While we have studied the beast and the appearance of the ‘little horn’, we must now make sure we know his traits, characteristics, and methods of deceit and enslavement. He will not tolerate any dissension, opposition, or disobedience to his absolute mandates. This is not a democratic leader or one who rules thru mutual agreements, but an absolute totalitarianism dictator. We will search out this information from Revelation and Daniel
Daniel 9:26 And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.
We begin near the end with his destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary. Who hates the nation of Israel, the people of God, the City of Jerusalem, and the Temple or Tabernacle of God more than Satan?
9:27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.
Here we read that he starts with a peaceful proposition, that after a few years he violates and rescinds. So he lies and deceives from the beginning of his public reign. In doing so, he convinces most (upwards of 95%) of the world to follow him.
John 8:44 You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.
This one who speaks lies is the ‘little horn’ the antichrist who is empowered and controlled by the Devil. What are his other traits and plans?
Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king, fierce of face, and skilled at intrigues, shall stand up.
8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power. And he shall destroy marvelously, and shall prosper and work, and destroy the mighty and the holy people.
8:25 And also through his understanding, he shall cause deceit to succeed in his hand. And he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many. He also shall stand up against the Ruler of rulers. But he shall be broken without a hand.
Here we find more on the antichrist’s true nature. He is a king, a ruler. He is skilled at deceit, which is from his true father, and has a fierce face. He has an evil nature that will be displayed whenever he is not fully followed in blind obedience.
He is very powerful, so powerful he reigns unopposed. But, his power is all sourced from the Devil. By his dishonest claims for peace, he will lure many to their own destruction. He will even challenge God in public, in effect, denying His existence. His power will be used to subjugate the world to his desires for worship and honor.
His true goal is to destroy all of God’s people. The powerful and the holy will be pursued, persecuted, and destroyed.
Daniel 7:7 After this I looked in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, frightening and terrifying, and very strong. And it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the rest with its feet. And it was different from all the beasts before it; and it had ten horns.
The antichrist will trace his heritage from this fourth beast. He will arise from within these 10 horns or nations.
7:23 And he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth, and shall trample it and crush it.
7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise. And another shall arise after them. And he shall be different from the first, and he shall humble three kings.
7:25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and plot to change times and laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one-half time.
Here we find more confirmation of his tremendous power, his evil intentions, his plans, and his history. He is different from all prior kings or rulers. He comes out of one of these 10 kingdoms or nations. He will have defeated 3 kings that may have tried to oppose him. Not because they are part of the holy, but that they are vying for power and position.
He will work to alter times and laws, mostly God’s times and laws. The world has already challenged and changed most of them.
God has allowed him to have a very time constrained rule, but it will still be terrifying to those he hates.
We will continue next time.