BEHIND THE SCENES. THE REASON WHY THESE THINGS HAPPEN.
This is the Career of the Little Horn, the Vile Person, the Man of Sin, the Antichrist, the Son of Lawlessness, unseen but acted out through human agency amongst those whom he knows he can use for his nefarious purposes.
“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2Thessalonians 2:1-4. Many believe the Jews will build the third Temple, and that the Antichrist will be enthroned in it. But the world’s press would laugh him to scorn, for they know the above Scripture, and his cover would soon be blown. The Temple Paul mentions is the Temple of God’s saints, the world-wide church of all true believers. The antichrist (many antichrists) are in our midst, and we need to recognise them. See Ephesians 2:21. Remember also the parable of the wheat and tares. Both look the same during early growth, but the tares manifest themselves as black seeds near to harvest. Matthew 13.
Daniel said, “I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” Daniel 7:8. “Horns” are symbols of power in the Scriptures. This “little horn” grows to become the world’s most wicked expression of Satan’s mind, because “he knows that he has but a short time.”
“He shall speak pompous, arrogant words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.” (3½ years) Daniel 7:25. The horn is not a single visible human being, but devilish unseen powers acting through those who deny God, mock God, and wish to dethrone God. In the European Union vast numbers of new laws have been introduced, many of which counter Christianity, and make life impossible for Christians in business. Free speech is being shut down.”Equality” is urged in areas where clear distinctions used to be the norm.
“When transgressors have reached their full measure, a king of bold countenance, one who understands riddles, shall arise.” Daniel 8:12. Hasn’t this “full measure of transgressors” been reached? Surely the recent rapid growth of evil in all its hateful forms must tell us that time is running out. Remember the Lord’s words to Abraham, that his descendants would only return to the promised land in the fourth generation, “because the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Genesis 15:16. Hold fast, sons of the Kingdom, the end is near!
“The power of this Horn will be great, and he shall cause fearful destruction, and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people of the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall magnify himself. Without warning he shall destroy many; and he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes; truth will be cast down to the ground, and the horn will act and prosper, but he shall be broken, not by human hand.” Daniel 8:24-25. No earthly power will be capable of dealing him a death-blow. The subject of his demise is also found in the earlier story of Nebuchadnezzar’s image. It was “the stone cut from the mountains without human hand” that spelled the destruction of the image. It’s good to know that God is ultimately in charge of nations and their leaders. When He says “Enough is enough” we may be sure that His Kingdom will arise, and the saints will possess the Kingdom.
“And the Horn shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak outrageous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that which is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour.” Daniel 11:36-38. The “forces” referred to here are all very modern, none of which were known 120 years ago, being nuclear forces, power derived from crude oil, and electronic forces, as used in computers and hand-held devices. Imagine what would happen if these three sources of power were suddenly withdrawn for any reason, and the loss of life that would occur within just a year of being without transport, water, electricity, or ability to buy and sell. For example, a nuclear device detonated some 30 miles above the USA could result in the deaths of a large percentage of the population, as all electrics and electronics would be “fried”. Some rogue nations and terrorists may have the ability to do this, hence the mention of the sword of Damocles.
