Daniel 8:25, “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”
This prophecy first pointed to Antiochus Epiphanes, a cruel king from the Grecian empire. He rose to power by deceit, corrupted worship in the temple, and attacked God’s people. But as often happens in prophecy, the words also point far ahead to someone greater, the final Antichrist. Antiochus was just a picture, a shadow. The real and final fulfillment will be in the Antichrist who rules before Christ’s second coming.
1. Policy
The Antichrist will rise not only by force, but by craft and deception. His “policy” will be lies dressed up as wisdom.
2 Thessalonians 2:9–10, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
He will have the kind of policy that fools the world. Smooth words. Smart speeches. Lying wonders. But all of it backed by Satan.
2. Prospering
The Bible says he will “cause craft to prosper.” Wickedness and deception will actually work for him, for a season.
Revelation 13:7, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
The Antichrist will prosper in ways no ruler ever has. He will hold global power. It will look like nothing can stop him. But that prosperity will be short lived because it’s not built on truth.
3. Peace
One of his most dangerous tools will be peace. Daniel said, “by peace shall destroy many.”
1 Thessalonians 5:3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
The world will want peace so badly, they will believe his false promises. He will destroy through peace, not just through war. People will lay down their guard and fall right into his trap.
4. Prince of Princes
Finally, the verse says he will “stand up against the Prince of princes.” This is the climax of his rebellion. The Antichrist will oppose Jesus Christ Himself.
2 Thessalonians 2:4, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
The Antichrist will not just be against Christians, he will openly defy the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the verse says, “he shall be broken without hand.” God Himself will end his reign.
For those who are saved, there is comfort. The Antichrist will not complete his mission on us.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The church will be taken out before the Antichrist is revealed in full power. And his end is certain.
2 Thessalonians 2:8, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
Christ is the Prince of princes. The Antichrist may prosper for a little while, but he will be destroyed without hand when Jesus returns in glory.
