The Antichrist

Daniel 11:36-39 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.”
 
DANIEL’S vision to this point has been fulfilled in history. From verse 36 to Daniel 12:13 – the end of the book – the vision concerns events yet to occur. We will share a summary of various interpretations that rely on other Bible passages as evidence of what will come. We want to affirm that the Bible helps us understand the Bible. I know that may seem to be circular reasoning, but God has revealed the same information to his anointed servants for many generations. We see God’s truth in God’s constancy.
    Beginning in verse 36, this coming king will be independent of any authority apart from himself, doing as he pleases. He will exalt himself above all gods – all authority. He will deny and blaspheme the God of gods. This is also prophesied in  2 Thessalonians 2:4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Also spoken in Daniel 7:25 “He will speak against the Most High.”
    This is the antichrist. The world will be persuaded to worship him as god by the miracles the false prophet will perform in his name, declared in Revelation 13:11-15. He will spread his influence around the world, both politically and religiously.
    Verse 37 - He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women. –  refers to Hebrew women who desired to be the mother of the Messiah. Everything about this coming king will be against the LORD God and all people of the earth who desire his coming.
     But of course, this is to be done under God’s permission. See how he knows of this coming Opposer. See how he warns and teaches us to be alert and firm in our faith. This antichrist will be successful as the world ruler for a time until God judges him to destruction.
 
Revelation 13:15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.