Daniel, Prophecy and a Sober Perspective of the "lawless one"

Comments on Text: Daniel 8 & Matthew 24:15-28

The vision granted to Daniel in the 6^th century BC is a glimpse into the “end of time”: As Gabriel said to him, “the vision is for the time of the end.” (8:17) This is a vitally important statement to keep in mind, not only as we attempt to interpret this specific vision within the book of Daniel but also the second section of Daniel (chapters 7-12).

What the careful reader finds is that Daniel is given in the different visions something like short video clips or pictorial metaphorical representations of persons and events that will profoundly change and shape the history of the world—but in a time that he will not live to personally witness (see 8:26).

The particular vision of chapter 8 prophecies the dominance of the Medo-Persian empire, and thus implies the downfall of the rule the Babylonians. (v.20) And then the scope of it reaches further to the downfall of the Medo-Persian empire and the mighty triumph of Alexander the Great and the influence of Greece. (v.21) And then further beyond after the death of Alexander the deluding and separating out of political power.

So then God clearly reveals the main geo-political changes the next four hundred years after Daniel’s lifetime, but there is more here. While there is not time here to go into all details of possible interpretative options, and the differing arguments for them, I would like to suggest that here we have a reference to what we normal think of as the “end days” from our historical timeframe. I will elaborate some.

“As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation but not with his power.” (v.22)

And then,

“At the end of their rule, when the transgressions have reached their full measure, a king of bold countenance shall arise, skilled in intrigue.” (v.23)

I suggest to you that: the “horn that was broken” refers to the rise of the Greek empire under Alexander the Great, which was centered in what is now modern day Turkey. And after his sudden death there was an intense struggle between four families, that eventually ended with four distinct areas, each ruled by a man from each of these four families. So it seems clear enough that this is the future geo-political developments which are predicted here.

Then there is the this “king of bold countenance”: Who is this? Based on the outworking of later ancient history, this most likely referring to Antiochus IV. He was know as a particularly vicious and wicked man and had a specially focused obsession on the Jewish people. He is known from ancient historians and from the books of the Maccabees.

All of this seems to make the most sense to me, as I have weighed options and consulted other commentators. But I think that there is more that God intended to convey here than just predicting these persons/kingdoms that would come following Daniel’s lifetime. For the description of this wicked king is directly taken up later in other sections of Daniel that definitely state that they describe “the latter days” (that is, what the biblical writers use to refer to the “end days” when the person of the anti-christ arises.) There is evidence of this line of interpretation in Daniel, in other prophetic books and in the Paul’s statement about the coming “lawless one”.

What does this vision of Daniel and Paul’s teaching and warning of the “lawless one” have to with the Lord’s words we heard in the Gospel reading?

Comments on Text: Matthew 24:15-28; Daniel; 2 Thessalonians 2

Note what the Lord said,

“So when you see the desolating sacrilege, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then …” (Matthew 24:15, 16). Note that our Lord specifically ties his own summation and warning and exhortations back to the prophecies of Daniel, specifically to the “desolating sacrilege” (Daniel 8:9-14).

The apostle Paul, in writing to the Thessalonian church, is definitely referring back to Daniel’s prophecies, specifically citing , in verse 4, “He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.” (2:4)

In other words in all three we find reference to action that are to be done in a time still future to us, by one individual who has most commonly been identified in Church history a “the anti-Christ.”

What then we learn about this figure?

He will arise and cease power and do as he pleases. He will not acknowledge the living God but proclaim himself as equal to or above all gods. He will fiercely oppose, persecute and kill all who worship the true and living God.

(Daniel 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:36-39)

Yet what shall be his end?

Cite/quote Daniel 8:25 & 2 Thessalonians 2:8

"By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall be great. Without warning he shall destroy many and shall even rise up against the Prince of princes. But he shall be broken, and not by human hands." (Daniel 8:25, NRSVue)

"And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8, NRSVue)

Here is how I suggest we can and should reflect on this truth and how it should shape our thinking: We need to have the same perspective as psalmists and the same practice—whether or not we live during the time of the rise of the anti-Christ or not. For we all need to have radical trust and to let the Lord train our hands for war, and always entrust ourselves and others to God’s protective care and pray as he did for the peace of the Messiah’s reign on earth.

Once again, whether you or I will be alive on earth when this man appears, takes power and succeeds in doing horrendous evil, as we are warned about, the exhortations in these passages are instructive for us. Let us review them:

We are to know and not be deceived by the man of lawlessness—especially when he (or anyone) demonstrates supra-human powers (“power, signs, lying wonders”) but pay attention to character and words—do not be deceived! Others will come too, who are not the “man of lawlessness” who is identified in Scripture, and so we must be discerning and not be deceived (Matthew 24:23-25).

If we find ourselves alive at the point when this “desolating sacrilege” is enacted by the lawless one, and near the “beautiful land” (that is, the land of ancient promise belonging to Israel by promise), then we need to “flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16); we should get out and stay away for the full concentration of demonic and planned evil will then be enacted in God’s designated holy place by this man. 

Even in the face of the coming great demonic deception (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) we must ourselves maintain our witness in our words and manner of life. This what our Lord asks of us—“stand firm to the end, and await my coming”