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Q: I recently read that because of what Daniel said in Daniel 11:37 that the Antichrist would not have the desire of women so that he will most likely be a homosexual, and that is why the world is being conditioned to accept it as normal. I was wondering if that is your understanding of that particular Scripture.

A: I have heard that conclusion a couple of times before, but my co-laborer, Jeannette reminded me of another possible meaning to it that I tend to agree with more. To understand this meaning, one would have to understand the Jewish beliefs. There are three things that are being said about this man in Daniel 11:37. The first is that he would not regard the God of his fathers. I realize the latest declaration is that the antichrist would be Arab. However, the Jews are not looking for the Arab’s Messiah, but their own Messiah. The fact that the “g” is capitalized in this text means it is in reference to Elohim or God our creator. It is for this reason that some believe the antichrist will be Jewish in order to counterfeit the real Messiah.

       This brings us to the fact that this imposter would not regard the desire of women. In the Jewish culture, it was every orthodox Jewish handmaiden’s desire to be the mother of the Messiah. This goes back to Genesis 3:15, where it is clearly stated that the Promised Messiah would come from the seed of woman. It is for this reason there is a belief that the Jewishness of a person depends on his or her mother being Jewish as in the case of Timothy whose father was Gentile but his mother was Jewish (Acts 16:1-3). It was for this reason that the Jews expected Timothy to be circumcised.

       We know that God chose a Jewish handmaiden by the name of Mary, who fit an important criteria brought out in Isaiah 7:14, that she would be a virgin. We know that no man had anything to do with Jesus’ miraculous conception (John 1:13). His Jewishness came strictly from His mother’s side. It is also interesting to note the statement that Mary made, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name” (Luke 1:46-49). (Emphasis added.)

       It is clear that Mary understood that God was regarding her, but this imposter will not have any real regard towards the significance of this identification. Since Jewish women desire to have the Messiah, his attitude towards this matter could mean that even though his father may be Jewish, his mother may not be (an important criterion where the Messiah is concerned). Regardless of the implications, this man would not be desired by Jewish women because he is not the Promised Messiah, nor does he think it is important to have such an identification to complete his mission.

       The third part of Daniel 11:37 is that he would not regard any god. The word is spelled with a small “g” which points to an idol, judge, and ruler. The reason he will not regard any “god” is because he is going to exalt himself as god. This is what the last part of Daniel 11:37 states, “for he shall magnify himself above all.”

       Since the first and last facts have to do with spiritual implications and not the physical, I would tend to believe that the second statement also has to do with criteria that will properly identify this counterfeit. It is clear that this man will do great signs and wonders to the point that many will follow him into complete delusion and destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Jesus stated that if it were possible even the elect would be deceived. But, as believers we will not be deceived because God knows how to preserve those who are His, and we know the true Jesus and what the Word says about His next coming. The Jesus we proclaim fits all criteria established in the Word concerning His first, as well as His second coming, while the impostor may run a close parallel to Him, but he will ultimately fit the criteria of the counterfeit.

       I realize that much of what is being spouted today about the end times is a matter of speculation on people’s part. There are so many opinions and points of speculation that are being taught as truth, but the truth is we really do not know how all of these prophecies will manifest themselves. However, the one thing we know is that the real Jesus is coming back the same way He left and He will have the scars (nail prints) to prove who He is (Zechariah 12:9-11; Acts 1:6-11).

       As Christians we need to be careful about looking to the next elections to solve problems, or stubbornly stand on or behind our religious take of such matters instead of trusting Jesus with the outcome. We need to do what Jesus stated and begin to look up, knowing our solution is coming from above in the clouds, in glory, and in victory as King of kings, Lord of lords, and Righteous Judge.