Daniel 8:23-26 – 23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”
These verses are in the NIV. In the King James Version he’s called the king of fierce countenance.
Once again we read that he will attempt to take a stand against Jesus, which to Daniel back then was the Prince of Princes in his vision. He will be destroyed and by the mighty power of the Lord.
Daniel 9:27 – 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.
Jesus in Matthew 24 is warning the Jewish people about this moment spoken of in Daniel.
Matthew 24:15-25 – 15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
How do we know Jesus is talking to the Jewish people? He is telling them to pray that this doesn’t happen on the Sabbath. He is also warning them about the abomination that causes desolation. That’s when the antichrist defiles the temple.
The king of fierce countenance, the little horn, the antichrist, the man of lawlessness, all are names of the same guy. This guy and his counterpart the false prophet get the honors of being the first two thrown into the lake of fire. Even before Satan, which it was made for him and the angels that followed him.