THE COMING KING

By GORDON CHILVERS

The world will soon be dominated by a man who will plunge it into deeper sin than it has ever known before. He will be a world-emperor, the superman, for whom the political world is now waiting. He is known as the Antichrist. He will do everything in his power to oppose the true Christ, and will as far as it is possible usurp his position.*

[* Paul Morris, in the ‘Herald’, (Sept-Nov. 2004 issue) says: “By and large the rabbis have succeeded in conveying the idea of a triumphalistic Messiah who ‘strides the world stage like a colossus’, turns Israel and the nations back to God and introduces a remarkable era of world peace which affects all creation.” - Israel, in unbelief of Jesus of Nazareth as their true Messiah, believe Scriptures that many regenerate believers today disbelieve!

“Whoever neglects the Second Coming,” says D. L. Moody, “has only a mutilated Gospel, for the Bible teaches us not only the death and sufferings of Christ, but also His return and reign in honour and glory. His Second Coming is mentioned and referred to over three hundred times, yet I was in the church fifteen or sixteen years before I ever heard a sermon on it.”]

The first thing we are told of this king is that he will be a law to himself “And the king shall do according to his will” (Dan.11: 36). Being a world-emperor and backed by the power of Satan, as permitted by God, he will have such success that his head is turned by the dizzy heights of fame which he has reached. Nothing must stand in his way: everyone who seeks to oppose him is at once executed. Then he is to be the essence of pride: “And he shall exalt himself”. Convinced of his own greatness, he will have all men to know that he is the greatest man on earth.

Yet even there he will not stop, for he will endeavour to seduce men to transfer their worship from the God of heaven to himself: “and magnify himself above every other god”. Thus, he will try to show that he is not only the greatest man on earth but that there is no being in heaven who is greater than he is. As Antichrist, he will deny God and Christ. So that John says: “He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (1 John 2: 22). In order to prove his words he will resort to blasphemy, “and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods”. To show his own importance he must try to show the unimportance of Jehovah. We are amazed that God allows this, and apparently without rebuke. The silent heaven in the face of the wickedness of man is the most amazing thing in the universe at the time. He “shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished”. God allows this wickedness then, not because He does not know what is happening, nor because He is powerless to interfere, but because of His anger against the inhabitants of the earth.* God is greatly displeased with men, and especially the Jew, and so He allows wicked men to have sway that they may chastise their fellow-men. “For that which is determined shall be done”. Man has but the earthly view, and it seems to him that the man does just as he likes. God has the heavenly view; He is watching and planning, and the man is only doing what God already knew that He would do, and had taken into account in His plan. Isaiah’s words are much to the point: “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. For the Lord God of Hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction” (Isaiah 10 : 15, 23, 25).

[* Judgment must begin at the house of God.

“Beloved, we have but one life to life, it is a tragedy what a miscarriage many of us make through not seeing that it is the vantage-ground from which honour and glory may be won, in addition to the common salvation the New Birth of all believers. Hear the finest athlete Christ ever had perhaps, “Every man that striveth in the games is temperate in all things. How they do it to receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so box I, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage; lest by any means, after I have been a herald to others, I myself should be rejected [from the crown]” (1 Cor. 9: 25-27). (See also Weymouth.) Hear the old Warrior at the last of his victor shout, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have guarded the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4: 7, 8). “If we died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure we shall also reign with him;* if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: if we are faithfess, he abideth faithful: for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2: 11-13).” - Chas. S. UTTING.]

So strong will be this man’s determination to get worship to himself at all costs that, “neither shall he regard the God of his fathers”. Jehovah will not be worshipped by the Antichrist, though He was acknowledged supreme by all preceding generations. “Nor the desire of woman” - a goddess. Many countries have a goddess who is worshipped by large sections of the population; for example, the large section of Roman Catholics who worship the Virgin Mary whom they regard as being “the Mother of God”. “Nor regard any god!” He will not worship Jehovah, a female deity, or any other god; he will not even be like the Greeks who worshipped The Unknown God.

Earlier in the book (ch. 7) we are told that this man will change times and seasons; here we are told that he will change gods, for he will worship no known deity. Now we get the reason for his hatred of all gods, “For he shall magnify himself above all”. He craves for worship and reckons himself to be God and so will not render allegiance to any other. He will take up the attitude: "L’etat c’est moi” - “The state, I am the state”. Yet man does not wish to be without worship, and something, however foolish, will be that before which he bows. “But in his estate he shall honour the God of forces.” War will be his object; conquest and the lust of power will be the only object of his life. In his view, might will be right, and he, strengthened by diabolical power, will make war against every opposing nation on the earth. His armies will know no rest, for war, war, war, will be his all-absorbing interest. “And a god whom his fathers knew not shall be honoured.” His god will not be one who is generally known to the world as such, yet he will be the god who is worshipped by a few people even in this country today - Satan himself.

The apostle John in the book of Revelation makes this abundantly clear. The people of that time, “worshipped the dragon (that is, Satan) which gave power unto the beast” (Rev. 13: 4). The reason why Antichrist should worship Satan is not difficult to find; “The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority” (Rev. 13: 2). He is dependent upon Satan for his power and in return he is the tool of Satan, and in response to Satan’s love of worship he causes the world to worship the Devil. So great is the Devil’s love of worship that he said, “I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14: 14), and as a result he was cast out of heaven. Later he even asked the Son of God to fall down and worship him, for which he would have given world-dominion without the cross.* Christ refused the offer; Antichrist- accepts it and this is the result: he shall “honour (him) with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things”. No doubt temples where Satan can be worshipped will abound and these will be magnificently adorned. “Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god.” In all places on earth he will set up temples for the worship of Satan: even where Jehovah is worshipped - probably by devout Jews - he will succeed in overcoming resistance so as to bring in the god he desires that everyone should worship. He shall “increase (Satan) with glory”. There is nothing at which Antichrist will stop short to bring honour to his master. In all probability he dare not even hesitate; Satan is a hard master and his terms are the most rigorous.

[* No suffering on the part of the saint of God for righteousness and truth: no crown or inheritance in the coming glory.]

Paul tells the Thessalonian believers (2 Thess. 1: 5) that rather than their sufferings be punishment from God, they were “a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer." It reminds us of Paul's words to the churches of Galatia: “That we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14: 22). Now we are not saved by our suffering. We enter the kingdom of God by the new birth: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3 : 5). But there is also a future manifestation of the kingdom of God on this earth. When the Lord comes in glory, He shall set up His [Millennial] Kingdom on this earth, and we shall reign with Him. He “hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign with Him on the earth” (Rev. 5: 10). But if we reign with Him then, we must suffer with Him now: for, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Tim. 2: 12). And so our sufferings are "that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer."]

“And he shall cause them to rule over many.” Satan’s universal power is given to Antichrist who will delegate it to those who serve him. The principle behind the division will be corruption. “And (he) shall divide the land for gain.” They will not be the most suitable men who will rule, but those who will pay the largest sum of money for the privilege. What a world this is to be! It will be ruled by agents of hell who employ any man who is wealthy enough, and who is willing to pay the price. “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him.” Here is evidence that we are correct in applying these events to the last days. The king of the south is a power in control of Egypt. (The south in the Old Testament simply means south of Palestine.) “And the king of the north shall come against him.” Russia is far to the north of Palestine, and a most powerful nation as may be seen from Ezekiel 38. Russia will head the alliance known as the Northern Confederacy which will march against Jerusalem and the Jew for battle. The power referred to is one of considerable strength. He comes “like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships.” One of the great powers mentioned in Ezekiel 38 is addressed as follows: “thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.” “And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses,” - horsemen are especially prominent in these words of Ezekiel - “a great company, and a mighty army” “And he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.”

This king will pass through many countries whether the kings of the other nations wish it or not until he comes to Palestine. “He shall enter also into the glorious land.” A re-populated Palestine will be the wonder of the world and the prize of every grasping monarch. Its rich soil is already yielding its increase and by the time spoken of, this prosperity will have multiplied greatly. Before Israel entered it, the land was described as a land of milk and honey: even the pessimistic Jewish spies did not doubt that the land was good, and the grapes of Eshcol were a good emblem of fruitfulness. “And many countries shall be overthrown.” As Antichrist’s one idea is world-wide dominion many nations will have to be overcome before he completes his purpose. As he is backed by Satan no one will be able to withstand his onslaughts - in fact many of the nations will realise the futility of waging war with him and come to terms without a fight. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Revelation 17: 12, 13, 17).

Antichrist will gain far more by his craft than he will by war: he will choose peaceful means whenever this is possible, and only when that is not sufficient will he engage in expensive wars. “But these shall escape out of his hand,” - not because of their goodness but because of their wickedness - “even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.” These were the nations which greatly distressed Israel. When the Chaldeans oppressed the Jews these peoples were Israel’s biggest and bitterest enemies and did nothing to help them. God’s judgment shall yet overtake them. “I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 25: 14). “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.”

The wealth of this world will belong to Satan’s man. He, as is promised, is given the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. “He shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver.” His wealth will be fabulous even when compared with that of Solomon. The riches of India will only be part of his wealth; the mines of South Africa another small part. He will be able to control all currency and all commerce. By this means those who do not have the mark of the beast or his number or will not worship him will be prohibited from having any part in business. Also he shall have power “over all the precious things of Egypt.” As Egypt has to bow to her conqueror she cannot withhold her treasures. Even in the time of Joseph, Egypt was famed for her supplies of corn. The Israelites were very fond of Egypt, for they liked the cucumbers, melons, leaks, onion and garlic. “And the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his step.” These two nations will become allies with Egypt as is revealed by Ezekiel (30: 5); “Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.”

Yet, in spite of Antichrist’s enormous power; not everything will go well for him. “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.” It is possible that the yellow peril will afflict the world at that time. The nations of the East include China and Japan, and, as has always been feared, if they united would prove a formidable weapon of war. Tidings from the North may be the coming of the Northern Confederacy on Palestine. In no way does this deter Antichrist, instead it gives him frenzy and “he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.” Having had trouble from the same quarter on two occasions he determines that it shall not happen again, so he goes against them with the intention of complete destruction. “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas” - probably referring to some place between the Mediterranean and the Dead Seas or the Mediterranean and the Red Seas - “in the glorious holy mountain,” that is, Mount Zion, which is referred to in the Old Testament as the holy hill of Zion. This man is in no way concerned with what is holy unto the Lord but simply with what suits his purpose. The 83^rd. Psalm, referring to this very time, sums up the attitude of the nations and the Jews toward one another in the following words: “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: for they are confederate against thee” (Psalm 83: 3-5). The Jews in their sore anguish cry out: “Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: that men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth” (Psalm 83: 17, 18).

God hears the cry of the Jew and so “he (Antichrist) shall come to his end, and none shall help him”. When God arises in judgment He will miss none and will sweep wickedness from the earth, and so Antichrist will have no helper. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19: 20). What about Satan, surely he has not forsaken him in his hour of trial? No! But Satan is powerless to help himself, let alone his poor dupes. “And he (the angel) laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him” (Revelation 20: 2, 3).

We know that these events must happen, so we look the more earnestly for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be caught away from earth before these terrible events take place.*

[* NOTE. I see more evidence if impending gloom inside today’s newspapers than I hear from the pulpit of the Church. Those from whom warnings should come, remain strangely silent.

If every man who professes to be a minister of Christ for the next ten Sundays preached on the coming judgments of God and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, a revival of repentance and God-seeking would break out across this land such as we never thought possible.

God’s servants must act now. We have seen enough in the past few years to stir every professing Christian to the depths of his soul. We must awake to the conditional warnings addressed to the redeemed; we must awake to the consequences of our disobedience; we must awake to the doom of men and nations ignorant to the truth of God; we must launch a Crusade for God and lost souls today such as the world has never seen.

I call upon mature Christians, in Christ’s name, to humble themselves before God and plead with Him for the reviving of His Church and the declaration of the whole counsel of God, (See Acts 20: 24-27). The situation is desperate, but Christians are not! God grant His people become stirred and desperate. The night is fast approaching, and the unwatchful will be left behind: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. WATCH YE - [i.e., “disciples”, Verse 5, cf. Acts 11: 26.] - THEREFORE, and pray always, THAT YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS THAT SHALL COME TO PASS and to stand before the Son of man, (Luke 21: 34-36).]

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