Chronicles of the End Times
Occasionally, people say, are we really in the last days? How do we know? Does it matter one way or another? We will try to answer these questions and many others in this study. But the most important question may be, how can we reach others with hope in these changing times? One part of prophecy is often emphasized over another, causing us to lose perspective and miss the blessing and beauty of prophecy in scripture. I have taken the information in this study from many authors and teachers who have their lives studying God's word. I have added some insight that the Holy Spirit taught me. With God's help, I have endeavored to keep the whole counsel of the word of God in full view to give us an accurate picture of Christ and His great love for a lost world. I pray that this will challenge you and cause you to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it has me preparing it. Let's begin!
Chronicles of the End Times
Antiochus Epiphanes and the Antichrist: Unveiling Prophetic Parallels
Can historical figures predict the future? Join us as we uncover the eerie parallels between Antiochus Epiphanes, the ancient king who persecuted the Jews and declared himself a god, and the prophesied Antichrist. Through an in-depth examination of the books of Daniel and 1 Maccabees, we explore how Antiochus’s tyrannical actions serve as a precursor to the future Antichrist's intent to manipulate religious laws and traditions. We'll discuss the significance of the Maccabean Revolt, the rededication of the Temple, and the celebration of Hanukkah, all against the backdrop of Antiochus's oppressive reign. These historical narratives provide intriguing insights into how today's shifting societal norms might be laying the groundwork for future events that mirror these ancient prophecies.
In a world where truth seems ever elusive, we confront the concept of the spirit of the Antichrist in contemporary society. Can the powerful deceptions foretold in biblical prophecy mislead even the elect? We emphasize the crucial role of discernment through the Holy Spirit to navigate these treacherous times. Despite the prophetic rise of the Antichrist, we find comfort in the timeless vision from Daniel 7:9-10 of the Ancient of Days, seated on a flaming throne, affirming divine sovereignty over all world events. This episode is a call to vigilance, urging listeners to hold steadfast to their faith and the divine promise that awaits those who eagerly anticipate God's kingdom.
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00:11
Welcome everyone. This is Russ Scalzo of Chronicles of the End Times. This is Podcast 202. In this episode we're going to be talking about Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who persecuted the Jews and declared himself God. And those references are in Daniel, chapter 7 and 8, and in the first book of Maccabees, chapter 1 and 2. And in this episode we're going to compare Antiochus Epiphanes, the Seleucid king, to the coming Antichrist as described in Daniel and in Revelation. Not only are we going to compare the two, but we're going to look at the time in history how the Jews were reacting to this and how this compares to the ground that's being prepared for the coming Antichrist.
01:04
Now, the book of Maccabees is not in the Protestant Bible or the Hebrew Bible, but it is in the Catholic Bible. The reason for that is it wasn't accepted in the canon, meaning it wasn't considered inspired by the Holy Spirit, but it is a great book for history. The name Maccabee means hammer. It's actually applied in the books of Maccabees to only one man, Judas, the third son of the priest Mattathias and the first leader of the revolt against the Seleucid kings who persecuted the Jews. The book was written around 100 BC in Hebrew, but the original has not come down to us. Instead, we have the early pre-Christian one. The author, probably a Palestinian Jew, is unknown, but he was familiar with the traditions and the sacred books of his people and had access to much reliable information on their history from 175 to 134 BC.
02:02
The Maccabean Revolt was from 167 to 160 BC. It was a Jewish uprising in Judea against the repression of the Seleucid Empire. The revolt was led by a country priest, Mattathias, and his military followers became known as the Maccabees. They successfully captured Jerusalem and the Temple Mount and re-consecrated it, an act that is still commemorated today in the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. Once the rebels cleared out the Temple and we're going to get into all the details of that they re-lit the candles. They only had enough oil for one day, yet the oil lasted eight days. So that's the miracle of the celebration of lights, Hanukkah.
02:49
So, let's look into some of the parallels of Antiochus and the Antichrist. We're going to look at 1, Maccabees, 2 and read a little bit of that to give you a background. I'm going to shift back and forth from some of the New Testament quotes by Jesus and in the book of Daniel. Let's check it out Now. What we have to understand is.
03:10
Antiochus wanted the Jews to stop all of their celebration. He wanted them to stop everything that had to do with the Jewish law no more circumcision, no more sacrifices, no more burnt offerings, nothing. And he wanted to replace the true God of Israel with Zeus, one of the gods of the Greeks, but in actuality he considered himself like a god. We're going to pick it up in verse 41. Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, each abandoning his particular customs. All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king and many Israelites were in favor of his religion. They sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath. The king sent messengers with letters to Jerusalem and to the cities of Judah ordering them to follow customs far into their land, to prohibit sacrifices and offerings in the sanctuary, to profane the Sabbaths and the feast days, to desecrate the sanctuary and the sacred ministers, to build pagan altars and temples and shrines, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, to leave their sons uncircumcised and to let themselves be defiled with every kind of impurity and abomination so that they may forget the law, change all their observances. Whoever refused to act according to the command of the king should be put to death.
04:45
If you look at Daniel, chapter 7, verse 25, talking about not only Antiochus but the Antichrist himself, Daniel says, he will speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change times and laws, and they shall be given into his hand until time and times and a dividing of time which is three and a half years, which matches the midpoint of the tribulation period of seven. Now there are those that will tell you that this only applies to Antiochus, but it also applies to the Antichrist. Jesus references that in Matthew, chapter 24, verse 15. So, when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place and those in Judea must flee to the mountains. So, Jesus is referencing Daniel here.
05:44
Not the exact scripture, but his reference to it tells us that Antiochus is a type of the coming Antichrist. Daniel, chapter 8, the angel says I'm going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. These scriptures apply to both times in history. Many times, in the Old Testament there are types, types of Jesus, types of others. In the New Testament, projections give us a little more insight into what is going to happen.
06:19
Now. I want to mention something here. You talk about changing times and laws. We can see from the scriptures and from the description in the book of Maccabees that Antiochus wanted to change the laws and times, and these are religious laws that he's talking about. This is what the coming Antichrist will do. In fact, those changes have been going on for quite a while now and are increasing in intensity.
06:50
We do not have to wait for the appearance of the Antichrist, because that is already taking place. What do I mean by that? The prince of this world has been working hard on changing all the oracles of God. God is not a God of creation. God did not create the human race. Therefore, what we believe as a marriage between a man and a woman is not true. In fact, we can become a man or a woman, whatever we desire. We can trans ourselves. Trans is a Latin prefix meaning across or beyond on the other side of. So, we can cross over. We don't have to obey the laws of God. We don't have to believe this. It's a fairy tale, it's a fable. We are in control. We can do what we want, say what we want, create what we want. Therefore, we become gods, not unlike Antiochus, Epiphanes, who perceived himself as a god. It's the spirit of Antichrist. John writes it in his letter, and he warns us. The spirit of Antichrist is already in the world.
08:00
The Apostle John, the same Apostle John who had the revelation of Jesus Christ on the Isle of Patmos. When the Lord began to reveal that vision to him, he must have been astonished. How is it possible that all this could take place? How could one man rule the world? How could he control all of the economy? How is that possible? The Apostle John was well acquainted with the history of Israel. He knew all about Antiochus, he knew all about the miracle of the oil. Yet, I bet he wondered and was in absolute awe. Yet it must have been very disturbing at many levels when he got this vision from the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet I doubt it ever entered his mind that we would be doing the things we're doing now. I'm sure he had no idea what we'd turn into and how far we would go to trans, to cross over to the other side and beyond. The saddest part is that the greatest betrayal is yet to come. It is in the process as we speak.
09:09
John writes in 1 John 2, verse 18. He says Dear children, this is the last hour and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming. Even now, many Antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but their going showed that none of them belong to us. He's warning that the spirit of Antichrist can be in the church and people that receive it who decide merely to obey parts of the Bible. That obedience is not necessary to please God. It's not necessary to lead a life that gives glory to God. Now, you've heard me say this many, many times. We all fall, we all fall short, we all know it, but the idea is to have the goal to have the heart to please him and bring him glory.
10:06
There are other parallels here besides Antiochus and the Antichrist. It's the people During this time, it's the Jewish people and the law, but we can compare it to the church in this period of grace. Now it's still believers. You can see from the story in Maccabees that many of them went along with Antiochus and they worshiped the other gods, the gods of the Greeks, and they sacrificed to them, and they abandoned the law of God. It's a parallel to what's happening right now. The world is not the problem. They don't know Christ. It's those who call themselves Christians and followers of Jesus, you, and me.
10:48
When we don't do what we're supposed to do, when we fall out of love with God and we become betrayers, that does more to harm and hinder the kingdom of God than anything the world could do. We hit on this a little bit in the last podcast, but it's worth mentioning again. In Matthew 24, when Jesus is talking about all the things that are going to happen before he comes back, or that indicates that he's coming back soon. He starts out with watch out that no one deceives you. That's the first thing he says, and then he goes on to say at that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands at the end will be saved. So, there is a stand that needs to take place when all of this evil rises and deception rises up.
11:51
We have to remember what deception means. You can give your life for something. That doesn't mean it was a righteous cause. It's deception. Only the Word of God is true. That's our defense. That's the thing that the Holy Spirit keeps laying on my heart, to make sure that we do not get deceived. It is difficult for those who walk with Christ to live in a society that rejects the truth. Yet we are called to be light and salt, and God will lead us to those who are hungry for him.
12:41
Let's head back to the book of Daniel, chapter 8, and read from verse 23. In the later part of their reign when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation. And will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior when they feel secure. He will destroy many and take his stand against the prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
13:08
So, let's look at some of the parallels between Antiochus and the coming Antichrist. In the time of Daniel's prophecy, the angel is telling him what's going to happen, how these kingdoms are going to come into power. He talks about Babylon and the Medes and the Persians and Alexander the Great. And then Alexander the Great dies and he parcels out his kingdom to his four generals. And in the latter part of their reign of the four generals is when Antiochus rises up. Now he's really not supposed to be the king. He comes by his kingship in unusual ways. That's why many theologians believe that the Antichrist is going to rise out of modern-day Europe. Because he will follow this formula.
13:57
It's easy to see how these scriptures apply to both men. We know that the Antichrist will cause astounding devastation. We know that he will eventually call himself God and he will defeat the holy people. And then, in the middle of the week of tribulation, when he's fooled, some of Israel, just like Antiochus did, some of Israel will follow him and some will flee for their lives, knowing that it's wrong. And just like the backslidden church will follow him and the true believers who are left will not. So those parallels are pretty clear.
14:31
And he will throw truth to the ground. That's what we're seeing happening today in the spirit of Antichrist, in preparation for his coming. The truth is thrown to the ground, it's challenged as not truth, kind of like what Pilate said to Jesus right. What is truth? So, in other words, it's relevant and that's what most people believe today. That truth is relevant to you. And when he's fooled everyone who can be fooled, and remember what Jesus said, that the deception is going to be so complete that, even, if possible, the very elect could be fooled. That's how powerful it's going to be. It's not going to be that easy to discern without the Holy Spirit, but when he has everybody in that place, when he's got them, all believing who he is, that's when the hammer will fall, he says. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the prince of princes. That's when Antichrist goes into the temple, into the Holy of Holies, and declares himself God. There's a lot more I want to touch on, but I want us to remember that God is in control and he's guiding the ship. He's moving princes and kings and presidents like pieces on a chessboard.
15:44
So, let's read Daniel, chapter 7, verse 9 through 10. These are amazing verses that lift up your soul. As I looked, thrones were set in place and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white as snow, the hair of his head was white like wool, his throne was flaming with fire and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him, the court was seated, and the books were opened. What an astonishing sight to witness. The Ancient of Days comes and takes his seat on the throne and the books are opened.
He's got it all under control and he's going to hand the kingdom over those who love him and yearn for his kingdom. I pray this has been a blessing to you. We're going to get into more of it in the next podcast in a couple days. Until then, this is Russ Scalzo for Chronicles of the End Times. Keep looking up. The King is coming.
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