Will the Antichrist rise to power now?

[HAZARD]

As far as the Antichrist goes, when and from where he rises to power, we must go to the book of Daniel.

According to Daniel, there will be ten kingdoms formed inside the Old Roman Empire territory. We can call these ten kingdoms the Revised Roman Empire for it will be the present twenty three or so states inside the old Roman Empire territory brought down to ten kingdoms and ruled by ten kings. Then and only then can the Antichrist come. That these ten kingdoms are yet to be formed in the future is proved by Revelation 17:12-17. In these passages the ten kings fight against Christ at His second advent, so they must be latter day kings and not ten barbarous tribes that overran the Roman Empire in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries.

If ten kingdoms are to be formed inside the old Roman Empire from the twenty three present states in that territory then it is clear that there will be at least another war in Europe, Asia and Africa in order for this to be fulfilled. When these ten kingdoms are formed, then Daniel 7:23-24 will be fulfilled.

After this tri-continent war has been waged and is over and the ten kingdoms are formed and they exist for a short time (Rev. 17:8-12), then the Antichrist will arise out of one of them, one of the ten kingdoms.

He will come from one of the eastern four of the ten, and he will start another war.

He shall subdue three of the ten in his rise to power over the ten (Dan. 7:23-24; 8:8-9, 21-23).

He will make a seven years covenant with the nation of Israel and break it in the middle of the seven years and start another war (Dan. 9:27; 11:36-45).

It will take him three and one half years to get power over these three kingdoms that he subdues. By that time the countries of the north and east unite to make war on the nations inside the Roman Empire. In these circumstances the other six of the ten kingdoms he does not overthrow will give their kingdoms to him and make him their leader against the countries of the north and east (Dan. 11:40-45). God puts it into the hearts of the ten to give their kingdoms to the Antichrist and to help him in these new wars (Rev. 17:12-17). The Antichrist will become the victor over these countries in the last three and one half years of this age and he will become the ruler of Russia and Germany.

He will then gather these newley conquered countires against the Jews and seek to stop Christ from setting up His Kingdom (Ezek. 38 and 39; Zech. 14; Rev. 19:11-21).

We can narrow down exactly from which country the Antichrist will come from in the book of Daniel.

Daniel makes it clear that he will come from the ten kingdoms of the revised Old Roman Empire Territory (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24), and from the four divisions of the Grecian Empire, which are four of the ten, as in (Dan. 8:7-9, 20-23), but it also makes it clear that he will come from the Cyrian division of the four divisions of Greece, as plainly taught in (Dan. 11). The king of the north of this chapter is Syria, and the king of the south is Egypt. Wars between these two divisions of Greece are pictured in Dan. 11:5-34).

Verses 35-45 portray war between these same two kingdoms "AT THE TIME OF THE END," showing the result of the last war between them.

It states that the land of Egypt shall not escape the king of the north in this last war, thus identifying Syria as being the country from which the Antichrist must come. If the king of the north was Russia as many Bible students now teach, how could Daniel 11:44 be fulfilled? There are no countries north of Russia that could fight against her, as required by this verse?

There are no countries north of Russia, thus proving that the king of the north could not be Russia. We must understand the reference to be the northern division of the Grecian Empire, Syria. The Antichrist comes from Syria and is called the king of the north who will fulfill all of Dan. 8:22-23; 11:35-45; 12:1-7).

[O'Dannyboy]

I do not know about most of what you have written but I am waiting to see what will happen. If their is a man who signs a peace treaty for 7 years then we will definately have to keep our eyes open. Just a soon as this same person starts talking about himself alot it will be time to pray and for all who know the truth to come out and proclaim it.

[chryss]

We can narrow down exactly from which country the Antichrist will come from in the book of Daniel.

Daniel makes it clear that he will come from the ten kingdoms of the revised Old Roman Empire Territory (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24),

Yes, you are right. Daniel 7 presents the Antichrist (little horn) as arising out of the 10 kingdoms that resulted from the division of the Roman empire, and it is not very difficult to understand what it means. The divided Roman empire represents the present-time nations of Europe, that have for centuries struggled to re-unify, and have still remained divided. This is just because, as Daniel 2:43 points out, they are not made up of the same material: some are strong as the iron, while others are weaker, like clay. We could understand this better if we looked for instance at the difficulties faced by the European unification processus, currently underway, that strives to achieve nothing less than the resurrection of the old Roman Empire: some nations are stronger and richer, such as Germany or France, while others are poorer and weaker, such as Italy, Spain or Poland. The result is that they don't stick together, and the prophecy in Daniel 2 tells us they will not do, until the second coming of Christ!

Another very interesting phenomenon has happened with the Western Roman empire, after its fall in AD 476: the dissapearance of the secular power of the Roman Emperor has left a huge political vacuum that was filled by the spiritual power of the Bishop of Rome. The Roman Power, that has been used by Satan for many centuries in his struggle against the church of God, changed form. Political power has been replaced by spiritual power, as Satan decided to replace the violent persecution of the church from without with a much more dangerous persecution from within the church. The Pope of Rome became in this way the representant of Satan on earth, a Judas - like figure taking the seat at the very table with Christ, but caring forward the plans of the devil.

I am not sure if you have watched the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005 with much attention. My impression has been that words in Rev. 17:8 might very well have been applied to this event: all the world was just wondering after the beast. And I am sure you have noticed the extraordinary pomp displayed at his death, a pomp rightfully fit for the Roman Emperor himself! With that occasion, it was easy I think to get a sense of the fact that, despite of the division foretold by the Bible, the Roman Empire is still existing today, and it also has an Emperor!

and from the four divisions of the Grecian Empire, which are four of the ten, as in (Dan. 8:7-9, 20-23), but it also makes it clear that he will come from the Cyrian division of the four divisions of Greece, as plainly taught in (Dan. 11). The king of the north of this chapter is Syria, and the king of the south is Egypt. Wars between these two divisions of Greece are pictured in Dan. 11:5-34).

Daniel 8 presents a different perspective on the Antichrist. It is shown as arising out of the four Greek kingdoms that have appeared after the death of Alexander the Great, and this is the reason the prophecy has been applied to Antiochus Epiphanes - emperor of Syria that is the author of one of the worst persecutions against Jews and their religion in the history of the Jewish nation - a persecution and blasphemy to be compared with the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the armies of Nebucadnezzar in the 6th century BC. Still, Daniel 8 is presenting a spiritual perspective of the actions of Antichrist that far exceeds the profile of Antiochus Epiphanes' actions. Daniel 8:24 tells that he shall "destroy wonderfully", both the "mighty and the holy people", and Dan. 8:25 says "he shall be broken without hand"! Dan. 8:9 tells us he "waxed exceeding great", whereas Antiochus has been defeated by the revolt of the Maccabees, and didn't have the courage to stand against the Romans. The fact expressed by Dan 8:11, that he "magnified himself even to the prince of the host" also does not fit Antiochus, as he lived several hundreds years before the birth of Jesus Christ, and as such could hardly have magnified himself against Him.

Whereas, the attack originated with Papal Rome against the religion of Jesus Christ would rightfully fit these descriptions: the Pope of Rome had power for many centuries over the temporal rulers, and many sought to overthrow his yoke, but did not succeed. He magnified himself exceedingly great indeed, as he entitled himself the "Vicarius of Christ" (that is the Antichrist!), called himself infallible, and sought to exercise on earth a power comparable to that of the Roman emperor, though not by his own might, as Dan. 8:24 rightfully predicts. The corrupt practices originated by the papacy so obscured the way of truth, that the religion of Jesus Christ lost almost all its power and significance. The Bible was hidden for centuries, and the people were left in darkness and sin, ignorant of the way of salvation, to be achieved by the power of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone, and not by good deeds and blind submission to the church, priest and pope. Thus, the daily sacrifice was taken away (Dan. 8:11). This blasphemous career will come to an end at the second coming of Jesus Christ - the antichrist will thus be broken without human help (Dan 8:25).

Although the little horn of Daniel 8 is presented as arising out of Greece, this can be explained by having a look at Daniel chaper 11. Namely, among the struggle between the kingdoms of North and South, represented by the hellenistic kingdoms of Syria and Egypt, the place of Syria is at some point (Dan 11:14) taken by Rome. It is also interesting that the Greek legend of the battle of Troy(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_war) presents Rome as being founded by Aeneas, a survivor from the fall of Troy. If this legend were to reflect some truth, the Romans would be descendants of Greek colonists, and this would explain better why Bible prophecy sees Rome as the continuator of Greek power.

[rollinTHUNDER]

As far as the Antichrist goes, when and from where he rises to power, we must go to the book of Daniel.

No need to go any further than your first sentence.

I don't see the term "antichrist" used anywhere in the entire book of Daniel. So whatever your conclusion turns out to be, it will be running in circles at best. You have about the same chance as trying to discover who the "boogyman" is.

Here is all of the verses of scripture that mention "antichrist":

1 John 2:18

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 John 2:22

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2 John 1:7

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

As you can plainly see, antichrist is not a man that is to come sometime in the future. It is the (spirit) of (everyone) that denies that Jesus is the Christ, and they are (many).

Believers have the Holy Spirit living inside them, while unbelievers have the antichrist spirit.

We have a heavenly Father, while they have the father of lies.

We are in the Kingdom of light, but they are in the kingdom of darkness. The theory of a coming antichrist man is nothing more than a myth, it's that simple.