Daniel
10-12
Daniel’s Vision – Daniel
10:1-11:1
Babylon was now under the Persian
Empire with Cyrus in charge. Cyrus had
allowed the Jewish captives and their descendant to begin rebuilding Jerusalem
and the temple. In the third year of
Cyrus’ reign Daniel received a vision concerning a great war.
Daniel was standing on the bank
of the Tigris river. He saw a man
dressed in linen with a gold belt around his waist. I believe this man is Jesus, because He
resembles the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-16. None of Daniel’s companions saw this vision,
but became afraid; they fled and hid themselves. This vision deeply troubled Daniel. His strength left him, he turned pale, and he
fell to the ground into a trance at the sound of the words of the man. This is the same reaction that John had in seeing
Christ in Revelation 1:17.
Daniel was encouraged and
strengthened when he was touched and told to stand. He was told that he was highly esteemed and
to consider carefully the man’s words. He
is told to not be afraid and that his prayers were heard and the man had come
to respond to them.
Daniel had prayed for 21 days,
but no response. He told Daniel it was
because the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed this man for 21 days. We don’t know what this spiritual conflict
was about, but we know this prince of the kingdom of Persia was the powerful
angel of Satan. Then Michael came and
helped with the spiritual conflict so he could then come to Daniel.
There is a spiritual war taking
place in heavenly places that we cannot see, but we are engaged in. We belong on one side of the other. If we are not actively fighting for the Lord,
then we are on the side of Satan. On
which side will you serve? “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” –
Ephesians 6:12
The purpose of Daniel’s encounter
with the man is in response to Daniel’s prayer.
This is a reminder that our prayers are heard and they matter. He refers to the Book of Truth which is not a
real book but represents God’s knowledge of all future events and God’s plan
for history.
Vision Prediction – Daniel
11:2-20
Daniel’s vision predicted the
rise and fall of kings and kingdoms. Three
more kings will rise in Persia and then a fourth who would be strong and
rich. A mighty king will rise and his
kingdom will be broken and divided. This
was fulfilled in Alexander the Great. After his death his kingdom will not go
to his descendants but given to others.
The king of the North and South will join forces but will not last.
I find it intriguing and am
inspired by Daniel’s prophecies and how he had such faith and trust in such
terrifying visions. I’m in awe as to how
God works through the rise and fall of kingdoms throughout history to bring
about His plan. It teaches that God has
supreme authority and is the ultimate ruler over all creation. He is in control of everything, including
future events.
This world’s kingdoms don’t
compare to God’s kingdom. Earthly kingdoms will rise and fall, but God’s
kingdom will last forever. “God makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges
nations, and disperses them.” – Job 12:23. “Your kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.”
– Psalm 145:13. “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never
be destroyed..” – Daniel 2:44
My trust and faith are
strengthened each time I hear and read of God’s love to do whatever it takes to
bring His people to Himself and how He uses all kinds of people to do His work. I’m amazed and my confidence has grown with the
book of Daniel and how his prophecies tell our future. I’m very thankful for prophecy and although I
don’t understand a lot of it, I take it as fact and don’t really question
it. I trust God because He knows what He’s
doing.
When prophecy is difficult to
hear and understand, we can pray for understanding, compare it with other
Scriptures, discuss with someone who is mature in their faith, look at the
context and the meaning, and remember God will reveal the meaning in His time.
The Contemptible Future Ruler –
Daniel 11:21-45
The evil Antiochus IV who was a
vile “contemptible person” came to power although he was not of royalty. He is a kind of Antichrist. Verses 21-35 describe his ruthless acts. He will invade the kingdom when people feel
secure by seizing the kingdom through intrigue.
He will rise to power by being deceitful breaking his promises to
people. He will rise to power with only
a few people. He will invade and plunder
others provinces. He will attack Israel
and its people. Many will die, be
captured and plundered. He will take
away the daily sacrifices and set up the abomination of desolation – placing
false gods in the temple. He will exalt
himself as god. He will corrupt with
flattery, but the faithful people of God will resist him.
We see this today. Those in power try to flatter, say what they
think we want to hear, and see themselves as an idol or god. Many Jews and Christians are persecuted, even
killed, or taken hostage. But the faithful
followers of Jesus stand firm in their beliefs and are not persuaded.
Jesus awaits His faithful
followers. 1 Cor. 15:58 tell us
to stand firm and let nothing move you. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because
when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
I find hope in God’s
sovereignty. Even in the chaos God is
present and guiding events and steering history. He is faithful and promises believers His
eternal kingdom.
A View of the End Times – Daniel
12
In Daniel 12:1 Daniel is
told that there will be a time of distress such has never happened before. “For then there
will be a great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now –
and never to be equaled again.” – Matt. 24:21. This great distress is called the
tribulation. We know this will happen in
the future because Daniel is told in Daniel 12:4 “to close up and seal the book the words of the scroll until the time
of the end.” God will protect His
people during this time. The prophecy in
Daniel 12 is not only about the future “time of distress” but also about
a time when people will be delivered.
Jesus will return and establish the Kingdom of God.
Daniel describes two types of
people who will be resurrected:
Those who awake to everlasting
life – those who will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus.
Those who awake to shame and
everlasting contempt – those who will spend eternity in the terror of hell that
never ends.
The difference between these two
fates is found in John 3:16-21, 36.
If we believe in the name of Jesus and that He is the only Son of God,
we will not perish but have eternal life.
If we reject Jesus, we will not see life but will experience God’s wrath. We will perish and will be condemned.
Two questions were asked:
1. “How long will it be before these
astonishing things are fulfilled?” - Daniel 12:6. It
was answered, “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.” - Daniel 12:7.
Meaning the time of trouble will be 3 ½ years, the last half of the
tribulation.
2. “What will the outcome
of all this be?” – Daniel 12:8. The answer was, “Go on your way because the
words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end… From the time that the daily sacrifice is
abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be
1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits
for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” – Daniel 12:9-11.
Daniel is told to go back to his daily life and that God will provide more at
that time.
Until that time we are to
continue living our lives and continue following the ways of Jesus. Living life with pressures and persecution
from those who oppose God which can be trying, but we can have hope. We need to keep the faith and trust that God
is in control. He will win in the end.
Verse 13 tells us that at the end
of the days we well rise to receive our allotted inheritance which refers the
inheritance of eternal life and the sharing in God’s glory and living in heaven
with Him.
Principles:
We must have an attitude of
humility in our prayer life.
The kingdoms of the earth will
not prevail against the kingdom of God.
As we fight spiritual battles, we
are to be strong and courageous.
Our prayers are heard and they
matter to God.
God calls us to ready ourselves
for Christ’s return by living holy lives.
NOTE:
Sometime after the rapture of the
church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the 7 year tribulation.
The tribulation will last 7 years. The 3½ years is the midpoint or 1,290 days
and is called the great tribulation because things will get much worse.
At the midpoint of the
tribulation (3½ years or 1,290 days) the Antichrist breaks the treaty with
Israel and desecrates the temple by setting himself up in the temple as god.
At the end of the 7 year tribulation,
Jesus will return and defeat the Antichrist.
Jesus will establish the Kingdom
of God that lasts forever.
Next week we will continue our study
in the book of Ezra. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
__________________________________________
If you have enjoyed my post and
have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the
buttons below.
