This material provided by Jack Chick, www.chick.com
In 605BC Nebuchadnezzar, King of the great Babylonian Empire sent his conquering hordes west. From the heart of Babylon, located in present day Iraq, they swept through the Promised Land. Israel could not withstand the onslaught, and Jerusalem was besieged and taken.
The Temple was destroyed. The holy vessels were claimed and carried back to Babylon and presented to the pagan god Marduk, whom the Hebrews called Baal. It was a dark period of history for the Hebrews.
To top it off, the merciless Nebuchadnezzar sent the chief of his palace staff to find the best of the Hebrew youths; those of royal lineage, as well as those with special skills of wisdom or other outstanding gifts. All were to be exceptional physical specimens. In effect, he was to identify the next generation of Hebrew leadership, Israel’s hope for the future.
The cream of the crop was taken to Babylon, where it was originally Nebuchadnezzar’s intention that they lose their Jewish identity. They were to live in the royal palace, eat the King’s food and study political science at the University of Babylon. They would enhance the Babylonian Empire as they betrayed Israel’s future.
Think about it. It would have been the most bitter of defeats to be conquered in your homeland, and have your future carried away to be used against you. However, God had prepared a “way out” for the Hebrews and among the captives was a young man named Daniel.
What you’ve read so far is history. It’s documented in secular text as well as in Scripture. History tells us what happened, but the Bible tells us “why” it happened.
The Babylonian Captivity (605-536BC) was the first of a series of “Cycles of Discipline” for Israel. God told them that if they rebelled against keeping His Law, they would be expelled from the Promised Land. This happened first at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. It happened again in 132BC at the hands of the Romans, a dispersion that lasted until 1948. And it will happen again at the hands of the dynamic leader of a new Roman Empire, who is destined to plunge the world order into the Tribulation in our time.
Now, let’s get back to Daniel since this is where most of the information concerning the present age is (aside from the book of Revelation.) Daniel was given the gift of prophesy. Just like all of us enjoy reading about the prophesies of Nostradamus (who also predicts along the same lines as Daniel), Daniel was chosen by God to become part of the actual Bible. Therefore, we will study Daniel instead of Nostradamus.
Daniel predicted the rising political-military entity of the Medo-Persian Empire which was to come to world dominance in 536BC. (He predicted this in 550BC, 14 years before it happened.) The empire of Greece would come some 225 years later. Daniel 8 particularly concerns the Medo-Persian and Greek world empires.
Ancient Persia is modern day Iran, though having fallen far from their position of power and world prominence she once enjoyed. The Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran sought to restore his nature to a position of world power, but despite his best efforts, Iran continues as a mere shadow of her former glory.
Daniel’s prophecy goes on to mention a “he-goat,” which is symbolic for Greece, which comes from the “ram” which is Persia (Daniel 8:6-7). The two world empires will fight to see who will be number one. In the end, Greece superseded the Medo-Persian Empire.
Then, in his prophecy, the “he-goat’s” great horn was broken and in its place came four notable ones. At the height of his power, Alexander the Great dies in the city of Babylon at the age of 32. History tells us he dies a confirmed alcoholic, wallowing in sorrow because there were no more worlds to conquer.
Following his death, the empire was divided into 4 parts. Of these four parts, the north and south were the most significant, politically, militarily, and economically. Syria, to the north, and Egypt to the south, came into predominance.
Then a power struggle broke out. For about 125 years (325-198BC) Egypt and Syria fought an on-going, off-again civil war, both seeking to establish their preeminence in the world.
Israel, the Promised Land, lies between Egypt and Syria and became the battlefield, as well as a spoil of war. Egypt and Syria fought a running battle as to who would be number one in the world, and who would possess the Promised Land.
Nearly 400 years in advance, Daniel prophesied the rise of the Syrian king we know by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes.
Antiochus Epiphanes came to power in Syria, and extended his dominance towards Egypt, Medo-Persia and Palestine. The “little horn” described in Daniel 8:9 grows out of the 3rd world empire, and refers to the Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes, who severely persecuted the Jews from 171BC to 165BC.
When the people went back into the land in 536BC, they rebuilt the Temple and resumed services and sacrifices. They did that until 168BC when Antiochus Epiphanes set himself up as ruler in Israel, and put an end to it.
Just as he persecuted the Jews, casting them to the ground, so he cast the truth of the Bible to the ground, and walked on the revelation of the holiness of God.
Daniel prophesies that Antiochus Epiphanes will rule over Israel for 2300 days, or 6½ prophetic years. History bears out that from 171BC to 165BC (or 6½ years); Antiochus Epiphanes did whatever he wished to the land of Israel.
The Syrian army, under his leadership, invaded the land and established dominance over Israel. In those days, when you conquered a land of people, you made them pay taxes. The conquering nation exacted tribute from the conquered, so that their own citizens would not have to pay taxes.
The Jews didn’t like paying taxes any more than we do, so they decided, “We’ve had enough of this. We’re going to revolt.” And they refused to pay taxes. That worked until Antiochus Epiphanes got the word, and of course, he wasn’t too happy about it. He was going to have to change his life-style if his income was reduced. So he headed back into Palestine to put down this tax-payer’s revolt and settle the problem once and for all, by forcing Greek culture on the Jews.
He determined to “Hellenize” the Jews and make good Greeks out of them. To do that, first he looted the Temple, which was a very significant act. In that society, banking did not exist as we know it today. You didn’t go down to the local bank on the corner, stick in a 24-hour bank card and transact your business. Banking transactions were conducted in the temples, both Jewish and heathen. Not only did he take all the gold and silver vessels used in the Mosaic worship; he also took over the banking and bank assets of Israel.
Now bear with me. This Antiochus Epiphanes, who came on the scene back in 171BC and worked his awful works against the Jews, pictures someone else who will arrive in the end time. Daniel’s prophecy gave us a double reference, meaning it will have a double fulfillment.
It was fulfilled once in the person of Antiochus Epiphanes and it will be fulfilled a second time in a person yet future to our own day. That person, Antichrist, will go far beyond anything Antiochus Epiphanes has done. But the reign of Antiochus gives us the backdrop against which God portrays the second face of Antichrist.
Okay, I guess your wondering why the long history lesson. It’s because so many people are going around today telling others about the End-Time and scaring them to death — trying to force them to be saved.
While I pray that everyone reading this article is (or becomes) saved — nobody is telling people the reason “why” these are the End-Times. That is why it is so important to research and study people who prophesy and do it consistently correct. When we find that trait in a person well versed in Bible prophesy, we should listen to what that person has to say. Daniel was one of those people who not only predicted events after his death, but 2,000+ years after his death.
If you don’t believe the fact that the times we are living in are all a part of Bible prophecy, you haven’t studied hard enough. But instead of weeping and holding on for dear life — give your heart and soul to God. You’ll find it to be a pleasant and comforting addition to your everyday life and you will look forward to prophecy being fulfilled as an exciting time.
The 1611 King James Bible
If you are unable to locate a copy of The King James Bible AV 1611 edition in order to compare the verses above to your Bible, click here to view the online version available on this website or click here to download the entire AV 1611 King James Bible in PDF format for reading offline. You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer to view the PDF version. Click here and download this free reader if you do not have Adobe Acrobat reader.
What is a Millennium? It’s a word meaning the measurement of time, or 1,000 years in duration. Some people deny that a Millennium here on Earth will occur but the Bible not only tells us there WILL be one, but describes it!
After the Antichrist has fulfilled his mission and God comes to rescue mankind at the brink of destroying themselves, He will rid the world of Satan and establish His Millennium reign. Sound farfetched? How could any of this be possible?
First of all, we haven’t seen anything yet. The strange flooding of the Mississippi, the earthquakes in Japan, the problems in the Middle East, the heat wave in the Midwest is all “play time” compared to the future. Not to scare you, but our environment is going to fight back. We’ve abused it for so long that this is only the beginning of the catastrophes we will endure. Since mankind’s nature is to fear change, people will start to go “nuts” and make irrational and bad decisions. These decisions will eventually cause our downfall and need for a one-world ruler.
Yes. We’ll welcome him. We’ll yearn for him. And the guy that fills the job makes our dreams come true. He does exactly what he’s promised and then some for 3½ years. His popularity will grow to such extremes that we’ll think of him as God.
Don’t believe this could happen? Think of how some people almost made Elvis out to be a God. If Elvis actually did rise from the dead and make himself known to the world that he was alive — don’t you think he could demand people to bow down and worship him and many of them would? Remember Jim Jones? Look at the power he had over people. Yes! An Antichrist could be possible. In fact, he will appear!
But after 3½ years, the Antichrist will break all his promises. We’ll see him for what he really is — a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Many of us will turn against him and revolt and many of us will die. But when we are on the verge of destroying ourselves and our planet entirely, God will intervene and sit up His Millennium Kingdom.
When our Creator establishes his Kingdom on Earth, it will encompass the whole world. He will rule a domain that encompasses the globe from his capital city of Jerusalem. His Kingdom will include people who have been saved as well as Jews and Gentiles who live through the terrible trials of the Tribulation. We will enter the Kingdom in normal, creation bodies, neither glorified nor resurrected. We will marry and give birth to children during the time of the Millennium. Our children will contribute significantly to peopling God’s Kingdom.
And one of the greatest parts of the Millennium reign will be that Old Testament saints will be resurrected to enjoy the blessings of the Millennium in gloried, resurrection bodies. You can find this fact in Daniel 12:2-3. Alongside these Old Testament saints will be Tribulation saints who gave their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation. They will be resurrected to enter the Millennium and enjoy the blessing of the Kingdom also. And our Creator will personally and visibly reign as King and Lord during the Millennium, ruling the whole world.
He will rule with a rod of iron. Mankind will bow before Him in willing submission, as they acknowledge His authority and worship Him as Lord and God. Jesus Christ will meet open rebellion with instant justice. There will be no debate or discussion. He will mute out justice with absolute power and authority and fairness.
As a result of His power and authority, there will be righteousness and peace. The poor will not be downtrodden. There will be no class of hungry or homeless people. Christ will intercede on their behalf. Psalm 72 describes the glorious peace Christ will institute. It will be beautiful.
Economic efforts will not be expended on war and armaments, and lands will not be ravaged as battles are fought across them. The world will enjoy prosperity such as it has not known since the Garden of Eden.
However, this perfect environment will not change the evil heart of mankind. After the 1,000 years are up, Satan will be released from the bottomless pit. He will proceed to deceive humanity that has lived under the benevolent dictatorship of Jesus Christ, in a last ditch attempt to overthrow our Creator.
Let’s look at it from an overall perspective. God is actually running an experiment in the history of humanity, giving man responsibility and saying to him, “Let’s see if you can handle it and how you respond.”
In the dispensation of innocence, God gave Adam and Eve a perfect garden and just one restriction, but they blew it. In the dispensation of conscience, God says to Adam and Eve, “OK, you have entered into the knowledge of good and evil. Now live up to your conscience.” Immediately, mankind fails as Cain murders Abel.
In the dispensation of Law, God says, “I’m going to tell you everything to do. Do this; don’t do that.” Again mankind blows it. Moses was still up on the mountain receiving the Law, while the people down in the camp were worshiping a golden calf with no brain and no life.
In the dispensation of the Church, God says, “I’m going to lavish every heavenly blessing in Christ Jesus on you. Believe Him, and let grace govern your lives.” What happens? The world rejects Christ, and will gather at the Battle of Armageddon in an attempt to overthrow our Creator.
Finally, in the dispensation of the Millennium, God says, “I’m going to remove Satan, so you can’t say, ‘The Devil made me do it.’ I’m going to give you a perfect government under the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Himself. Now let’s see how you do.” At the end of the Millennium an unregenerate humanity that has outwardly conformed to the rule of God through Christ will follow Satan in his last final deception, and will join in one last attempt to get rid of God and Christ.
Sound impossible? It’s not. This is the truth straight from the word of God. If you want to study it for yourself, you’ll find the information I have talked about in 2 Peter 3:11-13, 1 John 3:2-3 and Revelation 20:7-9.
However, if you have a hard time believing there will be a Millennium it’s only because you have never really understood it or took the time to try. Due to a lack of a Church upbringing, or having religion crammed down your throat earlier in life — you missed all the great points about God and who He really is. If you only try and understand how He thinks and how He operates, you could certainly envision a time on Earth called the Millennium. Besides, it only makes sense considering the fact that He loves us more than we can ever know or understand.
Personally, I feel that we don’t have much longer to wait for the Millennium Reign of Christ. I believe the Antichrist has been born and exists on this planet already. Bible prophecy is being fulfilled every night I watch the news. Just think how much technology has advanced during the last 20 years. Things are happening today that we never dreamed could have happened. Unimaginable things will continue to happen. You can bank on it!!
If you look at History from the years 1200 to 1600 there is not a lot of advancement. From 1800 to 1900 you only see a few technological advancements. From 1900 to 1950 there was an explosion of knowledge. Airplanes, for instance, first flew in 1902. But by 1944, they flew at tremendous speeds and were capable of destroying many lives by dropping the atom bomb!
Then, from 1950 to 1970 there is even a bigger leap of technological changes. And from 1970 to the present is the fastest growing advancement of mankind since the world was created! Think about it!
But don’t be scared of it. That’s where Satan likes to play with your mind. Instead — lift your eyes up, focus on God and find security in him.
A lady called me one day and asked if I was scared about how the world was changing. I said, “No! I look at it as the most exciting time on Earth since the Bible talks so much about it. I want to do everything I can to make sure the Antichrist hurries and appears so I can be with the Lord. It’s frugal to try and stop the flow of events that were predicted by the prophets and Jesus himself. So relax — enjoy the ride and look forward to the day you get to be with God forever.”
She laughed and said I had a good attitude. I hope you can do the same. Don’t listen to mankind — not even me, without checking it out for yourself in the Bible. And, take some time each day and night to talk to God. Talk to him like you would talk to a friend on the telephone about a problem. You might not physically see him — but it sure beats going to a meeting, putting yourself in a trance and trying to find the answers from your inner self. I personally can’t trust my inner self. I can only rely on God, the one that created me to know what’s best for me. And he is a fantastic listener, educator and trainer in getting through this second Earth age we live in.
I hope to see you in the third Earth age — the Millennium.
The 1611 King James Bible
If you are unable to locate a copy of The King James Bible AV 1611 edition in order to compare the verses above to your Bible, click here to view the online version available on this website or click here to download the entire AV 1611 King James Bible in PDF format for reading offline. You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer to view the PDF version. Click here and download this free reader if you do not have Adobe Acrobat reader.
The world in 2004 is focused on Iraq. We watch the news and hear about the wars that are going on and how Iraq is rebuilding after the overthrow of their dictator Saddam Hussein. Many of us are so busy with our lives that we don’t stop to think about how important Iraq is to biblical prophecy. Babylon (which is now part of modern day Iraq) was the beginning of civilization with the building of the Tower of Babel immediately after the flood in Noah’s day. Also, Abraham came from the Land of Ur (later Mesopotamia and now Iraq) as did many other biblical men and women.
It is my belief that since the world began in Iraq, the world has now come full circle back to Iraq, the timing for the appearance of the Antichrist and the one-world religious government is less than a few years away. Of course I do not claim to know the month or year. Not even the angels in heaven know that information; only God the Father does and His timing is perfect.
Matthew, Chapter 24, Verses 35-37 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
However, Jesus does provides many examples throughout the Bible so that His children will know when to expect Him. The following is one of these many examples. You will find many more by reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as well.
1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verses 1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
One of my reasons for forming this opinion is recognizing God’s timing as always being perfect. After years of studying the Bible, over and over again I see examples of how God takes circumstances (that appear to be “puzzle pieces” to us) and He puts everything in precise order with meticulous organization. Since God’s symbol is a circle (the symbol of man is a square), the world has come full-circle from its beginning in Iraq to the present day Iraq.
Will Iraq Be Rebuilt?
In Revelation, Chapter 18, Verses 10 thru 13, God says:
10: Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
11: And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13: And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
At the time this article is written, the merchants of the earth do not purchase gold, silver, pearls, fine linen, ivory, precious woods and all the other merchandise mentioned in this scripture from Iraq. Iraq in 2004 is a desert land filled with poor and starving people. Therefore, this passage is referring to a future period of time that has not yet occurred.
Because of this, I believe that Iraq will become a prosperous nation which will supply the world’s merchants with all manner of trade. In fact, these merchants will be so financially dependent on their trade with Iraq they will actually weep and mourn when Babylon is destroyed in only one hour (60 minutes).
Revelation, Chapter 18, Verses 14 thru 23 continues:
14: And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15: The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16: And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17: For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18: And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
19: And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
20: Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
21: And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
22: And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
23: And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
That’s What I Call Destruction
It is hard to imagine that one day – the Iraq we are helping to rebuild in 2004 will burn up in smoke. In fact, even the light of a candle will not shine in Babylon because God will abandon it.
In Verse 23, God says:
“…and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee.”
If you study the Bible you will know the “bridegroom” is Jesus Christ. Right now, saved people are the children of God — but one day, we will become the Bride of Christ and we will partake in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God.
The remaining part of Verse 23′s passage says:
“…for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”
helps me to understand that the Antichrist will come from Iraq. It is further clarified that the Antichrist is the one that “deceives the nations” because
Revelation, Chapter 20, Verse 3 says:
“And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
There is no doubt this scripture is referring to the Antichrist, who is yet to come to power at the time of this writing.
Find Out More …
I hope this article inspired you enough to do some extended research on Babylon in biblical prophecy. I suggest you start at the Jack Chick website at www.chick.com. Jack provides written materials for people just beginning with their Bible study so the materials are written in easy-to- understand language.
When you come upon a Bible reference, open your Bible and read the verse for yourself. Ask God to open your mind and help you to understand the things you need to understand and withhold information that would not be wise for you to know at the present time. If you take the time to do this you, not only will find contentment and strength in what the future holds, but you also will know more than all the news reporters at CNN, MSNBC and FOX.
The 1611 King James Bible
If you are unable to locate a copy of The King James Bible AV 1611 edition in order to compare the verses above to your Bible, click here to view the online version available on this website or click here to download the entire AV 1611 King James Bible in PDF format for reading offline. You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer to view the PDF version. Click here and download this free reader if you do not have Adobe Acrobat reader.