Thurs.’s Devo -The Old Testament Antichrist

Read: Daniel 8:1-27; 1 John 2:1-17; Psalm 120:1-2; Proverbs 28:25-26 We are going back in time to when King Belsahazzar was king. Daniel was taken in a vision to Susa, which would be the capital of the Persian empire when Darius came to power. He saw a ram with two long horns standing by the river. One horn was longer than the other even thou it grew later than the other one. These two horns represented the kings of Media and Persia. The first shorter horn was Darius, the Mede and the longer horn was Cyrus the Persian. The Persian kingdom defeated many nations and became very great. A male goat appeared from the west and expanded his kingdom very quickly. He had a very large horn between his eyes. He defeated the ram with its two horns. This male goat was the king of Greece who became the next world leader. Alexander the Great was this notable horn of Greece. Alexander was replaced by four horns representing four kingdoms that would come from the Greek Empire to rule the earth. A small horn was produced from one other thorns and it grew very great. It’s power spread to the holy land of Israel. This horn would be the Old Testament Antichrist. His name was Antiochus Epiphanes. He cancelled the daily sacrifices and defied God in Heaven. He opposed the truth and succeeded in all he tried to do. Daniel heard two angels in heaven talking about how long this would be allowed to continue and one of them said 2,300 days. Then, the Temple would be made right again. Gabriel was sent to explain the meaning of the vision to Daniel. Once he explained it to Daniel, he told him that it wouldn’t happen for a long, long time. The Old Testament Antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes loved the arts and built grand temples. He wanted to substitute Zeus for Jehovah. His kingdom was a heathen satanic kingdom. He wanted a one-world religion worshipping himself as Jupiter. He was the first ruler to oppose the Jew’s worship. He was to the last Antichrist as Jesus’ first coming was to his second coming. At that time, the Jews had adopted Hellenic customs building theaters, and treating all religions alike. They sacrificed to Jehovah, but at the same time sending money for sacrifices to Hercules. (That reminds me of the Coexisist movement of today.) There have been many “anti-christs” throughout history but none as pronounced as Antiochus. It is no wonder that after seeing all this, Daniel was sick for several days and couldn’t get out of his bed. It continued to trouble him when he resumed his daily activities. John writes to tell his followers that they don’t have to sin. If they do, Jesus will plead their case before the Father. If we know God, then we will follow his commandments and live as Jesus did. In the law of Moses it says to love one another. Jesus lived this commandment as our example. If we live in the light we will love one another also. John commended the new believers, the children of God and the mature in faith for their strength, their faith, and their knowledge of Christ. We can’t love the world and God also. The world craves physical pleasure and what it sees. It takes pride in its own accomplishments and all it has acquired. All of these things are fading but what we do for God will remain. Lord, help us to choose what glorifies You. May we have balance and perspective from you about the days we are living in and what our purpose is. We glorify You and your kingdom.