Episode 50 reveals the true nature of the end times and its positive conclusion. It reviews the various descriptions of the end times and the end times ruler found in Revelation, Daniel, and 1 John.

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Transcript
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The Future of the Teachings of Jesus 
The True Nature of the “Time of the End” (Ep. 50)
The Rider on the White Horse, Part 3

February 2025

 

Part 1–The Time of the End

 

The time of the end. The book of Revelation is known for the many tribulations which we will be called upon to endure at the “time of the end.” What is less recognized is that this “the time of the end” does not refer to the end of the world–rather, it signifies the end of the present world order. When the world has filled up its cup of evil to the full, and “transgressors have reached their full measure” (Dan 8:22), God will judge the nations. He will destroy the secular, corrupt, and evil governments of men, along with their leaders and followers, who have come to dominate our world.

“Be of good cheer.” This destruction of the secular evil powers that rule our world is very good news, but there is more, much more. The prophecies of both Daniel and Revelation assure us that the destruction of our present world order will be followed by the coming of the kingdom of God to rule the nations of the world. Therefore, let us “Be of good cheer,” and maintain a positive and optimistic outlook about the future of our world. Let us keep in mind that this coming tribulation is part of God’s judgment and will be directed towards these godless rulers and their followers. And although we will be called upon to endure these perilous times, they will culminate in the coming of a bright new spiritual age and a far better world.

The coming new age. With the coming of God’s kingdom to rule the earth our present materialistic age will be left far behind. We will enter a wonderful new spiritual age, characterized by the more perfect doing of God’s will. This new age will bring a vast improvement in human relations and a most positive growth in both ethics and morals.

Our part. But, before the coming of this better world we must face and live through the disruption and destruction that necessarily precedes it. Our part, in his time of testing, is to face facts courageously and with faith; we will need to exercise wisdom, patient endurance, and, most critically, maintain a personal spiritual connection with God. In this time of trouble, a genuine inner relationship with God will be essential to strengthen us and see us through to the better times ahead.

 

Part 2-–Identities of the Rider on the White Horse

 

The conqueror. Chapter 6 of Revelation, which was previously discussed in podcast 47, depicts the beginning of this tribulation period with the coming of the famous “four horsemen of the apocalypse,” and, in particular, with the appearance of the rider on a white horse. This rider goes forth “conquering and to conquer” (Rev 6:2). The arising of this conqueror will be our first sign that the tribulation period has begun. The three horsemen who follow this conqueror represent the results of his conquering activity: war, famine, death, and Hades.

Numerous identifications of the rider on the white horse. There are a number of descriptions and characterizations of this rider on the white horse in the Bible and the major ones may be listed and summarized as follows:

The beast. After chapter 6 the rest of the book of Revelation refers to this conquer as a “beast.” Why is this so? It is because he has chosen his dark side and is dominated by his lower bestial urges. He is the opposite of true children of God who seek to control their inherent animalistic instincts and advance to truly human levels. He will not be restrained by morality, ethics, or religious and spiritual qualities such as love and mercy. He will be a devil guided and empowered personality, who seeks only his own power, rule, and even worship. Revelation reveals that this beast will be allowed to gain great power over the nations, and to exercise his will and authority for three and one-half years (Rev 13:5). But in the end he will be defeated by the heavenly forces of Jesus and “thrown alive into the lake of fire” (Rev 19:20).

The king of the revived Roman empire. Daniel chapter 7, which was discussed in podcast 48, identifies this beast as a conqueror who arises out of the territory of the original Roman empire (Dan 7:8). Although small at first, this king will overcome three modern nations that were also a part of Rome and become the leader of a revived Roman empire. He will be successful in his conquests, make war with the saints, and prevail over them (Dan 7:21). He will speak great things and seem greater than his fellows (Dan 7:20). He will even “speak words against the Most High” (Dan 7:25). This king will rule for three and one-half years (Dan 7:26), until God’s judgment comes, and his kingdom is taken away and “given to people of the saints of the Most High” (Dan 7:27).

“The vision is for the time of the end.” In Daniel chapter 8, which was discussed in podcast 49, Gabriel tells Daniel, “Understand, O son of man that the vision is for the time of the end” (Dan 8:17). “I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation; for it pertains to the appointed time of the end” (Dan 8:19).

         The king who arises out of Alexander the Great’s empire. In Chapter 8 Daniel identifies Revelation’s rider on the white horse as a conqueror who arises out of a division of Alexander the Great’s empire (Dan 8:8,9). Out of small beginnings he shall “grow exceedingly great towards the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land” (Dan 8:9). He will be a king of fierce countenance who will corrupt and destroy many. “By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper” (Dan 8:25). “He shall cause fearful destruction, and succeed in what he does and destroy mighty men and the people of the saints” (Dan 8:24).  He will magnify himself “even up to the Prince of the host” (Dan 8:11) and take away the continual burnt offering at Jerusalem (Dan 8:11). He will dominate for three and one-half years and then “the sanctuary will be restored” (Dan 8:14). “He shall even rise up against the Prince of princes; but, by no human hand he shall be broken” (Dan 8:25).

The Antichrist.  Daniel, in chapters 7, 8 and 11 reveals that this conqueror-beast will speak against God and Jesus. He will blaspheme the Father and not recognize Jesus as His divine Son. He will affirm that he is God above all others. Because he “denies the Father and the Son” (l John 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7) this beast is characterized by the apostle John as the “antichrist.” His is the way of self-assertion as contrasted with submission to God’s will, as taught by Jesus in his prayer, “your will be done” (Mt 6:10). And of all the identifications of the rider on the white horse in Revelation and Daniel, which include, the conqueror, the beast, the ruler of a revived Roman empire, a conqueror arising out of Alexander’s empire, and the king of the north in Daniel chapter 11, this rider on the white horse is best known today as “the antichrist.”

 

Part 3–The King of the North and the Time of the End

 

The king of the North and the king of the South. Daniel’s final revelation  the antichrist-beast and “the time of the end” is found in chapters 11 and 12. In Daniel 11, verse 4, the great prophet predicts that after Alexander the Great’s death, his empire will be “divided toward the four winds of heaven.” These four divisions were: (1) Greece and Macedonia,  (2) Asia Minor (which is modern Turkey), (3) Syria and lands to the east, and (4) Egypt. Daniel 11 recounts the history of two of these powers, one of which is north of Israel and the other south of Israel. These two nations were Syria and Egypt, and they were referred to respectively as the “king of the North” and the “king of the South.”

Daniel 11:4-35.  Daniel 11, verses 4-35 present an extensive and detailed history of the relations and wars between Syria and Egypt from the time of the division of Alexander’s empire in 323 BC up to the time of the last Syrian king of the North, Antiochus Epiphanes, in 167 BC. Rome conquered Syria in 64 BC and thereafter assumed the mantle of the king of the North. And the end times king of the North will be the ruler of a revived Roman empire.

Antiochus Epiphanes prefigures the end times king of the North. It is notable that this last Syrian king of the North, Antiochus Epiphanes, prefigures the end times king of the North, in that they both overpower Israel, “take away the continual burnt offering” in the Jerusalem temple and “set up the abomination that makes desolate” (Dan 8:31and Dan 12:11).

The prophecy skips forward to the last king of the North. After the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC, the prophecy skips forward to modern times and “the time of the end” (Dan 11:36). It is here that Daniel begins his description of the doings of the last king of the north, whom we may easily identify as the conqueror-beast of Revelation, because he, like the beast, will be a world conqueror who dominates Israel and “sets up the abomination that makes desolate” (Dan 12:11), rules for three and one half years (Dan 12:7), and is destroyed at the “time of the end” (Dan 11:40,45).

Daniel chapters 11 and 12. Here is what Daniel reveals about this king of the North and the time of the end in chapters 11 and 12:

         “And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is determined shall be done (Dan 11:36; my emphasis).

         he shall not give heed to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all (Dan 11:37).

         He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price (Dan 11:39).

At the time of the end the king of the south shall attack him; but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. (Dan 11:40; my emphasis).

         He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall (Dan 11:41),

         He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape (Dan 11:42).

         But tidings from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go forth with great fury to exterminate and utterly destroy many (Dan 11:44).

         And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him (KJV-Dan 11:45; my emphasis).

         At that time [when the king of the North “shall come to his end”] shall arise Michael [Jesus], the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book (Dan 12:1; my insertions).

         And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase (Dan 11:3,4).

         And I said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” (Dan 12:6)

         The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time [three and one half years]; and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished (Dan 12:7; my insertion).

         [These] words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shell understand (Dan 12: 9,10).

         And from the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days [three and one-half years plus thirty days.] (Dan 12:11; my insertion).

Summary. In summary, Daniel’s prophecy detailing the character and doings of last king of the North and time of the end begins in chapter 11, verse 36. Here Daniel tells us that the last king of the North “will do according to his will” and “shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods.” He will overcome the strongest of fortresses “by the help of a foreign god” (Dan 11:39).  He will reward those who follow him with riches and dominion over many peoples.

The time of the end. Daniel 11:40 reveals that “at the time of the end” Egypt will attack the king of the North. In responding to the this attack the king of the North will pass through the land of Israel and tens of thousands will fall. He will attack the king of the South with overwhelming force and conquer Egypt.

News from the east and north. However, news from the east and north will alarm him and he will go forth to exterminate and destroy many.

From his capital at Jerusalem he will proclaim himself God above all other Gods. The antichrist-king of the North will make his capital at Jerusalem, “between the seas in the glorious holy mountain” (KJV-Dan 11:45). In the temple he will take away the continual burnt offering and set up the “abomination that makes desolate” (Dan 12:11). He will blaspheme God and proclaim himself God above all other gods (Dan 11:37).

The “time of trouble” ends with the defeat of the antichrist. But three and one half years after setting up the “abomination that makes desolate” (Dan 12:7) and completing the “shattering the power of the Holy people” the king of the North shall “come to his end, with none to help him” (Dan 11:45). This will be a time of trouble, “such as never has been since there was a nation till that time” (Dan 12:1).

A time of great testing and the turning of others to righteousness. This time of trouble will be a time of great testing for both the secularists and the religious. At this time, “Many shall purify themselves,” but “none of the wicked shall understand” and they will continue to do wickedly (Dan 12:16). It will be a time that calls for the followers of Jesus to stand firm for God and the way of Jesus. Daniel 12:3 encourages us with these thrilling words: “those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament,” and “those who turn many to righteousness” will shine “like the stars forever and ever.”

The time of the end is not far off. In Daniel 11:4 the prophet describes the time of the end as a time when, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” We do well to clearly recognize that Daniel’s description of the time of the end well describes the very times in which we now live.

Part 4­–The End Times Scenario and its Conclusion

 

The end times scenario. In both Revelation and its great percussor, Daniel, we may identify four major phases of the “end times.” Recognizing this “end times scenario” not only helps us prepare for this time; it also helps us understand and identify the various references to this time throughout the Bible. First, the end times begin with a conqueror who arises out of small beginnings and goes forth “conquering and to conquer.” Second, this conqueror achieves great success, defeats even the “saints,” and gains extensive dominance over much of the world, including Israel and Jerusalem. He blasphemes God and Jesus and proclaims himself god above all. Third, after three and one-half years of world rule he is utterly defeated and destroyed by the heavenly forces of Jesus, thus bringing to an end the present world order. And fourth, this end times scenario culminates with the secular, corrupt, and evil kingdoms of men being replaced by the righteous and everlasting rule of the kingdom of God.

The great value of foreknowledge. We should be thankful for the great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. They not only help prepare us for this time of trouble, but also they encourage us with the assurance that, in the end, the good will win out, and we will enter a better and more spiritual age with the kingdom of God coming to rule over the kingdoms of men.

Courage, faith, and an inner spiritual connection with God are called for. This foreknowledge helps prepare us for the rise and fearsome rule of the antichrist beast. Only the genuine religion of personal spiritual experience will prove helpful if we hope to survive this time of testing. We must find the courage to face our fears and acknowledge the very real dangers presented by world conditions; we must manifest patient endurance, and prayerfully trust in God’s over care and protection. And we do well realize that this will be a wonderful time for personal evangelism–saving others through turning them to Jesus and his life giving teachings.

The glorious future. The following verses from Daniel and Revelation encourage us with the assurance that God will judge the secular, corrupt and evil rulers of the earth and their followers, destroy them, and replace them with the everlasting rule of righteousness.

he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes [that is Jesus]; but by no human hand he shall be broken ((Dan 8:25; my insertion).

And as I looked, the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire (Dan 7:11).

he shall come to his end, with none to help him. At that time shall arise Michael [Jesus], the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book ((Dan 11:45, 12:1; my insertion).

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who sits upon the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. And the rest were slain by the sword of him who sits upon the horse, the sword that issues from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh (Rev 19:19-21).

the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey them (Dan 7:26-27).

 

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