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Jan/Feb 2009

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THE ORIGIN OF THE ANTICHRIST From the Revived Roman Empire— Specifically, the Eastern Leg ! By Phillip Goodman David Reagan recently reviewed my book The Assyrian Connection, which discusses the origin of the Antichrist. Anyone who has read both The Assyrian Connection and Reagan‟s review must be thoroughly confused. Dr. Reagan makes this statement about my book, Furthermore, to deny that the empire to be revived is the Roman Empire is to deny the significance of the miraculous revival of that empire in our day and time in the form of the European Union — an event that has been predicted by prophecy experts for several hundred years.1 This is a flat contradiction of what I wrote. For example, from page 25 in The Assyrian Connection is this statement: Why are the eyes of much of the Christian world cast in the direction of Europe at this time? What is the prophetic significance of the rush toward European unity? The revival of the Roman Empire...is a clear prerequisite to the return of Christ… (Phillip Goodman, The Assyrian Connection, 1992, 2002) This kind of an oversight in a book review makes the entire critique credulous. My contention is precisely that the Roman Empire will be revived, and that every sign points to the rise of the European Union as a first step in that direction. That‟s what the book says—and that‟s what I teach. Why would someone who has read the book—and who has spoken at the Tulsa Prophecy Conference five times, where I have taught on this subject— think otherwise? In The Assyrian Connection I make the case that the Bible gives strong indications the Antichrist will arise— not only from the Revived Roman Empire— but from the eastern wing of the Revived Roman Empire. Still, it is the Revived Roman Empire. To say, as Reagan

does, that the Revived Roman Empire must be equated strictly with Europe is in error. This Eurocentric view evaporates in the light of both Biblical prophecy and secular history. Here is what respected prophecy author Chuck Missler, a close associate of Hal Lindsay, said in his Personal Update (11-02, p.3), ...while we understand that the [Antichrist] is predicted to come from the Roman Empire, we tend to be myopic regarding the extent of this designation: we tend to equate the Roman Empire with Western Europe, ignoring the eastern leg of this empire, which outlasted the western leg by a thousand years! -Chuck Missler Dr. Reagan caps off his review (of my book and 3 others) with a caution about “lone ranger” positions. But Reagan holds to a position on eternal punishment (Mat. 25:46) called “conditionalism,” which in view of its doctrinal centrality, is far and away more “lone ranger” than the issue of the origin of the Antichrist. In this special edition of The Spirit Of Prophecy (twice the pages) we will examine some substantive issues raised in the course of Dr. Reagan‟s review of The Assyrian Connection—issues such as the nature of the Revived Roman Empire, the role of the Middle East in that Empire, and the prophecies of the coming Antichrist Kingdom. What did prophets such as Daniel, Micah and John (the book of Revelation) foretell about the developing empire of the Antichrist? My purpose is to focus on these issues. David Reagan is a gifted prophetic teacher and evangelist. This is clearly in evidence at our Tulsa Prophecy Conference, where he will set come kind of a record when he returns as a speaker for the 6th time in 2010. This is actually pretty easy for us both because we are able to nod amen in unison on nearly all the major Bible doctrines. Please keep that in mind in the pages ahead as we examine some complex Bible prophecy passages. We are going to deal with beastly characters, headcounts, horns, metal statues, and ancient empires rising up once again in our very day—but it is all Biblical. And it all signals the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You will need your Bible open and ready. David Reagan’s review included 4 books total, all under the caption “Will The Antichrist Be A Muslim.” (a claim I have never made) One of the books was by our Conference friend, Walid Shoebat. Access the review at www.lamblion.com

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Daniel‟s Statue: Four Kingdoms, Then The Kingdom Of Christ! 1. Daniel chapter 2 shows a giant statue and uses its body parts to represent 4 Empires that span history from the time of Babylon until the return of Christ. The 4th Empire is succeeded by the Kingdom of Christ, symbolized by a great stone hurtling out of heaven. 2. The 4 Empires are Babylon (the head), Persia (arms and chest), Greece (belly and thighs), and Rome (legs, feet and toes) Below is a graphic of the Daniel 2 depiction of these 4 Gentile Empires that will dominate history, one after the other, until the return of Christ. Daniel‟s prophecies are foundational to Revelation.

B A B Y L O N

P G R E R S I A

R E E C E

(Rome embedded among the Euro-Mideast nations)

Revived

Dominant Empires above this line

TIME

GREECE PERSIA BA BYLON Copyright 2004 Phillip Goodman, The Beast From The East

Dominant Empire

Daniel‟s Statue and 2 Fundamental Facts 1. Beginning with Babylon, there are four (4) Gentile Empires that will dominate history until the return of Christ— four, not five, not six—four. Note that the Roman Empire is not a kingdom that dies and then morphs into an entirely new kingdom—a fifth kingdom— but rather is a single kingdom that splits and divides and at the end of history revives into its final 10-toe (10 kings) form. The Roman Empire (symbolized by the legs & feet) begins as the fourth Empire and ends as the fourth Empire when Jesus returns. “Then there will be a fourth kingdom (Dan 2:40)… it [still the fourth] will be a divided kingdom (v. 41) ...some of the kingdom [still the fourth] will be strong and part of it will be brittle…(v. 42)” 2. Babylon, Persia and Greece do not pass from history as kingdoms until the return of Christ. They continue to exists— not symbolically, not only as cultural traits passed to the next kingdom— but as kingdoms rising to prominence in the days leading to Christ‟s return. Scripture could not be more clear on this point. “Then the iron, the clay (Rome), the bronze (Greece), the silver (Persia) and the gold (Babylon) were crushed [by Christ at His return] all at the same time [When? At the return of Christ]…” Daniel 2:35 Should there be any doubt that Babylon, Persia, Greece, and yes, even the fourth kingdom, Rome, will last to the very end of history as kingdoms, we read again, “…[Christ] will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms [Put an end to what? Traits, characteristics, cultures? No, “kingdoms”], but [His Kingdom] will itself endure forever. Daniel 2:44 If Rome is a literal kingdom when it is “crushed” at Christ‟s coming, then the other kingdoms must be also.

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The Statue-Kingdoms: Then & Gone, or Here & Now? In light of the our discussion on the Statue of Daniel 2, let‟s examine a statement David Reagan makes in his reviewcritique of my book, The Assyrian Connection, and then we will respond.

Reagan says, “[Goodman‟s] assertion that all the empires included in this passage have continued to this day, except the Assyrian, simply cannot be justified in history. The bottom line is that there is no way around the fact that the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Roman Empires ceased to exist. And there is no way to sensibly argue that all of them have continued to this day except the Assyrian, and therefore it is the one that will be resurrected in the end times. 1 (Reagan‟s review ) “The only empire among the seven that doesn’t exist in some form today is Assyria.” Chuck Missler Chuck Missler, Personal Update, November, 2002, p. 5.

THE ISSUE: If all of these kingdoms have continued to exist through history, and will do so right up to the end time, then we can ( 1 ) be satisfied with the literal sense of the passage, which is always preferable and we can ( 2 ) expect Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), Greece and Rome to be prominent on the modern world stage—and indeed they are!

RESPONSE: Reagan misses the point of what I have said in The Assyrian Connection. I didn‟t say “that all the empires...have continued to this day.” I said the POST-empire kingdoms, or sub-kingdoms (geo-political remains), have continued to this day. The Empires each lost their dominion one to another in succession. As the next Empire took over, the previous one shrank back to sub-kingdom status, and it is in that mode that “they have continued to this day.” For example, when the Persian Empire was defeated by the Greeks, the Persians shrank back to become a relatively small sub-kingdom. The Greeks took over their domain and became the Greek Empire. But the Persians can still be traced all the way to modern Iran. Next, the Greeks lost their Empire status to the Romans. But neither the Romans, the Greeks, the Persians or the Babylonians before them have ever disappeared from history as people groups and place names. Only their Empires have ceased to exist. They lost their Empire status, but a germinal core of each kingdom still lives on. That is what I said. History, and more importantly the Bible, supports this. Let‟s start with the Bible. Reagan misses a key fact in Daniel 2:35 and 44. Does Christ, when He returns as the “destroying stone” in Daniel 2:44 “crush and put an end” to only the “cultural traits” that remain of Babylon ? Or does He destroy the kingdom of Babylon? Shall we spiritualize this passage? Or shall we “accept the plain sense of the meaning” as Reagan himself cautions?2 I choose the latter. It says “[the end-time stone of Christ] will crush and put an end to all of these kingdoms.” When? When Christ returns it will happen. These four literal kingdoms—Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome—will be destroyed “all at the same time” (v. 35)...when Christ returns, and not before. That being the case, though their Empires ceased, these kingdoms did not. Later, Daniel 7:12 reaffirms this by stating that all of these kingdoms are given “an extension of life” after “their dominion was taken away.” That is, after they lost their Empire status to the succeeding Empire, they did not die as kingdoms. These defeated Empires simply shrank back to secondary-status kingdoms, sub-kingdoms, or cities and lived on. Today Chaldeans (Babylonians, Jer. 51:24) live in Iraq. Egypt, which is one of the Empires referred to in the

Revelation 17 description of the Beast-heads, is a good example. The Bible itself plainly states that Egypt, long after its Empire days were gone, was still in existence in the prophecies of Daniel 11. Further down the timeline there is the gospel account of the flight of the family of Jesus into Egypt. Later on Egypt is even listed in the record of the countries represented at Pentecost in Acts 2:8-11. The Empire was gone, but Egypt lived on and does to this day! All that is required of the prophecies of Daniel 2:35, 44 and 7:12 is that a scaled-back core of these post-empire kingdoms be identifiable throughout history, down to our own time. And what do we see? Do we still have Rome, the city? Is Greece on the map. Is Persia (Iran) on the front page of your daily newspaper? Is Egypt aiding and abetting terroristtunnels into the Gaza strip? Yes to all of these questions. And why not? History always confirms what the Bible foretells in prophecy. Finally, did you know that you can open any world history book, check out the index entries for Rome, Greece, Egypt and Persia, (Babylon is discussed below) and trace them from the fall of their Empire days, through various dynasties and overlords, right down to today? But you cannot do that with Assyria. The index entries for Assyria in any world history text abruptly stop at 612 BC. This becomes very important when we consider which one of the seven heads on the Beast of Revelation 13 qualifies as the slain head—the Empire-Head which recovers to give rise to the Antichrist.

Was Babylon Cut From History? Reagan makes this comment about Babylon in his book review, giving Isaiah 13:17-20 as his reference, The Babylonian Empire ceased to exist overnight when it was overthrown by the Medo-Persian Empire. THE ISSUE: Does Revelation 17-18 predict that Babylon (Yes, that‟s the word it uses) will rise again at the end time? If the Isaiah 13 passage about the final destruction of Babylon has been fulfilled, as Reagan says, then the word “Babylon” in Revelation must mean something else.

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Or, if one believes the word “Babylon” in Revelation means “Rome,” as Reagan says he believes, then Isaiah 13:17-20 must have been fulfilled. Since there is ample refutation of this interpretation in the writings of prophecy experts like Tim LaHaye, Thomas Ice, Grant Jeffrey, Charles Dyer, Mark Hitchcock, Chuck Missler, J.A. Seiss, and Clarence Larkin to name just a few, I will not offer my own. But I do want to quote one. Reagan list as a consultant for his book review Arnold Fruchtenbaum, the esteemed Jewish Christian Bible scholar. 3 But here is what Fruchtenbaum says about whether or not Babylon was destroyed once and for all in the past, never to rise again. ...Babylon is to be rebuilt and become the Antichrist‟s world-wide political and economic capital of the world.4 Elsewhere Reagan seems uncertain on his own position. He writes on page 171 in his book Wrath And Glory that there is “a strong biblical basis for [a literal] Babylon” in Revelation 18. In fact, in another book Reagan refutes his own position on Babylon when he sets the context for Jeremiah 50:9-10 at the end time, For behold, I am going to arouse and bring up against Babylon a horde of great nations from the land of the north, and they will draw up their battle lines against her; from there she will be taken captive. Their arrows will be like an expert warrior...and Chaldea will become plunder… [emphasis mine]

Was Rome Cut From History, Set To Reappear As Daniel‟s „Fifth‟ Kingdom ? David Reagan‟s review of my book The Assyrian Connection makes the assertion that the Roman Empire ceased to exist. I agree that the “Empire” broke apart. But Reagan actually claims that ancient Rome died and disappeared from history. This is incorrect, both Biblically and historically. Rome as an Empire broke apart, but Rome in its fragmented parts has continued through history and will regroup as the Revived Roman Empire at the end time. THE ISSUE: The issue centers on the fidelity (accuracy) of Scripture. When Daniel 2:40 says “there will be a fourth kingdom,” the text traces that fourth kingdom to its end-time stage. There is no earthly fifth kingdom. The fourth kingdom depicted in the statue‟s “legs of iron” is the Roman Empire. The fourth kingdom continues to be seen as the fourth (not fifth) kingdom in its “feet and toes”, or end-of-history stage. (v. 41) Then, according to verse 44, the fourth kingdom is “put to an end” at the return of Christ and not before. The fourth kingdom does not end and give way to a fifth. It begins as the fourth and it ends as the fourth— but not until Christ returns to “put an end to all these kingdoms.” Therefore the fourth kingdom—Rome—continues to exist until Jesus comes again. Listen to two of our generations greatest Bible scholars discussing the Biblical necessity for the continued existence of Rome through the centuries,

He then says about this passage, “[The] context is the destruction of the Antichrist‟s kingdom that will take place at the end of the Tribulation.”5

John F. Walvoord: According to Daniel‟s prophecy, this fourth empire of the Caesars, although seemingly destroyed, is not actually dead and gone.6

True. The context is at the time of the Antichrist and the Tribulation. But notice in the verse the two terms I have placed in bold highlight. The passage itself equates Babylon with Chaldea. Chaldea is the ethnic name of the original Babylonians. In fact, in the very same passage Babylon is called “the land of the Chaldeans.” (Jeremiah 50:45) So, by both ethnic and geographic designation, the Babylon of the future Tribulation in Jeremiah 50:9-10 means literal Babylon. Is it Rome that is the home of the Chaldeans in the “land of Chaldea,” or is it Babylon?

J. Dwight Pentecost: It would seem best to view this Roman empire as a continuous development from its form at the time of the first coming of Christ until its final form at the second coming of Christ...the problem is not so much the revival of the empire, as the recasting of the continuing sphere of power into its final ten-toed form...The fact that the ten rise “out of” the fourth kingdom seems to suggest that the fourth is not viewed as having passed out of existence, to be resurrected again, but rather, to have continued in some form until the ten horn condition emerges.7

The Bible confirms over and again that Babylon lives on in “the land of Chaldea”—modern Iraq— and its end will come only when Christ returns to “put an end to all of these kingdoms” [Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome] (Daniel 2:44 ) That‟s why Revelation 18 so graphically details the final end of literal Babylon and places it at the end of history. Was Babylon cut from history? Not yet.

● And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans' pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. Isaiah 13:19-20

● And [ Babylon ] will never again be inhabited Or dwelt in from generation to generation. "As when God overthrew Sodom And Gomorrah with its neighbors," declares the LORD, "No man will live there, Nor will any son of man reside in it. Jeremiah 50:39-40

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Daniel 7:17-18 confirms what Daniel 2 has affirmed: “These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings [kingdoms] who will arise from the earth.” Again, Daniel tells of four and only four kingdoms whose Empires will dominate the world from the time of the Babylonian Empire to the final end of the Roman Empire. The fourth kingdom is not succeeded by a fifth earthly kingdom, but rather the fifth is the Kingdom of Christ. (v. 18) Therefore, the Roman Empire, when it broke apart (from the inside out), has continued to exist down through history as a kingdom embedded in the nations of Europe and the Mideast. Rome has never ceased to exist as the fourth kingdom of Daniel. Rome will be revived as the fourth kingdom of Daniel at the end time.

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The Roman Empire: Embedded in the Nations, Awaiting It‟s Revival Reagan inadvertently affirms the continued existence of the Roman Empire until at least another thousand years after it‟s fall when he makes this statement in one of his books, The empire represented by the iron legs was never specifically identified, but we know from history that it was the Roman Empire which eventually split into two parts, the Eastern and Western Empires. 8 Something else we know from history is that the Eastern Roman Empire lasted until 1450 AD. That is 1000 years AFTER the fall of the Western Empire! But the Roman Empire did not fall to another Empire. It broke apart from inside decay and external pressures. Its slumbering, “iron-clay” mixed fragments are to be found embedded in the nations of Europe and the Mideast. In its centuries-old slumber state, Rome has had spasms of revival—proof Rome still lives!

Tracking The Western, Euro-based Empire 476-800 AD “The German rulers [who invaded Rome] saw themselves as the heirs of Rome.” 9 800-888 AD “Charlemagne unified western Europe & recreated an equivalent of the old Roman Empire [his coronation by Pope Leo III] made him legally heir to the western Roman emperors.” 10 962-1804 “The Holy Roman Empire was a successor state to the empire founded in 800 by Charlemagne, who revived the title of Roman Emperor in the West.” 11 1804-1945 “The concept of a unified Europe is centuries old...Political movements included “Pan-Europa” and the proposal “in 1929 for the formation of a United States of Europe...” 12 1949-1992 ”The Council Of Europe was established...to achieve political, economic, cultural and social unity among the countries of Europe.” 13 1992-present The European Union (EU) ”...the political and economic reunification of the continent is a victory for the spirit of Europe...” 14

Tracking The Eastern, Mideast-based Empire 340-1453 AD “Throughout their [1000-year] history the Byzantines described themselves as Romans, and saw their empire as the continuation, without break, of the Roman Empire.” 15 1453-1918 “...the Ottomans had changed from a nomadic horde to the heirs of the most ancient surviving empire of Europe [the Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantium].” 16 1923-present “...by the Treaty of Lausanne, Turkey, no longer an Empire, was now reduced to a national state.” 17 2002 “If the Turks were to join [the European Union]... The centre of gravity within the EU would swing decisively eastwards.” 18 October 4, 2005 “EU Opens Historic Talks On Membership For Turkey” (announced in Washington Post)19 In his review, Reagan reduces the historical record on post-Empire Rome to this comment: “This discussion reminds me of the Holy Roman Empire that existed from about 800 AD to 1806. It was an attempt by Germanic tribes to keep the Roman Empire alive. But it was very limited in scope and existed primarily on paper, prompting Voltaire to observe, „It is neither holy, Roman, nor an empire.‟ ” But let‟s remember that the Western Roman Empire divided when it broke apart in the fifth century. It was at that point it entered the stage of Daniel 2:41—“the feet and toes...a divided kingdom.” It has remained feet of “iron and clay” ever since. The days of the iron legs representing the famed iron-strong legions of Rome are long gone. Voltaire‟s comment is what we would expect at the feet stage. It is like Voltaire saying of the feet-toes stage of the Empire, “It is neither strong, united, nor legs of iron.” Amen. Daniel 2 predicts the divided, weaker stage of post-empire Rome. But this “divided” Rome will yet revive when the “10 toes (kings)” unite into a single Kingdom. (Rev. 17:12) Now, turn to Daniel 2:44 in your Bible and read what will happen “in the days of those kings…”

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DANIEL’S 4 KINGDOMS Daniel 2 and 7 record two separate visions. But both visions show the 4 kingdoms that will dominate the world from the time of Babylon (600 BC) until the return of Christ. The vision of the giant statue shows the kingdoms (Empires) of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The first 3 Empires are conquered by the next, but they continue to exist through history until Christ returns. The 4th Empire, Rome, was never conquered by another Empire. It fell internally and was divided and broke into the nations of Europe and the Middle East. The 2 legs represent the Western and Eastern Roman Empires when they divided in the 4th century. The Roman Empire will be revived (as still the 4th Empire) with 10 kings (10 toes) in both the East and the West sectors at the end time. Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 shows the same 4 Empires as beasts but with 4 important details added. 1. the beast “Heads” (and this is important, as this feature is repeated in Revelation) represent kingdoms. 2. The four heads on Greece represent its 4 divisions (Greece, Turkey, Syria, Egypt) 3. The Roman beast Head sprouts 10 horns, which match the 10 toes on the Statue, and represent 10 kings in a Revived Roman Empire at the time of Christ’s return. 4. An 11th “horn”, the Antichrist, appears among the other 10 kings (horns). Since the horns match the toes of the Statue, and the toes are spread on both an eastern and a western leg, then the Antichrist could come up in either the west— or the EAST!

DANIEL’S STATUE & BEASTS COMPARED

THE STATUE Daniel 2

B

P G R E R S I A

A B Y L O N

R E E C E

(Rome embedded among the Euro-Mideast nations)

Dominant Empires above this line TIME GREECE

Dominion removed by Rome

PERSIA

Dominion removed by Greece

BA BYLON

Dominion removed by Persia

Dominant Empire

Copyright 2004 Phillip Goodman, The Beast From The East

THE 4 BEASTS Daniel 7

B

TIME

GREECE, the leopard... 1 beast with 4 heads (1 Empire with 4 sub-kingdoms)

WEST

P GEST R E R S I A

A B Y L O N

R E E C E

Revived

G Y P T

Y R I A

U R K E Y

EAST

Revived (Rome embedded among the Euro-Mideast nations)

Dominant Empires above this line

“in the latter period of their rule” Dan. 8:23

Turkey AS-Syria Egypt Greece Persia Babylon

Dominion Removed THEN “an extension of life” Dan. 7:12

Dominant Empire

Below—THE BEASTS OF DANIEL & JOHN (Revelation) COMPARED DANIEL —A MIRROR IMAGE—

JOHN

Daniel 7 & Revelation 13

Daniel‟s View—BEASTS-KINGDOMS IN SUCCESSION THROUGH HISTORY

John‟s View BEASTS-KINGDOMS UNITED AT THE END OF HISTORY

Copyright 2004 Phillip Goodman, The Beast From The East

WEST

B

P GEST R

(Rome embedded among the Euro-Mideast nations)

EAST

Revived

Dominant Empires above this line

THE MIRROR IMAGE—The 4 beasts of Daniel are a mirror image of the single beast of Revelation 13 (and 17) in all respects except for one very, very important essential. First, the MIRROR IMAGE. The 4 beasts-Empires of Daniel have — not 4— but 7 Heads. The 1 beast-Empire John saw in Revelation 13 has 7 Heads. They are the same 7 Heads because John’s beast-Empire has the same body parts as Daniel’s 4 beasts-Empires. Second, the ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE. All of these end-time Empires will be UNITED as the Revived Roman Empire. Daniel’s 4 beasts-Empires with their 7 Heads united on John’s single beast body represents a single, Super-Empire of the Antichrist which will include all of these kingdoms. Notice that the Beast will be heavily dominated by EASTERN features—Babylon, Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and half of the horns are EASTERN.

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PUT IT ALL TOGETHER—THE BEAST & THE 7 EMPIRES Made Accurate To The Specifications Of Daniel & Revelation By Phillip Goodman At the bottom of this page is a graphic of the 7 Heads-Empires of the Beast. It is accurate to all specifications required by the applicable passages of both Daniel and Revelation. Below are the criteria. DANIEL 2 1. Only 4 kingdoms—linked together as successor kingdoms— span history from Babylon to the return of Christ. 2. Rome begins & ends as the 4th kingdom with no earthly successor. 3. The 4th kingdom has 5 kings (toes) each in its Eastern & Western “legs.” 4. All 4 kingdoms (Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome) survive through history until Christ will “put an end” to them “all at the same time.”

“mouth of lion” presupposes Head of Lion “feet of bear” presupposes Head of Bear “like a leopard” = appearance dominated by 4-Leopard Heads “10 Horns” = Head of 10-horned beast

3. The 7 Head-Empires, then, are the same as in Daniel 7. Lion = Babylon Bear = Persia Leopard (4 heads) = Greece, Turkey, AsSyria, Egypt 10-Horned Beast = Rome

4. The 7 Head-Empires are „United‟ on 1 Beast at the end time. REVELATION 17 1. Applies the Rome-Timeframe Formula.

DANIEL 7 1. Agrees with # 1 above. 2. Agrees with # 2 above. 3. The 4 kingdoms, seen as beasts, have a total of 7 Heads. 4.These Head-Empires are known from Dan. 2, 8 & 11.

“5 kingdoms fallen—1 is (ancient Rome)—1 will come”

2. Repositions Greece‟s 4 Heads in their timeframe as Empires. 3. Applies the Beast-Timeframe Formula. “Beast was—is not (during ancient Rome)—will come”

4. In the interim between the rise & revival of Daniel‟s 4th kingdom an „Interlude ( 7th ) Kingdom‟ rises & declines.

Lion = Babylon Bear = Persia Leopard (4 heads) = Greece, Turkey, As-Syria, Egypt 10-Horned Beast = Rome

-COUNT THE HEADS FROM THE LEFT-

5. Babylon, Persia & Greece are given “an extension of life” AFTER their Empires are lost. 6. Rome begins & ends as the 4th beast & is revived at the end time in its 10 Horns (10 kings)— not an additional Head. REVELATION 13 1. This end-time Beast has 7 Heads— not 8. 2. The 7 Heads are the same as those of Daniel chapter 7.

1. Dan. 7s’ 7 Heads Count from Babylon, & include the 3 shaded Leopard Heads, which included the Interlude Kingdom before it became an Empire, so don’t count it. 2. Rev. 13s’ 7 Heads Count the Unified Heads on the Beast (shaded, bottom right). 3. Rev. 17s’ 7, then “8” Heads For 7 Heads, count from Egypt, skipping the 3 shaded Leopard Heads. John’s vision redistributed them (Egypt, Assyria, Turkey) according to their places in history as Empires. So count all 3 as Empires (E, A & T). For the 8 Heads, do the same as above, but count the “slain” & reborn Head, Assyria, twice (kingdom with double existence) & there are 8— yet only 7— Heads.

Daniel’s 4 Kingdoms with 7 Heads (from Babylon to the End)

TIME

Rome-Timeframe Formula

5 Fallen— 1 Is —1 Will Come

John’s 7 Kingdoms with the same 7 Heads (from Egypt to the End)

Is Not— Will Come

John’s vision in Rev. 17:9-11— the Rome-Timeframe Formula— repositions Egypt, AsSyria & Turkey to their “heyday” as Empires

A

B

G Y P T

S S Y R I A

A B Y L O N

Copyright 2004 Phillip Goodman, The Beast From The East

P GEST R E R S I A

R E E C E

The Assyrian Connection

G Y P T

Y R I A

U R K E Y

WEST

(Rome embedded among the Euro-Mideast nations)

EAST

Revived

Dominant Empires above t “a little while” h i Interlude Kgdm s line Otto m TUR KE Y a ns

E

1. Daniel 2:35 & 44 says Babylon, Persia, & Greece will exist until the end time. 2. Greece was composed of 4 sub-kingdoms—Egypt, Syria & Turkey. Thus, they also will exist until the end time. 3. Syria was the remnant territory—& Greek-namesake— of the dead Empire, Assyria.

Beast-Timeframe Formula

Was—

-AN 8TH, BUT ONE OF THE 7The “slain” Empire of the Beast who “was” & comes up from the Abyss to reappear in the Eastern sector of Revived Rome

[A S] S Y R I A EGYPT GREECE PERSIA BA BYLON

4. There is no history book—& no current newspaper—that doesn’t testify that Egypt, Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), Greece & Turkey

have lasted throughout history in one form or the other and continue to exist today. But not Assyria. It died in 612 BC.

5. Rev. 13 shows the dead head of Assyria coming to life, bringing the Antichrist-Beast to life. Assyria’s land equates with Syria-Iraq.

7 Kingdoms United at the End Time Rev. 13:1

Dominant Empire

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W H AT W I L L B E T H E F I N A L F O R M O F T H E T H E R E V I V E D R O M A N E M P I R E I N T H E C O M I N G D AY S ? In David Reagan‟s review of The Assyrian Connection he particularly takes issue with my analysis of Revelation 17:911. No doubt this is a critical passage, because it is the capstone of all of the earlier Beast-kingdom (or AntichristEmpire) passages found in Daniel and in Revelation 13. But the capstone must sit correctly on the cornerstones.

6 CORNERSTONE TRUTHS WHICH UNDERGIRD THE FINAL FORM OF THE BEAST-EMPIRE Dr. Reagan and I agree that the Antichrist will come from the Revived Roman Empire and rule the whole earth, that the “heads” on the beast are Empires, and that Jesus is coming any moment to take us in the Rapture, followed by the Tribulation, and then the final destruction of the Antichrist and his Empire at Armageddon. So what is the issue? THE ISSUE: Will the Antichrist and his Empire be strictly a Euro-centric, European-based, Rome-headquartered Empire, or will it be a Roman Empire-centered, Eastern-leg-based, Middle-eastern-headquartered Empire? The first is exclusively European and stands alone, aborting the Eastern leg. The second includes both Europe and the Middle East. As we said, there are certain “cornerstones” on which the “capstone” passage of Revelation 17:9-11 sets. From these cornerstone passages, the statue and beasts visions of Daniel 2, 6 and Revelation 13, here are six important facts . 1. From Babylon to Christ, there are 4 Empire-Kingdoms —no more, no less. Dan. 2:37-40

4. There are 7 heads on the Revelation Beast— no more, no less. Rev. 13:1

2. Daniel‟s 4th Empire-Kingdom begins as Ancient Rome and Daniel‟s 4th Empire-Kingdom ends as Revived Rome— Rome has no successor. Dan. 2:40-41; 7:17-18

5. The 7 Empire-Kingdoms ( 7 heads ) of Daniel‟s 4 beasts are known— Babylon, Persia, Greece-Turkey-SyriaEgypt ( Greece had 4 heads ), and Rome. The same Empire-Kingdoms make up the Antichrist-beast of Revelation. Dan. 2:37; 7:6 & 8:20-22; 11:2-4

3. With the “heads” being Empire-Kingdoms, Revived Rome is signified by the outgrowth of “horns” on a single head —not by a second or third head. Dan. 7:20, 24

6. Babylon, Persia, Greece and Revived Rome will all be destroyed as literal Kingdoms when Christ returns. Dan. 2:35, 44

David Reagan‟s analysis of Revelation 17:9-11.

Response

Let‟s take a careful look at the Revelation 17 passage. It begins by referring to the scarlet beast (the Antichrist) on which a great harlot (the Antichrist‟s apostate religion) sits. It says the beast has seven heads.

In his book God’s Plan For The Ages, Reagan makes this statement about the scarlet beast. “We know the beast is Satan because he is described with the same terminology in Revelation 12:3” God’s Plan For The Ages, p. 91.

9) Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, 10) and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. 11) And the beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction. Considering the time when this passage was written (95 AD), the five kings “fallen” would be the following empires: Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Grecian. The “one is” empire — the one existing at the time Revelation was written — would be the Roman. The one to come would be the revival of the Roman Empire which will give birth to the Antichrist (the European Union).

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This is correct This is one-too-many heads for Rome. The “one to come” head cannot be the revival of the Roman Empire because Daniel 7:20 shows the Roman Empire beast with just one head. So here is the question: Is the revival stage of the Roman Empire to be shown by inserting another head-Empire? No. Daniel 7:24 depicts the “ten horns”— not an additional head— as the revival stage of Rome. Therefore, the outgrowth of the 10 horns from the “one is” head in Revelation portrays the end-time revival stage of the Roman Empire. The “one to come” head is explained by a later “Interlude” Empire. ( page 14 ) This keeps the history & revival of Rome faithful to Daniel— Rome has NO SUCCESSOR Kingdom except the Kingdom of Christ, the Great Stone. Daniel‟s 4th beast does not become a 5th. Count them in Dan. 2:40-44 & 7:17-18 .

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Reagan continued

Response continued (in shaded boxes)

Now there are two-too-many heads for Rome. The Beast has only 7 heads, not 8. The text says that the 8th Empire is “one of the seven.” Therefore, one of the 7 Empire/heads has a double existence. That is how you get 8 when there are only 7. It‟s like 7 athletes, but 8 trophies. One of them won twice. The Beast, who “WAS” before Rome, previously existed If the 8th Empire had a previous existence as one of the as one of these “5 Fallen” Empires. 7, which one? Since the Beast is specifically identified with They are all in the EASTERN “leg” of the Roman Empire. The “a Timeframe the 8th Empire (Rev. 17:11), then we must look to the “BeastThis Beast from the East “WILL COME” at the end time. little Reference timeframe formula”— the Beast “was, while” Point an 8th and is not, and will come.” (Rev. 17:8) —one of Interlude That is, he “was” BEFORE the Roman the 5 Fallen Kingdom Empire, “IS NOT” during the Roman Egypt Assyria Babylon Persia Greece Rome…......……continues…………...Rome Empire, but he “will come” in the future! This is an important timeframe formula The Kingdoms which must be factored in. Reagan applies the Rome-timeframe formula The Beast ( 5 fallen, 1 is, 1 will come), but he skips the Beast-timeframe formula, It Copyright 2004 Phillip Goodman, The Beast From The East tells us the 8th Empire (of the Beast) is The TIMEFRAME FORMULAS Revelation 17:8-11 actually the rebirth of one of the 5 EmTOP: Rome Timeframe Formula pires that reigned BEFORE ancient Rome! All of those EmBOTTOM: Beast Timeframe Formula pires are EASTERN! The “8th”, then, is one of the 7, specifically from the “5 fallen.” It will revive & come from WITHIN Revived Rome, but it will be EASTERN (The Beast is from the “Was” Kingdoms-Are they Western?) The eighth empire would be the worldwide empire of the Antichrist which he will establish through military conquest during the first half of the Tribulation. (Reagan‟s review )

5 Fallen

1 Is 1 Will Come

Was

The

Is Not

Will Come

ROME—Two Too Many Heads

EURO-CENTRIC BEAST

The EURO-CENTRIC VIEW of the Revived Roman Empire acknowledges what history cannot deny— the division of the original Empire into Western and Eastern regions. But it seeks to revive HALF of the Empire (Europe) & call it “The Revived Roman Empire.” BELOW: David Reagan’s view of Revelation 17:8-11 in graph form. (problems are noted in the shaded boxes) The first 5 kingdoms (here correctly named) are represented by beast-Heads. Daniel 7:1-8 names these beasts-Heads. Which ones are these?

Which BeastHead is this?

Egypt

The chart below ignores the prophecies of Daniel 2 & 7, isolating the prophecies of Revelation 13 & 17 from their foundation. The effect is to wipe out Rome’s EASTERN leg.

Daniel 7:6 has 3 beast-Heads here (Turkey, Syria, Egypt). Where did they go?

Which BeastHead is this?

A

ssyria

Daniel 2:40 and 7:17-18 says there will be 4 Kingdoms from Babylon to the end. Reagan has 6. Daniel’s 4th beast has only 1 Head. Reagan’s has 3. Thus Reagan has 6 Kingdoms from Babylon to the end. Reagan’s 2 extra Kingdoms are— R2 = 7th Head/Revived Rome, and R3 = 8th. But Daniel 7:20 says Rome has only 1 Head, and v. 24 says Revived Rome is in the “Horns” (10 kings), not extra Heads (Kingdoms). This problem is caused because Reagan says Rome 1 “ceased to exist.” Daniel’s 4th beast is revived as the 4th beast, with 1 head, 10 horns, not as a 5th beast. (Dan. 7:17-18)

Ignored Ignored Ignored Head Head Head

Babylon Persia

G

reece

???

R

ome

1

R2

R3

Dominant Empires above this line AMPUTATING THE EASTERN LEG Of course these “Empires” ceased to exist, but their sub The bottom line is that there is no way around the fact -kingdoms did not (except that the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medofor Assyria). Persia will be in Persian, and Roman Empires ceased to exist. the Magog War (Eze. 38); David Reagan, review, p. 5 Egypt will be in the Antichrist -Wars (Dan. 11)...at the End Time...in the EAST!

Daniel 2:35 & 44 says that the first 5 kingdoms—as kingdoms, not as passed-down cultural remnants — will be destroyed by Christ at his coming. Therefore, they will all exist as kingdoms within Revived Rome, in the EASTERN SECTOR, at the end time. See page 2.

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The Revived Roman Empire— an EASTERN Leg? You Decide. (The logical syllogism is mine. The references are from David Reagan) 1. Daniel‟s prophecy of the Statue in chapter 2 is “historically accurate to the minutest detail.” Daniel‟s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar‟s dream proved to be historically accurate to the minutest detail. David Reagan, God’s Plan For The Ages, p. 81 2. The 10 toes of the feet, 5 on each foot, are “10 rulers” who will be “located in the area of the old Roman Empire.” The 10 toes represent 10 kings who “would be a lose confederation of ten rulers…” [ who ] “would arise out of the territory of the ...Roman Empire.” David Reagan, God’s Plan For The Ages, p. 81 “...the last Gentile empire of history would be a confederation of ten units that would be located in the area of the old Roman Empire.” David Reagan, God’s Plan For The Ages, p. 91 3. The old Roman Empire depicted “by the iron legs” represented “the Eastern and Western Empires.” The empire represented by the iron legs was never specifically identified, but we know from history that it was the Roman Empire which eventually split into two parts, the Eastern and Western Empires. David Reagan, God’s Plan For The Ages, p. 80 4. Therefore, “accurate to the minutest detail,” the “10 rulers” of the coming Revived Roman Empire will be “located in the area of the old Roman Empire” — an area which included BOTH “the Eastern and Western Empires.”

The Original Roman Empire spanned both Europe & the Middle East.. Daniel 9:26 says that the Antichrist will be a Roman. By looking at the map below, does that mean he must be from the city of Rome, or Italian? Note in the far EASTERN sector the district—named by the Romans themselves— called “Assyria.” It was part of the Roman Empire. Would a Roman Emperor, coming from that district, not be considered a Roman? Who did the Romans themselves consider “a Roman”? See Acts 22:25-29.

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NEWS FLASH!!! 1 6 R o m a n E m p e r o r s R e j e c t e d As „ R o m a n s ‟ By The Euro-centric Revived Roman Empire The map above shows the origins of 16 Roman Emperors. None were from the city of Rome. None were Italian. All were Roman. Trajan was the first non-Italian to become head of the Empire. He was from Spain. Daniel 9:26 says the Romans will be the “people of” the Antichrist. The Eurocentric view of this passage says the Antichrist should be Italian, preferably of Rome-city, at the very least European. But were the Romans the “people of” Emperor Trajan? Of course they were. That eliminates Italy and Rome-city as required points of origin for the Antichrist. Looking further, was Elagabalus the Syrian any less a Roman Emperor than Trajan? Not at all. Therefore, the Romans were also the “people of” Elagabalus— that is, Elagabalus the Syrian, from the Eastern, Greco-Roman Empire. That eliminates Europe as a required point of origin for the Antichrist. He could be European, but he could also be Middle Eastern. Why the Euromyopia? Shall we continue with Philip The Arab, the Emperor of Rome?

Reagan‟s review continued. In the 2003 revision of his book, Goodman decided that the seventh empire of Revelation 17 should be changed from a revival of the Roman Empire to the Ottoman Empire (12991923). [ sic, 1453-1923 ] But he continued to argue that the Antichrist would arise out of the revived Assyrian Empire... The Ottoman Empire cannot be inserted in this passage. To do so would make it the seventh empire. The eighth, according to Goodman, would be the revival of the Assyrian Empire, making the worldwide empire of the Antichrist the ninth empire. But the passage provides for only eight empires. (Reagan‟s review )

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Response There are only 7 Heads/Empires on the Beast— not 8, not 9. I have never said otherwise, as the chart on page 7 shows. This chart is a precise picture of what the 2003 revision of The Assyrian Connection says. The Turkish-Ottoman Empire is the 7th Head, true. The Antichrist will arise out of the revived Assyrian Empire, true. The revival of the Assyrian Empire would be the 8th, true. But the 8th is one of the 7, so there are still only 7. One of the 7 (Assyria) has 2 reigns as an Empire. (Do 7 athletes standing on a stage, holding 8 Heisman Trophies, make 8 athletes? There are only 7, because one of them reigned twice as the Heisman Trophy winner.) There is no 8th, or 9th, Head. The Beast has 7 Heads. One lives twice. Assyria will rise WITHIN the Eastern leg of the 6th Head — AFTER the 6th Head, Rome, is Revived under 10 Kings. The Assyrian Antichrist will overthrow 3 Kings, but replace them with his proxies, so there are still 10 Kings. The 10 Kings then give the Revived Roman Empire to the Assyrian Antichrist. The Antichrist then rules the entire world as leader of the Revived Roman Empire. There are still only 7 Heads on the Beast. No new Heads/Empires are inserted. The prophecies of both Daniel and Revelation — not just Revelation— are kept intact, awaiting complete fulfillment in every detail. (See chart, page 7)

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Why Does Revived Rome “look like a leopard”?

Was Antiochus a Forerunner of the Antichrist ?

Reagan‟s review continued

Review continued—Responses in shaded boxes

Reagan: With regard to the symbolic description of the Antichrist in Revelation 13:2 as being like a leopard with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion, I see no reason to seize on the mention of the leopard to conclude that the Antichrist will come out of the Greek sphere of the old Roman Empire. I believe all this passage is saying is that the kingdom of the Antichrist will have characteristics of these three kingdoms — swift as a leopard, strong as a bear, and deadly as a lion. (Reagan‟s review )

Reagan: So, if the type of the Antichrist—Antiochus Epiphanes— was from Seleucia [territorially, the earlier Assyrian Empire], then Goodman argues the Antichrist will also come from that same area (Syria/Iraq) and will thus be an Assyrian... But the primary focus of the chapter is on the personality and character of the Antichrist (verses 23-26), not on his origin. (Reagan‟s review )

My Response THE ISSUE: Again, the issue here centers on the fidelity of Scripture. Will Greece—the “leopard” kingdom— actually survive history to surface as a literal kingdom at the end time? Or will it simply pass on its‟ “characteristics” to be absorbed into the culture of Rome? 1. The term, “like a leopard” in Revelation 13:2 is strong evidence for a dominant Eastern “leg” in the Revived Roman Empire. Why? Because we know the term has a literal meaning, and we know what it means. 2. Daniel 7:6 introduces the term, “like a leopard.” There is no doubt, both biblically and historically, that “like a leopard” refers to Greece. Highly regarded prophetic scholar John F. Walvoord says simply, ”the third [leopard] kingdom represented Greece.”20 3. Revelation 13:2, picking up on Daniel‟s vision, describes the Beast using exactly the same phrase — he will be “like a leopard.” Therefore, another way to phrase it is “And the beast which I saw was like Greece…” 4. When Christ returns—and not before— then He will “put an end” to Greece. (Daniel 2:44) Greece, as well as Babylon, Persia and Rome, will be “crushed all at the same time.” (v. 35) Since Rome will be a literal kingdom at Christ‟s return, then so too will Greece. 5. The key is this: The Revived Roman Empire at the end time will embrace within its boundaries Babylon, Persia, and Greece —but it will be “like a leopard.” Why? Because Daniel & Revelation tell us, of the 7 Empires (beastHeads) that make up the core of the Beast, 4 of the 7 are from the “leopard.” Revived Rome will have a distinctly Grecian, Eastern appearance! It will be dominated by a „Greek-Rome‟ look—a „look‟ already very familiar to historians… “Greco-Roman.” Therefore, the “beast that I saw was like a leopard,” he was “Greco-Roman.” The Roman Empire is going to revive in the divided, East-West nation-state fragments into which it originally devolved. Historian Jack C. Estrin reminds us what that meant in the Eastern “leg.” He says that after the west fell “the east continued strong for 1000 years more. Rome fell; but the Roman Empire had simply shifted its locus [to the East]...thus the Roman Empire became the Greco-Roman-Oriental Empire.” In other words, one can say, the Roman Empire became “like a leopard.” Daniel 8:23 says Greece will rise again in the Latter Days (in its 4-parts, Greece, Turkey, Syria & Egypt) It will be located inside the Eastern Roman sector. Should we be surprised that the Beast will be “like a leopard”? Scripture says no.

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THE ISSUE: Why does Daniel create such a „tight-type‟ between Antiochus and Antichrist, so tight that they virtually merge as prophetic-clones? Most expositors agree there is a distinction, but few can agree on the precise verse where Antiochus leaves off and Antichrist picks up, so interlocked are the passages. Daniel spends an inordinate amount of space on this shadow-antichrist pointing to the future Antichrist in chapters 8 & 11. Why? Regarding Antiochus as a key to the origin of the Antichrist, let‟s look to Reagan‟s book God’s Plan For The Ages, page 147, where he says that Daniel 8:23 & 24 apply to the Antichrist. True. But look closely— verse 23 also says the Antichrist will arise “in the latter period of their rule.” That phrase “their rule” is keyed back to the previous verse which describes whose “rule” is in view: It is the “rule” of the 4 kingdoms which rose out of Alexander‟s Greek Empire. One of these 4 kingdoms is the focus of the passage. It is the kingdom of Antiochus—namely the Syrian (Seleucia) sector. This is an Antichrist passage precisely because it focuses on “the latter period”— the Antichrist will arise during the latter period (latter days) rule of the Assyrian kingdom of Antiochus. Why the connection? (The modern name for that territory is Syria-Iraq) Reagan: Keep in mind that there are many other symbolic types of the Antichrist in Scripture besides Antiochus. They include such persons as the Pharaoh of the Exodus, King Saul of Israel, David‟s son, Absalom, and King Herod. Some of these are Jewish, but that doesn‟t mean the Antichrist will be Jewish. One of the most significant, the Pharaoh of the Exodus, was from Egypt, but that doesn‟t mean the Antichrist will be an Egyptian... (Reagan‟s review ) Reagan credits as a consultant for his review Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, the Christian-Jew Bible Scholar. But Fruchtenbaum does not believe what Reagan says above, but instead says this, The only biblical type of the Antichrist is given in the person of Antiochus Epiphanes, A Gentile.21 Reagan: But even more important is the fact that Antiochus Epiphanes was of Greek heritage. He was not an Assyrian. So, if the prophecy in Daniel 8 is pointing to the heritage of the Antichrist, it is indicating that he will be a Roman of Greek heritage. (Reagan‟s review ) Antiochus IV was a 6th generation Greek-Syrian. Is an Irish-American not American? He lived and reigned in Syria-Assyria. The evidence is strong that the Antichrist will be a Roman— from the Eastern Grecian sector— from the region of Syria-Iraq.

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I s t h e “ As s yr i a n ” i n M i c a h 5 : 5 R e a l l y t h e “ As s yr i a n ” Reagan‟s review continued Nor do I believe there is any validity to the use of Micah 5:5 to determine the national identity of the Antichrist. Micah 5:3 -15 is entirely about the Millennium. The Antichrist will be dead and gone during that time. Revelation 19:20-21 says that at the Second Coming of Jesus — at the end of the Tribulation — the Antichrist and his False Prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire where they will be tormented eternally (20:10). I believe that all the prophet is saying in Micah 5:5-6 is that during the Millennium the Lord will protect Israel from all its natural enemies — as symbolized by Assyria (the enemy of Israel at the time the prophet wrote).

My Response “It is provocative that the Prophet Micah refers to this final conqueror as the “Assyrian.” Chuck Missler

A Note From

Phillip Goodman

"And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12:29-31

Dear Friends of This Ministry, The Tulsa Prophecy Conference is SOLELY dependant on donations — and it is donations ALONE that help us pay for your favorite speakers. Please consider making a sizable contribution to keep this Conference going! ( send form below )

Chuck Missler, Personal Update, October, 2002, p.8.

THE ISSUE: When Bible Prophecy says that Jesus Christ will deliver “the remnant of Jacob” from “the Assyrian,” who is from “the land of Assyria,” which is in “the land of Nimrod,” can we take “Assyria” literally?

You will receive a great blessing from the Conference this year. Dave Hunt, who was here at the original Conference Pastor and Dianne Pack started in 1995, will be our headliner at this our 15th Annual Conference!

J. Dwight Pentecost, one of this generations most respected Bible prophecy commentators, places Micah 5:56 in the timeframe of the Antichrist.22 Tim LaHaye does also.23 Even with the correct time context, some commentators will still symbolize the designation “Assyrian.” But here is why it should be seen as a literal term: 1. Assyria is used side-by-side with a literal Egypt in Micah 7:12. 2. In Micah 5:2 we have the famous Messianic prophecy about a literal Bethlehem. Three verses later we find mention of Assyria 3 times. One literal, the other not? 3. In a two-verse span (5:5-7) we see “Assyria,” “land of Nimrod,” and “remnant of Jacob” interwoven with one another. The last two are clearly literal terms. It is purely arbitrary to call the thrice-mentioned Assyria symbolic. 4. The “land of Assyria” is equated with the “land of Nimrod.” This is like pointing your finger to a map. 5. In view of the above, Micah 5:5-6 says, Christ will deliver the remnant of Jacob from the Assyrian, of the land of Assyria, which is the land of Nimrod. The stretch that is required to wrench the term “Assyrian” into something other than what it says would be admirable—except this is the Bible. Reagan uses what he calls “flashbacks and flashforwards” extensively in Wrath And Glory in order to keep the plain and literal readings of Revelation intact. I am in agreement with him on that. And Micah 5:5-6, taken literally, is a “flashback.” Within the Millennial context, the text takes a “flashback” look at the invasion of Israel by one called the Assyrian during the Tribulation. Reagan drops this clear flashback in favor of spiritualizing the passage. But the term “Assyrian” is literal and it is future. The Assyrian invades Israel at the end time. He attacks her cities and tramples her land. And it is at that climactic time when “He [Christ] will deliver us [Israel] from the Assyrian.” (5:6) The Assyrian is none other than the Antichrist.

I have co-directed these Conferences since 2000, and I have directed the last five as president of the Ministry. My wife Mary, and Marialice Worden have assisted me these past years. The Ministry— including the Prophecy Watch Television program, the Web Page at www.prophecywatch.com, The Spirit Of Prophecy Newsletter, the bi-monthly Prophecy Retreats, church meetings, conferences and book projects, etc.— these all put a strain on a staff of THREE, including me. But when the Conference planning begins in October, for the next 6 months things get progressively more hectic. One thing we do keep in mind and heart is this, ...do not keep worrying…your Father knows that you need these things... But seek first His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. Luke 12:29-31 And that we do, through prayerful vigil every day. Yet, we also know that God uses people. So let me say again: Will You Help Us with this year‟s Conference? Praise God, in His Name, Phillip Goodman

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The INTERLUDE KINGDOM “The Turks [Ottomans] were among the great imperial powers of history.” (documented historical quote in The Beast From The East, Goodman, 2004)

Turkey, one of the 4 heads of Daniel‟s Grecian beast (Dan. 7:6), in its heyday as the Ottoman Empire, is John‟s 7th headEmpire. Here is the evidence: 1. Daniel 7:17-18 states that beginning with Babylon 4 kingdoms (Empires) will arise, and then Christ will come again. 2. That means the first 3 Empires—Babylon, Persia & Greece—succeed one another, but the 4th Empire, Rome, has no earthly successor because it is terminated by the Kingdom of Christ. 3. Daniel‟s vision of these 4 successive Empires is picked up by John in Revelation. But John‟s vision pre-dates Babylon, going all the way back to Egypt. That makes Daniel‟s 4th Empire (Rome) John‟s 6th Empire. 4. In Revelation 17:9-11 John‟s 6th Empire (again, Daniel‟s 4th, Rome) is followed by a 7th Empire. 5. Since Daniel‟s 4th/John‟s 6th Empire has no successor according to Daniel 7:17-18 in point 1 above, how can there be a 7th Empire? It can‟t be the 6th “revived.” That would make Rome into John‟s 6th & 7th Empires, since each of the 7 Heads on the Beast represent an Empire. Yet Daniel begins with Rome as the 4th Empire and ends with Revived Rome as the 4th Empire. Furthermore, the revival of Rome is in the Horns, not another Head. What, then, is the 7th Head? 6. The answer lies in an “Interlude Kingdom.” Rome, Daniel‟s 4th/John‟s 6th Empire, has no successor. An Interlude Kingdom would not be a successor kingdom to the Roman Empire. 7. The beginning of Daniel‟s 4th Empire, Ancient Rome, divided and fragmented, essentially entering a sort of his-

toric-suspended-animation. Its‟ broken parts became embedded among the nations of Europe and the Mideast. In the latter days Rome will reawaken and emerge as Revived Rome. Meanwhile, during Rome‟s “slumber” phase, John‟s 7th Head arose as an “Interlude,” kingdom —an interim, non-successor Empire. 8. The Ottoman Empire ( 1453-1918) qualifies as The Interlude Kingdom for 3 reasons: 1. It is not a successor kingdom to Rome. Rather, it succeeded, and actually perpetuated, the Eastern leg (Byzantine) of Rome, but it did not succeed the Empire as a whole. 2. It was Turkish, and based in Turkey. When John listed the 7 Empires (Heads), he took the 3 sub-kingdoms embedded in the Grecian Empire (Dan. 7:6) & positioned them on a historical timeline according to their reign as Empires. Assyria & Egypt are known to be Grecian-Heads 1 & 2. Turkey, the other Grecian sub-kingdom, became the only other Roman Empirebased sector to rise to Empire status —thus the 7th Head. 3. It lasted “a little while.” That is, it was temporary. It rose & fell as the 7th Head, while Rome continues in its suspended phase to this day. The Turk Empire under Suleyman “was to witness the apogee of Ottoman power and glory, towering above all rivals and competitors... one of the world‟s greatest empires …24 (Keep in mind, the Ottoman Empire locates the “missing” Grecian Head, Turkey. It fits into the “Interlude” period between the rise of ancient Rome and the revival of end-time Rome. It was continued a “short while” ( Rev. 17:10 ) in that it did not succeed Rome, and it had no successor kingdom. It came & went, while Rome continues on.)

“Heads,” Empires & the Interlude Kingdom

Revelation 17:8-11 defines the Antichrist-Beast with 7 Heads. It says the 7 Heads represent, essentially, 7 “mountain-kings,” that is, Mountain Empires. These are kingdoms that reign supreme over their territory and time, making them Empires, and yet so dominate the surrounding kingdoms that they rise like a Mountain, overshadowing all competitors. John, in his vision, arranges these Empires along a chronological timeline— what I call the “RomeTimeframe Formula.” These 7 Mountain-Empires are seen by God to constitute the entire course of world history since the birth of the Jews under Abraham because these are the 7 Empires who tried in the past, & will try again in the future, to exterminate the Jews.

Mountain 1 EGYPT

Mountain 2 ASSYRIA

2

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Mountain 3 BABYLON

Mountain 4 PERSIA

Rome begins as Daniel’s 4th Empire ( & below, John’s 6th, Dan. 7:17, Rev. 17:9-11) & ends as Daniel’s 4th

Mountain 5 GREECE

Egypt, Assyria & Turkey were seen by Daniel as part of the 4fold division of the Grecian Empire (Greece, the fount of the Empire, with sub-kingdoms Egypt, Syria & Turkey). John’s vision in Rev. 17 repositioned the 3 sub-kingdoms along history’s timeline according to their places as “Empires”

1

...they are 7 Mountains… …& they are 7 Kings… 5 have fallen, 1 is, 1 will come… “for a little while” Revelation 17:9-11

Mountain 6 ROME

Mountain 7 TURKEY 3

Turkey has one—& only one — point in history where it reigned as an Empire. That is the Interlude during the “Suspended” phase of the Roman Empire

Thy Kingdom Come, Inc. & Prophecy Watch Television 918-835-6978 [email protected] www.prophecywatch.com

PROGRAM

SCHEDULE

The 15th Annual Tulsa International Prophecy Conference, April 1-3, 2009, Radisson Tulsa Hotel (registration, page 16)

TIME

Wednesday, April 1

9-10 AM

Don McGee Demonic Influence In Wrld Politics

Thomas Sharp 10:15-11:15 AM

Creation, Evolutn & 2nd Comg of Christ

1-2 PM

2:15-3:15 PM

Israel: God’s End Time Alarm Clock

Joseph Chambers

Don McGee

Gog & Magog: Before Or After Rapture

4 Facets Of Pre-Rapture World

B r e a k

The Latter Rain Of The Holy Spirit

2nd Coming Of Babylon

Gary Fisher

Mike Gendron

Current Events & Jesus’ Soon Coming

Contending For The Faith Until He Comes

Roger Oakland

Thomas Sharp

The Emerging Church: The Road To Babylon

"Where is the promise of his comg?"

Dave Hunt The Hope Of His Calling

Randall Price Searching For Noah’s Ark-Part 2

Phillip Goodman 2nd Coming Of Jesus Christ

B r e a k

Special Interest—Authors Terry James & Mike Hile answer your prophecy questions, 6:15 pm, Seminole Rm

Phillip Goodman

7-8 PM

2nd

8:15-9:15 PM

7.

The Emerging Church: The Road To Rome

D i n n e r

6:15 PM

6.

Gary Fisher

Phillip Goodman

4:45 PM

5.

Roger Oakland

Joseph Chambers

3:30-4:30 PM

2. 3. 4.

Friday, April 3

L u n c h

11:30 AM

1.

Thursday, April 2

Randall Price

Coming Of Roman Empire

Mike Gendron

Dave Hunt

Will You Know Him When He Comes?

When We Shall See Him

David Reagan, Lamplighter Magazine, JanFeb, 2009, p. 5. www.lamblion.com Ibid, p. 8. Ibid, p. 11. The Footsteps of the Messiah, Ariel Ministries Press, 1983, p. 192. David Reagan, God‟s Plan For The Ages, p.105. Reagan further dismantles his position on Babylon by the fact that that same Jeremiah 50 passage which affirms a literal end time Babylon contains in v.39-40 a precise parallel to the Isaiah 13:19-20 passage that Reagan says denies the existence of end time Babylon. John F. Walvoord, Armageddon, Oil, and the Middle East Crisis, Zondervan, 1974, p. 137. J. Dwight Pentecost, Things To Come, Zondervan, 1958, p. 320-1.

$35

Searching For Noah’s Ark-Part 1

8. 9.

10. 11.

12. 13. 14. 15.

Reagan, God‟s Plan, p. 80. The Illustrated History of Europe: A Unique Portrayal of Europe‟s Common History. Frederick Delouche, ed.Barnes & Noble Books, New York, 2001, p.84. Random House Encyclopedia, 1983, p.1067. The New Columbia Encyclopedia. William H. Harris and Judith S. Levey, eds. Columbia University Press, New York and London, 1975, p.1259. Encyclopedia Americana, Americana Corporation, New York, NY, 1974, p.700. Illustrated History, p. Intro Section. www.europa.eu.int/abc/12lessons, posted 8/30/2004 Philip‟s Atlas of World History. Patrick K. O‟Brien, Gen. Ed. Octopus Publishing Group, London, 1999, p.66.

B A N Q U E T $35

Honoring Pastor & Dianne Pack Music Specials Questions & Answers All Speakers 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

24.

New Columbia Encyclopedia, p.2031. World History Review Text. Irving L. Gordon, Amsco, New York, 1973, p.219. BBC NEWS, EU ENLARGEMENT, http:// news.bbc.co.uk/1hi/world/ europe/2471789.stm, posted 11/20/2002 “EU Opens Historic Talks On Membership For Turkey,” announced in Washington Post, October 4, 2005 John F. Walvoord, The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook, p. 231 Arnold Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, Ariel Ministries Press, 1983, p. 212. Pentecost, Things To Come, p. 352. Tim LaHaye, Tim LaHaye‟s Prophecy Study Bible, p. 960. Encyclopedia Americana, 1974, Vo. 27, p. 257 & 264.

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APRIL 1-3, 2009 Radisson Tulsa Hotel 41st & Garnett, Tulsa, Oklahoma Conference Registration: 918-835-6978 Hotel Registration: 918-627-5000 (Conference special room rate-$82 per night) Phillip Goodman

Dave Hunt SE E P AG E 15 F OR T H E P ROG RAM S CH ED UL E

Randall Price

Mike Gendron Joseph Chambers Roger Oakland

Thomas Sharp

Gary Fisher

Don McGee

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