, at the beginning of the "Day of the Lord," Just one year before the return of Christ as King of kings, or thereabouts, a new war will break out. Let's continue on with the prophecy of Daniel 11, picking up with verse 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; he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."

This time the king of the north, modern Babylon, or the New World Order, marshals his own ships -- a mighty fleet -- to carry troops to the Middle East! The Arab nations will “push” at, attack, or strike against the Western Alliance; this could involve an embargo of Arab oil, so vital to the economies of the western world.

Continuing:

"He shall enter also into the glorious land [Israel], 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 [modern Turkey and Jordan are spared because they are allies of the Beast -- see Psalm 83:l-8]. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 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" (Dan.11:40-43).

This time Egypt will not escape! The king of the south and his armies will be destroyed in a great overwhelming attack. This awesome destruction is described in Ezekiel 30, where we read: "Thus saith the Lord God: Howl ye, Woe worth the day! For the day is near, even the DAY OF THE LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. And the sword shall come upon EGYPT, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.

"Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled peoples [Arabs] and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

"Thus saith the Lord; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down . . . And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted" (Ezek.30:2-7).

This is talking about the same time as Daniel 11:40-43! It is pinpointed as "The Day of the Lord." This mighty, devastating attack therefore does NOT occur at the beginning of the Great Tribulation which is the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer.30:6-7). Rather, this is the "time of the heathen" (Ezek.30:3) -- the time when God intervenes to punish the heathen nations round about!

Do you see?

At the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the New World Order will swarm into "Israel" ostensibly to "protect" her from violence and war -- and in the process will "occupy" the land and exert forceful government. This is the period of great tribulation in Israel and persecution of the saints and people of God. The whole western world will be under the tyranny of the Beast and his own fraudulent "Messianic Kingdom." True Christians will be persecuted and martyred. Many other people, including various right-wing sects and religious cults, and militia groups, will be hounded, harrassed, rounded up, and put in "re-education camps," and some will be put to death.

At the same time, as the final hour of darkness descends over the Western world, the "famine of the word" of God will begin, in the western nations. Religious freedom will be a thing of the past. Proclamation of the truth of God via radio and the printing press will no longer be tolerated.

At this time, the Beast will "invade" the Middle East on a supposed "peace-keeping" mission, and connive and conspire with a secular, godless government in Israel, and apostate leaders, leading to the abomination of desolation being placed inside the Temple, that makes it spiritually “desolate” (Matthew 24:l5-20; Luke 21: 20-24). It will be erected in the holy place.

But, about two and one half years later, the King of the North will be "pushed" at by the King of the South (Dan.11:40). That is, Egypt and her allies will, at the beginning of the "Day of the Lord," enter into conflict with the Colossus Del Norte, or Kingdom of the North -- the Beast power. As the Septuagint puts it: "And at the time of the end he shall conflict with the king of the south" (Dan.11:40). What kind of "conflict" will this be? We do not know. Perhaps the Arabs will attempt to cut off the flow of oil out of the Middle East. Perhaps they will raise the price of oil to outrageous amounts. Or, conflict could erupt in Muslim Bosnia, with the Muslims supported by the Arabs, as they attack the Serbian and Croatian republics. It could involve chemical/biological attacks on the western nations – such as Anthrax, Smallpox, the Plague.

At any rate, the Beast power will respond in fury, and conquer and subjugate the “Kingdom of the South,” with Egypt and her allies being conquered in a quick and bloody war.

But before the king of the north can consolidate his conquests, an unexpected development will cause him dismay. "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him . . ." (verse 44). Says the Septuagint, "But rumors and anxieties out of the EAST and from the NORTH shall trouble him; and he shall come with great wrath to destroy many" (v.44).

News from the east and from the north -- this implies that rumblings out of China, Asia, and Russia will come to his attention, as they gather their hordes to attack. He will get wind of an impending attack coming upon his forces from Asia and Russia, and will immediately attempt to thwart it, and many will die in the ensuing conflict -- a catastrophic World War III.

What is this dire news of foreboding out of the north and east? It can be nothing else but the "second woe" of Revelation 9. Notice!

The Second Woe

The first woe in Revelation 9 is "locusts" devouring the earth.. This is a symbol of modern UN or NATO armies under the power of the End-Time Emperor (see Nahum 3:17) going forth to conquer and wage war (Rev.9:1-11). This power will utilize chemical and biological weapons that torment men "five months."

But it will fail to stop the juggernaut armies assembling in the east from advancing. . . the "second woe."

"And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 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."

A third part of the population of planet earth means about two billion human beings will be slain by this awesome military onslaught! Continuing:

"And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand [that is, 200 million men under arms!]: and I heard the number of them . . . By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power was in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt" (Rev.9:13-19).

Here massive, unprecedented thermonuclear war is described!

Only nuclear war could destroy one third of all mankind, in a single massive blow! This "fire," "smoke," and "brimstone" are describing the effects of horrendous nuclear blasts and the familiar mushroom clouds and radiation that follow in their wake!

This great army will create a wasteland in central Europe. So many "trees" will be destroyed that a child could count the ones left standing (Isaiah 10:1-19).

The armies of the world left in action will then converge on the middle East, and Jerusalem.

Jerusalem a Cup of Trembling

The prophet Zechariah tells us more about this exciting, awesome time! We read, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it" (Zechariah 12:2-3).

Notice! This most remarkable prophecy continues: "In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness; and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. And the governors of Judah [the political leaders] shall say in their heart [they shall have been moved to repentance by the preaching of the two witnesses!], The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall DEVOUR all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left, and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem" (Zech. 12:4-6).

Zechariah goes on: "In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to DESTROY all the nations that come against Jerusalem" (Zech.12:7-9).

God Himself will strengthen these Jewish soldiers at Jerusalem as they revolt against the New World Order, and the "Babylonian" government which has held them in thraldom for about three and one half years! The Jews as a whole will turn to God. They will call upon Him, and turn to Him with all their hearts and souls (Zech.12:10-14), mourning for their sins. And when the armies of the world all gather for one final attack on Jerusalem, to fight for the domination of the world, God Himself will intervene to save His people, and send the true Messiah, Jesus Christ back to this earth as their Savior and mighty conquering King!

"Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle" (Zech.14:1-3). "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of olives" (verse 4).