The Times Of The Gentiles part Nine

The dominion of the first three empires was over,but their lives were prolonged.Their lives were prolonged in that the previous empires left their influence on the fourth empire.From the Daniel seven passage it is clear that the leopard-like body represents the Hellenistic influence; the bear like feet represents the Medo-Persian influences;and the lion-like mouth represents the Babylonian influences.Thus ,while their dominion ended ,their lives were prolonged.In verses 3-10 the text concentrates on the fifth stage of the fourth empire,the Antichrist stage.The details will be discussed later in a more appropriate place,so a concise summary is all that will be needed here.In verse three the death and resurrection of the Antichrist is viewed.One of the heads is smitten unto death and the death-stroke was healed.It is the seventh head that is smitten,and the full meaning of the head and heads will be discussed with the fourth major passage dealing with the times of the Gentiles.In verse four the worship of the Antichrist is described .In verses 5-7 the activities of the Antichrist are described,and they are similar to those recorded in Daniel seven:he speaks great things (verse5a);he reigns with absolute control for 31/2 years (verse5b); he blasphemes against all heaven (verse6);he wars against the saints (verse7a)and the nations (verse7b).In verse 8 the worship of the Antichrist is described again.The passage concludes in verses 9-10 with a warning to those that do so. This passage will be discussed in detail in the chapter dealing with the events of the middle of the tribulation .What is seen in Revelation 13 is the fourth Gentile Empire of Imperialism viewed in its fifth and final,stage the Antichrist Stage,and his activities in the second half of the tribulation are described.The ten horns represent ten kingdoms of the fourth stage which precede the fifth stage of the Antichrist .But chapter 13 adds the fact that this beast has seven heads which is not mentioned in any of the previous passages dealing with the times of the Gentiles.The fourth and final passage will focus on the seven heads.we will pick up here next time God Bless