The prophet Ezekiel and the 'Prince of Tyre'

The prophet Ezekiel by Michelangelo.

There are two important perspectives to consider when looking at 'end times' described in the bible; 'historicist' and 'futurist'. The 'historicist view' focuses on Rome and abusive popes of the past. For most 'historicists', the popes are the 'antichrist'. ( Some historicists suggest the 'antichrsit term' merely applies to the historical abusive Popes, some say it applies to all past Popes.) The 'futurist' view of the 'end times' also takes seriously the prophecies of Daniel and historical events, and advocates that according to scripture there is a 'son of perdition' , or 'man of lawlessness' ( as defined by scripture) who emerges in the very last days.
The apostles of the 1st century seem to infer that there will be many antichrist demagogues over a long period of time.

This link here is well written outline of relevant Ezekiel prophecies, I'll quote it here.

'We frequently find in scripture prophecy that the prophet is speaking of a contemporaneous event and also refers to an event of later times, ( end times) of which the contemporaneous event is in some respects a type'.

The scriptures suggst that there are powers on earth ( including political powers) and principalities and a spiritual equivalent that the bible names 'Powers and Principalities.' It is clearly implied that evil in the world is orchestrated by 'satan and his fallen Archangels' who rebelled with satan : 'powers in high places' are said to control the legions of fallen angels beneath them. The 'high places' mentioned are not in God's heaven, the bible states. They are beneath God's heaven.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12 - KJV

Below, God's command to the prophet Ezekiel to go and rebuke a man who sets himself up as a great god . Some feel that the scripture prophecy may ultimately apply to the 'son of perdition' of the last days ( popularly referred to as the 'Antichrist'.)

Ezekiel 28:1-10 [1] The word of the LORD came to me: [2] "Son of man, say to the ruler [most translations: prince of Tyre, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "`In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. [3] Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? [4] By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. [5] By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. [6] "`Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "`Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, [7] I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. [8] They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. [9] Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. [10] You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"

So there's a 'Prince of Tyre' who's being addressed in scripture who is rebuked and condemned by the Lord.

Barack Hussein Obama, President Elect of the USA is the subject of many questions about his 'Messiah complex' and his role at the forefront of an emergent global governance or 'One World Government' which he has called for and named 'New World Order.' ( he also refers to it as 'globalisation', apparently when speaking of a 'global economy'.)

The two scripture paragraphs cited here are consecutive. The prophet Ezekiel is told to rebuke satan. See how it goes. Notice satan is called 'King of Tyre' in this instance. Implying that satan himself is ruling over the 'Tyre' region:

Ezekiel 28:11-19 [11] The word of the LORD came to me: [12] "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "`You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. [13] You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. [14] You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. [15] You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. [16] Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. [17] Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. [18] By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. [19] All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'"

This perfect prophecy appears to tell the story of satan being cast out of heaven as well as his 'horrible end'.

Jesus is our redeemer.Colossians 2:14 and 15: 'He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.


Here is a Revelation scripture:

International Standard Version (©2008)
'So be glad, heavens, and those who live in them! How terrible it is for the earth and the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, filled with rage, knowing that his time is short!"

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12 - KJV


The contemporaneous event in ancient Tyre is outlined via the site linked as follows:

'Verses 1-10 refer at least primarily to the prince of Tyre then reigning, Ittiobalus by name, according to Josephus. They were fulfilled in the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar.

Tyre was a great seafaring, naval, and financial power, the Wall Street of its time. Its core was on a highly fortified island, which made it practically impervious to attack. Ultimately, Alexander the Great completed the conquest of Tyre by taking rubble from the ruins of the mainland construction and using it to build a road to the island so his armies could mount a sustained assault on the fortifications.

Verses 11-19 have expressions which it is difficult, if not impossible, to refer to any mere man, e.g., verses 12-14. There are however, other verses that seem to indicate an earthly kingdom, e.g., 16 and 18.'

The scriptures shown above demonstrate more apparent biblical allusion to the 'son of perdition', the 'man of lawlessness' ...who according to scripture is to rise to power in the last days. Here again there appears to be the suggestion that in the 'end times' people will perceive that there have been been many false Messiahs who have come into the world, and that yet there is a penultimate ( world significant) false Messiah, the 'son of perdition', 'the man of lawlessness' who is apparently part of a world governance. (The 'son of perdition' is popularly referred to as 'the Antichrist' in our times.)

In respect of the 'man of lawlessness' there is the scripture ' ...the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth.'

This blog recommends peaceful behaviors in accordance with the beatitudes of the Lord Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount at all times.


'Tyre' is an ancient world principality. The Ezekiel prophecy interpretation here shown gives credence to the suggestion that the 'son of perdition' -'man of lawlessness' described in the bible will have a background related to the history of Tyre. A Muslim or part Muslim background to the 'son of perdition' is often suggested today. There is nothing in Revelation on the ethnicity of the 'son of perdition'.
Given the scripture prophecies, it makes sense that if the 'son of perdition' were to emerge in our generation he might have an education in the religion and religious ways of a people who are very hostile to 'Israel', (hostile to both the Jewish people and the Church) which could point to Islam. It makes sense that his hostile background should evolve out of a principality where religious ways have always been extremely hostile to the sacred scriptures. ( Is that clearer.)

Barack Obama is subject to speculation among 'futurists' that he may be the 'son of perdition' /'man of lawlessness'identified in the bible.

It makes sense that such a background might combine with a Western education and background at this time. Given that the four empire prophecies of Daniel are thought to involve prophecies about Rome, it is perhaps worth noting that Obama's formal religious identity on his Western side ( his grandmother's family) is lapsed Catholic and before he was born, his Western mother abandoned the families apparently simple local Catholic practice for practices that are entirely hostile to the sacred scriptures.

Barack Obama is seeking to amalgamate religions and forms of devotion that are unacceptable to the God of the bible into a 'one world religion.' Most of the world's media and his many followers are misguidedly hailing him an 'enlightened being'.

The history of Tyre is interesting and perhaps relevant. It's history corresponds with scripture prophecies and presumably continues to do so. One ruler that modern history books name as a 'King of Tyre' in history was named 'Abibaal'. ( Meaning, my father is 'Baal'. ) In the bible it is recorded that the Israelites were forbidden all forms of worship of 'foreign gods' . As are all Christian believers today.
'Baal' worship represented worship of satan.

The Ezekiel prophecy names a 'Prince' of Tyre, ruling over the region.

Here, arab legislators speak out for Gaza from a meeting in Tyre. An interesting event.