Hidden within many of these statements are prophetic truths necessary to understand prophecy concerning the coming of         antichrist in our own day.  But how can we understand these things without a proper understanding of the prophetic references and who they referred to historically? 

In chapter eleven of Daniel, there are references to Ptolemy I Soter, Ptolemy II Philiadelphus, Ptolemy III Euergetes, Ptolemy IV Epiphanes, Ptolemy V Epiphanes, Ptolemy VI Eupator, Ptolemy VII Philometer,  and even Cleopatra VI.  This just covers the kings of         the south.   References to the kings of  the north include: Seleucus I Nicator, Antiochus I Soter, Antiochus II Theos, Seleucus II Callinicos, Seleucus  III Ceraunos, Antiochus III the Great, Seleucus IV Philopater, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and Antiochus V Eupator.   We will look at such references and identify each scriptural reference in this chapter. 

We will also get into the books of Maccabees and consider the abomination of desolation which was prophesied by the prophet Daniel.  Many christians do not  know how  in his time the Jewish temple was dedicated to the Olympian Zeus.  Many are completely unaware how the ivy leaf, a symbol of the Greek god Dionysus was branded or tattooed in the forehead of the faithful.  Will history again be repeated in the days of antichrist?  Will the antichrist brand or mark people in their foreheads with his own religious sign of apostasy against God?  The prophetic parallels which we shall study are very important to a complete understanding of what antichrist will do in the very near future.