Revelation                                                         Lesson 25

                                    Scenario  of  Events - An Overview

 

B. The Major Events associated with the Tribulation Period.

1. The making of the covenant with Israel spoken of by Daniel, 9:27. [marks the start of the prophetic clock for Trib/Israel]

2. The rise of a federation or coalition of states; Western power block; Revived Roman Empire, the feet of iron and clay.

 

Note:  Some observations on the 2 prophecies of these kingdoms; Times of the Gentiles Lk 21:24

1. Vision of Dan 7:1-14 covers the beasts  also see them in Rev 13   

a. appearance of 4 beasts  vs:3 

b. lion vs:4; bear vs:5;  leopard vs:6;  4th (vs:7) so terrible, so awesome not likened to anything we could identify with.

c. In vs:9-12   there follows the execution of judgment.

d. In vs:13-14  climax of the vision - the establishment of another kingdom;  God's

 

2. Some comparisons  ch-2;  and   ch-7

a. subject matter  =  the same,  both dealing with succession of kingdoms.

b. ch-2 = precious metals;  ch-7 = beasts (bizarre)

c. ch-2 = metals are beautiful (jewelry)  while  ch-7 = beasts are ugly, horrible

 

3.  Why the difference in the depiction of the kingdoms

a. In ch-2 the kingdoms are pictured as man sees them, glorious and beautiful.

b. In ch-7 the kingdoms are pictured as God sees them,  beastly and ugly.

 

4. Another area of common ground between the 2 chapters is that;

#1  both are terminated by Divine intervention; its cataclysmic and sudden.  Man rules no more!

#2  both,  are followed by an eternal kingdom = God's;  therefore its divine.

 

5. Lets look at Rev 13 and pick up the parallel there. vs:1-2

> In Dan  7               In Rev 13

Lion                       leopard

bear                       bear

leopard                  lion

 

> Daniel  >>>>>    Lion    Bear   Leopard    <<<<<<<  John

 

> In Rev 13:1  beast has 10 horns; cp Dan 7:7

> Then we have one horn that does several things!

#1  it speaks great words Dan 7:8

#2  7:25 his words are spoken against the saints

#3  There is a note also about the time when this is allowed, 7:25b  for 3 1/2 years.

 

> Now Rev 13 to pick up the parallels.

#1 13:5a  =  arrogant words

#2 13:7    =  against the saints

#3 13:5b  =  allowed to rule 42 months = 3 1/2

 

**  What is a converging condition that we observe today that is related to the rise of this western power block? 

 

 

Next under point B. The Major Events associated with the Tribulation Period.

3. Rise of the GWD  

 

In Dan 7:25  We get a glimpse of what this dictator is going to do!

1. He will speak out against the "Most High."

- also He will blaspheme God!  Rev 13:5-6

- In  verse 7:25 when it says "he will speak out against the Most High,"

 

- Dan. 11:36 - amplifies when it says "exalt and magnify himself above every god,"

 

2. He will wage war on the saints of God.

- He will, for a time, have success as he persecutes the tribulation saints.

 

- Question is answered here in 7:25 also as to how long he will be able to persecute the saints.

 

- Question is answered here in 7:25 also as to how long he will be able to persecute the saints.

 

- This  period begins with his breaking of the covenant made with Israel which marked the beginning of the Tribulation.

 

- By cruel and systematic pressure he will "wear down" (alb)   which means to wear away or to wear out as friction wears our clothes or shoes.

 

3. This king will take some very bold actions.

"and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law."  Dan 7:25

a. God is the one who determines the times, such as;

- day and night Gen 1:14

- days, seasons and years  Gen 8:22

- the length of human lives Ps 31:15; 139:16

- when nations and kings would exist and rule  Dan 2:21

- and when the Gentiles would dominate the world.  Lk 21:24; Acts 1:7; 17:26

 

b. God is also the One who determined moral law and natural law and instituted  human government to bring law and order to society. 

Gen 2:24; 9:5-6; Job 38;  Rom 13:1-7

 

c. "Times and law" then are instruments by which God regulates the affairs of man on earth.

 

d. The angel doesn't detail which areas of "times or law"  that the Dictator would intend to altar.

 

e. But we can conclude that he will be determined to exercise authority over these 2 areas which are the exclusive right of God;  and he will do this to support his claim to deity.

 

f. From the description we have seen so far of this "king" it is obvious that he will be the ultimate man, the greatest expression of what man centered mania which has been driving man to reject God's rule since the fall in Eden;  he epitomizes the maturation of man ruling apart from God.

 

So in summary this "horn"; this "king"; this great world dictator will;

1. Speak great blasphemies against the Most High.

2. Persecute the tribulation believers, martyring many.

3. Make changes in the "times and in law."   an attempt to reinforce his claim to deity.