Prophetic Times To The End - Part One

Subject: Prophetic Times To The End - Part One Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:46 am

Daniels vision of the Four Beasts:

Dan. 7:1 - Daniel sees in a dream, visions in his mind as he lay in bed; his summary is as follows:

Dan. 7:2 - Daniel in his night vision sees God's providential actions in the affairs of men through angels. "Winds" biblically referring to angels and "sea" biblically referring to multitudes of populace, or men of the nations, and the prince of earth also known as "Satan" influences them in rule of the peoples of the nations. Scripture also tells us that when we see a reference to the "four winds of heaven", we see that God the Father is providentially setting up and removing kingdoms and or kings on the earth to propel his divine plan for man on earth.
(Ref: Jer. 23:19; 49:36; 51:1; Zech. 6:1-6; 7:14; Rev 7:1-3)

Dan. 7:3 - In Daniels vision he sees four great beasts emerging from the agitated "sea". "The Mediterranean world of that day." Each were four kingdoms or dominions different from each other, that will rule over the nations in their appointed time.

Dan. 7:4 - Daniel sees the first world empire, "Babylon". This empire lasts for 87 years (BC 626-539). Daniel sees the image of a lion that had wings of an eagle; which represents power and strength with great swiftness. Daniel sees the wings plucked and lifted up from the ground and the beast stood on two feet like a man and was given a human mind, which suggests that the animal lost its beastly nature. He shows compassion for the rest of mankind. (Ref. Dan. 2:37 - 38 )Nebuchadnezzer's rule was viewed as a world empire, in which he ruled over all mankind as well as over all beasts an birds of the air. At the time of creation the right to rule over the earth was given man who was to have dominion over it, and all the creatures in it. (Ref. Gen. 1:26) Here Nebachadnezzar by "divine appointment" was helping fulfill what God had planned for man, even though man had no idea that God was manipulating the circumstances around him.

Dan. 7:5 - Daniel sees the second world empire rise out of the "sea" of the populace of the Mediterranean world, Medo-Persia. This empire lasts over 200 years (BC 539-330). Daniel sees the image of like a bear and it raises up on one side suggesting that Persia dominates in the empire, and three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; Three kingdoms of which will be consumed by Medo-Persia. Daniel say?s, they said, to it, "arise", devour much meat! The bear, an animal of formidable strength. (Ref. 1 Sam. 17:34; Amos 5:19; Hosea 13:8 ). This empire operates by "divine appointment" as Daniel points out when stating "They said to it;" (a reference to the Trinity) this was a "divine appointment" and the appointment was to "arise" the objective was to devour other kingdoms, extending its territory into a vast empire, the bear was fulfilling God's purpose for the nations. These nations conquered by the Medes and Persians were Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt at the appointed times.

Dan. 7:6 - Daniel sees the third world empire rise out of the "sea" of the populace of the Mediterranean world. "Greece". This empire lasts approximately 267 years (BC 330-63).( Not all of this ruler ship was under Alexander the Great). Daniel sees the image of like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back; the beasts also had four heads, and dominion ( "divine appointment" ) was given to it. The leopard, an animal noted for its swiftness, (Ref. Hab. 1:8 ), cunning, and agility (Ref. Jer. 5:6;Hosea 13:7) Alexander conquered the entire Medo-Persia empire with great speed between 334-330 BC; Daniel shows us this with the image of the leopard with wings for swiftness with extra natural capacity to conquer swiftly ( remember he had "divine appointment"). Daniels beast with four heads shows us that Alexander's empire shortly after his death at age 32 is divided up by four of his leading generals and they rule their appointed time. ( we will see a little later that a "little horn" will arise out of this empire ). ( "Hint" Ref. Dan. 8:9 )

Dan. 7:7 - Daniel sees the fourth world empire arise, "Rome." This empire formally runs 539 years. From BC 63 - AD 476 ( we should note that during this time our Lord and savior was born of a Virgin, A.D. 3 ). Daniels vision of the fourth beast, he says dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; it has large Iron teeth. Daniel says it devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; ( by "divine appointment" as well ) Daniel describes the Roman empire destroying the established dominion in place at that time( this would be the "little horn" I eluted to above ). Then the Roman empire trampled underfoot whatever was left. Rome in its cruel conquest swallowed up the lands and peoples that had been parts of the three previous empires ( Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece ) and assimilated those lands and peoples into itself. ( This is the mixture of Iron and Clay and ten toes, the "clay" tells us that a weakness comes into the empire, all of these different peoples could not be completely united the empire remained un-united always rebellious against Rome). Daniel goes on to say that this beast ( influenced by Satan )was different from those that were before it, and that it had ten horns.

Dan. 7:8 - Daniel sees the final form of the fourth world empire; the ten kings and the little horn ( a second little horn not the same one mentioned above ). Daniel says while he was studying the horns yet another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; Daniel goes on to say that this horn or Beast possessed eyes like eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great things(anti-christ). The Roman Empire was characterized by division (because of the mixture of clay a division in time of 10 kingdoms will result ), which meant deterioration. It was partly strong and partly brittle. Daniel continues with, that out of the 10 horns came a little one and in its growth it was able to uproot three of the existing horns. We need to understand that in the 5th century AD the hordes from the north conquered the Roman empire of that day, they did not unite to form an empire. Some of those nations (10) and others stemming from them have continued till the present day. Therefore the present age is the 10-horned era of the fourth beast. Sometime after the rise of the 10 horns; (no clue was given to Daniel as to how much later in time the little horn will appear in verse 8 ) Daniel says another king (the little horn) will arise. When this king arises to power he will bring 3 of the 10 nations under his authority and power ( has not happened yet, as the Church age is still running its course under the direction of Jesus Christ with the comforter the Holy Spirit ). Daniel let us know the little horn is noted for his intelligence (it has eyes of a man) and it blasphemous claims (it has a mouth that spoke great things against God the Father).

Dan. 7:9 - Daniels vision leads him to seeing thrones being set up, and Daniel sees God the Father take His seat on the Throne. Daniel also lets us know that this is the Sovereign God who exercises control over men and nations. God's white clothing and hair speak of His Holiness. Daniel describes the throne chariot of God borne by cherubim. (Ref. Ezk. 1: 4-28 ). Daniel describes as did Ezekiel that God looked like glowing metal and fire. They could only see His form as God's glory is so bright. Both Daniel and Ezekiel describe in the terms of "appearance" and "Likeness", that neither had seen God directly. That would have caused immediate death. (Ref Ex. 33: 18-23; John 1:1).

Subject: Re: Prophetic Times To The End - Part One Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:04 am

Seems like to me that we (the U.S.) has become just like the Roman Empire and have much clay. We are also becoming weak and brittle and are un-united and rebellious all the time. Do you think that has any significance of any kind?

Also can you name the 10 nations that came out of Roman Empire? Do we know the 3 nations that the anti-christ will have complete authority of?

Subject: Re: Prophetic Times To The End - Part One Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:08 am

Carrie,
There is a lot of speculation as to which nations comprise the 10, we do know that they are nations that are located in Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. The configuration of these nations from wars after wars may change by the end of the church age and the entrance into the tribulation period, also, scripture does not tell us which nation the anti-christ will emerge out of so we don't know which three will be rooted out and be under his direct dominion.

I do see a pattern of the state of affairs in the U.S. to that of the Roman empire ten toes, as this country is made up of many nationalities as the Roman empire was. This has led to the weakness of this country to keep itself stable within. It has a great ability to police or control other countries because the military power is far superior to others, we will see this decline also as we get very close to the time for the church to be raptured and the nations to be propelled into the tribulation under a one world government.

Subject: Re: Prophetic Times To The End - Part One Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:16 am

Roy,

You said, "The configuration of these nations from wars after wars may change by the end of the church age."

I had not thought of that. There could and probably will be wars to come and nations could change by then. Thanks.

Is there scripture that tells us that our nations military power will decline as you say before the Church is to be raptured?

Subject: Re: Prophetic Times To The End - Part One Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:22 am

Carrie,

There is no scripture that refers to the United States by name, but all scripture is revelant to all nations through out all of the period of time that is known as " the times of the Gentiles" . Through out History as the nation Israel has been in difficulty either from disobedience or defience to Gods Word or commands and ordinances we have seen that a Gentile Nation has been what is called a client nation, in times past these nations have come and gone as they themselves become arrogant and disobedient to the Word of God and keeping the gospel alive and allowing the Holy Spirit to save souls through current disciples of Jesus Christ interacting within all the communities of the nation. As a nation goes through the cycles of discipline from becoming arrogant and not promoting God's Word, as is being done in this country these days, we see the foundations that set up this country being set aside for which promoted Gods standards. When a country is at the end of the 4th cycle and begining the 5th cycle of discipline as they are called, the military is brought to an existance of very little use or atleast ineffective ( ref. Luke 20:21-25; Rom. 13:1-7).

Guest

Roy,

can you give us the five cycles of a nation. have not heard of this before. I agree with most of what you have said, but this is a new idea and should clear up my feeble mind.

Subject: Cycles of discipline Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:57 pm

Doug!

God disciplines the believer and judges unbelievers who reject truth and violate His plan. Such divine retribution not only affects the believer in view but it also overflows to those in his periphery. An example of this would be the decline of a nation under the weight of its own degeneracy. ISA 1:18-23; and PSA 106:41 tell us that the nation who rejects God will be governed by wicked rulers. Our part in the scheme of things is to reach spiritual maturity and bring blessing upon our nation. Divine retribution of the client nation intensifies through the five cycles of discipline including social disintegration, economic collapse, and political chaos, Lev 26:14-17. And, the 5th cycle destroys the nations sovereignty through the horrors of military conquest, reducing the population to poverty, barbarism, and slavery, DEU 28:49-67. On such collective suffering HOS 4:1-6 gives us great insight. It's lack of knowledge of God which is what destroys a nation and it starts from within! Our job is to prepare for collective suffering through our own spiritual advance.

FIVE cycles of discipline:
God administers discipline to His client nation when the pivot of mature believers begins to dramatically shrink through a negative attitude towards the Word of God. He does this in five stages or cycles of discipline as found in Lev 26. At any stage there can be recovery through repentance (1John 1:9) and a change of heart towards a positive attitude to the Word of God at which time God will remove His discipline. The cycles are:
1. Loss of health, decline of agricultural prosperity, terror, fear and death in combat, loss of personal freedoms due to negative volition toward Bible doctrine, LEV 26:14-17.
2. Economic recession and depression, increased personal and individual discipline for continued negative attitude in spite of the first warning, LEV 26:18-20.
3. Violence and breakdown of law and order, resulting in cities being broken up, LEV 26:21-22.
4. Military conquest and/or foreign occupation, scarcity of goods (reduced to one-tenth of the normal supply), and the breaking up of families, LEV 26:23-26.
5. Destruction of a nation due to maximum rejection of Biblical principles, LEV 26:27-39.

» Prophetic Times to the End - Part Four
» Prophetic Times to the End - Part Three
» Prophetic Times To The End - Part Six
» Prophetic Times To The End - Part Four
» Prophetic Times To The End - Part Two