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Although the form and appearance of the Roman Empire have vanished, the culture, spirit, and essence of the Roman Empire continue to exist today; at the beginning of the great tribulation (Matt. 24:21) the form and appearance of the Roman Empire will be restored under Antichrist (Dan. 7:12).
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The ten kings with their kingdoms, typified by the ten toes of the great image in Daniel 2, will be joined together under Antichrist, who will be the last Caesar of the revived Roman Empire; all of this will transpire in Europe—Rev. 17:10-14:
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The mystery of lawlessness is working today among the nations and in human society; this lawlessness will culminate in the man of lawlessness, Antichrist—2 Thes. 2:3-10.
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Antichrist will be the power of Satan, the embodiment of Satan; he will persecute and destroy the people of God—both the God-fearing Jews and the Christ-believing Christians—Dan. 8:24; Rev. 12:17; 13:7.
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Antichrist will demolish and desolate the temple of God and the city of God; he will cast truth down to the ground—Dan. 9:27; 8:12.
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Antichrist will have sharp insight to perceive things and will speak things against the Most High—7:8, 20, 25.
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Antichrist will wear out the saints of the Most High; we have to resist and oppose the gradual, repeated, frequent, and daily wearing-out tactics of Satan—v. 25; Matt. 24:12; Judg. 16:16; Eph. 6:11-13.
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Satan and Antichrist want the souls of men to be the instruments for their activities in the last age—Rev. 18:11-13; 2 Tim. 3:5; cf. Zech. 12:1.
Morning Nourishment
Dan. 7:7-8 …And there was a fourth beast, dreadful and frightful and exceedingly strong; and it had large iron teeth;…and it had ten horns…. Then there was another horn, a small one, which came up among them…Rev. 17:12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who…receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast.
The world situation, especially the situation in Europe, has been remodeled to fit in with the prophecies in the Bible. If we are clear about this, we will know where we are and what we should do.
The culture, spirit, and essence of the Roman Empire continue to exist, but the form and appearance of this empire have vanished. However, the form and appearance of the Roman Empire will be restored under Antichrist. (Life-study of Daniel, p. 23)
According to Revelation 17:12, ten kings will be raised up before the great tribulation in the revived Roman Empire. They will be one with Antichrist in opposing God and persecuting His people—the Jews and the believers. These ten kings are likened to the ten toes of the great image seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his dream (Dan. 2:42). They will submit themselves and their kingdom to Antichrist (Rev. 17:17).
Western culture is composed of Hebrew religion, Greek philosophy, and Roman politics. Roman politics is carrying on Western culture, and the Bible prophesies that the Roman Empire will be revived…. All of this will transpire in Europe. (CWWL, 1991-1992, vol. 1, "The World Situation and the Direction of the Lord's Move," p. 277)
Today's Reading
This little horn will have eyes like the eyes of man (Dan. 7:8, 20). Here the eyes signify insight. That the horn will have eyes like a man indicates that Antichrist will be intellectually brilliant. He will be a man full of knowledge and will possess great insight. He may both know political science and be familiar with all the up-to-date scientific knowledge. Keep this in mind as you observe the world situation and read the newspapers. Not too long from now, such a man will rise up.This little horn will also have a mouth speaking great words against the Most High (Dan. 7:8, 20, 25). He will be arrogant in utterance and speak blasphemous words against God. Antichrist will be an eloquent speaker. Even today, any candidate for political office must be both intelligent and articulate. The greater words a candidate speaks, the more likely he is to be elected. When you see a brilliant and eloquent person speaking arrogant words and blaspheming God, you must take notice—he may be Antichrist. His appearance will be so strong, so stout, so imposing, and so attractive that he will be able to subdue many simply by the power of his presence [v. 20].
Not only will Antichrist be arrogant and blasphemous, but he will also make war against the saints [v. 21]. He will persecute the God-fearing Jews and the Christ-believing Christians. Verse 25 indicates that the little horn shall "wear out the saints of the Most High." Antichrist will put the saints under his hand and gradually wear them out. How he will do this I do not know. It is more difficult to endure this wearing out than to be put to death suddenly. Do not wait to experience this yourself. Rather, pray that you might escape it. The more we see someone arising who looks like this person, the more we need to pray, "Lord, if this is the one, take me away before he comes into power. I do not want to be under his hand." (Life-study of Revelation, pp. 471-472)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1989, vol. 4, "The Organic Building Up of the Church as the Body of Christ to be the Organism of the Processed and Dispensing Triune God," ch. 2; CWWN, vol. 38, ch. 52