Customer Reviews

Beasts, Horns and the Antichrist: Daniel : A Blueprint of the Last Days

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Brodrick D. Shepherd's *Beast, Horns and Antichrist* is an absolute MUST for those interested in analyzing alleged prophecy fulfillments about the "last days." One of the best things about Shepherd's book is that it is so simple and yet scholarly that one does not have to have an extensive knowledge of the Bible to understand it.

When analyzed in context, the "prophecies" of Daniel fall into place so easily that their proper interpretations seem obvious. For example, Shepherd identifies the "prince who is to come" as Antiochus IV Epiphanes; the "annointed one cut off" as the High Priest Onias III; and the "strong covenant" as one made between Antiochus and apostate Jews. Although more sensational interpreters see Jesus and the "Antichrist" at every turn, Shepherd's interpretations are, in my opinion, much more historically accurate.

If you want sensationalism, don't buy this book; but if you want the truth, this book is required reading.

Here are some comments I've received on my book:

"I first of all want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing your book Beasts, Horns and the Antichrist. Of all of the books I've read recently, yours has had the greatest and most radical impact on my thinking concerning the Book of Daniel. For years, having been steeped in Dispensationalism most of my life, I had wrestled with many of the same problems you addressed in the book. So much of the "orthodox" interpretations of prophecy just doesn't work, and worst of all, although I knew they didn't, I still attempted to make them "fit" with Scripture. Indeed, I cannot any longer."
by John Roberts

"I have come across your book on the web & will be going out to my local Chapters to order/buy it. Thank you for writing and publishing such a book. It's a relief to know that there are people ready and able to counter all this Armageddon nonsense."
by Ted Smith

"I have just finished reading your account of the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel. I found your analysis of the book of Daniel very interesting reading and very persuasive."
by John Vincent

"I have enjoyed reading your book on the internet. You make some persuasive arguments, and I am inclined to argree with your dating of the book of Daniel and the idea that the events "prophesied" related to that time period."
by John Kessler

"Thanks for making your book on Daniel available on-line. I found it, by God's providence, at just the right time. I'm leading a study for my Sunday morning Bible class related to end-time subjects. Most recently we have touched on the current "sensationalism" and the "industry" built on speculation about Christ's return, at the expense of scholarly considerations of the text. Your work will help us."
by Charles Barron

"Have just read some of your book on Daniel (online). I liked it and ordered it. I wish I had it months ago. I am finishing up on the study of Daniel at the church."
by Dr. J Felton Harden, Pastor

"Thank you for your research and interest in the subject of biblical study. I've enjoyed reading your work about Daniel."
by Bryan Johnson

"Thank you. This is one of the most well written, concise, intelligent interpretations of Daniel that I have read."
by Jim

"I enjoyed your study on Daniel. I found it very enlightening, well written and researched."
by Richard Bowlin

I respect Mr. Shepherds presentation of the false dispensational views relating to the interpretation and "proof texting" of the book of Daniel. I couldn't agree more with his conclusion on that point. But the real problem is not with the book of Daniel, as Mr. Shepherd seems to go to great lengths to prove. The problem is how pretrib, premil dispensationalist have interpreted it. And here too, Mr. Shepherd seems to have a problem interpreting it as well. I will agree with him that Daniel is a book about the current (historical) situation with the Jews during, and immediately following, the Babylonian exile. I also agree that it is a book about how God intervenes in our lives and keeps us strong in the face of ungodliness. But, Daniel is also a prophetic book about the near and far future of the Jewish people, the cutting off of the anointed one (the Messiah, not Antiochus), the Abomination of Desolation (688-703 AD) and yes, our current "time of the end". It is not just about events around Daniels time. How can that not be clearly seen?

You don't have to tear apart the historic and prophetic message of Daniel in order to prove errors of dispensational thinking. Mr. Shepherd constantly presents his view that multiple discrepancies, inconsistencies and historical errors exist in Daniel, in order to dispel the conclusions of dispensationalist. I believe he and many of his sources are mistaken in this approach. I have come to the same final conclusion as Mr. Shepherd regarding dispensationalism, while keeping Daniel completely intact and accepting the historical and prophetic accuracy of the book.

One of his statements in his conclusion is, to me, proof of the limitations of his own research. "This study has demonstrated that the book of Daniel prophesies no such events." He is speaking about dispensationalism here, but failing to recognize that Daniel IS prophetic, outside of the dispensational theory, and is also completely applicable to today. " Futuristic interpretive methods, which deal with contradictory texts by creating gaps in history, or devising complex mathematical schemes, are an insult to sincere Christians." I agree with the first part of this statement, but here is no such insult to sincere Christians if one sees that,...1. contradictory texts only exist if they are misunderstood in the first place, and 2. a mathematical approach, as given by the angel in Daniel's visions, does deal with mathematics and cannot be overlooked. Simply because Mr. Shepherd and those listed in his bibliography don't seem to understand this mathematical approach doesn't mean Daniel is incorrect and thereby stripped of its relevant prophetic message. The historical setting and timing of the book of Daniel is one of his greatest errors in my opinion. (See writings on the "cuneiform table", called the "Persian Verse Account of Nabonidus, Josephus, Berosus, Herodotus, The Prayer of Nabonidus and a wealth of other archeological discoveries and ancient writings that support the historical account of Daniel.)

For a great example of an alternative approach which does compliment many of Mr. Shepherds conclusions regarding the errors of John Darby, C.I. Schofield and the modern dispensational approach, see a book by Ellis Skolfield called "Islam in the End Times" or an earlier version called "The False Prophet". The conclusions regarding dispensationalism are much the same, but Mr. Skolfield's approach is completely different as he provides an accurate, deep interpretation of the book of Daniel while showing the important prophetic message and applying the mathematics of Daniel, Revelations, the Levitical code, Genesis and Exodus in a clear and compelling way. Date setting and numerology is NOT the goal of Mr. Skolfield, but applying the mathematical theories of the bible is important to accurately understanding portions of the prophetic messages. As Jesus said to the pharisees in Matt 16 ..."you know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." and in Matt 24:36-44. I believe that Daniel is one book that provides insight into our times.

We cant throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I will re-read Mr. Shepherds book to find any area where I may have misunderstood his point. But, at this time, I cannot give a positive review of this book.