1. As the chapter begins, Daniel sees four beasts coming up out of the sea. In prophecy, what does a beast represent? What does the sea represent?

“The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth.” Daniel 7:23. “The waters … are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Revelation 17:15.

Answer:   Beasts represent kingdoms or nations. Water represents multitudes of people or large populations.

 

The lion beast of Daniel 7 represents the empire of Babylon.

2. The four beasts of Daniel 7 represent the four world kingdoms (verses 17, 18). Babylon, the first kingdom (Daniel 2:38, 39), is represented as a lion in Daniel 7:4. (See also Jeremiah 4:7 50:17, 43, 44 for Babylon pictured as a lion elsewhere.) What do the “eagle’s wings” mean? What do the “four winds” of verse 2 represent?

“The Lord shall bring a nation against thee … as swift as the eagle flieth.” Deuteronomy 28:49.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, … a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth.” Jeremiah 25:32, 33.

Answer:   The wings of eagles represent speed.

(See also Jeremiah 4:13; Habakkuk 1:6-9.) Winds represent strife, commotion, and destruction. (See also Revelation 7:1-3.)

 

The bear with three ribs in its mouth symbolizes Medo-Persia.

3. What kingdom does the bear represent (Daniel 7:5)? What do the three ribs in its mouth symbolize?

Answer:   Read Daniel 8. Notice that the beasts in chapter 8 parallel those in chapter 7. Daniel 8:20 specifically names Medo-Persia as the kingdom that precedes the rough goat, or Greece, of verse 21. It is the second world kingdom, the same power as the bear of Daniel 7. The empire was made up of two groups of people.

The Medes came up first (represented in Daniel 7:5 by the bear coming up on one side), but the Persians eventually became stronger (represented in Daniel 8:3 by the ram’s second horn which grew “higher,” or taller). The three ribs represent the three principal powers conquered by Medo-Persia:

Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.

 

The leopard beast of Daniel 7 represents the world kingdom of Greece.

4. Greece, the third kingdom (Daniel 8:21), is represented by a leopard with four wings and four heads (Daniel 7:6). What do the heads represent? What do the four wings represent?

Answer:   The four heads represent the four kingdoms into which the empire of Alexander the Great was divided when he died. The four generals who headed these areas were: Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. The four wings (instead of two like the lion) represent super-speed, which was true of Alexander’s conquests (Jeremiah 4:11-13).

 

The world empire of Rome is symbolized by the monster beast of Daniel chapter 7.

5. The Roman empire, the fourth world kingdom, is represented by a horrible monster with iron teeth and 10 horns (Daniel 7:7). What do the horns represent?

Answer:   The 10 horns represent the 10 kings or kingdoms into which pagan Rome was eventually split (Daniel 7:24). (These 10 kingdoms are the same as the 10 toes of the image described in Daniel 2:41-44.) Roving barbarian tribes swept in upon the Roman empire and carved out land niches for their people.

Seven of those 10 tribes developed into the countries of modern Western Europe, while three were uprooted and destroyed. The next section will discuss those kingdoms that were rooted up.

Visigoths – Spain

Anglo-Saxons – England

Franks – France

Alemani – Germany

Burgundians – Switzerland

Lombards – Italy

Suevi – Portugal

Heruli – Rooted up

Ostrogoths – Rooted up

Vandals – Rooted up

 

 

6. What happens next?

I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” Daniel 7:8.

Answer: In the Daniel 7 prophecy, the next event mentioned is the emergence of a “little horn” among the ten horns. This little horn uproots three of the existing horns and possesses distinct characteristics that help identify it as the Antichrist power.

Are there distinct points of identification?

Answer: Yes, There are nine characteristics provided in the prophecy:

A. The little horn emerges among the ten horns, which represent the kingdoms of Western Europe. It is a smaller kingdom located in Western Europe.

B. The little horn is led by a man who serves as its spokesperson.

C. The little horn uproots or plucks out three kingdoms, indicating a significant political influence and impact.

D. The little horn is different or diverse from the other ten kingdoms, signifying a distinct identity or nature.

E. The little horn persecutes or wages war against the saints, causing suffering and opposition to God’s people.

F. The little horn arises from the pagan Roman empire, specifically from the fourth world kingdom.

G. The saints are given into the hand of the little horn for a specific period of time known as “a time and times and the dividing of time.”

H. The little horn speaks great words against God, engaging in blasphemy and arrogantly exalting itself.

I. The little horn seeks to change times and laws, indicating an influence on religious practices and principles.

These characteristics align with the history and activities of the papacy. It is the only power that fulfills all nine points described in the prophecy. By carefully examining each characteristic, we can confidently conclude that the Antichrist power refers to the papacy.

It is important to note that these points are not based on personal opinions or speculations but are derived directly from the Bible. Historians also recognize the alignment of these characteristics with the papacy. By thoroughly examining these identification points, we can have a clear understanding of the Antichrist’s identity as revealed in Scripture.

 

8. Does the papacy fit these points?

Answer:   Yes, it fits every point perfectly. See items A through H below.

A. It “came up among” the 10 kingdoms of Western Europe.
The geographical location of the papal power was in Rome, Italy the very heart of the territory of Western Europe.

B. It would have a man at its head who speaks for it.
The papacy meets this identifying mark because it does have one man at the head (the pope) who speaks for it.

 

C. It would pluck up or uproot three kingdoms.
The emperors of Western Europe were largely Catholic and supported the papacy in its growth and authority. Three Arian kingdoms, however, did not support the papacy, the Vandals, Heruli, and Ostrogoths. So the Catholic emperors decided they must be subdued or destroyed. Here is how Dr. Mervyn Maxwell, a theologian and historian, described the results in volume 1, page 129, of his book God Cares:

“The Catholic emperor Zeno (474-491) arranged a treaty with the Ostrogoths in 487 which resulted in the eradication of the kingdom of the Arian Heruls in 493. And the Catholic emperor Justinian (527-565) exterminated the Arian Vandals in 534 and significantly broke the power of the Arian Ostrogoths in 538. Thus were Daniel’s three horns the Heruls, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths’plucked up by the roots.’ ” It is not difficult to recognize that the papacy fits this point.

D. It would be “diverse” or different from the other kingdoms.
The papacy clearly fits this description, also. It came on the scene as a religious power and was totally different from the secular nature of the other 10 kingdoms.

E. It would make war with and persecute the saints.
That the church did persecute is a well-known fact. The papacy clearly admits doing so. Much supportive evidence exists. Even conservative historians claim the church probably destroyed at least 50 million people over matters of religious conviction. We will quote here from two sources:

1. “That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history. 1

2. In The History of the Inquisition of Spain, D. Ivan Antonio Llorente provides these figures from the Spanish Inquisition alone:

F. It would emerge from the fourth kingdom of iron – the pagan Roman Empire.
We are quoting two authorities on this point:

1. “The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptised … The very capital of the old Roman Empire became the capital of the Christian empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of the pope.” 2

2. “Whatever Roman elements the barbarians and Arians left … [came] under the protection of the Bishop of Rome, who was the chief person there after the emperor’s disappearance. The Roman Church in this way privily pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation.” 3

So, once again, the point fits the papacy.

G. God’s people (the saints) would “be given into his hand” for “a time and times and the dividing of time.” Daniel 7:25.

Several things need clarification in connection with this point:

1. A time is a year, times is two years, and the dividing of time is a half-year. The Amplified Bible translates it: “Three and one-half years.” 4

2. This same time period is mentioned seven times (Daniel 7:25 12:7 Revelation 11:2, 3 12:6, 14 13:5) in the books of Daniel and Revelation: three times as a time, times, and half a time twice as 42 months and twice as 1,260 days. Based on the 30-day calendar used by the Jews, these time periods are all the same amount of time:

3 1/2 years = 42 months = 1,260 days.

3. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6 Numbers 14:34).

4. Thus, the little horn (Antichrist) was to have power over the saints for 1,260 prophetic days or 1,260 literal years.

5. The rule of the papacy began in A.D. 538, when the last of the three opposing Arian kingdoms was uprooted. Its rule continued until 1798 when Napoleon’s general, Berthier, took the pope captive with hopes of destroying both Pope Pius VI and the political, secular power of the papacy. This period of time is an exact fulfillment of the 1,260-year prophecy. The blow was a deadly wound for the papacy, but that wound began to heal and continues healing today.

6. This same period of persecution is mentioned in Matthew 24:21 as the worst period of persecution God’s people will ever experience. Verse 22 tells us it was so devastating that not one soul would have survived if God had not shortened it. But God did shorten it. The persecution ended long before the pope was taken captive in 1798. It is plain to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy.

H. It would speak “great words” of blasphemy “against the most High[God].”
Blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:

1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21).

2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33).

Does this point fit the papacy? Yes!

Let’s first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins: “Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ.”

5 The papacy further undermines Jesus by setting up a system of confession to an earthly priest, thus bypassing Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1 8:1, 2) and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

Next consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: “We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.”

6 Here is another: “The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.”

7 Its obvious this point, likewise, fits the papacy.

I. It would “think to change times and laws.”

In a future Study Guide we will deal with the “times” of this point. It is a major topic and needs separate consideration. But what about changing the “laws”? The Amplified Bible translates “laws” as “the law.” The reference is to changing God’s law. Of course, no one can really change it, but has the papacy attempted to do so? The answer is “yes.”

In its catechisms, the papacy has omitted the second commandment against veneration of images and has shortened the fourth commandment from 94 words to eight and divided the tenth commandment into two commandments. (Check this for yourself. Compare the Ten Commandments in any Catholic catechism with God’s list of the commandments in Exodus 20:3-17.)

There is no doubt that the little horn power of Daniel chapter 7 (the Antichrist) is the papacy. No other organization could possibly fit these nine points. And incidentally, this is no new teaching. Every Reformer, without exception, spoke of the papacy as Antichrist. 8

Words of Care and Concern
Lest some should think that we are attacking fellow Christians by identifying this little-horn power, please keep in mind that the prophecy is aimed at a system and not individuals. There are sincere, devout Christians in all churches, including the Catholic faith. Daniel chapter 7 is simply a message of judgment and correction upon a large religious institution which compromised with paganism, like so many other churches that arose after her.

Prophecy Reveals Faults of All Faiths
Other prophecies point out the faults of Protestant and Jewish faiths. God has true people in all religions. His true people (no matter what their faith) will always humbly accept the correction of the Lord and will not shut their ears and hearts against Him by self-defensiveness. We should be very thankful that God’s Word speaks with impartial honesty on every subject.

1 W. E. H. Lecky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, Volume 2, p. 40.

22 Alexander Clarence Flick, The Rise of the Medieval Church, pp. 148, 149.

3 Adolf Harnack, What is Christianity? (New York: Putnam, second edition, revised, 1901), pp. 269, 270.

4 The Amplified Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 1962.

5 Joseph Deharbe, S.J., A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion (New York: Schwartz, Kirwin & Fauss, 1924), p. 279.

6 Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter “The Reunion of Christendom” (dated June 20, 1894) trans. in the Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII (New York: Benziger, 1903), p. 304.

7 Catholic National, July 1895.

8 R. Allen Anderson, Unfolding the Revelation, p. 137.

 

The angel told Daniel that the prophecies of this book would be sealed until 1798, the time of the end.

9. Wasn’t Daniel told to seal up his book until “the time of the end”? (Daniel 12:4) When will Daniel’s prophecies be opened to our understanding?

Answer:   In Daniel 12:4, the prophet was told to seal parts of the book till “the time of the end.” In verse 6 an angelic voice asked, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” Verse 7 says, “It shall be for a time, times, and an half.” The angel assured Daniel that the section of the book dealing with end-time prophecies would be opened after the end of the 1260-year period of papal control which was, as we learned earlier in this Study Guide, 1798. So the time of the end began in the year 1798. Obviously, the book of Daniel contains crucial messages from heaven for us today. We absolutely must understand it.

10. Many Christians today have been tragically misinformed regarding the Antichrist. To believe an untruth about the Antichrist could easily cause a person to be deceived and lost. What should a person do when new Bible teachings are encountered?

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11.

Answer:   When a new Bible teaching is encountered, the only safe procedure is to compare it carefully with Scripture to see if it is in harmony with God’s Word.

 

11. I am willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it may be painful?

Concluding Remarks

 

In the upcoming Amazing Facts Study Guides, you can expect to explore momentous prophecies from the books of Daniel and Revelation. These prophecies serve multiple purposes:

A. They reveal the events that will unfold as the earth approaches its final moments.

B. They identify the participants who will be involved in the ultimate battle between Jesus and Satan.

C. They expose Satan’s sinister plans to ensnare and destroy humanity, providing crucial insight into his tactics.

D. They present the assurance and vindication of God’s saints through the judgment process.

E. Above all, these prophecies uplift Jesus, showcasing His salvation, love, power, mercy, and justice throughout the unfolding of these events.

Throughout these prophecies, key participants such as Satan, Jesus, the United States, the papacy, Protestantism, and spiritism will appear repeatedly. Jesus, in His infinite love and wisdom, reinforces and expands upon the messages of the prophets to ensure that His warnings of love, protection, and salvation come through with clarity and certainty.

By delving into these prophecies, you will gain a deeper understanding of God’s plan for the future, His unwavering love for humanity, and the ultimate victory of good over evil.

 

Thought Questions:

Answer: Antichrist is an organization—the papacy. However, the words “eyes of man” in Daniel 7:8 do suggest the presence of a leader within that organization. Revelation 13:18 also speaks of a man with a number being involved. It is worth noting that in Daniel chapter 8, Greece is represented by a goat, and its leader, Alexander the Great, is symbolized by a horn. Similarly, within the context of Antichrist, the organization is the papacy, with the pope in office serving as its representative. It is important to understand that the prophecy of Daniel chapter 7 does not imply that all popes are evil or that Catholics cannot be Christians. Many Catholics are devout and loving followers of Christ. The term “Antichrist” is used to describe the system for its perceived usurpation of Jesus’ authority and attempts to modify His law.

 

A: No. The Bible is clear that all should have freedom to choose the direction they wish to go in matters of conscience (Joshua 24:15)–even if they choose to deny God and be atheists. God permitted Adam and Eve to choose to disobey even though it hurt both them and Him. Forced worship is not acceptable to God. Forced worship is the devil’s way. God’s way is loving persuasion. History shows that virtually every time the church passed laws to enforce its beliefs, persecution and murder of others resulted. This is a lesson we can learn from the Middle Ages history of the little horn.

 

3: Perhaps I have misunderstood, but my concept has always been that Antichrist would be an evil being who openly opposed God. Is this concept incorrect?

A: We usually consider the word “anti” to mean “against”. But in “Antichrist” it means “in the place of” or “instead of”. Antichrist is guilty of assuming the prerogatives of God. It claims:

A. Its priests can forgive sins which only God can do (Luke 5:21).

B. To have changed God’s law by dropping out the second commandment (on worshiping images) and splitting the tenth into two parts. God’s law cannot be changed (Matthew 5:18).

C. That the pope is God on earth.

 

Satan’s original plan in heaven was to assume God’s position and authority, aiming to oust God and rule in His place. Even after being ejected from heaven, Satan’s aim did not change but intensified. Throughout the centuries, he has sought to discredit God and take over His position. His ultimate goal is to replace God by deceiving people into following Antichrist, who appears spiritual and holy.

The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation serve the purpose of exposing Satan’s traps and strategies, guiding people to anchor themselves in Jesus and His Word for safety. However, the deception of Antichrist will lead many astray. Revelation 13:3 states that most people will follow the Antichrist, mistakenly believing they are following Christ. Only the very elect, who test every spiritual teaching and leader against Scripture (Isaiah 8:20), will be safe. Religious deception is prevalent in today’s world, emphasizing the need for careful discernment and unwavering commitment to truth.

 

 

Quiz Questions

1. Which four world kingdoms are represented by beast symbols in Daniel chapter 7? (4)
_____   Sweden.
_____   Egypt.
_____   Greece.
_____   China.
_____   Medo-Persia.
_____   Japan.
_____   Babylon.
_____   Iraq.
_____   Rome.

2. In Bible prophecy, a beast represents a (1)
_____   Computer.
_____   Kingdom or nation.
_____   Creature or alien.

3. The 10 horns on the monster beast represent (1)
_____   Ten years.
_____   Ten special cities.
_____   Angels.
_____   Riches.
_____   The kingdoms into which pagan Rome eventually split.

4. How many tribes or nations were “rooted up” by the little horn power? (1)
_____   Eight.
_____   One.
_____   Six.
_____   Three.

5. The little horn power, or Antichrist, represents (1)
_____   One of Babylon’s generals.
_____   An evil ruler from the days of old pagan Rome.
_____   An evil power that will arise after the second coming of Jesus.
_____   Atheism.
_____   The papacy.

6. Check the true statements about the little horn (Antichrist) power from the list below: (3)
_____   It came from Egypt.
_____   It would persecute God’s people.
_____   It arose immediately after Babylon fell.
_____   It speaks great words against God.
_____   It attempted to change God’s law.

7. In prophecy, “time, times, and a half time” is symbolic of (1)
_____   Three and one-half literal days.
_____   42 years.
_____   1,260 literal years.

8. When did “the time of the end” begin? (1)
_____   A.D. 31
_____   A.D. 1991
_____   A.D. 588
_____   A.D. 1798

9. Antichrist is an organization, rather than a person. (1)
_____   Yes.
_____   No.

10. Antichrist exists today. (1)
_____   Yes.
_____   No.

11. God approves of enforcing true worship by law. (1)
_____   Yes.
_____   No.

12. General Berthier’s capture of the pope only wounded the papacy. Its deadly wound began to heal and continues healing today. (1)
_____   Yes.
_____   No.

13. What item from the list below is essential for the spiritual safety of God’s people in these end-time days? (1)
_____   Learn to preach.
_____   Pray much in public.
_____   Test every religious teaching by the Bible.