This is Connect the Skip Heidzig. Thanks for joining us for today's program. At Connect with Skip, our mission is to help you connect with God's Word in a deeper way and see how it applies to everyday life. That's why we make Bible teaching like today's available to you and people all around the world, on radio, online, and through resources that equip you to grow in your faith. One great way to do that is by taking the 30K 30-day challenge, a free daily email journey through the New Testament.
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Now, let's dive into today's teaching from Pastor Skiff Heitzig. In verse 20, it says, His appearance is greater than his fellows. The word means chief. Or ruler. He will seem stronger.
He will have to be stronger to subdue these three kings and to dominate the ten. In verse 8 and in verse 20, he has eyes. What a weird vision. I saw a little horn come up and these little eyes blinking. Eyes signify insight, intelligence.
I believe he will be very clever and very shrewd. I think he's going to have remarkable mental acumen. Mental ability. to give advice and to solve problems. I think he's going to be so...
Enamoring.
so overwhelmingly attractive to people. Because in Revelation 13, the world will say, says this: They wondered after the beast and said, Who is like the beast? Translation, wow. This guy is it. Creme de la creme.
They wondered after him. I can't prove it, but I believe Jesus was referring to him when he said, In John chapter 5, I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. Another will come in his own name. Him you will receive.
So, somehow, this little horn, this coming powerful ruler. is going to be attached to the ancient Roman Empire. Fragmented, that broke up. and ten fragments will re-emerge.
Some way, somehow.
Now, if you know your history, you know that the Roman Empire, Rome itself, was. Attacked by a whole bunch of different hordes of barbarian tribes, including the Franks and the Huns and the Saxons and the Vandals and the Visigoths. And that the city of Rome was sacked eventually in 476 AD by the Visigoths. But That's not the whole Roman Empire. The Roman Empire in 395 AD, about eighty years before, had split into two legs.
One in the west, one in the east. The west was Rome, the east was Constantinople. modern day Istanbul. In that sense, the Eastern Roman Empire continued for yet another thousand years. It was different from all of these other world-governing empires that existed.
Now, what the final form of this will be, I do not know, and I'm not prepared to say definitively. For years, people guessed it was the European Economic Community, a revived Roman Empire where the Euro gets strong, and 10 European nations. I'm going to suggest to you in a couple weeks that There is a system in place right now upon the earth that is growing so rapidly. And so frighteningly. That it fits the prophetic picture, I believe, better than anything else.
It's very, very scary, but... But you're gonna have to wait for a couple weeks to get that. And somebody will protest and say, come on, this is this is... This is modern time. The idea of a single world dictator.
In the midst of modern political structure, that's not going to happen. This this is Hold that thought. You gotta hold it for two weeks, but hold that thought. He's going to be a powerful ruler. According to Scripture.
The second remarkable thing to note is he will be a prideful speaker. Verse 8. Verse 11. Verse 20 and verse 25. Describe this little horn coming up, not only with eyes, but with a mouth.
It can speak. This ruler, I believe, will have incredible oratorical ability. It'll be very articulate. Revelation 13, describing the beast, said he was given a mouth speaking great things. He's going to.
Communicate so effectively that he'll be able to. Bring peace in the Middle East.
Now just imagine that. That's been a jigsaw puzzle no one has been able to solve. He's going to be able to solve it. In Revelation chapter 6, you can just make a note of this, don't have to turn there. The Antichrist is described as the rider on the white horse.
He's the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. We are told in that chapter I saw a white horse and a rider on that horse who went out conquering and to conquer.
Now that is not Jesus Christ. That's the Antichrist. Jesus Christ is the rider on the white horse in Revelation chapter 19. That judges that present kingdom of the Antichrist and brings peace to the earth after that. The writer in chapter 6, we know it's not Jesus because he brings with him death, destruction, disease, and desperation, bloody carnage upon the earth.
Go, yeah, but he's on a white horse. Remember the old Westerns? Remember the bad guys were on the black horses, wore the black hats, the good guys on the white horses with the white hats?
So if you were a really bad guy, but you wanted to. Um Fake people out. You'd put on a white hat. You get on a white horse. The Antichrist will be the ultimate Wolf in sheep's clothing.
And he will be very, very confident. Because it says he spoke pompous words. Inflated words. Low self-esteem will not be his problem. You will exude self-confidence.
I heard about a guy from Texas who went to Niagara Falls. You know, everything's big in Texas. Everything's better in Texas. If you're a Texan, please, I'm not offending you. I'm a Californian, so there.
This Texan went and saw Niagara Falls, and his host pointed out the beautiful falls, the magnificent. He said, You got anything that big in Texas? The technology said, nope, but we got plumbers who can fix that.
Well, the Antichrist is going to come to fix that. He's going to fix all the bad stuff that has happened in the world, all the leaks in the world. and he will be able with his speech to persuade. people. One commentator said he will have the oratorical skill of a John Kennedy.
The inspirational power of a Winston Churchill, the determination of a Joseph Stalin. The vision of a Karl Marx, the respectability of a Mahatma Gandhi, the military prowess of a Douglas MacArthur, the charm of a Will Rogers, the genius of a King Solomon. Imagine having all that wrapped up into one person. Charming, disarming. clever problem solver.
But he's going to be dangerous because his enticing speech At some point in his career, it will turn to blasphemous speech. Look at verse 25, and just note. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High. This guy's gonna have a mouth. And with all of his ability to schmooze.
An ability to persuade at some point in his short career. He's going to turn on people. and reveal who he really is. Revelation 13. Tells us he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God.
To blaspheme his name, tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. That's probably going to happen. In the middle of the tribulation period. You probably know the tribulation according to Daniel and Revelation will last seven years. The last half of the seven years, the last three and a half years, is called the Great Tribulation.
What marks the difference between the first and second half is an event called the abomination. of desolation. Jesus spoke about it. Daniel spoke about it. That's when the Antichrist, the world ruler, the Little Bighorn, the big mouth.
announces to the world I want you to know that I am the one you should worship. I am the one who is your Lord and God. Paul the Apostle, Second Thessalonians two, speaking of him. Said he will oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. He'll be able to schmooze Arab and Jew and bring peace.
Will allow the Jews to have their temple, but eventually. Eventually. He's going to want to worship. Who does that sound like? Could it be Satan?
Remember that? That's who it is. The devil is the one who said, I will be like the most high. He wanted to be worshiped. Still does.
His agenda has never changed. The Antichrist will be his ambassador.
So we have an interesting description of a powerful ruler who is a prideful speaker. There's a third mark about him that is noteworthy. He will be a painful oppressor, verse 21. I was watching. And the same horn was making war against the saints.
That's what he's using the horn for: the power, the strength. is to make war against the saints prevailing against them. And look at the 25th verse. He'll speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and intend to change. Times And law.
Once he succeeds in dominating the world, Then the Holocaust begins. And in the last half of the seven-year period, It will be. Hell on earth. It's the only way to describe it. Jesus said, That time.
will be far worse than any other period of human history. And it will be horrific. The word in verse 25 for persecute. Speaks of the wearing out of a garment. He's going to wear down the saints.
He's going to continually harass them and wear them down. Probably things like physical harassment. legal injustice, seizure of property, Physical punishment. And Failure to comply laws. Remember, the Antichrist is going to cause everyone.
to take some kind of a mark. on their hand or forehead, If they don't, they will be seen as revolutionary and reactionary. And according to Scripture, they will be killed. Revelation chapter 13.
So Whatever peace he comes with will end. and he will make terrible war against God's people. You're listening to Connect the Skip Heitzig. Before we return to today's teaching, let me ask. Are we living in the last days?
With uncertainty, conflict, and moral confusion dominating the headlines, it's a question many believers are asking. Pastor Skip wants to help you understand what God's Word says about the end times so you can face the future with confidence. That's why this month we're offering two timely resources: his 2 CD teaching from Daniel, Bible from 30,000 feet. and his booklet, Are We Living in the Last Days? These will give you a clear biblical perspective on what's happening in the world.
and how to be ready for what's ahead. Request your copies when you give a gift of $25 or more at connectwithgift.com/slash offer. or call 800-922. 1888.
Now let's get back to today's teaching. Again, Revelation 13, which is hand in hand with this chapter. In verse 7 and 8, the beast was allowed to wage war against God's holy people. and to overcome them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all the people who belong to this world.
worshiped The beast. He'll be a painful oppressor.
Now, you might be wondering: well, what exactly will he do that will be so painful? To God's people. Oh, let me give you just a highlight, a low light. He's going to kill two-thirds of all Jews. Zechariah chapter 13.
He's going to conquer the city of Jerusalem, Zechariah 14. He will deceive the world and go on a rampage to kill believers around the earth, Revelation 13. But In all that I have read in Scripture about him, I don't believe he'll be a secularist. I think he's going to be a very, very religious person. Because he has with him A false prophet.
Described in the book of Revelation, a false prophet, that's the religious component of his reign and dominion. Not only that, but In Revelation 17, it describes A religious movement known as Mystery Babylon in its metaphorical language. It is a religious system over which the Antichrist will be the head. and with all of his dominion and religious power. He's going to persecute Any who are God's people on this earth.
Jesus predicted this. He said in Matthew 24, then they will deliver you up. to tribulation And kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. That's a promise Jesus made to his people. Probably not a promise we like to underline.
That promise was fulfilled. In the early Roman Empire, by guys like Caesar Nero or Diocletian or Domitian, who killed Christians and destroyed Bibles and destroyed churches. But in the second phase of this Roman Kingdom It will happen in spades. If there's any good news about all of this bad news, it's that. The Antichrist won't last very long.
Look at verse 25. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time. And times and half of time.
Sounds like an ancient reckoning of three and a half. Time, that's one, times, that's two. Half a time, that's a half of one. All he has is three and a half years.
Now, if you're going, yeah, but you know, it just says time times, half a time. It doesn't say three and a half years. You're just sort of putting that in there. No. Later on, in Daniel and Revelation, it gets more specific.
It says 42 months. Which happens to be three and a half years. It also says 1,260 days, if you want to be exact. That's three and a half years. He's going to make a seven-year deal.
of peace. He's going to break the deal. In the middle of that seven-year period. and he will devastate the earth. He will go on A rampage.
of death and destruction. Jesus in Matthew 24 speaking of the tribulation. Said something that I think fits in. I I think when you listen to it, you'll You'll read it differently from here on out. unless those days were shortened.
No flesh would be saved but for the elect's sake those days Will be shortened. In other words, God is only going to let it be confined to a three and a half year period, not very long in the scheme of world history. I know if you're being persecuted or you're in pain, three and a half years seems like a lifetime. God in His mercy is going to make it to be shortened. It's predetermined.
1,260 days, 42 months, time, times. and a half a time.
So we have a powerful ruler who's a prideful speaker and a painful oppressor. The best news in this scenario is that he will be the principal loser, the ultimate loser. My favorite verse is verse 9. I watched till thrones were put in place. And the ancient of days, who would that be?
God God the Father principally. was seated. His garment was white as snow, the hair of his head was. Like pure wool, his throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire, a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him. All these are metaphors of judgment.
A thousand thousands ministered to him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, the books were opened. Then I watched, because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking, I watched till the beast was slain and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beast, They had their dominion taken away.
So mister Bigmouth. Has a little time. And then he'll have eventually his mouth shut for good. And this is the judgment. Here's a picture of God the Father sitting on the throne of judgment.
The thrones were seated or were put in place, the ancient of days was seated. He is seen in purity and wisdom and authority. White robe, white hair. On the throne. By the way.
We have the same depiction of Jesus Christ in Revelation chapter one. With the same kind of imagery of white hair and white robe. But if you remember, Jesus said, the Father has committed all judgment to the Son. And the fact that thrones plural are set up probably speaks of a father and the son united in judgment. against this Antichrist.
Verse twenty-seven. Best part. Then the kingdom. And dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. That is, these earthly kingdoms, these earthly dominions.
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. and all dominions shall serve and obey him. This is it. When these kingdoms run their course, Jesus' kingdom follows. That's the end of the world as we know it.
Jesus brings in his kingdom. The first part is millennial, a thousand years of a remade earth. You'll be on this earth, remade, revitalized. Perfect environment. for a thousand years.
After that, The kingdom is eternal. New heaven. New Earth. the eternal state forever and ever.
Now When this happens, that's the time to pull out that old song we sing at Christmas: Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her king. You say, well, that's a Christmas song. No, it's not. Isaac Watts wrote that in 1719, speaking about the second coming of Jesus Christ to the earth. As seen in this verse, He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love.
I think I just might ask the Lord if we can sing that at that moment. Be a lot of fun. I don't know what he'll say, but I might ask him. Verse 28. Verse 28.
Yeah. I like the way he does this. This is the end of the account. Hmm. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.
reminds me of that old Porky pig cartoon. Remember how it ended? De Dad, the dad, the dad. That's all, folks. That's it.
That's what I saw. That's what's going to happen. The world had a beginning, and the world will have an end. Every kingdom that rises falls. Every single nation that comes.
Has a shelf life. If there is a theme of Daniel that is overriding, that's it. All the kingdoms of men come, but they go. And this world will end. But Jesus said, Whoever believes in me, will never die.
Let's say today was the end of the world. How do you think newspapers and magazines would report that?
Well, one suggested it would be this way. USA Today would simply put, we're dead. The Wall Street Journal would say, Dow Jones plummets as the world ends. Microsoft Systems Journal would uh say Apple loses market share. Sports Illustrated would post on the cover: game over.
Rolling Stone magazine would be The Grateful Dead Reunion Tour. Discover magazine would post. How will the extinction of all life as we know it affect the way in which we view the cosmos? T B guide. Death and Damnation, Nielsen rating soar.
Ladies' Home Journal. Lose 10 pounds by Judgment Day with our new Armageddon diet. AOL, America Online. System temporarily unavailable. Call back in 15 minutes.
Look at verse 10. As we close. The court was seated. The books were opened. Isn't that just a frightful sounding event?
The court was seated. This is God's court now. This is the one who knows and sees everything. The court was seated. The books were opened.
Revelation 20 says the same thing, and I saw the books were opened. opened. Do you know that God keeps books on everybody? You know what he's looking for? As the pages turn and he gets to your page, he's looking for a big canceled stamp across the page.
Cancelled by the blood of Jesus Christ. I hope it's there. I hope that you're a follower of Christ and that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and so that on that Judgment book as it comes to your name, it says. Transaction or transgressions canceled by the blood of Christ. Because if it's not, there is enough evidence to convict all of us.
to go into eternal condemnation forever. And so the dare is to decide. You know, at some point in the future, in that tribulation period, The world is going to have to make a decision. And there will be a few who will be holdouts after the rapture, during the tribulation, for the Lord Jesus Christ to the point of persecution and death. As this man goes on a rampage against all believers.
But we can and we should decide now. And Jesus said, You're either for me or against me. Because if you're saying, well, you know, I'm not really against God. I like coming to church every now and then. I'm not like against him, but I'm not going to be like totally for him.
Jesus said, Sorry. Games up, numbers up. You're against me. If you're not for me, you're against me. If you don't help gather, then you scatter.
So he's the one that put that line in the sand. And said, Before me, because if you're not. You're actually acting as my enemy. Good news. Jesus came to save his enemies.
Jesus came to forgive. Every one of us.
So that before the court is seated and the books are open, he can step up and go, Father, Father, that one's mine. That debt has been canceled. He, she belongs to me. That's the decision. Always is the decision.
And ultimately one day this world will decide. Either Antichrist or it's Jesus Christ. Thanks for listening to Connect with Skip Heitzik. Before you go, don't miss your chance to request this month's featured resources from Pastor Skip. The Bible from 30,000 feet 2 CD teaching from Daniel, and his booklet, Are We Living in the Last Days?
Together, they'll help you understand what the Bible says about the future and how to be ready for it. These resources are our thanks for your gift of $25 or more to help share God's Word with more people. Call 800-922-1888 or visit connectwithskip.com/slash offer. And while you're there, sign up for the free 30K 30-day challenge to grow in your knowledge of God's Word. Thanks for spending time with us today and we'll see you next time on Connect with Skiff Heights in.
Make a connection! Make a connection. Connect with Gif Heitzig is a presentation of connection communications, connecting you to God's never-changing truth in ever-changing times.
