The Antichrist is the Little Horn of Daniel Chapter Seven
The Antichrist • Sermon • Submitted • 1:18:45
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· 41 viewsThe Antichrist is the Little Horn of Daniel Chapter Seven
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The Antichrist is first mentioned in Scripture in Daniel chapter seven which provides an initial character sketch of this evil person.
Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar’s, Babylon’s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. 2 Daniel began to speak and said, “I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven’s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. 3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. 4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle’s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. 5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird’s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. 7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. 8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being’s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. 9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. 10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. 11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. 12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. 13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. 14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed. (My translation)
Following the vision of the Ancient of Days in verses 9-10, Daniel receives further revelation regarding the little horn and the fourth beast from which he came from.
The little horn is a reference to the Antichrist.
The fourth beast is the Roman Empire and specifically the final form of this empire since the Antichrist will rule this final form of the Roman Empire during Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
This description of the fourth beast in Daniel 7:11 corresponds with the destruction of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter two (Daniel 2:34-35; cf. 44:45).
In Daniel 2:34-35, Daniel describes for Nebuchadnezzar the statue in his dream being destroyed by a rock cut out but not by human hands, which resulted in the rest of the image becoming like chaff from the summer threshing floors.
The iron, clay, bronze, silver and gold which composed this enormous statue were crushed as one when the rock hit its feet.
The feet were composed partly of iron and partly of clay which is symbolic of the final form of the Roman Empire which will be prominent during Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
In Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel says that this supernatural rock crushed into pieces the iron, bronze, clay, silver as well as gold, which represents Jesus Christ destroying the Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist at His Second Advent, as well as any remembrance of the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.
Therefore, Daniel 7:11 and Daniel 2:34-35 and Daniel 2:44-45 are describing in symbolic or apocalyptical terms the Lord Jesus Christ destroying the Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist at His Second Advent, which terminates not only Daniel’s Seventieth Week but also the Times of the Gentiles.
Daniel 7:15 As for me, Daniel, my soul was distressed in the midst of my body. Specifically, the visions in my mind caused me to be terrified. 16 I went up to one from those standing nearby in order to request from him the truth regarding all this. Consequently, he spoke to me in order to make known to me the interpretation of these events. 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings, who will arise from the earth’s inhabitants. 18 However, the saints belonging to the Most High will receive the kingdom. Indeed, they will possess the kingdom throughout eternity, yes throughout eternity, the ages.’ 19 Then, I desired to know the meaning concerning the fourth beast which was different from all the others, extraordinarily intimidating, its two rows of teeth composed of iron as well as its claws composed of bronze. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. 20 Also, I desired to know the meaning concerning the ten horns which were on its head as well as the one which emerged and in addition three fell by being in the presence of it. Specifically, that horn possessing eyes as well as a mouth making it a habit of speaking boastfully. Indeed, its appearance was more distinguished than its contemporaries. 21 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them 22 until the One Ancient in Days intervened. Specifically, He rendered judgment in favor of the Most High’s saints. Then, the moment arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. (My translation)
Daniel describes in Daniel 7:21 the little horn continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them, which is a picture of Antichrist waging war against regenerate Jew and Gentiles during the Tribulation portion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week which occurs during the last three and a half years of this seven-year period.
Now, in Daniel 7:22, Daniel says that the little horn will be waging war against the saints so as to overpower them until the Ancient of Days intervened.
He identifies specifically what he means by this divine intervention by telling the reader that the Ancient of Days rendered judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, which is a reference to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.
This event will not only bring about the end of Daniel’s Seventieth Week and the Times of the Gentiles but also result in the imprisonment of Satan for a thousand years and will also result in the Antichrist being thrown alive into the eternal lake of fire along with the false prophet.
This interpretation is indicated by Daniel’s statement in verse 26, which tells the reader that the little horn will have his dominion taken away and will be annihilated and destroyed forever.
Also, Revelation 19:11-21 makes clear that Antichrist will be taken alive at the Second Advent of Christ and deposited into the Lake of Fire.
At His “Second Advent,” the Lord Jesus Christ will destroy the Tribulational armies, have Antichrist and the False Prophet thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:11-19), will imprison Satan for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3) and will establish His millennial reign on planet earth (Rev. 20:4-6).
Daniel 7:23 Thus, he said, ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all these kingdoms in the sense that it will devour the entire earth. Specifically, it will trample it down so that it crushes it. 24 Also, the ten horns are ten kings who will arise from this kingdom. Then, another will arise after them. However, he will be different in comparison to the previous ones. Specifically, he will conquer three kings. 25 Furthermore, he will issue statements against the Most High. Also, he will make it his habit of persecuting the Most High’s saints as well as attempting to change the times, yes even the Law. Indeed, they will be given into his power for a period of a time, times and a half a time. 26 However, the court will be convened with the result that they will take away his governmental dominion by destroying, yes, by killing him at the end. (My translation)
In Daniel 7:19-26, Antichrist is described as waging war against God’s people up to the time of the Second Advent of Christ, which corresponds to the depiction of the Antichrist in Revelation (Daniel 7:11, 20-26; 8:25; Revelation 13:1-10; 19:20).
Now, in Daniel 7:26, the angel tells Daniel that in contrast to this war that the little horn will wage against God and His people, the Ancient of Days who represents the Father will convene the Supreme Court of Heaven.
This will result in the Most High, Jesus Christ and His saints, taking away his governmental dominion and they will do this by destroying him, yes by killing him at the end of the last three and a half years of Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
These statements by the angel Gabriel interpret Daniel 7:11, which records Daniel telling the reader the fourth beast will be killed and its body destroyed by fire.
It is also interpreting Daniel 7:22 which says that the Ancient of Days who is the Father will intervene on behalf of the saints of the Most High who is the Son of Man who Jesus interprets as being a reference to Himself.
Daniel 7:26 also corresponds to Daniel 2:45, which records Daniel interpreting the rock in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision which was cut out from a mountain but not by human hands which crushed to pieces the statue in this dream.
So Gabriel is telling Daniel that the Antichrist will be killed violently, which will be the death of the fourth beast in Daniel’s vision which we know is the Roman Empire.
The Revived Form of the Roman Empire represented by the ten horns on the head of the fourth beast along with the little horn will be destroyed by God.
Revelation 19-20 makes clear that he will be killed violently by Jesus Christ Himself, who interprets Himself as being the Son of Man in Daniel chapter seven who is also described as the Most High in this chapter.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 and Revelation 19:20 speak of Jesus Christ killing the Antichrist Himself.