THE MIDDLE EAST IN PROPHECY IN

THE BOOK OF DANIEL (07/18--2013)

 

I recently obtained a couple books by Joel Richardson entitled The Islamic Antichrist and The Middle East Beast. I had seen the writer interviewed on TV and could hardly believe my ears -- someone else, as "odd" as me, believes that Daniel 11 sets forth the prophecy that the Antichrist will originate in the Middle East (Daniel 11:21-45). I know this is an "odd" view compared to what we generally read and hear from numerous "orophecy teachers," it has made sense to me for a long time.

 

My small book, The Little Horn of the Book of Daniel, was published in 1983, contending that the Little Horn, or Antichrist, would come from the northern part of the Middle East (pages 74, 89). This was revealed to Daniel in Chapters 10 and 11 -- the vision of the "Certain Man" (10:5) is expounded by Gabriel (10:14, 20, 21) in chapter 11:21 through 45.

 

This is why for a long period of time, I was "watching" Saddam Hussein's career, considering that he might be the man described by Gabriel in his interpretation of the vision to Daniel. It turned out that Saddam was not the man, but only a foreshadow or a "forerunner" of the man yet to come.

 

Not only the two books by Joel Richardson, but I also discovered a website called "Daniel 11: God's Timeline" (http://daniel11truth.com/index.htm) which also understands Daniel 11 as teaching that the Antichrist will arise in the Middle East. This site also contends that Daniel 11:5 onward is referring to Arab or Muslim history since Muhammed in the 7th century. I generally believe the same, but I don't see all of the details the same as this website. For example, I believe Daniel 11:6 is referring to "The Battle of the Camel'" rather than what the website presents.

 

So I no longer feel as "lonesome" in my understanding of Daniel in view of these other sources who share the same basic view.

 

This view conflicts with the more prevalent and popular view of many that the Antichrist will arise in the European Union. I hardly see how one can find a European nation in the 11th chapter of Daniel -- a chapter which is regarded by many students of the book of Daniel as containing prophecy about the Antichrist. There is not a single one of the 27 EU nations mentioned in the 11th chapter of Daniel, but several Middle East nations are named.

 

-- Bob L. Ross