THE WISEST OF MEN SAW GREAT VISIONS; LOOKING FOR CHRIST, HE SAW THE ANTI-CHRIST

• Daniel was looking for the Messiah, but before the Saviour there will come a great destroyer
• The system of Gentile World Powers is spelled out in Dan 11, if we could but read it right.
• The law of double reference - Antiochus Epiphanes and the Anti-Christ in the same verse - 

But no mistake about the man of sin that is yet to come.  Beware his foreshadowing.

THERE IS A MAN CALLED ANTI-CHRIST - DAN 11:21A

Some want to deny the existence of demoniac powers and reality of hell - but both exist.

SOME GREAT PROPHESIES 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 sure a vile person, all right.
• But the greater fulfilment is yet to come - II Thess 2:1-4 - the man of sin may be near.
• As the Jews were mocked by Antiochus (some taken in by him for awhile) so the world with Anti-Christ.

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

• As Jesus lived some 30 years, so the Son of Perdition may be alive today - yet unknown to us.
• As Jesus was God in the flesh, so Satanic incarnation will occur - world knows "Rosemary's Baby."
• As Jesus is "The Light of the World", so the Anti-Christ will appear as light - II Thess 2:9-11

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

• John 16:33 "In this world ye shall have tribulation" - Thank God for any peace or security for the moment.
• God will sustain you in furnace 7 times hotter - but in peace and safety - look out, no rest now.
• Spirit of Anti-Christ I John 4:3 is here already, will snatch away any spiritual joy, victory.

Men have written about a mysterious Force X - Citizen's Intelligence Digest May 1963, pp 6&7 enough to frighten.

THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL COME WITH FLATTERIES - DAN 11:21B

The sick, tired, worried world is crying for peace - and will practically worship anyone for it.

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

• He will come into power waging an unusual war - Dan 8:25a - and strong with a small people 11:23
• He shall enter peaceably - 11:24a the fattest places - Communism and Fascism - are rich men's theories.
• Satan's man will move into troubled world - politically, economically, religiously - we got it.

HE WILL GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF ISRAEL BY PROMISES AND TREASURES - DAN 11:24,25

• He will find Israel in great trouble, and buy his way in as a defender of Israel - NATO?  ECM?
• He will stop Egypt - v.2,5, table of lies - 27, buy friends - 28, return Temple to Israel?  Sacrifice?
• Then return to spoil Israel - v.28 - and to pollute the temple - 31, Abomination of Desecration finally fulfilled.

THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL OFFER UNITY TO THE CHURCHES OF THE WORLD, AND WITH THE JEWS-- BUT THEN!!!

• As with the nations, so with the religions - flatteries, treasures, a forced unity - and temple.
• But 30-36 show the mask off- and 32b the exploits of the tribulation Christians - great.
• Some will fight the Mark of the Beast - Rev. 13:16-17, he will war with the saints v.7

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

THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL WIN --- ALMOST  V.45A -- B

Some see only good or bad - look out!  Both are coming!  Success is not godliness - but God wins!

THE PICTURE OF ALL PROPHECY IS THAT OF GREAT TROUBLE COMING UPON THE EARTH - "BLESSED ARE THE DEAD"

• The Anti-Christ will rule the world with a cruel force - Dan 11:36 - 38a - Men want strong leaders.
• The Vietnam war has slaughtered many - but just a drop - Antiochus slaughtered 40,000 in Jerusalem.
• The conflict coming into power is nothing compared to his persecution - Rev 13:3,8,12-17 hard.

THE SAINTS OF GOD HAVE BEEN TORTURED THROUGHOUT HISTORY, BUT AT THE END OF THE AGE, MUCH WORSE

• We have had it easy for awhile in USA, but now infiltrated, weakened, greatly destroyed - psychological warfare.
• Some want Christians to surrender their earthly citizenship - but only our salt makes USA good!
• We bemoan our troubles now - but what of Christians in Russia?  Or worse, in China?  No help.

BUT WHEN THE ANTI-CHRIST THINKS HE WILL WIN, THERE SHALL COME THE POWER OF GOD - DAN 11:45B

• Dan 2:34 the stone cut without hands, 7:9, Ancient of Days - till v.11 - beast was slain!  Fiery!
• But Satan is the power of this world now - getting ready for his Anti-Christ to come - look out.
• Just before the blackest hour, the Lord will come to claim His own - but are you His?

The time of greatest trouble - Dan 12:1b is coming - will you be able to escape it?

EVERYONE WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WILL BE DELIVERED - DAN 12:1C - ARE YOU WRITTEN THERE?

• Luke 10:20 - Jesus challenged His own disciples - name written - Rev 20:25 - or with Anti-Christ.
• What have you done to guarantee that the Anti-Christ will not find you a willing worker for him?
• The wise turn many to righteousness - Dan 12:3b - are you a soulwinner?  Have you tried?