In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua] was in the beginning with God.

THE FOUR KINGS

Daniel had two apocalyptic visions. The second of these visions is described in the last three chapters in the Book of Daniel. These chapters reveal the end-time events. They are relevant to us because the four kings represent four world power alliances that exist today. They will converge on Israel and culminate the greatest military battles the world has ever experienced. It is during this time that Christ will return to earth the second time to conclude the battles at Armageddon and rescue Israel. Otherwise, Israel and the Gentile nations would not survive World War III. Christ will then establish His kingdom on earth during the Millennium age when there will be righteousness, peace, and prosperity.

The four kings of end-time prophecy describe the kings of the west, east, south and north. They are not literal kings with monarchial rule over kingdoms. The angel described to Daniel the world powers of the end-time as kingdoms because the present day political systems of rule did not exist during Daniel's time. The end-time world powers will be represented by four global leaders, and these leaders will form alliances. The identity and actions of these world powers are described primarily in Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation. The king of the west is the Antichrist who will lead the 'revised' Roman Empire [the seventh kingdom] and its western allies. The 'revised' Roman Empire today is the European Union in transition. The king of the south is Egypt and its southern Islamic allies. The king of the north is Russia (described as Gog in Ezekiel) who will lead the nations of the Black Sea region and Caucasus Central Asia (ancient Scythia), and Iran (ancient Parthia). The king of the east is China and its Asiatic allies.

The adverse treatment by the world toward Israel is a key barometer of the time of the end as described by Daniel. No one knows the hour of Christ’s return. But as the danger intensifies for Israel, the time of Christ’s return draws nearer. He will first appear in the air to rapture His church, the true body of believers. Afterwards, the Antichrist will rise to power and offer a [false] peace treaty to Israel. This will begin the seventieth week of Daniel, the terrible seven-year tribulation period, which culminates with the return of Christ to earth at the final battle of Armageddon.