I recall, when the Branch Davidians were all over the news, remembering that Koresch's declaring himself to be the Christ was merely a sign of the end of times.
More recently, however, I been learning a lot, from a man, who lives in Richardson, TX. (Note: Richardson is in the Dallas, TX, area, where I used to live. Back then, I knew nothing about this man and I had no idea that he would be the one, spoken of by Daniel, when Daniel admitted that he, himself, didn't understand the prophecy he'd just given.
Daniel added that one would come, in the end of the age, who would understand these things.
When I was in Bible college, back in the early '80's, my professors were unable to explain the feet on the statue in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. They all understood everything, EXCEPT the feet, which is understandable.
Well, the man, I've mentioned, understands that the legs, which are iron and represent the Roman Catholic church, from the time Christ was on earth, has reappeared. You see, the legs are iron and the feet are iron, mired with clay. This is understandable, when you consider that, now, the Catholic Institution has become mixed with the European Union (I recall thinking that the end was near, when the EU began and the Euro monetary system was reported in the news....Now, as we see the Euro being reported to have overtaken the dollar in strength, it's becoming obvious that the worldwide monetary system is almost upon us.
Another thing, I've learned, is this: The beasts, in the visions, given to Daniel, in chapter 7 and, then, to John, in Revelation, chapter
13, have one striking difference: The eagle is in Daniel's vision but the eagle doesn't appear in John's vision. The explanation, given by Irvin Baxter is that the Holy Spirit simply changed secretaries, so the latter vision differs from the former.
The only difference is that the eagle, America, isn't in John's vision. However, John DOES mention the eagle, when he shows the final attempt by the devil to destroy the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the mother and baby are taken away on the wings of a great eagle.
Irvin Baxter shows how America is going to remain in place, throughout the Tribulation.
Lastly, the main thing, misunderstood, by Christians, is the length of the Great Tribulation.
In 1999, I contacted a man, whom I've known since 1981 and he told me he'd written a book, in which he ooutlined how the belief in a 7-year Great Tribulation isn't true.
When Irvin Baxter said the same thing, I realized the truth had been missed, for a long, long time. Revelation 13:5 tells us the Great Tribulation (without mentioning it by name, of course) will extend 42 months.
Now, so as to first forty-two months, I think that is when the antiChrist will deceive the Israelites and, in so doing, set many of them up to be slaughtered, when he begins a holocaust that will make Hitler's WWII holocaust dull in comparison.
This is going to happen is the very near future and the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation will be when Israel, either willingly, or by force (probably from the U.N.) gives the West Bank to Palestine.
I don't understand the beasts very well so I can't make much of a comment. Interesting read though...