It has always been popular, and it still is, for Christians who do not stick close to Scripture to add all manner of bizare interpretations to the symbols, visions and prophesies of the Bible. In these brief studies we are working hard to not add personal opinion to prophetic revelation. The Little Horn mentioned by Daniel and John is the person who we commonly call The Antichrist. One of the great mistakes of Christians is to think they know who he is in contemporary society. I have watched over the past 30 years as popular opinion has gone from person to person like a betting shop with their choice of who the contemporary candidate for Antichrist is. Almost always he is a high profile politician who holds great power, wealth or position and who is constantly in the limelight. If this brief study accomplishes nothing else it will reveal that this practise is not only foolish but utterly unbiblical.
1. The ten horns of Rev.17 who are "ten kings" who destroy the Scarlet Woman (the RCC) give their "power, strength and kingdom" unto the "beast" (v12, 13, 17). Who is this "beast" that they give absolute governmental power to? Daniel says more: "...and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn" (7:7-8). It is the Scarlet beast which represents the revived Roman Empire with its new world Government which has these ten horns. When we see these 10 kings over 10 regions of the world destroy the Catholic Church there shall arise another king amongst them called the "little horn" or "beast." Any leader who does not appear on the scene in this way is most certainly not the Antichrist.
2. When we see him at first he is called "the little horn." As we have seen the ten horns represent kings. Alexander was represented by a "great horn" because he was a great king/leader. This little horn however will arrive on the scene as an insignificant leader. In comparison to the 10 he will seem "little." While all eyes are upon the 10 this little horn will rise to sudden power by and with the 10. Without him they have no kingdom; but they give him their kingdom. Any leader not elected and empowered in such a manner is not the Antichrist.
3. Once given power he will subdue three of these ten kings. Dan.7:8, “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots:” v24, “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.” These three kings represent three regions/kingdoms. Once in power he must subdue three in order to reign as a tyrant.
4. He will arise out of Alexander’s Grecian empire. Dan 8:8-9, “Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great…” We have seen in a previous study that in Daniel 8 we see a vision of a ram and a he goat fighting. This reveals how the kingdom of Medo-Persia would be defeated by Greece under Alexander, whose kingdom after his death was divided in four. What this prophesy also reveals is that in the last days a "little horn" would come forth out of one of these four regions. Somewhere between Greece and India the "little horn" will arise. This excludes a leader from any other region of the world.
There is a wealth of material in the Bible concerning this last world leader and we could write a book upon him. But the above major points should do away with a host of foolish guesses and fabulous statements made by so-called Bible scholars. Please dont be caught up in foolish speculations. The prophetic signs are very clear. Dont speculate about any political character on the world scene unless they precisely fulfil what we have already just stated.
Lets just summarise a few other points revealed about the Little Horn as we close this study.
5. He will arise in the last days 8:23-24, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.”
6. He blasphemes God. Dan 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High…” Rev.13:5-6, “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”
7. He will be worshipped. Rev 13:4, 8, “…and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?...And all that dwell
upon the earth shall worship him…”
8. He will have International power. Rev.13:7, “…and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
9. He will rule for 3 and ½ years. Rev.13:5, “...and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”—11:2; 12:6; Dan.7:25; 12:7—1260 days, 42 months, 3 ½ years.
10. He will invade Israel. Dan.8:9, “…toward the pleasant land…”, Mt.24:15-16; Lk.21:20-21, an attack on Israel which starts the great tribulation when he sets up the Abomination of desolation which Daniel and Christ foretold.
11. He will make war with the saints. Dan.7:21, “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;” 25, “And he…shall wear out the saints of the most High…” Rev.13:7, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:” This is 3 ½ years of "great tribulation."
12. He will be destroyed by Christ when He returns to earth physically, literally and visibly - Rev.19:20