A Nightmare's Final Days

We're coming to the end of one of the most turbulent periods in American history. That period began in 2007 with the Great Recession, followed by the failed presidency of Barack Obama.

Though Obama certainly had nothing to do with the recession that began with the housing market crash, his administration's inept economic policies crippled America's economy and inflicted pain upon millions of people.

Even worse, the United States--once the most powerful nation in the world--became an international laughingstock under Obama. The Russians built up their military and nuclear arsenal; they annexed Crimea and they dared the U.S to respond to a series of increasingly provocative military confrontations.

The Chinese manipulated their currency in order to damage America's economy; they hacked into America's economic cyber-infrastructure and they used their economic strength to build up their military and challenge the U.S. in the South China Sea.

The Iranians literally robbed the proverbial bank without a gun when the Obama administration lifted economic sanctions against the Persian state in order to sign a one-sided nuclear pact that allows Iran a clear path to develop nuclear weapons. That horrible deal was consummated in order to craft Obama's mythical legacy as a global peacemaker.

Of course, there were the lies. There were multitudes of them. There was Obama's denial in the face of the evidence that his IRS intentionally targeted conservatives; his promise to Americans that they would be able to keep their health insurance plans under his new healthcare bill; his pledge to keep the government's nose out of churches and his assurance that the Iranian nuclear deal would prevent Iran from developing weapons of mass destruction.

But of all the sins committed by the Obama regime, perhaps none was worse than America's betrayal of Israel, her most loyal ally in the Middle East. And that betrayal has brought the United States perilously close to divine judgment.

In the ancient times, the Lord promised to bring harsh judgment against anyone who persecuted His people: To the patriarch Abraham, He said this:

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great,and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:2-3)

That promise was fulfilled through Abraham's son Isaac. The nation of Israel came into existence through him, and the Jewish Messiah Jesus Christ came into the world through the Israel, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.

Throughout history, whenever nations have threatened Israel either overtly or covertly, they've come under God's heavy hand of judgment. When Great Britain violated the terms of the Balfour Declaration by giving away land to the Arabs that was promised to the Jews, the powerful British Empire disintegrated. Once a bastion of Christianity, Britain is now being taken over by Muslims.

When George W. Bush coerced Israel into turning over Gaza to the Palestinians in August, 2005, the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas were devastated just days later by Hurricane Katrina.

Was Katrina merely a coincidence? Or did the Lord punish the United States for dividing up His land that He gave to the Jews and to no one else? Here's what He spoke to the prophet Joel about 2,700 years ago concerning His coming judgment of the nations that persecuted Israel throughout history:

In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine to drink. (Joel 3:1-3)

Obama, of course, wants to divide up Israel by creating a Palestinian state and forcing Israel to retreat to pre-1967 borders that would doom the Jewish state if that ever happened. Obama has purposely leaked Israel's military secrets to the world, and he's threatened the Jewish nation for building settlements in its capital city of Jerusalem.

And obviously, Obama's Iranian deal puts Israel in harms way. The Iranians have pledged to destroy Israel, and they will try to do that unless God intervenes and prevents that from happening. And He will prevent that. But not before He brings judgment upon the United States for enabling the Persian state to threaten His chosen people.

Hopefully, America's next president will undo the damage Obama has inflicted upon America and Israel. If not, then fasten your seat belts. Because bad things are coming to America. And very soon.

Bad Days Getting Even Badder

The scene of another shooting on a Chicago area expressway

Count them: There have already been 16 shootings on Chicago area expressways since the beginning of the year. Last year, the total was 40. In 2010, there were only six.

The latest shooting involved a young man and woman who were shot dead as they traveled in the northbound lanes of the Kennedy Expressway in the early morning hours of May 15.

Their vehicle, a silver Chevy Tahoe, was riddled with bullets, indicating that the shooting was likely gang-related. Police found a semi-automatic weapon on the floor of the SUV, which reveals the murder victims knew they were targets. 

It's gotten so bad these days on Chicago expressways that the Illinois State Police have dispatched special patrols to watch for shooters and road rage incidents. State Police Captain Tad Williams says that "people should not have to worry about their safety while driving on the expressways." 

But in fact, they are worried because things are getting much worse. Chicago is home to hundreds of violent, heavily armed gangs that have taken control of the streets and are terrorizing residents who are too old, infirm or poor to escape the city for safer venues. 

How bad has it gotten in the Windy City? 

Murders in the nation's third-largest city are up about 72 percent, while shootings have surged more than 88 percent in the first three months of 2016 compared with the same period last year, according to data released by the Chicago Police Department. The grim rise in violence comes after the Chicago Police Department reported 468 murders in 2015, a 12.5 percent increase from the year before. There were 2,900 shootings in 2015, 13 percent more than the year before, according to Police Department records. 

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's mini-me, typically blames the increasing violence on the availability of guns rather than on the obvious; a godless and immoral culture. Here's what mini-me said: 

We have a challenge right now, specifically but not limited to the South and West Sides. We have a level of shootings and gun violence that's unacceptable and must come to an end. It means we have to have a leadership and lead from the front and get not only our officers' morale level up but our violence level down.

That's political speech that means absolutely nothing. Getting rid of guns and increasing leadership won't get rid of violence. But instilling biblical Judeo-Christian values such as the fear of God and respect for authority will. Emanuel won't say that because he knows what would happen if he does. And so, he takes the easy way out by mouthing empty platitudes that are politically-correct bull-sheist.

Certainly, the increasing violence isn't limited to Chicago. It's increasing all over the United States and the world, which isn't an anomaly. It's the fulfillment of ancient biblical prophecy that warned of terrible times in the end times directly preceding the return of Jesus Christ. In fact, Christ said this: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:12-13)

The apostle Paul also warned that the last days will be exceedingly wicked: 

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

The increasing wickedness is directly related to the increasing godlessness that's spreading across the world like a deadly malignancy. Though many folks love to complicate things, it's really very simple: People can't live without God. When God's laws are impugned and mocked, people turn to evil. And yet tragically, most people can't figure that out.

What's equally tragic is the fact that where the epicenter of violence exists in Chicago's inner city neighborhoods, you can find dozens of churches from simple storefronts to ornate buildings. And yet very few of those churches have any impact on the streets. Most are surrounded by drug dealers, prostitutes, alcoholics, drug-addicts and gang-bangers. The inner city churches lost their influence over the culture a long time ago.

But don't worry. The government will ride to the rescue with draconian laws that will spy on everyone, seize their guns and smother their freedoms. That eventually leads to Martial Law which eventually leads to totalitarianism. And that eventually leads to an oppressive global government where we're headed toward, according to biblical prophecy. (Daniel 7:7, Revelation 13)

Antichrist Obsession?

Antichrist: The ultimate wolf in masquerade

Some folks believe that people such as yours truly spend too much time talking about the Antichrist and not enough time talking about Jesus Christ.

They're folks such as Dr. Michael Brown, a Jewish believer and a biblical scholar who's brought many of his people to the Lord. Brown's a brilliant guy who holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University. 

But even brilliant folks can be wrong. And while Brown's right that some people are obsessed with the Antichrist, he's wrong to suggest that everyone who talks about the man of perdition doesn't spend enough time talking about Christ.

Here's what Brown said recently in a column published by World Net Daily: I do not object in the least to believers discussing the identity of the Antichrist and to studying what appear to be the relevant scriptures. If it’s in the Word, it’s for us to explore and study and investigate and understand.

Let the debate continue. 

But every previous generation that has focused on the Antichrist has died without seeing him, and so, to be practical, I want to devote my energies to doing whatever I can to please God and make a difference in people’s lives today, living in readiness for whatever may come my way tomorrow, Antichrist or no.

That's great. However, we're living in a time unlike any other time in history. We're living in the end times and we're getting close to the appearance of the Antichrist. We're getting close to a world government, and the Bible warns us that at some point after this government is functioning, the Antichrist will appear and assume control.

But so what? We know that's going to happen. Dr. Brown knows that's going to happen. So, why bother discussing it? Why? Because the Antichrist isn't merely going to be a tyrannical global dictator, he's going to be an elaborate counterfeit of Jesus Christ.

And he's going to deceive millions into following him. How? The apostle Paul explained it: "The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

Christ Himself warned: "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time." (Matthew 24:23-25)

Millions of people who have absolutely no biblical knowledge or spiritual discernment are going to embrace this man when he appears. And when he arrives, he will claim to be--guess who?--Jesus Christ who's returned to end wars, heal the planet and bring peace and prosperity to the world. 

That's why it's important to discuss the Antichrist. He's going to destroy millions--if not billions--of lives. And he's going to send them to hell with his deception. He will do this through his incredible supernatural powers that science will not be able to explain away. And those powers will come from Satan.

That's why many of us have been warning about the counterfeit Signs and Wonders Movement that has grown exponentially within the church over the past 50 years. That movement is based upon an erroneous interpretation of Joel 2:28-32, and claims that a great wave of miracles is going to break out across the world leading to a global revival that will culminate with the return of Jesus Christ.

The Signs and Wonders Movement has its "prophets" who claim that God has revealed to them that the "Great Revival" is getting near. Here's what a "prophet" named Ryan Lestrange claims God told him: I am calling this generation forth to move in the supernatural. Even as the church in the book of Acts went from place to place with power and demonstration, so am I calling this generation to move in power and demonstration. No longer shall the hand of man prevail; no longer shall the wisdom of man stand. 

I have invested the power and authority of My kingdom inside of My family, My sons and daughters. There is an awakening unto fullness, fullness of sonship, fullness of covenant, fullness of position and grace in Me, there is an awakening to the fullness of My power, My kingdom that I have called you to carry. There is a banner of fire being cast over this generation, and I am raising up voices who will release My wind and My breath upon the embers in order to fan the flame. 

This generation is called and marked to burn for Me. This generation is called unto the supernatural. I am raising up and establishing healing ministries in the earth as a sign and a wonder. I am sending forth prophetic ministries in the earth to awaken My people from their slumber and call them back to My heart. The spirit of slumber has blinded the eyes of many and they have been asleep at the wheel while destined journeys and planned exploits have crashed in the spirit and not been fulfilled because they were driving with their eyes closed!   

The Bible reveals no great spiritual awakening preceding the return of Christ. Rather, it speaks of a great apostasy supported by demonic miracles that will deceive many. And that deception will fool multitudes into following a counterfeit messiah who'll destroy their souls.

This is why we warn people about the Antichrist. Not because we're obsessed with him. But rather because we don't want people to be deceived by him. Because he will claim to be Jesus Christ when he appears. And he will sell that con through miracles.

There's only one true Jesus Christ. He came into the world 2,000 years ago and died for the sins of the world on the cross. And everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him will be saved. (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-12) There's no greater message than that. That's the alpha and the omega of the Gospel.

But there are counterfeits who claim to be Christ who can't save anyone. And the ultimate counterfeit is coming. It's important to point that out so people won't get fooled by him when he appears. Because he won't be your ordinary false messiah. 

Is that an obsession? I think not.

The Return of Christ: Part III

Concerning the prophetic signs of the end times, Jesus Christ said this: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:12-13)

When we think of wickedness, we think of popular forms such as crime and violence. And only a fool would deny that crime hasn't become more prevalent in the world over the past 60 years.

However, Christ defined wickedness in much broader terms than merely crime statistics. When he revealed that the love of most would grow cold in the end times, what did He mean? He meant that the love of God will wane and die in the last days preceding His return.

Thus, according to Christ, many will not only turn away from the faith; i.e. drop out of the church, but they will lose their salvation as well by renouncing their faith. That's why Christ stated that those who stand firm to the end will be saved. He meant that those who resist the temptation to trade their faith for the temporal pleasures of the world will be rewarded with eternal life.

But clearly, things are getting much worse across the world. The apostle Paul revealed this prophecy concerning the increase in evil in the end times: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Since 1960, crime has skyrocketed in the United States. While statistics can be manipulated to convey unintended meanings, the crime statistics for the U.S. over the past 55 years speak for themselves. They can't be manipulated. 

Since everything has a cause and effect relationship, then what's caused the uptick in crime and violence across the world? Paul provides the answer: "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:28-32)

Paul revealed that evil is commensurate with man's ignorance and rejection of God and His transcendent moral laws. The more people turn away from God, the more wicked they become. There's your cause and effect relationship. Ironically, Paul stated that despite the prevalence of evil in the last days, people would embrace a form of godliness, but without any power. (2 Timothy 3:5)

What was Paul referring to? He was referring to dead religion that gave the appearance of honor and recognition of God, but without power. What power? The power of God's Holy Spirit that helped the early churches spread the gospel through miracles such as healing, deliverance of demonic spirits, and even raising the dead. 

Without that power, the Christian church is dead. Why has the church lost that power? Because it has no love for God. If the church did, it wouldn't have opened its doors to all the world's false religions and their assorted idols. 

To that, Paul warned: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

Is Christ coming back soon? Based upon the signs, His return is getting near. How near? We don't know. We don't have an exact date. However, we have the prophetic signs. And the signs tell us that Christ's return is getting close. That could mean tomorrow or it could mean several years. 

But whenever it is, we have to be ready. For Christ Himself warned: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matthew 24:42-44)

America, Iran and The End Times

The growing trouble that Iran is causing in the world today isn't an aberration. It was foretold nearly 2,600 years ago by the Hebrew prophet Daniel while he was in exile with the Israelites in ancient Babylon.

The Israelites were taken into exile in about 586 B.C. by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar who was used by God to administer judgment against the Jewish nation for her chronic rebellion against Him and her antipathy to His laws. The Persians later succeeded the Babylonians and continued to hold the Jews captive until about 445 B.C. when Darius II issued a decree to allow them to return home.

While the Jews were still being held in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's son, King Belshazzar, Daniel received an allegorical vision from God concerning a distant future time when Persia would become a powerful nation that would threaten the entire world. In the vision, Daniel saw a powerful two-horned ram take on and defeat all of its challengers until a shaggy, one-horned goat arrived from a distant land to destroy it.

Here's what Daniel saw and described: "In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great." (Daniel 8:2-5)

The Ulai Canal was located in the ancient Persian city of Susa. Daniel recognized the geography, but he was puzzled by the symbolism of the two-horned ram.

Then, the vision continued: "As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage. I saw it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled on it, and none could rescue the ram from its power. The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven." (Daniel 8:5-8)

After the goat's horn was broken off, Daniel saw a small horn sprout up among the four horns that replaced the prominent horn on the goat. Here's how Daniel described it: "Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. Because of rebellion, the Lord's people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground." (Daniel 8:9-12)

Daniel was puzzled by the vision until the archangel Gabriel appeared and explained it to him: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power." (Daniel 8:19-22)

The fact that Gabriel appeared and interpreted the vision to Daniel means the prophecy had special significance. Gabriel is one of the Lord's most powerful angels who stands in His presence. And he brings extremely important messages from the Lord concerning major events that will take place on the earth. It was Gabriel who appeared to Mary to announce that she would give birth to the Messiah Jesus Christ. (Luke 1:26) Thus, Gabriel's visit to Daniel tells us that the vision the prophet received was vital and necessary to be recorded for future generations to study and understand.

Gabriel then finished interpreting the vision with these words: "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power." (Daniel 8:23-25)

What relevance does Daniel's vision have for today? It has extreme relevance because the vision is being fulfilled in our time. Gabriel revealed that the two-horned ram represented the kings of Media and Persia. Those two ancient kingdoms were located in what is now Iraq and Iran. The ram also represents Islam while its two horns represent Shia and Sunni Islam. But who does the one-horned goat represent?

Here's where the prophecy gets interesting. The goat represents a coalition of gentile nations, with the prominent horn, according to Gabriel, representing "the king of Greece." We know the modern identities of Media and Persia. But Greece? Isn't modern Greece militarily weak and financially insolvent? How could that nation possibly fulfill the prophecy? It can't. The prophecy is so baffling that many biblical scholars believe that it was fulfilled in 331 B.C. when Alexander the Great invaded and conquered Persia.

But that event couldn't have fulfilled the prophecy because it wasn't the time of the end. When Alexander invaded Persia, Christ's appearance on earth was still over three centuries away. How then can we explain the prophecy? Was it flawed, or was it false? It was neither.

In order to interpret the prophecy, we have to understand that Greece was the most prominent gentile nation on earth in the ancient times. The gentiles were often referred to as Greeks and vice versa. In fact, the apostle Paul occasionally interchanged the two in his epistles. Here's an example: "There is neither Jew nor Greek (gentile), slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

Another relevant factor is the proximity of literal Greece to Iran. Literal Greece exists to the northwest of Iran while the nation identified as Greece by Gabriel in Daniel's vision comes from the far west to confront Media and Persia. Furthermore, Daniel witnessed the metaphorical goat come from a distant land without touching the earth. (Daniel 8:5) This indicates that Iran will be attacked either by fighter jets and or long range missiles.

But who is this nation? That nation is the United States that still possesses the most potent military and nuclear arsenal on earth. And some U.S. military officials have admitted in recent years that the only way to stop Iran from threatening the world is via a military invasion. And Iran recently became a much bigger threat to the world with the terrible deal the U.S. negotiated with the Islamic regime.
The deal lifted economic sanctions and arms embargoes against Iran, and allowed the regime to dictate the terms of inspections of its nuclear facilities.

It was a horrible deal that strengthened Iran and brought us closer to the fulfillment of Daniel's vision. Certainly, under the Obama administration, the U.S. will never launch an attack against Iran because the Obama administration loathes war. But another president in the future--perhaps the next one--will be forced to confront and destroy Iran before the Islamic regime begins launching missiles against Israel, Europe and the United States.

It's important to understand that Daniel's vision also reveals that the "king of Greece" will be "broken off" after its successful invasion of Iran. That means the U.S. is going to fall as a world superpower and be replaced by four nations. (Daniel 8:22) What nations could those be? They will likely be Russia, China, India and either France, Germany or Italy.

It's also important to understand that the Antichrist will eventually come from one of these four nations. (Daniel 8:9-12) The nation that this wicked ruler is likely to come from is Russia that's identified by both Daniel (Daniel 11) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38-39) as the major source of trouble for Israel and the world in the last days.

It's no secret that under President Vladimir Putin, Russia is upgrading its military and nuclear arsenal. Putin has predicted that Russia is going to become the most potent military force on earth. Despite Russia's sagging economy, Putin's administration has committed to spending $700 billion to renovate and upgrade Russia's military, nuclear arsenal, fleet of nuclear subs and ICBM technology by 2020.

But don't the Russians and the Iranians have close economic and political ties? They do. Then why would Russia sit back and allow the U.S. to invade Iran? Because Russia's relationship with Iran is mainly an economic one. The Russians need money and they sell military hardware and nuclear technology to Iran for economic purposes. The Russians will only allow the U.S. to take out the current Iranian regime if Russia is allowed to rebuild Iran and select its new government that would be controlled by Moscow.

What role will Israel play in these events? The Jewish nation is going to survive because the Islamic regime in Iran is going away. That's God's purpose in raising up the U.S. to destroy Iran. And after the U.S. falls from power, Israel will likely seek a new powerful political partner in Russia. Remember that the Antichrist will eventually defile the rebuilt Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4)

So Israel is going to play a significant role in end time world affairs leading up to the return of Jesus Christ.

But before that happens, the United States and Iran have a date with destiny, as foretold by the prophet Daniel nearly 2,600 years ago.

The Prophetic Last Days

Daniel's prophetic vision

Nearly 2,600 years ago, the ancient Hebrew prophet Daniel received an allegorical vision from God concerning the last days. In the vision, Daniel witnessed a one-horned goat travel from a distant land to confront and ultimately destroy a powerful two-horned ram.

When Daniel received his vision in the 6th century B.C., the Jews were living in captivity in Persia. Their captivity began in 586 B.C. when Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem, and it finally ended in 445 B.C. when Persian ruler Darius II allowed them to return to Israel.

Here's what Daniel saw and recorded: "In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great." (Daniel 8:2-4)

Daniel's vision was metaphorical. The animals represent two powerful nations that will confront each other in the end times before the goat finally destroys the ram. What nations do the goat and the ram represent? An angel appeared and interpreted the vision for the prophet: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power." (Daniel 8:19-22)

Many biblical scholars believe that Daniel's vision was fulfilled in 331 B.C. when Alexander the Great invaded and conquered Persia. But the prophecy couldn't have been fulfilled then because that wasn't the time of the end. In fact, Jesus Christ hadn't even appeared on earth and wouldn't do so for another three centuries.

If the prophecy concerns the end times, then it raises some serious questions. We know who Greece is. But Media and Persia? Those ancient kingdoms vanished long ago. Who was the prophet referring to? Ancient Media is now part of modern Iraq and Iran. Ancient Persia was located in what is now Iran. We know how dangerous Iran has become in recent decades.

But Greece? Modern Greece is bankrupt. Its military couldn't conquer the island of Fiji, let alone Iran. And so, how can we interpret Daniel's prophecy? Is it true? Is it a revelation from God concerning the end times on earth? Or, is it a fraud? Indeed it's a revelation from God.

Then how do we explain Greece? Very easily. Greece was the most predominant gentile nation on earth in the ancient times. In fact, the ancient Greeks were synonymous with gentiles, and the apostle Paul frequently equated Greeks with gentiles in his epistles. For example: "There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

Therefore, the kingdom of Greece mentioned in Daniel's prophecy isn't the literal nation of Greece, but rather is a metaphor for a powerful gentile nation. What nation could that be? Daniel revealed that the goat traveled "from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground." (Daniel 8:5) That can't be the literal nation Greece that exists just to the northwest of Iran. It has to be another nation that comes from the distant west. Note that Daniel saw this allegorical goat travel a vast distance without touching the ground. That sounds like a metaphor for a military invasion of fighter jets and possibly ICBMs.

Who then is Daniel's Greece? I believe it's the United States that still possesses the most powerful military and nuclear arsenal on earth. And I believe that America's recent nuclear agreement with Iran, a horrible deal brokered by the uber-mendacious and arch-corrupt Obama administration, brings us closer to the fulfillment of Daniel's ancient prophecy.

There's no need to recap the deal. Suffice to say, it was an agreement drawn up in hell that will fast-track Iran to a nuclear power. That's bad for Israel, the Middle East, Europe, the United States and the entire world. Iran is a Shiite nation that possesses an apocalyptic vision for the end. The Iranian Mullahs believe that the Imam Mahdi (Islamic messiah) cannot appear until Israel is destroyed; all the Jews have been removed from the earth and all the infidel nations have been conquered by Islam.

However, God isn't going to allow Iran to succeed. He's going to intervene by using the U.S. to destroy the Islamic regime before the Iranians begin launching nukes all over the planet. The U.S. certainly won't stop the Iranians on Obama's watch. That task will be fulfilled by someone else--perhaps the next president, unless America's next president is Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden or (God help us) Bernie Sanders.

Oh yes. There's more to Daniel's prophecy. After the allegorical goat destroys the ram, its "large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven." (Daniel 8:8) The large horn represents the U.S. The United States will fall from its status as a superpower after the nation destroys Iran. Why? Because of America's multiplied sins from abortion to same-sex marriage to her betrayal of Israel.

God has given America time to repent. And she refuses. And so, judgment has come upon her. Indeed, we're living in the prophetic last days.

Islam and the End Times

Will this prevail in the future?

Periodically, it becomes necessary to review what biblical prophecy reveals concerning religion on earth during the end times preceding the return of Jesus Christ.

The Bible reveals that neither Islam nor any other pagan religion will prevail in the last days before Christ returns. While some folks will take issue with my description of Islam as a pagan religion, Islam's roots can be traced to the pagan religions of ancient Arabia.

In fact, prior to Islam, Allah was known as "al-ilah," the moon god of the Quraish tribe that Muhammad belonged to.

What does the Bible tell us about religion on earth in the last days? It reveals that a counterfeit form of Christianity is going to rise in conjunction with a world government. And this global religion is going to spread rapidly via counterfeit signs, wonders and miracles.

Here's what the apostle Paul revealed concerning the coming global religion: "The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit signs, wonders and miracles, and in every sort of wickedness that deceives those who are perishing." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

Paul revealed that this great wave of miraculous signs and wonders will begin occurring just before the advent of the Antichrist. But how does that prove that the coming one-world religion is going to be a Christian counterfeit?

By what Jesus Christ revealed concerning the last days. Here's the caveat He issued to His followers: "At that time, if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time." (Matthew 24:23-25)

Christ revealed that the counterfeits will come in His name rather than in the names of the founders of world religions. These counterfeits will be followed by the Antichrist who will be the greatest counterfeit of them all, who'll deceive the entire world with his supernatural powers.

Islam isn't a religion of the supernatural. Unlike early Christianity that spread via miracles in the 1st century, Islam has historically used violence to advance and maintain itself. And that's how Islam is attempting to perpetuate itself throughout the world today.

But the world is growing weary of Islam and its violent theology. Rising eastern nations such as China, India, Russia and South Korea don't want Islam. And as these nations continue to expand their influence throughout the world, they'll do away with Islam and force its adherents to flee and find refuge in the west.

That's why the western world has been increasingly under attack from Islamists in recent years. Because Muslims are being pushed out of the east by a growing number of nations that want nothing to do with Islam.

Western nations such as France, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Holland, England and Germany are finally realizing that Islam is a violent religion that cannot be reconciled with or assimilated into western culture.

And certainly, while the vast majority of the world's Islamic population is peaceful, Islam will always promote violence because the Koran contains over 100 verses that encourage Muslims to conquer the world by the sword.

That's why the world will never surrender to Islam. Most people abhor violence and want nothing to do with Islam's violent nature. That's why Islam's days on earth are numbered.

However, most people will respond to miracles, even if they're demonically inspired. Miracles have a way of converting even the most hardened skeptics. And the father of all counterfeit revivals is coming that will feature incredible miracles.

But that counterfeit will lead to the greatest fraud the world will ever see--the Antichrist. He will claim to be Jesus Christ and his followers will believe that he's the real deal.

And so, if this fraud claims to be Christ, then his followers will believe themselves to be Christians. Therefore, the future belongs not to Islam, but rather to Christianity.

Unfortunately it will be a false Christianity that will lead millions into hell.