Daniel Extremity 8

Reflections of Things to Come

The events described by Daniel in this chapter come about approximately 2 years after the  previous events in chapter 7. The chapter is written in the Hebrew language which as opposed to Daniel 2:4 through the end of chapter 7 which was in Aramaic. The vision Daniel describes to us is a true vision or in other words an event which took place when he was awake as opposed to a night vision or dream. In the first verse Daniel makes it clear that this was different in form and time frame from what we explored in chapter 7.

Dan 8:1-2 KJV

(1) In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

(2) And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

The Ulai river or canal as some refer to it at the time of Daniel was a body of water surrounding the city of Susa or Shushan. It divided the city from the territorial province of Elam. Some may recognize it by the Greek name the Euleus river.

Dan 8:3-6 KJV

(3) Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

(4) I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

(5) And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

(6) And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

Once again we are dealing with the rise and fall of kingdoms and armies. There is something very interesting in verse 3 which seems to reach forward in history and parallels many of the world's current events. However we will wait until we receive the proper interpretation of the vision when Daniel receives it. In verse 5 we see a symbolic description of speed as the goat does not touch the ground. In this fashion the goat charges to meet the ram.

Dan 8:7-11 KJV

(7) And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

(8) Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

(9) And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

(10) And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

(11) Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

In case you may be wondering what choler is we can provide a reference from the King James Dictionary.

Choler

Anger.

And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with CHOLER against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. (Dan_8:6-7)

This kingdom was able to wax greatly upon the earth because of the vastness of the ram's territory. This individual representing the little horn if you have not already guessed elevates himself to the status of a god. It's a certainty for some who may be reading this that the details are known. For the sake of those who may not be too familiar with Daniel's prophecies we will wait as stated earlier until the scripture allows the proper interpretation in order we might associate some additional information.

Dan 8:12-14 KJV

(12) And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

(13) Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

(14) And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Out of the chaos following this kingdom's peak and division will come a leader which in the OT times could be referred to as the anti-god. This individual will raise himself to the status of a god and will cut off the religious laws such as the sacrifice. This is why the time frame is measured in mornings and evenings because there were 2 offerings every day. Many scholars tend to lean toward the fact this was talking about a 1,150 period consisting of what should have been 2 sacrifices per day.

Dan 8:15-19 KJV

(15) And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

(16) And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

(17) So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

(18) Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

(19) And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

Even as Daniel begins to seek understanding to what he just witnessed an angel we come to know is Gabriel appears before him. The voice heard between the river banks no doubt belonged to God. In providing the meaning of the vision we receive not only the outcome of these empires but also a prophetic mirror into our future in today's world.

Dan 8:20-27 KJV

(20) The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

(21) And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

(22) Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

(23) And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

(24) And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

(25) And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

(26) And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

(27) And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

In verses 20-21 we learn that our 2 horned ram is the Media-Persian empire. We also learn that the goat with the prominent horn is the Grecian empire and Alexander the great. As we have mentioned before Alexander left his empire to 4 generals. One thing to keep in mind in all this is that this is a future look at these empires. We know that the vision took place approximately 553bc in the 3^rd year of Belshazzar's reign. This would be approximately 230 years prior to Alexander's death. Once again we can list the division.

In 321bc the southern or Egyptian territory came under the rule of the Ptolemy

In 317bc the western or land of Macedon became Cassander's.

In 311bc the eastern portion including Babylon and Syria went to Seleucus.

In 306bc the northern portion called Asia Minor was initially claimed by Antigonus but was defeated by Lysimachus 5 years later.

This last area was the territory that controlled the Hebrew people and the holy city. This is also the territory that the fierce and cruel leader described in the rest of the passage rises from. His name was Antiochus Epiphanes and he reigned over the Seleucid empire for 12 years. The dates 175bc-163bc.

As the son and a potential successor of King Antiochus III, Antiochus became a political hostage of the Roman Republic following the Peace of Apamea in 188 BC. When his older brother, Seleucus IV followed his father onto the throne in 187 BC, Antiochus was exchanged for his nephew Demetrius I Soter (the son and heir of Seleucus). After King Seleucus was assassinated by Heliodorus, a usurper, in 175 BC, Antiochus in turn ousted him. Since Seleucus' true heir, Demetrius I Soter, was still a hostage in Rome, Antiochus, with the help of King Eumenes II of Pergamum, seized the throne for himself, proclaiming himself co-regent for another son of Seleucus, an infant named Antiochus (whom he then murdered a few years later).

When the guardians of King Ptolemy VI of Egypt demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BC, Antiochus launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, conquering all but Alexandria and capturing King Ptolemy. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a Puppet-king. Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new King, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). Instead of fighting a civil war, the Ptolemy brothers agreed to rule Egypt jointly. This area also contained Judea.

In 168 BC Antiochus led a second attack on Egypt and also sent a fleet to capture Cyprus. Before reaching Alexandria, his path was blocked by a single, old Roman ambassador named Gaius Popillius Laenas, who delivered a message from the Roman Senate directing Antiochus to withdraw his armies from Egypt and Cyprus, or consider themselves in a state of war with the Roman Republic. Antiochus said he would discuss it with his council, whereupon the Roman envoy drew a line in the sand around him and said, "Before you cross this circle I want you to give me a reply for the Roman Senate" - implying that Rome would declare war if the King stepped out of the circle without committing to leave Egypt immediately. Weighing his options, Antiochus wisely decided to withdraw. Only then did Popillius agree to shake hands with him.

In the Bible we have very little history of what went on in Israel and Jerusalem during the reign of Greece. However we do have a very descriptive account of this time frame of Antiochus Epiphanes. It is an apocryphal book consisting of 1^st and 2^nd Maccabees. It provides us with a historical detail of Israel under the rule of Antiochus.

The Maccabees (Hebrew: מכבים‎ or מקבים, Makabim or Maqabim; Greek Μακκαβαῖοι, /makav'εï/) were a Jewish rebel army who took control of parts of the Land of Israel, which had been a client state of the Seleucid Empire. They founded the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled from 164 BC to 63 BC, reasserting the Jewish religion, expanding the boundaries of Israel and reducing the influence of Hellenism. There are 4 books associated in the apocrypha attributed to the Maccabees.

In the 2nd century BC, the land of Judea and Israel lay between Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid empire. Both Egypt and the Seleucid empire were states descended from the break up of Alexander the Great’s Greek empire. Since the rule of Alexander in 336–323 BC, a process of Hellenization had spread through the near East. When Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ca. 215–164 BC), became ruler of the Seleucid Empire in 175 BC, Hellenizing Jews had been long-established in Israel. They had built a gymnasium, competed internationally in Greek games, "removed their marks of circumcision and repudiated the holy covenant".

Let's slow down for just a moment and consider these last 3 actions described above. A gymnasium was built in the holy city. The proper definition and usage of the gymnasium follows.

The gymnasium in ancient Greece functioned as a training facility for competitors in public games. It was also a place for socializing and engaging in intellectual pursuits. The name comes from the Greek term gymnos meaning naked. Athletes competed in the nude, a practice said to encourage aesthetic appreciation of the male body and a tribute to the gods. Gymnasia and palestrae were under the protection and patronage of Heracles, Hermes and, in Athens, Theseus.

A typical Greek Gymnasium looked like this

The act of circumcision the everlasting covenant between God and Abraham was abandoned during the Hellenistic rule. The gymnasium had a lot to with this more than likely. Since the competitions and training took place in the nude it made it very easy to see who had and had not been circumcised. The act of circumcision was not practiced by the Greeks and Antiochus had ordered the custom to be abandoned.

Gen 17:11-13 KJV

(11) And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

(12) And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

(13) He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

In this action alone the people were in repudiation of God.

While Antiochus was busy in Egypt, a rumor spread that he had been killed. The deposed High Priest Jason gathered a force of 1,000 soldiers and made a surprise attack on the city of Jerusalem. An official Antiochus appointed as High Priest, Menelaus, was forced to flee Jerusalem during a riot. On the King's return from Egypt in 167 BC enraged by his defeat, he attacked Jerusalem and restored Menelaus, then executed many Jews.

2Ma 5:11-16 KJVA (King James Version with Apocrypha)

(11) Now when this that was done came to the king's car, he thought that Judea had revolted: whereupon removing out of Egypt in a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms,

(12) And commanded his men of war not to spare such as they met, and to slay such as went up upon the houses.

(13) Thus there was killing of young and old, making away of men, women, and children, slaying of virgins and infants.

(14) And there were destroyed within the space of three whole days fourscore thousand, whereof forty thousand were slain in the conflict; and no fewer sold than slain.

(15) Yet was he not content with this, but presumed to go into the most holy temple of all the world; Menelaus, that traitor to the laws, and to his own country, being his guide:

(16) And taking the holy vessels with polluted hands, and with profane hands pulling down the things that were dedicated by other kings to the augmentation and glory and honour of the place, he gave them away.

To consolidate his empire and strengthen his hold over the region, Antiochus decided to side with the Hellenized Jews by outlawing Jewish religious rites and traditions kept by observant Jews and by ordering the worship of Zeus as the supreme god. This was anathema to the Jews and when they refused, Antiochus sent an army to enforce his decree. Because of the resistance, the city was destroyed, many were slaughtered, and a military Greek citadel called the Acra was established.

2Ma 6:1-16 KJVA

(1) Not long after this the king sent an old man of Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers, and not to live after the laws of God:

(2) And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius; and that in Garizim, of Jupiter the Defender of strangers, as they did desire that dwelt in the place.

(3) The coming in of this mischief was sore and grievous to the people:

(4) For the temple was filled with riot and revelling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots, and had to do with women within the circuit of the holy places, and besides that brought in things that were not lawful.

(5) The altar also was filled with profane things, which the law forbiddeth.

(6) Neither was it lawful for a man to keep sabbath days or ancient fasts, or to profess himself at all to be a Jew.

(7) And in the day of the king's birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the fast of Bacchus was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy.

(8) Moreover there went out a decree to the neighbour cities of the heathen, by the suggestion of Ptolemee, against the Jews, that they should observe the same fashions, and be partakers of their sacrifices:

(9) And whoso would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles should be put to death. Then might a man have seen the present misery.

(10) For there were two women brought, who had circumcised their children; whom when they had openly led round about the city, the babes handing at their breasts, they cast them down headlong from the wall.

(11) And others, that had run together into caves near by, to keep the sabbath day secretly, being discovered by Philip, were all burnt together, because they made a conscience to help themselves for the honour of the most sacred day.

(12) Now I beseech those that read this book, that they be not discouraged for these calamities, but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction, but for a chastening of our nation.

(13) For it is a token of his great goodness, when wicked doers are not suffered any long time, but forthwith punished.

(14) For not as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish, till they be come to the fulness of their sins, so dealeth he with us,

(15) Lest that, being come to the height of sin, afterwards he should take vengeance of us.

(16) And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: and though he punish with adversity, yet doth he never forsake his people.

According to Josephus a Jewish historian in his account named the The Wars of the Jews in the 1^st chapter records that the daily sacrifice was stopped for 3 years and 6 months. Below is a passage from Josephus in the Wars of the Jews book 1 chapter 1.

2. Now Antiochus was not satisfied either with his unexpected taking the city, or with its pillage, or with the great slaughter he had made there; but being overcome with his violent passions, and remembering what he had suffered during the siege, he compelled the Jews to dissolve the laws of their country, and to keep their infants uncircumcised, and to sacrifice swine's flesh upon the altar; against which they all opposed themselves, and the most approved among them were put to death. Bacchides also, who was sent to keep the fortresses, having these wicked commands, joined to his own natural barbarity, indulged all sorts of the extremest wickedness, and tormented the worthiest of the inhabitants, man by man, and threatened their city every day with open destruction, till at length he provoked the poor sufferers by the extremity of his wicked doings to avenge themselves.

2Ma 8:1-6 KJVA

(1) Then Judas Maccabeus, and they that were with him, went privily into the towns, and called their kinsfolks together, and took unto them all such as continued in the Jews' religion, and assembled about six thousand men.

(2) And they called upon the Lord, that he would look upon the people that was trodden down of all; and also pity the temple profaned of ungodly men;

(3) And that he would have compassion upon the city, sore defaced, and ready to be made even with the ground; and hear the blood that cried unto him,

(4) And remember the wicked slaughter of harmless infants, and the blasphemies committed against his name; and that he would shew his hatred against the wicked.

(5) Now when Maccabeus had his company about him, he could not be withstood by the heathen: for the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy.

(6) Therefore he came at unawares, and burnt up towns and cities, and got into his hands the most commodious places, and overcame and put to flight no small number of his enemies.

One of the more popular moments of martyrdom to the faithful Jews was known simply as the woman with 7 sons. Each of the sons speak their faith to their tormenters. For those who may wish the history of the matter is detailed in 2 Maccabees 7.

2Ma 7:1-42 KJVA

(1) It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine's flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.

(2) But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.

(3) Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot:

(4) Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.

(5) Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,

(6) The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants.

(7) So when the first was dead after this number, they brought the second to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?

(8) But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did.

(9) And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto everlasting life.

(10) After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully.

(11) And said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them; and from him I hope to receive them again.

(12) Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marvelled at the young man's courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains.

(13) Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner.

(14) So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.

(15) Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him.

(16) Then looked he unto the king, and said, Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God;

(17) But abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.

(18) After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God: therefore marvellous things are done unto us.

(19) But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished.

(20) But the mother was marvellous above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord.

(21) Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them,

(22) I cannot tell how ye came into my womb: for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you;

(23) But doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for his laws' sake.

(24) Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.

(25) But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.

(26) And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel her son.

(27) But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee such three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.

(28) I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise.

(29) Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.

(30) Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for? I will not obey the king's commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses.

(31) And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God.

(32) For we suffer because of our sins.

(33) And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be at one again with his servants.

(34) But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God:

(35) For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who seeth all things.

(36) For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.

(37) But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he alone is God;

(38) And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon our nation, may cease.

(39) Than the king' being in a rage, handed him worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked.

(40) So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord.

(41) Last of all after the sons the mother died.

(42) Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.

The passages from Maccabees although not considered inspired scripture offer detailed descriptions of this terrible ruler that was shown in Daniel's vision. One thing is certain the faith of the mother and her 7 sons is very inspiring. If you are familiar with the scriptures concerning the antichrist you probably have noted very many patterns of behavior. If you are not do not despair as we will take a serious look into our future which Daniel connects with his prophecies. We can look briefly at some of these now.

A Little Food for Prophetic Thought

In learning this history concerning Antiochus Epiphanes we see very distinct features that we can expect to find in an individual we know as the antichrist. First let's briefly look back to Daniel 8:3.

Dan 8:3 KJVA

(3) Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last(H314).

We noted before how the Persian empire was the stronger of the Medes and Persians. One thing that should be pointed out is that the word which indicates a time frame way further down the line than what most of the chapter concentrates upon. It's a word we have studied or mentioned much in our looks into the future. You can put the situation together for yourself but looking at the state of affairs in the middle east today Iran also known as Persia might be worth keeping an eye on. 

H314

אחרן אחרין achăryôn 'achărôn

akh-ar-one', akh-ar-one'

From H309; hinder; generally late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western: - after (-ward), to come, following, hind (-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter)most.

With this being mentioned let's touch upon the characteristics of the anti-god which will be shared with the antichrist. As we read in the historical works the whole problem concerning Israel and Jerusalem begins over land. The temple mount will be the hot spot in the future that drives the nations to animosity toward Israel.

Antiochus Epiphanes effectively stopped the ritual sacrifices in addition to the other Jewish covenant customs such as circumcision, the laws and offered swine blood upon the altar. The sacrifice was stopped for 42 months or 3years and 6 months. The antichrist in Revelation will break a peace treaty not yet brokered in the midst of a 7 year period. The book of Revelation describes this as 1,260 days or 42 months at 30 days each.

The antichrist will offer the same type of worship plan as Antiochus. That being his way or face death. This is centered around the infamous mark of the beast of Revelation 13.

There will be much martyrdom once people realize who the antichrist actually is. The antichrist will also do away with not only Jewish but also Christian customs. The antichrist just as Antiochus will offer peaceful existence for those who obey him. Through this false peace many will be destroyed just as we have read in the Maccabees. The fact that many will follow this peace will present physical and spiritual death with God.

We can stop here for now. There will be much more to cover.

As always Thank You and God Bless

Rev 12:10-11 KJVA
(10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
(11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.