19 Sep Does the Antichrist Rule the Whole World?
Hello Friends,
At the last seven years of the age, known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) or the Seven-Year Tribulation, an infamous man known as the Antichrist will rise to power (Daniel 9:26-27). Nevertheless, at the end of the seven years, Messiah and His saints will return for His Second Coming and destroy the Antichrist and his armies. (Revelation 19:11-16). It is the widely held belief among Bible scholars, Prophecy teachers, and believers in general that the Antichrist will rule the whole world, including a one world government, religion, and economy. So the imperative question is, “Does the Antichrist rule the whole world?” Let us begin to discover the answer to this profound question by reviewing the prophecies in the Book of Daniel.
Daniel 7:23, “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.”
The fourth kingdom in Daniel 7 is the Antichrist’s kingdom. Daniel states that the Antichrist’s kingdom will “devour the whole earth, and trample it in pieces.” Does Daniel actually mean the whole earth or was this an expression of dominance used by him to described the Antichrist’s kingdom, as well as other kingdoms in world history? Let us examine some of his other prophecies to confirm this expression.
Daniel 2:36-39, “This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold. But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.”
As Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream (Daniel 2), he explained to the king the kingdoms that would follow the Babylonian Empire. Daniel states that the third kingdom, which is the Grecian Empire (bronze), “will rule over all the earth.” Did the Grecian Empire rule over all the earth?
After reviewing the map of the Grecian Empire, it is clear that it did not rule over all the earth. So, why did Daniel prophesy that the Grecian Empire would rule over all the earth and also declare that the Antichrist’s kingdom will devour the whole earth? We have to understand that Daniel was using this as an expression of each kingdom’s dominance. Additionally, it is important to understand that in Daniel’s day, the nations and the people believed that the whole world was centrally located around the Middle East and North Africa. (They did not have technology that connected them to other continents outside of their region). Now, let us explore another prophecy in the Book of Daniel to confirm this expression as well.
Daniel 4:22, “It is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.”
After Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream, he spoke graciously to the king by stating that the Babylonian Empire’s dominion had grown and reached to the heavens and its dominion to the ends of the earth. Obviously, Daniel used the expression “has grown and reached up to heaven” as a metaphor to express the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire. As we all know, no human kingdom can reach up to heaven (See the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 & also Isaiah 14:13-14). Did the Babylonian Empire reach the end of the earth?
After reviewing the map of the Babylonian Empire, it is clear that it did not reach the end of the earth. Again, this confirms that Daniel used the terminology as an expression of the dominance of the Babylonian Empire’s reign. Now, let us review yet another example of this terminology used by Daniel.
Daniel 8:3-5, “Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great. And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.”
In Daniel 8, he tells us about a ram who becomes great, which is the Medo-Persian Empire (Persia). However, after some time, a male goat, which is the Grecian Empire, comes from the west “across the surface of the whole earth” and conquers the ram (Medo-Persia). Did the Grecian Empire come across the whole earth? As we can see from the map, it did not, but instead started from the Macedonia/Greece area, which is west of Persia (Iran). Once again, the expression “the whole earth” is a metaphor for the Grecian Empire’s dominance over this particular area. We can also find a similar expression spoken by Cyrus, King of Persia.
Ezra 1:2, “Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me.”
After reviewing the map, it is clear that Cyrus of Persia did not rule every single kingdom of the earth, but only the Middle East and North African regions (Medo-Persia conquered the Babylonian Empire-Daniel 5). Certainly, this is an expression that was used by Daniel and the kings of the day to elude to an empire’s dominance of the “world,” meaning region. Let us continue to confirm that the Antichrist will not rule the whole earth and that this terminology is an expression of his dominance over a specific region.
Daniel 7:23-24, “The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth (Antichrist kingdom), which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them (Antichrist); He shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings.”
As the Antichrist rises to power at the beginning of the Seven-Year tribulation, the ten kings will already be in their prophetic location, just as Daniel prophesied. These ten kings will form the Antichrist’s kingdom, and the Antichrist will conquer three of the countries……
Daniel 11:42-43, “He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.”
Three of the ten kings that the Antichrist will conquer are Egypt, Libya, and Sudan (Modern day Ethiopia-Cush). This gives us confirmation that the Antichrist’s ten kings will not be located all over the world, but instead in the Middle Eastern/North Africa region. Although there are many different theories of the Antichrist’s ten kings (Club of Rome, European Union, etc), a person will have trouble getting past the fact that three of the ten kings are specifically declared by the prophet Daniel, which are located in North Africa. It is not biblical or logical to believe that the other seven kings are located all over the world. Now, let us continue to confirm that the Antichrist does not rule the whole world during his reign.
Daniel 11:30, “For ships from Cyprus (Kittem) shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved.”
During the tribulation period, as the Antichrist advances his conquests, the ships of Cyprus (Kittem) will challenge him. Kittem is the great grandson of Noah and son of Javan (Genesis 10-11), who settled in Western Turkey and the Eastern Greek Isles area. Some Bible scholars and Prophecy teachers state that Cyprus (Kittem) refers to the nations Northwest of Israel, including Greece, Rome, and other European nations. Whatever the case may be, the ships of Cyprus (Kittem) will confront the son of perdition, the Antichrist, confirming that he does not rule the whole world.
Daniel 11:39, “Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god.”
Additionally, the Antichrist will challenge and make war against the strongest fortresses, which means the largest and most powerful military forces in the world. Please note, Daniel states the Antichrist will “act against,” meaning to make war against the strongest fortresses, not conquer them. This is different language compared to Daniel 11:42-43, where He specifically conquers Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. The top ten “fortresses” of the world include: America, Russia, China, India, United Kingdom, France, Germany, South Korea, Turkey, and Japan. There may be a few of these countries who will support the Antichrist’s kingdom, however not all of the “strong fortresses” will, as Daniel prophesies.
Daniel 11:41, “He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.”
Furthermore, as the Antichrist makes war against Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and other countries, the regions of Edom, Moab, and Ammon (Jordan/Saudi Arabia) escape from him. Please note, all of the countries that Daniel prophesies about are located in the Middle East and North African areas. So, if the Antichrist does not conquer the regions of Jordan and Saudi Arabia, how can he conquer (as an example) America, Russia, China, Great Britain, Australia, Japan, etc.? Again, Daniel was specifically using the “whole earth” terminology as an expression of his crushing dominance in the primary region of his horrific reign. Make no mistake, the Antichrist’s (Satan incarnate) main goal is to conquer the holy city of Jerusalem and the Promised Land (Daniel 11:30-35,41), because it is the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8), and it is where He dwells! (Joel 3:21)
After a close review of the Scriptures, the Antichrist clearly does not rule over the whole world. However, he does rule over ten kings, and they will be primarily located in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. Remember, Daniel tells us who the three kings are that will be conquered by the Antichrist (Egypt, Libya, and Sudan), so our primary focus should be on that region (Middle East/North Africa). This is not to say that other countries will not be associated on a secondary or peripheral level with him, but the primary context of the Holy Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, including Messiah and the Prophets, is on the holy city of Jerusalem and their surrounding enemies from the beginning of time.
Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done.”
The Almighty declares that the end will be like the beginning, so the ancient enemies of Israel (surrounding nations), including the Antichrist, will receive Messiah’s judgment at His Second Coming.
The final confirmation that the Antichrist will not rule the whole earth is through the Lion of Judah, Messiah Jesus, as He will separate the sheep (good nations) from the goats (evil nations) at His Second Coming!
Matthew 25:31-33, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”
So, if Messiah separates the good nations (sheep) from the evil nations (goats) at His Second Coming and Millennial Reign, then how could the Antichrist conquer the whole world? Clearly, the answer is that he will not, because all of the nations would be called goats, and there would not be any sheep nations. As we discovered, the Antichrist will not even conquer all of the Middle Eastern regions, much less the whole world. Again, this is not to say that the Antichrist will not influence a significant amount of people in all nations of the world, but he will not rule over all nations of the world. John the Revelator confirms this in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 12:9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
John states that Satan will be cast out of heaven at the time of the great tribulation, and he will deceive the whole world. Please note, John states the Antichrist (Satan incarnate) deceives the inhabitants of the earth, but does not conquer all of the nations. Of course there will be people in all nations who are deceived by Satan, as there are today, but it does not conclude that these nations will be one of the goats (evil) referred to in Matthew. As we discussed, the “whole world” is an expression of dominance.
Revelation 13:7-8, “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
John states that all nations and tribes of the earth will worship and follow the Antichrist, except for those saints who are written in the Book of Life of Messiah (Lamb), which confirms the above scriptures. Just as there will be a remnant of the Lord in all nations, unfortunately there will also be a “remnant” of Satan, as well (Revelation 14:9-11).
In conclusion, according to the Holy Bible, it is clear that the Antichrist will not conquer and rule over all nations of the earth during the Seven-Year Tribulation period. The terminology of the “whole world” was used by Daniel and the other Prophets to emphasize the dominance of Satan’s rule. Also, it is not logical that any human being, including the Antichrist, could conquer and rule over the whole world, especially in just seven years. Remember, the Antichrist does not pour out his full wrath and destruction until the midway point of the seven years (last 3 1/2 years), which is the great tribulation. So this would make the task even more impossible (Daniel 7:25, 9:27, 12:7). Assuredly, the only King that will rule the whole world will be Messiah Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Almighty!
Revelation 19:11-16, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Amen
In the last several decades, the kings of the earth have set there minds to form a global system, a one world government, economy, and religion (Globalism). The leader’s evil intentions have caused many Bible scholars, Prophecy teachers, and believers to conclude that all nations of the world will be included in the Antichrist’s one world government, economy, and religion. However, according to the Holy Bible this is not accurate, as we have discovered. A great example of how globalism across the world is beginning to break down is what occurred this past week with Great Britain and the European Union (Brexit).
Great Britain’s exit from the European Union has landed a major blow to the global conglomeration (Globalism). This will be the beginning of the end of the “one-world” European Union as we know it, and we can expect to see other European countries follow suit towards nationalism, not globalism. There are already rumors of Greece (Grexit), France (Frexit), and Netherlands (Nexit) referendum to exit the EU. The EU might not totally collapse, but it will definitely transform and shift more towards a nationalistic approach for the Europeans.
Furthermore, America is also at the crossroads of globalism, because the presidential election will dictate whether the U.S. will continue in its global ways or also return to nationalism. Make no mistake, God Almighty separated the people into nations at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) because of the evil intentions of the leaders. In 2016, we are currently witnessing the Lord accomplish the same process of separating the nations (sheep and goats) due to the evil intentions of the leaders, just as Messiah prophesied in Matthew 25. Remember, the end will be like the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). We will soon find out the identity of the sheep and goat nations, because they will be separated at the great and awesome Day of the Lord! Let us continue to pray that America will be called a sheep nation on that glorious day! (2 Chronicles 7:14). In the name higher than every name, Jesus the Messiah, Amen, Amen, and Amen!
*Please note, in our book, God’s Prophetic Timeline: Messiah’s Final Warning, you will discover in great detail the answers to the following questions:
- What country does the Antichrist rise from?
- What specific region will the ten kings of the Antichrist’s kingdom be located?
- Who are the ten kings?
- What kingdom has already fallen to begin the sequence of Daniel’s prophesied kingdoms?
- What kingdom are we currently living in today?
- What kingdoms will occur in the future before Messiah’s Second Coming?
These are just a few of the questions you will discover in God’s Prophetic Timeline, Messiah’s Final Warning. Here is an excerpt from the Antichrist’s kingdom chapter.
Amazon (God’s Prophetic Timeline, Messiah’s Final Warning)
The Antichrist Kingdom Chapter
“It is important to remember that Daniel stated there are only four kingdoms (beasts) that will rise out of the earth. From the ancient maps, we can see that the first three kingdoms, the Babylonian, Persian, and Grecian Empires, ruled over the same land area, because they conquered one another. As we proceed, it is imperative that we understand that these three kingdoms (beasts) ruled over the same regional area, which is primarily located in the Middle East and North Africa. Now, let us explore Revelation 13 in order to gain insight concerning the Antichrist’s kingdom.
Revelation 13:1-2, “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.”
John’s vision in Revelation 13 describes one beast who looked like a leopard and had feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. In Daniel 7, Daniel prophesied about three separate beasts, which are a lion, a bear, and a leopard (Dan. 7:2-8). What conclusions can we draw from Daniel 7 and Revelation 13?
In Daniel 7, the three separate beasts represent the three different kingdoms in the exact order that they will occur at the time of the end; Lion (Iraq), Bear (Iran), and Leopard (Turkey). What does this mean for John’s vision in Revelation 13?”
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