Paul the Poke

Daniel 8:25b…and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency”.

The angel Gabriel completes his communication to the prophet Daniel. Gabriel finishes his description of the character of the antichrist.

…and he will magnify himself in his heart… His ego will be out of control. Pride will be on display. Confidence will not be lacking and he will be capable of great things, just ask him. He also takes after his leader Satan. God reminds Satan of his attitude and thoughts in Isaiah.

Isaiah 14:13-14 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’”

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…and he will destroy many while they are at ease. People will be at quietness and prosperity. Then he will strike. This is consistent with Scripture in the New Testament as written by the Apostle Paul.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

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He will even oppose the Prince of princes… Now this is a bad career move. It is never a good idea to oppose Jesus Himself. But, this is the kind of ego he possesses. The antichrist will take his stand and present himself against Christ.

..but he will be broken without human agency”. The Hebrew says the antichrist will be shabar or broken. Shabar is defined as: to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked, or be crushed (figuratively). The phrase without human agency is an interesting one. It literally means “with nothingness of hand” in the Hebrew. He will be get what he deserves but not at the hand of a human being, which includes Jesus. Per the passages above, the antichrist is not sentenced to death by the Prince of princes.

This seems a bit confusing on the surface, until…

Revelation 19:20. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.

No death for you…but, an eternal living hell.

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Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

Gabriel is confirming that Daniel’s vision is legitimately from God. The vision of the evenings and the mornings is in reference to Daniel 8:14.

Daniel 8:14 And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”

This vision is “true” or emeth in the Hebrew. It is faithful and firm, Amen!