Triumph Prophetic Ministries (Church of God)

Juan Carlos of Spain -- the Coming "Antichrist"?

William F. Dankenbring

In the book of Daniel, the pivotal prophecy of Daniel 9, we read this amazing prophecy:

This shocking pivotal prophecy has two parts: 1) the first part predicts the first coming of the Messiah, after sixty nine "weeks" or 483 years (69 X 7 = 483) counted from a decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem (Dan.9:25). This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ appeared on the scene in 27 A.D., beginning His ministry, exactly 483 years from the decree of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, in his seventh year (see Ezra 7), to rebuild and beautify Jerusalem and the Temple. Remember, in Biblical prophecy, a "day" equals a "year" in fulfillment (Num.14:34; Ezek.4:6).

Daniel tells us in Chapter 9 verse 26-27 that the people of the prince who SHALL come, will destroy the temple and the city of Jerusalem. We know that this was originally fulfilled by Titus, son of Vespasian, in 70 A.D., forty years after the death of Christ on the stake. Hence, it was the legions of ROME, i.e., the Roman Empire, and the prince was a Roman general.

This prophecy goes on, however. Part 2) The second part of the prophecy deals with the LAST WEEK or seven days (equals "years" in fulfillment) which lead up to and conclude with the SECOND COMING OF MESSIAH when He will "usher in everlasting righteousness," that is, bring the Kingdom of God and government of God, to this earth!

The context of the prophecy says that this "prince" shall in the END-TIME "confirm the covenant" -- that is, sign a PEACE TREATY -- "with many for one week" -- that is, SEVEN YEARS! This final "treaty" then ends in the coming of the Messiah, and completes the whole prophecy of the 70 weeks. Sixty nine weeks led up to the first coming of Christ. The second coming of Christ will occur "one week" or seven years AFTER this treaty is signed!

It is interesting to note that there were three decrees related to the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem -- the decree of Cyrus, permitting the Jews to return to Judea, the decree of Darius, and the decree of Artaxerxes -- and it was the final or third decree that led to the coming of the Messiah, from which counting was to be done.

Similarly, in this End-Time, there was the first Oslo Peace accord, which was signed in Washington D.C., by Arafat and Rabin, in fall of 1993, and then the Oslo II accord, in 1994, which was followed by the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin in October 1995. At the present time, with the Netanyahu/Likud government in power in Israel, the peace pact has been put on "hold," until security arrangements can be agreed upon between the Palestinians and Israelis. Up to this point it has been all give on the Israeli part and all "take" on the Palestinian part. The Palestinians have not lived up to one word of the professed "agreements" they have signed, up to this point in time. The Israelis are therefore very cautious and hesitant before proceeding any further.

Recently, when riots occurred in Israel after the Jews attempted to open up a tunnel for tourism in Jerusalem, the peace agreements seemed to come to a shuddering halt. Tough talk, belligerency, reprimands, and accusations have been hurled back and forth, with no progress in sight. When Netanyahu and Arafat appeared in Washington, D.C., before President Clinton, even he could not get the stalled peace talks started again. Washington appears to have washed its hands of the process, finding that Netanyahu is not so easy to push around or leverage as the previous Labor government was.

European Designs

Enter Europe: Now, news out of Europe indicates that the European Union is poised to take over where Washington and the United States leave off!

However, news out of Europe now indicates that the third and final round of peace talks may be held with the European Union guaranteeing Israeli security, and a lot more!

Now notice this prophecy once again: A prince from the area of the "Roman Empire" will "make a treaty" with MANY -- a treaty which is made "seven years" before the end of the age! Based on this evidence, it would be logical to conclude that the future prince, i.e., the Antichrist (the person, NOT just a European federation) will arise from one of the modern nations located in the region of the ancient ROMAN EMPIRE. This "prince," who then stops the daily sacrifice and offerings after three and one half years, represents the region of the Roman Empire. Russia was never a part of the old Roman Empire. Neither was America. Although the modern end-time "New World Order" or "Roman Empire" could include the United States, as well as Russia, this prophecy could be an indication that the end-time "prince" or "Antichrist" is actually going to be a European leader!

The Four Beasts

Another prophecy which seems to suggest this same conclusion is found in Daniel, chapter 8. Here we read that a "ram," symbolizing the ancient Persian Empire, would be conquered by a "he goat" from the West -- Alexander the Great and the Grecian Empire (Dan.8:1-8, 20-21). At the death of Alexander, four kingdoms would rise up out of the ashes of the Grecian Empire -one to the west, one to the north, one to the east, and one to the south (v.8, and v.22-23). These four divisions could in the END TIME be the counterparts of the "four beasts" of Daniel 7, which are also four kingdoms of the End-time! (see Dan.8:2-3, v.17-18). The "eagle/lion" is the United States and Britain, the "bear" is Russia, the leopard is Germany/Europe, and the fourth may well represent the final UNION of all these "beasts" as the "New International Order" or "New World Order" -- the kingdom of the Antichrist!

Now Daniel was told that out of one of these "four kingdoms" would come forth "a little horn" -- which would become very great! Notice!

This "little horn" starts out small, but grows great. He may come from the very region of the ancient Roman Empire, although that is not necessarily the case, as we have just seen. He will be, Daniel says,

This text could imply this man comes from a small country, but that he is given power over the European Union, and over the United Nations and "New World Order." He could come from the very region of the ancient Roman Empire.

Could this future dictator come from Spain? Could he be Juan Carlos, King of Spain and who claims the title, "King of Jerusalem"?

Spain, of course, is a relatively "small" country, with only a "little power," today. Nevertheless, it has played a very prominent role and was a mighty power, in history, particularly during the Age of Colonization and Exploration! It has also been perhaps the most staunch and fanatically Catholic "power" in the history of the world, with its religious excesses and brutality a by-word during the Middle Ages. Could history once again repeat itself? Where does Spain really fit in Bible prophecy?

The Role of Spain in History

It was of course Christopher Columbus, flying the flag of Spain, who discovered the "New World," in 1492, thinking he had reached the "Indies." Over the next few centuries, the power of Spain was paramount in Europe. The Spanish conquistadors explored Florida, the Gulf Coast of what was later to become the United States, conquered Mexico and Peru, and Spanish galleons plied the Atlantic ferrying gold and riches back to Spain. The Spanish conquistadores were noted for their cruelty and brutality toward the indigenous populations of the lands they conquered. The Indians were enslaved, treated as vermin, and forcibly "converted" to Catholicism. The primary purpose of Spanish colonies was to plunder and exploit the masses for gold, silver, and profit -- not like the English colonies, to seek freedom of religion, to find a new way of life, to settle down, develop the land and resources, and to build a new and better society!

Spain was an arch rival of France and England during the period of exploration, and as the rivalry for supremacy grew heated and violent, Philip II sent a huge Armada of ships to conquer England in 1588. His plans were ruined by the vagaries of the weather, and the plucky stoicism and heroism of the English sailors, who outfought his magnificent galleons, and defeated his mighty fleet.

Spain's influence still remained strong in the New World, however, until the Spanish possessions each broke away and gained their independence. Finally, in 1898, the Spanish-American war saw the Spanish lose control of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and islands in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the Philippine islands in the Far East.

Throughout this period, the two great protagonists for the control and domination of the world were the Anglo-Saxons and the Spanish. The conflict of interests included religion -Catholicism versus Protestantism -- and geographical and economic rivalry for political dominion. The rivalry lasted throughout the centuries. With the rise of the Anglo-Saxon nations to world prominence, especially the house of Joseph -the United States as Ephraim and Great Britain and Canada as Manasseh -- the power of Spain has been submerged.

However, what does Biblical prophecy indicate about the future of Spain? The mystery of Spain and the true Biblical identity of the Spanish people has never before been revealed -- or written about! It is as if a vital page of a missing dimension of Biblical prophecy has been ignorned, misunderstood, and completely buried in the dustbins of history. Just who is "Spain" in Biblical terms, anyway? And what role will Spain play in Biblical prophecy?

The Mystery of Esau or Edom

A little understood but vitally important rivalry, down through the corridors of time, is briefly highlighted in the pages of Scripture. This intense and fundamental conflict and sibling rivalry began even before the birth of the two brothers, Esau and Jacob! Notice!

Esau came out of the womb first, "red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau ("hairy").

Esau was a man of powerful lusts and drives, and there was great competition between him and Jacob. Isaac loved Esau and favored him, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob" (v.28). Esau was firstborn, but when he was hungry, he sold his birthright to Jacob for a pot of lentil or bean soup (vs.29-34); "this Esau despised his birthright" (v.34).

Nevertheless, when Isaac grew old, and the time came for him to bless his sons, he intended to bless Esau with the choicest blessings (Gen.27:1-4). However, Rebekah overheard him, and Rebekah plotted for Jacob for him to impersonate Esau, and gain the blessing Isaac was about to bestow. Thus by subterfuge and clever deception Jacob gained the blessing (Gen.27:5-38). The only "blessing" Isaac had left to give Esau was that his dwelling would be far from the fatness of the earth. Notice the account:

The Moffatt translation has this:

Because Jacob got the blessing from Isaac, Esau hated Jacob with a murderous fury, and plotted to kill him. He muttered, "It soon will be time to mourn for my father, and then I will murder my brother Jacob" (v.41, Moffatt). He had an attitude just like that of rebellious CAIN! As a result of this bitter hatred and threat, Jacob had to flee for his life.

The book of Jubilees contains this same account of Isaac's words to Esau, after Jacob had fraudulently stolen his blessing. It contains this remarkable prophecy:

This hatred of Esau, in the process of time, became an undying and unmitigated hatred for ever, a hatred which was infused into his children and descendants from generation to generation. This rivalry between these two peoples has continued down through history, and was to be a major factor in end-time prophecy!

Says Peloubet's Bible Dictionary:

Because of the coloration of his skin at birth, Esau obtained a second name, and was called "Edom," meaning "Red" (Gen.25:25; 36:1, 8). Names are significant in the Scriptures. "Red" of course is the color of blood, and bespeaks a bloody type of man, and character. The "Red horse" of Revelation bespeaks war, and Esau was a warrior and crafty hunter who "lived by the sword." "Red" is also the color of the Beast of Revelation, identifying Esau therefore with the final "BEAST" power (Rev.17:3-5).

He married two wives, both Canaanites, when he was 40 years old, and because they displeased his parents greatly, he later married an Ishmaelite woman, a descendant of Abraham (Gen.26:34-35; 36:1-2). It is worthy of note that the Spanish also married the descendants of Ishmael, during the Middle Ages, when the Moors -- Arabic peoples descended from Ishmael -crossed over from Africa to Spain, under the banner of Islam. Esau, it appears, has always been a great proponent of intermixing the populations and racial intermarriage. His family line is also noted for incest, adulterous liasons, and "confusion" in morality, as the Jewish Chumash, Art Scroll edition, shows:

We are told that "Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his household, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob" (Gen.36:6). He moved out, lock, stock and barrel. Eventually, his descendants settled in Mount Seir, to the direct south of Israel.

Interestingly, today the tribes of Israel which were carried into captivity by the Assyrians in 718-721 B.C. have settled in Northwestern Europe, from Scandinavia to France, from Belgium to Switzerland, with the tribe of Joseph in the British Isles and America. Many of the children of Esau also most likely moved out of the Middle East when the Assyrians invaded.

Today, as in ancient times, to the south of Israel we would expect to find the descendants of "Esau." To the south of Israel in Europe, lies the country of "Spain." Also, the Spanish colonized the regions to the south of the United States, in the Western hemisphere. Mexico is largely Spanish mixed with the Indian population -- a mixture of peoples, as Esau married the indigenous populations, once again.

Interestingly, all through history there has been conflict between the sons of Jacob, or "Israel," and the sons of Esau, his wicked older brother. The Bible tells us that Esau was a violent man, a famous hunter, who "despised his birthright" (Gen.25:34). Esau was a very capable man, and had great abilities, but Isaac gave the birthright promises of national greatness and power to Jacob instead (Gen.27:20-30). Ever since that time, the descendants of Esau have hated and despised the descendants of Jacob, or "Israel."

As we know, Jacob's descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel, and most of them migrated out of the Middle East and settled in Northwestern Europe, Scandinavia, France, the British Isles, Ireland, Denmark, and North America. (Read my book, America in Prophecy! for the amazing story).

But what about the descendants of "Esau"? History has proved that some of them settled in the region of Turkey, and became the "Ottoman Empire" -- a cruel, brutal historical empire that was finally conquered by the descendants of Jacob -- the British and Americans -- in 1917, when the Turks fought beside the Germans and Austrians, on the losing side.

However, it seems clear that other sons of Esau, like the Israelites, migrated farther west, and settle in Spain, once again to the south of the Israelite nations! The ancient hatred and "blood-feud" and religious animosity between the descendants of Esau and Jacob appears to have been carried down through the ages, and manifested itself in the Middle Ages in the rivalry of the Spanish and the English, and the Spanish and the Americans. This hostility is still evident in the conflict between Spain and England over the rock of Gibraltar, and in the historic rivalry and conflict between Mexico and the United States, an innate reality that goes all the way back to the rivalry and feud between Esau and Jacob in the book of Genesis.

The remaining Edomites who stayed in Palestine were a thorn in the sides of the Jewish peoples. They sided with Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar attacked the Jewish state. Finally, in the days of the Maccabees, and John Hyrcanus, that king of Judah conquered many Edomites and compelled them to be circumcised, and adopt the Jewish religion. Thus these remnants of Edom became incorporated with the Jewish people, and are represented today perhaps in the Rothschilds banking dynasty ("Rothschild" means "Red shield").

The Spanish Inquisition

Spain is the most Catholic country in Europe. Spain is more Catholic than Italy itself! During the Middle Ages, Spain was famous for being the most brutal and tyrannical Catholic monarchy on the face of the earth. The "Spanish Inquisition" has gone down in history as the worst and most atrocious religious blood-bath and bestial religious persecution of all time. The Spanish were also vicious persecutors of the Jewish people, and forced thousands of them into Catholic conversions in the Middle Ages. In fact, while Columbus was discovering America (he was very likely a Jew in the employ of the Spanish king and queen), in 1492, the Spanish had launched an inquisition against the Jews and expelled all of them who would not convert into exile from Spain. This fateful expulsion occurred on the historic day of the Tish B'Av, the ninth of Av, the very same day the Babylonians destroyed the Temple in 586 B.C., and the very day the Romans likewise destroyed the Second Temple in 70 A.D.

Spain historically has had a great hatred for Protestants and all non-Catholics. It has also had a great hatred for the Jews. Is this hatred a manifestation of the ancient hatred of Esau for his brother Jacob?

Is Spain Modern "Esau"?

I have noted that modern Spain is south of the nations of modern Israel which located in Europe. This parallels the fact that ancient Edom was located south of ancient Israel. Modern Spain has outlets to the sea -- ocean harbors; ancient Edom also had an outlet to the sea -- an ocean harbor -- with a port at Ezion-geber on the Red Sea.

Jacob prophesied of Esau, that he would dwell "far from" the rich agricultural land (Gen.27:39). Says the Worldbook Encyclopedia of the country of Spain:

Thus even the topography and geography of Spain reveal that it could well be a country populated by the modern day descendants of ancient Esau!

The greatest evidence, however, that the Spanish people are at least in large part related to Esau is in their national characteristics -- their idolatrous religious fanaticism, which today is Catholicism, and their brutal historical hatred and antipathy toward the Israelites nations of Europe, in particular the English, and their persecution of Protestants and Jews during the Spanish Inquisition. These traits which bespeak an undying hatred and deep-seated resentment and jealousy are just what one would expect from the descendants of "Esau" toward the descendants of "Jacob"!

According to prophecy, this "rivalry" was to characterize the ongoing relationships of these two people throughout historical time. Finally, the "age of Esau," or this present End-time Babylonish world society, will be replaced by the "age of Jacob" or "Israel." The book II Esdras in the Apocrypha speaks of this principle:

Esau, or Edom, can be identified with "Babylon," which represents this world age-system, by the fact that both are described as "red." Esau is "Edom" which means "Red," his major characteristic; and Babylon the Great, this world-system, called the "Beast" in Revelation, is also "scarlet" or RED -- "a scarlet coloured beast" (Rev.17:3)!

According to the book of Jasher, Edom's connection with Babylon started with Esau's desire to obtain "the valuable garments of Nimrod, with which Nimrod prevailed over the whole land" (Jasher 27:10). Nimrod was the first tyrant or king over Babylon, the first one after the Flood to establish a "kingdom" (Gen.10:9-10). His garments represented and symbolized his ungodly and wicked rule. Nimrod is the prototype of all godless people, and means "rebellion" or "he rebelled," from the Hebrew word marad. Esau patterned himself after the tyrannical king of Babylon. According to the book of Jasher, Esau actually is the one who killed Nimrod and "fought a desperate fight," with two of his aides and killed them, and then fled with Nimrod's garments. When he reached his own homeland, he was weary and exhausted, and it was while in this weakened condition that he "came from the field, and he was faint" (Gen.25:29), and ravenously hungry, besought Jacob for food, and sold him his birthright for lentil soup!

When he killed Nimrod, and took his garments, Esau assumed another birthright -- that of Nimrod and his Babylonian rule, as one who would not and could not coexist with the way of God. He inherited the mantle of Nimrod; and he, like Nimrod, went in the "way of Cain."

The prophecies regarding Edom and Babylon are also parallel. Both are not only characterized by the color "red," which stands for "bloodshed," and "violence," but both will be burned and destroyed by fire (Obad.1:18; Rev.18:8). Both will be overthrown "like Sodom and Gomorrah" (Jer.49:18; 50:40). Both their habitations will be made "desolate" (Jer.49:20; 50:45). Both would for a time gain dominion over and afflict "Israel" (Gen.27:39-40; Dan.7:21-25; Rev.12:17, 13:7, 17:6). Both are connected with "mysteries" (Rev.17:5; Obad.1:3-6, "hidden things"). Finally, Israel is destined to be delivered from, and to destroy, both Edom and Babylon (Obad.1:16-18 and Rev.18:4). This deliverance comes about at the coming of the Messiah, when God's people will destroy their oppressors (Zech.14:1-4; I Thess.4:14-16; Rev.19:11-15; Jude 14-15; Dan.7:26-27; Rev.18:6; Psa.149:5-9).

God's Punishment on Esau

God Himself says, "Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness" (Mal.1:2-3). In fact, God says of this people:

In other words, the ancient hatreds continue, and in the end-times God will again punish the nations of Esau, because of their perfidy and treachery against their brother Jacob!

In the "Day of the LORD," the time when God shortly will intervene in world affairs, and send judgment upon this world, Esau, too, will be dealt with severely. We read in Isaiah:

Likewise, the prophet Jeremiah predicts concerning Esau, or Edom:

Obviously, to bring such judgment upon itself, during the coming "Day of the Lord," modern "Edom" must be guilty of heinous sins and horrible crimes in the sight of God! What could stir God up so, that His wrath will be poured out in such unmitigated fury?

The prophet Ezekiel also prophesies against this end-time nation and people, the descendants of Esau:

These are horrible predictions and prophecies of impending doom and awesome judgment which will be meted out, in our day, upon the end-time descendants of Esau, or Edom, a people that have had an enduring, centuries long vendetta and hatred against all Israel, the northern tribes, as well as the kingdom of Judah.

The End-Time Prophecy of Obadiah

In the book of Obadiah the prophet, who lived circa 587 B.C., at the time of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, he was inspired by God to condemn the behavior of Esau, or Edom, and his descendants, for their vicious attitude toward the descendants of Jacob, or Israel. The pride of Esau, God says, will bring him down. God continues:

If Edom is today as it was in the days of ancient Israel and Judah, located to the "south" of modern, end-time Israel and Judah, and is represented by the Spanish peoples of Spain, and Mexico, and others, then this prophecy takes on vital new significance! When the modern nations of Israel fall, and suffer awesome distress -- the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer.30:6-7) -- then modern Mexico will no doubt rejoice, at the calamity of "El Colosso del Norte," the United States, and Mexicans will come across the borders in hordes, to rape, pillage, occupy and devour what they can seize of the United States. In anger and rage, they will re-occupy California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Mexico has never forgiven the United States for its conquest of that nation in 1848. The memory of their defeat still rankles nationalistic Mexican leaders and agitators, who hate the United States. Even today Mexico is the leading smuggler of dope, cocaine, and drugs into the United States.

Similarly, Spain today still hates the English for their conquest of the rock of Gibraltar, and seizure of that vital sea-gate. Spanish leaders have no love for the English, and if the opportunity afforded itself, would no doubt seek revenge. Is this not part of the ancient blood feud and hatred of Esau?

Note that the prophecy states that Edom will "stand in the crossway" to stop fleeing Israelites from seeking to escape their enemies. Any who foolishly seek "refuge" in these Edomite countries, then, will be turned over to the "Gestapo"-like authorities of the New World Order. Woe be to those who seek to "hide" in Spain, or Mexico, or similar countries, "south of the border." They will be delivered up to their enemies!

Note, too, that Edom is part of a "conspiracy" or "confederacy" against Israel -- that is, an end-time UNION of nations! A similar prophecy is found in Psalm 83, where we read: "They have taken crafty counsel against thy people . . . They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation . . . for they have consulted together with one consent: they are CONFEDERATE against thee: the tabernacles of EDOM [Spain], and the Ishmaelites [Arabs]; of Moab [Jordanians], and the Hagarenes [Iraqis]; Gebal [Lebanon] and Amalek [descendant of Esau]; the Philistines [Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur [Germany] is joined with them" (Psalm 83:1-8). This prophecy seems to implicate the European Union and the Arab states around Israel!

The Prophecy of Balaam

A very unusual prophecy was given by the prophet Balaam during the time of Moses, about 1452 B.C. He prophesied about the "latter days," the time prior to the second coming of the Messiah:

God does not forget. He is not a man, that He should forget. He remembers well the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, and the persecutions, tortures, and brutality and savagery of the Spanish during the Middle Ages. And history repeats itself. Modern Europe will also be the scene of carnage and an unprecedented "bloodbath" of unbridled fury and horror. Jesus Christ said:

In the book of Revelation, John sees a scene of the horrible persecution of the Middle Ages, and a view of the end-time religious bloodbath which will soon sweep over the nations. He wrote:

Will history repeat itself? Your Bibles says it will. Another martyrdom of saints and true Christians is right around the corner! Will Spain once again be involved -- up to the "hilt," as it were, hip and thigh in slaughter, led by Catholic King Juan Carlos, at the head of the European Union and United Nations?

King Juan Carlos, as a die-hard Catholic and hereditary member of the Merovingian royal line, which claims to be descended directly from Jesus Christ and his supposed "wife," Mary Magdalene, certainly bears careful scrutiny as a potential contender for the position of the world's final dictator, the one revealed in the Scriptures as "Antichrist."

For many years, it has been assumed by many that the Biblical prophecies against "Edom" refer to the land of Turkey, and the "Dardanelles" straits. Although it seems to be true that many Edomites settled in Turkey, the descendants of "Teman" in particular, and gave their name to the "Ottoman" Empire, this interpretation of the identity of modern-day Edom is singularly lacking in evidence. Remember, ancient Edom was located south of Israel -- not to their "north." Therefore, it makes much more sense that modern Edom includes far more than the small and relatively unimportant nation of modern Turkey. It would also be "south" of the modern nations of Israel, today -- and the only nations which legitimately fit this description would be Spain in Europe, and Mexico and the LATIN countries in Central and South America!

The "LATIN" Man

Let us now return to the prophecy of Daniel. Notice, again, that the original "prince" of the prophecy of Daniel 9:26 who conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple was a Roman, that is, a LATIN man.

The prophecy states that "he" -- that is, this "prince," or his successor -- will be responsible for the "abomination of desolation" of the end-times (v.27; compare Daniel 8:11-13 and 11:31). Jesus Christ spoke of this very same end-time sacrilege that will occur at the end-time Temple of God (Matt.24:15-21).

Since this original "prince" was a LATIN man, it stands to reason that "he" -- the final world dictator -- will also be a LATIN man. Who could it be?

Interestingly, one of the ancient rulers of the Roman Empire, Nero Caesar, who was also a "Latin" man, was a direct type of the coming "Antichrist." His name, when the numerical values of the letters which compose his name, add up to the interesting number "666." In Aramaic, the common language of the time in the Middle East, his name was Nron Ksr. Notice!

Nero was a violent persecutor of the Church of God, and had the apostle Paul beheaded, and crucified the apostle Peter hanging upside down. He is a "type" of the future "Beast" of Revelation, or the "Antichrist"!

Interestingly, the world LATIN comes from the Greek word LATEINOS. Nero Caesar was a "Latin" man, and so is King Juan Carlos of Spain. The term Lateinos refers to the language of the Romans (Latin), as well as the inhabitants or citizens of the Roman Empire. And in the cryptology of Biblical numbers, the numerical value of this name is as follows:

Is this significant? In Revelation 13:18 we read:

Who could this man be?

Consider the following: The Spanish ambassador to Israel, Miguel Angel Moratinos has been appointed to be the European Union's special envoy to Israel to help solve the Israeli-Palestinian mess. He was appointed by King Juan Carlos I of Spain who was named by the European Union to REPRESENT them to hammer out a TREATY which will, according to recent news reports, pave the way to re-establish the third TEMPLE and ensure SECURITY for both Israelis and Palestinians (i.e., a EU force or NATO force perhaps).

Is King Juan Carlos a "Latin" man? Yes he is! In fact, declares the Worldbook Encyclopedia,

A New Look at King Juan Carlos

A correspondent and friend who wrote to me recently, describing this event, pointing out the connection between Juan Carlos of Spain, as the lead representative of the European Union, and the deep interest Europe has in solving the Middle East Peace stalemate. He declared in his letter:

Juan Carlos and the Jewish Factor

Many have believed that the final Antichrist will be a Jew. There is no Scripture that states this directly, but we do read this description of him in Daniel, chapter 11:

What about king Juan Carlos of Spain? Does he have Jewish blood running through his veins? The truth is, all the royalty of Europe have become intermarried and interbred for generations, and the royalty of Spain is related by blood to the royal line of Germany, Holland, Belgium, and England! That is, the Spanish royalty is related to the English royalty, which history shows is essentially JEWISH in nature, and even related to the royal line of king David of ancient Israel! For more information along this line, read our articles Does Queen Elizabeth II Sit on a "Throne of David"?, Who Was Ollamh Fodla? and Joseph of Arimathaea and David's Throne in Britain.

Of course, the Scripture above merely states that the "Antichrist" will not honor the "God of his fathers." It does not states that his fathers were Jews. The point of the Scripture seems to be that he is a renegade, an apostate from whatever religion he was brought up in, as a child -- and this will surely be true of the "Antichrist" who will himself claim to be the Messiah, God Himself, the returned Christ!

Spain, of course, is a deeply Catholic country. Juan Carlos is a staunch Catholic. As such, he has excellent relations with the Vatican, and the Pope.

Juan Carlos also had a strict military education, something which neither Bill Clinton or Mikhail Gorbachev DIDN'T have. Clinton and Gorby are on record for DISLIKING the military and things military! As a contrast, however, our man Juan Carlos is a MILITARY MAN, schooled by an admired generalissimo, dictator Francisco Franco of Spain! Could this be the type to honor a "god of forces" as the prophecy indicates?

At the present time, it seems that JORDAN is warming up to the European Union, and the Spanish in particular. Recently Prime Minister Abdul-Karim Kabariti left Jordan for a trip to Spain for talks on ways to advance the Middle East peace process. He was to meet with Juan Carlos, king of Spain, and Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, during his visit. Meanwhile, the European Union appointed a Spanish diplomat, Miguel Angel Moratinos, as a special envoy to the Middle East to support the peace process. Could this be the BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP?

Notice a remarkable prophecy in Daniel 11. We read:

Notice! Here we see the Beast sparing Moab (Jordan), and Ammon (Jordan' capital city is Amman) in the last days as he moves like a whirlwind through the Holy Land, Middle East and Africa. Jordan could be preparing even now to align itself with the European Union, as it seeks to end the impasse over the peace process in the Middle East!

If King Juan Carlos and the European Union take over where the U.S. diplomacy has failed, and secure a final signing of the third part of the Oslo peace accords, bringing the peace process back on line and on track, guaranteeing Israeli security needs, and providing for the rebuilding of the Third Temple, then SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE! If Juan Carlos signs the next Peace Treaty, on behalf of "many," and puts an end to the intractable Hebron/Israeli/ Palestinian crisis, and the security/Temple/Jerusalem impasse, and the Syria/Golan heights threat, it would be a HUGE feather in his cap (or crown) and he would probably receive a Nobel prize, at the very least.

To be prudent, Gorbachev and Clinton still bear watching. Even Shimon Peres hopes to challenge Bibi Netanyahu real soon or at the latest, the year 2000, and could be a candidate for the office of the Antichrist! But as I look at the way things are shaping up in Europe, I urge our readers to begin watching Juan Carlos of Spain.

As my letter correspondent from Colorado says:

Europe Once Again on the Prowl

What does it all mean? Geo-political observers warn that increasingly Europe is becoming disenchanted with the leadership of the United States. More and more, the French and Germans in particular want to team up, and take over the reins of the New World Order, and bcome the drivers of the New World Order, and not just passengers along for the ride.

American leadership has faltered in the Bosnia debacle. The Somalia crisis ended in bitter defeat for the United Nations efforts, led by the United States. The United States has failed to install a truly democratic government in Haiti, under the auspices of the United Nations. And worst of all, as the Europeans see it, the United States has stumbled badly in the Middle East, offending all parties, as it has clumsily attempted to further the peace process.

Even worse for Europeans, however, is the intransigent and blatant manner in which the United States attempts to discipline and order other nations around. There is a desire among many European leaders to get "revenge" on the United States, for the way it has forced them to buy U.S. treasuries, to support the dollar, thus financing the U.S. government debt.

In the aftermath of the U.S. elections, it is possible that Whitewater related crimes and political scandals could lead to the downfall of President Clinton. In the process, the American stock market, very sensitive to unhappy political news, could go into a steep slide, and bring down the entire economy. As the United States economy implodes, and self-destructs, will Europe stride onto the scene, to take up the reins of world leadership, once again?

Let's keep our eyes open. Let's keep focused. This is the year 1997! This is very likely the first of the final seven years -- beginning the seventieth week of Daniel. And waiting and watching in the wings is, behind the curtains, stage right is . . . . the future Antichrist!