Empires Foretold: Antichrist’s Rise
- Michael E.B. Maher
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
The angel Gabriel informs us in the earlier quoted passage that the fourth kingdom shown in this vision is the Grecian Empire which is represented by the goat. The angel informs us that there was no power in the ram to withstand the goat, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him. Historical records confirm the fact that the Persian Empire was succeeded by the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great. In this vision Alexander the Great is referred to as the first king of the Grecian Empire and is represented by the notable horn on the goat[1]. Historical records reveal that the Grecian Empire began in the year 330 BC and ended in the year 312 BC. Again it is important to note that the map of the Grecian Empire shown below incorporates the geographic location of the Antichrist’s kingdom shown to Daniel.
Map of the Grecian Empire (330 BC – 312 BC)
The angel Gabriel then informs us that after the death of Alexander the Great, which is represented by the broken horn in this vision, that the Grecian Empire was divided into four separate kingdoms. Historical records confirm the fact that after the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was indeed split into four separate kingdoms. The angel Gabriel then tells us that out of one of those four kingdoms the little horn will ultimately emerge; the little horn in this passage represents the Antichrist. So the question is asked, which one of the four kingdoms was the angel referring to? Historical records reveal that of the four kingdoms, it was the Seleucid Empire which was located in the same geographic area as the preceding empires shown in this vision[2]. And so we see that the fifth kingdom referred to in this vision is the Seleucid Empire. Historical records reveal that the Seleucid Empire began in the year 312 BC and ended in the year 141 BC. Again it is important to note that the map of the Seleucid Empire shown below incorporates the geographic location of the Antichrist’s kingdom shown to Daniel.
Map of the Seleucid Empire (312 BC – 141 BC)
The angel Gabriel then informs us in this passage that in the latter time of their kingdoms; when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise having fierce features and having understanding of sinister schemes. The king that the angel is referring to in this passage is the person of the Antichrist. Clearly two things foretold by the angel in this passage have not yet transpired; i.e. the transgressors have not yet reached their fullness and the Antichrist has not yet arisen in the earth. And so we see that the latter time of their kingdoms has not yet arrived.
So the question is asked, which additional kingdoms is the angel referring to in this passage, bearing in mind that these kingdoms must all be centred in the same geographic area shown to Daniel? History teaches us that there are three kingdoms that succeeded the Seleucid Empire in that geographic region, bringing us to the present time today, i.e. the latter time of their kingdoms. And so in order for us to continue following the trail given by the angel we will discuss these last three kingdoms in turn.
Historical records reveal that the Parthian Empire succeeded the Seleucid Empire in the year 141 BC[3]. In that year the Parthian Empire expelled the Seleucid Empire from the geographic areas of Babylonia and Mesopotamia, thus expanding their borders to incorporate those areas. These two geographic areas are important, being central to the geographic location shown to Daniel. It is interesting to note that the Roman Empire was one of the main rivals of the Parthian Empire, and they invaded the region of Mesopotamia on numerous occasions in an attempt to incorporate that region into the Roman Empire. Each attempt proved to be unsuccessful however, and the region remained under Parthian rule. The Parthian Empire had a relatively long lifespan of 365 years. Historical records reveal that the Parthian Empire began in the year 141 BC and ended in the year 224 AD. Again it is important to note that the map of the Parthian Empire shown below incorporates the geographic location of the Antichrist’s kingdom shown to Daniel.
Map of the Parthian Empire (141 BC – 224 AD)
Michael E.B. Maher
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