“Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will appear in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than the others.” Daniel 11:2, NIV
As I am writing this new book I keep running across several places where there are foreshadows prior to fulfillments and in other places fulfillments first and then “aftershadows.”
For example, Alexander the Great can be considered a foreshadow of the Turkish leader of the future Sunni Confederacy during the Third Signpost. We know fulfillment of the Daniel 8 goat is here in the end times because of Daniel 8:17, :19 and :26.
And then there are “aftershadows” as in Daniel 11:2. (I didn’t find a word that was to my satisfaction and so I am using “aftershadows.”) Indeed that verse was completely and to the letter fulfilled by the kings of Persia after Cyrus: Cambyses, Bardiya, Darius I, and then the rich Xerxes I who stirred up everyone against Greece. From my research I am finding a compelling argument for this same Daniel 11:2 passage to reflect or echo today with Iranian leaders as a setup to the Second Signpost.
This phrase “three kings and then a fourth” would only make sense and apply to the Islamic Republic of Iran, founded in 1979. For it is only the Persian ram, the Islamic Republic, that is relevant and not the preceding Pahlavian Dynasty. But we must also keep in mind the prophecy of Daniel 8:3 where the second horn grows up longer, later. Any echo from Daniel 11:2 must be in agreement with Daniel 8:3. And Daniel 11:2 does not have to reverberate but there is a compelling reason due to a symmetry I have found in prophecy fulfillment. But if it does not occur in the Iranian leaders of today there is no problem. I bring up this situation as a possible addition to watch for as the Second Signpost takes shape.
The first king was Ayatollah Khomeini, the first supreme leader, and the power behind the first horn of the ram, ruling from 1979 to 1989. The second king, continuing the first horn is Ayatollah Khamenei, ruling from 1989 to the present day. But what of a third king and a fourth king? We know from Daniel 8 that there will be at least be one more king, who is the second horn of the ram.
It was two news articles that caught my eye, one of them being sent thankfully by a reader.
The first is about the current supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the process of choosing a successor. This coming month in February the Assembly of Experts will hold elections among themselves. It is this new Assembly, the fifth since 1979, which will likely choose Khamenei’s successor. This successor would be the third king, but still representing the first horn of the Persian ram. Khamenei may not last too much longer, and if the Second Signpost tarries we may very well see a third Ayatollah – a third king – ruling Iran when the Second Signpost begins. Because of the age of Khamenei – 74 – and his bouts with cancer, he may not last too much longer.
The second story, sent in by a reader, reports that the IRGC leadership stands to become very rich with the lifting of sanctions. The rationale in Chapter 10 of Daniel Revisited shows that the IRGC has grown up and is already that second horn – whether it is longer or not than the supreme leader at this point is anyone’s guess. But with the billions of dollars coming in to enrich IRGC coffers and two candidates already leading as the second horn, when the leader of the IRGC representing the second horn possibly steps into a more prominent position out of the shadows and into the limelight, another king will appear. This king would a fourth king (assuming there is a third Ayatollah as supreme leader), and be richer than the other kings and would stir “everyone” up against Yavan.
The first and second kings were Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei who is currently ruling. There is a possibility of a third king, before the IRGC leadership takes the reigns as the second horn of the ram, another king.
Remember, this is only an echo of Daniel 11:2, for it was in ancient times that there was indeed a third king and then a fourth, and he stirred up his entire empire to attack only Yavan/Greece. That was a perfect fulfillment. Today, the third and fourth kings would be co-leading Iran and they would attack everyone to the west, south, and to the north including Yavan/Greece, i.e. Turkey.
Again, a third Ayatollah appearing may or may not happen. But with all the rich tapestry that is Bible prophecy, we should not be surprised if it does indeed occur as an echo of ancient fulfillment, here in the end times.
Categories: In The News, Signpost #2: Iran, Signpost Theology
THE FOUR SIGNPOSTS 
Mark, interestingly I’m also working on Dan. 11 as I write to you. I think your intuition about the Persian Ram being the Islamic Republic of Iran is correct. Including the Shah of Iran in any counting of “kings” in regard to this passage would probably be in error. The previous monarchy and the Islamic Republic were two different “animals” so to speak. Thanks for the insights found in this post.
Mark,
Yeah man. Keep it going. Let it flow. Although we can have different terminology, I believe you are on the right track here. The fours kings of Persia (Dan 11:2) should start with Khomeini as the first, then Khamenei as the second and his successor, the third. Now, the forth what is much richer than the others, could rightly be so the horn that grew higher than the first horn.
What could be worse then let Iran build a nuclear bomb? Could it be a very rapid influx of billions and billions of Dollars released from frozen accounts and lifting of economic sanctions. This could well be the source of the future wealth of Iran. It seems that from scriptural perspective it could be worse. Daniel 11:2 “…and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece”.
Blessings
Oh, oh, Perry! Holy cow! What you said could be it! And Mark took the key of research to start unlocking this mystery! This is very consistent with what the Prophet Daniel is saying…more watching is in order to verify…but the lifting of sanctions and the influx of billions could be the trigger point for Iran…incredible…
Blessings!
i have been wondering a while when “three more kings” begins from. the iranian revolution is an interesting answer. it couldnt have been meant for ancient times because 11 and 12 are a timeline all the way to the end, which is basicallly a series of wars between two or three individuals before the AC comes on the scene. it might span decades but def not millenia
I mentioned this before and perhaps I’m misreading things, but this third and fourth king stuff would imply that the third signpost is not imminent, correct? The third king is not in power yet, therefore the third signpost can’t occur until the third king (also the first horn) rises up. Then the second horn (fourth “king”) could quickly rise up and begin the third signpost. Am I missing something??
Thanks for all, your teachings have been a great resource.
Giles I agree I think it “may” be for the end times. You should check out some of the Parallels between Daniel 11 and Daniel 8. I personally am starting to think that all the ancient stuff regarding this chapter were only foreshadows of these events that will be fulfilled in the near future. Think of it like this, at one time most of us thought all or most of Daniel 8 was ancient history with Alexander the great, Seleucus, Antiochus Epiphanes etc. Until people started to notice the angel Gabriel saying 3 times the vision pertains to the time of the end and the final period of indignation. It may be the same deal with chapter 11. It “could” all be future. The first king Khomeini, the second Khamenei, the third his successor and the 4th the commander of the IRGC. He becomes very rich for the reasons stated above in the article then starts the ram pushing westward, northward and southward attacking Yavan in the process, Yavan forms a coalition and retaliates and from there on it all falls into place. Just something to think about. Also why would Daniel see visions pertaining to the end times, talking about the same events in Daniel 7 and 8 just explaining them in different ways then write about something in Daniel 11 that sounds the same but is talking about completely different wars? My answer is I think all the chapters in Daniel from chapter 7 on are focusing primarily on the end times. In other words Daniel 7 lays out the scenario. Chapter 8 talks about the same scenario just in more detail and Chapter 11 the same scenario in even more detail. Chapters 9,10 and 12 have a lot to say about the end times as well.
Jlils,
Daniel 11 has a very different purpose from that of Daniel 7 and 8.
Jlils
I think the man mentioned in 11:3 is the same guy who leads Iran to war in 8:4. Both become great in power and do according to their will. Both have the kingdom plucked from them and given to someone else.
chapter 8 seems to expound on this, telling exactly what happened, whereas 11 gives a brief mention of it and then goes on to say what happens afterwards.
If this is correct, 8, 11 and 12 give a timeline to the second coming.
All Glory to God
Mark,
I believe Daniel 7 & 8 to be infused into Daniel 11. I have shown in previous comment- (https://foursignposts.com/2016/01/03/yet-another-reason-iran-can-use-to-justify-invasion/)
-that there is 2nd fulfillment of Daniel 11 v 10-12. This is in the story of Fath Ali Shah (ruler of Qajar Iranian empire) vs the Ottoman empire. I give praise to God as I believe I received it from Him. The 3rd signpost begins in Daniel 11v13 with the return of the King of the North (Turkey).
Daniel 8 is of significance because Antiochus IV Epiphanes is a foreshadow of the anti-Christ. This can also be combined with Daniel 7 and 11. I’ll tell you how
Using Antiochus IV Epiphanes as a model, we can get an insight into how AC comes to power. Antiochus IV is the son of Antiochus III the great. Antiochus III was engineered a resurgence of the Seleucid Empire, winning many battles and territory (Antiochus III has the ambition of restoring Alexander the great’s empire) but it all ends in disaster courtesy of the Romans (this is prophesied in Daniel 11v 13-17). I believe the 2nd fulfillment of this to be Mr Erdogan (we will see).
Seleucus IV succeeds Antiochus III but he is overthrown by a usurper named Heliodorus. Antiochus IV takes the throne by ousting Heliodorus (with help from King Eumenes II of Pergamum) and murdering Seleucus IV’s other son while Seleucus’ true heir is held hostage in Rome. Antiochus IV is the 4th ruler from Antiochus III the great who revived the Seleucid Empire. This corresponds with the 4 heads of the leopard in Daniel 7. AC will be the 4th leader of Turkey from Mr Erdogan (if my hunch is correct) who has led a revival Turkish imperial ambitions in the Middle-East.
Likewise I believe the 3 ribs of the bear represent 3 leaders who will lead Iran during the time of the 2nd signpost (the rise of Iran). These leaders, I believe, are Khatami, Ahmadinejad and now Rouhani (I know you disagree Mark but bear with me). During the days of Mr Rouhani, the 3rd signpost will begin (or may have already begun) with the rise of Turkey. One of the major events in the rise of Turkey is the Turkish invasion of Syria (Daniel 11v15).
God Bless
All Glory to God
I found this interesting piece in support of my previous comment
http://www.politico.eu/article/turkeys-erdogan-revolution/
God Bless
All Glory to God
Something came to me today. Notice how (in my comment above) Antiochus IV takes the throne of Asia Minor with the help of Eumenes II King of Pergamum. We know from Revelations 2v12 that Pergamum is where the throne of satan is. This is an interesting parallel with the anti-Christ I think.
I decided to post the 2nd fulfillment of Daniel 11 v 10-12 (which I believe I have received from the Lord) here
Daniel 11 v 10-12
“But his sons shall be stirred up[1], and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress[2].
And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude[3]; but the multitude shall be given into his hand[4].
And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands[6]: BUT HE SHALL NOT BE STRENGTHENED BY IT[5]”. (KJV)
Ottoman-Persian War 1821-23 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman%E2%80%93Persian_War_%281821%E2%80%9323%29)
“Crown Prince Abbas Mirza of Persia, at the instigation of the Russian Empire[1], invaded Western Armenia and the areas surrounding Iranian Azerbaijan.The governor of Baghdad’s invasion of Persia is defeated by Mohammed Ali Mirza who then besieges Baghdad[2], his untimely death ends the siege. Meanwhile, Abbas Mirza marched into eastern Anatolia with 30,000 troops and met an Ottoman army of 50,000 at the Battle of Erzurum[3]. Abbas Mirza scored a crushing defeat over the Ottomans despite being severely outnumbered and his army suffering from a cholera epidemic[4].
Peace was not concluded until the Treaty of Erzurum two years later; BOTH SIDES RECOGNIZED PREVIOUS BORDERS, WITH NO TERRITORIAL CHANGES[5]”. (I have numbered the parts that match with the prophecy)
Note that Abbas Mirza and Mohammed Ali Mirza were both sons of the ruler of Persia at the time, Fath Ali Shah.
In 1826, Abbas Mirza, so encouraged by his military success at the Battle of Erzurum, decides to take on the Russians which, despite initial successes ends in disaster.
This is a second fulfillment of this prophecy. The first being in the days of the Grecian Empire of Alexander. We go on to Verse 13
“For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come AFTER CERTAIN YEARS with a great army and with much riches” (KJV)
Verse 13 is where your signpost theory enters. “AFTER CERTAIN YEARS” there is a resurgence of Turkish and Iranian power. Note that after 1823 (the last war between the two) both empires go into terminal decline. Verse 13 starts with your third signpost (“For the king of the north shall return”).
God Bless
Curtis,
All verses of Daniel 11:2-35 were completely fulfilled in detail in the times prior to Christ’s first appearance.
All Glory to God
Mark,
Well I give you a 2nd fulfillment. You cannot deny that the events match the scripture precisely.
God Bless
Curtis,
I believe the conflict you show between Turkey and Persia can also only be a shadow. Daniel 11 concerns a long drawn out war between the KoN based out of Syria (or even Turkey) and the KoS based out of Egypt, not between west and east. Even if events line up fairly well between west and east, it can still only be a shadow for the battle is north vs south, the ruler of Syria vs the ruler of Egypt.
As part of my earlier research on Daniel 11 I also checked on the centuries of Islamic history including the Mamluks or Fatimids of Egypt vs the Seljuks or Ottomans who ruled Syria. No match in all those conflicts either.
All Glory to God
Mark,
The KoS stands for the regional power/empire south of Israel and vice-versa for KoN. Persia ruled Bahrain which is south of Israel while Turkey ruled Syria which is north of Israel. Their designation has to do with the political power they possess in the region compared to Israel. The Ottomans ruled both Syria and Egypt so the designation passed to the opposing power in the region ruling a territory south of the Promised Land.
The interpretation I gave you is not a shadow. This is the true run-up to the conclusion of this age IMO.
God Bless
Curtis,
We will have to disagree.
Perhaps I missed it Mark but when do you anticipate your new book coming out?
James,
It looks like summer, with some pieces on this blog soon.
I can’t wait!! Bummed you never (apparently) got to speak with the Glenn Beck folks–I harangued them half a dozen times over the past couple years about you and your book!
Thanks for your efforts, James. Some day it may happen.
Mark you believe that only Daniel 11:36-45 is yet future correct? I am thinking that you may be right after hardcore study I have found that everything prior to verse 36 did in fact have exact fulfillment in the past before Christ was born. Yet Christ does say when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel, showing it to be a yet future event at that time. I know you believe the abomination happens twice as you have told me before. So my question is what is the yet future abomination of desolation that Daniel spoke about? Is the abomination when the king in verse 36 on exalts himself, and magnifies himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods and sits in the temple proclaiming to be God? Or does it have something to do with the mark of the beast? Whatever it is Daniel spoke of it at least briefly.
Jlils05,
The future abomination that causes desolation is in Daniel 9:27.