Many who have studied the prophetic scriptures given through the prophet Daniel have construed them to say so many things that it leaves one scratching his head in wonder as to what the truth really is.
It is very important to understand that although Daniel's visions have always been relevant to prophetic study throughout the ages, their relevancy is especially important to the people in the times that they will be revealed. It is just prior to those times that the revelations begin to become clear. To those who are seeking in those times it will suddenly be as if the pieces are "coming together," somewhat like working on a puzzle. As you get closer to finishing the puzzle its subject becomes increasingly evident. Just as the prophecies have stood as warnings and promises throughout history, so they take on greater importance to the generation who will witness their fulfillment.
God has gifted some people with the ability to discern the puzzle's subject before it is more evident to the rest of us. As we know, many come forward claiming that God has revealed to them the nature and outcome of the unfinished puzzles we call prophecies.
Be very careful. God makes it clear that we are not to scoff at prophets, but He makes it equally clear that we are to test their spirits to discern for ourselves who is a true messenger of God and who is a thief and a liar.
How do we go about this? God has given us a wonderful gift, the Bible. The Bible, for those who believe, is the Word of God. It is without error and is the truth by which we compare all else . . . including prophets.
It is worth noting two things: All men are subject to the scrutiny of the truth found in the Bible. The believers in Berea checked everything Paul said in the scriptures to see if what he was saying was true. Note in Acts 17:11 that Paul commended them for it. If they tested the great apostle Paul then every prophet should be tested by the same standard. The other thing worth noting is that prophets do not have to quote scripture or even know it well to be sent by God. "Whoa!" you say. Please be patient and read on.
There really is only one criteria that a prophet has to meet to be a genuine prophetic messenger of God: What he says must agree with scripture and not contradict it in any way, shape or form. Note that I said it must agree with scripture as opposed to having to meet the scripture twisting theology and traditions of men. If what the prophet says agrees with the truth of the Bible rather than contradicts it then we know ahead of time, by faith, that it will come true.
Something even more crucial to our understanding is that the burden of proof is not the prophet's, but the hearer's. In other words, a prophet doesn't have to prove he is a prophet or that his message is genuine. It is up to the hearer to discern, via the Bible, whether what the prophet says is true or not. A prophet is a messenger, it is up to you to determine whether his message is true or false.
I have taken some pains to explain these things to you because we are entering the times that the prophets of long ago buzzed about. The puzzle is becoming clearer for many of you, but you may still be having a great deal of trouble discerning the bigger picture of the puzzle's subject.
I am impressed by God to warn the believers to start watching Russia and more importantly her dealings with the nations of the Middle East. Why is this so important? In Daniel 11:36-39 we see the antichrist portrayed as the king of the North. He will be a ruthless warmonger who exalts himself above God and as a god. Please pay attention to verse 39. In it God gives us a nugget that is relevant to now. Verses 36-39 could realistically happen within the next 4-7 years. What power will the antichrist have before then? Surprisingly very little, certainly not what we imagine when we conjure up in our minds the super empire of the antichrist portrayed elsewhere in scripture. Verse 39 holds the key. Many have been happy to identify the foreign god mentioned in the verse as Satan. And, yes indeed, Satan is the power behind the antichrist overall, but this foreign god in verse 39 is not Satan, but rather one of his most powerful demonic princes, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal! The earthly power behind the antichrist is not Europe, but rather Russia!
Now that I have told you, you can apply the test. Like the Bereans you should not scoff at what I am revealing because your traditions differ, but rather check scripture for yourself. Some of you insist that the antichrist will come out of a resurrected Roman Empire and that his power base will be European. This is simply not true. Indeed, Europe, like many nations, will be part of the beast's empire and his invasion forces, but his main armies will be Russian. With Russia will come the Islamic nations. The antichrist himself will be from Babylon/Assyria (Isaiah 14), certainly a region steeped in Islam and hatred for Israel.
To help you search I recommend going to Ezekiel chapter 38. There you will find God quoted as saying that He would put hooks into the jaws of Gog and bring him out against Israel and any who stand against the antichrist. Gog is NOT a man. Gog is a chief prince, he is an angel. He is not an angel of light, but rather he is an unclean spirit who has been given authority to rule over the principality of Meshech (Moscow) and Tubal (Central Russia). When Gog invades Israel he will not be met in battle by Israel's chief prince, Michael the Archangel. Michael will have been withdrawn by God so that Israel can be punished for her grievous sins and rebellion against the covenant God made with Abraham. Michael will arise again on the last day to protect Israel as Jesus unleashes His wrath upon the forces of the antichrist and the world (Daniel 12:1).
Now is the time to watch Russia. She has been very quiet, but don't let this mislead you. She is even now making deals with Europe that will ultimately make Russia a superpower that the United States will be unable to ignore.
He will pitch his
royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet
he will come to his end, and no one will help him. Daniel 11:45.