Kay,

 

You asked: I'd be interested in your comments about what appears to be a person in the role of the antichrist/beast
in Chp 11:36.

 

Gladly Kay.

 

First let me start by saying I do not believe in a physical human entity people call the antichrist. As Scripture is clear it is only a spirit that is against, or anti, Jesus as the true Christ of God. And the beast spoken to is none other than the entire Satanic godhead. Just as the true Godhead is comprised of three entities in God the Father, Jesus the Son/Word and the Holy Spirit the power behind it all, Satan copies that model. He places himself in the place occupied as God the Father. The antichrist spirit is the evil antithesis of the Holy Spirit that confirms Jesus as the true Christ, and the false prophet which will mimic the human entity of Jesus in the flesh. I believe the beast from the earth is Islam and the two horns are Sun'ni and Shi'ite Islam.

 

I realize Daniel can be confusing, but, if we start a little further forward in this prophecy at Daniel 12:7 and work back, it makes it much easier to see the timing and figure out what is actually being spoken to since this prophecy started in Dan. 11:1 and goes on through to Dan. 12:9 when he is told to seal the words until the end. First verse 7 ;

 

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

 

Notice the time? It is "a time, times and a half" which tells us of the great tribulation. And so you understand what I fully believe regarding this is that the tribulation is ONLY 3 1/2 years, not seven. With that in mind, let's move on.

 

Back up to verse 1 in chapter 12;

 

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

 

We know this is speaking of the same time Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:21 as this coming "great tribulation" as a day that hes never been nor ever will be on this earth.

 

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

 

We see the same day spoken to again in Jeremiah 30:7 as the day called "the time of  Jacob's trouble."

 

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

 

We can know this is this time spoken to. It is also identified by time span in Revelation 13:5 as the forty two month span the "beast" is given power to continue. Remember he has been working his iniquity since Jesus day. 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

 

It is the same period spoken to in Daniel 7:25 identified as "a time, times and a dividing of time."

 

Now that we can see when this occurs, let's continue to back up into Daniel 11 starting at verse 45.

 

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

 

Who/what do we know that has been planting his "tabernacles of his palace"  between the seas? As in Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf? Can we say "Islam?"

 

And looking to verse 36 who do we know from Scripture who claims he will exalt himself above God and all that is called God? How about this guy we see in Isaiah 14:12-14;

 

12: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

 

13: For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

 

 14: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

 

We see the exact same claim being made in 2 Thessalonians 2:4;

 

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

 

This "king" is the physical embodiment of the Satanic anti-Christ spirit. The only human entity that will be doing his bidding is the false prophet as seen in Rev.13:5. He is the human "mouth" speaking blasphemies and the one doing miracles seen in Rev. 16:13, 19:20 and 20:10 as he is tossed into the lake of fire.

 

It should be noted here that this "king" was also seen by Bible scholars of old, such as Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, Albert Barnes, Jamieson Fausset and Brown among most, that this was a prophecy of Antiochus Epiphanes. However they all agree that, it too, is the New Testament reference to an entity that is simply anti Christ.

 

That anti Christ spirit (1 John 4:3) is embodied physically in the human false prophet.

 

Drop by Wonderful One and check out the studies in IN DEPTH BIBLE STUDY and PROPHECY STUDY forums. I think there is much that would interest you since you seem to follow the same understanding as I do being that the "HE" is Jesus, not some AC individual.

 

LINK:  http://p097.ezboard.com/bwonderfulone

 

I hope this explains my view of this for you. Thanks for asking Kay.

 

In Christ,

 

Michael deKruif