Archive for the 'Daniel' Category

Daniel12:7-13

Published on May 18, 2002 in Daniel. 1 Comment
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Daniel 12:7 “Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. 8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, ‘My lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ 9 And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.’”
 
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
The angel above the river authenticates his message as true by lifting both hands to heaven. 
The length of time of Israel’s persecution and deliverance is a “time, times, and a half a time” or three and one-half years.   The enemies of Israel will control seven years in the prophetic calendar.  The last half of those seven years will be the Great Tribulation but at the end of the last half of the Tribulation, the Messiah will come. 
Ze 14: 2 “For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the Lord will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.”
8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
Daniel wanted to know how all this would end, as seen by his second question.  The word “end” means latter end.  Daniel’s question has to do with eschatology. 
9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
The angel told Daniel that the full interpretation of this vision would remain ambiguous until “the time of the end.” 
10 “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.”
Many people will turn to the Messiah for salvation in the Tribulation.  The godless will not understand the reason for the events around them.  The wise (believers) will grasp the prophetic meaning of those events. 
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
The angel provides some specificity about a major event in the Tribulation – “the abomination of desolation.”  The abomination by the Antichrist terminating Jewish sacrifices and desecrating the temple occurs in the middle of the Tribulation (Mt 24:15).  1,290 days from the middle of the Tribulation is 30 days longer than 3 ½ years.  This would be one month after the Great Tribulation (the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation). 
12 “Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.”
God will bless those that wait and come to the 1,335 days.  They are those who wait for God to deliver them.  This period is 45 days longer than the 1290-day period (v.11).  This ends after the conclusion of the Tribulation when the Messiah establishes His millennial kingdom 45 days after the Tribulation. 
13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
The angel told Daniel to move on with his life.  Eventually Daniel would die and then receive his inheritance in the resurrection.
PRINCIPLE:  All suffering is for the purpose of blessing. 
APPLICATION:  All suffering in the Bible is for blessing.  No matter how difficult the situation we face, God has a purpose in it all. 
As God gave Daniel dying grace, so He gives us grace for any situation.  Do not think like a dead man or woman.  Some believers live their Christian lives like zombies.  They are morbid, upset, bitter, frightened, worried, envious and jealous.  They are miserable people.  All this denies God’s provision for our lives.  We are to quit living like dead people until we go to meet the Lord.
Ph 1: 21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
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Daniel 12:5-6

Published on May 17, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 12:5 “Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, ‘How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?’”
 
5 Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank.
 
Daniel again becomes a personal participant in the scene.  Two figures stood on each side of the Tigris River and an angel above the river (v.6). 
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”
The book of Daniel ends with a couple of questions and answers. 
Question # 1 = 12:5-6
Answer = 12:7
Question #2 = 12:8
Answer 12:9-13
Daniel saw two other people standing on either side of the Tigris River (10:4).  These people may have been angels.  One of these people asked the man dressed in linen above the river a question about the length of the persecution and deliverance of Israel (11:36-12:4). 
PRINCIPLE:  Hope gives definition to our present life.
APPLICATION:  Hope is an essential dynamic in the Christian life.  Hope gives meaning to life.  We exist in despair without hope.  Hope at the end of the tunnel gives encouragement to the soul.  Hope stands with faith and love as a primary quality of life in God’s economy. 
Hope helps those who suffer endure their pain.  They have a better future ahead. 
Ro 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
1 Pe 1: 3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
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Daniel 12:4

Published on May 16, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 12:4 “‘But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.’”
 
4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
”The words “shut up” indicate that Daniel was to keep a copy of the book of Daniel in a safe place.  Daniel must keep a record of his book for posterity because of its divine inspiration.  The angel challenged him to keep a record for “the time of the end”–that is, the Tribulation period. 
Future attempts to understand the book of Daniel will look like scholars running back and forth in an intense search of increased knowledge about the prophecies of this book.  As time passes, Bible scholars will understand the interpretation of Daniel better than Daniel did. 
PRINCIPLE:  Maximum application of the principles of God’s Word to experience gives stability to the soul. 
APPLICATION:  Some will painstakingly examine the visions of Daniel but they will not understand until the last days.  All of us want to know what it will be like in the final days.  We want to understand the future.  What does the future hold?  Some people are unstable in their Christian lives because they do not have a core of biblical principles in their souls.  They constantly vacillate from one experience to another.  These people compensate for guilt complexes by sublimation.  They refuse to take the time to learn biblical principles for life, so they go from one thing today to another thing tomorrow.  They do not have much capacity for faithful and loyal love.  These are the worst sort of believers. 
When we carefully scrutinize the Word of God to find His principles for life, then we find stability in our souls.  When principles of the Word of God become our way of life, we stabilize our souls.  The glory of Christ becomes the most important orientation to our souls.  Everything else is a detail.  Money is a detail.  Pleasure and sex are details.  Without the perspective of God’s Word, these things become far too important to us.  When these things become details, it does not matter whether we have them or not.  Operation under the principles of the Word gives us capacity to enjoy the details of life. 
Mt 4: 4 “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” ’”
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Daniel 12:3

Published on May 15, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 12:3 “‘Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.’” 
 
3 “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.”
 This verse continues to carry the idea of hope for Israel.  Rewards follow resurrection.  Those receiving reward will shine like the glory of the firmament above and the stars.  They will reign with Christ in the Millennium (Mt 25:14-30). 
Re 20: 4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”“
Those who turn many to righteousness” are those who win others to Christ.  The grammar is causative (hiphil) – cause many to turn to justification.  They have the “wisdom” to do this.  They will shine like stars forever and ever.  Their reward is everlasting. 
Pr 11: 30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.”
PRINCIPLE:  Those who are wise will receive reward for winning people to Christ.
APPLICATION:  God’s great are those who win others to Christ.  They are those that point “many” to Jesus.  Have you examined your life to determine whether you will shine like a star in heaven? 
Ph 2: 14 “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
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Daniel 12:2

Published on May 14, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 12:2 “‘And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.’”
 
 
2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
 
Notice that the angel says “many” and not “all.”  The alternatives are mutually exclusive.  The Jews who die in the Tribulation go to either everlasting life or everlasting contempt.  Those are the only two options (Re 20:4-6). 
This resurrection is both a spiritual and a physical resurrection for they will rise from the “dust of the earth.”  This passage does not say that the resurrection of the lost will occur at the end of the Tribulation.  This is the first mention in the Old Testament of a dual resurrection for the saved and the lost. 
Jn 5: 28 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
The normative way the Old Testament depicts resurrection is by sleep and waking (2 Kg 4:31; 13:21; Is 26:19; Je 51:39, 57; Job 14:12).  The Bible never presents the idea of the soul sleeping but always of the body sleeping. 
The word “everlasting” conveys the idea of endlessness.  This is the first occurrence of the term “everlasting” in the Old Testament.  The Old Testament uses this term of God Himself, that He is everlasting.  If hell is not eternal, then neither is God eternal (Re 4:10; 20:10; 21:8). 
The word “shame” means reproaches.  The ones awakened to shame are those who do not believe.  God will bring reproach on them after the Tribulation.  However, this passage does not indicate the specific time frame.  The word “many” indicates that not all will rise to shame.  There is no general resurrection here. 
God will raise both “righteous” Jewish and Gentile Tribulation saints (Re 7:9-17; 20:4-6) plus Old Testament saints. 
PRINCIPLE:  God has a plan for our resurrection.
APPLICATION:  There are two resurrections and two phases of the first resurrection.  There is a resurrection of the just and the unjust.  There are two resurrections of the just: the Rapture and the Second Coming.  God does not raise Old Testament saints at the Rapture.  The Rapture occurs seven years before the Second Coming.  The Tribulation is between the two resurrections.  God will raise Old Testament saints to place them into the Millennium. 
Job 14: 14 “If a man dies, shall he live again?
All the days of my hard service I will wait,
Till my change comes.”
Job 19: 25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!”
Ps 16: 9 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
Ps 49: 15 “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,
  For He shall receive me. Selah”
Is 25: 8 “He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.”
Is 26: 19 “Your dead shall live;
Together with my dead body they shall arise.
Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust;
For your dew is like the dew of herbs,
And the earth shall cast out the dead.”
Ho 13: 14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death.
O Death, I will be your plagues!
O Grave, I will be your destruction!
 Pity is hidden from My eyes.”
Sequence of resurrections:
  • Resurrection of Christ, and a token resurrection of saints, Mt 27:52-53
  • Resurrection of New Testament believers at the Rapture (1 Th 4:13-18) and Israel at the beginning of the Millennium, Re 20:12-14 and Da 12
  • Resurrection of unbelievers at the end of the Millennium, Re 20:12-14
Note the order of resurrection:
1 Co 15: 23 “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
The word “order” signifies that arranged in order.  It was especially a military term, denoting a company.  1 Corinthians 15:23 uses it metaphorically of the various classes of those who have part in the first resurrection. God stands in review as various companies pass before Him. 
·        First, there is “A” company – Jesus is the first to rise from the dead. 
·        Next is “C” company, the church raptured before the Tribulation. 
·        Third, Baker Company is Israel, Old Testament saints and tribulation saints.  This resurrection occurs after the Tribulation. 
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Daniel 12:1

Published on May 13, 2002 in Daniel. 4 Comments
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Daniel 12:1 “‘At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.’”
 
 
The first three verses of chapter twelve set forth the future deliverance of Israel and the climax to the book of Daniel.  The immediately preceding context indicated that Israel would go through a period of great tribulation by the Antichrist (11:36-45). 
Chapter 12:1-4 is the climax to the prophecy running from chapter 10:1. 
1 “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.”
Michael the archangel is responsible for the defense of Israel (10:13, 21).  He is the head of all holy angels, an archangel. 
Ju 9 “Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”
The “time” in this verse is the second half of the Tribulation mentioned in the last chapter (11:40).  The second half of the Tribulation will be a time of unusual duress for the nation Israel (Je 30:7; Mt 24:21).  Jesus Christ indicated that the beginning of the Great Tribulation is the abomination of desolations spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Mt 24:15; Da 9:27).  Both Daniel and Jesus warned that this time would be a period of unprecedented trouble. 
Chapter 11 dealt with the political and religious features of the end times, but this chapter deals with its impact on the nation Israel.  God will nationally deliver all Jews whose names are in the “book” (Ze 12:10; 13:8-9; Ro 11:26; Re 12:13-17). 
PRINCIPLE:  Prophecy looks toward the consummation and purpose of history.
APPLICATION:  The whole course of prophetic history moves toward the end times.  The Tribulation will be a period beggaring description of duress, conflict and suffering.  The nations of the world will continue to be belligerent until the end. 
Prophecy looks toward the consummation of the age, an age of conflict and bloodshed.  This will be especially true for Israel.  There is trouble before triumph for the nation Israel.  Israel will invariably posit a problem for the nations of the world.  There is no international solution to the problems of the Middle East.  No diplomacy or human intelligence will resolve the problem. 
Je 30: 7 “Alas! For that day is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it.”
Zech 12: 2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
Mt 24: 21 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”
There is a time coming, when the time of the Gentiles is over, in which God will deliver Israel.  The Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation will resolve the problem of the Middle East.  At that time, “all Israel shall be saved.” 
Ro 11: 26 “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.’
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
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Daniel 11:37-45

Published on May 12, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 11:37 “‘He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.
        40 “‘At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.’”
 
37 “He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.”
This Antichrist ruler does not regard or respect any religious conviction or tradition other than his own. 
The phrase “the God of his fathers” brings some to conclude that this Antichrist will be a Jew.  However, the term “God” is Elohim, the generic name for God.  Elohim can have a singular or a plural translation (gods).  He had no respect for his religious heritage.  It appears that this man is Roman by other passages (Da 7:8, 24; Re 13:1-10). 
The phrase “the desire of women” is difficult to interpret.  This may refer to the desire of every godly Jewish woman to bear the Messiah.  Some interpret this as a reference to Tammuz (Adonis), a pagan fertility goddess that women found appealing in Daniel’s day.  Ishtar, the goddess of love brought destruction to many of her lovers, of whom the most notable was her consort Tammuz.  Yet, others believe that this Antichrist will have no sexual desire for women.  This third view is most likely the correct view. 
38 “But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.”
This Antichrist wants to believe in a god that will give him military victory.  He idolizes power.  His forefathers did not recognize his new god.  This future ruler will honor his god with massive expenditure for a military armory. 
39 “Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.”
This future Antichrist will move against his foes with religious power, with the god of verse 38.  He will reward with kingdoms those who follow him.
40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.”
Skeptics point out that the conflict between the end of Antiochus Epiphanes in Daniel 11:40-45 differs from stories of his death in 1 and 2 Maccabees.  However, these skeptics lose sight of the law of dual fulfillment and the shift from the near to far fulfillment in this passage.  This passage deals with the final Antichrist. 
The king of the South and the king of the North will simultaneously attack this ruler of the west, the “little horn,” at the end time.  The king of the North may be a ruler from the area of ancient Assyria.  Yet, he will “overwhelm” them “and pass through” to conquer the two kings (Da 7:8, 24).
The angel describes to Daniel ancient equivalents of modern warfare.
The events of verses 40-45 transpire in the second half of the Tribulation (second half of the seventieth seven).  The kings of the South and North will attack the Antichrist. 
41 “He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.”
The Antichrist will enter the promised land (8:9) and defeat “many” there in the last half of the Tribulation. 
42 “He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.”
The Antichrist will attack Egypt and succeed in conquering her. 
43 “He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.”
The Antichrist will plunder the treasures of Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia.  The Hebrew for “Libyans” is Cushites.  Libya was to the west of Egypt and Ethiopia to the south. 
44 “But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.”
Rumors of armies from the “east and north” will “trouble him” and cause the Antichrist to return to his headquarters in Jerusalem. 
45 “And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.”
The “seas” here are the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea.  The “holy mountain” is Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.  It is here that the Antichrist meets his defeat (Ze 14:1-4; Re 19:19-20). 
PRINCIPLE:  Knowledge of God’s sovereignty is a source of comfort. 
APPLICATION:  God is sovereign over all history from beginning to end.  Nothing escapes Him and nothing gains dominance over His will.  The Gentile world powers have their designs but God has His design.  There will come a time when “all Israel shall be saved” (Ro 11:26).  God will tolerate the atrocities of the Antichrist for a period but He will “determine” the end of the Antichrist. 
God’s sovereignty is a source of great comfort to His people because He has everything in control.  While man may assert his will, the message of Daniel 11 is that God’s sovereign will prevails over the nations of the earth albeit that they may unite their forces into a one-world government. 
The prophecy of Daniel 11 is the most detailed prophecy in all the Old Testament.  This makes manifest that the book of Daniel is a supernatural book fulfilling objective standards for prophecy. 
God does not give prophecy to frighten us but to help us understand the international deception and delusion of the last days.  The ultimate delusion is the worship of man – humanism.  Humanism is the belief that man is the end of man.  He does not need God for he is finally and ultimately autonomous. 
The Bible presents a true picture of man.  Man has great capacity but his powers are no panacea.  No form of government will meet all the needs of humanity.  All forms of government have a fatal flaw – the sinfulness and selfishness of man himself.
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Daniel 11:36

Published on May 11, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 11:36 “‘Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.’”
 
36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.”
All events of this chapter to this point are history to the twenty-first century.  Now beginning with this verse, the prophecy moves to a future date – to the twenty-first century.  Antiochus Epiphanes could not have fulfilled the prophecies of this section of chapter 11 because he did not do many of the details of this section.  However, he did foreshadow the kind of person who would come in the last days. 
This verse shifts to the prophetic figure of the Antichrist (vv. 36-45) and the distant future of Israel (11:36-12:4).  Daniel 11:1-35 is history to present time.  Daniel 11:36-12:4 is future to present time.  These passages fulfill the last of the seventy heptads, the seventh seven (9:27).  This is the last seven-year period, the period of Tribulation, before the second Coming of Christ. 
Mt 24: 21 ?“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” 
Verses 36-39 set forth the coming Antichrist, a ruler in the Tribulation.  This ruler will have power to do “according to his own will.”  His power is supernatural and he has the capacity to exalt himself “above every god” demanding worship.  He will renounce the true God. 
Re 13: 11 “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”
This Antichrist ruler will prosper for a period in the seven-year Tribulation.  All this happens under the sovereignty of God – “what has been determined shall be done.”  God will set a limit to the duration of his rule.  God will mete out judgment to him in the end (Dan. 7:11, 26; 9:27; Rev. 19:19-20).
PRINCIPLE:  The future Antichrist will deceive the religious world. 
APPLICATION:  The coming Antichrist will be autonomous of any authority apart from himself.  He “shall do according to his own will.”  This ruler will exercise the authority given him by the ten kings of the Revived Roman Empire in the middle of the Tribulation (Re 17:12-13). 
This person will make himself the highest religious authority in the world.  He will “exalt and magnify himself above every god.”  The world will worship him because of his ability to perform miracles. 
2 Th 2: 3 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
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Daniel 11:32-35

Published on May 10, 2002 in Daniel. 0 Comments
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Daniel 11:32 “‘Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.’”
 
32 “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
Antiochus deceived Jews by flattery (1 Macc 1:11-15).  He divided their loyalties.  Many “progressive” Jewish leaders believed in the expediency of acquiescing to Hellenism. 
The “people” here are Israelites who led the Maccabean revolt in the second century B.C.  The Maccabeans sought to bring independence to Israel.  In this national movement, thousands led by Mattathias and his three sons revolted against Antiochus (1 Macc 2:23-28).  They ultimately defeated the Seleucids in Palestine.  Judas Maccabaeus killed General Apollonius in battle. 
33 “And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.”
Antiochus persecuted the Jews faithful to the Mosaic Law.  The persecution of the Jews by Antiochus gave impetus to Jews loyal to the Mosaic Law and the traditions of Judaism.  This movement was the Chassidim (loyal ones).  The Maccabean revolt also energized this movement.  Some of the Chassidim became the sect of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.  Others became Essenes who isolated themselves in a Qumran community near the Dead Sea. 
Antiochus killed many thousands of Jews in the years following the desecration of the temple.  He died insane in Persia (163 B.C.). 
34 “Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.”
The pro-Hellenists Jews did not aid Jews faithful to the Mosaic Law.  More Jews joined the movement as the effectiveness of the Maccabeans became apparent.  Many pro-Hellenists deceptively joined the nationalists.  The Maccabees eventually executed many of these phonies. 
35 “And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.”
The resistance against the Greek Syrians purified the Jews.  The persecution against the Jews ran its course.  A son of Simon Maccabaeus, John Hyrcanus, established a strong Jewish kingdom (134 –104 B.C.).  He freed Judea from Syria but never proclaimed himself king, although he did designate himself high priest.  His departure formed the ideals of the Hasmonaeans (Maccabeans), which many years later became, in part, the Pharisees.
The angel gave assurance to Daniel that the persecution would come to an “end; because it is still for the appointed time.”  There would be further purification in the latter days.  Mention of “the end” sets the context for a transition in chapter 11 to far prophetic events (events not yet fulfilled in our day). 
PRINCIPLE:  Prophecy shows the supernatural nature of the Word of God. 
APPLICATION:  The first thirty-five verses are a remarkable example of pre-written history.  This prophecy is so utterly detailed and accurate that it staggers those who study it.  There are approximately one hundred and thirty-five fulfilled prophecies in the first thirty-five verses. 
The one hundred and thirty-five prophecies in Daniel 11:1-35 are already fulfilled to us in the twenty-first century.  The intricate detail of the conflicts between the Seleucids and Ptolemies show the specificity of these prophecies. 
The specificity of these prophecies is so extensive that skeptics had to change the date of Daniel so that it would not be so blatantly supernatural.  They claim that Daniel was written during the time of the Maccabees (168-134 B.C.) after many of the events took place. 
We find the career of a single king of the North – Antiochus Epiphanes – in verses 21-35.  He is also the “little horn” of Daniel 8 who persecuted Israel and set up the “abomination of desolation” in the temple at Jerusalem.  Daniel also predicts in verses 32-35 the rise of the Maccabees who revolted against Antiochus. 
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Daniel 11:22-31

Published on May 9, 2002 in Daniel. 1 Comment
Read Introduction to Daniel

 

Daniel 11:22 “With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23 “And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 “He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. 25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 “Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27 “Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. 28 “While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land. 29 “At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 “For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”
 
 
22 “With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.
 
Antiochus IV overwhelmed the Egyptian king Ptolemy VI militarily. Antiochus Epiphanes first befriended Ptolemy by deceit and then later defeated him in war. 
 
Antiochus “swept away” the Jewish high priest Onias III, the “prince of the covenant” around 172 B.C. 
 
23 “And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.
 
Antiochus made an alliance with Ptolemy VI in 170 B.C. in a plot to advance his power in Egypt by aligning with Ptolemy VI against his rival for the Egyptian throne. 
 
24 “He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.
 
Antiochus Epiphanes pillaged the provinces to bribe others to cooperate with his plans. He extended his influence by plundering wealth and giving it to his followers (1 Macc 3:30). 
 
25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him.
 
The “king of the South” in this verse is Ptolemy Philometer (181-145 B.C.). After Antiochus gained power, he marched against Ptolemy VI in 170 B.C. He went as far as the Nile Delta before the Egyptians discovered his presence. He defeated the Egyptian army at Pelusium. Antiochus took Ptolemy VI prisoner. After Antiochus withdrew from Egypt, Ptolemy VI and his brother VIII ruled as co-regents. 
 
Antiochus pretended to be an ally to gain influence in Egypt. He used deceit as a basic mode of operation as this text asserts. He was clearly a precursor of the Antichrist of the latter day as this text asserts.
26 “Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.
 
Those who ate Ptolemy’s delicacies destroyed him. They were those whom he trusted. 
 
27 “Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time.
 
Antiochus claimed to fight for Ptolemy against a usurper in Egypt. Antiochus and Ptolemy sat down at a banquet after the battle pretending peace. 
 
28 “While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land.
 
The king in this verse is the king of the North, Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus returned to Syria after the peace conference with much plunder. He then turned his hatred toward Israel. 
 
A Jew by the name of Jason offered Antiochus a bribe to depose the high priest Onias III. Antiochus agreed. Another pretender, Menelaus, tried the same tactic against Jason. Antiochus again agreed. After Jason attempted a coup, Antiochus entered Jerusalem and killed 80,000 men accompanied by Menelaus and desecrated the temple in 168 B.C. 
 
29 “At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.
 
Antiochus tried to attack Egypt in the same year. The Roman consul Popilius Laenas met him at Alexandria preventing him from attacking Egypt in 168 B.C. 
 
30 “For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.
 
The “ships from Cyprus” refers to Roman armed forces led by Gaius Popilius Laenas. He challenged Antiochus in Egypt and demanded that Antiochus withdraw from Egypt. When Antiochus as for time to consider the issue, Laenas drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus and demanded that he give an answer before he stepped out of the circle. Antiochus returned home rather than declaring war on Rome. He again vented his frustration on the Jews “in rage against the holy covenant.” 
 
31 “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.
 
Antiochus came to Jerusalem on an apparent peace mission but ordered General Apollonius to attack the Jews on the Sabbath with 22,000 soldiers. They killed many Jews and book women and children captive. They pillaged the temple and burned the city. 
 
Antiochus wanted to Hellenize the Jews so he prevented them from following the Mosaic Law. He burned copies of the law. He did away with the sacrifices, festivals and circumcision (1 Macc. 1:44-54). As the greatest insult, he mounted an image of the Greek god Zeus on the altar of burnt offerings (2 Macc 6:2). He sacrificed a pig, an unclean animal, on the altar on December 16, 167 B.C. Antiochus compelled the Jews to offer a pig on the 25th of each month to celebrate his birthday. This act was “the abomination of desolation” (12:11) because it violated the sanctuary. 
 
PRINCIPLE: Antiochus Epiphanes anticipates the Antichrist. 
 
APPLICATION: Jesus predicted another similar sadism would befall the Jews in a day future from His day. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 by the Roman general Titus does not fulfill this prediction. 
 
Mark 13: 14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not’ (let the reader understand), ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.’”
 
The book of Revelation dates decades after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 predicts an Antichrist that will do similar things to Antiochus but on a larger level (Re 13).
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