July 1: THE VIEW (part 2)

And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. Daniel 11:45

There is a modern-day misunderstanding of this verse. Many keep their eyes glued to the Middle East, expecting the antichrist to erect literal tents somewhere between the Mediterranean Sea and another Middle Eastern body of water. But in truth, Daniel is writing an end-time, worldwide prophecy that speaks of blocking the spiritual view of those who might otherwise learn of the true KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16. See also 17:14 and 1 Timothy 6:15). The spirit of antichrist—Satan and his minions—has long been at work in the world (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7). The idea that some unknown, sinister future individual (the basic tenet of futurism), will burst onto the scene without warning is a strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:10-13). Only in recent decades has this idea spread. This system of thought conditions its adherents to ignore history and the solid foundation of proof revealed as history unfolds. We have the written Word only because of its Author who said, “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe” (John 14:29).  

Our spiritual adversary hopes that you will ignore history, for it suits his purposes. A study of the origin of futurism takes us back to the first days of the Reformation. Millions were spiritually awakened through the work of Reformers. The realities of unfolding historical events as fulfillments of prophecy posed an existential threat to the papacy. At the pope’s command, Roman Catholic scholars began to develop systems of thought that would shift focus away from the papacy as an extension of the fourth beast (Daniel 7:7,19,23), the little horn (Daniel 7:8; 8:9), the usurping king of the North (Daniel 11:28-45), the beast out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10), and the great harlot who is the mother of harlots (see Revelation 17:1,5,15,16; 19:2). Not only was futurism invented to throw attention off of the papacy by directing attention to a far-off future; other Roman Catholic scholars concocted preterism which directs attention to the distant past. Many subsequent writings have purposely sparked lively debates between the two interpretations, thus creating an additional diversionary tactic. These deceptions are smokescreens to hide the workings – some subtle and some blatant – of our worst spiritual enemy. In addition, countless professed Christians miss out on a clear view of the every-day benefits of understanding the Bible’s relevancy to our lives. Such benefits include the transformational workings of the Savior—our heavenly High Priest—to fit us for heaven. We are living in the time of the end (Daniel 8:17, 19; 11:35,40; 12:4,9; Matthew 24:3), which leads up to the Day of the Lord that marks the end of time: the culmination of earth’s history brought to its close by the LORD Himself. Beloved, do not allow any earthly institution to block your heavenly view! God’s promise to Abraham still stands (Genesis 15:5), comparing his descendants (Galatians 3:29) to stars that shine (Daniel 12:3).

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  Hebrews 11:12-13