1 00:00:30,019 --> 00:00:31,859 Before and appreciate the music tonight. 2 00:00:32,179 --> 00:00:33,619 Appreciate the music this morning. 3 00:00:33,779 --> 00:00:35,779 What a wonderful choir special this morning. 4 00:00:35,779 --> 00:00:43,059 And again we are so blessed with wonderful talent in our church 5 00:00:43,619 --> 00:00:47,819 and so well tonight if you would turn your Bibles to Daniel 6 00:00:47,819 --> 00:00:51,779 chapter 8 and brought additional notes to the pulpit tonight. 7 00:00:51,779 --> 00:00:56,179 So I hope that don't distract you and some of the reason is because 8 00:00:56,179 --> 00:01:01,229 I do want to read in particular about some of these leaders. 9 00:01:02,029 --> 00:01:04,149 And so I hope I don't bore you with it. 10 00:01:04,149 --> 00:01:10,389 But there are things about Antiochus Epiphanes that would be 11 00:01:10,389 --> 00:01:14,989 easier just to read it to you and let you hear the history and 12 00:01:16,269 --> 00:01:20,669 behind him and then of course other leaders as well. 13 00:01:20,829 --> 00:01:23,949 As we look at the prophecies of Daniel. 14 00:01:24,779 --> 00:01:25,979 Daniel chapter 8. 15 00:01:27,099 --> 00:01:28,299 Daniel chapter 8. 16 00:01:28,939 --> 00:01:32,379 The theme of the book of Daniel is God rules in the affairs 17 00:01:32,379 --> 00:01:32,779 of man. 18 00:01:33,419 --> 00:01:36,419 And I think it's very appropriate this week that we remember 19 00:01:36,419 --> 00:01:39,859 that that God rules in the affairs of man. 20 00:01:39,859 --> 00:01:40,939 He's in control. 21 00:01:41,899 --> 00:01:44,859 He does not and will not forsake us. 22 00:01:44,939 --> 00:01:47,179 And we can trust him. 23 00:01:47,579 --> 00:01:52,749 We can trust him before we read here in Daniel because what 24 00:01:52,749 --> 00:01:55,589 I'm going to do tonight especially is just do I'm going to 25 00:01:55,589 --> 00:01:59,789 pull a Brother Stewart and do a running commentary as we read because 26 00:01:59,789 --> 00:02:02,869 it will be easier on this chapter to do it that way. 27 00:02:02,869 --> 00:02:07,149 So let me give you some just preliminary thoughts before we get 28 00:02:07,149 --> 00:02:07,509 into this. 29 00:02:07,509 --> 00:02:12,069 This is going to be a lesson, more of a Sunday school lesson, maybe 30 00:02:12,149 --> 00:02:13,749 more than a preaching service. 31 00:02:13,909 --> 00:02:19,529 So we'll just call you guys, you are the class and I'm just the 32 00:02:19,529 --> 00:02:23,489 teacher and the application will still be there at the end. 33 00:02:23,969 --> 00:02:28,089 But there is a lot of information and this is built upon 34 00:02:28,089 --> 00:02:30,209 the other, the previous chapter, chapter seven. 35 00:02:30,849 --> 00:02:32,769 And so let's go through this. 36 00:02:33,249 --> 00:02:36,129 This is the last year of Babylon or this is the last years 37 00:02:36,129 --> 00:02:40,289 of Babylon and Belshazzar now is still on the throne. 38 00:02:40,289 --> 00:02:44,849 He has reigned three years with his dad as co regent. 39 00:02:46,279 --> 00:02:47,559 So they're reigning together. 40 00:02:48,199 --> 00:02:51,919 Usually when they do that the reigning together, when father and 41 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:54,319 son are reigning together, it usually means that dad's about to 42 00:02:54,319 --> 00:02:57,919 die off and so he's training the son to come on. 43 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:01,079 But that's not the case in this particular situation. 44 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:06,479 It is that the dad just has no interest in being king and he's just 45 00:03:06,479 --> 00:03:11,639 out doing his hobbies and the son Belshazzar is running the country 46 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:14,519 and not doing a very good job of it. 47 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:18,999 And so we see the prophecies we know we've already covered, you 48 00:03:18,999 --> 00:03:19,799 know, chapter six. 49 00:03:19,799 --> 00:03:24,359 We know that the Medo Persian Empire is about to come into Babylon. 50 00:03:24,519 --> 00:03:29,759 They're going to divert the Euphrates river and literally the 51 00:03:29,759 --> 00:03:32,679 Medo Persian Empire's army comes under the wall. 52 00:03:32,759 --> 00:03:35,799 They couldn't get through it, couldn't get over it, but they went 53 00:03:35,799 --> 00:03:39,119 under the wall and defeated Babylon. 54 00:03:39,439 --> 00:03:42,639 That no one, no one thought would ever happen. 55 00:03:43,359 --> 00:03:45,399 And so that's where we're at. 56 00:03:45,399 --> 00:03:48,399 So again, chapter seven and eight, you have to kind of back up. 57 00:03:48,399 --> 00:03:53,479 You put this between chapter four and five and you have this again, 58 00:03:53,479 --> 00:03:56,159 this vision or this prophecy of Daniel. 59 00:03:56,879 --> 00:04:00,559 So the vision received in this chapter is two years after the vision 60 00:04:00,719 --> 00:04:01,679 of chapter seven. 61 00:04:02,649 --> 00:04:06,089 Remember now, in chapter seven he saw the beasts, he saw four beasts. 62 00:04:06,329 --> 00:04:10,129 And it works in the same tandem along with the statue found 63 00:04:10,129 --> 00:04:11,689 in chapter two of Daniel. 64 00:04:11,849 --> 00:04:15,489 And that is, here are the future kingdoms that are going to 65 00:04:15,489 --> 00:04:15,849 reign. 66 00:04:16,249 --> 00:04:18,169 Here's Babylon, who's reigning? 67 00:04:18,248 --> 00:04:22,009 And then the next major power is going to be the Medo Persian power. 68 00:04:22,169 --> 00:04:24,409 The next major power is going to be Greece. 69 00:04:24,409 --> 00:04:26,969 The next major power is going to be Rome. 70 00:04:27,529 --> 00:04:32,779 And so the vision of Chapter 7 correlated with the vision of Chapter 71 00:04:32,859 --> 00:04:36,019 2, that King Nebuchadnezzar saw that big statue. 72 00:04:36,019 --> 00:04:37,299 So you can go back and read that. 73 00:04:38,099 --> 00:04:41,819 And this kind of built chapter eight builds on top of that in that 74 00:04:41,819 --> 00:04:47,699 it deals mainly with the Medo Persian Empire and the Grecian Empire, 75 00:04:48,019 --> 00:04:49,779 of course, Alexander the Great. 76 00:04:51,219 --> 00:04:54,259 And so it builds upon those two things. 77 00:04:54,259 --> 00:04:58,529 In fact, it even gets down to the nuts and bolts of it gives you 78 00:04:58,609 --> 00:05:01,289 that when Alexander the Great dies. 79 00:05:01,289 --> 00:05:03,249 Of course it doesn't name Alexander the Great. 80 00:05:03,809 --> 00:05:08,209 By the way, in this particular instance, when Gabriel's giving the 81 00:05:08,209 --> 00:05:11,329 interpretation of the dream, he absolutely tells you, and this 82 00:05:11,329 --> 00:05:13,889 is how we know without a doubt, he says that the Medo Persian 83 00:05:13,889 --> 00:05:15,409 Empire are represented. 84 00:05:15,409 --> 00:05:17,129 They are the ones who are going to defeat Babylon. 85 00:05:17,129 --> 00:05:21,169 So now Daniel knows for sure that it is the Medo Persian Empire. 86 00:05:21,169 --> 00:05:22,529 So we'll get that in a moment. 87 00:05:23,259 --> 00:05:25,659 But out of Alexander the Great, if you know your history, 88 00:05:25,899 --> 00:05:30,219 you know that when he died that he left no, you know, he left 89 00:05:30,459 --> 00:05:31,499 no one in charge. 90 00:05:31,819 --> 00:05:36,219 And it took about, there was about a 20 or 30 year period of just 91 00:05:36,459 --> 00:05:38,859 a little bit of, you know, fighting going on. 92 00:05:38,939 --> 00:05:42,019 And then four generals of Alexander the Great divided up the 93 00:05:42,019 --> 00:05:46,179 kingdom and that's where it stood after Alexander the Great's 94 00:05:46,179 --> 00:05:46,459 death. 95 00:05:48,139 --> 00:05:51,899 One of those, not generals, but one of the leaders in that group 96 00:05:51,899 --> 00:05:53,779 was Anticus Epiphanes. 97 00:05:54,979 --> 00:05:59,499 And in this chapter we find Anticus Epiphanies not named, but 98 00:05:59,499 --> 00:06:02,579 there is zero doubt who Daniel's talking about. 99 00:06:02,979 --> 00:06:03,659 Zero doubt. 100 00:06:03,659 --> 00:06:05,618 And I can we'll prove it here in a moment. 101 00:06:05,859 --> 00:06:06,659 Zero doubt. 102 00:06:07,939 --> 00:06:13,939 This chapter is really the reason why liberals date the writing 103 00:06:13,939 --> 00:06:17,589 of Daniel in the second century instead of the sixth century. 104 00:06:18,789 --> 00:06:22,789 They want to put it in the second century because it's so meticulous 105 00:06:22,869 --> 00:06:28,549 and so precise about what it's the prophecy it's giving. 106 00:06:28,869 --> 00:06:32,309 They're just saying there's no way Daniel knew that. 107 00:06:32,709 --> 00:06:34,149 Well, of course he didn't know it. 108 00:06:34,629 --> 00:06:35,829 God gave it to him. 109 00:06:36,709 --> 00:06:39,629 And by the way, if you have Daniel being written in the second 110 00:06:39,629 --> 00:06:41,229 century, it's no longer prophecy. 111 00:06:41,229 --> 00:06:42,629 It means it already happened. 112 00:06:43,889 --> 00:06:44,929 That's ludicrous. 113 00:06:45,249 --> 00:06:48,849 What a bunch of stinking liberals. 114 00:06:52,209 --> 00:06:54,929 As some of you know, I have a pretty good library. 115 00:06:55,409 --> 00:07:00,249 And so, and yes, there are books in my library that I haven't 116 00:07:00,249 --> 00:07:03,089 cracked open every once in a while, books that are given to me. 117 00:07:03,329 --> 00:07:06,009 And so every once in a while I'll crack a book open that has to 118 00:07:06,009 --> 00:07:08,649 do with the subject I'm preaching on and I'll start reading 119 00:07:08,649 --> 00:07:08,809 it. 120 00:07:08,809 --> 00:07:14,019 And I found out pretty quick, man, this author is not on board 121 00:07:14,019 --> 00:07:14,899 with the Bible. 122 00:07:15,059 --> 00:07:18,299 He's just going to correct it and he's going to discount all the 123 00:07:18,299 --> 00:07:18,939 miracles. 124 00:07:18,939 --> 00:07:25,939 And it's so easy to see in the writing of someone how that they 125 00:07:25,939 --> 00:07:28,019 want to, you know, discount the miracles. 126 00:07:28,019 --> 00:07:32,939 There's a great huge group of scholars who do that, which is just 127 00:07:32,939 --> 00:07:33,859 preposterous. 128 00:07:34,659 --> 00:07:38,769 So that's what's happening when you have, when you're reading 129 00:07:39,169 --> 00:07:43,409 a commentary or reading some historian about Daniel and they say 130 00:07:43,409 --> 00:07:45,009 Daniel was written in the second century. 131 00:07:45,089 --> 00:07:47,089 They're discounting the prophecies. 132 00:07:48,449 --> 00:07:51,169 They're discounting it because it is so precise. 133 00:07:51,569 --> 00:07:52,689 It's going to tell you. 134 00:07:53,489 --> 00:07:58,529 Daniel's about to tell you how long Antiochus Epiphanes reigned 135 00:07:58,689 --> 00:08:00,529 or reigned in the temple. 136 00:08:00,929 --> 00:08:01,489 How long. 137 00:08:01,729 --> 00:08:02,849 It's so cool. 138 00:08:03,259 --> 00:08:04,139 I'll show you in a moment. 139 00:08:06,139 --> 00:08:14,899 So remind you that Antiochus Epiphanes is absolutely a pre picture 140 00:08:14,899 --> 00:08:15,899 of the Antichrist. 141 00:08:16,699 --> 00:08:17,339 He is. 142 00:08:18,619 --> 00:08:19,659 He's an amazing. 143 00:08:20,219 --> 00:08:25,659 It's sad, but an amazing pre picture of the Antichrist remind 144 00:08:25,659 --> 00:08:29,179 you that Old Testament prophecies have a near and partial 145 00:08:29,179 --> 00:08:34,359 fulfillment and then have a far reaching full fulfillment. 146 00:08:34,759 --> 00:08:39,319 All right, so when Daniel's prophesying, most of the prophecies 147 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:42,759 will have a near and partial fulfillment. 148 00:08:42,999 --> 00:08:45,319 And that's what we'll see in Anticus Epiphanes. 149 00:08:45,319 --> 00:08:47,879 He is the near and partial fulfillment. 150 00:08:47,959 --> 00:08:51,799 But the far reaching and full fulfillment that's described here 151 00:08:51,799 --> 00:08:56,119 is the Antichrist who is the culmination of this prophecy. 152 00:09:00,499 --> 00:09:05,939 It's very Obvious in this chapter that it's referencing Anticus. 153 00:09:08,499 --> 00:09:11,379 And by the way, he called himself Epiphanes. 154 00:09:13,219 --> 00:09:14,179 He did that. 155 00:09:15,459 --> 00:09:16,899 Antiochus Epiphanes. 156 00:09:17,459 --> 00:09:19,299 He self named himself. 157 00:09:20,419 --> 00:09:21,419 Why did he do that? 158 00:09:21,419 --> 00:09:21,859 Listen. 159 00:09:21,859 --> 00:09:22,179 Because. 160 00:09:22,179 --> 00:09:23,219 Listen to what it means. 161 00:09:23,859 --> 00:09:26,259 It means glorious One. 162 00:09:28,019 --> 00:09:30,899 It means God manifest. 163 00:09:32,739 --> 00:09:34,659 And he truly believed that. 164 00:09:36,179 --> 00:09:37,219 He believed that. 165 00:09:40,019 --> 00:09:45,099 In Daniel, chapter 17, 17, Daniel, chapter 7 and 8, there are 166 00:09:45,099 --> 00:09:47,059 19 references to the horns. 167 00:09:47,699 --> 00:09:48,099 Not. 168 00:09:48,979 --> 00:09:53,819 I'm talking about animal horns, the horns that come out of 169 00:09:53,819 --> 00:09:54,339 the head. 170 00:09:54,339 --> 00:09:54,979 10 horns. 171 00:09:54,979 --> 00:09:56,139 And remember the 10. 172 00:09:56,139 --> 00:09:59,739 It had 10 horns that came up, but then three of them. 173 00:10:00,779 --> 00:10:03,499 In the midst of three of them, a little horn came up and the little 174 00:10:03,499 --> 00:10:07,219 horn defeated the three horns that was the Antichrist. 175 00:10:07,219 --> 00:10:08,059 And there will be a. 176 00:10:08,139 --> 00:10:13,659 There will be 10 major powers at the end, at the end of when Christ 177 00:10:13,659 --> 00:10:15,819 returns, and so forth and so on. 178 00:10:16,469 --> 00:10:17,989 The antichrist leading them. 179 00:10:19,509 --> 00:10:21,189 19 references to horns. 180 00:10:22,869 --> 00:10:23,829 This is extra. 181 00:10:23,829 --> 00:10:24,229 Why? 182 00:10:24,469 --> 00:10:27,069 Why does the Bible use horns when it comes to that? 183 00:10:27,069 --> 00:10:31,389 Well, the horn is the focal point because that's the animal's 184 00:10:31,389 --> 00:10:33,669 strength, or considered the animal's strength. 185 00:10:34,389 --> 00:10:37,989 So as he's giving these visions, it's giving these major 186 00:10:37,989 --> 00:10:41,909 powers, the end times, these major powers as horns. 187 00:10:43,019 --> 00:10:45,739 In this particular chapter we have a ram and a goat. 188 00:10:46,619 --> 00:10:49,579 In this particular chapter we have little horns. 189 00:10:50,299 --> 00:10:57,139 And then we have Gabriel the angel interpreting the vision for 190 00:10:57,139 --> 00:11:02,539 us and a little more precise in that interpretation than in the 191 00:11:02,539 --> 00:11:04,459 previous messages that we preached. 192 00:11:05,179 --> 00:11:09,269 So let's look at this chapter and we'll get right into it. 193 00:11:11,029 --> 00:11:13,029 Daniel, chapter 8, verse 1. 194 00:11:13,269 --> 00:11:17,869 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared 195 00:11:17,869 --> 00:11:18,229 unto me. 196 00:11:18,229 --> 00:11:21,149 Even unto me, Daniel, after that which I appeared unto me at 197 00:11:21,149 --> 00:11:21,669 the first. 198 00:11:22,709 --> 00:11:26,189 Again, this is two years later from vision they received in chapter 199 00:11:26,189 --> 00:11:26,469 seven. 200 00:11:27,029 --> 00:11:28,309 And I saw in a vision. 201 00:11:28,309 --> 00:11:33,059 And it came to pass when I saw that I was at Shushan in. 202 00:11:33,129 --> 00:11:33,849 In the palace. 203 00:11:34,329 --> 00:11:38,689 Now, whether or not he was physically there or there by way 204 00:11:38,689 --> 00:11:40,409 of vision, it doesn't tell us. 205 00:11:40,409 --> 00:11:46,529 But we know in other areas where prophets were moved, not physically 206 00:11:46,529 --> 00:11:48,809 but just by way of vision, that he was there. 207 00:11:50,249 --> 00:11:53,129 And it says, which is in the province of Elam. 208 00:11:53,849 --> 00:11:57,369 And I saw in a vision and was by the river Eulah. 209 00:11:58,659 --> 00:12:01,619 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, there stood before 210 00:12:01,619 --> 00:12:04,579 the river a ram which had two horns. 211 00:12:04,979 --> 00:12:08,259 And the two horns were high, but one was higher than the other. 212 00:12:08,499 --> 00:12:10,579 And the higher came up last. 213 00:12:11,459 --> 00:12:14,499 And I saw the ram pushing westward and northward and southward, 214 00:12:14,739 --> 00:12:18,339 so that no beast might stand before him, neither was there any 215 00:12:18,419 --> 00:12:20,339 that could deliver out of his hand. 216 00:12:20,739 --> 00:12:23,939 But he did according to his will and became great. 217 00:12:26,479 --> 00:12:33,359 And so we see again here we see the ram with two horns, one higher 218 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:35,679 than the other. 219 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,639 As we think about Shushan the palace, Shushan the palace was a 220 00:12:40,639 --> 00:12:42,399 primary city of Medo Persian empire. 221 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:46,679 The Medo Persian empire was going to again defeat and destroy 222 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:47,839 the Babylonians. 223 00:12:49,599 --> 00:12:53,579 Daniel again may have been been there in spirit and not bodily. 224 00:12:53,579 --> 00:12:54,499 We don't know that. 225 00:12:55,219 --> 00:12:58,419 But he stood by the river, a ram of two horns. 226 00:12:58,579 --> 00:13:01,219 These two horns represent the Medo Persian empire. 227 00:13:01,939 --> 00:13:06,619 The Medo Persian empire with the higher horn being the Persian 228 00:13:06,619 --> 00:13:07,059 empire. 229 00:13:07,939 --> 00:13:12,019 So you had after Babylon you had the Medo Persian empire. 230 00:13:12,019 --> 00:13:20,189 You had two countries over ruling over the then known world 231 00:13:20,189 --> 00:13:23,989 per se together, ruling together. 232 00:13:25,109 --> 00:13:28,709 In verse four it talks about the ram pushing westward and northward 233 00:13:28,709 --> 00:13:29,349 and southward. 234 00:13:29,349 --> 00:13:31,509 And this is speaking of Cyrus. 235 00:13:31,909 --> 00:13:36,589 Because of the Medo Persian empire, the Persian empire rose up 236 00:13:36,589 --> 00:13:39,269 and became more powerful than the Medo empire. 237 00:13:39,429 --> 00:13:42,709 And Cyrus was the leader of that empire. 238 00:13:43,189 --> 00:13:47,429 And we know Cyrus because he is the one that Isaiah spoke about, 239 00:13:47,589 --> 00:13:51,229 prophesied over 100 years before that Cyrus is the one who 240 00:13:51,229 --> 00:13:54,109 would make the decree for the children of Israel to return to Jerusalem 241 00:13:54,109 --> 00:13:56,149 and rebuild the city of Jerusalem. 242 00:13:57,349 --> 00:14:01,429 And Cyrus was a mighty king, a mighty leader. 243 00:14:02,549 --> 00:14:05,789 And the Bible says here everywhere he went, he defeated his 244 00:14:05,789 --> 00:14:06,309 enemies. 245 00:14:06,709 --> 00:14:07,669 Everywhere he went. 246 00:14:09,759 --> 00:14:10,879 So let's look at verse five. 247 00:14:11,919 --> 00:14:13,999 And I was considering. 248 00:14:13,999 --> 00:14:18,359 Behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole 249 00:14:18,359 --> 00:14:19,839 earth and touched not the ground. 250 00:14:19,839 --> 00:14:22,719 And the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 251 00:14:23,679 --> 00:14:28,279 And he came to the ram that had two horns which I had seen standing 252 00:14:28,279 --> 00:14:31,439 before the river and ran into him in the fury of his power. 253 00:14:32,079 --> 00:14:34,159 And I saw him come close unto the ram. 254 00:14:34,159 --> 00:14:40,019 And he was moved with color against him and smote the ram and 255 00:14:40,019 --> 00:14:41,259 brake his two horns. 256 00:14:41,259 --> 00:14:45,659 And there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast 257 00:14:45,659 --> 00:14:49,259 him down to the ground and stamped upon him. 258 00:14:51,018 --> 00:14:51,659 That's bad. 259 00:14:52,219 --> 00:14:55,179 And there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 260 00:14:55,659 --> 00:14:57,819 Therefore the he goat waxed very great. 261 00:14:59,179 --> 00:15:00,939 This is speaking of Alexander the Great. 262 00:15:02,169 --> 00:15:06,529 So Alexander the Great Grecian empire defeated the Medo Persian 263 00:15:06,529 --> 00:15:06,969 empire. 264 00:15:08,009 --> 00:15:09,809 So therefore the goat waxed very great. 265 00:15:09,809 --> 00:15:10,289 Verse 8. 266 00:15:10,289 --> 00:15:12,969 And when he was strong, the great horn was what? 267 00:15:14,409 --> 00:15:18,169 Broken, Right? 268 00:15:18,169 --> 00:15:21,129 So we know Alexander the Great was cut off at the age of 30, 31 269 00:15:21,129 --> 00:15:21,769 years of age. 270 00:15:22,569 --> 00:15:23,929 The horn was broken. 271 00:15:24,009 --> 00:15:25,129 Notice what rose up. 272 00:15:25,689 --> 00:15:29,129 And for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds 273 00:15:29,129 --> 00:15:29,689 of heaven. 274 00:15:30,069 --> 00:15:36,429 Those are the four generals that divided up the empire of Alexander 275 00:15:36,429 --> 00:15:36,869 the Great. 276 00:15:37,669 --> 00:15:41,549 And out of the one of them came forth a little horn which waxed 277 00:15:41,549 --> 00:15:44,589 exceeding great toward the south and toward the east and toward 278 00:15:44,589 --> 00:15:49,029 the pleasant land, speaking of Israel. 279 00:15:49,349 --> 00:15:51,829 And it waxed great even to the hosts of heaven. 280 00:15:52,309 --> 00:15:55,629 And it cast down some of the hosts and the stars to the ground 281 00:15:55,629 --> 00:15:57,029 and stamped upon them. 282 00:15:58,069 --> 00:16:01,349 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host. 283 00:16:01,669 --> 00:16:06,029 And by him the daily sacrifice was taken away and the place of his 284 00:16:06,029 --> 00:16:07,429 sanctuary was cast down. 285 00:16:08,469 --> 00:16:12,229 And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason 286 00:16:12,389 --> 00:16:13,388 of transgression. 287 00:16:13,388 --> 00:16:16,709 And it cast down the truth to the ground, and it practiced and 288 00:16:16,789 --> 00:16:17,429 prospered. 289 00:16:20,949 --> 00:16:25,679 And this I believe, and we'll see by way of the interpretation 290 00:16:25,759 --> 00:16:29,199 that this is alluding to Anticus Epiphanes. 291 00:16:30,399 --> 00:16:35,159 It's a description, very vivid description, by the way, of Anticus 292 00:16:35,159 --> 00:16:38,799 Epiphanes, but also a very vivid description of the Antichrist. 293 00:16:40,479 --> 00:16:45,199 The pleasant land here is speaking of Israel, and it says he 294 00:16:45,199 --> 00:16:48,639 cast down some of the hosts of the stars, referencing to the Jews, 295 00:16:50,069 --> 00:16:53,749 he magnified even to the prince of the hosts, again against 296 00:16:53,829 --> 00:16:54,229 Christ. 297 00:16:54,309 --> 00:16:57,909 Ultimately, the Antichrist magnifies himself against him. 298 00:16:58,629 --> 00:16:59,309 And here's what. 299 00:16:59,309 --> 00:17:00,749 I wanted to read something to you. 300 00:17:00,749 --> 00:17:02,109 So everybody don't be bored. 301 00:17:02,109 --> 00:17:02,589 Y' all ready? 302 00:17:02,589 --> 00:17:06,309 I'll try to be very charismatic in the way that I read 303 00:17:06,309 --> 00:17:06,629 this. 304 00:17:08,389 --> 00:17:13,989 Antiochus Epiphanes may be in view here, and I think it's very 305 00:17:13,989 --> 00:17:14,949 clear that he is. 306 00:17:16,479 --> 00:17:19,319 He came from again from the Grecian empire, was a ruler over 307 00:17:19,319 --> 00:17:23,999 Syria and Israel from 175 to 163 BC and for a short time even 308 00:17:23,999 --> 00:17:25,199 ruler over Egypt. 309 00:17:25,519 --> 00:17:27,119 And in 167B.C. 310 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:30,879 He sought to overthrow the Jewish religion. 311 00:17:31,199 --> 00:17:36,439 And some of y' all read about him in history again, in this he 312 00:17:36,439 --> 00:17:37,079 was also. 313 00:17:37,079 --> 00:17:40,999 That meant he included the forbidding of circumcision and Sabbath 314 00:17:40,999 --> 00:17:43,759 observance, that they could not observe the Sabbath day. 315 00:17:44,579 --> 00:17:47,819 He burned Jerusalem and murdered numerous Jews. 316 00:17:47,819 --> 00:17:52,939 And on December 16, he offered a pig, an unclean animal, on the 317 00:17:52,939 --> 00:17:53,939 temple altar. 318 00:17:55,539 --> 00:18:00,178 This was the utmost in sacrilege and hypocrisy and blasphemy. 319 00:18:01,299 --> 00:18:01,979 This is history. 320 00:18:01,979 --> 00:18:02,459 This is not. 321 00:18:02,459 --> 00:18:03,459 I'm not making this up. 322 00:18:03,459 --> 00:18:04,219 This is what happened. 323 00:18:04,219 --> 00:18:07,139 If you go read about Antiochus Epiphanies, you can look him up, 324 00:18:07,539 --> 00:18:08,659 you'll read all this. 325 00:18:08,739 --> 00:18:10,939 He further tried to Hellenize the Jews. 326 00:18:10,939 --> 00:18:11,699 What does that mean? 327 00:18:11,989 --> 00:18:17,749 To make them Greeks, he indoctrinated them into Grecian culture. 328 00:18:17,909 --> 00:18:19,349 He wanted to make Greeks out of them. 329 00:18:19,429 --> 00:18:22,509 And through Greek literature, culture, plays, sports, government, 330 00:18:22,509 --> 00:18:26,989 religion and language, he forced his worldview upon Jews in 331 00:18:26,989 --> 00:18:27,429 the land. 332 00:18:28,069 --> 00:18:29,989 And they reacted in many different ways. 333 00:18:29,989 --> 00:18:32,629 Some compromised, some headed to the heels. 334 00:18:33,109 --> 00:18:35,189 Others ultimately rebelled. 335 00:18:37,839 --> 00:18:40,639 Most of you who've done any reading know about the Maccabees. 336 00:18:42,719 --> 00:18:45,679 Upon officers being sent throughout the land. 337 00:18:45,759 --> 00:18:46,559 Listen to this. 338 00:18:46,799 --> 00:18:49,479 Upon officers being sent throughout the land to force leading 339 00:18:49,479 --> 00:18:51,759 citizens to offer sacrifices, Zeus. 340 00:18:51,919 --> 00:18:53,678 The rebellion crystallized. 341 00:18:54,319 --> 00:18:58,119 He is said to have even put an image of Zeus in the most holy place 342 00:18:58,119 --> 00:18:58,879 of the temple. 343 00:18:59,599 --> 00:19:03,639 In a village called Midian, about halfway between Jerusalem and 344 00:19:03,639 --> 00:19:08,279 Joppa, an aged priest named Matthias was chosen to offer just 345 00:19:08,279 --> 00:19:09,199 such a sacrifice. 346 00:19:09,199 --> 00:19:10,679 So we understand what he's doing here. 347 00:19:10,759 --> 00:19:14,919 He is sending troops into these areas of the Jews and saying 348 00:19:14,919 --> 00:19:20,159 to you, you have to make a sacrifice to Zeus to make them make 349 00:19:20,159 --> 00:19:21,319 a sacrifice to Zeus. 350 00:19:23,159 --> 00:19:26,839 This particular priest, Mattethus refused. 351 00:19:27,079 --> 00:19:32,299 But a young Jew volunteered to do it, this aged Matetheus. 352 00:19:32,619 --> 00:19:36,219 And he killed both the Jew and the officer. 353 00:19:36,619 --> 00:19:40,099 He then fled to the hills with his five sons and others who were 354 00:19:40,099 --> 00:19:40,939 in support of him. 355 00:19:41,099 --> 00:19:46,619 The uprising that became known as the Maccabean and revolt was underway. 356 00:19:47,739 --> 00:19:52,699 What a revolt it was on December 25, 164 B.C. 357 00:19:52,699 --> 00:19:55,439 the temple was cleansed and rededicated again. 358 00:19:55,589 --> 00:20:06,069 Again as Anticus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig upon the altar. 359 00:20:08,069 --> 00:20:14,389 And three years to the day, three years later, after the Maccabean 360 00:20:14,389 --> 00:20:17,429 revolt, the temple was cleansed. 361 00:20:19,909 --> 00:20:23,949 And then history tells us the temple was cleansed and rededicated. 362 00:20:23,949 --> 00:20:26,009 One day's supply of oil. 363 00:20:27,209 --> 00:20:28,489 Or oil if you're from. 364 00:20:28,809 --> 00:20:33,369 From the north, oil if you're from the south, oil if you're from 365 00:20:33,369 --> 00:20:37,769 the north, Ol if you're. 366 00:20:38,089 --> 00:20:38,809 If you're. 367 00:20:39,129 --> 00:20:46,409 Anyway, one day supply of oil miraculously kept the golden lampstand 368 00:20:46,729 --> 00:20:48,249 burning for eight days. 369 00:20:49,689 --> 00:20:53,169 This event has been celebrated ever since by the Jews as the Feast 370 00:20:53,169 --> 00:20:54,209 of Dedication or what. 371 00:20:54,209 --> 00:20:56,989 Do y' all know Hanukkah, right? 372 00:20:57,149 --> 00:20:59,269 So you think about why do the Jews celebrate Hanukkah? 373 00:20:59,269 --> 00:21:02,269 Well, because of the miracle that was performed by God. 374 00:21:02,509 --> 00:21:04,029 And keeping the lamp burning. 375 00:21:04,349 --> 00:21:09,509 One day of oil lasted eight days, you say? 376 00:21:09,509 --> 00:21:10,629 Preacher, do you believe that happened? 377 00:21:10,629 --> 00:21:12,189 I have no reason to discount it. 378 00:21:13,789 --> 00:21:15,549 It's before the New Testament covenant. 379 00:21:16,429 --> 00:21:17,709 God spoke to the Jew. 380 00:21:18,109 --> 00:21:25,639 Anyway, look back with me now at the scripture, verse 13. 381 00:21:26,919 --> 00:21:29,799 Then I heard one saint speaking to another saint and said 382 00:21:29,799 --> 00:21:35,359 unto that certain saint which spake, how long shall be the vision 383 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:38,519 concerning the daily sacrifice and the transgression of desolation 384 00:21:38,679 --> 00:21:42,839 to get both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot? 385 00:21:42,839 --> 00:21:47,169 So how long is God going to allow his sanctuary to how long Is 386 00:21:47,169 --> 00:21:53,049 God going to allow his temple and his altar to be blasphemed, to 387 00:21:53,049 --> 00:21:54,289 be trodden underfoot? 388 00:21:56,049 --> 00:22:00,369 And he said unto me, unto 2,300 days. 389 00:22:00,449 --> 00:22:04,049 Then shall the sanctuary be what cleansed. 390 00:22:04,369 --> 00:22:08,049 If you look up the dates and I have them here if you want a copy 391 00:22:08,049 --> 00:22:13,259 of this later to the day, to the day. 392 00:22:13,739 --> 00:22:15,179 2,300 days. 393 00:22:16,059 --> 00:22:22,699 That's described here is to the day from the time that Antiochus 394 00:22:22,699 --> 00:22:27,139 Epiphanes offered the pig in the sanctuary to the time in which 395 00:22:27,139 --> 00:22:31,299 the Maccabean revolt happened and they cleansed the temple exactly 396 00:22:31,299 --> 00:22:31,979 to the day. 397 00:22:32,939 --> 00:22:34,459 2,300 days. 398 00:22:35,579 --> 00:22:41,259 Not 2,301 day, not 2,299 days. 399 00:22:41,659 --> 00:22:47,579 2,300 days to the day. 400 00:22:49,019 --> 00:22:50,299 Isn't this a wonderful book? 401 00:22:51,659 --> 00:22:56,139 And now can't you see why the liberals would go, we better do better 402 00:22:56,139 --> 00:23:00,259 say this thing was written in the second century because it's so 403 00:23:00,259 --> 00:23:00,619 precise. 404 00:23:00,619 --> 00:23:05,109 It tells the exact day that amazing. 405 00:23:06,069 --> 00:23:10,549 And Daniel prophesied the exact day. 406 00:23:11,989 --> 00:23:13,589 And here's the dates if you want them. 407 00:23:13,589 --> 00:23:28,789 From September 6, 171 BC to December 25, 165 BC and this was 408 00:23:28,789 --> 00:23:34,619 the period of days in which the Jews were under the persecution 409 00:23:34,619 --> 00:23:41,819 of Anticus Epiphanes, who is, as we're going to see a picture, 410 00:23:42,299 --> 00:23:44,219 a pre picture of the Antichrist. 411 00:23:45,019 --> 00:23:46,939 The Antichrist will do the same thing. 412 00:23:47,499 --> 00:23:51,299 The Antichrist will come in peace and all those things. 413 00:23:51,299 --> 00:23:54,899 But by the same thing, I mean he will offer up a sacrifice in the 414 00:23:54,899 --> 00:23:56,859 temple midway through the tribulation as well. 415 00:23:58,259 --> 00:24:02,259 He will set an altar up in the temple to himself. 416 00:24:03,699 --> 00:24:06,939 He is the one who will proclaim himself as the glorious 417 00:24:06,939 --> 00:24:09,219 One, as God manifest. 418 00:24:12,179 --> 00:24:14,219 Alright, so now let's look at the rest of this. 419 00:24:14,219 --> 00:24:15,059 Look at verse 15. 420 00:24:15,779 --> 00:24:19,499 And it came to pass when I, even I, Daniel, had seen the vision 421 00:24:19,499 --> 00:24:21,219 and sought for the meaning. 422 00:24:21,859 --> 00:24:23,699 All right, so he's going to seek for the meaning. 423 00:24:23,699 --> 00:24:26,779 Then behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a 424 00:24:26,779 --> 00:24:27,059 man. 425 00:24:27,849 --> 00:24:30,929 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulah, which 426 00:24:30,929 --> 00:24:35,129 called and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 427 00:24:36,009 --> 00:24:37,889 So he came near where I stood. 428 00:24:37,889 --> 00:24:41,049 And when he came, I was afraid and fell upon my face. 429 00:24:41,289 --> 00:24:45,089 But he said unto me, understand, O Son of man, for at 430 00:24:45,089 --> 00:24:47,049 the time of the end shall be the vision. 431 00:24:47,689 --> 00:24:52,489 So this is why most scholars would say again there's a near partial 432 00:24:52,489 --> 00:24:55,779 fulfillment and there's a far reaching full fulfillment. 433 00:24:56,659 --> 00:24:58,499 Because now it says, shall be the end. 434 00:24:58,579 --> 00:24:59,139 The end. 435 00:24:59,459 --> 00:25:00,819 Now as we verse 18. 436 00:25:01,059 --> 00:25:02,819 Now as he was speaking with me. 437 00:25:02,819 --> 00:25:06,059 I was in deep sleep on my face toward the ground, but he touched 438 00:25:06,059 --> 00:25:07,299 me and set me upright. 439 00:25:08,499 --> 00:25:09,219 Pretty powerful. 440 00:25:09,378 --> 00:25:12,699 And he said, behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the 441 00:25:12,699 --> 00:25:14,499 last end of the indignation. 442 00:25:14,739 --> 00:25:17,219 For at the time appointed the end shall be. 443 00:25:17,539 --> 00:25:21,779 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of 444 00:25:23,629 --> 00:25:24,549 Media and Persia. 445 00:25:24,549 --> 00:25:25,949 So he's very precise this time. 446 00:25:25,949 --> 00:25:27,069 No beating around the bush. 447 00:25:27,069 --> 00:25:27,549 There's no. 448 00:25:28,269 --> 00:25:29,389 Well, this might be. 449 00:25:29,629 --> 00:25:30,989 No, that's who it is. 450 00:25:33,629 --> 00:25:39,989 And the rough goat is the king of Greece, man, how more precise 451 00:25:39,989 --> 00:25:40,589 could you get? 452 00:25:42,429 --> 00:25:46,029 And the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 453 00:25:46,509 --> 00:25:47,069 All right. 454 00:25:47,229 --> 00:25:48,269 Alexander the Great. 455 00:25:48,749 --> 00:25:52,749 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up from it, or for it, 456 00:25:52,829 --> 00:25:56,709 four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his 457 00:25:56,709 --> 00:26:00,189 power, not descendants of him, not because of him. 458 00:26:00,349 --> 00:26:04,349 Alexander the Great did not leave anybody to rule the empire. 459 00:26:04,749 --> 00:26:08,909 So four generals, verse 23. 460 00:26:08,909 --> 00:26:11,949 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressions 461 00:26:12,269 --> 00:26:13,389 are come to the full. 462 00:26:13,709 --> 00:26:18,039 And a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark 463 00:26:18,199 --> 00:26:20,679 sentences shall stand up. 464 00:26:21,159 --> 00:26:22,519 Now, what we're saying here is. 465 00:26:22,599 --> 00:26:25,079 Is this describing Antiochus Epiphanies? 466 00:26:25,159 --> 00:26:26,639 Probably, in some ways, yes. 467 00:26:26,639 --> 00:26:30,999 But there is more here than can be describing Antiochus Epiphanes. 468 00:26:33,159 --> 00:26:34,039 A lot more. 469 00:26:35,319 --> 00:26:38,159 A man who is a fierce countenance, understanding, dark 470 00:26:38,159 --> 00:26:39,479 sentences shall stand up. 471 00:26:39,479 --> 00:26:40,079 Verse 24. 472 00:26:40,079 --> 00:26:41,479 And his power shall be mighty. 473 00:26:42,249 --> 00:26:42,809 Listen to this. 474 00:26:42,809 --> 00:26:44,809 But not by his own power. 475 00:26:46,009 --> 00:26:50,649 And he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and 476 00:26:50,649 --> 00:26:53,929 practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 477 00:26:54,729 --> 00:26:59,169 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his 478 00:26:59,169 --> 00:27:01,049 hand, witchcraft and just. 479 00:27:01,689 --> 00:27:06,049 Again, we know that when the Antichrist comes, that the power 480 00:27:06,049 --> 00:27:08,089 he has is not the power of himself. 481 00:27:08,639 --> 00:27:12,079 It's not his power that he is performing these miracles with. 482 00:27:12,239 --> 00:27:16,159 The Antichrist will come and perform miracles with Satanic power, 483 00:27:22,479 --> 00:27:25,439 destroy many again himself. 484 00:27:25,759 --> 00:27:27,679 Look at verse 25 again. 485 00:27:27,759 --> 00:27:30,919 And through his policy also there shall cause craft to prosper 486 00:27:30,919 --> 00:27:31,319 in his hand. 487 00:27:31,319 --> 00:27:35,239 And he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall 488 00:27:35,239 --> 00:27:35,919 destroy many. 489 00:27:35,919 --> 00:27:36,719 And he shall. 490 00:27:36,959 --> 00:27:39,199 By the way, he calls for peace the first three and a half years. 491 00:27:39,759 --> 00:27:41,279 And peace does rule and reign. 492 00:27:41,279 --> 00:27:48,479 I mean, he rules and reigns in peace, but he shall be broken without 493 00:27:48,559 --> 00:27:48,959 hand. 494 00:27:50,799 --> 00:27:51,399 Amen. 495 00:27:51,399 --> 00:27:51,919 Anyway. 496 00:27:52,319 --> 00:27:55,839 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is 497 00:27:55,839 --> 00:27:56,199 true. 498 00:27:56,199 --> 00:27:59,039 Wherefore shut up thou up the vision. 499 00:27:59,119 --> 00:28:01,719 For it shall be for many, not for many days. 500 00:28:01,719 --> 00:28:06,009 So the angel says, hey, close the vision. 501 00:28:06,169 --> 00:28:07,569 This is not going to be for many days. 502 00:28:07,569 --> 00:28:12,249 And Daniel fainted Sorry and was sick certain days. 503 00:28:12,649 --> 00:28:15,449 And afterward I rose and did the king's business. 504 00:28:15,929 --> 00:28:19,009 And I was astonished at the vision. 505 00:28:19,009 --> 00:28:20,969 But none understood it. 506 00:28:21,849 --> 00:28:25,449 So, just like the previous vision, this affected Daniel physically. 507 00:28:26,249 --> 00:28:26,809 Physically. 508 00:28:28,419 --> 00:28:29,539 And what a vision it was. 509 00:28:31,459 --> 00:28:35,859 As we see the description of Antiochus Epiphanes, as we see the 510 00:28:36,259 --> 00:28:41,579 time in which Antiochus Epiphanes is going to rule over the 511 00:28:41,579 --> 00:28:47,699 Jews, precisely given to us in the word of God four centuries before 512 00:28:47,939 --> 00:28:48,819 it happened. 513 00:28:51,379 --> 00:28:55,869 I'm so thankful for a book that is true from COVID to cover. 514 00:28:57,149 --> 00:29:03,309 Every prophecy ever given is what is and will be fulfilled. 515 00:29:06,029 --> 00:29:10,909 As we describe, as it describes this Antichrist and Antichrist 516 00:29:10,909 --> 00:29:13,829 epiphanies of a king of fierce countenance. 517 00:29:13,829 --> 00:29:18,429 And again, the Antichrist is going to have occultic abilities 518 00:29:19,879 --> 00:29:20,839 described unto him. 519 00:29:20,839 --> 00:29:24,519 He is empowered outside of himself Satanically. 520 00:29:26,199 --> 00:29:29,519 He is seen to be broken without hand, supernaturally struck 521 00:29:29,519 --> 00:29:29,879 down. 522 00:29:35,159 --> 00:29:38,359 It's no doubt that Antiochus Epiphanes is clearly foreshadowing 523 00:29:38,359 --> 00:29:39,159 the Antichrist. 524 00:29:41,959 --> 00:29:42,599 Amen. 525 00:29:44,039 --> 00:29:46,929 And what a comparison there is. 526 00:29:50,449 --> 00:29:53,969 I'll stop there and give you the application and we'll be done. 527 00:29:56,049 --> 00:29:57,649 I'm so thankful God's in control. 528 00:29:59,649 --> 00:30:03,249 And no matter what may come our way as a country, no matter what 529 00:30:03,329 --> 00:30:06,729 may come our way as Christians, we understand and we 530 00:30:06,729 --> 00:30:11,009 know without a doubt that God rules in the affairs of men. 531 00:30:13,059 --> 00:30:15,219 That God knows the future. 532 00:30:16,019 --> 00:30:18,099 He knows the beginning, he knows the end. 533 00:30:18,979 --> 00:30:21,059 He knows what lies beyond the curve. 534 00:30:21,379 --> 00:30:23,139 I've used this illustration a few times. 535 00:30:23,379 --> 00:30:28,019 We bought a car a few years back, and it was fancy, you know, 536 00:30:28,099 --> 00:30:31,819 when you got to a corner and you turned the wheel, the actual 537 00:30:31,819 --> 00:30:34,419 headlights would turn just a little bit like that, like it was 538 00:30:34,419 --> 00:30:35,379 really going to help you. 539 00:30:35,699 --> 00:30:39,879 I don't know if age or whatever gets you, but at night now, 540 00:30:39,959 --> 00:30:42,599 I can't see what's over there anymore. 541 00:30:42,599 --> 00:30:43,479 You know what I'm saying? 542 00:30:43,799 --> 00:30:44,439 So I just. 543 00:30:44,439 --> 00:30:48,199 I just guess I said, I think the curb is about right there. 544 00:30:49,159 --> 00:30:50,919 Those headlights weren't helping me a bit. 545 00:30:50,919 --> 00:30:52,439 He can't see around the corner. 546 00:30:52,839 --> 00:30:55,119 You know, I got to get around the corner before I can see it. 547 00:30:55,119 --> 00:30:55,719 But you know what? 548 00:30:55,719 --> 00:30:56,519 God doesn't? 549 00:30:56,999 --> 00:30:59,079 God already knows what's around the corner. 550 00:31:01,159 --> 00:31:03,619 We serve and a loving God. 551 00:31:03,619 --> 00:31:04,019 We serve. 552 00:31:04,019 --> 00:31:06,859 A God who is all knowing. 553 00:31:08,459 --> 00:31:10,659 He knows what's occurring in your life. 554 00:31:10,659 --> 00:31:14,499 He is concerned and knows and cares about what's happening in your 555 00:31:14,499 --> 00:31:14,779 life. 556 00:31:15,259 --> 00:31:16,459 Aren't you thankful for that? 557 00:31:16,779 --> 00:31:20,459 I'm so thankful for a God who didn't just wind the clock up, you 558 00:31:20,459 --> 00:31:22,939 know, the earth up like a clock and just throw it in outer 559 00:31:22,939 --> 00:31:25,299 space and say, oh, I'll come back in a hundred years and see how 560 00:31:25,299 --> 00:31:25,899 things are going. 561 00:31:26,379 --> 00:31:26,659 No. 562 00:31:26,659 --> 00:31:28,859 He is intimately involved in his creation. 563 00:31:29,929 --> 00:31:33,009 In fact, he said to you, cast all your care upon him, for he careth 564 00:31:33,009 --> 00:31:33,449 for you. 565 00:31:35,689 --> 00:31:40,409 He knows exactly what's going to happen today, tomorrow, next day, 566 00:31:41,129 --> 00:31:41,529 again. 567 00:31:41,769 --> 00:31:43,609 God knows and controls the future. 568 00:31:46,249 --> 00:31:48,769 God's people, from Daniel's time until the return of Christ, 569 00:31:48,769 --> 00:31:53,049 will continue to face hostile societies. 570 00:31:54,659 --> 00:31:56,019 We know that true today, don't we? 571 00:31:56,579 --> 00:32:01,499 Nothing more, nothing more visual and example of that than what 572 00:32:01,499 --> 00:32:02,339 happened this week. 573 00:32:04,179 --> 00:32:07,659 Those of us who stand, and I know this church does, and I know 574 00:32:07,659 --> 00:32:10,259 you do, stand for biblical truth. 575 00:32:10,979 --> 00:32:14,899 Those who strive for the faith, those who contend for the 576 00:32:14,899 --> 00:32:21,309 faith, will continually face hostile, hostile environments. 577 00:32:23,869 --> 00:32:25,469 But one day Jesus will return. 578 00:32:28,589 --> 00:32:34,829 And so, as the Israelites faced anticus epiphanies, some compromised, 579 00:32:35,069 --> 00:32:36,829 and may we never be in that group. 580 00:32:38,189 --> 00:32:39,509 Some ran for the hills. 581 00:32:39,509 --> 00:32:44,109 That's also the solution for you, is not to run to some place 582 00:32:44,109 --> 00:32:48,719 and just get off grid, you know, and, and separate yourself 583 00:32:48,719 --> 00:32:52,239 from society and from humanity and think, oh, that'll save you. 584 00:32:52,639 --> 00:32:54,399 No, that's not going to save you. 585 00:32:54,879 --> 00:32:56,279 But some Israelites did that. 586 00:32:56,279 --> 00:33:00,319 They just ran to the hills called zillots, and they found themselves 587 00:33:00,959 --> 00:33:04,279 in a position of thinking that, well, if I sacrifice and do 588 00:33:04,279 --> 00:33:05,839 this and this and this, God will love me. 589 00:33:05,839 --> 00:33:06,879 And it's not true. 590 00:33:07,039 --> 00:33:09,279 God loves you for who you like you are. 591 00:33:10,559 --> 00:33:12,159 But then some Israelites stood. 592 00:33:13,239 --> 00:33:14,519 In fact, most of them did. 593 00:33:15,959 --> 00:33:23,279 And we have the Maccabean revolt, a little band of Israelites, 594 00:33:23,279 --> 00:33:27,079 a little band of Jews defeating, you know, some of the 595 00:33:27,079 --> 00:33:31,559 Grecian army and taking over parts of Jerusalem and taking over 596 00:33:31,559 --> 00:33:40,609 parts of Israel for a while until Rome came, controlled the temple 597 00:33:40,609 --> 00:33:46,689 and was able to go in and take out all the junk that Antiochus Epiphanes 598 00:33:46,689 --> 00:33:47,129 had put in there. 599 00:33:47,129 --> 00:33:48,369 And they cleansed the temple. 600 00:33:49,809 --> 00:33:53,409 I'm telling you, one day Jesus Christ will cleanse the temple. 601 00:33:54,529 --> 00:33:58,929 One day he will rule and reign over the whole earth. 602 00:34:00,049 --> 00:34:04,049 One day David will sit on the throne in Jerusalem. 603 00:34:04,549 --> 00:34:05,109 Think about that. 604 00:34:05,269 --> 00:34:06,309 What a cool thing. 605 00:34:07,669 --> 00:34:08,509 God's in control. 606 00:34:08,509 --> 00:34:09,269 Let's all stand. 607 00:34:09,509 --> 00:34:11,899 We dismissed tonight, or we have a verse of it.