Israel’s Eschatological Enemy

My first book, Israel’s Eschatological Enemy, released this month! This post is a guide to its content and how it may benefit the Lord’s people. Most Christians are unfamiliar with the oracle against Babylon in Isaiah 13–14. Many, however, are familiar with Isaiah 14:12–14. Isaiah 14:12 states, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning” (NKJV). Verses 13–14 contain the five “I will” statements supposedly uttered by Satan when he rebelled against God. The climactic statement at the end reads, “I will be like the Most High.”Israel’s Eschatological Enemy argues that this “Lucifer” is not Satan but Israel’s eschatological enemy, commonly known as the Antichrist.

            The first chapter briefly explains the historic interpretation of Isaiah 14; how the early church believed Isaiah 14:12–14 referred to Satan and how modern scholarship has preferred a historic or representative interpretation. In chapter two I discuss the “representative interpretation” view and argue through an analysis of the proverb genre (mashal genre) that the representative view is very unlikely. Isaiah 14:4–21 is a proverb, just like the book of Proverbs. Students of the book of Proverbs, I believe, would benefit from this genre analysis.

            In the third chapter, I analyze Isaiah 13:1–14:4, 22–26, which is basically everything around Isaiah 14:4–21. I do a lot of things in this chapter, and some of it is a little technical. The average English reader may want to skip or skim the structure section (pp 42–64). The eschatology section (pp 65ff), however, is more readable. Here I explain that there are two battles described in Isa 13 and both of them are eschatological. Many people believe Isa 13:14–14:2 was fulfilled when the Medo-Persian army conquered Babylon and Cyrus allowed the children of Israel to return to Israel. I explain how that cannot be the case. This passage concerns a future eschatological destruction of Babylon and regathering of Israel. I present four contextual criteria for determining the identity of the king of Babylon in chapter three.

            In chapter four, I first analyze the proverb (Isa 14:4–21) and explain eleven characteristics of the king of Babylon. Students of eschatology will find this section fascinating because it is basically a study of the Antichrist. Someone could incorporate these findings with what other passages teach about Israel’s eschatological enemy. Finally, I examine nine historic kings and explain how each one does not come close to meeting the criteria of the king of Babylon. If you believe, for example, that the king of Babylon is Nebuchadnezzar, then you should pay particular attention to this chapter.

            I hope this book is a blessing to you. The king of Babylon will seek to be like the Most High (Isa 14:14) and exercise godlike authority over the earth, but only the Lord can do whatever he likes (Isa 14:24). I pray your confidence in the Lord is strengthened and your intellect is renewed through a study of this passage.

            You can make a purchase through Amazon, Kindle, Wipf & Stock (the publisher), or preferably through our campus bookstore. If you purchase through our campus bookstore, you can note in the comments that you would like a signed copy and I would be happy to do that for you.