01-Some Say Syria

There are many teachers who believe that the political antichrist or beast will emerge from Syria or one of the 10 Common Market nations of Europe. Are they prophesying the truth? Or are they repeating tradition that is incorrect? Let´s first examine Syria.

Daniel 11:27,

“And both these kings´ (Egypt and Syria) hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table, but it shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.”

Daniel 11:30,

“For the ships of Kittim (west) shall come against him (Russia/Syria); therefore, he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant; so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with those who forsake the holy covenant.”

The antichrist can´t come from Syria because Syria (and Russia) is the king of the north in Daniel 11:27, 30. For Syria to be the home of the antichrist means that Syria would have to be allied with and dominate Western Europe and America, (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24). For Western Europe was the bulk of the geographical area that made up the Roman Empire. The antichrist or beast comes out of the Roman Empire. How then could Syria be the head of the Roman Empire and still be king of the north in Daniel11? It can´t.

The antichrist from the Roman Empire and the king of the north are opposing forces in the last days, not allied. They will forge a convenant of peace at the beginning of the 70th Week, but not because of mutual admiration. As Daniel 11:27 clearly indicates, the peace will be based upon lies spoken at the table of peace. Syria cannot be allied with the Roman Empire, for according to Daniel 11:30, the ships of Kittim (Rome) will sail toward the king of the north to intercept and cut him off when he invades the Middle East. If Syria is the head of the Roman Empire, as many teach, would he not then be coming against himself?

Daniel 11:40-45,

40)”And at the time of the end shall the king of the south (Egypt) push at him (Russia/Syria); and the king of the north shall come against him (Egypt) like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he (Russia/Syria) shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through. 41)He (Russia/Syria) shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown, but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon (Jordan). 42)He (Russia/Syria) shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43)But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44)But tidings out of the east and out of the north (American ships in the Mediterranean Sea) shall trouble him; therefore, he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to sweep away many. 45)And he (Russia/Syria) shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (God destroys – see Ezekiel 38)

Daniel 12:1,

“And at that time (mid-70th Week) shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people, and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

A study of Ezekiel 38 reveals that Russia is the king of the north with her allies of Libya, Ethiopia and others. Daniel 11:40-45 describes these same two nations, Libya and Ethiopia, as at the feet of the king of the north, which means they are allied with Russia. Therefore, there is no need for troops to occupy them. The Russian/Syrian confederacy will attack and occupy Egypt, who provoked (push), the attack by betraying its Arab brothers through the treaties with Israel and America, thereby forcing Syria to the peace table.

Daniel 11:40-45 and Ezekiel 38 describe the same mid-70th Week war. Since Russia and Syria have signed binding alliances, it is clear that the king of the north of Daniel 11 and the little horn of Daniel 8 (which we´ll study soon) are also pointing to Russia, and not the antichrist from America. Daniel 12:1 begins the reign of the American antichrist after the Russian/Syrian confederacy has been destroyed by God Himself toward the middle of the 70th Week. This will be the last 3 1/2 years when the wrath of God will be poured out. It is the time of Jacob´s trouble. But the great Michael will be there to fight against Satan and his angels.

Furthermore, the antichrist´s nation cannot be Syria or another Arab nation, for the people who live in his nation must be predominantly professing Christians. As we have already seen in Revelation 13 and 17, the antichrist´s nation has a religious system that sits, resides and dwells in, on, and with the political system. We know that apostate Christianity is that system.

If Syria, Iran, or Iraq is to produce the antichrist, then the current religious situation in these nations must take a dramatic swing toward organized Christianity, even to the point of their governments using and proclaiming it. One look at the overwhelming influence, power, and deception in the Moslem religion tends to make you think otherwise. This is another reason why the old Babylon in Iraq will not be rebuilt, as some teach. Remember, according to Revelation 18:4, Babylon is the home of God´s people. Where do most Jewish people live today? America, not Iraq.