(31 January 2025) The following post is written as a reminder for readers that we must be on alert and be ready for what is coming.
Signpost Theory
The Signpost theory of prophecy interpretation (written about in Daniel Revisited) says there are to be four major, distinct events to occur in the Middle East before Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
These events are derived from Daniel 7, Daniel 8, and Revelation 6:1-8, which all speak of the same four events, from three different perspectives.
Like all good theories, the Signpost theory makes testable predictions, and it makes four of them.
The First Prediction, the First Signpost
The first prediction, i.e. the First Signpost, occurred and fulfilled the prophecy interpretation in Daniel 7 and Revelation 6, exactly, to the letter, with no gaps or excuses. The First Signpost was the replacement of the government in Iraq and is (or, was) the first testable prediction.
This very fact that a real and physical event fulfilled a Bible prophecy interpretation—and the interpretation was derived prior to that event happening—greatly increases the chance that the entire theory is true.
The Second Prediction, the Second Signpost
With all this said, the second prediction to be tested—the Second Signpost—is next.
However, there is a big difference between the First and Second Signpost. The First Signpost was an “armchair event,” that is, we westerners could all sit back in our cushy chairs and sofas, guess what would happen, and watch events from halfway around the world. But the Second Signpost will be anything but that.
The First Signpost was a wake up call, as if God was saying in His Word, “Hey Church, here is your sign that end time events are truly starting,” while the Second Signpost will be the actual “Here is the end time itself!”
The First is the Confirmation for the Second
The First Signpost, and exactly how it was predicted in the Bible, and was fulfilled exactly, is the only confirmation God is giving from His Word that the Second Signpost is next. And because the first Signpost unfolded exactly as Scripture says, then this lends credibility that the Second will also unfold as the theory of interpretation shows.
The Devastation to be Wrought by the Second
The Second Signpost will be truly awful, both in the Middle East, and to a lesser extent across the world.
The Second Signpost will cause Muslims in the Middle East to slaughter one another on a scale like World War 1 in Europe 110 years ago. The Second Signpost will cause most of the current Mideast national boundaries drawn by the European colonial powers to be erased. The entire Mideast oil supply will be cut off for a time, causing not only the US petrodollar to end, but for the price of a barrel of oil to easily increase 8 times over if earlier shortages are a true indication. (An X video just came out on this very topic of oil price and Iran.)
The Second Signpost will cause worldwide shortages of gasoline as well as all products that require oil for transport, and require oil as the material products are made from.
Americans will see hyperinflation reducing any liquidity they may have to one thousandth and then one millionth of what they thought they could buy.
In summary, the Second Signpost will be brutal. It will set the coming Mahdi in the minds of Middle East Muslims, as the Shia Revolution is instilled in their nations.
It will set Israel on edge as they see all these calamities happening around them.
It will take oil away from Europe making them desperate for food and transportation all while they see the large Muslim minorities in European countries start to instill Sharia law.
It will also make all the western-allied nations east and south of China completely vulnerable to that nation as their own oil and fuel supplies dry up, for China will be getting its oil from Russia, just as Europe wished.
And because the Second Signpost will be even allowed by God to begin, with Iran’s ground forces allowed to invade and occupy many countries, the United States may very well be in the fight of its life, either domestically, or with the other great powers in the world—China and Russia.
A Reminder
This article is meant to be a reminder, and an alert as to what is coming soon. It is a reminder because many will try to put their take on Scripture and come up with Second-Signpost-like interpretations. That is fine and of course everyone is free to think as they wish. But these other ideas are not the Second Signpost of Signpost theory. They are something else, calling for events that are quite different.
Be Ready
And this article is an alert because Christ followers must be ready for this. For as Christ said, he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
They must be clinging to Christ, experiencing Him already in their lives, seeing Him work in their own lives, so that when the truly desperate times come they will be prepared.
They must tear down all the idols in their hearts, whether of the body, or of materials, or of ideas and theologies of the mind, and keep Christ as the foundation of their lives. They must be prepared to minister to all those people that God places in their path—both Christian and non-Christian who do not know Christ—who will be scared out of their minds, just as Christ warned us not to be in Matthew 24:6 and Mark 13:7 (see #2360-throeo), and Luke 21:9 (see #4422-ptoeo). You must be ready to preach the Gospel while the Second Signpost is raging. That’s what the prophecy is for. It is for encouraging and comforting you so that you can continue the King’s business without yelling and screaming and freaking out.
This is the main reason I stand against veering from the message of the Signposts, because God’s people must be ready.
And then once the Second Signpost happens (if it happens), Christ’s followers need to know and watch for the Third and Fourth Signposts, for that is the final countdown to the Seventieth Week.
May our Lord Jesus Christ stir up His Spirit in you to mature you, to quicken your mind, to be the source of your comfort, and to bless you, so you can continue to be light to the world despite all the awfulness soon to envelope the world. Amen!
Categories: ALERT
THE FOUR SIGNPOSTS 
Only the greatest of billionaires will be able to withstand this financially. Credit card debt for some will become meaningless, while for others, it will become truly horrible.
I will lose every job and gig I have, but a part of me will be serene. My soul is intact, and it is God’s. So long as I do not allow my faith to disappear, and so long as I do not take the Mark (when it arrives), take Shahada without repentance to the true and living God, or in some other way renounce my faith, I will be either in Paradise or raptured directly in the fullness of time.
I pray the same for all my family and friends and beyond…
“1“And I, in the first year of Darius the Mede, stood up to strengthen and protect him. 2Now then, I will tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. By the power of his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 3Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases.…” – Dan. 11:1-3a (BibleHub)
Of course, “Greece” should be left to the original Hebrew: “Javan”, which corresponds to the International Phonetic Alphabet of what I understand to be the modern Hebrew pronunciation. And of course, Javan is the 4th son of Japhet, mentioned in Genesis, and is “traditionally” associated with the Ionians of the west of Asia Minor and with the Greek world in general.
Also, verse 1 probably should have been left to the end of Dan. 10. For all this, I lean on your teachings as well as Nelson Walters and the late Christopher Mantei (Mark, I still cannot believe he’s gone).
While Türkiye (presumed) will successfully invade parts of Greece imho, the event that will truly make the world reel will be the deprivation of the ability for the rank-and-file to pay their bills on time. I fully expect to possibly have to tell my apartment complex I will not be able to make rent at some point in the future and have to walk away. This happens when the Signpost interpretation concerning Daniel 8 comes true. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will be the temporal thing that will do this.
As I’ve said to you before, Mark, I remember the exact moment when I read your take on the capture of Saddam, Daniel 7, and as he was almost literally pulled from the earth and made to stand aright. No-one could have made this stuff up.
Now, I’m rambling…
Mark,
I appreciate the emphasis you place on perseverance and on believers being deeply rooted in Christ—that’s something we are fully aligned on.
My critique isn’t meant to undermine readiness or dismiss the seriousness of the times we’re living in. On the contrary, I believe these things are very near—at the door—and that’s precisely why I’m engaging the framework.
My concern is pastoral in nature:
I want believers prepared not only for a specific expected sequence, but for sustained pressure, uncertainty, and unfolding fulfillment that may be broader or more progressive than a single defining event.
Readiness anchored in Christ endures regardless of how events manifest.
Mark, I recognize that these conversations can be challenging, especially when we’re dealing with things we care deeply about.
I want to be clear that my intent isn’t to tear down your work. I share that urgency and believe we are standing very near significant events.
We may differ on aspects of timing or fulfillment, but we share the same aim—that Christ’s people stand firm, watchful, and unshaken in the days ahead.
I totally agree with your signpost theory, basically because of a few words in Daniel the times of the end, and I do agree out of all the signposts this is the linchpin of the four, it will totally verify the signpost theory. and cause great worldly concern, although I disagree that it has to play out the way your book suggests, I think it’s fluid how it could play out, for example you suggest that it’s going to be a great Sunni Shia war but scripture never suggests that .And I could be wrong but you seem to suggest that it’s mainly middle Eastern countries that are involved but I would suggest that it’s a world wide participation in the middle East, they may not have success for a while but it’ll be a worldwide event financially and militarily, you could see that by the American carriers parked off the coast of Israel and off the coast of Iran and Europe,also making the IRGC a terrorist organization, and the buildup of all American bases. Even in the third sign post you could see the influence of the world by separating the middle East into four portions for why would Turkey do this if they were in control. one of the reasons why the world will have to go against Iran as you suggested The oil prices will skyrocket so the world will have to take drastic actions to go against Iran to get the old prices back down again this is only my speculations, and I agree with your sign post theory I just think the world will take a bigger part in it. maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing but it just seems like the world will be right in there.
Jeff,
I still cannot believe Chris is gone, either. What a loss.
Interesting you quote Daniel 11:1-3. It can apply to ancient times and to today; its one of those rare passages that might indeed be fulfilled twice. We cant be sure yet because we really can’t be sure who the third and fourth kings of Iran are (yet).
Yavan/Javan’s children are now spread also over the west third of Turkey as well, hence the king of Yavan being Erdogan if he is still around (and don’t forget the great exchange between Turkey and Greece in 1924 when 400,000 Greek Muslims moved to Turkey). This is why I don’t believe Turkey will invade Greece, but will invade Iran and the Middle East – its because the children of Yavan are already a part of Turkey.
And like you say, we will all lose the jobs we had in this economy, and then the economy will change to something . . . else.
Understood, Thomas, and thanks.
My guard is up though in this respect: when someone says the Second Signpost is happening now, that might make some people think, well if its happening now then its not bad at all and so I can remain in my laziness. That is my concern.
Hi Hopeful,
Agreed on the details on how they play out. However, there are two key aspects of all this that Scripture does say, and we should keep these things in mind. Any theory or scenario needs to take these passages into account.
One is, Iran invades and occupies, but Turkey and her Sunni allies take it back, and the Goat is embittered, personally. I have a hard time envisioning this as anything but a Sunni-Shia War since a Shia power invades Sunni territory, and the pissed off king of the territory takes it back and destroy the Shia regime. It looks like a classic religious war. True, the Bible doesn’t use those terms “Shia” and “Sunni” but I haven’t heard anything else that makes sense.
And secondly, since its Daniel 7 and Daniel 8 and Revelation 6:1-8, it is the Revelation passage that indicates that the brunt of the Signposts will occur within the Islamic Realm (you know, white/red/black/green, and one quarter of the earth and all that). And we know Revelation 6:1-8 is an integral part of the Signpost theory since Saddam’s career matches the First Horseman exactly.
Sure, things can come from the outside (like the US providing the force to make the lion stand), and sure the world will feel the effects (like the economy to be destroyed). And Iran would have to deal with those carriers.
Interesting thought you have there of the world trying to bring oil prices down afterward. I see only two ways forward to do that: more drilling by each country such as getting Venezuela’s oil production on-line, and since only the US and China could project power to go the Mideast, but since the US and China could both be wrecked economically, the only way I see it happening as I wrote in DR is the Leopard who has authority to rule brings the oil back on-line piece by piece, and so the Antichrist has that leverage to make Europe (who is almost completely dependent on Mideast oil today) bend to his will.
I’m open to suggestions.
But all we can know is from Revelation 6: men will slay one another in the quarter of the earth, and peace of mind will be taken from the entire earth.
Here’s a thought on your response to Hopeful:
“And we know Revelation 6:1–8 is an integral part of the Signpost theory since Saddam’s career matches the First Horseman exactly.”
I hope what I hear you saying is, within the Signpost framework, Saddam appears to align well. What I would not agree with, is that Revelation 6 must be permanently anchored to Saddam.
The First Horseman goes forth conquering and to conquer (ongoing) Saddam’s conquests ended decisively. His regime was terminated, not transformed. If the seal continues beyond Saddam’s death, then Saddam can at best be a partial or initial expression, not the permanent referent.
Even if Saddam significantly corresponds to the First Horseman, the ongoing nature of the seal(conquering and to conquer and the Lion continuing to stand) suggests the referent may extend beyond a single concluded figure.
Revelation 6:1–8 being “integral” does NOT require a fixed identity.
I fully agree that Revelation 6:1–8 belongs in the Signpost theory. The seals are real, chronological, and preparatory. But I disagree that each seal must be exhausted by one historical individual.
Apocalyptic patterns often work like this:
Initial fulfillment
Escalating fulfillment
Culminating fulfillment
So Saddam may represent the opening phase of the First Horseman, while later figures represent its maturation.
That’s where I see the possibility of Jolani being that continuation or escalating fulfillment.
Post-Saddam Iraq becomes the transitional womb: AQI → ISIS → regional jihadist fragmentation.
Jolani emerges as a refined, more adaptive expression.
All that to say, I agree that Revelation 6:1–8 Dan. 7 and 8 are ntegral to the Signpost framework, and I also see why Saddam’s career appears to correspond closely to the First Horseman.
My question is whether that correspondence is meant to be exclusive or representative. Since the text presents the seals as ongoing in effect and allows for authority to be granted before its full manifestation, it seems possible that later actors emerging from the Iraq–Syria theater may represent a continued or intensified expression of that same authority rather than a contradiction of it.
Also it looks like the Lion is getting tired of standing on two feet and his heart wants to transition back.
The next days/weeks in the Middle East in February will be important and a few things are in motion:
It’s very important to watch these key issues for developments.
Thomas,
Addressing this comment of yours – –
“Here’s a thought . . . anchored to Saddam”
– Not really, Thomas. Saddam’s career matches the First Horseman exactly within the framework of Signpost theory. Almost everyone would say Saddam does not fulfill the First Horseman. But they are also not believers of the Signpost theory. Within the Signpost theory of interpretation, I’m saying that Saddam and his career as leader of Iraq is the fulfillment of the First Horseman, period, with no partials, or compromises. Just as Jesus is the one and only fulfillment of Psalm 22, so Saddam is the one and only fulfillment of the First Horseman, within the Signpost interpretation, and assuming the Signpost interpretation is the correct interpretation of prophetic Scripture. If you want to espouse a different interpretation that is fine, but it is not Signpost theory, it is something else.
“The First Horseman . . . the permanent referent.”
You and I will just have to disagree. You are interpreting the words of prophecy differently than that of the Signpost theory. The NASB words “he went out conquering, and to conquer” in the Signposts applies to Saddam as him conquering from the very start of his leadership (see this post). The second part of that phrase, “and to conquer” does not necessarily mean he kept conquering, it says he intended to conquer, as he intended to be Nebuchadnezzar reincarnated to rebuild his Babylonian Empire. That is in DR.
“Even if Saddam . . . single concluded figure.”
Fulfillment is fulfillment. If it is partial, it is not fulfillment.
“Revelation 6:1–8 . . . a fixed identity.”
Sure it does. The Four Horsemen are the heralds to the Four Signposts. Remember, the First Signpost was the taming of the lion, not Saddam himself. Saddam was the herald that the First Signpost was about to start.
“I fully agree . . . one historical individual.”
Only the first horseman is fulfilled by a person per the Signposts. The remaining three are themes, or general setting or patterns in what is going on during that phase—war, famine, destruction (seismos is not “earthquakes,” it is “destruction”).
“Apocalyptic patterns often . . . Culminating fulfillment”
Sorry, no. We will have to disagree. There is only fulfillment of God’s Word, but God also allows foreshadows sometimes. Like Alexander the Great and Antiochus are foreshadows of the Iran-Turkey fulfillment. Nebuchadnezzar going insane was a foreshadow of the Lion. There were no foreshadows of Psalm 22 for example – only fulfillment. Fulfillment is fulfillment – total, and nothing else. If its not total fulfillment, it is something else, for “partial fulfillment” and “initial fulfillment” are oxymorons.
“So Saddam may . . . represent its maturation.”
No, it is only Saddam. Again, if it’s more than Saddam, than its not Signpost theory. If you don’t have Signpost theory, you have something . . . else. But what is it? I don’t know. At the very least you have a different system if you change one of the blocks of the structure. Many say the First Horseman is the Antichrist which is fine by itself but it is not Signpost theory. You must work out logically everything else about Scripture interpretation. You say you are not trying to tear down the Signposts, but that is exactly what you are doing – I don’t think it’s intentional or malicious, but your ideas change the structure of the entire theory. You are tearing down by replacing certain building blocks of the structure of the Signposts. The remainder of the Signpost theory is not compatible with what you are proposing. What you are suggesting is not an adjustment to the Signposts, but something else entirely. All parts of Signpost theory are connected by logic flow and consistency between the parts. Signpost theory says the horsemen, in order, all correspond to the four beasts of Daniel 7. If you say the First Horseman can be anything else than Saddam, then the First Beast must be something else as well. Then you are clearly outside of the Signposts and in some other territory of thought. If you want to go down this path go right ahead, but then to stay logical, you must extend this system of thought to the entire theory and it becomes a different theory.
“That’s where I . . . more adaptive expression.”
Being there is no escalating fulfillment, Jolani’s role is either leader of the Second Head of the Leopard (assuming he survives to the Third Signpost), or, he might even end up being the Antichrist himself. We don’t know yet.
“All that to . . . the First Horseman.”
You wrote “I agree that Revelation 6:1–8 Dan. 7 and 8 are ntegral to the Signpost framework.” But if you did agree you wouldn’t be sating what you are saying here about Saddam. Signpost theory is definite, with chronological order following the order of events within each passage, with the three passages being completely contemporary. Again, if you stray from that you have something else. But it’s not the Signposts. The First Horseman is done. Saddam is done. The First Signpost with the Lion, is done. Next is major war and Iran, per the second horseman and the Ram and the Bear.
“My question is . . . contradiction of it.”
Exclusive. There are no later actors. Each horseman is brought out by each one of the four beasts in the throne room, saying “Come.” Daniel says he keeps looking at one beast until the next beast comes. At that point the beast he was looking at is no longer part of the narrative. It really is as simple as that. Iraq will be Iraq until Iran comes. ISIS threatened it. Sunni vs Shia vs Kurd threatens its fragmentation. And it might eventually fragment given enough time. But Daniel said there is only one Lion, and only one Bear.
“Also it looks . . . to transition back.”
Critics said years ago that Iraq would break up under ISIS. I said Daniel was looking at one Lion, and then one Bear. There was nothing in between, or different than, those two. Today, Iraq is Iraq, still. It may be getting tired, but it is still one country, ruling the ancient territory of Babylon. It will likely remain so until Iran, the ruler of the ancient territory of Persia. Remember DR chapter 5, and why each country is each country. That’s part of the Signpost theory too.
Final note – I have not run across any other theory of interpretation that makes sense of all the Middle East as the Signpost theory does. Signpost theory led me to see that Saddam was the fulfillment of the first herald. If it was anything else – the antichrist, a “partial” fulfillment, or anything else, I would have not seen the fulfillment by anything but the Signposts, would not have arrived at Signpost theory, would not have researched and written Daniel Revisited, and we would not be having this conversation. Any other theory that comes along must fit events better than the bar set by the Signpost theory.
God bless.
Thomas,
I can see why you talk about those 4 events you list and how you would think they are important, since they would be consistent with your way of looking at prophecy you wrote about in your last comment. However, the difference with the Signpost theory becomes stark, since Signpost theory says right now there is a different list.
1. Iraq choosing a president and PM is only noise – it is not most important. In fact, this won’t matter at all.
2. US-Iran tensions – yes, this is of utmost importance right now, but so is Ukraine and WW3, and American Civil War 2.0 as either results of, or catalysts for, the Second Signpost.
3. Syria’s STG-SDF is not noise, but is of lesser importance. Not as insignificant as Iraq’s PM. Jolani’s government clashing with the Kurdish force will likely come to nothing as Syria is the Second Head. A Kurdish breakaway country is not likely. The Kurds are loosely descended from the Medes, and the Ram is the kings of the Persians and Medes. Also, there are seven countries on that Revelation 13 beast, not eight. And besides, Mr. First Horn of the Goat canididate – Erdogan – would not allow it.
4. The Rafah crossing with Gaza is of lesser importance. Gaza itself as a whole should be watched as a possible part of the Psalm 83 war. If you are suggesting Egyptian forces would come up into Gaza through Rafah, that won’t likely happen for various reasons.
Turkey and Egypt signed a military cooperation agreement yesterday.
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-and-turkey-sign-military-agreement-in-cairo/
So what happens if the US and Israel take out the Iranian regime?
Because it looks like that is about to happen.
It also seems that the third head of the leopard has finally joined.
I guess you’re right Mark…. it’s not “Signpost Theory”…. it something else…. maybe…potential “Scripture” being fulfilled?
I read a post in your Third Signpost section where you said if Israel and the US attacked Iran that we would lose. Looks like we’re about to find out. God help us. Maranatha!
Hi Mark, have you ever considered that the ram may already have charged across the Ulai canal – but via infiltration into other societies rather than as an armed force? I just note the presence of Islam these days in (including Europe and the US to the north and west as well as in the southern hemisphere in Africa and Australia, but not to the east as much).
Thomas,
Thanks for the word – I’ll check it out. Set up for the Third Signpost.
Thomas,
Signpost theory as given in Daniel Revisited, says the regime is defeated by Turkey and her Sunni allies. If the US and Israel defeat the Iranian regime and end it, than we have two possibilities: (1) the Signpost theory is wrong and the First Signpost being fulfilled was a coincidence and so we must all look for another interpretation of prophecy, or (2) the Signpost theory is correct, but it is not to occur in our lifetimes and is put off many years or decades or even another century or so.
Yes, we will see. Check out the post I just put up.
David,
Maybe.
If there are IRGC and Basij cells all over the Middle East that will shut off the oil and occupy and assert power over the Muslim nations, then sure.
If not, it will need to be the old fashioned way, like Hamas militants running across southern Israel on that fateful October 7.
We will see.