Antiochus Epiphanes, archetype of persecution/oppression of God's people, End Times

[Tom Maccabeus]

Hi all, 

 I think an important thing to keep in mind is that when Jesus returns, his focus won't be whether we got every fine (at times complex) point of prophecy right.  One of the things he is going to focus on (as in Matthew 25) is how we treat one another and I think that includes our discussions about prophecy. 

[WilliamL]

On 11/1/2022 at 6:07 PM, Tom Maccabeus said:

Point number one: There is good consensus that Antiochus Epiphanes ( A.E.IV ) is the archetype of what we call commonly call the antichrist (the beast, the man of sin ) using the broad term.

Second point: There seems to be a good consensus that his actions will foreshadow events in the Last Days related to the Abomination of desolation, Rev 13 , 2 Thess. 2 , etc.  We can go back to records that describe him, like the  books of the  Maccabees.  Although not scripture, they do contain a good record of history.

Actually, the following blog probably better addresses your two points. Part of a three part series on AE, here:

26. Antiochus Epiphanes and the End Times, Part 1: The History

A short biography of Antiochus Epiphanes and his times, using interwoven passages out of Daniel and 1, 2, and 4 Maccabees. https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/1411-antiochus-epiphanes-and-the-end-times-part-1-the-history/

27. Antiochus Epiphanes and the End Times, Part 2: The Transition from the Past to the Present

Shows how the god-king Antiochus Epiphanes led the transition from the Greek Empire to the Roman Empire, and how the latter empireʼs posterity is found in modern Anglo-European governments. https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/1418-antiochus-epiphanes-and-the-end-times-part-2-the-transition-from-the-past-to-the-present/

28. Antiochus Epiphanes and the End Times, Part 3: The Prophetic Fulfillment

Shows how Daniel 11:40ʼs King of the North “in a time of an end” will commit comparable acts, and in the same sequence, as did Antiochus Epiphanes, therein fulfilling both Old and New Testament prophecies. https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/1433-antiochus-epiphanes-and-the-end-times-part-3-the-prophetic-fulfillment/

-- from which the following synopsis of Part 3 is taken:

Antiochus Epiphanes and the End Times

Part 3: The Prophetic Fulfillment

Daniel 11:21-37 prophesied the most significant acts of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (r. 176 – ca. 164 B.C.), one of Daniel 11ʼs human Kings of the North, and also the acts of the Jews during his rule. “In the time of the end [of the age],” essentially the same deeds, in the same sequence, will be committed by Daniel 11:40-45ʼs King of the North, and also by Godʼs people:

1) Lawlessness and Apostasy: of the Jewish people and priests, beginning in the latter 170s B.C., and likewise of both Judaism and the Church in the Latter Days.

2) An invasion of Egypt, followed by a furious return to the Holy Land.

3) An Abomination of Desolation being set up.

4) Persecution of and flight/escape of Godʼs people to the wilderness.

[Revelation Man]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:07 PM, Tom Maccabeus said:

Point number one: There is good consensus that Antiochus Epiphanes ( A.E.IV ) is the archetype of what we call commonly call the antichrist (the beast, the man of sin ) using the broad term.

Second point: There seems to be a good consensus that his actions will foreshadow events in the Last Days related to the Abomination of desolation, Rev 13 , 2 Thess. 2 , etc.  We can go back to records that describe him, like the  books of the  Maccabees.  Although not scripture, they do contain a good record of history.

Many Christians are probably aware of his installing the idol of Zeus (made in his image) in the temple. Christians may not be aware that he also forced everyone to worship, on many altars set out throughout the land of Judea.  He was out to defile and cause Gods people to compromise into idolatry and fall away.          1 Maccabees 1:54

“Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;”

I did a Exegesis on Dan. 11 & 12 a few years ago, its still on this site somewhere, I reference it from time to time. I named all the kings, all the players and write of all the palace intrigue. One name that I wrote about, which I did not fully understand the importance of until later was Jason, whose real name was Yeshua (Dan. 11:22). His brother Onias III was the prince of the covenant (High Priest) in verse 22. He bribed Antiochus in order to be named the High Priest, thereby having his Pious High Priest brother Onias III killed. He then welcomed Antiochus into the temple of God and asked him to make a sacrifice unto Zeus on the altar of God, he was himself a Hellenist, of course we understand that by the name he took. He then mandated that all Jews become Hellenized or perish, leading to the Maccabean Revolt. 

He covers about 6 chapters in the book of Maccabees. 2 Maccabees 4:7-10:9

This hit me hard later, of course the archetype Anti-Christ would reign with an archetype False Prophet. The False Prophet will be a Jewish High Priest gone rogue, and the Anti-Christ will be a Greek Born leader from the E.U. (Fourth Beasts remnants). He also has to have Assyrian blood, he's a Turk/Iraqi born in Greece, who comes to power in the E.U. 

The False Prophet takes away the sacrifice (who is Jesus, not some stupid meat sacrifice). The Jews who repent, who will be 5 million strong, start worshiping Jesus in the temple and are told they must stop, its that simple. Then he places the Image of the E.U. President up in the temple, and it matches Antiochus and Jason to a tee. Rev. 13 says the 2nd beast places the image. 

[Tom Maccabeus]

There is a new book coming out that sets forth groundbreaking historic and biblical research concerning the archetype of the Biblical Antichrist (Antiochus IV).  This book gives 7 evidences that show he not only imposed idolatry in 168 B.C., but also imposed a large-scale lawless sexual agenda. This had practically all the characteristics of the modern-day LGBTQ movement.

“The Last Days Pride Parade and the Return of the Lord”  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-days-pride-parade-tom-maccabeus/1142105434?ean=2940167069626

The book also shows that this was the only other time in recorded history when this forced sexualized oppression occurred, aside from our modern time. Many Christians are not aware of these things but need to be. It is no coincidence this all happened at the cataclysmic time of "the abomination of desolation"  a major sign which Christ spoke about that would usher in the future great tribulation and His return.

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by Tom Maccabeus