AntiChrist - East or West Roman Empire?

[RonJohnSilver]

We're working through Daniel in SS and last week we were in chapter 9 which talks about the future AC. We agreed that the Bible seems to say that he will come from the old Roman Empire but I got to thinking that the Empire split into the Eastern and Western divisions. We generally think of the western division as the group from which the AC will arise but why not the eastern part? That got me to thinking about the beliefs of the Orthodox church but I'll start another thread on that subject. So, why not an AC from the Eastern Roman Empire?

 

[mattfivefour]

Why not indeed?

 

[Margery]

I tend to think that his label in some of the OT prophecies - The Assyrian is a clue.

 

[mattfivefour]

I tend to think that his label in some of the OT prophecies - The Assyrian is a clue.

Which leads us into a conundrum in that, to my knowledge, Assyria was never part of the Roman empire. So how do we resolve his sobriquet --The Assyrian-- with Daniel 9:26-27 that, based on our knowledge of subsequent history, seems to imply he will come out of what was once the Roman empire?

 

[Margery]

Which leads us into a conundrum in that, to my knowledge, Assyria was never part of the Roman empire. So how do we resolve his sobriquet --The Assyrian-- with Daniel 9:26-27 that, based on our knowledge of subsequent history, seems to imply he will come out of what was once the Roman empire?

I love to look at it on the basis of descent- he is from an Assyrian parentage OR and maybe AND he typifies that savagery that the Assyrians had towards Israel.

IF (and it's a large IF) he was from both Roman and Assyrian descent, perhaps born in the Golan Heights area (from other bits- coming from the tribal area of Dan, but not being Jewish) he would check the boxes but it's a PUZZLE! And puzzles are FUN!

God puts "easter egg hunts" all thru scripture to tantalize us, to get us moving, tracking down the clues.

 

[Batman]

Christ fulfilled a BUNCH of titles and descriptors that probably was never expected or theorized to how they could all come true. It's obvious that the wide range of titles and descriptors of the AC allows for just such a time when all are fulfilled and show that bible prophecy and our Triune Godhead is above all things past, present, and future. For me though, I've believed for a long time that the AC will be of the European grouping of the old Roman Empire, and not a Middle East muslim with ties or uniting into/with the European RE leg.

 

[RonJohnSilver]

I've believed for a long time that the AC will be of the European grouping of the old Roman Empire, and not a Middle East muslim with ties or uniting into/with the European RE leg.

I've believed that as well but I'm wondering if that belief is more traditional rather than factual. Doesn't really matter I guess since we won't be here when he shows up but I'm still curious.

 

[Manonfire63]

The Anti-Christ was Diocletian.

Nothing new happens under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9-11) Part of understanding prophecy, and the signs of the times, may be that history has been going in a circle. (Mathew 16:3) Some prophecy could come around again.....like the Temple of God being destroyed twice on the 9th of the Hebrew Month of Av. Jesus Christ prophesied the destruction of the Temple of God. Thirty Seven years after his death and resurrection, 70 AD, the Temple was destroyed by Emperor Titus. The first time the Temple was destroyed, there was Prophet Ezekiel giving particular prophecy. Were the conditions in 70 AD equal to conditions during Ezekiel's time?

 

[Kaatje]

The Anti-Christ was Diocletian.

Diocletian was an Antichrist for sure. And there have been many more Antichrists. (1 John 2:18)

But the last Antichrist, the son of perdition, of whom the book of Revelation tells us, is yet to be revealed.

 

[mattfivefour]

I, frankly, do not care at all about the antichrists of history, only about the one to come. And, to be honest, I only care in terms of warning unbelievers. I won't be here when the AC is revealed. Neither will any of us who are born again.