In pondering what form Syria will eventually take (assuming there is ever any measure of resolution to the present conflict there), I found the following maps interesting to ponder. The first map details present day Syria and what groups control various portions of the nation. Of course, this could all change overnight. World circumstances change, but the Scriptures do not. And in light of the repeated Biblical prophecies of the Antichrist which use “the Assyrian” as a referent, such as Micah 5:5 (a term that should be understood as a regional and not an ethnic denotation), I’ve included the second map, which shows the ancient Assyrian Empire and its overlap to modern day Syria. And finally, because of the strong emphasis on Antiochus Epiphanes and the Seleucid Kingdom that he controlled in Daniel 8 & 11, I’ve included a map of the ancient Seleucid Kingdom as well. What this will all mean is yet to be seen. As the present four winds of heaven stir the seas of the nations, I am convinced that no one truly knows what tomorrow holds. For now, at best, “we peer through a glass darkly”.
The following quotes are also interesting. It is worth highlighting that the “Syria” to which these authors refer did not technically exist as the nation we know today, but at the time these comments were made, was a much larger region of the Ottoman Empire.
“The ‘King of the North’ was the King of Syria, and his character and conduct is described (Daniel 11:36-39) as similar to that of the ‘Little Horn’ that came out of one of the ‘Four Horns’ it is clear that the Antichrist is to come from Syria. … We are to understand therefore by the ‘King of the North’ the King of Syria, which also included Assyria. This fixes the locality from which the Antichrist shall come. …” —Clarence Larkin (1850–1924)
“We have seen that the Scriptures which help us to determine the direction from which he will arise, speak of him under the title of the ‘Little Horn.’ Now the first thing this title denotes is that he is a king, king of Assyria. … [After he] acquires the crown of Syria he will speedily enlarge his dominions.” —Arthur W. Pink (1886–1952)
13 Responses
Hello Joel, thanks for this informative map. I have a question though. Of the Antichrist is said that he is an Assyrian,and he comes from Tyre and seats in Pergamum. Is there any way we can reconcile all these different locations into one person? Or am I linking texts that shouldn’t be linked? (if so My bad).
Hi Robert,
First, I do not think that he will be of Assyrian ethnicity. I see the historical example of the Assyrian as a type of the coming AC. This could be fulfilled in nothing more than their similarities as antagonistic invaders of Israel. Or it could be fulfilled in that beyond being an antagonistic invader, they also both control similar regions. In my opinion, we should at least see this as reasonable. For it would seem odd to see “The Assyrian” as for example, an Italian or a German ruler etc. And lastly, we could take it in a wooden literal manner and say he will be an ethnic Assyrian. IN my opinion, this is to take the type too far.
Second, the designation that he will be such things as “the King of Babylon” (another historical type) or the reference to “the Prince 9(or ruler) of Tyre”, could both be fulfilled in the fact that he will come to rule over these regions.
As for his seat in Pergamum, this is merely a reference to the Altar of Zeus, which Jesus calls the Throne of Satan. I’m not sure we could read too much into this with regard to the region from which the AC will come.
However, as I have repeatedly pointed out, it is quite difficult to get around the fact that Gog (another title for the Antichrist) is “of Magog” and the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, which is clearly Asia Minor / Turkey. For this reason, I continue to look to Turkey.
However, as I also continually remind us all, we all see through a glass darkly and should not be dogmatic on some of these specifics. After the fact, it will all be clear and will serve as a confirmation. But until then, we should avoid what I call “the prophet syndrome” that is a bit of an epidemic among prophecy teachers, who think they have it all figured out.
Blessings!
Thanks for your explanation Joel! Things seem to move so fast now I guess we will see in a few years time exactly how this plays out.
I think it is safe to say that the Antichrist and his kingdom will be middle eastern. His emergence seems to be focused from somewhere between Iran,Iraq,Syria,turkey…only time will truly tell exactly where.
Joel You have mentioned G H Lang in previous posts. He states in Appendix C to his book on Daniel (Second edition) in a paragraph headed “Where Gog arises” that “From Daniel 8:9 we learn that the last Gentile emperor will rise in one of the 4 divisions into which the kingdom of Alexander was divided after his death” Lang in a later sentence continues “But by Ezekiel it is shown that he will be specially the chief prince of the region now known as Armenia and the Caucasus. It is therefore,…in that district that he is expected to arise as the little horn…..” Howard Graham
Hi Howard,
Right. Lang arrives at Armenia, due to his understanding concerning the various names in Ezekiel’s prophecy. By looking to the overwhelming scholarly evidence today however, we can see that Turkey and not Armenia is more appropriately identified by Ezekiel. Consider the following evidence.
I’m excited that you are reading Lang. Love his commentaries.
Blessings!
Joel,
What about the restoration of the Hashimite Kingdom of Iraq/Syria(1921-1958), with either Prince Sharif Ali bin al-Hussein or Prince al-Hassan, uncle of King Abdullah, as the King of Iraq(Babylon). Prince Sharif was raise and educated in Lebanon, the “Prince of Tyre”? Now that is interesting.
Many thanks for your clarification re G H Lang’s views and recent scholarship on the possible location of the antichrist. It is only recently that I came across your web site when I read your last two books and I have learnt much from them. Thank you. Your reference to G H Lang reminded me that my late father used to correspond with Lang in the 1950’s and one of the things I learnt from their contact, was by all means hold views on prophetic matters, however at the same time keep an open mind as further study will reveal what the Lord wishes to show of His purposes and our responsibility. Every blessing.
Howard,
That must have been a blessing. I would so desire to be able to correspond with a great mind like Lang. Lang also highly recommends the work of G.H. Pember, whose work on the Great Prophecies is also excellent.
Blessings
Happy New Year !
This is just a reminder about an e-mail reply I send you 29/12.
I think making a list is necessary in order to see what is going on
http://news.yahoo.com/syria-rebel-alliance-declares-war-al-qaeda-093008523.html
“And in new signs the nearly three-year conflict is spreading, ISIL seized the city of Fallujah in neighbouring Iraq, and claimed a suicide bomb attack in a Beirut stronghold of Hezbollah”
Thanks David for the news link. This sentence caught my eye. If the conflict spreads beyond Syria, it may be the all the provocation the Ram (Iran) needs to attack north, south and east as per Daniel 8.
http://www.ssnphoms.com/ssnphoms/includes/FCKeditor/upload/image/map-smal.jpg Look at this too
Joel…HI
From an old friend
Paolo