CHRISTMAS IS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE SEEK JOY, BUT TOO OFTEN FIND SIN'S DREAD TRAGEDY - CATASTROPHE

Daniel was looking for the Messiah, for the solution to his problems, but saw Anti-Christ
Many today seek peace and pleasure, but will be tricked into finding pain and death by Satan
The prince of this world is Satan, and until Jesus comes he will seek to sift you.

We had better know the truth about the Bible and history so we will not be fooled by Satan

THERE IS A PERSONAL ANTI-CHRIST Dan 11:21a

Some want to deny the existence of demoniac powers, and reality of hell- but they exist!

SOME GREAT PROPHECIES ARE HISTORIC, BUT ARE ALSO TYPES AND SYMBOLS OF GREATER FULFILMENT LATER

The "Little Horn" of Dan 8 was fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes- he was a vile person
But the greater fulfilment is found in a coming "Man of sin" that is yet to be revealed
And as the Jews were shocked by Antiochus (some taken in by him for a while) so the world with this one

THE IMITATION CHRIST WILL RISE SUDDENLY UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH WITH LITTLE WARNING

As Jesus lived for 30 years, so the son of perdition may will be alive today- unknown to us
As Jesus was God in the flesh- so Satanic incarnation will occur and the person will be real
As Jesus is "the light of the world" so the Anti-Christ will appear as light I Thess 2:9-11

THE PEOPLE OF GOD HAVE NEVER BEEN COMPLETELY FREE FROM THE FEAR OF THE ANTICHRIST

"In the world ye shall have tribulation-John 16:33 Thank God for any time of peace-security
But God will sustain you though the furnace be 7 times hotter; and in peace-look out
The spirit of Anti-Christ I John 4:3 is already here & will snatch spiritual joy from you

But the time will come when a person will stand upon the earth- powerful, and real

THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL COME WITH FLATTERIES -Dan 11:21b

The sick, tired, worried world is crying for peace, and will worship anyone promising it

THE ANTI CHRIST WILL GAIN HIS POWER BY PROMISING PEACE, AND WILL DELIVER IT UP TO A POINT

He shall come into power waging an unusual war - Dan 8:25b - strong with a small people-11:23
He shall enter peaceably v.24a- the fattest places (Communism is a rich man's theory)-
Satan's man shall move into a troubled world promising to end the troubles with guile

WILL GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF ISRAEL BY PROMISES AND TREASURES Dan 11:24,25

He will find Israel in a time of great trouble and buy his way in as a defender of Israel
He will stop the Arabs- of the south v.25, and note v.27 as to how modem it is-table of lies
He will bring great spoil to Israel -v. 28 and the picture of rebuilding the temple

THE ANTI CHRIST WILL OFFER UITY TO THE CURCHES OF THE WORLD TO BUILD A WORLD CHURCH

As with the nation, so with the religions of the world- by flatteries & treasure- unity
But v.20 & v.36b show the mask off, and the time will come when Israel will wake up
Some from the beginning will fight the Mark of the Beast- Rev. 13:16-7 & he will war saints v.7

Though he will offer peace and unity, he will divide the world into a great war

THE ANTI CHRIST WILL WIN ALMOST V. 45a

There are those who credit success in this world as godliness- be careful

THE PICTURE OF ALL PROPHECY IS THAT OF GREAT TROUBLE COMING UPON THE EARTH

The anti-Christ will rule with cruel force- v.36, 38a -Man has always been evil & cruel
The civilians slaughtered in Vietnam are a drop- Antiochus slaughtered 40,000 in Jerusalem

THE SAINTS OF GOD WILL BE TORMENTED AND PERSECUTED THROUGHOUT HISTORY

We have had it easy for a while- but infiltrated, weakened-to much at home-troubles coming
II Tim 3:12 is a universal rule "the godly shall suffer" -but don't bring it on yourself
Our internal troubles make some cry out for Rapture-) but see Amos 5:18-19 we are troubled now

BUT WHEN THE ANTICHRIST THINKS HE WILL WIN- YET HE SHALL COME TO HIS END-  V. 45b

We are observing Christmas and rejoicing in the prophecy of the birth of our Saviour
But you won't need to look far to know that Satan is prince of this world NOW -HELL ON EARTH
But in the blackest hour the Lord Jesus Christ will come forth to claim his own -

Next Sun Dan 12:2,3 one of the most important sermons I have ever preached for this hour

THE ONLY ONES THAT WILL BE SAVED FROM THE HELLISHNESS OF A WORLD OF SATAN - THOSE IN BOOK v. 1b

Is your name written down in a mysterious book found in heaven? Rev. 20:15
What have you done to guarantee that the Anti-Christ will not deceive you into his Hell?
What are you doing to advance the Kingdom of God, and hold back Satan's Kingdom?