|
Daniel 12:1-13 (The angel continued) “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” 8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. 13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
FOR 11 chapters, Daniel has revealed to us God’s sovereign authority to ordain all that occurs in heaven and on earth. The LORD God showed earthly kingdoms and specific people who would reign under evil’s influence and power. This view of Israel’s history also points to the continuing history of conflict. Satan’s deadly influence will infect the world until Jesus Christ comes again to establish his eternal kingdom. This final chapter points to that kingdom. You could say Daniel 12 is a mini-Revelation. The images and language are the same. Frist, with “everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered” we also read in Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.” The angel-like two men are as the two witnesses in Revelation 11:6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. There is also the heavenly question: Revelation 6:10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Again comes the reply: Revelation 11:3 “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." Then see how the scroll, closed in Daniel’s vision is opened in Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Remember that much of Revelation points to Rome’s persecution of the church in the apostle John’s time. In the same way, nearly all of Daniel describes the Jews’ persecution for about 400 years. Both books then advance the prophecies to Jesus’ return. Underscoring Daniel’s conclusion is that there is a time to wait until the Lord fulfills his purposes. Time, times and half a time are God’s definition of different periods of waiting, persecution and retribution. Let’s not spend so much time attempting to decide the details. Let’s focus, though, on God’s sure plan for the future. Earthly kingdoms will come and go. The Heavenly Kingdom is forever. The condemned will perish. The saved will live. Be as Daniel – faithful to live each day for God, prepared each day to hear and live God’s holy Word. Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” We will return in early December – time to celebrate Jesus’ first advent and anticipate his second. Daniel 11:40-45 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.”
WE will see how these prophecies of the future relate back to Genesis. But first, the events here occur at the time of the end. All references to “him”, “his” and “he” regard the coming Antichrist. As noted in Daniel 9:27, this ruler will make a covenant with Israel, and he will rule them. Then we see once again that wars will rage in the Mideast. In affirmation of passages from Ezekiel and Revelation, the vison foretells a king of the South will attack Israel. Likely this is Egypt, which is mentioned twice in verses 42-43. Egypt will have allies, possibly from Africa and the Arab nations in the Sinai area and Persian Gulf region. At the same time the king of the North will come. This could be the same prophecy as Ezekiel 38:15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.” As a result, the king of the South and the king of the North will fight against the Antichrist. Israel will be occupied, and many Jews will flee, seeking refuge among the Gentile nations. This is what God is going to do. Now let’s see how it relates to what God has done. In Genesis 9-10, we have the post-Flood story of Noah’s sons, Seth, Japheth and Ham. Ham sinned against Noah. In response, Noah cursed Ham’s descendants. And he blessed Seth’s generations. As a result, Seth’s descendants and Ham’s descendants would oppose each other. Now is the point: Seth’s descendants are Israel. Ham’s line is Egypt and the southern and coastal regions. Do you see sin’s lasting conflict? It began with Adam and Eve – transcended even through the Flood to Noah’s family. Sin’s conflict extended through the generations recorded in the Old Testament and caused God to send his own Son into the conflict. Jesus’ victory over sin and death is our only hope to be free of evil’s agony. The conflict will occur until the Lord declares the final judgment and victory. Pay attention. How you live will affect many others, even for generations. Listen to God and be prepared for the battles come your way. Deuteronomy 10:20 Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Daniel 11:36-39 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.”
DANIEL’S vision to this point has been fulfilled in history. From verse 36 to Daniel 12:13 – the end of the book – the vision concerns events yet to occur. We will share a summary of various interpretations that rely on other Bible passages as evidence of what will come. We want to affirm that the Bible helps us understand the Bible. I know that may seem to be circular reasoning, but God has revealed the same information to his anointed servants for many generations. We see God’s truth in God’s constancy. Beginning in verse 36, this coming king will be independent of any authority apart from himself, doing as he pleases. He will exalt himself above all gods – all authority. He will deny and blaspheme the God of gods. This is also prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Also spoken in Daniel 7:25 “He will speak against the Most High.” This is the antichrist. The world will be persuaded to worship him as god by the miracles the false prophet will perform in his name, declared in Revelation 13:11-15. He will spread his influence around the world, both politically and religiously. Verse 37 - He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women. – refers to Hebrew women who desired to be the mother of the Messiah. Everything about this coming king will be against the LORD God and all people of the earth who desire his coming. But of course, this is to be done under God’s permission. See how he knows of this coming Opposer. See how he warns and teaches us to be alert and firm in our faith. This antichrist will be successful as the world ruler for a time until God judges him to destruction. Revelation 13:15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. Daniel 11:33-35 Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.”
OUR prior lesson spoke of Antiochus IV’s desecration of the temple and prohibiting the Jews’ to worship. But God used this time to form a faithful remnant to develop a stronger commitment to Him. This vision’s fulfillment is well described in the Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983. “The Jews who refused to submit to Antiochus’ false religious system were persecuted and martyred for their faith. The word “fall” in verse 33-34 refers to severe suffering for many and death for others. This prophesies the rise of the Maccabean revolt. Mattathias, a priest, was the father of five sons. In 166 B.C., Mattathias refused to submit to this false religious system. He and his sons fled from Jerusalem to the mountains and began the Maccabean revolt. “At first only a few Jews joined them. But as their movement became popular, many joined them, some out of sincere motives and some from false motives. The suffering that the faithful endured served to refine and purify them. This time of persecution was of short duration (for a time). It had previously been revealed in Daniel 8:14 that the temple would be desecrated for 1,150 days. Here Daniel was assured that this persecution would run its course until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time and then be lifted.” In other words, God would end it when the numbered days passed. Mountains are often an image of spiritual and of physical protection. The mountains around Jerusalem were a refuge for David as Saul persecuted him. They became a safe home for the Essenes, who preserved Scripture against the Roman occupation. The mountains gave refuge to faithful Christians who obeyed Jesus’ warning regarding Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. God’s Word declares the same for his church today. He prophesies of danger and persecution to prepare us. Let us stand firm and find refuge in the one who reigns from His holy mountain. Matthew 24:13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 15 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel (Rome would also desolate the temple in 70 A.D.) – let the reader understand - 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Daniel 11:29-32 “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
FOR a second time, about two years after his stalemate in Egypt described in our previous lesson, Antiochus IV again set his sights on the South. But Egypt’s alliance with Rome stopped him. The angry contemptible man again turned his wrath to Jerusalem. Of course, he favored any Jews who came to his side. This is a repeat of the vision from Daniel 8:13-14. Antiochus’ purpose was to exterminate Judaism and transform Israel into a Grecian society. He would not allow the Jews to follow their religious practices (including their festivals and circumcision). The Law scrolls were burned. Then he set up the abomination that causes desolation – an altar in the temple to Zeus, the most powerful god in Greek mythology. He did so because he saw himself as the incarnation of Zeus. The Jews were also forced to sacrifice a pig on the 25th of each month – Antiochus’ birthday. The first was December 25, 167 BC. We see a wondrous truth: God turns evil into his good. He displays his love through his very own Son to overcome such hate. That’s why we can find hope amid the many evil, contemptible minds in our world today. The daily news overwhelms us with abominations in our culture that attempt to desolate our faith in Christ. The anti-God culture strives to turn our minds to the abomination and desolation of Satanic thought. We know what is true. We must live it, speak it and defend it. There is no compromise. Work through the evil and see God’s goodness. Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Daniel 12:21-28 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses — but only for a time. 25 With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. 28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will act against it and then return to his own country.”
AS mentioned in the precious lesson, this is about a Greek ruler named Antiochus IV. He was a contemptible ruler to gain his unlawful rule with the help of only a few people, distributing his army’s plunder to them. Antiochus led a very powerful army. His defeated an overwhelming army and removed the prince of the covenant, which was a high priest. He conquered territory his predecessors could not. The angel then describes Antiochus’ future conflict with Egypt, the king of the South. History tells us Antiochus won the war, but the two leaders would sit at the same table and lie to each other with their hearts bent on evil. In short, Antiochus didn’t get what he wanted. On his return from Egypt to Greece, Antiochus displayed his frustrations on the Jews when he set against the holy covenant. The contemptible ruler desecrated the temple. One criticism of Daniel is its accuracy. Some say the book was written by historians attempting to demonstrate God’s sovereignty. Knowing what happened, they were able to write it as a prophecy. But there is much evidence for Daniel’s authorship around 600 – 550 BC. Any attempt to discredit Daniel, is an attempt to minimize and discredit God. Be of faith to believe what God has done. The Bible is his story – history – unfolding under his plan. Know what the LORD has done, so you know what he will do. Psalms 67:4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Daniel 11:5-20 “The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. 6 After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be handed over, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her. 7 One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 9 Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country. 10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress. 11 Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated. 12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. 13 For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped. 14 In those times many will rise against the king of the South. The violent men among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. 15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it. 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back upon him. 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more. 20 His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.”
IN brief, this affirms how Israel will consistently suffer foreign rule. Specifically, it speaks of Greece’s rule in verse 16: It may interest you to know the daughter referred to in verse 17 is Cleopatra, daughter of a Greek ruler. Her father (ruler of the North) arranged for her to marry an Egyptian ruler (South) to become a spy for her father. But she became loyal to her husband and foiled her father’s plans to conquer coastal cities. The last part of verse 20 refers to another Greek ruler. He sent a tax collector to Jerusalem for supposed uncollected funds. However, the tax collector, Helioduts, assassinated the ruler. This led to the rise of Antiochus IV. We will see this last Greek ruler was the worst of all, “a contemptible person” (verse 21). One reason we learn this history is to know three things: 1) What God has done. 2) What God is doing. 3) What God is going to do. This knowledge will build your faith to boldly live for your eternal King. John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” |
AuthorBob James Archives
January 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed