SATAN COUNTERFEITS CHRIST’S MINISTRY IN HEAVEN

(Daniel 7 – Antichrist Prophecy Study)

Introduction

Christ is the supreme King of heaven and earth, with full authority given by God over both kingdoms.

“Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power… direction not only of the earthly but also of the heavenly kingdom.”
— Lucius Ferraris, Papa II, Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, pp. 25–29

The prophecy of Daniel 7 reveals the rise and fall of world powers and identifies a final religious-political system symbolized as the “little horn,” commonly interpreted as the Antichrist power.

1. The Vision of Daniel

1.1 Daniel’s Dream

Daniel saw four winds stirring the great sea, and four beasts emerging from it:

• Lion with eagle’s wings

• Bear raised on one side with three ribs

• Leopard with four wings and four heads

• Dreadful fourth beast with iron teeth and ten horns

“In the first year of Belshazzar… Daniel had a dream and visions…” (Daniel 7:1–3)

1.2 Symbols Explained

Winds

Winds symbolize political strife, war, and national conflict.
(See Jeremiah 49:35–37; 51:1,11)

Sea / Waters

Waters represent multitudes of people, nations, and languages.
(Revelation 17:15)

Beasts

Beasts represent kingdoms or political powers.
(Daniel 7:17,23)

2. The Four World Empires

2.1 First Beast – Babylon (Lion)

• Symbol: Lion with eagle’s wings

• Represents: Babylon

• Characteristics: Rapid conquest, absolute monarchy

• Wings plucked = fall of Babylon (Daniel 5)

2.2 Second Beast – Medo-Persia (Bear)

• Symbol: Bear raised on one side

• Three ribs = Babylon, Lydia, Egypt conquered

• Represents: Medo-Persian Empire

2.3 Third Beast – Grecia (Leopard)

• Symbol: Leopard with four wings

• Represents: Grecia

• Features: Rapid expansion

• Four heads = division after Alexander into four kingdoms:

  • Cassander

  • Lysimachus

  • Seleucus

  • Ptolemy

2.4 Fourth Beast – Rome

• Symbol: Dreadful beast with iron teeth

• Represents: Roman Empire

• Features:

  • Strength and destruction

  • Ten horns = division of Western Rome into nations

These include:

• Visigoths

• Ostrogoths

• Vandals

• Franks

• Lombards

• Suevi

• Burgundians

• Heruli

• Anglo-Saxons

• Alemanni

3. The Ten Horns

3.1 Meaning

The ten horns represent ten kingdoms that arose after the breakup of Rome.

“The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise…” (Daniel 7:24)

These correspond to the divided nations of Western Europe.

4. The Little Horn (Antichrist Power)

4.1 Rise of the Little Horn

A “little horn” rises among the ten kingdoms:

• Uproots three kingdoms (Heruli, Vandals, Ostrogoths)

• Speaks great words against God

• Persecutes saints

• Changes times and laws

4.2 Identification

This power is identified as the Papal system based on:

(1) Blasphemous claims

• Claims divine authority on earth

• Speaks as God’s representative

(2) Persecution

• Opposed dissenters during the Middle Ages

• Estimated millions suffered persecution

(3) Change of times and law

• Claims authority to change divine law

• Sunday worship change attributed to ecclesiastical authority

(4) Time prophecy fulfilled

“Time, times, and half a time” = 1260 prophetic days = 1260 years

• Start: A.D. 538 (papal supremacy established)

• End: A.D. 1798 (papal captivity under Napoleon’s general Berthier)

5. Prophetic Time Period

• 1 day = 1 year (Ezekiel 4:6 principle)

• 3½ times = 1260 years

This period marks:

• Papal dominance

• Persecution of saints

• Religious-political control in Europe

6. The Final Judgment Scene

“The Ancient of Days did sit…” (Daniel 7:9–10)

Key points:

• God opens judgment

• Books are opened

• Antichrist power is judged

• God’s kingdom is established

7. God’s Everlasting Kingdom

7.1 Final Outcome

• Earthly kingdoms pass away

• God’s kingdom replaces them permanently

“The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)

7.2 Call to Decision

• Truth vs error

• God’s side vs human systems

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)

8. Conclusion

The prophecy of Daniel 7 shows:

• The rise and fall of empires

• The development of a religious-political power (little horn)

• The final judgment of God

• The establishment of Christ’s eternal kingdom

The central issue is loyalty to God versus human religious systems.