IN THE LAST TRUMP

        Trumpets were appointed in Israel by God to serve numerous purposes (Num. 10:1-10), and, in every land today, the sound of the trumpet gives a particular, specific signal. That signal could be any one of a large number of things. In Israel the sound of the trumpet might signify solemnity, or festivity, or danger. It might bring the people together as a whole, or it might bring only the princes. A certain sound would signify one thing, while a slightly different sound would signify another thing. The people could discern the desire of the trumpeter by the particular sound he blew. The blowing of the trumpet gave a specific signal. It always gave a message to someone. It was never officially blown without a special purpose. Anyone who has been in any branch of the armed forces knows well that the trumpet, or bugle, conveys a message. John says "and the first voice which I heard was as it were a trumpet talking with me" (Rev. 4:1).
        In Rev. 10:7, we read, "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound." The voice of the seventh angel is the sound he blows. Thus, the sounding of the seventh trumpet gives a message to someone. The voice of the seventh angel will carry a message to all creation, but especially to the saints for then they will be raised and raptured. The message of the first six trumpets will not be so general for they will not be heard by mankind. This fact will be justified in the mind of the reader when he has clearly understood the relationship between the "last trump" and the seventh trumpet.
        As I have already shown and will illustrate yet again, the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet deal with the same time element, that is, the coming of Christ in glory which begins the wrath of God. The careful examination of this fact alone (not including the other proofs which will be given) will firmly establish that the first six trumpets are the same in time with the first five seals (actually seal 2 through 5). This fact further demands that the first six trumpets do not describe the judgments of God, but the judgments of the Antichrist, the False Prophet, Satan, etc. May the reader very carefully and thoroughly examine the developments under the seventh trumpet. The wrath of God will not begin under the trumpets until the seventh one (Rev. 11:18). Not until the seventh trumpet will God and Christ begin to "destroy them which destroy the earth (Rev. 11:18). This fact MUST be THOROUGHLY understood before one can correctly understand the developments under the first six trumpets, or even the seventh trumpet. It is most clearly evident that the activities under the fifth and sixth trumpets are not the works and judgments of God. The execution of such activities are related to God only in that He permits them to happen. It is also very evident that these activities are wrought by super-human creatures (demon spirits, etc). Thus I would like to give some thoughts relative to God's permissive will concerning the activities of such evil creatures.

        It appears quite clear from many scriptures that Satan was in the beginning an obedient creature of God. The purpose of God's creating him was evidently much different than that of man. Yet there came the time when sin was born in the heart of Satan, and at that time he led in a very great rebellion against God. His sin, in particular, was that he desired greater glory than he deserved, even greater than God. A careful study of Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19; Isa. 45:18; Gen. 1:2, and many other such scriptures is quite relative to these matters. It is true that the kings of Babylon and Tyrus are addressed in the first two of the above scriptures, but the Lord also spoke to Satan who had gotten into the thinking and conduct of the apostle Peter (Matt. 16:23; Mark 8:33). One might just as easily debate whether Jesus spoke to Satan, or Peter.
        There is sufficient evidence to establish that God has created many intelligent creatures other than angels and men. The four beasts around the throne are a good example (Rev. 4 and 5). Ezekiel also saw intelligent creatures quite different than the ones John saw (Ezek. 1). It appears that there may be a difference between cherubim, seraphim and angels, though the first two are probably orders of angels. The locusts of the fifth trump and the beasts of the sixth trumpet are evidently real creatures that were in the rebellion with Satan but were confined to the bottomless pit to be released at the appointed time for a specific (though limited) purpose, then finally to be cast alive into the lake of fire where they shall remain eternally.
        At the time of Satan's rebellion, he was cast out of heaven (Luke 11:18), and all of his followers with him. When Adam sinned, his authority over the earth passed into the hands of Satan, which evidently gained Satan permission to re-enter heaven and appear in the presence of God (Rev. 12; Job 1). From Rev. 12:8-12, we learn that Satan and at least some of his angels have admission into heaven, and that Satan stands there day and night accusing the saints. We can easily see the legal (court) proceedings of God in relation to the earth and man. In Job 1 we observe that Satan boldly appears before the throne of God and speaks concerning things on the earth, particularly man.
        Look carefully at II Chron. 18:18-22 where we observe similar activities. King Ahab hated the prophet of God because of the prophet's righteous testimony against the wickedness of the king. The prophet always told Ahab the will of God, but the words of God were despised. Ahab always desired to be convinced of a different testimony than that of the prophet, therefore God accommodated his wicked desires by sending a lying spirit to fill the mouths of the false prophets. The prophet, Micaiah, said, "I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab, King of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so."
        This lying spirit that prevailed by putting lies into the mouths of the false prophets was certainly not one of the righteous angels of God, for they are not liars. This spirit was an evil spirit who, like Satan, had permission to enter heaven, appear before God, and obtain permission to perform certain wicked activities on earth. These wicked activities are not the works of God, but God permits them (as in this case -- II Chron. 18) because rebellious, wicked men on earth hate the righteousness of God, and are continually seeking to destroy the servants of God who faithfully testify of God's righteousness. This is one of the ways in which God brings judgment upon wicked men. They love falsehood and hate the truth, therefore God permits them to be filled with their own ways. God warns such evil men. He pleads with them again and again, but when they continue to stiffen their necks against God, and refuse His counsel, they must reap of that which they have sown. God then permits them to be filled with their own wicked ways by sending upon them a strong delusion.
        There is a very similar illustration recorded for our understanding in I Sam. 16:14: -- "But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him." Does God participate in wicked activities? How absurd! Then what is the explanation for such things? The explanation is the same here as in the preceding passage. God hates wickedness of every nature. He hates evil spirits, and will at the appointed time confine all of them in the lake of fire eternally. This evil spirit obtained permission from the Lord to come and trouble Saul. The Holy Spirit had repeatedly pleaded with Saul and warned him, but to no avail. Saul was bent on disobeying the Lord. Of his own will he chose to follow evil; therefore, after a great many efforts to turn him had failed, the Lord permitted an evil spirit to trouble him.
        Observe how boldly Satan enters into the presence of God in Job 1 and 2, and speaks in relation to things on earth, and boasts of his authority and mastership over it. We must remember that Satan is the prince of the power (authority) of the air (Eph 2:2). Paul says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers (authorities), against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness (evidently spiritual forces of wickedness) in high places" (Eph 6:12). One of the main reasons for the defeat of many Christians in their lives as they fight against evil influences is that they do not understand, or else do not keep in mind, the import of this verse of scripture. How can we fight a good fight of faith if we do not know who they are with whom we fight? Our fight is "not against flesh and blood," but "against the rulers of the darkness of this world." These rulers are demon spirits of whom Satan is the prince. They are spoken of as principalities, powers, etc., which means that they are organized forces of wicked spirits who are permitted to exercise rulership over this earth. God is able to destroy everyone of them in one moment with everlasting confinement in the lake of fire (which, of course, He will do at the appointed time); yet the righteous wisdom of God has allotted to these wicked spirits such momentary powers.
        How did Satan become such a ruler over the earth? He obtained such authority when man gave obedience to him rather than to God. In the beginning authority to govern and rule the earth was given to man. Through the obedience of man to Satan, everything under the authority of man, including man himself, passed into the grasp and mastership of Satan. This is a very important matter and should be studied very carefully.
        How is it that Satan has the permission to enter heaven? Because, according to court proceedings, Satan has the privilege of standing before the judge to set forth his claims to the earth and its fullness (which claims are based upon the obedience of man to him rather than to God). Though God has supreme power and all that Satan can do is only through the permissive will of God, yet, through that permissive will, he rules the earth and the area around the earth as far as the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars, etc.), all of which were subjected to the service of man in the beginning.
        In Daniel chapter 10 we find that Daniel, earnestly desiring to understand the words of the Lord, fasted for three full weeks, at the end of which he saw a vision of an angel (evidently Gabriel who is always seen giving understanding) who said, "Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words, But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days" (Dan 10:12-14).
        The prince that engaged in battle with such power that he was able to delay Gabriel for 21 days, and was still so powerful that it was necessary for Michael to come and relieve Gabriel so that the latter could come and give understanding to Daniel, was certainly NOT "flesh and blood." Flesh and blood, regardless of its power and number, could never resist one of the mighty princes of God such as Gabriel, or Michael. This prince of the kingdom of Persia was either Satan himself, or probably one of the chief princes of Satan, who did not want Daniel to be given the understanding of God's word concerning the latter days. From Dan 10:20-21 we further see that Gabriel confessed this prince of Satan to be of such power that it would be necessary for him to return and help Michael defeat him. No doubt, this prince of Satan was accompanied by many of the other angels of Satan. Undoubtedly there have been many such battles in the heavens immediately above the earth of which we know nothing. We might wonder why Satan and his angels are permitted to engage in such prolonged struggles against the powerful angels of God when the Holy Spirit could give such power to Gabriel and Michael that in one moment the enemies would be stripped of any resistance whatever. This is a part of the wisdom of God and Christ concerning the work of redemption that we will one day understand and rejoice over. Yet, even now these things aid us to understand that God has granted to Satan the exercise of certain authorities about the earth. We must keep in mind, however, that if man had not in the beginning wilfully chosen to obey Satan rather than God, Satan would never have been able to exercise such authority over the earth.
        At the present time Satan and his angels have access into the presence of God where Satan accuses the saints day and night, yet, at the appointed time, God will order him to leave. Christ has already by His own blood redeemed man's forfeited possessions, therefore God can righteously order Satan to leave the heavens as it pleases Him. But Satan refuses and makes war, even in heaven, against the forces of God (Rev. 12). Satan and all his demon army are cast out of heaven, and immediately they come back to the earth and begin to exercise exceedingly great wrath.
        This brings us to the place where I believe we can better appreciate the activities under the first six trumpets. Although the angels of Satan are permitted to sometimes engage in battle against the mighty ones of God, yet Satan and his forces are definitely under the restraint of the Holy Spirit. From II Thess. 2:3-12 we find that this restraint will be very greatly lifted for the reign of the Antichrist, to the extent that he is permitted to come "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish," etc. The "power and signs and lying wonders" of the Antichrist will reach as far as to cause fire to come down out of heaven on the earth in the sight of men (Rev. 13). This is exactly what we see under the first four trumpets. During this time the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph 6:12) will be more active than at any time in the history of man, for the scriptures say, "Woe to the inhabiters of the EARTH and of the SEA! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev. 12:12). Under the first six trumpets we find that the earth and the sea both are smitten as Satan is granted authority to cause fire to come down out of heaven upon them as he and his angels work in harmony with the Antichrist and the second Beast.
        As one reads the 8th chapter of Revelation it is easy to get the impression that the trumpets fall under the seventh seal, but such is not so. It is quite necessary that the first six trumpets fall under seals 2 through 5, which makes good harmony where otherwise such harmony is lacking. A correct analysis of trumpets 5 through 7 will demand that the activities under the first six trumpets are those of Satan and not of God. This means that such activities come before the things described under the sixth seal take place. Also, these same activities, even under the first trumpet, do not fit the time period under the first seal, therefore the first six trumpets must come under seals 2 through 5.
        Seal 2 fits the time when the Antichrist shall break the covenant in the midst of the week. It is at this time that the abomination of desolation is caused to stand in the holy place (Matt. 24:15). At this same time the man of sin is revealed by the removing of the Holy Spirit's restraint upon him (II Thess. 2). This is when the Antichrist exalts himself above God and proclaims himself to be God (II Thess. 2:4). This is the time when the Devil gives to the Antichrist "his power, and his seat, and great authority" (Rev. 13). This is also the time when the Devil and his angels make war in heaven and are cast out (Rev. 12). This is the time the seven angels make ready to give their message by the blowing of their trumpets.
        After the seven angels are given their trumpets, yet before they begin to sound, we read that another angel, "came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake" (Rev. 8:2-5).
        What is the connection between this angel offering up the prayers of the saints and the blowing of the seven trumpets? There must be a relationship of some kind since it is mentioned after such a fashion. The most reasonable answer appears to be that, though these judgments of Satan are not directed especially at the saints, yet the saints will definitely be found in great agonies during this period, greatly as a result of the developments under these trumpets. These judgments of Satan (the first six trumpets) are to convince all nations of the claims of the Antichrist, that is, that he is God (II Thess. 2:4). God permits Satan to bring the rebellious nations to their knees by the aid of super-human creatures out of hell (trumpets 5 and 6). We must remember that God shall send upon them "strong delusion" "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (II Thess. 2:9-12). In the midst of all this, the saints are found in exceedingly great agonies. Some may be inclined to think that God would not permit such a thing to happen to the saints. Nevertheless, the scriptures show plainly that there are saints on the earth at this time (Rev. 9:4; 6:9-11; 7:9-17; etc). The mention of the prayers of the saints here serves the same purpose as under the fifth seal.
        What is meant by the angel filling the censer with the fire of the altar and casting it into the earth? Why did there follow "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake?" To whom do the voices speak and what might be their message? It is very unreasonable to say that these voices have no significance, or message for someone. It does not appear reasonable that they are heard by mankind, but rather, that they are heard by the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, etc. (Eph 6:12). As far as mankind is concerned, the heavenly forces are in complete silence until the end of the reign of the Antichrist when the whole heavens will be ripped open and folded up. The day of the Lord must come as a thief in the night. These voices give notification to the angelic forces of Satan relative to such activities that they will be granted by the sounding of the first six trumpets. Satan and his angels have just been cast out of heaven, and therefore are not able to enter into the presence of God to obtain permission to exercise their wicked activities. These voices, and the sounding of the trumpets, therefore, give the message granting the permission to the evil forces to work their evil devices and deceptions. This is the "strong delusion" which God sends upon rebellious and unbelieving men.

        When the first angel sounded his message, "there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and a third part of the trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up." Let us remember that Satan's man of sin will come with "all power and signs and lying wonders" (II Thess. 2:9). The sounding of the trumpet will announce to Satan and his forces what they will be permitted to do. Satan will, of course, work side by side with his man of sin and the False Prophet who calls fire down out of heaven in the sight of men for purposes of deception (Rev. 13).
        "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed" (Rev. 8:8-9). It is certainly reasonable to think that the Revelation would give us some description of the exceedingly great power and deception that will be worked by Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. The vials are completely devoted to the wrath of God, and the more one studies the matter the more he is able to see that the trumpets (the first 6) give a similar description of the works of Satan's forces. He is the prince of the power of the air, therefore we can expect him to display such authority.
        "And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the foundations of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter" (Rev. 8:10-11). Observe the repeated usage of the words "third part." They are used twelve times in the first six trumpets. Some have advanced that this is God's number and signifies God's judgments, although, when we look at the vials where a similar succession of developments occur, and where we are clearly told that such are God's judgments, we find that the judgments are full and entire, not just a "third part." What is the significance of the "third part?" From Rev. 12:1-4 we find that the term is used of Satan -- "And his tail drew a third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." The "third part" is used under the sixth trumpet in connection with the four angels who work with the hellish horses and their riders who are evidently of the army of the Antichrist. The continual reference to the "third part" adds greater emphasis than ever that these are the judgments of Satan through the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
        "And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise" (Rev. 8:12). It is only reasonable (even necessary) that the Antichrist should show power over the sun, moon and stars since he claims that he is God. Paul said that God will send upon unbelieving humanity a "strong delusion" that they might believe the lie of the Antichrist (II Thess. 2). This is partly expressed by God's granting him permission to smite those heavenly bodies which are certainly in the power of their true Creator. Remember that the Antichrist will come with "all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish" (II Thess. 2). Observe further the progression of the developments: (1). The earth is smitten. (2). The seas are smitten. (3). The rivers and fountains are smitten. (4). The heavenly bodies are smitten. As the Antichrist seeks to prove himself to be God, he is granted permission to smite these four great spheres of creation. In the vials the same progression is followed, although there the judgments are full and entire, not merely a third part. God sends a strong delusion upon the unbelieving world by granting the exercise of exceedingly great powers to the Antichrist, while He reserves from Himself the exercise of immeasurably greater power, and by such proves who is truly God.
        Because of the lengthy description of the developments that occur when the fifth angel sounds, I will not quote the passage. When this trumpet is blown the "bottomless pit" is opened to release a great number of superhuman creatures (called locusts) upon the earth. I am of the firm conviction that these are real creatures that have been confined to the pit. These locusts have a king over them "whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but the Greek tongue hath his name Appollyon." Their king is evidently Satan. He is the angel of the pit. The verse does not say that the angel was also locked up in the pit with the locusts. That these locusts are real, demon-creatures, please observe the following:
        (1). The fact that they come out of the "bottomless pit" gives proof that they are real, yet demon, creatures. There is no reason to say that the language here is figurative.
        (2). The fact that they have a king shows that they are real, spiritual creatures. They have a king which they obey and follow. They are not propelled by men or some other force.
        (3). The fact that their king is an angel demands that they are real demon-creatures. We would naturally expect the locusts to be of a similar nature to their king.
        (4). The description of the locusts demands that they are a demon-creature of some kind. We do not doubt that the "four beasts" of Rev. 4 and 5 are real living creatures (good ones, of course). We do not argue that the "first beast" and the "second beast" of Rev. 13 are real persons (though these terms may have a two-fold application). We understand the "dragon" to speak of the devil. Therefore, it should not be difficult to understand that these locusts are real creatures, and that the language describing them is literal.
        Though Satan is not permitted to hurt the saints who have the seal of God in their foreheads (Rev. 9:4), yet he does use these creatures to force obedience upon those who do not yield to the claim that the Antichrist is God. The Antichrist at this time (the time of this trumpet) is dominating Europe through a reorganized Roman empire, yet the kingdoms of the North and South are not yet obedient to him (Dan.11:40), and he is permitted to use these horrible creatures against them. Let the reader carefully observe that we cannot possibly say that these locusts are the forces of God. These are unquestionably the activities of Satan, which further demands that the first six trumpets are descriptive of the works of the evil forces.
        After the sixth angel sounded he was told to "Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates" (Rev. 9:13-14). Surely these angels are not the angels of God for God's angels are not bound. It may be that the binding of these angels resulted from the battle which Gabriel and Michael had with the prince of Persia who did not want Daniel to be given the understanding of the latter days (Dan 10). A good analysis of this passage under the blowing of the sixth trumpet will reveal that these beastly horses are also real creatures and are of the forces of the Antichrist. After the proof that the Antichrist gives under the first four trumpets that he is God, there are still whole nations who will not bow down to him. He then is granted permission to send out the terrible locusts and by them seek to bring into submission the still rebellious nations of the North and South (Dan 11:40). The nations become very angry and make a last effort for freedom from the Antichrist by the battle that is described under the sixth trumpet. The developments under this sixth trumpet are a result of the developments under the fifth trumpet.
        This battle is NOT the Armageddon battle for the following reasons:
        (1). This battle is fought under the sixth trumpet before the seventh trumpet sounds. The wrath of God does not begin until the seventh trumpet sounds (Rev. 11:15-19). The vials are all filled with the wrath of God, therefore do not start until the seventh trumpet is blown. The Armageddon battle is not fought until the seventh vial.
        (2). This battle is not only called but fought under the sixth trumpet, while the Armageddon battle is called under vial 6 and fought at the end of vial 7.
        (3). When the Armageddon battle is finished all the wicked will have been destroyed from the earth (Matt. 13:36-43; Luke 19:11-27; II Thess. 1:7-9; Isa. 13:9; Rev. 19:21; etc). After this battle (sixth trumpet) is finished there are two-thirds of mankind (Rev. 9:15) left who continue in their open wickedness and defiance of God (Rev. 9:20-21) which does not in any wise harmonize with the results of the Armageddon battle.
        (4). The victorious army in trumpet 6 rides upon beastly horses which have heads like lions, emitting fire, smoke and brimstone. These horses also have tails like snakes, and the tails have heads. These beastly horses are evidently out of the bottomless pit as were the locusts.
        This description certainly does not fit the Armageddon battle. It is undoubtedly the same as that mentioned in Dan 11:40-46, both of which take place near the end of the reign of the Antichrist. Study them carefully. The language used here fits the army of the Antichrist. The four angels certainly appear to be the Devil's. The two hundred million man army evidently belongs to the Antichrist. This army is used by the Antichrist to put down the kings of the North and South who are stirred up in rebellion against him because of the locusts under trumpet 5. The kingdom of the North and the kingdom of the South are terribly defeated, yet they choose to serve the Antichrist rather than God.
        Under the seventh trumpet (11:15-19) we see that the whole picture is changed around. It is no more the activities of Satan that are in the spotlight. Just as suddenly and unannounced as described under the sixth seal, the whole earth experiences an about-face. Christ takes over openly and visibly, and the kingdom or kingdoms of this world becomes the kingdom of God and Christ. Christ comes in flaming fire taking vengeance upon those who have been destroying the earth. In the Greek text of Rev 11:15, the word "kingdoms" is singular both times (once understood). The reason for this is that the first time it refers to the kingdom of the Antichrist. He has just finished making the whole Earth his kingdom under the sixth trumpet. Here in the seventh trumpet the kingdom of the Antichrist becomes the kingdom of Christ. The kingdom of Christ will of course be one kingdom, not many.
        I will send the giving a detailed examination of the things of this trumpet again, therefore I will pass by it for now.

        The purpose of all seven vials is to pour out the much delayed wrath of God upon the rebellious nations of the earth. Seal 6, trumpet 7, and all seven vials are the same as to time, except, of course, the vials are progressive; one following the other. Since I have already discussed the vials to some length in chapter VI, I will not repeat here. The most significant thing about the vials is wrath; the wrath of God. The references to the word "wrath" in the Revelation should be associated together. It is very great folly to think that God starts and then stops His wrath a half dozen times. The failure to associate these references to the wrath of God is one of the things that has contributed so greatly to the vast amount of confusion relative to the end-time events and the book of Revelation. Simply because the wrath of God is mentioned a number of times throughout the Revelation does not mean that it will be SPLATTERED, as if one took a hand full of mud and threw it at the side of a house. One of the greatest blunders we can make when studying the book of Revelation is to seek to make each chapter fall into chronological order. One should study the book of Revelation after the same manner of the book of Daniel where the same period of time is covered repeatedly. Daniel saw slightly different pictures of the same things a number of times. This is true of both the reign of the Anti-christ and the wrath of God in the Revelation.