Today, there are a lot of people 00:00:09.37\00:00:12.14 who are very confused 00:00:12.17\00:00:13.71 when it comes to Bible prophecy. 00:00:13.74\00:00:16.54 And one of the reasons is because the Books of Daniel 00:00:16.58\00:00:19.31 and Revelation are different from other books of the Bible. 00:00:19.35\00:00:23.08 They're filled with all sorts of strange beasts 00:00:23.12\00:00:26.15 and symbolisms. 00:00:26.19\00:00:27.56 And people don't always know what to do with them. 00:00:27.59\00:00:30.59 And as a result, over the centuries, 00:00:30.63\00:00:32.93 people have come up with some very strange 00:00:32.96\00:00:35.80 and some very interesting interpretations. 00:00:35.83\00:00:38.87 And because of that, there are many people today 00:00:38.90\00:00:41.64 who will tell you, "Oh, you shouldn't study 00:00:41.67\00:00:44.31 the Book of Revelation. 00:00:44.34\00:00:45.67 You can't understand it." 00:00:45.71\00:00:47.51 And there will even be churches 00:00:47.54\00:00:49.04 who will tell you don't read that book, 00:00:49.08\00:00:51.81 because it'll just make a religious fanatic out of you. 00:00:51.85\00:00:55.78 But, friends, God has put Revelation 00:00:55.82\00:00:58.22 in the Bible for a reason. 00:00:58.25\00:00:59.89 Can you say amen? 00:00:59.92\00:01:01.26 And He himself pronounces a blessing 00:01:01.29\00:01:04.56 on those who study it. 00:01:04.59\00:01:06.53 Notice what it says in Revelation 1:3. 00:01:06.56\00:01:10.77 The Bible says, "Blessed is he who reads 00:01:10.80\00:01:15.74 and those who hear the words of the prophecy of this book, 00:01:15.77\00:01:20.68 and keeps those things which are written in it 00:01:20.71\00:01:23.85 for the time is," what? 00:01:23.88\00:01:25.88 "It is near." 00:01:25.91\00:01:27.25 See, God pronounces a threefold blessings 00:01:27.28\00:01:29.88 on those who study Revelation. 00:01:29.92\00:01:31.99 He blesses those who read it, He blesses those who hear it, 00:01:32.02\00:01:36.39 and He blesses those who keep or obey the things 00:01:36.42\00:01:40.90 that are written in it. 00:01:40.93\00:01:42.73 So that tells us 00:01:42.76\00:01:44.10 that even with the subject of antichrist, 00:01:44.13\00:01:46.40 God has a special blessing in store. 00:01:46.43\00:01:50.24 Now, as we journey into this subject, 00:01:50.27\00:01:52.41 there's something that we need to understand 00:01:52.44\00:01:54.88 about the word antichrist itself. 00:01:54.91\00:01:58.18 Notice the prefix anti. 00:01:58.21\00:02:01.52 Traditionally we think that that prefix anti 00:02:01.55\00:02:04.99 refers to being against something. 00:02:05.02\00:02:08.42 But the word anti can also mean in place of 00:02:08.46\00:02:12.99 or in the stead of something. 00:02:13.03\00:02:15.83 So when we're talking about antichrist, 00:02:15.86\00:02:18.50 we're not necessarily looking for an atheistic power 00:02:18.53\00:02:22.50 that denies the existence of God all together. 00:02:22.54\00:02:25.67 What we're looking for, is something that seeks 00:02:25.71\00:02:29.18 to take God's place on this earth 00:02:29.21\00:02:32.15 or something that seeks to usurp His divine authority. 00:02:32.18\00:02:36.58 In other words, something that claims to have power 00:02:36.62\00:02:40.12 that is only available to God and to God alone, 00:02:40.16\00:02:43.49 antichrist in the stead of or in the place of Christ. 00:02:43.53\00:02:48.06 So that itself gives us a big clue 00:02:48.10\00:02:51.13 as to what we're looking for. 00:02:51.17\00:02:53.10 And so people ask the question, "Is the Beast a person?" 00:02:53.13\00:02:58.14 Some people thought that when Adolf Hitler 00:02:58.17\00:03:00.48 was around in World War II that maybe he was the beast. 00:03:00.51\00:03:04.15 Because he murdered 6 million Jews 00:03:04.18\00:03:06.48 and he brought many of the world powers 00:03:06.51\00:03:08.68 into conflict. 00:03:08.72\00:03:10.22 But that didn't work out. 00:03:10.25\00:03:11.89 Some people thought 00:03:11.92\00:03:13.25 Saddam Hussein might be the beast, 00:03:13.29\00:03:15.16 because he was a powerful leader 00:03:15.19\00:03:17.13 in the Middle East. 00:03:17.16\00:03:18.49 And that didn't happen. 00:03:18.53\00:03:20.00 Others have even conjecture 00:03:20.03\00:03:21.83 that certain presidents of the United States 00:03:21.86\00:03:24.33 from the past might be the beast, 00:03:24.37\00:03:26.53 because apparently their names equaled 666. 00:03:26.57\00:03:30.64 But that didn't happen either. 00:03:30.67\00:03:32.77 Some wonder well, "Is the Beast an organization? 00:03:32.81\00:03:37.21 Is it some sort of political kingdom? 00:03:37.25\00:03:39.81 Is it a religious kingdom?" 00:03:39.85\00:03:41.95 Maybe it's the United Nations or maybe it's the Illuminati, 00:03:41.98\00:03:45.42 is it an organization? 00:03:45.45\00:03:47.89 And then some people wonder "What does 666 mean?" 00:03:47.92\00:03:51.16 And they become very wary of anything 00:03:51.19\00:03:54.63 that even closely resembles that number. 00:03:54.66\00:03:58.10 Well, I got good news for you tonight. 00:03:58.13\00:04:00.34 Did you know that based on the clues 00:04:00.37\00:04:02.60 that both Daniel and Revelation give us, 00:04:02.64\00:04:05.11 the Bible answers every one of those questions 00:04:05.14\00:04:08.21 in a very clear and a very understandable way. 00:04:08.24\00:04:11.68 So let's begin with the most significant chapter 00:04:11.71\00:04:15.38 about the beast in the Book of Revelation. 00:04:15.42\00:04:17.29 Let's go to Revelation Chapter 13. 00:04:17.32\00:04:21.36 You want to take your Bibles and we're going to Revelation, 00:04:21.39\00:04:24.56 and we're going to start in Chapter 13. 00:04:24.59\00:04:27.73 This is the chapter in the apocalyptic book 00:04:27.76\00:04:30.97 that tells us the most about the beast. 00:04:31.00\00:04:35.44 The Bible says, 00:04:35.47\00:04:37.91 "Then I stood on the sand of the sea, 00:04:37.94\00:04:41.44 and I saw a," what? 00:04:41.48\00:04:43.88 "A beast rising up out of the sea, 00:04:43.91\00:04:46.78 having seven heads and ten horns, 00:04:46.82\00:04:50.05 and on his horns ten crowns, 00:04:50.09\00:04:52.79 and on his heads a blasphemous name. 00:04:52.82\00:04:56.09 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, 00:04:56.12\00:04:58.99 his feet was like the feet of a bear, 00:04:59.03\00:05:01.23 and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion. 00:05:01.26\00:05:04.17 The dragon gave him his power, 00:05:04.20\00:05:06.87 his throne, and great authority. 00:05:06.90\00:05:10.44 And I saw one of his heads 00:05:10.47\00:05:12.94 as if it had had been mortally wounded, 00:05:12.97\00:05:15.84 and the deadly wound was healed. 00:05:15.88\00:05:19.11 And all the world marveled and followed the beast." 00:05:19.15\00:05:24.69 Verse 4, "So they worshiped the dragon 00:05:24.72\00:05:28.22 who gave authority to the beast, 00:05:28.26\00:05:30.33 and they worship the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? 00:05:30.36\00:05:34.93 Who is able to make war against him?' 00:05:34.96\00:05:38.73 And he was given a mouth speaking great things 00:05:38.77\00:05:41.74 and blasphemies, 00:05:41.77\00:05:43.10 and he was given authority to continue," for how long? 00:05:43.14\00:05:47.48 "Forty-two months. 00:05:47.51\00:05:49.68 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, 00:05:49.71\00:05:53.58 to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, 00:05:53.62\00:05:57.02 and those who dwell in heaven. 00:05:57.05\00:05:59.65 And it was granted him to make war with the saints 00:05:59.69\00:06:02.82 and to overcome them. 00:06:02.86\00:06:04.56 And authority was given him over every tribe, 00:06:04.59\00:06:08.13 tongue, and nation." 00:06:08.16\00:06:11.17 Now I'm going to stop there. 00:06:11.20\00:06:12.97 That's quite a description, don't you think? 00:06:13.00\00:06:15.80 And right there within that passage, 00:06:15.84\00:06:18.67 John gives us many different clues about the beast 00:06:18.71\00:06:23.28 that we need to be able to look at. 00:06:23.31\00:06:25.15 So let's start with the first. 00:06:25.18\00:06:26.75 The first question is this beast 00:06:26.78\00:06:29.58 that John is describing, 00:06:29.62\00:06:31.72 would you say it's a frightening looking beast, 00:06:31.75\00:06:33.59 yes or no? 00:06:33.62\00:06:35.16 Yeah, I mean, it's made up of all these parts. 00:06:35.19\00:06:37.53 It's got the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, 00:06:37.56\00:06:40.23 the mouth of a lion. 00:06:40.26\00:06:42.16 Now, is that meant to be literal or symbolic, 00:06:42.20\00:06:44.70 what do you think? 00:06:44.73\00:06:46.37 Sure, it symbolizes something that doesn't mean 00:06:46.40\00:06:48.60 that antichrist is literally going to be 00:06:48.64\00:06:50.34 this weird conglomeration of different animals. 00:06:50.37\00:06:54.08 So the question is, what does a beast symbolize 00:06:54.11\00:06:57.88 in Bible prophecy? 00:06:57.91\00:06:59.51 And you will find that Daniel gives us the answer. 00:06:59.55\00:07:02.55 In Daniel 7:23, which we're going to study 00:07:02.58\00:07:05.32 in a few minutes. 00:07:05.35\00:07:06.69 Daniel tells us what a beast represents 00:07:06.72\00:07:09.52 in Bible prophecy. 00:07:09.56\00:07:10.96 Notice what it says. 00:07:10.99\00:07:12.89 "The fourth beast shall be a fourth," what? 00:07:12.93\00:07:16.90 "Kingdom on earth." 00:07:16.93\00:07:18.27 So, right here from the Bible and the Bible alone, 00:07:18.30\00:07:22.20 it's already telling us that a beast represents 00:07:22.24\00:07:26.04 a kingdom or a power. 00:07:26.07\00:07:29.54 So from the beginning, it's telling us 00:07:29.58\00:07:32.15 antichrist cannot be simply one man 00:07:32.18\00:07:36.82 who only rises at the end of time, 00:07:36.85\00:07:39.52 because the Bible just told us a beast represents a kingdom. 00:07:39.55\00:07:45.79 So we know that much so far. 00:07:45.83\00:07:48.13 Well, let's keep going on. 00:07:48.16\00:07:49.86 It says that this beast rises from where, 00:07:49.90\00:07:53.23 in verses 1 and 2? 00:07:53.27\00:07:55.40 From the sea. 00:07:55.44\00:07:56.77 So the beast rises up out of the waters. 00:07:56.81\00:08:00.11 Is that significant? 00:08:00.14\00:08:02.04 And you find that it is. 00:08:02.08\00:08:03.95 Because in the Book of Revelation, 00:08:03.98\00:08:06.51 the seas or the waters 00:08:06.55\00:08:08.68 are meant to symbolize something. 00:08:08.72\00:08:11.49 You say, "Well, what does it represent?" 00:08:11.52\00:08:13.52 Well, instead of guessing or taking our own opinion, 00:08:13.56\00:08:16.36 let's allow the Bible to give us the interpretation. 00:08:16.39\00:08:20.36 So we're going to have to just go to Revelation 17:15, 00:08:20.40\00:08:24.13 which I'm putting on the screen. 00:08:24.17\00:08:25.57 Now, this is a different vision. 00:08:25.60\00:08:26.94 We're not going to study this vision tonight. 00:08:26.97\00:08:29.24 But the angel does say something to John 00:08:29.27\00:08:32.01 and tells him what waters represent in Bible prophecy. 00:08:32.04\00:08:36.75 Revelation 17:15. 00:08:36.78\00:08:38.81 The Bible says, "The waters which you saw, 00:08:38.85\00:08:43.15 where the harlot sits, are," what? 00:08:43.18\00:08:46.09 "Peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues." 00:08:46.12\00:08:50.83 In other words, water or seas in Bible prophecy 00:08:50.86\00:08:55.03 is meant to represent multitudes of people 00:08:55.06\00:08:59.00 of different languages. 00:08:59.03\00:09:01.57 So just those two clues tell us that antichrist is a kingdom 00:09:01.60\00:09:06.78 that is going to rise 00:09:06.81\00:09:08.31 in a populated area of the world 00:09:08.34\00:09:11.18 where there are multitudes of people. 00:09:11.21\00:09:14.15 Now that's not based on what I think, 00:09:14.18\00:09:16.05 that's based on what the Bible and the Bible alone says. 00:09:16.08\00:09:20.02 So those are our first two clues. 00:09:20.06\00:09:23.02 But let's keep going 00:09:23.06\00:09:24.66 because Revelation 13 says more. 00:09:24.69\00:09:28.13 Revelation 13 says 00:09:28.16\00:09:29.73 that the dragon gives it its power. 00:09:29.76\00:09:33.60 Now in Revelation, who's the dragon? 00:09:33.64\00:09:35.04 We've already studied that. 00:09:35.07\00:09:36.77 Yeah, that's Satan. 00:09:36.81\00:09:38.14 So the devil has something to do 00:09:38.17\00:09:41.04 with working behind the scenes, 00:09:41.08\00:09:43.75 to make sure this kingdom rises to power or to dominance. 00:09:43.78\00:09:49.78 We're told that this beast has a deadly wound 00:09:49.82\00:09:53.49 that will eventually be, what? 00:09:53.52\00:09:55.76 Healed. 00:09:55.79\00:09:57.13 So somehow this kingdom loses power 00:09:57.16\00:09:59.83 for a short time, 00:09:59.86\00:10:01.26 but then quickly regains it. 00:10:01.30\00:10:04.80 John also told us that people worship the beast. 00:10:04.83\00:10:10.17 Now that gives us a clue 00:10:10.21\00:10:12.21 that it's not only a political kingdom, 00:10:12.24\00:10:15.61 but it must be religious in some way 00:10:15.64\00:10:18.48 because people worship it. 00:10:18.51\00:10:22.02 It says that this kingdom, this beast blasphemes God 00:10:22.05\00:10:26.55 or seeks to cover up His Word or speak against God, 00:10:26.59\00:10:31.29 and has power for, how long? 00:10:31.33\00:10:34.43 Now we got to do a little calculation there. 00:10:34.46\00:10:36.73 Remember the prophetic principle of interpretation 00:10:36.77\00:10:39.67 we learned a few nights ago, that in Bible prophecy, 00:10:39.70\00:10:44.01 one day symbolizes, what? 00:10:44.04\00:10:46.34 One year. One year. 00:10:46.37\00:10:47.71 So we got to do some calculations here. 00:10:47.74\00:10:50.31 If I want to know how many days are in a 42 month period, 00:10:50.35\00:10:55.12 then I go 42 times 30, because the Bible calendar 00:10:55.15\00:10:59.69 upon which this is based always had 30 days in a month. 00:10:59.72\00:11:03.66 So 42 times 30 comes to what number, you tell me? 00:11:03.69\00:11:07.60 One thousand two hundred and sixty days. 00:11:07.63\00:11:08.96 Twelve hundred and sixty days. 00:11:09.00\00:11:11.50 Apply the day for a year principle, 00:11:11.53\00:11:14.27 and what its saying is the beast, 00:11:14.30\00:11:17.67 this antichrist kingdom 00:11:17.71\00:11:19.97 rules for 1260 years. 00:11:20.01\00:11:25.05 Again, that tells us that cannot be one man 00:11:25.08\00:11:27.68 because one man does not live that long. 00:11:27.72\00:11:30.89 And then lastly, Revelation 13 tells us 00:11:30.92\00:11:34.79 that it persecutes God's saints, 00:11:34.82\00:11:37.56 so it's going to be a persecuting power. 00:11:37.59\00:11:42.66 Now, right there in Revelation 13, 00:11:42.70\00:11:45.67 we might even be able to figure out 00:11:45.70\00:11:47.87 who or what it is 00:11:47.90\00:11:49.34 just based on that chapter alone, 00:11:49.37\00:11:51.84 because it gave us some very significant clues. 00:11:51.87\00:11:57.21 However, does Revelation 13 come right out and tell us 00:11:57.25\00:12:01.72 who or what it is, yes or no? 00:12:01.75\00:12:03.82 It doesn't. So guess what we have to do? 00:12:03.85\00:12:07.46 We have to go to another part of the Bible 00:12:07.49\00:12:11.16 that's going to fill in the blanks for us. 00:12:11.19\00:12:14.30 So we can keep our finger on Revelation 13, 00:12:14.33\00:12:17.70 but now we're going to take a look at Daniel Chapter 7. 00:12:17.73\00:12:21.74 So I want you to turn there in your Bibles. 00:12:21.77\00:12:25.47 Daniel 7:1. 00:12:25.51\00:12:28.24 The Bible says, 00:12:28.28\00:12:30.58 "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, 00:12:30.61\00:12:35.12 Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. 00:12:35.15\00:12:41.09 Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. 00:12:41.12\00:12:45.19 Daniel spoke, saying, 'I saw in my vision by night, 00:12:45.23\00:12:50.80 and behold the four winds of heaven 00:12:50.83\00:12:53.60 were stirring up the Great Sea. 00:12:53.64\00:12:56.47 And four great beasts came up from the sea, 00:12:56.50\00:13:00.88 each different from the other.'" 00:13:00.91\00:13:03.85 So here's what Daniel sees, four beasts rise, 00:13:03.88\00:13:07.35 four nations that would have worldwide dominance 00:13:07.38\00:13:10.42 from the time of Daniel onward. 00:13:10.45\00:13:12.99 So let's briefly take a look at each of these beasts. 00:13:13.02\00:13:16.42 Let's start with the first beast, 00:13:16.46\00:13:18.36 which is described in verse 4. 00:13:18.39\00:13:22.13 If you are in Daniel 7:4 with me, 00:13:22.16\00:13:24.77 let me hear you say, amen. 00:13:24.80\00:13:26.13 Amen. All right, Daniel 7:4. 00:13:26.17\00:13:29.27 The Bible says, "The first was like a lion, 00:13:29.30\00:13:34.81 and had eagle's wings. 00:13:34.84\00:13:37.25 I watched till its wings were plucked off, 00:13:37.28\00:13:40.72 and it was lifted up from the earth 00:13:40.75\00:13:43.15 and made to stand on two feet like a man, 00:13:43.18\00:13:46.82 and a man's heart was given to it." 00:13:46.86\00:13:50.33 So here we see a picture of a winged lion. 00:13:50.36\00:13:53.93 And the question is, 00:13:53.96\00:13:55.30 who is that supposed to represent? 00:13:55.33\00:13:57.73 Well, you'll find the Bible and archaeology 00:13:57.77\00:14:00.10 make this very clear and understandable. 00:14:00.14\00:14:03.34 What was the nation 00:14:03.37\00:14:04.71 that dominated the world in Daniel's day? 00:14:04.74\00:14:06.94 Do you remember? 00:14:06.98\00:14:08.41 It was Babylon, 00:14:08.44\00:14:09.84 also represented by the head of gold 00:14:09.88\00:14:11.98 in Daniel Chapter 2. 00:14:12.01\00:14:13.65 You see what, how do you know that's Babylon? 00:14:13.68\00:14:16.12 First of all, in the Old Testament, 00:14:16.15\00:14:19.62 God represented Babylon as a lion. 00:14:19.65\00:14:22.62 Did you know that? 00:14:22.66\00:14:23.99 Read Jeremiah 4:7, because God told Israel 00:14:24.03\00:14:28.00 that if they don't stop being unfaithful to Him 00:14:28.03\00:14:30.47 and worshiping other gods, He said, 00:14:30.50\00:14:32.63 "The lion will come out of the thicket 00:14:32.67\00:14:35.64 and destroy you." 00:14:35.67\00:14:38.11 What nation was it that conquered Jerusalem 00:14:38.14\00:14:41.84 and took the Jews into captivity? 00:14:41.88\00:14:44.11 Nebuchadnezzar and the nation of Babylon. 00:14:44.15\00:14:48.02 Secondly, archaeology had just have discovered 00:14:48.05\00:14:52.09 that when they have unearthed the ruins of Babylon, 00:14:52.12\00:14:54.66 guess what symbol they found 00:14:54.69\00:14:56.29 all over the palace and the walls of that city? 00:14:56.32\00:14:59.53 Winged lions. 00:14:59.56\00:15:01.33 There's no doubt the winged lion 00:15:01.36\00:15:03.16 represents Babylon. 00:15:03.20\00:15:06.03 But let's go to the second beast. 00:15:06.07\00:15:08.14 Now in verse 5, the Bible says, 00:15:08.17\00:15:13.58 "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. 00:15:13.61\00:15:19.05 It was raised up on one side, and had three," what? 00:15:19.08\00:15:23.92 "Ribs in its mouth between its teeth. 00:15:23.95\00:15:27.92 And they said thus to it 'Arise, 00:15:27.96\00:15:30.69 and devour much flesh!'" 00:15:30.73\00:15:33.96 You say, "Well, who is this bear 00:15:34.00\00:15:35.56 with three ribs in its mouth?" 00:15:35.60\00:15:37.63 Well, the simple question is, what nation conquered Babylon 00:15:37.67\00:15:41.94 and chronologically 00:15:41.97\00:15:43.30 became the next worldwide power. 00:15:43.34\00:15:45.94 And the answer is Medo-Persia. 00:15:45.97\00:15:48.98 It's doing the same thing 00:15:49.01\00:15:50.51 as the vision of Daniel Chapter 2. 00:15:50.55\00:15:53.68 Now, the Medo-Persian Empire was made of two people groups, 00:15:53.72\00:15:57.32 the Medes and the Persians. 00:15:57.35\00:15:59.12 The Persians were stronger. 00:15:59.15\00:16:01.26 That's why some history books 00:16:01.29\00:16:02.62 just call it the Persian Empire. 00:16:02.66\00:16:04.49 This is probably why the bear is raised up on one side. 00:16:04.53\00:16:08.60 You say, "But what about the three ribs 00:16:08.63\00:16:10.20 in its mouth?" 00:16:10.23\00:16:11.67 The Empire of Babylon was divided 00:16:11.70\00:16:13.97 into three provinces, Babylonia, Egypt, and Lydia. 00:16:14.00\00:16:18.37 So when Persia conquered them, 00:16:18.41\00:16:20.58 they had to conquer all three of those provinces. 00:16:20.61\00:16:25.11 So the bear is Medo-Persia. 00:16:25.15\00:16:28.52 But let's go to the third beast. 00:16:28.55\00:16:30.92 The third beast is mentioned in verse 6. 00:16:30.95\00:16:35.02 Daniel continues to say, "After this I looked, 00:16:35.06\00:16:40.80 and there was another, like a leopard, 00:16:40.83\00:16:44.30 which had on its back four wings of a bird. 00:16:44.33\00:16:48.24 The beast also had four heads." 00:16:48.27\00:16:51.24 How many heads? Four. 00:16:51.27\00:16:53.74 "And dominion was given to it." 00:16:53.78\00:16:57.21 So what is this leopard with wings on its back 00:16:57.25\00:17:01.35 and it's got four heads? 00:17:01.38\00:17:03.39 Well, the logical question is, 00:17:03.42\00:17:05.89 what nation conquered Medo-Persia 00:17:05.92\00:17:07.92 and became the next dominant power in the world? 00:17:07.96\00:17:11.23 And the answer is Greece. 00:17:11.26\00:17:13.73 See, the problem is when we try to take 00:17:13.76\00:17:16.23 these symbols and compare them to nations today, 00:17:16.26\00:17:19.20 it does not work in its context. 00:17:19.23\00:17:21.77 It is very clear that Daniel 7 is following the same pattern 00:17:21.80\00:17:26.47 as the statue of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2. 00:17:26.51\00:17:29.68 But when we get to the fourth beast, 00:17:29.71\00:17:31.98 Daniel 7 is going to give a lot more detail about things. 00:17:32.01\00:17:37.52 So clearly this leopard with four heads 00:17:37.55\00:17:40.09 and wings on its back is Greece. 00:17:40.12\00:17:42.66 And it's interesting that they are represented 00:17:42.69\00:17:45.23 by one of the fastest animals on land, 00:17:45.26\00:17:48.36 because Alexander the Great 00:17:48.40\00:17:50.10 conquered the world quicker than anybody. 00:17:50.13\00:17:52.40 You know how old he was 00:17:52.43\00:17:53.77 when he dominated the then known world? 00:17:53.80\00:17:56.24 He was in his early 30s. 00:17:56.27\00:17:58.74 And no doubt the wings on the back represents speed. 00:17:58.77\00:18:02.71 You say, "Well, what about those four heads?" 00:18:02.74\00:18:05.38 When Alexander the Great died, history tells us 00:18:05.41\00:18:09.35 his Grecian Empire was divided into 00:18:09.38\00:18:12.12 guess how many parts? 00:18:12.15\00:18:14.09 Four parts were divided among his four main generals, 00:18:14.12\00:18:17.66 Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, Seleucus. 00:18:17.69\00:18:24.07 All documented in history. 00:18:24.10\00:18:27.57 But now, we go to the fourth beast, 00:18:27.60\00:18:31.47 because the fourth beast is where our focus is tonight. 00:18:31.51\00:18:36.44 Let's pick it up in verse 7. 00:18:36.48\00:18:39.11 Listen very carefully to what Daniel describes. 00:18:39.15\00:18:43.99 Daniel 7:7. 00:18:44.02\00:18:46.76 The Bible says, 00:18:46.79\00:18:49.02 "After this I saw in the night visions, 00:18:49.06\00:18:52.99 and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, 00:18:53.03\00:18:58.40 exceedingly strong. 00:18:58.43\00:19:00.50 It had huge iron teeth, and it was devouring, 00:19:00.54\00:19:04.91 breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue 00:19:04.94\00:19:08.21 with its feet. 00:19:08.24\00:19:09.81 It was different from all the beasts 00:19:09.84\00:19:12.05 that were before it, and it had ten horns." 00:19:12.08\00:19:17.85 Let's pause there. 00:19:17.89\00:19:20.36 Daniel sees a fourth beast. 00:19:20.39\00:19:22.79 He describes it as terrible, dreadful, exceedingly strong. 00:19:22.82\00:19:28.66 It has iron teeth, and it devours everything 00:19:28.70\00:19:33.60 in its path. 00:19:33.64\00:19:35.64 So the question is, 00:19:35.67\00:19:37.64 what nation is that representing? 00:19:37.67\00:19:40.41 Well, what would be the power that defeated Greece 00:19:40.44\00:19:44.38 and became the next worldwide dominant superpower? 00:19:44.41\00:19:49.48 And the answer is Rome. 00:19:49.52\00:19:52.65 It's interesting that this beast has 00:19:52.69\00:19:54.72 what kind of teeth that Daniel said? 00:19:54.76\00:19:56.73 Iron. Iron. 00:19:56.76\00:19:58.09 And history calls Rome, the iron kingdom, 00:19:58.13\00:20:00.70 they ruled for nearly 600 years and truly, 00:20:00.73\00:20:04.07 they conquered and crushed everyone 00:20:04.10\00:20:07.17 that was in their path. 00:20:07.20\00:20:09.20 So you can see clearly, it's the same four empires, 00:20:09.24\00:20:14.11 Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. 00:20:14.14\00:20:18.51 But now in verse 8 00:20:18.55\00:20:21.78 is where we kick it into slow gear, 00:20:21.82\00:20:25.42 because a little horn starts 00:20:25.45\00:20:27.26 to come out of the fourth beast. 00:20:27.29\00:20:30.53 A power starts to rise out of the pagan Roman Empire. 00:20:30.56\00:20:35.73 And notice that as Daniel describes it, 00:20:35.76\00:20:38.97 this little horn gets his attention immediately. 00:20:39.00\00:20:43.54 Verse 8, "I was considering the horns, 00:20:43.57\00:20:49.24 and there was another horn, 00:20:49.28\00:20:51.48 a little one, coming up among them, 00:20:51.51\00:20:55.35 before whom three of the first horns 00:20:55.38\00:20:57.85 were plucked out by the roots. 00:20:57.89\00:21:00.16 And there, in this horn, 00:21:00.19\00:21:02.09 were eyes like the eyes of a man, 00:21:02.12\00:21:05.13 and a mouth speaking pompous," 00:21:05.16\00:21:08.03 or some version say, "blasphemous words." 00:21:08.06\00:21:11.93 Now we got to stop there. 00:21:11.97\00:21:13.87 Whatever this little horn was, it got Daniel's attention 00:21:13.90\00:21:17.41 because he specifically says, I was considering the horns. 00:21:17.44\00:21:22.28 I was thinking about this. 00:21:22.31\00:21:23.78 I was focused on this, 00:21:23.81\00:21:25.58 a horn rises out of the fourth beast. 00:21:25.61\00:21:28.68 When it does, it plucks out 00:21:28.72\00:21:30.69 three of the ten horns on this beast's head. 00:21:30.72\00:21:35.09 And this little horn develops eyes and a mouth like a man 00:21:35.12\00:21:39.39 and it starts to speak arrogant and pompous words against God. 00:21:39.43\00:21:45.20 Can you imagine how easily that got Daniel's attention, 00:21:45.23\00:21:48.77 yes or no? 00:21:48.80\00:21:50.51 The question is, what is that little horn? 00:21:50.54\00:21:56.14 So here's what we need to do. 00:21:56.18\00:21:58.71 A little bit later in this chapter, 00:21:58.75\00:22:00.98 the angel of the vision comes to Daniel 00:22:01.02\00:22:04.22 and gives him the interpretation 00:22:04.25\00:22:06.45 of many of these things. 00:22:06.49\00:22:07.92 We don't even have to guess. 00:22:07.96\00:22:09.62 I don't have to speculate. 00:22:09.66\00:22:11.53 We don't have to take a majority vote, 00:22:11.56\00:22:13.93 because the angel is going to tell us 00:22:13.96\00:22:16.67 the interpretation of many of these things. 00:22:16.70\00:22:20.24 So let's skip over now to verse 23. 00:22:20.27\00:22:23.51 We're still in Daniel 7:23, 00:22:23.54\00:22:27.51 now the angel begins to speak to Daniel. 00:22:27.54\00:22:31.35 Daniel 7:23. 00:22:31.38\00:22:33.85 The Bible says, "Thus he said, 00:22:33.88\00:22:37.72 'The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth," 00:22:37.75\00:22:42.32 well, we already knew that, 00:22:42.36\00:22:43.99 "which shall be different from all other kingdoms, 00:22:44.03\00:22:47.26 and shall devour the whole earth, 00:22:47.30\00:22:49.36 trample it and break it in pieces. 00:22:49.40\00:22:52.30 " Now we already know that to be Rome. 00:22:52.33\00:22:54.70 Verse 24, "The ten horns are ten kings." 00:22:54.74\00:22:59.97 Or it can also be translated kingdoms 00:23:00.01\00:23:03.14 because every king has a what? 00:23:03.18\00:23:05.45 A kingdom. 00:23:05.48\00:23:06.82 So these ten horns coming out of the fourth beast 00:23:06.85\00:23:09.55 are ten kingdoms that will rise when Rome falls. 00:23:09.58\00:23:13.79 Verse 24, "The ten horns are ten kings 00:23:13.82\00:23:16.83 who shall arise from this kingdom. 00:23:16.86\00:23:19.23 And another shall rise after them, 00:23:19.26\00:23:22.43 he shall be different from the first ones, 00:23:22.46\00:23:25.40 and shall subdue three kings. 00:23:25.43\00:23:28.34 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, 00:23:28.37\00:23:32.34 shall persecute the saints of the Most High, 00:23:32.37\00:23:35.61 and shall intend to change times and law. 00:23:35.64\00:23:40.78 Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time 00:23:40.82\00:23:45.12 and times and half a time.'" 00:23:45.15\00:23:49.79 Now we got to pause. 00:23:49.82\00:23:52.33 I want to put a summary in the screen 00:23:52.36\00:23:53.70 of what the angel has just said. 00:23:53.73\00:23:56.43 The angel in verse 23 said the fourth beast 00:23:56.46\00:23:58.93 is a kingdom. 00:23:58.97\00:24:00.30 We already know that's Rome. 00:24:00.34\00:24:02.70 The ten horns coming out of Rome, 00:24:02.74\00:24:05.91 the fourth beast represent ten kingdoms 00:24:05.94\00:24:09.64 that will come out of the Roman Empire 00:24:09.68\00:24:11.95 when it falls. 00:24:11.98\00:24:14.55 And we keep going on. 00:24:14.58\00:24:15.92 This is a list of some of the people groups 00:24:15.95\00:24:18.02 that came out of the Roman Empire 00:24:18.05\00:24:19.49 when they fell. 00:24:19.52\00:24:20.86 Notice there are ten of them. 00:24:20.89\00:24:22.82 But you notice what's interesting. 00:24:22.86\00:24:25.76 Three of them, the Heruli, 00:24:25.79\00:24:28.93 the Vandals and the Ostrogoths are extinct. 00:24:28.96\00:24:33.37 They were exterminated. 00:24:33.40\00:24:37.11 What did Daniel say happen when a little horn rose? 00:24:37.14\00:24:41.71 Three of the ten horns were plucked out. 00:24:41.74\00:24:47.12 That's going to become interesting in a few minutes. 00:24:47.15\00:24:50.45 It went on to say 00:24:50.49\00:24:51.82 that the little horn would speak 00:24:51.85\00:24:53.19 great words against God. 00:24:53.22\00:24:55.26 The little horn would persecute God's people, 00:24:55.29\00:24:57.46 the saints. 00:24:57.49\00:24:58.83 The little horn would think 00:24:58.86\00:25:00.20 to change God's times and God's law, 00:25:00.23\00:25:03.40 and it would rule for a times, time and half a time. 00:25:03.43\00:25:07.44 Now we got to talk about that time period 00:25:07.47\00:25:09.00 before we go any farther. 00:25:09.04\00:25:10.64 That's a new and that phrase is new for us. 00:25:10.67\00:25:13.01 What is a time, times and half a time? 00:25:13.04\00:25:16.88 You know, when you do the calculations 00:25:16.91\00:25:18.85 from the Bible, it's 1260 days. 00:25:18.88\00:25:23.42 All you have to do is just take a note 00:25:23.45\00:25:25.19 in your Bible here. 00:25:25.22\00:25:26.55 We're not going to look it up now. 00:25:26.59\00:25:27.92 But when you have a chance later, 00:25:27.96\00:25:29.29 look up Revelation 12:6 and 14. 00:25:29.32\00:25:33.26 And it will clearly tell you that time, 00:25:33.29\00:25:35.40 times and half of time is 1260 days. 00:25:35.43\00:25:39.13 In fact, let's do the calculation. 00:25:39.17\00:25:41.34 Time in the Bible, that term symbolically 00:25:41.37\00:25:44.77 represents one year. 00:25:44.81\00:25:46.81 Times is, guess what? 00:25:46.84\00:25:49.24 Two years. So half a time is what? 00:25:49.28\00:25:52.18 Half a year. 00:25:52.21\00:25:53.55 You add all them up 00:25:53.58\00:25:54.92 because again in the Bible calendar 00:25:54.95\00:25:56.69 30 days to a month, 360 days to a year, 00:25:56.72\00:26:00.89 it equals out to 1260 days. 00:26:00.92\00:26:04.59 You apply the day for a year principle, 00:26:04.63\00:26:07.60 1260 years, the little horn rules. 00:26:07.63\00:26:10.73 The same time period 00:26:10.77\00:26:12.60 that Revelation 13 said the beast would rule, 00:26:12.63\00:26:16.20 the beast and the little horn are the same power. 00:26:16.24\00:26:22.61 Now, here's what we have to do. 00:26:22.64\00:26:25.01 Between Revelation and Daniel, 00:26:25.05\00:26:26.92 we have just been given 13 points from the Bible. 00:26:26.95\00:26:31.05 Now I'm going to very quickly review 00:26:31.09\00:26:32.85 those 13 points, 00:26:32.89\00:26:34.32 because I want us to be absolutely sure 00:26:34.36\00:26:36.83 that we got every one of those points 00:26:36.86\00:26:38.83 from the Bible and from the Bible alone. 00:26:38.86\00:26:41.73 So point number one. 00:26:41.76\00:26:43.57 Daniel said, this kingdom rises out of the fourth beast, 00:26:43.60\00:26:47.74 which is Rome. 00:26:47.77\00:26:49.10 So antichrist is going to arise out of Rome 00:26:49.14\00:26:53.48 somewhere in Western Europe. 00:26:53.51\00:26:55.41 That's where Rome is. 00:26:55.44\00:26:57.85 Point number two. 00:26:57.88\00:26:59.68 Daniel said, this kingdom will come out of the ruins 00:26:59.71\00:27:02.98 of the pagan Roman Empire. 00:27:03.02\00:27:04.95 Rome did not fall until 476 AD, according to the history books. 00:27:04.99\00:27:10.86 So the antichrist kingdom would not rise 00:27:10.89\00:27:14.66 to worldwide dominance until sometime after 476 AD. 00:27:14.70\00:27:21.30 Point number three. 00:27:21.34\00:27:23.00 Daniel said, 00:27:23.04\00:27:24.37 "This kingdom it's represented by a little horn." 00:27:24.41\00:27:27.38 In other words, this kingdom will be a little kingdom, 00:27:27.41\00:27:29.84 not large in size, geographically. 00:27:29.88\00:27:34.48 Point number four. 00:27:34.52\00:27:35.98 Daniel said, "The little horn would uproot 00:27:36.02\00:27:38.62 three of the ten horns." 00:27:38.65\00:27:40.72 This little kingdom 00:27:40.76\00:27:42.69 would conquer three of the kingdoms 00:27:42.72\00:27:44.83 which came out of Rome. 00:27:44.86\00:27:46.86 That was the Heruli, the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. 00:27:46.90\00:27:50.90 Point number five. 00:27:50.93\00:27:52.77 Daniel said, "The little horn had eyes 00:27:52.80\00:27:55.30 and the mouth like a man which would speak for it." 00:27:55.34\00:27:58.24 So this kingdom would have man at its head 00:27:58.27\00:28:01.71 who represents it to the world. 00:28:01.74\00:28:04.68 Point number six. 00:28:04.71\00:28:06.41 Daniel said, "The little horn would be different 00:28:06.45\00:28:08.88 from the other horns." 00:28:08.92\00:28:10.25 So there's something about this kingdom 00:28:10.29\00:28:12.69 that is different from other kingdoms. 00:28:12.72\00:28:15.09 Something unique about it. Point number seven. 00:28:15.12\00:28:20.26 The little horn would speak great words 00:28:20.30\00:28:22.56 against the Most High. 00:28:22.60\00:28:24.07 In other words, this kingdom would speak 00:28:24.10\00:28:25.67 blasphemy against God. 00:28:25.70\00:28:27.94 You say, "Well, what does that mean?" 00:28:27.97\00:28:30.01 Well, we got to let the Bible define it. 00:28:30.04\00:28:32.44 The Bible defines blasphemy 00:28:32.47\00:28:35.58 as assuming any rights or powers 00:28:35.61\00:28:38.38 that belong to God, and God alone. 00:28:38.41\00:28:41.28 There are two examples, at least in Scripture. 00:28:41.32\00:28:44.35 One, when a man on earth claims to be God. 00:28:44.39\00:28:47.89 In John Chapter 10, 00:28:47.92\00:28:49.66 Jesus told the Jews that He is God. 00:28:49.69\00:28:52.13 He claimed equality with the Father. 00:28:52.16\00:28:54.53 They wanted to stone Him for that. 00:28:54.56\00:28:56.33 They said, "You're saying blasphemy." 00:28:56.36\00:28:58.93 Now Jesus could say that because He is God. 00:28:58.97\00:29:01.04 Can you say amen? 00:29:01.07\00:29:02.40 But they didn't believe that. 00:29:02.44\00:29:04.27 The other example was Luke Chapter 5, 00:29:04.31\00:29:06.88 when a man claims to forgive sin. 00:29:06.91\00:29:09.18 Remember, Jesus told the paralytic, 00:29:09.21\00:29:10.71 "Your sins are forgiven." 00:29:10.75\00:29:12.45 And the Pharisees had a fit. 00:29:12.48\00:29:14.42 They said, "That's blasphemy. Only God can forgive sins." 00:29:14.45\00:29:18.22 But Jesus is God. 00:29:18.25\00:29:20.06 So He could forgive sins, amen? 00:29:20.09\00:29:22.49 But they didn't believe that. 00:29:22.52\00:29:24.09 So those are two examples of blasphemy in the Bible, 00:29:24.13\00:29:27.30 when someone or something assumes power or authority 00:29:27.33\00:29:31.27 that belongs only to God. 00:29:31.30\00:29:33.90 So whatever this kingdom is, it would do that. 00:29:33.94\00:29:37.47 Point number eight. 00:29:37.51\00:29:39.14 This kingdom would make war against the saints, 00:29:39.17\00:29:42.18 so it would be a persecuting power. 00:29:42.21\00:29:45.61 Point nine. 00:29:45.65\00:29:46.98 Daniel said, "This kingdom would try to change 00:29:47.02\00:29:50.55 God's times and God's law." 00:29:50.59\00:29:54.52 Point number 10. 00:29:54.56\00:29:56.32 The little horn would rule for time, 00:29:56.36\00:29:58.76 times and half a time, 1260 years. 00:29:58.79\00:30:03.40 Point number 11. 00:30:03.43\00:30:04.97 Revelation said, "This kingdom receives 00:30:05.00\00:30:07.57 a deadly wound and would be healed." 00:30:07.60\00:30:10.87 Point number 12. 00:30:10.91\00:30:12.47 Revelation said, 00:30:12.51\00:30:13.84 "People follow and worship the beast." 00:30:13.88\00:30:15.88 So it's not only a political kingdom, 00:30:15.91\00:30:18.58 it's a religious power. 00:30:18.61\00:30:21.82 And point number 13. 00:30:21.85\00:30:23.28 Finally, this kingdom will be represented 00:30:23.32\00:30:26.45 by the number 666. 00:30:26.49\00:30:28.82 It will be the number of a man 00:30:28.86\00:30:31.19 and it will be the number of his name. 00:30:31.23\00:30:34.83 Now, before we say who or what it is, 00:30:34.86\00:30:37.17 I'm going to ask an honest question. 00:30:37.20\00:30:40.07 How many of you are willing to say that yes, 00:30:40.10\00:30:42.20 we got all 13 of those points from the Bible 00:30:42.24\00:30:45.71 and the Bible alone? 00:30:45.74\00:30:47.08 If we agree on that, can I see your hands? 00:30:47.11\00:30:49.18 Did I make any of those points up 00:30:49.21\00:30:51.55 from other places other than the Bible? 00:30:51.58\00:30:53.85 None. They all came from Scripture. 00:30:53.88\00:30:57.35 And the truth is there is only one power 00:30:57.39\00:31:02.62 in all of human history that has fulfilled 00:31:02.66\00:31:06.36 all 13 of those points in absolute detail. 00:31:06.39\00:31:11.20 Some of you probably 00:31:11.23\00:31:12.57 have already put the clues together 00:31:12.60\00:31:13.94 and know what it is. 00:31:13.97\00:31:15.30 But before I say it, it's very important 00:31:15.34\00:31:18.57 that you hear what I say after I say it, 00:31:18.61\00:31:21.78 did you catch that? 00:31:21.81\00:31:23.14 That's going to become important. 00:31:23.18\00:31:25.71 The only power that has fulfilled 00:31:25.75\00:31:27.38 all 13 of those points, 00:31:27.42\00:31:30.05 is the power known as the papacy, 00:31:30.09\00:31:34.42 Vatican City, or papal Rome. 00:31:34.46\00:31:39.09 You say, "Whoa!" 00:31:39.13\00:31:41.46 Understand this now. 00:31:41.50\00:31:43.47 God does not bring this out to hurt or offend anybody, 00:31:43.50\00:31:48.34 and neither do I. 00:31:48.37\00:31:49.84 God is warning His people of a persecuting power 00:31:49.87\00:31:54.34 that would rise in the Middle Ages 00:31:54.38\00:31:56.64 and unfortunately do some nasty things 00:31:56.68\00:31:59.71 as history tells us. 00:31:59.75\00:32:01.55 He's warning His people about a power 00:32:01.58\00:32:04.32 that would take the Word of God away from the people, 00:32:04.35\00:32:08.12 a power that would cover up Jesus Christ and the cross. 00:32:08.16\00:32:11.99 And He wanted His people to be aware of what happened. 00:32:12.03\00:32:15.96 It's important to know, God is not talking 00:32:16.00\00:32:19.93 about individual Catholic people today. 00:32:19.97\00:32:23.20 Can you say amen? 00:32:23.24\00:32:24.57 He's talking about a system. 00:32:24.61\00:32:26.64 He's talking about a kingdom 00:32:26.68\00:32:28.24 that, neither, you or I have any control over 00:32:28.28\00:32:31.01 that will do some unfortunate things 00:32:31.05\00:32:33.01 in the Middle Ages. 00:32:33.05\00:32:34.52 Catholic people who are alive today, 00:32:34.55\00:32:36.79 there are many who love God with all their heart. 00:32:36.82\00:32:39.82 They seek to serve God and their fellowman, 00:32:39.85\00:32:43.12 they weren't alive back then. 00:32:43.16\00:32:44.89 They had nothing to do with the things 00:32:44.93\00:32:46.90 that occurred in the Middle Ages. 00:32:46.93\00:32:48.70 Can somebody say amen to that? 00:32:48.73\00:32:50.50 So this is not meant to be turned 00:32:50.53\00:32:52.23 into a Protestant versus Catholic thing. 00:32:52.27\00:32:55.24 God is warning about how church and state would unite 00:32:55.27\00:32:58.77 in the Middle Ages would become a persecuting power 00:32:58.81\00:33:02.24 and take the Bible away from the people. 00:33:02.28\00:33:07.25 Now, having said that, since I understand 00:33:07.28\00:33:09.52 this is very of a sensitive nature 00:33:09.55\00:33:11.95 and very emotional, 00:33:11.99\00:33:14.12 it's important that we be sure 00:33:14.16\00:33:17.49 that the papacy fits all 13 of these points. 00:33:17.53\00:33:22.23 Because the truth is what I'm saying up here 00:33:22.26\00:33:24.23 is not my opinion, 00:33:24.27\00:33:25.83 nor the interpretation of a church. 00:33:25.87\00:33:29.24 This is what has been taught from the beginning. 00:33:29.27\00:33:32.04 The reformers knew who antichrist was. 00:33:32.07\00:33:35.61 Paul knew that antichrist was starting to form. 00:33:35.64\00:33:39.08 In the early centuries, 00:33:39.11\00:33:40.62 pagan Rome persecuted God's people. 00:33:40.65\00:33:43.02 In the Middle Ages, 00:33:43.05\00:33:44.39 papal Rome persecuted God's people. 00:33:44.42\00:33:48.22 The problem is, it's only been 00:33:48.26\00:33:49.59 in the last couple of hundred years 00:33:49.62\00:33:51.49 that we veered to some other theory 00:33:51.53\00:33:53.60 that says antichrist is one man 00:33:53.63\00:33:55.96 that only arrives at the end of time. 00:33:56.00\00:33:59.83 And the truth is that actually comes 00:33:59.87\00:34:01.97 from Rome in the Middle Ages. 00:34:02.00\00:34:04.34 They had commissioned someone to come up 00:34:04.37\00:34:06.57 with a different interpretation of the antichrist 00:34:06.61\00:34:09.68 to take the heat off of what was happening 00:34:09.71\00:34:12.08 in the Middle Ages. 00:34:12.11\00:34:13.62 And they invented what was called futurism. 00:34:13.65\00:34:16.15 I talked about that a few nights ago, 00:34:16.18\00:34:17.99 the idea that antichrist is one man. 00:34:18.02\00:34:22.52 Now, before I go back to these points, 00:34:22.56\00:34:24.36 there is one question I want to clarify 00:34:24.39\00:34:25.99 that I forgot. 00:34:26.03\00:34:27.73 In parts of Daniel, the Bible uses the word he 00:34:27.76\00:34:31.30 to describe the little horn. 00:34:31.33\00:34:33.23 And sometimes that makes us think we'll see it's one man. 00:34:33.27\00:34:37.41 But you have to understand, 00:34:37.44\00:34:38.91 the Bible uses the personal pronoun he and she 00:34:38.94\00:34:42.81 to describe nations many times in Scripture. 00:34:42.84\00:34:45.71 I'll give you an example. 00:34:45.75\00:34:47.22 In the Old Testament, numerous times God referred 00:34:47.25\00:34:51.12 to the nation of Israel as a woman, 00:34:51.15\00:34:53.79 and He would use the term she or her. 00:34:53.82\00:34:57.73 When Israel was faithful, 00:34:57.76\00:34:59.83 He represented her as a pure woman. 00:34:59.86\00:35:03.06 When Israel was unfaithful to Him, 00:35:03.10\00:35:05.33 He represented her as a prostitute. 00:35:05.37\00:35:07.44 So don't let the word he fool you in Bible prophecy. 00:35:07.47\00:35:11.27 He does not mean one man when it comes to Daniel, 00:35:11.31\00:35:14.38 because it rules for 1260 years. 00:35:14.41\00:35:16.75 God uses he and she to also represent nations. 00:35:16.78\00:35:22.48 So now let's go back over all 13 of these points, 00:35:22.52\00:35:25.89 make sure that it represents papal Rome. 00:35:25.92\00:35:29.22 Now, as I do this, I'm just going to tell you, 00:35:29.26\00:35:31.79 we're going to uncover some very sensitive things. 00:35:31.83\00:35:35.40 But we have to go over it simply to show 00:35:35.43\00:35:38.43 how Bible prophecy has been fulfilled. 00:35:38.47\00:35:41.60 And then at the end, we need to ask ourselves 00:35:41.64\00:35:44.97 the most important question, 00:35:45.01\00:35:47.48 what does this mean for me today? 00:35:47.51\00:35:50.55 How do I apply it to my life, in the 21st century? 00:35:50.58\00:35:54.75 That by far is the most important question. 00:35:54.78\00:35:57.72 So let's go through these points again, 00:35:57.75\00:35:59.49 and see if papal Rome fulfilled them. 00:35:59.52\00:36:02.86 Point number one. 00:36:02.89\00:36:04.49 Daniel said, "The little horn rises 00:36:04.53\00:36:08.06 from the 10 divisions of the pagan Roman Empire." 00:36:08.10\00:36:12.10 History tells us the papacy came out of pagan Rome, 00:36:12.13\00:36:16.04 and still resides in Western Europe today. 00:36:16.07\00:36:20.18 Point number two. 00:36:20.21\00:36:22.01 The little horn rises 00:36:22.04\00:36:23.61 after the fourth beast Rome falls. 00:36:23.65\00:36:27.15 Rome didn't fall till 476 AD. 00:36:27.18\00:36:30.62 History tells us the papacy rose 00:36:30.65\00:36:33.02 to worldwide dominance in 538 AD, 00:36:33.05\00:36:36.69 and that's when the Emperor Justinian 00:36:36.73\00:36:40.10 gave political power to the pope. 00:36:40.13\00:36:42.56 So from that moment on, church and state 00:36:42.60\00:36:46.07 were united in a persecuting power. 00:36:46.10\00:36:51.07 Point number three. 00:36:51.11\00:36:53.44 Daniel said the little horn is like a little kingdom. 00:36:53.48\00:36:57.18 The papacy is the smallest kingdom 00:36:57.21\00:36:59.38 in Western Europe. 00:36:59.41\00:37:00.75 It encompasses only 109 acres. 00:37:00.78\00:37:04.19 But today it is probably the most powerful 00:37:04.22\00:37:06.96 and the most richest kingdom in the world. 00:37:06.99\00:37:10.76 Point number four. 00:37:10.79\00:37:12.23 Daniel said the little horn conquers three of the kingdoms 00:37:12.26\00:37:16.16 that came out of Rome. 00:37:16.20\00:37:18.50 History tells us that the papal armies 00:37:18.53\00:37:21.04 eradicated the Ostrogoths, 00:37:21.07\00:37:24.01 the Vandals, and the Heruli kingdom 00:37:24.04\00:37:27.54 because of doctrinal differences. 00:37:27.58\00:37:30.55 The last to be eliminated was the Ostrogoths in 538 AD. 00:37:30.58\00:37:35.28 Point number five. 00:37:35.32\00:37:37.39 Daniel said, a little horn would have a man at its head 00:37:37.42\00:37:39.95 who speaks for it. 00:37:39.99\00:37:41.89 The papacy has the office of pope at its head 00:37:41.92\00:37:45.23 who speaks for it, represents it to the world. 00:37:45.26\00:37:48.20 Now that doesn't mean pope is antichrist. 00:37:48.23\00:37:50.47 There have been many different pope. 00:37:50.50\00:37:51.83 It's the system that arose in the Middle Ages, 00:37:51.87\00:37:55.14 the Bible is speaking of. 00:37:55.17\00:37:57.61 Point number six. 00:37:57.64\00:37:59.11 Daniel said, "The little horn is different 00:37:59.14\00:38:01.71 from the other kingdoms." 00:38:01.74\00:38:04.05 The papacy is different. 00:38:04.08\00:38:06.35 Because it is not simply a political kingdom ruled by, 00:38:06.38\00:38:09.88 you know, presidents and prime ministers, 00:38:09.92\00:38:11.95 it's a religious system 00:38:11.99\00:38:13.89 that rules with bishops and cardinals, etcetera. 00:38:13.92\00:38:17.96 That's unique, church and state together. 00:38:17.99\00:38:22.16 Point number seven. 00:38:22.20\00:38:23.73 And this is where it gets sensitive. 00:38:23.77\00:38:26.40 Daniel said, the little horn would speak words of blasphemy. 00:38:26.43\00:38:30.97 Now please understand what I share next, 00:38:31.01\00:38:32.94 I do in love only to show how Bible prophecy 00:38:32.97\00:38:36.31 was fulfilled. 00:38:36.34\00:38:38.61 Did papal Rome do that in the Middle Ages? 00:38:38.65\00:38:42.35 Remember the definition of what blasphemy is? 00:38:42.38\00:38:45.35 Assuming any rights or power that belongs to God 00:38:45.39\00:38:49.09 and to God alone. 00:38:49.12\00:38:50.99 And what were the two illustrations from Scripture, 00:38:51.03\00:38:53.53 a man claiming to be God 00:38:53.56\00:38:55.46 and a man claiming to forgive sin. 00:38:55.50\00:38:57.27 That's why the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy. 00:38:57.30\00:39:01.24 Did that happen in the Middle Ages? 00:39:01.27\00:39:04.31 Unfortunately, it has. 00:39:04.34\00:39:06.81 From the papal document claiming to be God 00:39:06.84\00:39:10.18 under Ferrari's Ecclesiastical Dictionary, 00:39:10.21\00:39:13.11 it has this quote, 00:39:13.15\00:39:15.45 "The pope is of so great dignity 00:39:15.48\00:39:18.05 and so exalted that he is not a man, 00:39:18.09\00:39:21.06 but as it were, God, and the Vicar of God. 00:39:21.09\00:39:24.43 The pope is called 'Most Holy' 00:39:24.46\00:39:27.06 because he is rightfully presumed to be such. 00:39:27.10\00:39:30.13 The pope alone is deservedly called by the name 'Most Holy' 00:39:30.17\00:39:33.87 because he alone is the Vicar of Christ. 00:39:33.90\00:39:37.27 Moreover the superiority, 00:39:37.31\00:39:39.57 and the power of the Roman Pontiff, 00:39:39.61\00:39:42.74 are even over angels, of which he is greater. 00:39:42.78\00:39:46.88 So that if it were possible 00:39:46.92\00:39:48.58 that angels might err in the faith, 00:39:48.62\00:39:51.05 or might think contrary to the faith, 00:39:51.09\00:39:53.42 they could be judged 00:39:53.46\00:39:54.79 and excommunicated by the pope." 00:39:54.82\00:39:57.13 And the last sentence, 00:39:57.16\00:39:58.59 "The pope is as it were God on earth, 00:39:58.63\00:40:01.80 so sovereign of the faithful of Christ," 00:40:01.83\00:40:04.83 now notice the next phrase, "Chief," what? 00:40:04.87\00:40:07.90 "King of kings, having plenitude of power." 00:40:07.94\00:40:11.64 Who is King of kings in the Bible? 00:40:11.67\00:40:14.14 Jesus. Remember what antichrist means? 00:40:14.18\00:40:16.98 In the place of, instead of Christ. 00:40:17.01\00:40:22.68 See, this is the things that were happening 00:40:22.72\00:40:24.55 during the Middle Ages. 00:40:24.59\00:40:25.99 You and I can't really relate to it 00:40:26.02\00:40:28.06 because we've never lived in a situation 00:40:28.09\00:40:30.73 or circumstance like that. 00:40:30.76\00:40:33.70 In the book "Popular Catholic theology," 00:40:33.73\00:40:36.67 it says this about the forgiveness of sins, 00:40:36.70\00:40:39.83 quoting from volume 6, "Seek where you will, 00:40:39.87\00:40:43.94 through heaven and earth, and you will find 00:40:43.97\00:40:46.37 but one created being who can forgive the sinner, 00:40:46.41\00:40:49.84 who can free him from the chains of hell, 00:40:49.88\00:40:52.71 that extraordinarily being the priest. 00:40:52.75\00:40:56.15 The priest not only declares the sinner is forgiven, 00:40:56.18\00:40:59.25 but he really forgives him. 00:40:59.29\00:41:01.12 The priest raises his hand, 00:41:01.16\00:41:03.22 pronounces the word of absolution, 00:41:03.26\00:41:05.69 and in an instant, quick as a flash of light 00:41:05.73\00:41:08.56 the chains of hell are burst asunder, 00:41:08.60\00:41:11.33 and the sinner becomes a child of God. 00:41:11.37\00:41:14.10 So great is the power of the priest 00:41:14.14\00:41:17.14 that the judgments of heaven itself 00:41:17.17\00:41:19.21 are subject to his decisions." 00:41:19.24\00:41:23.28 These are coming from papal documents. 00:41:23.31\00:41:26.21 This is what was going on in the Middle Ages. 00:41:26.25\00:41:29.35 Unfortunately, Rome fulfills that point of assuming rights 00:41:29.38\00:41:33.96 that belong only to God. 00:41:33.99\00:41:38.13 Point number eight. 00:41:38.16\00:41:39.56 Daniel said, 00:41:39.59\00:41:40.93 "The little horn would make war against the saints." 00:41:40.96\00:41:44.53 If you've ever read history, it tells us 00:41:44.57\00:41:46.63 how the papal armies martyred millions of people 00:41:46.67\00:41:50.07 during the Dark Ages and during the Reformation. 00:41:50.11\00:41:55.01 Now I want to pause here for a second. 00:41:55.04\00:41:57.88 You know sometimes, 00:41:57.91\00:41:59.51 as Protestants we're tempted to get 00:41:59.55\00:42:01.22 a little bit of a superiority, holier than thou attitude. 00:42:01.25\00:42:06.59 Some mistakes were made in the Middle Ages. 00:42:06.62\00:42:08.22 That's obvious. 00:42:08.26\00:42:10.79 Can we say that our churches have never made mistakes? 00:42:10.83\00:42:15.46 Can we say as individuals, we've never made mistakes? 00:42:15.50\00:42:19.53 Folks, it was only 50-60 years ago, 00:42:19.57\00:42:22.70 the Protestant churches would turn a black man 00:42:22.74\00:42:25.24 away at the door simply because he was black 00:42:25.27\00:42:30.31 or would make him sit on the floor 00:42:30.35\00:42:32.28 as if he was a lesser child of God. 00:42:32.31\00:42:35.68 Today we would say that was a mistake. 00:42:35.72\00:42:39.25 Have to remember, all of us have made mistakes. 00:42:39.29\00:42:42.96 And it's only by the grace of God that we can turn around. 00:42:42.99\00:42:45.33 Can you say amen? 00:42:45.36\00:42:46.70 So I just want us to understand that 00:42:46.73\00:42:48.06 all religious establishments have at times made mistakes. 00:42:48.10\00:42:53.10 Point number nine. 00:42:53.13\00:42:54.70 Daniel said, "The little horn would think 00:42:54.74\00:42:56.91 to change God's times and law." 00:42:56.94\00:43:00.78 Now here is where it gets really, really serious. 00:43:00.81\00:43:06.58 Did papal Rome do that in the Middle Ages? 00:43:06.61\00:43:11.75 From the book or document "Prompted Bibliotheca" it says, 00:43:11.79\00:43:18.76 "The pope is of so great authority and power, 00:43:18.79\00:43:22.56 that he is able to modify, declare, 00:43:22.60\00:43:25.67 and even interpret divine laws." 00:43:25.70\00:43:30.01 And in the Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII, it says, 00:43:30.04\00:43:35.51 "We hold upon this earth, the place of God Almighty." 00:43:35.54\00:43:40.52 Let me give you an illustration of this. 00:43:40.55\00:43:43.42 You remember how we learned the other night, 00:43:43.45\00:43:45.75 Rome's version of the Ten Commandments 00:43:45.79\00:43:47.86 is different than what's recorded in the Bible? 00:43:47.89\00:43:52.06 You see, well, how can that be? 00:43:52.09\00:43:54.30 If you look at Rome's version in the Catechism, 00:43:54.33\00:43:57.60 the second commandment is completely blotted out that, 00:43:57.63\00:44:00.57 you know, the one about 00:44:00.60\00:44:01.94 forbidding graven images, etcetera, 00:44:01.97\00:44:03.77 because, you know, images and statues were used in Rome. 00:44:03.81\00:44:07.48 And so for convenience sake 00:44:07.51\00:44:08.88 that one was completely blotted out of the Bible. 00:44:08.91\00:44:11.91 And the tenth commandment about, 00:44:11.95\00:44:13.28 "Thou shalt not covet," 00:44:13.31\00:44:14.65 it was just broken into two separate commandments, 00:44:14.68\00:44:16.69 so you could still keep Ten Commandments. 00:44:16.72\00:44:20.42 You see God's law has been changed 00:44:20.46\00:44:24.03 and tampered with. 00:44:24.06\00:44:27.80 But what about God's times? 00:44:27.83\00:44:31.90 And here's where the Sabbath comes back to us 00:44:31.93\00:44:35.64 in a completely new light. 00:44:35.67\00:44:40.78 From the book "Faith of our fathers," 00:44:40.81\00:44:42.44 one of the most popular papal books in recent times, 00:44:42.48\00:44:45.88 Cardinal James Gibbons says, 00:44:45.91\00:44:48.98 "You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, 00:44:49.02\00:44:52.39 and you will not find a single line 00:44:52.42\00:44:54.59 authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. 00:44:54.62\00:44:58.06 The Scriptures enforce 00:44:58.09\00:44:59.59 the religious observance of Saturday, 00:44:59.63\00:45:01.96 a day which we never sanctify. 00:45:02.00\00:45:05.93 Now he's speaking truth there. 00:45:05.97\00:45:07.60 You see, well, why is he saying? 00:45:07.64\00:45:08.97 Why is he saying that 00:45:09.00\00:45:10.34 the seventh day Sabbath in the Bible, 00:45:10.37\00:45:12.21 that's the true Sabbath, why is he saying that? 00:45:12.24\00:45:15.41 He's challenging Protestants. 00:45:15.44\00:45:17.88 Protestants are saying, "We broke away from you, 00:45:17.91\00:45:20.82 because you don't go by the Bible 00:45:20.85\00:45:22.38 and the Bible alone. 00:45:22.42\00:45:23.75 You're putting your traditions above the Word of God." 00:45:23.79\00:45:26.59 And so Rome is coming back and saying, 00:45:26.62\00:45:28.52 "Now, wait a minute, you say you go by the Bible, 00:45:28.56\00:45:31.69 but yet you keep the Sunday that comes straight from us. 00:45:31.73\00:45:36.33 You ignore the Bible Sabbath and you keep the day 00:45:36.36\00:45:39.53 that we sanctified by putting the churches laws 00:45:39.57\00:45:42.94 above God's laws." 00:45:42.97\00:45:44.44 And he's using that to challenge them. 00:45:44.47\00:45:46.57 And he's saying, 00:45:46.61\00:45:47.94 "See, you're still following Rome as the Mother Church, 00:45:47.98\00:45:50.95 you might as well come back to us." 00:45:50.98\00:45:53.58 He's challenging them with that. 00:45:53.62\00:45:55.82 And in a sense, if you want to summarize 00:45:55.85\00:45:57.49 this in plain language, here's what it's saying. 00:45:57.52\00:45:59.99 "If you want to go by the Bible, 00:46:00.02\00:46:01.69 worship on Saturday. 00:46:01.72\00:46:03.22 But Rome says tradition is ahead of the Bible, 00:46:03.26\00:46:06.63 and we've established Sunday. 00:46:06.66\00:46:08.66 Rome changed it by tradition." 00:46:08.70\00:46:13.27 And see this is where you begin to realize 00:46:13.30\00:46:15.74 the deeper issue about Sabbath and Sunday. 00:46:15.77\00:46:19.87 It's not about two different days. 00:46:19.91\00:46:24.05 Now we understand it's about do I follow tradition? 00:46:24.08\00:46:29.25 Or do I follow what the Word of God says? 00:46:29.28\00:46:33.39 Do I follow the commandments of men? 00:46:33.42\00:46:36.99 Or do I follow the commandments of God? 00:46:37.03\00:46:40.63 Do I follow human authority 00:46:40.66\00:46:44.53 or God's divine authority? 00:46:44.57\00:46:48.07 Because I can tell you for me when I understand 00:46:48.10\00:46:50.81 that the seventh day Sabbath is taught throughout scripture 00:46:50.84\00:46:54.41 that it points me to God as my Creator 00:46:54.44\00:46:56.78 and Christ as my Savior. 00:46:56.81\00:46:59.28 And I understand that Sunday comes 00:46:59.31\00:47:02.25 from the very power that the Bible calls antichrist 00:47:02.28\00:47:08.66 causes me to stop in my tracks 00:47:08.69\00:47:10.86 and think about that very, very seriously. 00:47:10.89\00:47:17.30 Do I follow something that comes from antichrist? 00:47:17.33\00:47:21.30 Or do I follow that which comes from the Bible 00:47:21.34\00:47:24.97 and the Bible alone? 00:47:25.01\00:47:27.41 You see, why this is a tough subject 00:47:27.44\00:47:29.04 to preach and study sometimes. 00:47:29.08\00:47:32.58 Point number 10. 00:47:32.61\00:47:34.78 The little horn would have power, 1260 years. 00:47:34.82\00:47:38.99 The papacy ruled, church and state were united 00:47:39.02\00:47:42.52 from 538 all the way till 1798. 00:47:42.56\00:47:47.70 Because in 1798, Napoleon in the French Revolution, 00:47:47.73\00:47:52.07 abolished the papal government for a time. 00:47:52.10\00:47:55.70 And if you do the addition from 538 to 1798 00:47:55.74\00:47:59.94 is exactly how long? 00:47:59.97\00:48:02.34 1260 years. 00:48:02.38\00:48:05.38 The Bible was exact in its prophecies. 00:48:05.41\00:48:10.42 Point number 11. 00:48:10.45\00:48:11.79 Revelation said, the beast would receive a deadly wound. 00:48:11.82\00:48:14.82 That deadly wound was 1798 00:48:14.86\00:48:17.36 when Napoleon abolished the papal government, 00:48:17.39\00:48:19.63 the pope at that time died in exile. 00:48:19.66\00:48:24.30 But they didn't lose their power for long. 00:48:24.33\00:48:26.70 Because in 1929, the Italian Dictator 00:48:26.74\00:48:30.37 Mussolini restored power 00:48:30.41\00:48:32.67 to the papacy in the Lateran Treaty, 00:48:32.71\00:48:36.31 and the deadly wound was healed. 00:48:36.34\00:48:38.35 In fact, I got to show you this, 00:48:38.38\00:48:39.71 I found this. 00:48:39.75\00:48:41.18 I want to show you the newspaper article 00:48:41.22\00:48:43.35 that came out in 1929, 00:48:43.39\00:48:45.79 describing when the Papal power got its authority back. 00:48:45.82\00:48:49.89 I want you to notice the wording 00:48:49.92\00:48:51.46 that was used all the way back in the 1929, 00:48:51.49\00:48:54.56 San Francisco Chronicle. 00:48:54.60\00:48:56.46 Notice, "The Roman question tonight was a thing of the past 00:48:56.50\00:49:03.00 and the Vatican was at peace with Italy. 00:49:03.04\00:49:06.61 In affixing the autographs to the memorable document 00:49:06.64\00:49:11.11 healing the," what? 00:49:11.15\00:49:13.55 "Wound, extreme cordiality was displayed on both sides." 00:49:13.58\00:49:18.59 Isn't it interesting when Italy gave Vatican City 00:49:18.62\00:49:21.56 their power back again, the secular newspaper 00:49:21.59\00:49:25.96 uses the very phrase that Revelation talks about 00:49:25.99\00:49:30.50 healing the world. 00:49:30.53\00:49:33.23 That's not by chance or coincidence. 00:49:33.27\00:49:36.14 That's Bible prophecy being fulfilled. 00:49:36.17\00:49:38.64 And the last two points. 00:49:38.67\00:49:40.01 Revelation said, the beast would be 00:49:40.04\00:49:41.61 a religious power that would be worshipped. 00:49:41.64\00:49:44.71 Rome is a religious power with great political influence. 00:49:44.75\00:49:50.19 And lastly, point number 13. 00:49:50.22\00:49:54.42 Revelation said the beast would have the number 666. 00:49:54.46\00:49:58.93 It would be the number of a man and the number of his name. 00:49:58.96\00:50:05.87 Did you know the official title of the Pope 00:50:05.90\00:50:08.30 has been Vicarius Filii Dei. 00:50:08.34\00:50:13.34 In Latin it means instead of Christ. 00:50:13.38\00:50:16.88 And when you add the Roman numerals up of that title, 00:50:16.91\00:50:21.82 it equals 666. 00:50:21.85\00:50:24.99 The number of a man, 00:50:25.02\00:50:28.12 the number of his name. 00:50:28.16\00:50:32.89 Say, wow. 00:50:32.93\00:50:36.56 There's no doubt 00:50:36.60\00:50:39.43 that this is what Bible prophecy 00:50:39.47\00:50:41.00 is pointing towards. 00:50:41.04\00:50:42.37 Again, understand, God's not seeking to condemn 00:50:42.40\00:50:45.51 dear Catholic people today. 00:50:45.54\00:50:47.64 There are people of all faiths living up 00:50:47.68\00:50:49.61 to all the light that they know and they love Jesus. 00:50:49.64\00:50:52.01 Can you say amen? Amen. 00:50:52.05\00:50:53.72 But God is telling us about a power 00:50:53.75\00:50:56.79 that would rise when church and state will unite, 00:50:56.82\00:50:59.79 it would be a persecuting power. 00:50:59.82\00:51:02.39 It would be a power that would take the Bible 00:51:02.42\00:51:04.66 away from the people. 00:51:04.69\00:51:08.36 But what's that mean for me today? 00:51:08.40\00:51:11.90 This is a question I need to ask. 00:51:11.93\00:51:15.24 These are the principles of the beast. 00:51:15.27\00:51:17.67 These are the principles 00:51:17.71\00:51:19.04 that came from Rome in the Middle Ages. 00:51:19.07\00:51:21.01 Look at them carefully. 00:51:21.04\00:51:22.88 The principles that were taught and espouse 00:51:22.91\00:51:25.78 throughout the world was this, 00:51:25.81\00:51:28.68 the commandments of men 00:51:28.72\00:51:30.92 are above the commandments of God, 00:51:30.95\00:51:33.96 tradition is placed above Bible truth, 00:51:33.99\00:51:38.19 and human authority or religious authority 00:51:38.23\00:51:42.30 is more important than God's authority. 00:51:42.33\00:51:45.13 Those were the principles that came out of the beast 00:51:45.17\00:51:47.97 in the Middle Ages. 00:51:48.00\00:51:49.80 And so the question that you and I 00:51:49.84\00:51:51.51 must ask ourselves tonight is this, 00:51:51.54\00:51:56.01 am I following those principles in my life today? 00:51:56.04\00:52:01.18 See, when you apply it, it'll make no difference 00:52:01.22\00:52:03.35 whether you're Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, 00:52:03.39\00:52:06.39 Adventist, Buddhist, 00:52:06.42\00:52:07.76 whatever, the point is, in my life, 00:52:07.79\00:52:12.19 when I look at the Bible and I say, 00:52:12.23\00:52:14.06 "Well, I see what the Bible says," 00:52:14.10\00:52:16.46 but this person says it's not important. 00:52:16.50\00:52:21.10 Lord, I see what your truth declares, 00:52:21.14\00:52:24.41 but this Church says something else. 00:52:24.44\00:52:27.24 God, I know what I'm reading in the scriptures, 00:52:27.28\00:52:31.38 but Lord, this pastor says it's not important. 00:52:31.41\00:52:34.78 When I look at the Word of God, 00:52:34.82\00:52:37.35 but purposely choose to put something else 00:52:37.39\00:52:40.12 or someone else's authority above it, 00:52:40.16\00:52:43.63 I am following the principles of the beast. 00:52:43.66\00:52:48.60 No matter what denomination I may be from. 00:52:48.63\00:52:53.44 That's how I need to apply this to my life today. 00:52:53.47\00:52:58.81 See, what God is telling us in Revelation 13, 00:52:58.84\00:53:03.78 what happened in the Middle Ages, 00:53:03.81\00:53:06.65 where church and state unite, 00:53:06.68\00:53:09.82 where people were forced to choose 00:53:09.85\00:53:11.95 between man's law and God's law, 00:53:11.99\00:53:14.62 they were forced to choose upon penalty of death. 00:53:14.66\00:53:19.56 God is using that as an illustration to show me 00:53:19.59\00:53:24.20 what's going to happen again at the end of time. 00:53:24.23\00:53:28.50 Because Revelation tells me, there's going to be 00:53:28.54\00:53:31.01 another great crisis at the end and history will repeat itself. 00:53:31.04\00:53:36.18 The beast will rise, 00:53:36.21\00:53:38.61 churches state will again unite, 00:53:38.65\00:53:41.55 and people will be forced and coerce to choose, 00:53:41.58\00:53:45.79 whether they will follow man 00:53:45.82\00:53:47.92 or whether they will follow God, 00:53:47.96\00:53:50.46 whether they will follow human commandments, 00:53:50.49\00:53:53.70 or whether they will follow God's commandments. 00:53:53.73\00:53:57.93 We're going to talk about that Sunday night. 00:53:57.97\00:54:00.37 And so knowing that is coming, 00:54:00.40\00:54:03.74 the question we need to ask ourselves, 00:54:03.77\00:54:05.71 we go home tonight is this, if you forget anything tonight, 00:54:05.74\00:54:09.21 if you go home and say 00:54:09.24\00:54:10.58 "I can't remember all those 13 points," 00:54:10.61\00:54:11.95 that's okay. 00:54:11.98\00:54:13.31 Because the whole point of the message 00:54:13.35\00:54:14.92 is in the next three questions. 00:54:14.95\00:54:17.55 Question 1, am I following Jesus, 00:54:17.59\00:54:22.79 above everyone else? 00:54:22.82\00:54:25.66 Am I following His Word above everything else? 00:54:25.69\00:54:31.40 Am I giving my allegiance to the Commandments of God? 00:54:31.43\00:54:38.04 Am I truly following Christ in His Word? 00:54:38.07\00:54:41.58 No excuses. No straddling the fence. 00:54:41.61\00:54:45.28 With all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. 00:54:45.31\00:54:50.49 Cause if I plan to follow Him in the end times, 00:54:50.52\00:54:54.19 by His grace I need to choose to follow Him today. 00:54:54.22\00:55:01.00 Now we could stop here. But I'm not going to stop here. 00:55:01.03\00:55:05.80 Because the vision of Daniel 7 does not end with Antichrist. 00:55:05.83\00:55:10.54 There is one more part is vision 00:55:10.57\00:55:13.41 that we got to take the last few minutes for, 00:55:13.44\00:55:16.61 because I want you to see this. 00:55:16.64\00:55:17.98 It's awesome. 00:55:18.01\00:55:19.91 In Daniel Chapter 7, 00:55:19.95\00:55:23.59 after God talks about the little horn, 00:55:23.62\00:55:25.95 about Antichrist, notice what Daniel sees next. 00:55:25.99\00:55:30.89 Do not miss this. Daniel 7:9. 00:55:30.93\00:55:35.36 Daniel says, 00:55:35.40\00:55:36.73 "'I watched until thrones were put in place, 00:55:36.77\00:55:40.90 and the Ancient of Days was seated. 00:55:40.94\00:55:44.21 His garment was white as snow, 00:55:44.24\00:55:46.81 and the hair of his head was like pure wool. 00:55:46.84\00:55:50.45 His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire. 00:55:50.48\00:55:55.65 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him. 00:55:55.68\00:56:00.26 A thousand thousands,'" did what? 00:56:00.29\00:56:03.22 "'Ministered to him. 00:56:03.26\00:56:05.23 Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.'" 00:56:05.26\00:56:09.06 And notice the last sentence. 00:56:09.10\00:56:10.67 "'The court was seated and the books were opened.' 00:56:10.70\00:56:15.84 " What's happening here? It gives us a picture. 00:56:15.87\00:56:19.61 God the Father called the Ancient of Days 00:56:19.64\00:56:22.18 is seated on his throne, a fiery throne. 00:56:22.21\00:56:25.78 Thousands upon thousands of angelic beings 00:56:25.81\00:56:28.62 are surrounding him. 00:56:28.65\00:56:29.98 And then it says something interesting. 00:56:30.02\00:56:32.49 The court was seated and books were opened. 00:56:32.52\00:56:37.83 This is a judgment scene. 00:56:37.86\00:56:41.16 God is about to judge the world. 00:56:41.20\00:56:43.03 In fact, God is about to judge the little horn 00:56:43.06\00:56:46.03 for what happened in the Middle Ages. 00:56:46.07\00:56:48.97 But before I worry about the little horn, 00:56:49.00\00:56:52.01 I better worry about myself, 00:56:52.04\00:56:53.98 because when it says books are open, 00:56:54.01\00:56:56.04 those are the books that record the record 00:56:56.08\00:56:58.31 of our lives every deed, every act. 00:56:58.35\00:57:02.82 And so the question is, am I going to be 00:57:02.85\00:57:05.85 able to make it through the judgment 00:57:05.89\00:57:07.42 when God looks at my book of record? 00:57:07.46\00:57:13.50 And notice what Daniel sees next, Daniel 7:13. 00:57:13.53\00:57:20.04 "'I saw in the night visions, and behold, 00:57:20.07\00:57:23.77 one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, 00:57:23.81\00:57:28.41 and came to the Ancient of Days, 00:57:28.44\00:57:31.18 and they brought him near before Him.' 00:57:31.21\00:57:33.95 " Who is the Son of Man from the Bible, 00:57:33.98\00:57:35.45 can you tell me? 00:57:35.48\00:57:36.82 This is Jesus. 00:57:36.85\00:57:38.19 Jesus is entering the courtroom. 00:57:38.22\00:57:41.36 Jesus is entering the judgment seat. 00:57:41.39\00:57:44.83 He's appearing before the Father, 00:57:44.86\00:57:47.16 as our Mediator, as our Advocate, 00:57:47.20\00:57:49.86 as our Defender. 00:57:49.90\00:57:51.87 And so when God looks 00:57:51.90\00:57:53.23 over the record of your life or mine, 00:57:53.27\00:57:55.40 Jesus steps in. 00:57:55.44\00:57:56.94 and Jesus says, "I know that child, 00:57:56.97\00:57:59.64 I know David, I know Susie I know Elaine, 00:57:59.67\00:58:02.34 I know Bob, I know Perry. 00:58:02.38\00:58:04.15 Yes, they've made mistakes, but they've accepted Me 00:58:04.18\00:58:06.68 as their Savior. 00:58:06.72\00:58:08.12 And therefore I have forgiven them. 00:58:08.15\00:58:10.29 I've wiped their slate clean. 00:58:10.32\00:58:12.42 I have allowed My righteousness to cover them." 00:58:12.45\00:58:16.59 And so in the eyes of the Father, 00:58:16.62\00:58:18.69 when He looks at your life, 00:58:18.73\00:58:20.30 He sees you as absolutely perfect. 00:58:20.33\00:58:24.03 Not because of the life you live, 00:58:24.07\00:58:25.93 but because the life of Jesus counts for you. 00:58:25.97\00:58:29.14