In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon (approximately 553 BC), the prophet Daniel had an apocalyptic dream from the Lord, which he recorded in the 7th chapter of the book of Daniel. This is the first time the Antichrist is referenced in the Bible, although not by this name. Daniel called him the “beast.” “Daniel spoke, saying, ‘I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea (Gentile nations). And four great beasts (kings/kingdoms) came up from the sea, each different from the other’” (Daniel 7:2-3).
The first world empire to arise out of the Gentile nations is Babylon itself, and is depicted in Daniel 7:4 as a lion with eagle’s wings. The other three world empires to appear on the world scene are Medo-Persia (the bear), Greece (the leopard), and Rome (the dreadful, terrible, and strong beast) according to Daniel 7:5-7.
The last world empire, Rome, would re-emerge in a different form during the end times. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 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 7:7-8).
Daniel is prophesying about the end-time Gentile world empire to come before Jesus returns to establish his Millennium Kingdom. It will consist of ten horns or kings (kingdoms, regions) that will rule the entire world. Another horn or ruler will emerge who will subdue three of the kings. Eventually, the remaining seven kings will abdicate their authority to the Antichrist, and he will become king (dictator) over the entire earth.
“The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time (3.5 years or 1,260 days)” (Daniel 7:24-25). The little horn/beast Daniel is referring to is later known as the Antichrist.
The Antichrist will have absolute power over the nations of the earth for only 3.5 years and then judgment will consume him. “But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. 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. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:26-27).
In Daniel’s night vision, he also saw God, the Father, at the Great White Throne Judgment which is to come at the end of time where the Antichrist, false prophet, and many other anti-Christ people will be judged. “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and 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. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. I watched then 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” (Daniel 7:9-11). This is the eternal fate of the Antichrist and his followers.
In the time of Moses, God required the children of Israel to always have at least two or more witnesses before judging a matter, as per Deuteronomy 19:15. Daniel’s prophetic vision is expounded upon by the New Testament prophet John (a disciple of Jesus) who had a similar vision in Revelation 13:1-8. “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon (Satan) gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:1-2).
John is saying the beast (Antichrist) and his kingdom will have all the attributes of the first three world empires mentioned by Daniel. However, he will be even more evil and powerful than the previous kings because Satan is the true power behind the throne and gives him supernatural skills and abilities.
“And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:3-5). John agrees with Daniel as to the length of time the beast will have absolute power over the inhabitants of the earth… 42 months or 3.5 years.
“Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:6-8). In the Bible, the number 13 represents rebellion and apostasy. For instance, look at Genesis 13:13: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Is it any wonder that the Antichrist is introduced in the 13th chapter of Revelation?
The Antichrist will have demonic help from another “beast” who is a religious authoritarian. “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell within to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (666)” (Revelation 13:11-18).
Most Bible scholars believe the number 666 in the preceding verse is referring to the gematria of the Antichrist’s name. “Gematria” is an alphanumeric code of assigning a numeric value to a name, word, or phrase based on its letters. The Antichrist’s name in Hebrew or Greek will add up to 666. Here are a few other examples of gematria: Jesus’ name adds up to 888. The oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Damascus, has a value of 444. The value for the name Sodom is 999, the divine number for judgment.
The number 7 represents spiritual perfection and completeness. The number three signifies divine perfection. The number 777 represents our Triune God, Elohim. The number 6 represents man, who was created on the 6th day of creation. Man is incomplete without God. It is the number of human imperfection and is destitute of God or Christ. “If 6 is the number of secular or human perfection, then 66 is a more emphatic expression of the same fact, and 666 is the concentrated expression of it. 666 is therefore the trinity of human perfection; the perfection of imperfection; the culmination of human pride in independence of God and opposition to His Christ” {1}
The number 666 will be man’s attempt to become God. The Antichrist and the false prophet will do the will of their god, Satan. The three will mimic the Holy Trinity, with Satan as the Father God, the Antichrist as the Son of God, and the false prophet as the Holy Spirit. They will be the Unholy Trinity of the Tribulation and will raise hell (figuratively and literally) upon the earth for 1,260 days.
When the Antichrist comes upon the world scene, he will initially be a great friend to Israel. He will become their protector and benefactor like President Trump was before him. The A.C. will confirm (strengthen) an existing seven-year peace treaty (military alliance) or covenant with Israel, guaranteeing their safety. Of course, Israel will most likely have to give up some land in return, possibly even some parts of Jerusalem. This treaty will be even stronger than the original one given by the ten kings. This act will greatly anger the Lord and bring on the Tribulation. Millennia ago, the Lord made a covenant with Abraham (and his descendants), giving him all the land of Canaan for an everlasting inheritance, as per Genesis 15:17-21.
The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, gave this prophecy from the Lord to the Jewish people regarding this future covenant. “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation (Jesus); whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet; the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report” (Isaiah 28:16-19).
Another reason for the Tribulation that is to come upon the earth (as described in Revelation 6-19) is apostasy. The majority of earth’s citizens will put their faith in the Antichrist as their savior and not the Lord Jesus Christ. This covenant that is confirmed by the Antichrist and the nation of Israel will be the official start of the 7-year Tribulation. “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (7 years); but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).
The “in the midst” event of Daniel 9:27 is known as the Abomination of Desolation, and is described in Daniel 12:11 and Revelation 13:14-15. It will occur near the mid-point of the 7-year Tribulation. The Antichrist will stop the sacrifices in the newly built 3rd temple of Jerusalem. The false prophet will have a statue or image of the beast erected in the temple and demand all citizens of the earth to worship him as God. 1,260 days (3.5 years) will transpire between the Abomination of Desolation and Jesus’ return at the Battle of Armageddon. These last 3.5 years are known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
With pandemics such as Covid 19, locust plagues in Africa, major earthquakes, crashing of the world economies, and other pre-Tribulation signs becoming more prevalent and frequent, we know the Tribulation can’t be far off. The birth pains Jesus was referring to in Matthew 24:8 are getting closer together, signifying the baby is about to be born. In this case, the Tribulation or the end of the age is the “baby.” Who said there’s no such thing as an ugly baby?
Jesus was once asked by his disciples when would the end of the age occur. He replied: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:32-35).
When Jesus told his disciples “this generation shall not pass away,” he was saying that all the end-time signs would be fulfilled within the lifetime of the people being born when the end-time signs began. The beginning sign was when Israel became a nation again on May, 14, 1948. According to Moses in Psalm 90:10, a generation is 70 to 80 years in duration.
In the first two parts of this article, In the Midst, I gave several hypothetical examples of possible dates for the start, middle, and end of the Tribulation. These dates are all determined on one hypothesis – Jesus will return to the earth on a future Feast of Trumpets date. Most eschatologists believe since Jesus fulfilled the first four Feasts of the Lord at his 1st Coming, he will fulfill the last three Feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) during his 2nd Coming.
The dates in these examples are not predictions, but are merely used as a possible timeline for the 7- year Tribulation, and are based upon certain events aligning with certain Feasts of the Lord. The Abomination of Desolation will align with the time of Passover, and Jesus’ 2nd Coming will align with Trumpets. These examples are used to show how close we are to this time of tribulation known as Jacob’s Trouble or the Day of the Lord. If this is the case, it means we are even closer to the Rapture. With the Rapture being immanent, our priorities should change and we should focus on heavenly matters and not fading earthly ones.
With this in mind, let’s look at one last possible example of hypothetical dates for the Tribulation.
Israel will turn 74 years old in the year 2022. If the Antichrist confirms the covenant with the many (govt. of Israel) in this year, it will start the Tribulation. So, let’s speculate that the fall of 2022 is the start of the Tribulation. The spring of 2026 is the mid-point (in the midst) of the Tribulation, and the fall of 2029 is the end of the 7-year Tribulation.
Why is the number 74 significant? I believe it is relevant in the fact that the Antichrist’s name is equivalent to the number 666. Remember, the Antichrist starts the Tribulation when he confirms the covenant with Israel. The Antichrist’s number, 666, is the product of two relevant numbers, 74 and 9. In this example, the number 74 represents Israel. The number 9 is the number of judgment in the Bible, especially for Israel. For more information on this subject, go to: https://www.raptureready.com/2019/07/14/dog-days-summer-randy-nettles/.
The date on the Jewish calendar we base our hypothetical examples on is Tishri 1. This is always the date for the 5th Feast of the Lord, known as Trumpets. In 2029, Trumpets occurs on September 9th. So Jesus will return to the earth on 9-9-2029 with judgment for all those still alive on planet Earth. Is it ironic that He will return on this date with the number 9 being so prevalent? Perhaps it’s ironic with humans, but not with God; for God knows the beginning from the end of all things.
The next date we are looking for is the “in the midst” event of the Abomination of Desolation.
To determine this date, we must deduct 1,260 days from September 9, 2029. This will take us to March 29, 2026 on the Gregorian calendar and Nisan 12 on the Jewish calendar. This is the date the A.C. will commit the evil act known as the Abomination of Desolation. When you deduct 1,260 days from Tishri 1 (Trumpets), you nearly always get Nisan 10 or Nisan 12 on the Jewish calendar. This time, in the year 2026, the date is Nisan 12. This is perfectly normal, but what’s a little unusual is that the year 2026 matches up exactly with the year 33 on both the Gregorian and Jewish calendars. AD 33 was the year Jesus died. He was crucified on Nisan 14, 33. Four days earlier on Nisan 10, he had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey as the king of the Jews, yet was rejected as such by the ruling elites. Nisan 12 is in the midst of these two historic dates.
If the Gregorian calendar had been in effect in the year A.D. 33, the date Nisan 12 would have occurred on March 29, 33. For proof, go to: https://www.360calendar.com/360-days-Calendar-Converter.html. The future year of 2026 will also have the same date (on the Gregorian calendar) for Nisan 12… March 29. This is sort of unusual, as the Jewish and Gregorian calendars only align sporadically throughout the decades.
Satan will direct his main man, the Antichrist, to mimic Jesus’ last week (seven days) before his death and resurrection. He will ride into Jerusalem on a white horse as king of the Jews on Nisan 10, emulating Jesus’ triumphant entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem exactly 1,993 years, to the day, earlier. The Jews rejected Jesus as their king but will accept the Antichrist as their king. Jesus said: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name (666), him you will receive” (John 5:43).
Two days later on Nisan 12, the Antichrist will reveal his true intent with the Jews (and the rest of the world) and commit the atrocious Abomination of Desolation. I believe he will be killed on the 14th day of Nisan, the same day Jesus died. It’s even possible he might be raised from the dead, or at least appear so with Satan’s supernatural assistance. “And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:3). It’s even possible this resurrection–like event could happen three days later on Nisan 17, the same day Jesus was resurrected by God’s power.
The starting date for the Tribulation, in this example, would occur on Heshvan 22 or November 15, 2022; when Israel is 74 years old. The Abomination of Desolation will occur 1,230 days later (in the midst) on Nisan 12 or March 29, 2026. Jesus’ 2nd Coming will occur on September 9, 2029 (9-9-2029), or Tishri 1 (Feast of Trumpets) on the Jewish calendar. This is the day Jesus renders His judgment on the nations of the earth at the Battle of Armageddon and defeats all the evil forces (both human and demonic) that are aligned against him. The actual end of Daniel’s 70 Weeks/Sevens prophecy will occur thirty days later on October 9, 2029 – Heshvan 1. The next day on 10-10-2029, the reign of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords will begin. It will last for 1,000 (10 x 10 x 10) years and into eternity.
Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus…in the twinkling of an eye!
Randy Nettles
Endnotes:
{1} Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger – Kregal Publications pg. 282