The Restoration and Conversion of Israel

Although the Book of Daniel does not mention the Restoration, nor directly refer to the Conversion of Israel, it is our privilege to glance at certain passages in that book, as they tell us of occurrences which will take place between those two events. It also brings to our notice a personage who shall be instrumental in bringing those occurrences to pass. We have reference again and again to some Great One who shall rule with universal sway, and shall tread down and persecute the people and the saints of the Most High.

So emphatic is Scripture as to the individual personality of this great persecuting power that we have no hesitation in looking for a future cruel Lord, who shall fulfill all the prophecies in Daniel and other parts of Scripture concerning him. For this view we feel there needs no apology, though our readers are doubtless aware that many look upon the prophetical portions of Holy Writ regarding Antichrist as referring to one or other truly anti-Christian systems, with a succession of rulers, either to Pagan Rome, with all her abominable superstitions, idolatries, and persecution of the saints of God, or to the Mohammedan power with her bigoted cruelties to Christian and Jew.

That there are and have been many Antichrists is not to be denied (1 John 2.18); nor, that in the past there have doubtless been partial fulfillments of the things predicted of the future personal Antichrist; but, taking the full scope of the prophecies of the Word, we are fully justified in looking forward to one who shall "fill up" all that is spoken of that great arch enemy of God and Christ.

1. The "Little Horn" (Dan. 7.8). 2. "The King of Babylon" (Isa. 14.4). 3. "The Assyrian" (Isaiah 30.31; 31.8; Mich. 5.5, 6). 4. "Lucifer, Son of the Morning" (Isa. 14.12). 5. "The King of Fierce Countenance" (Dan. 8.23). 6. "A Vile Person" (Dan. 11.21). 7. "The Willful King" (Dan. 11.36). 8. "The Man of Sin" (2 Thess. 2.3). 9. "The Wicked (or lawless) One" (2 Thess. 2.8). 10. "The Beast with Ten Horns" (Rev. 13.1). 11. "The Son of Perdition (2 Thess. 2.3). 12. "The Desolator"* (Dan. 9.27; 11.31).

The various passages in which these titles occur tell us very plainly how the world generally, and God's people Israel in particular, will fare at his hands, and such an important and terrible part does this great ruler take in the affairs of the future that it will be well for us to learn what we can from the various passages of the Word referring to him, of his personality, character, influence and power.

The Scriptures particularly alluded to are Dan. 7.8, 23-25; 8.9-12, 23-25; 9.27; 11.21---12.1; 2 Thess. 2.3-10; and Rev. 13.

Nothing is told us as to his antecedents. He is placed before us as a POWER. He is revealed! He is here! Spiritualism and Theosophy are preparing the way for the revelation of this false Christ. The materialization of spirit forms is a fact, and it is no question of possibility that a human mother may have a demon-begotten son. The Order of the Star of the East consists of adherents who are looking forward to a great world-teacher and leader, one "understanding dark sentences" (Dan. 8.23), a prodigy of intellectual power, of mighty magnetic influence. When the time is ripe such an one will be revealed.

2. His quiet accession to power. He will not obtain his exalted position by force of arms, for "he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries (Dan. 11.21). In fact, duplicity and deceit seem to be the prevailing principle of all his actions for a time. He seems a past master in cunning. For "he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand," and even "by peace shall destroy many" (Dan. 8.25).

3. His conduct as King. But once firmly established on his throne he shows what manner of man he really is. He becomes the "king of fierce countenance" (Dan. 8.23). He is a great and diplomatic warrior (Daniel 11.22-29), and a mighty persecutor (Dan. 8.24). The only god that he owns an honours is the "god of forces" (Dan. 11. 37).

4. His arrogance and pride. Like most men with great personal force of character, Antichrist will have a most exalted opinion of himself and his powers; "he shall magnify himself in his heart" (Dan. 8.25). And proving himself head and shoulders above his compeers in wealth, position, intellect, and diplomacy, he next errogates to himself divine honours. First of all he blasphemes God. "He shall speak words against the Most High" (Dan. 7.25). "He shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods (Dan. 11.36). "He shall not regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor any god" (Dan. 11.37). "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies" (Rev. 13.5).

The next advance in his career is only what we might expect. In every particular the vast superior of his fellow-man, owing allegiance to none, believing in none but himself, he lays claim to divine worship. "He shall exalt and magnify himself above every god" (Dan. 11.36). "He as God sits in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2.4). His claim meets with ready response, "for they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him" (Rev. 13.4)? "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him" (v. 8).

Such is the general outline of this wonderful and truly awful personage, the future Antichrist. And those who do not take God's Word as it is written, or who ranged themselves on the side of "respectable" commentators, smile the smile of incredulity and doubt as to these things being possible. And were we tracing the career of any ordinary human being, however great, we would feel we were taxing to its utmost the credulity of our readers. In fact, it is the marvelous description given of Antichrist in the Word, that strengthens beyond doubt our future expectation instead of fixing our attention on a line of Popes or Muhammadan Caliphs however gifted and diplomatic and cruel. The attributes and actions claimed by the Scriptures for Antichrist can apply to no ordinary, or even extraordinary human being, but when we are told whence he derives his power, we can at once quite credit all that is revealed.

5. Is Satanic power. "His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power" (Dan. 8.24). We immediately ask, "Then by whose power?" And Rev. 13.2 gives answer, "And the Dragon [that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan (Rev. 20.2)] gave him his power and his seat and great authority"; and 2 Thess. 2.8, 9, tells us of "that wicked . . . . whose presence (parousia) is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders." When we consider that he is not only specially called forth by Satan (Rev. 13.1), but invested with all Satan's authority and energized by him, then surely we can understand in some degree what a fearful being this Superman is. Gifted, crafty, cruel, blasphemous, anti-theistic, persecuting, such is Antichrist, the agent and vicegerent of Satan.

6. Antichrist and Israel. We can picture the chosen people representively restored to their own land----still in doubt, many in actual infidelity----yet rejoicing in the fact that they have come into their own, that they are in "the land." They have doubtless heard of the great World-ruler, nay, most likely have been brought under his influence to some extent, it may be have received with gratitude some some special mark of his favor. The words of the Master are verified, "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name him will you receive" (John 5.43). For a time all goes well, the privileges social and commercial extended to all nations are shared in by the Jews. It is to Antichrist's advantage to pacify, and ingratiate himself with them. They have to some extent become a power, and must be reckoned with as such. So in due course he makes a covenant with them for seven years (Dan. 9.24). What the terms of this covenant may be we are not told; but most likely it grants them certain commercial and religious advantages, with the promise of free and undisturbed practice of their religious rites. Once again, day by day, the morning and evening Sacrifice is offered. The Paschal lamb is duly slain. Sweet incense ascends to the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and Jacob in the recently-built Temple at Jerusalem. Quiet rest, peace, prosperity reign! Is it any wonder that to many of the people comes the thought that this considerate and sympathetic monarch is none other than the long-promised Messiah whom they have waited for. Thus for 3 1/2 years.

Then suddenly comes a terrible change! The supreme lord makes a peremptory pronouncement. He declares that the league and covenant of three and a half years previous, solemnly signed and sealed, is a mere "scrap of paper," of no account. "And in the midst of the seven" he shall break the covenant (Dan. 9.27). Whatever national privileges were granted must now end. The religious services in the Temple must at once cease. "He shall cause the Sacrifice and the oblation to cease" (Dan. 9.27; cp. 8.11, 12; 11.31; 12.11).

Yet still further are God's people debased and humbled and scandalized by the "overspreading of abominations." Henceforth "the Abomination of Desolation," spoken of by Christ Himself as "standing where it ought not" (Matthew 24.21) is mentioned in this synchronous visions of Daniel (8.13; 11.31; 12.11). As if it were not sacrilege enough that the religious part of the covenant should be broken, the Desolator goes still further. The scene of Daniel 6 is repeated. Antichrist himself "as God sitteth in the Temple of God," and lays claim to divine honour and worship. He decrees that all nations shall fall down and worship him.

From this time begins the most awful persecution in the history of Israel. God knows they have passed through terrible times. There have been twenty-seven sieges of Jerusalem itself in the past. But for frightfulness and horror this will excel. Well may Daniel say, "there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time" (12.1); and our blessed Lord declare, "And except those days should be shortened there should no flesh be saved" (Matt. 24.22). For three years and a half the people of God are given into the hands of this ruthless persecutor, who "wears out the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7.25); "who thinks to change times and laws"; who destroys many of "the mighty and holy people" (Daniel 8.24); who "makes war with the saints" (Rev. 13.7).

7. Antichrist's final battle. At last he is determined to crush for ever those troublesome people. Jerusalem has become to him "a burdensome stone." So with his allies he invests Jerusalem and the adjacent parts. "He shall enter into the glorious land" (Dan. 11.41); "and he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain" (v. 45). Dire is the distress of Israel, now apparently at their last extremity, with no prospect of help. But in this case, as in many others, "man's extremity is God's opportunity," and just as the very last vestige of hope is about to vanish, Christ the true Messiah is revealed from heaven.

8. The rule and power of Antichrist crushed. "He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without hand" (Dan. 8.25), that is, not by human means. "He shall come to his end and none shall help him" (Dan. 11.45). He shall be destroyed by the manifestation of the presence of the Lord. He shall be hurled into Tophet, "into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Such is the end of the arch enemy of God and of Christ.

*The word translated "desolate" in A.V. is in the verbal form meaning the causer of desolation, i.e., the desolator.

Part VII

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2687581/posts

Part VI

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2687431/posts

Part V

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2686444/posts

Part IV

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2684359/posts

Part III

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2684276/posts

Part II

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2683800/posts

Part I

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2683781/posts

Thanks for posting this SCRIPTURAL based treatment of Israel and the end times.

There is so much “replacement theology” posted here that is not biblical, as for some reason some people who call themselves Christian seem to root for the wrong side. (i.e. Palestinians).

I just saw today where a family of 5 in Israel was murdered in their beds by Palestinians and Hamas as usual defended them.....Note that the youngest was a 6 month old baby stabbed in it’s crib.

Such is the enemy

Thanks for posting this SCRIPTURAL based treatment of Israel and the end times.

There is so much “replacement theology” posted here that is not biblical, as for some reason some people who call themselves Christian seem to root for the wrong side. (i.e. Palestinians).

I just saw today where a family of 5 in Israel was murdered in their beds by Palestinians and Hamas as usual defended them.....Note that the youngest was a 6 month old baby stabbed in it’s crib.

Such is the enemy

I am very glad that you are blessed by this thread.

There have been only about a half dozen replies to all parts thus far put together.

One poster said it is because I don’t give an “executive summary.” Hah!

“Replacement Theology” . . . yes, hyper-spiritualization.

Two have replied that these articles can’t be true because, they say, Solomon ruled over all that was promised to Abraham and to his seed.

They think that because some kings had ruled down to the “river of Egypt,” that they have ruled over ALL the promised land. Evidently, few understand how far east and how far north is the real estate promised to Abraham.

No Israelite king has yet ruled the whole of the promised land. The King who will rule all of it will be Jesus Christ, and he will rule the whole earth from David’s Throne in Jerusalem.

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