THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

8. Both prophets saw the return of the Lord to set up His Kingdom

a. Daniel saw an everlasting Kingdom of the Messiah (Dan. 7:13, 14) b. John saw Christ setting up a Kingdom for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-5)

Note: Daniel saw four beasts come up from the sea (Dan. 7:7) and John saw the same (Rev. 13:1-2)

THE EARLY FATHERS

After the death of John, the early fathers of the church gave various opinions

 The Apostolic Fathers - Bishops who tutored under the apostolic men in the 1 st century  The Ante-Nicene Fathers - Bishops after the Apostolic fathers until the Nicean Council (325 AD)  The Post-Nicene Fathers - Bishops after the Council of Nicea (325 AD)  The early fathers believed an antichrist would come  The early fathers believed he was linked to the Roman Empire  Some early fathers believed he could be linked to a wicked Roman Emperor 1. Nero came to power as emperor in 54 AD at age 16. He was mentally unstable. 2. Nero desired to rebuild Rome and construct a palace called Neropolis using his image. 3. The Senate rejected his idea and Nero burned Rome (4 of 14 sections). 4. Nero blamed Christians and persecuted them (he had Paul beheaded). 5. Nero committed suicide (some believed he faked his death and would return) a. Rev. 13:3 said the beast had a deadly wound to the head and would rise from the sea b. Victorinus (304 AD), Lactantius (250-325 AD,) and Severus (400 AD) c . Notice it did not say “head” but one of his heads, or one of the seven previous empires d. Some used the verse the beast that was, is not, and shall ascend (Rev. 17:11)

A. Some believed it was Nero

B. Later some believed it was Judas

1. Judas is called “ son of perdition ” and so is the antichrist (John 17:12; 2 Thess. 2:3) 2. Jesus said, “Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (John 6:70) 3. Judas sinned and “went to his own place” (Acts 1:25) – a chamber in hell. 4. Because of Rev. 17:11, the beast from the abyss would return.

Note: Judas died and Nero died, and they would need to be resurrected and die again! Note: The antichrist has not yet come and will be a man possessed by evil spirits

C . The fathers believed the tribulation was near after John’s death (10 Kings)

1. There were 10 major persecutions:

1 st

Nero

- 67 AD - 81 AD - 108 AD

2 nd 3 rd

Domitian

Trajan and Adrian

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