Forerunner Message in the book of Daniel
The Forerunner Message in the book of Daniel • Sermon • Submitted
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Session 6 The Forerunner Message in
I. Introduction to the book of Daniel
A. The first section is historical (), highlighting six episodes in Daniel’s life
: Dedication in his youth is seen in embracing a fasted lifestyle in Babylon
: Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream and Daniel receiving the word of Lord in crisis
: Being faithful witnesses in the face of death and deliverance from the fiery furnace
: Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream calls leaders to righteousness
: Belshazzar’s feast – the sudden downfall of powerful nations (fall of Babylon)
: Daniel in the lion’s den – supernatural deliverance of believers in persecution.
B. The second section is prophetic (), highlighting four visions about the end times.
: A vision of four world empires in history and the little horn (Antichrist)
: A vision of a ram, goat, and little horn (Antiochus/Antichrist) persecuting Israel.
: A vision of Gabriel and the 70-weeks prophecy of Israel’s trouble and salvation
: A vision of Israel’s persecution (Antiochus/Antichrist) and final restoration
C. In 603 BC, the Lord revealed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statute to Daniel in a night vision (2:19), and gave Daniel insight into four world empires that the statue represented. In 553 BC,
50 years later, Daniel received a vision () that elaborated on the four world empires that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his prophetic (). If Daniel was about 20 when he received insight
into Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, then he was about 70 when he had the vision recorded in .
D. Outline for
7:1-8 Daniel’s vision: four beasts symbolizing four world empires
7:9-14 God’s sovereign leadership over the Antichrist
7:9-10 God enthroned in majesty
7:11-12 Destruction of the Antichrist
7:13-14 Jesus’ heavenly coronation as King over all nations
7:15-28 An angel’s interpretation of the vision
7:15-18 Victory is assured
7:19-22 Prepared to rule through martyrdom
7:23-27 The fourth beast, 10 horns, and the little horn
7:28 Daniel’s response
E. is one of the most significant passages to help the Church understand the unique dynamics at the end of the age. It describes the fierceness of the Antichrist empire, how it will persecute God’s people with intensity, and how Jesus will intervene as the Son of Man to destroy it and lead the saints to victory and to reign over the nations with Him.
F. In , we see that God chose to use four world empires as the context to send the Messiah and to bring Israel to salvation and prepare them for world leadership, while purifying His Church and establishing His kingdom on earth. reveals the sure victory and the intensity of the battle that Israel and the Church will face in the end times as they stand against the Antichrist.
1. This historical plan was set in motion by the Lord about 2,500 years ago when He raised up Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to discipline Israel.
2. The Lord selected four world empires that would set in motion many political, spiritual, social, economic dynamics over 2,500 years that would create the optimum context for the end-time harvest, Israel’s salvation, and the purifying of the Church and for Jesus to return to rule all nations and fill them with the glory of God.
II. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue ()
A. Nebuchadnezzar saw four kingdoms represented by precious metals in a statue of a “glorious man” (2:31-45). He saw these four kingdoms from man’s perspective—as glorious, like gold and silver. Daniel referred to four world empires who were successively the “super power” of their day.
19Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision…31“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image…whose splendor was excellent…and its form was awesome. 32This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet…35The iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together…the stone …became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (, )
1. Head of gold: This represents the Babylonian Empire (606-539 BC).
2. Chest and arms of silver: This represents the Medo-Persian Empire (539-331 BC).
3. Belly and thighs of bronze: This represent the Greek Empire (331-146 BC).
4. Legs, feet, and toes of iron and clay: This represent the Antichrist’s empire, as foreshadowed by the Roman Empire (146 BC-AD 1453).
B. Stone cut without hands: A stone was cut out of the mountain by God’s invisible hands.
C. Crushed together: The Lord’s stone crushed the feet—indicating the time of the Antichrist empire. It is important to note that all four world empires are described as all “crushed together.” Historically, the kingdom of Babylon was defeated by Persia, and then later Persia was defeated by Greece, and the Greeks were conquered by the Romans. How could they all be destroyed together? The evil expressed in all each of the four empires will come to fullness in the Antichrist’s empire.
D. The two legs represent aspects of the Antichrist’s empire foreshadowed by the two divisions of the Roman Empire—the western (146 BC-AD 476) and the eastern divisions (AD 330-AD 1453).
The 10 toes are parallel to the 10 horns in the vision, representing the 10-nation confederation under the Antichrist (; , , ; ; ; , , , ).
41“You saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron; the kingdom shall be divided…42And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.” ()
E. The stone that struck the image speaks of Jesus and His eternal kingdom (2:35, 44-45). The stone being cut without hands means that it has a divine origin. The stone will consume all the other kingdoms and shall stand forever (2:44). Jesus will do to these kingdoms—break them into pieces—what they as a “composite” kingdom did to others under the Antichrist (, , ; cf. ).
44“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed…it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold…” ()
1. In the days of the kings: This will happen at a time when all four of empires are together.
2. Consume all these kingdoms: About 50 years later, Daniel saw all four of these kingdoms as present in the Antichrist’s empire (). The power and wickedness that was seen in each of these four kingdoms will culminate under one world leader.
3. Set up a kingdom: This is a reference to the millennial kingdom being established at the Jesus’ second coming, resulting in His kingdom being fully manifested openly for all to see.
III. Daniel’s vision of the four beasts ()
A. Daniel saw four winds stirring the Mediterranean Sea, bringing upheaval to the nations (7:1-3). Daniel had a vision of four wild beasts 50 years after he saw the four parts of the statute in .
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon [553 BC], Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. 2Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven [angelic and demonic activity] were stirring up the Great Sea [Mediterranean]. 3And four great beasts [world empires] came up from the sea, each different from the other.” ()
1. The first year: Belshazzar’s reign over Babylon began in 553 BC, 15 years before Israel was freed from Babylon (538 BC). This vision gave Israel hope in the midst of their suffering as captives in Babylon. Daniel was about 70 years old when he had this vision.
2. Daniel had a dream: He had visions in his head while on his bed at night. He wrote down the dream, giving only the main facts.
3. Great Sea: Scripture describes the Mediterranean Sea as the Great Sea (; ; ; , ; ). The empires that are highlighted in this vision include nations near the Mediterranean Sea—nations in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. The Lord wants the epicenter of the end-time conflict and the unprecedented release of His glory to be expressed in the Middle East.
4. Four winds of heaven: These winds symbolize spiritual forces, both angelic and demonic, that stirred up the nations. This represents God’s orchestration of history, appointing various nations to rise and fall to set the context for His kingdom purposes to come to pass at the end of the age.
B. Four great beasts: Daniel saw four wild animals—each represented an ancient empire in the Mediterranean region that would persecute Israel and cause great turmoil in the region.
1. The four beasts of speak of the same four kingdoms as seen in the four parts of the statue in . These four kingdoms will emerge again in the end-time conflict; they include Iraq (Babylon), Iran (Persia), Eastern Europe (Greece), and the Antichrist’s empire with a 10-nation confederation (includes parts of the western and eastern divisions of the ancient Roman Empire).
2. The first three beasts (7:4-6)
a. First beast: Babylonian Empire (606-539 BC) – Iraq (7:4)
b. Second beast: Persian Empire (539-331 BC) – Iran (7:5)
c. Third beast: Greek Empire (331-146 BC) – Greece (7:6)
3. Fourth beast: Antichrist’s empire, foreshadowed by the Roman Empire (7:7-8)
a. Roman Empire’s western and eastern divisions (146 BC–AD 1453)
b. Antichrist’s empire with a 10-king confederation
4. Nebuchadnezzar saw these four kingdoms from man’s perspective—as glorious (2:31-45).
Daniel saw them from God’s perspective—as wild beasts that devour all who are in their path.
C. First beast: A lion with eagle’s wings refers to the Babylonian Empire, 605-539 BC (7:4). Both the lion (; ; , ) and the eagle (; ; ; ) are used in the Scripture to describe the Babylonian Empire.
4“The first [Babylon] was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.” ()
1. Like a lion: This speaks of being strong, majestic, and courageous.
2. Had eagle’s wings: This speaks of military speed.
3. Its wings were plucked off: This speaks of being humbled.
4. A man’s heart was given to it: This speaks of being domesticated.
5. It was made to stand: This speaks of standing like a man, instead of like a lion; the lion cannot attack or devour others when standing on two feet.
6. The references to the wings being plucked off, being made to stand on two feet like a man, and being given a man’s heart, are reflected in Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in .
D. Second beast: A bear with ribs in its mouth refers to the Persian Empire, 539-331 BC (7:5).
5“Another beast [Medo-Persia], a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’”
()
1. A bear: Medo-Persia was like a fierce bear, with slow but steady military progress. The bear, after the lion, was the second most dreaded predator in that region at that time. The bear was larger and more cumbersome than the lion, yet had great strength.
2. One side: It was raised up on one side. This speaks of the Persian dominance over Media.
a. The beast raised on one side represented the greater strength of Persia; it coincides with the two-horned ram of , whose one horn was larger than the other.
b. In 550 BC, Cyrus the Great conquered the Medes, and Persia took control of the empire.
3. Three ribs: The three ribs in its mouth represented the three major kingdoms it conquered as it rose to power: Lydia (546 BC), Babylon (539 BC), and Egypt (525 BC).
4. Arise, devour much flesh: God mandated that Persia should arise and conquer more nations.
E. Third beast: A leopard with four wings refers to the Greek Empire, 331-146 BC (7:6).
6“I looked, and there was another [Greece], like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.” ()
1. Like a leopard: Greece was fierce, agile, fast, and cunning. The leopard is known for its quickness and its cunning.
2. Four wings: Having four wings of a bird speaks of its amazing speed in military conquest.
3. Four heads: After the death of Alexander the Great, four of his generals divided up his kingdom into four separate kingdoms. This parallels the four notable horns of .
4. Dominion: This spoke of the Greek government and culture pervading the ancient world. The conquered nations were also won over to the Greek language and way of life.
F. Fourth Beast: This refers to the Antichrist, who is foreshadowed by the Roman Empire (7:7-8). This beast has three stages—the ancient empire (146 BC-AD 1453); an end-time confederation made up of 10 kings, and the Antichrist’s dictatorship ruling over the 10-nation confederation. is one of the most concise descriptions of the Antichrist empire’s the reign of terror.
7“Behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.” ()
23“…The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall…shall devour the whole earth…24The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom… ()
1. It had 10 horns: A 10-nation confederation will align with the Antichrist ().
The 10 end-time nations are symbolized here by 10 horns; in they are seen as 10 toes (2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; ; ; , , , ).
12“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings…” ()
2. Dreadful: The actions and words of the Antichrist will cause the nations of the earth to be filled with dread and be terrified of him and his leadership.
3. Terrible: The Antichrist’s cruel and demonic plans will be inspired by Satan himself.
4. Strong: The Antichrist will be supernaturally empowered by Satan along with having the resources of many nations (their people, military, economics, technology, etc.).
5. Daniel described how dreadful, terrible and strong the Antichrist’s kingdom will be (7:7).
It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue…” ()
23“..The fourth beast…shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.
()
a. Iron teeth: This speaks of the ability to devour anything—unstoppable. The huge, massive teeth emphasize its overwhelmingly destructive power.
b. Devouring: He will devour or take for himself the resources of families and nations.
He will seize and utterly consume for his own purposes any resource, building, property that he wants—without any regard for the losses that others will suffer.
c. Breaking in pieces: He will break into pieces all who resist him
d. Trampling the residue with its feet: He will trample a nation after he defeats it. He will trample everything not destroyed in his hostile military takeovers without showing mercy toward those he conquers. In other words, he will be ruthless.
G. It was different: The Antichrist’s empire will be totally unique, being energized by Satan (). It will function in a new order of evil, cruelty, and supernatural power.
2The dragon [Satan] gave him [Antichrist] his power, his throne, and great authority.
13He performs great signs…he even makes fire come down from heaven (, )
a. The Antichrist is the only man who ascends out of the bottomless pit ().
8The beast [the Antichrist]…will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition.
()
7…“It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.”
()
b. Daniel emphasized four times that the Antichrist was different from all other kingdoms (7:7, 19, 23, 24).
19“…the fourth beast, which was different from all the others…” ()
23“…The fourth beast…shall be different from all other kingdoms…24The ten horns are ten kings…another shall rise…he shall be different from the first ones…
()
H. Notice five prophetic signs that will be recognizable to God’s people in the end times (7:8).
8“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” ()
1. Sign #1—Little horn: It speaks of a political leader who starts out “little,” or with a small sphere of authority and influence, as a seemingly insignificant regional leader. The fact that the little horn is mentioned four times (7:8, 11, 20, 21) tells us how important this detail is.
a. Hitler is an example from recent history of a leader who started out as a “little horn,” an insignificant regional leader who became a “big horn,” a major world leader. In 1928 he ran for political office in Germany and received only 2% of the vote. Then, within five years, he became chancellor of Germany, in 1933. His rise to power came suddenly.
b. The little horn is the Beast of Revelation and the man of sin in Paul’s teaching
(). The little horn of is the same little horn of and is the despicable person of . He is also the wicked prince who will take away the sacrifice in the temple (8:11; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; ).
2. Sign #2—Coming up among them: The Antichrist will first come up “among them” (7:8) as a peer; then he will “arise after them” (7:24) and seize control of the 10-nation confederation.
3. Sign #3—Three horns plucked out: Three of the first horns (kings) will be plucked out by the roots or killed in a violent overthrow led by the Antichrist (7:7, 20, 24). This is part of how he will seize control of the 10-nation confederation and enter the world stage as a leader. When these three world leaders are killed, the Church will see it as a prophetic sign of the times.
4. Sign #4—Eyes like a man: Having eyes “like a man” speaks of possessing great intelligence pertaining to things that will amaze and please men. This will give him great credibility.
a. To have “eyes like a man” includes his ability to present the knowledge of his plans for in a way that will be “appealing to people.”
b. He will have plans that will initially bring prosperity and peace to many nations. He will bring solutions to international problems and succeed at negotiating to make peace.
5. Sign #5—Mouth speaking pompous words: The Antichrist will speak pompous, arrogant words. These arrogant words will create great excitement (false promises) and fear (threats). His pompous or arrogant words are emphasized four times in this vision (7:8, 11, 20, 25).
8“In this horn [was]…a mouth speaking pompous words.” ()
a. He shall speak of “great things”—things so unique and extraordinary, as well as new things never heard of before ().
5He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…6he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name… ()
b. He shall speak blasphemies against God (11:36; ) as he claims things about himself and declares things against God that will be shocking ().
IV. Three stages of the fourth beast
A. This beast has three stages: the ancient empire (146 BC-AD 1453); the end-time confederation made up of 10 kings, and the Antichrist’s dictatorship ruling over the 10-nation confederation.
B. Ancient Roman Empire: This includes the western (146 BC-AD 476) and eastern (AD 330-1453) divisions of the empire. The Eastern Roman Empire, called the Byzantine Empire, lasted for 1,000 years after the fall of the city of Rome and the Western Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire was started by Constantine in AD 330, when the capital moved from Rome to Byzantium, renamed as Constantinople or Nova Roma (New Rome), now Istanbul, Turkey.
1. The Roman Empire did not end in AD 476, but continued until 1453 in its eastern division; from this we see that the Antichrist’s empire will have historic roots in Islamic nations. The eastern Roman Empire covered part of the Middle East. In 1453, the Eastern Roman Empire fell to the Ottoman Empire, with its dominant Islamic rule and culture.
2. The Antichrist will be associated with the geographic territory and people groups once in the eastern division of the Roman Empire (8:9). This overlaps with the region where Antiochus ruled the Seleucid Empire—this includes Syria and parts of Turkey and Babylon (Iraq), etc.
C. 10-nation confederation: An end-time empire will arise that will initially be under 10 kings geographically and ethnically; it will cover geographic areas that include parts of the eastern and western divisions of the ancient Roman Empire.
1. Ten kings will arise out of “this kingdom”—they will operate together and even rise up from an identifiable kingdom that precedes them. It will be “their kingdom” for a season before the Antichrist takes control of it and makes it his kingdom.
24“The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom.” ()
2. The 10 kings will come into unity as “one kingdom” that will include much more than an economic treaty. It will result in the strongest power base with more people, money, natural resources, military power, and technology than any other kingdom in history. They will give their kingdom to the Antichrist, which will allow him to rule over them.
12“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings…17God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast…” ()
D. The dictatorship of the Antichrist: The Antichrist will “arise after” the 10-nation confederation is in power. He will arise to subdue or remove three kings (7:24), leading a violent overthrow of the government to seize control of the 10-nation confederation by having three of the kings killed.
24“…another [Antichrist] shall rise after them [the 10 kings]; he shall be different…” ()
V. God’s Sovereign Leadership Over the Antichrist ()
A. Immediately after Daniel saw the terrible beast—the Antichrist’s empire (7:7-8)—he saw a vision of the Father sitting on His throne in majestic glory (7:9-10), the defeat of the Antichrist (7:11-12), the exaltation of Jesus as king over all the earth (7:13-14), and the triumph of saints (7:22, 27).
9“I watched…and the Ancient of Days [the Father] was seated…” ()
1. The way to overcome fear of the Antichrist is to grow in the understanding of the sovereignty and beauty of God on His throne. No aspect of God’s grace transforms and satisfies our heart more than when the Holy Spirit reveals the majesty of God to the human heart.
2. I don’t want to only serve Him; I want to be obsessed with His magnificence—to experience the power and pleasure of being obsessed with Jesus. This equips us to overcome temptation, endure persecution, and engage in partnership with Him in His plans.
B. Daniel saw that the saints were “given” into the Antichrist’s hand by God (7:25). The Lord will allow the Antichrist to have great authority for 3½ years to bring the earth to a place of decision for love and righteousness or for hatred and unrighteousness ().
25“He…shall persecute the saints…the saints shall be given into his hand…” ()
C. One of the most offensive truths to our natural mind is that God raises up evil leaders to discipline the nations and His people. He will use the Antichrist to accomplish His divine purpose.
D. God’s sovereign plan, Satan’s rage, and the sinful choices of people are all involved in the Antichrist’s reign of terror.
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God… ()
E. All authority belongs to Jesus (; ). God sets governmental leaders in place to serve His purposes (; ; ).
18“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” ()
1There is no authority except from God…the authorities that exist are appointed by God…
4He is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (, )
1. God raised up Pharaoh in Moses’ day allowing this wicked king to be the most powerful man in the world (; ).
17The Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” ()
2. The Lord called the wicked Nebuchadnezzar “His servant” whom He raised up to discipline Israel in 586 BC (, ; ; ; ; ).
3. He raised up evil Assyrian kings such as Shalmaneser and Sargon (721 BC) and Sennacherib to (701 BC) to discipline Israel by military invasions (; )
4. He raised up wicked Persian kings to judge Babylon ().
VI. Vision of the throne: God’s Leadership over the nations ()
A. Daniel saw the sovereign Lord seated in His heavenly court, and the books were opened (7:9-10).
9“I watched…and the Ancient of Days [the Father] was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; 10a fiery stream [river; NAS] issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him…The court was seated, and the books were opened.” ()
B. Ancient of Days: This name depicts the Father’s eternal nature as the One who establishes His plans from the perspective of eternity. This name is used three times in the Bible—all in .
1. Ancient of Days points to the Father’s eternal nature. We cannot understand the intensity of evil and suffering in God’s end-time plan until we see the magnitude of glory for which He is preparing His people. He establishes His plans with eternity in view.
2. The focus of many in the body of Christ today is not on God’s eternal plans for His people. Their focus is mostly on receiving the gospel as a way to gain more money, friends, comfort, honor, and ministry influence by relating to Jesus and believing His promises.
C. White as snow: God’s garments and hair are as white as snow. His garments speak of His deeds; His head speaks of His wisdom and purity in governing. All the Father’s thoughts, actions, and plans are totally pure and perfectly wise. Jesus also appeared with white hair ().
D. His throne: God’s throne is the governmental center of the created order, guaranteeing that His plans will come to pass. His throne is a main theme in the book of Revelation, referred to forty times, with seven throne scenes (; ; ; ; ; ; ). God’s throne is the place of greatest fascination, intimacy, celebration, safety, and protection.
E. A fiery flame: Holy fire engulfs God’s throne and flows from it like a river. The burning bush that Moses saw on the Mt. Sinai was only a small token of the blazing fire that flows from God’s throne.
F. A fiery stream: A river of fire (7:10, NAS) comes from the throne, and a sea of glass mingled with fire is before the throne. The saints gather together on the sea of glass in God’s fire ().
2I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast…standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. ()
G. Seated: The Father sits in total confidence and security. None can successfully challenge Him.
No demonic or human force can prevail against the awesome power of God’s throne.
H. The books were opened: God’s books contain a detailed account of every believer and unbeliever (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ). Here the words and deeds of the Antichrist (little horn) are under review (7:11-12). The pompous words of the Antichrist (7:8) bring a strong response from God’s court in heaven.
1. The Lord has the last word on every nation and person.
2. All of God’s enemies will stand before His throne (), the place of greatest danger for His enemies. Divine decrees go forth from there to punish evil ().
11I saw a great white throne…12I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God…
the dead were judged according to their works…15Anyone not found written in the
Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. ()
I. Thrones were put in place: Even now the elders sit on thrones before the Father ().
4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders… ()
J. The court was seated: Daniel saw God’s court in session (7:9, 10, 26) with the Judge seated to evaluate the nations. In the midst of chaos on earth is the all-powerful throne of God. The heavenly court administrates God’s decrees concerning the earth. History is not spiraling out of control. The court will be in session as the Antichrist rages against God’s people during the Great Tribulation.
K. Around the throne is God’s royal court. It is the place of majesty, strength, beauty, power, etc. John’s vision of the throne in expands on what God showed Daniel.
6Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. ()
VII. THE Destruction of the Antichrist ()
A. God decreed that the Antichrist and his empire be destroyed at Jesus’ second coming (7:11-12). The Antichrist’s pompous words and arrogant claims will be heard in God’s court leading to decrees of judgment issued against him. Daniel emphasized his arrogant words four times (7:8, 11, 20, 25).
11…the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast [Antichrist] was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12As for the rest of the beasts,
they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
()
1. The Lord will hear the Antichrist’s pompous words and will destroy him with fire (7:11).
2. The prophetic praying church must declare the message in 7:11—that the Antichrist will be destroyed by the fire of God. He will be cast into the lake of fire.
3. Daniel described the Antichrist’s judgment four times, prophesying that he will be consumed, destroyed, and broken without human means (by divine intervention), and that no military alliance will be able to help him, or rescue him from God’s judgment (7:11, 26; 8:25; 11:45).
4. God’s answer to the Antichrist’s empire is to seat the heavenly court for judgment and put the Son of Man in place to judge the Antichrist and the nations. This highlights how personal the judgment of this beast is to God. He does not send an invading army that gradually conquers him. Instead He personally, suddenly, and completely judges the final beast—the Antichrist.
5. This beast is unique in the way it challenges God; therefore it faces a unique judgement. The Lord will judge the Antichrist suddenly and decisively. He will not leave that task to the armies of men because this beast is something more than a man.
B. Slain: Daniel described the Antichrist as being slain, destroyed, and consumed (, ).
This may refer to the destruction of his natural body “before” he is thrown alive in the lake of fire in his resurrected body as the first man to experience the second death (; ; ).
26But the court… shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it [his dominion] forever. ()
1. Paul described the Antichrist’s defeat using the same verbs as Daniel—consume and destroy.
8The lawless one [Antichrist] will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ()
2. John saw the Antichrist being captured and “slain” by throwing his body into the lake of fire.
20The beast was captured, and…cast alive into the lake of fire… ()
3. Daniel spoke of the Antichrist coming to his end in proximity to Jerusalem ().
45And he [the Antichrist] shall plant…his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain [Jerusalem]; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. ()
4. Ezekiel prophesied Gog’s burial place in Israel, perhaps referring to the burial of Gog’s army or “the death of his composite empire,” not the burial of the Antichrist himself ().
11“…in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel…” ()
C. The rest of the beasts: This speaks of the people and territory of the former three-beast kingdoms. The Antichrist’s kingdom will incorporate the evil of all four kingdoms that will come to fullness and find expression in his global empire. The demonic elements of the four empires will be fully expressed in the Antichrist’s empire. The Antichrist beast kingdom is the “composite beast” in which the former beast kingdoms will culminate and find expression and continue to “live on.”
12As for the rest of the beasts…their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. ()
1. The former beast kingdoms will “live on” in the future Antichrist beast kingdom. Therefore, he is more than a beast, but is the beast that incorporates all the former beast kingdoms, including the evil spirits, territory, and ethnicity of the four former kingdoms.
2. The Antichrist could be from both the third and fourth beast kingdoms (7:7-8; 8:9; ).
2Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard [Greece], his feet were like the feet of a bear [Persia], and his mouth like the mouth of a lion [Babylon]. ()
D. Their lives were prolonged: The national identity and lives of the people in the regions of the former three kingdoms will be temporarily prolonged. The Antichrist’s death will not immediately end the lives of the beasts, but it will result in removing their political authority.
1. The demonic power behind the rest of these “beast kingdoms” is connected to the Satan who will be thrown in prison (), whereas the Antichrist will be thrown alive into the lake of fire at that time (). Therefore, during the thousand years of the Millennium, Satan is neither on earth nor has he been thrown in the lake of fire for this final judgment.
2. The thousand-year reign of Christ is the time when the rest of the beasts have “their dominion taken away,” but their lives were “prolonged for a season and a time” (7:12).
3. At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released () to deceive the nations or “the rest of the beasts” into attacking Jerusalem (20:7-8). It is at this time that their “prolonged national lives” are destroyed by Jesus (20:9- 10) and is when Satan is finally thrown into the lake of fire ().
VIII. Jesus’ heavenly coronation as King over all nations ()
A. Daniel saw the coronation of Jesus as King of kings with dominion over all the nations (7:13-14). Daniel must have been shocked to see a human standing near to the Ancient of Days.
13Behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion…and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. ()
1. The Father’s plan is to give all the kingdoms of this world to a Man—His Son ().
15And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
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2. Jesus’ dominion is seen openly in part in this age and in fullness in the Millennium.
3. IHOPKC holds to the historic premillennial view of the end times, with a post-tribulation rapture, emphasizing a victorious, praying Church (; ; ).
B. Son of Man: Jesus will come to the earth on heavenly clouds and will be seen by every person (; ; ; ; ).
30…the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power… ()
7Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him… ()
1. Jesus used this term over sixty-five times to describe Himself. He identified Himself as the Son of Man of who sits at the right hand of God and will return to the earth on clouds of heaven. (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).
2. Jesus will return to earth on clouds (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; cf. ; ; ). Jesus will make a spectacular reentry to the earth on clouds of glory for all to see. Transportation in heaven occurs sometimes by the use of clouds. God is described as visiting the earth on clouds (cf. ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; etc.).
14I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man,
having on His head a golden crown and in His hand a sharp sickle. ()
9…He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10… as He went up, behold, two men…11said, “Men of Galilee…this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” ()
3. I highly recommend Samuel Whitefield’s paper on Jesus as the Son of Man.
C. Jesus will rule all the nations from a throne of glory () in Jerusalem ().
31When the Son of Man comes in His glory…then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them… ()
17“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. ()
D. Commissioned as King of kings: To this Man was given dominion over all the nations on earth.
All peoples, nations, and languages will serve and love Him.
11Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. ()
E. To Him was given dominion: The end-time Church will declare that Jesus’ dominion is everlasting; they will declare this in the face of the Antichrist’s false promises of his own global dominion.
F. The Father gave Jesus an unprecedented measure of favor in seven spheres of leadership over the earth. Jesus receives this from the Father and from the response of people on the millennial earth.
11I heard the voice of many angels…12saying…“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” ()
G. In the Millennium, Jesus will receive the fruit of all power (political/spiritual), riches (money and natural resources), wisdom (insight and intellectual property), strength (physical strength, including the labor force and human resources), glory (praise and love), honor (all will esteem Him by their obedience), and blessing (agreement with His policies with unified cooperation).
H. describes Jesus’ destiny on the earth as a man—He is fully God and fully man.
Because of His obedience to death, God highly exalted Him in heaven and on earth ().
His exaltation is manifested fully in heaven, in part on earth now, and in fullness in the Millennium.
9…God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth… ()
IX. The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist ()
A. Daniel saw the defeat of the Antichrist (7:11-12) and the triumph of the Son of Man (7:13-14), yet he was still troubled by what he saw (7:15, 28). explains why he was so troubled.
15“I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16I came near to one [an angel] …and asked him the truth [implications]of all this…19I wished to know the truth [implications] about the fourth beast…exceedingly dreadful…” ()
1. Daniel was grieved and troubled (7:15, 28) by what he saw in the vision that he had just described in 7:1-14. He was grieved, troubled, and perplexed about the implications of the vision. If we are not troubled by what Daniel shared about the Antichrist, then it means that we have not yet understood what he saw.
B. Grieved: What pained him most was the fourth beast who was dreadful, terrible, and exceedingly strong (7:7). He saw the intensity of the violence, cruelty, and power of the Antichrist’s empire (, ; ; , ).
C. Daniel asked an angel for understanding of the vision (7:16, 19). The angel gave his interpretation to Daniel in three parts (7:17-27).
1. The first part of the angel’s interpretation focused on four “beast kingdoms” and gave assurance that the saints will be victorious (7:17-18).
2. In the second part, he asked to understand the implications of the fourth beast, the 10 horns, and the little horn (7:19-20). The angel showed him the saints being persecuted (7:21-22).
3. In the third part of the angel’s interpretation, he elaborated on the fourth beast (7:23),
the 10 horns (7:24a), the little horn (7:24b-25), and the victory of the saints (7:26-27).
D. Note the aspects of the vision that are emphasized by being mentioned several times—the beast will be “different” (4x—7:7, 19, 23, 24) and “pompous” (4x—7:8, 11, 20, 25). It will be “dreadful, strong, terrible,” as it “devours” nations (7:7, 19, 23). There will be “10 horns” (3x—7:7, 20, 24) and three will be killed (3x)—“plucked out” (7:8), “fell” (7:20) or “subdued” (7:24).
X. first Question: Victory Assured ()
A. Daniel’s first question (7:16): He asked to know the truth or the full implications of the vision. “These things” speak of the four beasts (7:1-8) and especially the dreadful fourth beast (7:7-8).
16“I came near to one…[an angel], and asked him the truth [implications] of all this.
So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things.” ()
B. The first part of the angel’s interpretation focused on the four beasts (7:17) and the sure victory of the saints who will possess the kingdom forever (7:18).
1. The angel said that the four beasts are four kings (7:17) and are also kingdoms (7:23). The four kings are more than individual kings. They represent empires.
17“‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth…’ 23Thus he [angel] said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth…’” (, )
2. These kingdoms arise out of the earth (7:17) as well as come up from the sea (7:3). The False Prophet “comes out of the earth” (), while the Antichrist “rises up out of the sea” ().
C. The victory of the saints is assured (7:18). The saints will replace the wicked rulers ruling the earth. One of most important prophetic declarations in the lips of the prophetic church is that the saints will possess the kingdom and rule the earth forever.
18But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom, forever…” ()
D. The saints will govern every area of society during the Millennium and will reign on the earth forever. Seeing our eternal reign with Jesus affects our view of our labors and sacrifice in this age.
10…and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. ()
4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them…and reigned with Christ for a thousand years… 6…they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
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XI. second question: fourth beast, 10 horns, and another horn ()
A. Daniel’s second question (7:19-20) focused on wanting to know the truth, or the full implications, about the fourth beast, especially why it was so different and dreadful, and what the consequences for Israel would be (7:19). Next, he asked about the 10 horns, and the other horn (7:20).
19“I wished to know the truth [implications] about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20and the ten horns that were on its head [10 nation confederation], and the other horn [Antichrist] which came up, before which three fell [three kings killed], namely, that horn which had eyes [supernatural intelligence] and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.” ()
B. A fourth beast: Earlier, he had said similar things of the fourth beast, the 10 horns, and the other horn (7:7-8).
7“A fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces…It was different [unique] from all the beasts…it had ten horns… 8there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were [killed] plucked out by the roots. There, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” ()
1. Later he said similar things of the fourth beast, the 10 horns, and the other horn (7:23-24).
23“…The fourth beast…shall be different [unique] from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.’” 24“The ten horns are ten kings …another shall rise after them [Antichrist]; he shall…subdue [kill] three kings.”
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2. Different: The Antichrist empire is unique in being energized by demonic power (). It will function in a new order of evil, cruelty, and supernatural power. Daniel emphasized four times that the Antichrist kingdom is different from all other kingdoms (7:7, 19, 23, 24).
3. Exceedingly dreadful: Earlier, Daniel described it as dreadful, terrible, and exceedingly strong (7:7). He was deeply troubled by the terror of this beast (7:15). Its huge, massive teeth emphasize its overwhelming, destructive power.
4. Trampled the residue: This speaks of continuing to trample a nation after it is defeated. The Antichrist will show no mercy towards those he conquers; he is ruthless and cruel and will crush and trample everything that was not initially destroyed in the hostile military takeover.
5. The other horn: This horn is the Antichrist who was initially described as the little horn (7:8). The Antichrist will be a political leader who starts “little,” or with a small sphere of authority.
6. 10 horns: The 10 horns symbolize 10 nations (7:7, 20, 24; ; ; , , , ). A 10-nation confederation will align with the Antichrist in the end times.
24The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. ()
7. Which came up: The Antichrist will first come up “among them” (7:8) as a peer, then he will “arise after them” (7:24).
C. Before which three fell: Three kings will be killed by the Antichrist (7:7, 20, 24). These three kings are described as being “plucked out” by the roots (7:7), as those who “fell before” the little horn (7:20), and were “subdued” by him (7:24). The Antichrist will lead a violent overthrow of the government, demanding the full control of the 10-nation confederation.
1. The horn which had eyes: Earlier Daniel described it as having eyes like a man (7:7). This speaks of his great intelligence that will appeal to humanity—its pride, dignity, needs etc.
2. A mouth which spoke pompous words: The Antichrist will speak pompous or arrogant words. His arrogant words will create fear (threats) and/or excitement (false promises) in the nations.
3. Appearance was greater than his fellows: Daniel did not mention this in verse 8. The way he appears or presents himself to nations will be more glorious and powerful than any other man.
4. On its head: The ten horns were on the head of the fourth beast (7:20).
D. In a short vision, Daniel saw that the Antichrist would be permitted to kill the saints (7:21), but then he was assured of the final victory of the saints (7:22).
21“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” ()
1. The angel addressed a twofold offense about the end times: why will God raise up evil leaders and why will He let them prevail in persecuting God’s people?
2. Making war against the saints: Jesus said that the saints would be hated in all nations.
9“They will…kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” ()
3. Prevailing against the saints: This speaks of martyrdom.
25“He shall…shall persecute the saints of the Most High…The saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time [3½ years].” ()
4. The Antichrist will overcome the saints physically in martyrdom (), but they will overcome him spiritually by loving Jesus even unto death ().
7It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. ()
11“And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” ()
5. The principle of judgment: God uses the least severe means to bring the greatest numbers to salvation at the deepest levels of love without violating anyone’s free will in training the future governors of the earth (; ; ; ). God’s judgments will remove all that hinders love in the Church and in Israel.
6. Until a judgment was made in favor of the saints: The Ancient of Days has decreed the time in which there will be a sudden reversal of the persecution of the saints. The saints will boldly proclaim this coming victory, while those in the Antichrist’s empire will surely mock it.
7. In this first vision in 553 BC, the Lord showed Daniel the suffering to come but did not give Daniel the reason for it until seventeen years later in the last vision () in 536 BC. God will use this time of suffering to purify the saints and to prepare them both to overcome everything that hinders love and to partner with the Son of Man in ruling the earth (7:27).
35“Some of those of understanding shall fall [martyrdom], to refine them, purify them, and make them white, 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.” ()
8. The time came: At the perfect time the Father will suddenly reverse things (7:22). The Father knows the amount of time needed for the combination of persecution and the manifestation of His glory on the end-time Church to bring it to full maturity and to bring Israel to salvation (; ; ; ; ).
XII. Interpretation of the fourth beast, 10 horns, and the Horn ()
A. The angel answered Daniel’s second question by showing him a perplexing vision (7:21-22) and giving him more information (7:23-27) about the fourth beast (7:23), the 10 horns (7:24a), and the other horn—the Antichrist (7:24b-25)—and his sure destruction (7:26).
B. Fourth beast: The fourth beast will be a kingdom that is different from all other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth. The final stage of the fourth beast is the Antichrist’s world empire.
23“Thus he [angel] said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different [unique] from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.’” ()
C. The 10 horns: The 10 horns represent 10 kings who will form a 10-nation confederation (7:7, 20, 24; ; ; , , , ). Daniel saw the 10 horns as being “on” the beast’s head (7:20).
24“The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them [Antichrist]; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue [kill] three kings.” ()
1. Shall arise from this kingdom: 10 kings in the end times will arise from the fourth beast—
the same region and/or people groups associated with the ancient Roman Empire, both its east and west divisions, including various European and Middle Eastern nations and peoples. The ten horns were on the head of the fourth beast (7:20).
a. Ezekiel set his face and prophesied against Gog—the Antichrist (38:1-3)
2“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him…” ()
b. The land of Magog: Magog is the name of a people or nation (38:2; 39:6). The land of Magog is Gog’s home country. Magog is probably a reference to western Turkey.
c. Meshech and Tubal: Many scholars identify this area as referring to territory mostly in modern-day Turkey, yet possibly reaching into parts of Syria, Armenia, or southern Russia. Gog is from Magog, and will be the leader over the territories or principalities of Meshech and Tubal.
2. Another shall rise after them: The Antichrist will arise to prominence “after” the 10 kings emerge. They will give their allegiance to the Antichrist ()
12The ten horns which you saw are ten kings…13These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast [Antichrist]. ()
D. Characteristics of the horn, or the Antichrist, (7:25): blasphemy, murder, and domination.
25“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time [3½ years].” ()
1. Daniel saw that the saints were “given” into the Antichrist’s hand by God (7:25). The Antichrist will be “given” authority to make war with saints (). The phrase “it was given” (or its equivalent), referring to God, is used often in Daniel and Revelation (, , ; ; ; , , , , ; , , ; , ; ; , , ).
5He [Antichrist] was given...authority [by God] to continue for forty-two months...
7It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. Authority
was given him [by God] over every tribe, tongue, and nation…14And he [False Prophet] deceives…by those signs which he was granted to do …15He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast… ()
2. Jesus will open the first seal to release the Antichrist (). The Lord will allow the Antichrist to have great authority for 3½ years to bring the earth to a place of decision for love and righteousness or hatred and unrighteousness ().
3. He shall change times and law: He shall establish legislation that will change some of the most important social and spiritual institutions. He will also use the legal system as a tool of oppression and murder. Initially he will oppress the saints through the legal system by removing their privileges and restricting their civil liberties. The laws will change—they will become progressively more oppressive and evil until it will be legal to kill the saints.
4. A time and times and half a time: There will be a God-given limit of 3½ years for the persecution of God’s people. The word time refers to one year, times refers to two years, and half a time speaks of half a year, totalling 3½ years. There are eight scriptures and four phrases that describe the final 3½ years before Jesus’ return. It is referred to twice as 1,260 days (; ); twice as 42 months (; ); three times as “time, times, and half a time” (; ; ); and as “the middle of the week” (). By comparing these verses, we see that they describe the same 3½ years.
E. The Ancient of Days has already decreed the destruction of the Antichrist (7:26).
26“But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his [Antichrist’s] dominion, to consume and destroy it forever.” ()
1. The court shall be seated: The Father’s heavenly court was seated—court was in session. This court decides the fate of all the leaders on the earth.
2. Take away his dominion: At the Lord’s appointed time, He will suddenly reverse things. The Antichrist’s kingdom will be consumed and destroyed at the time when Jesus returns.
F. God’s plan is to establish His kingdom on earth (7:27). This is not only one of the main points in the vision, but is also one of the most remarkable biblical truths related to God’s leadership over us. Notice “the” kingdom (in the singular) and the greatness of the “kingdoms” (in the plural) shall be given to the saints. Dominion speaks of the leadership positions of influence over the earth.
27“Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” ()
G. Shall be given to saints: The saints will replace the leadership of the beast empire in leading the world government. God’s plan is to prepare the Bride as Jesus’ eternal companion who will rule the earth with Him. In giving the kingdom to the saints, the Lord will vindicate both them and His leadership plans which allowed the Antichrist to persecute His people and prepared them to rule.
H. Jesus, the Bridegroom King, desires to rule the earth forever in partnership with His people (; ; ).
24“Father, I desire that they whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold [see and experience] My glory which You have given Me…” ()
21“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne…” ()
I. Daniel was grieved, troubled, astonished, made sick, and even fainted when he saw the horrible things that the Lord revealed to him about the Antichrist (, ; ; , ).
15“I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit…and the visions of my head troubled me…28…my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”
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27And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days…I was astonished by the vision… ()
8…when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me…9I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground…15I became speechless 16…[an angel] touched my lips…
I spoke, saying to him…“My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me …
17As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” ()
Session 7 The Forerunner Message in
I. Introduction
A. recounts the second of Daniel’s four visions that he received near the end of his life.
It focuses on the second (Persia) and third (Greek) kingdoms of Daniel’s vision in .
Like , this vision has many symbols, whereas Daniel’s final two visions (; ) are given in a straightforward way without using a lot of symbolism.
B. Daniel saw two animals—a ram with two horns and a goat with one large horn. Both animals speak symbolically of empires in the ancient world; they may also have an end-time application.
C. The “ram empire” refers to Persia, or Iran, attacking nations to the west, north, and south, seeking to increase its military power. The “goat empire,” referring to Greece (including Turkey, Syria, etc.), defeated the ram. Gabriel explained that the ram represented Persia and the goat, Greece (8:20-21).
D. There are two parts to this vision (8:1-8 and 8:9-26).
1. The first part of the vision describes the Persians conquering westward toward Babylon, etc.
(8:3-4, 20) until they are defeated by the Greeks under Alexander the Great (8:5-8, 21).
Some see an end-time fulfillment of 8:1-8—see Joel Richardson’s “The vision of .”
2. The second part describes the reign of the Antichrist, referred to as the “little horn” (8:9-26). The Antichrist is foreshadowed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king based in
Syria who reigned for twelve years (175-164 BC).
E. Gabriel made his first appearance in Scripture in this vision to give insight about the Antichrist. Gabriel emphasized that this vision would be fulfilled in the end times (8:16-19). Each time he appears in Scripture, it is to make known significant events and truths related to the coming of Messiah. Gabriel did not appear to Daniel merely to affirm the coming of Antiochus Epiphanes.
16“Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17…I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end”…19And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be…26The vision…refers to many days in the future.” (, )
1. Gabriel is mentioned four times in the Scripture—twice in Daniel (8:16; 9:21) and twice in the gospel of Luke (, ). Each time he delivered significant messages directly related to the coming of the Messiah. He is known as a “messenger angel.”
2. In Gabriel’s first appearance in Scripture, he gives a lengthy prophecy about the Antichrist, describing his cruel persecution and intense oppression of Israel and the nations.
F. Outline for
8:1-14 Daniel’s vision of the ram and goat
8:1-2 The setting of this vision—Daniel’s second vision
8:3-4 Persia symbolized as a ram with two horns
8:5-8 Greece symbolized as a goat with a notable horn
8:9-14 The little horn as the Antichrist, foreshadowed by Antiochus Epiphanes
8:15-25 Gabriel appeared to Daniel to explain and expand the vision
8:15-19 The vision pertains to the end times
8:20-22 Gabriel explained the symbols in the vision
8:23-25 The Antichrist’s personality and power
8:26 The importance of the vision
8:27 Daniel’s response to the vision
G. Traditionally, the premillennial interpretation relegates 8:1-8 entirely to the past without any reference to a “dual fulfillment” in the end times.
1. Most premillennial interpreters see the first part of the vision as describing the historical conflicts between Medo-Persia and Greece seen in the ram and the goat (8:3-8) and the second part of the vision (8:9-26) as having a double-fulfillment, partially in Antiochus IV with the ultimate fulfillment in the Antichrist.
2. Joel Richardson presents an excellent case for the details of entire vision of as having a future fulfillment in the Antichrist—including 8:3-8, not just 8:9-26. This has implications for the Middle East in the end times.
H. The Seleucid Dynasty, over which Antiochus reigned, was first ruled by Seleucus (305-282 BC), a general under Alexander the Great. The Seleucid Dynasty lasted 242 years (305-63 BC).
1. Antiochus was the eighth Seleucid king—he reigned over the Seleucid or Syrian empire from 175-164 BC. Antiochus Epiphanes exalted himself by claiming that he was a god as seen in the name he gave to himself “Epiphanes” which translates “God Manifest.”
2. Antiochus first defeated Egypt in 170 BC, then he conquered Jerusalem in 167 BC.
3. In December 167 BC, he desecrated the temple by setting up a Greek altar to Zeus in it and offering a pig on the altar. The desecration of the temple lasted three years (167-164 BC).
After his death, the Jews cleansed the Jerusalem temple.
4. He forced the Jews to defile the Sabbath and not read the Torah on the pain of death.
II. The Setting of this vision—Daniel’s second vision ()
A. This vision in 551 BC described the Persians conquering westward, moving towards Babylon.
Persia conquered Babylon 12 years later in 539 BC. Daniel had a high position in the Babylonian government; he had to be careful when prophesying Babylon’s fall to an enemy (Persia) to avoid being accused of treason by the non-Jewish Babylonian governmental officials.
1In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar [551 BC] a vision appeared to me—Daniel…
2I saw in the vision…that I was in Shushan, the citadel [future palace in Persia], which is in the province of Elam [Persia]; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai. ()
B. King Belshazzar: Belshazzar was the king of Babylon. He was probably keeping a watchful eye on the emerging military might in the neighboring territories related to the future Persian Empire.
C. Third year: 551 BC. Daniel was about seventy years old. This was two years after his first vision in in 553 BC and twelve years before Belshazzar’s feast and the fall of Babylon ().
D. I was in Shushan: In this vision Daniel “traveled in the Spirit” to a distant city, similar to Ezekiel’s trip to Jerusalem. (; ). Shushan was about 250 miles east of Babylon, where Daniel lived. The city of Shushan became the capital of the Persian Empire about eighty years later.
E. Province of Elam: The province of Elam corresponds with southwest Iran today.
III. the ram with two horns (): Persia
A. Daniel saw a ram with two horns pushing to the west, to the north, and to the south (8:3-4).
3I lifted my eyes and saw…a ram [the Medo-Persian Empire] which had two horns, and the
two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.
4I saw the ram pushing [conquering] westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal [nation] could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great. ()
B. A ram: The ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire (8:20) as the new “super power” that would replace Babylon. Persia also corresponds to the bear in Daniel’s first vision (7:5) and the chest of silver in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (2:32).
C. Two horns: This speaks of two ancient kingdoms—Media and Persia—that formed an alliance.
D. One horn was higher than the other: Both horns were high, but one was higher than the other. This parallels the bear being raised up on one side (7:5). The taller, or higher, horn represents Persia because it became more powerful than Media after the merging of the two kingdoms.
E. The ram pushing: The ram pushed or made conquests to the west, north, and south. Historically, the Persian Empire conquered lands in three main directions: westward (Babylonia, Syria, Israel, Asia Minor), northward (regions around the Caspian Sea), and southward (Egypt and Ethiopia).
F. No animal: The Hebrew word is translated “animal” by some (NKJV and NIV) and as “beast” by others (ESV, NAS, KJV, RSV).
G. He became great: Medo-Persia became the largest kingdom up to that point in history. The Persia empire was the super power in the Middle East for just over 200 years (538-331 BC).
IV. goat with one horn (): greece
A. Daniel saw a male goat attacking the ram—the Greeks defeated the Persian Empire in 331 BC.
5…a male goat [Greece] came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn [Alexander the Great] between his eyes. 6Then he came to the ram [Persia] that had two horns…and ran at him with furious power.
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1. A male goat: Alexander the Great came from Greece, which was west of Israel and Persia. Gabriel told Daniel that the goat represented Greece (8:21). Greece was also portrayed as the bronze belly in the statue (2:32) and later as a leopard with four wings (7:6).
2. Without touching the ground: This speaks of speedy military victories. This speed was symbolized by the goat’s feet not touching the ground and by the leopard with four wings. Alexander conquered the Persians and the Middle East within three years (334-331 BC).
He reached as far eastward as India. The speed of his conquest is unprecedented in history.
3. Notable horn: The notable horn was Alexander the Great, Greece’s first king (8:21).
An angel showed this to Daniel about 200 years before Alexander the Great was born.
4. Between his eyes: This represents Alexander’s great military intelligence. Some claim that he was the greatest military genius in history.
5. Furious power: The goat (Greece) attacked and defeated the ram–the Medo-Persian Empire. It destroyed Persia, which had been the superpower for about 200 years (538-331 BC).
6. Came from the west: Alexander the Great and Greece came from the west to attack Persia.
B. Alexander the Great attacked Persia with great rage and completed defeated Persia (8:7).
The language “cast down to the ground and trampled” is also used in 8:10, 12b, 13c.
7I saw him [Alexander] confronting the ram [Persia]; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him [Alexander], but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him… ()
C. Alexander the Great’s rapid triumphs were very great (8:8).
8The male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken
[the death of Alexander], and in place of it four notable ones [Alexander’s four generals]
came up toward the four winds of heaven. ()
1. Very great: Alexander conquered the greatest amount of land up to that time in history.
2. Large horn was broken: After the goat defeated the ram, its large horn “was broken,” speaking of Alexander’s death. He died of a fever in Babylon at the age of 32 in 323 BC.
3. Four notable ones: At Alexander’s death, his four main generals divided his kingdom into
four kingdoms. The four notable horns are parallel to the four heads on the leopard in 7:6.
a. Seleucus ruled parts of Syria, Babylonia, Turkey, Persia, and a region to the east. (The Seleucid kingdom was larger than the other three Greek kingdoms combined).
b. Cassander ruled Macedonia and Greece.
c. Lysimachus ruled Thrace (Bulgaria) and much of Asia Minor (western Turkey).
d. Ptolemy ruled Egypt, Cyprus, and Israel.
V. the little horn: the Antichrist ()
A. In the second part of the vision, Daniel saw the Antichrist as a little horn that defiled Israel (8:9-14). highlights his activities related to Israel and the temple (8:9-14) and the nations (8:23-25), whereas emphasizes the Antichrist’s great power (7:7) and his role with the ten kings (7:24).
9Out of one of them came a little horn [the Antichrist] which grew exceedingly great toward the south [Egypt], toward the east [Babylon], and toward the Glorious Land [Israel]. ()
1. A little horn: The Antichrist will start with a little measure of authority—a regional leader.
He will not start as a famous world leader but as a regional leader with a small sphere.
a. The little horn in 8:9 is the same man as the little horn in 7:8—the Antichrist. He starts off as a little horn who later becomes the most powerful evil man in history.
b. Many see the little horn as having its ultimate fulfillment in the Antichrist, yet with partial fulfillment in the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC).
2. Out of one of them: The Antichrist will come “out of” one of the four Greek kingdoms (8:9) that resulted from the division of the empire that occurred after Alexander the Great’s death.
a. Alexander’s general Seleucus was one of his four notable horns; he began the Seleucid dynasty that was named after him. It lasted 242 years (305-63 BC) until conquered by Rome. Antiochus IV was the seventh king from the bloodline of Seleucus.
b. The Antichrist was foreshadowed by Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid king based in Syria who reigned for twelve years (175-164 BC). The complete fulfillment of the details in this vision (8:9-19, 23-26) will be found in the Antichrist, yet they were partially fulfilled by Antiochus.
c. Some of the details do not apply to Antiochus. For example, Antiochus’ first political position was over the Seleucid Empire, the largest empire in that part of the world. In other words, he never ruled a small kingdom and thus was never truly a “little horn.”
3. The Antichrist may come out of the geographic territory or people groups associated with the Seleucid Empire and the Roman Empire which included Europe, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, etc.
a. The four former beast kingdoms in will “live on” in the Antichrist’s kingdom (7:12). The Antichrist is more than a beast, but is the beast that incorporates all four of the beast kingdoms, including the evil spirits, territory, and ethnicity of these kingdoms.
12As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. ()
b. The four kingdoms will come to their full expression in Antichrist’s empire ().
2Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard [Greece], his feet were like the feet of a bear [Persia], and his mouth like the mouth of a lion [Babylon]. ()
4. Toward the south and east: The Antichrist will grow great, especially in three directions: south, east, Israel. The point of reference for its application to Antiochus Epiphanes was his capital city in Syria; for the Antichrist this may be Turkey (the land of Magog; ).
a. He will grow exceedingly great toward the south or Egypt. The Antichrist will
conquer Egypt (11:42).
b. He will grow exceedingly great toward the east or Babylon, Syria, Iran, Iraq.
c. He will grow toward the Glorious Land or Israel. He will establish his palace in Israel ().
B. The little horn will affect the host of heaven (8:10). This is considered the most difficult verse in the book of Daniel. A host means an army. The host of heaven speaks of an army related to heaven.
10“And it [little horn] grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground and trampled them.” ()
1. Grew up to the host of heaven: The Antichrist will “grow up” to impact the host of heaven.
In what sense will the Antichrist cast down an army related to heaven?
2. Cast the host and stars: The Antichrist will cast to the ground some of the host and the stars. There are three views for identifying who the hosts of heaven and stars are. Each view has compelling points along with weaknesses so it is best to not be dogmatic in identifying them.
a. Some see the host and stars as fallen angels who will be cast to the earth ().
b. Some see the host as the Jewish people, and the stars as Jewish leadership (8:13).
c. Some see the stars as persecuted believers who will shine like stars (12:3; ).
C. The case for the host and stars as being fallen angels who will be cast to the earth ():
1. Angels are referred as the “host of heaven” () or as “stars” (; ; ).
a. The Lord will punish the “host of heaven” or demonic powers and human rulers.
21…in that day, that the Lord will punish the host of heaven [fallen angels] on high, and the kings of the earth on earth. (; NAS)
b. The Lord spoke about angels as “morning stars” who sang for joy at creation ().
7When the morning stars [angels] sang…and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
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c. Satan is referred to as the “morning star” who fell from heaven ().
12“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer [star of the morning; NAS]…
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2. This view sees the Antichrist as involved with fallen angels being cast down to the earth. Satan’s actions create a “chain reaction in the spirit realm” that affects the hosts in heaven—fallen angels (demons) will be cast to the earth in Satan’s war with Michael (). John may have been elaborating on Gabriel’s statements in . The language in 8:10 is similar to —in the host of heaven and stars being cast to the earth.
4His [Satan] tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth…
7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with…the dragon and his angels [demons]…8but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9…Satan…was cast to the earth, and his angels [demons] were cast out with him. ()
a. John saw a vision of fallen angels referred to as the “stars of heaven” being cast down to the earth both in the past when Satan originally fell before God created Adam and Eve () and also in context to the Great Tribulation ().
b. His tail drew: Satan’s rebellious actions drew one-third of the angels into his rebellion (). Satan drew these angels into a situation that resulted in their judgment. His tail “drew” or influenced one third of the angels to follow him. Satan did not throw them down per se, but his rebellion sucked them into a situation where they ended up being thrown down to the earth with him. Their association with Satan lead to their being cast to the earth. This occurred before God created Adam and Eve in Eden.
c. Cast to the earth: In the end times, fallen angels will be cast to the earth because of their “association” with the Antichrist () and Satan (). This future war in the heavens will occur in context to the time of the abomination of desolation in the middle of the final seven-year period before the Lord returns
d. War broke out in heaven: The Bible describes three heavens. The “first heavens” speaks of the atmosphere above us where the birds fly (; ). The “second heavens” is unnamed in Scripture yet referred to as the mid-heavens—it is the place were demonic powers operate (; ; ; ; ). The “third heaven” is where God’s throne dwells in the midst of paradise ()
12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ()
2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven…4he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words… ()
3. and are the two passages that are commonly associated with Satan’s fall. The Latin Vulgate used the word Lucifer to translate “the daystar.” Lucifer is applied to Satan since Jesus described him as falling from heaven like lightning (; ).
The daystar is a title for Jesus—the bright and morning star ().
12How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground…13For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God [angles]; I will sit on the mount of the congregation…
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”()
4. Ezekiel spoke of Satan being cast out of heaven to the earth.
2…“Because your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god…’” 12You were the seal of perfection…13You were in Eden, the garden of God…14You were the anointed cherub…
on the holy mountain of God…” 15You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you…16You became filled with violence…therefore I cast you…out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub…17Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty …I cast you to the ground… ()
D. The case for the host as being the Jewish people, and the stars as Jewish leadership (8:13). Some see this as Israel or “the armies of the Lord” (). Jesus is “the Prince of the host” (8:11).
1. It is possible that the “host” speak of the children of Israel but they are never called “the host of heaven” in Scripture.
2. Those who see the little horn as only fulfilled in Antiochus IV (not the Antichrist), see the hosts of heaven and stars as the religious or political leaders of Israel. This is not convincing.
E. The case for the stars being persecuted believers who will shine like stars (12:3; ).
The Antichrist will persecute God’s people (8:13, 24).
1. Daniel described the righteous as shining like stars but the Scripture never actually calls believers the “host of heaven” or “stars”
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.” ()
a. The number of faithful Israelites is prophesied to be numerous as the stars and the sand on the seashore (; ).
b. Do these stars include Israel’s army being killed as part of the host being trampled? Antiochus persecuted Israel from 170-164 BC—killing over 100,000 Jewish people.
F. The Antichrist will assault the Jerusalem temple and its sacrifices (8:11-14). The little horn (Antichrist) will take away the daily sacrifices (8:11-12). The Antichrist will exalt himself and assault the temple four ways—by taking away the daily sacrifices, by casting down the place of
His sanctuary (temple), opposing the daily sacrifices, and casting truth down to the ground.
11He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host [Jesus]; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn [Antichrist] to oppose the daily sacrifices;
and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. ()
1. He exalted himself: The Antichrist will exalt himself as high as the Prince of the host, i.e., Jesus, the Prince of princes (8:25). Paul referenced the Antichrist exalting himself as high as God (8:11) and above God (11:36) in claiming to be God (). There is no evidence that Antiochus Epiphanes claimed to be God. Yet he did commit abominable acts in putting an altar to Zeus in the temple precincts and in offering a swine upon it in December 167 BC.
4[The Antichrist]…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. ()
2. Daily sacrifices: The Antichrist will take away (8:11) and oppose (8:12) the daily sacrifices.
This implies that Israel will build a temple in Jerusalem and offer daily sacrifices in it.
a. After the temple is rebuilt, then the rabbinic authorities will re-establish the animal sacrificial system as Moses commanded them.
b. Israel will make a covenant with the Antichrist (9:27) who will present himself as their loyal advocate and champion. They will receive him as their leader, even as Messiah.
c. In the middle of that final seven years, he will betray them by making them stop the animal sacrifices in the temple.
3. Sanctuary: The place of His sanctuary being cast down is a reference to the Jerusalem temple being defiled and cast down (8:11; 11:31). However, some see this as “Satan’s sanctuary” being cast down as a result of the war in the heavens that is described in .
4. Transgression: The great end-time sin in Israel will be making a covenant with the Antichrist, accepting him as their king and national leader/messiah. Gabriel highlighted God’s promise to bring the transgression to an end in 9:24.
5. An army will be given over to him: The Lord will allow the Antichrist to raise up a mighty army from many nations to come against Jerusalem and to oppose the sacrifices (8:11).
He will resist and tamper with daily sacrifices before he completely takes them away.
6. Truth will be cast down: The Antichrist will twist and obscure the truth with sophisticated rhetoric that will be backed up by miracles and severe penalties enforced by legal and court systems. He will fiercely oppose God’s truth in the nations. The nations will cast off the cords of God’s Word () including the sanctity of life, marriage and sex, and salvation.
2The kings of the earth set themselves…against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3“Let us break Their bonds [God’s Word] in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.”
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14“Justice is turned back…for truth is fallen in the street…” ()
7. He prospered: The Antichrist will temporarily prosper while doing evil. His evil plans and deceitful tactics will prosper for a short time. What he does will seem to be blessed by God. His power and wealth will increase as his armies conquer more nations. His prosperity will cause many to have confidence to join him. It will also confuse some in the body of Christ who have not prepared by understanding the biblical narrative related to the Antichrist.
24“His power shall be mighty…he shall destroy…and shall prosper…” ()
8. God will use the prosperity of the Antichrist’s evil deeds and the outpouring of the Spirit to purify the Church and to save Israel and hundreds of millions of Gentiles.
33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall [martyrdom] by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering…35And some of those of understanding shall fall [as martyrs], to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. ()
G. The Antichrist will trouble the temple for 2,300 days (8:13-14).
13I heard a holy one [angel] speaking; and another holy one [angel] said…“How long will the vision [of opposition] be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?” 14And he said…“For two thousand three hundred days [2,300 days]; then the sanctuary [the temple] shall be cleansed.” ()
1. Angelic conversations: Daniel heard one angel ask another how long the little horn would engage in his resistance against the sanctuary (temple) and the daily sacrifices.
a. The angel answered that the tampering or opposition against the temple would last for 2,300 days (76 months) and then the temple would be cleansed.
b. Daniel gave four details that give us insight into what the Antichrist will do. He will defile the temple by removing the daily sacrifices, trampling the sanctuary, trampling the host, and committing “the” transgression, which is to set up the abomination that results in the desolation of nations.
2. Sanctuary trampled: Antiochus defiled the temple. But the language of speaks of more than mere defilement, pointing also to actual damage to the structure itself. The temple will be “cast down” (8:11) and “the holy place will be trampled” (8:13).
3. The transgression of desolation: This is the first reference in the Scripture to the abomination of desolation. Daniel says more about this later, but here he simply calls it “the” transgression.
4. The vision: Daniel’s vision showed an army under the Antichrist opposing the daily sacrifices (8:12) and eventually taking away the sacrifices and casting down the sanctuary (8:11).
5. The sanctuary shall be cleansed: Daniel learned in his fourth vision that the sanctuary will not be cleansed until 1,290 days after the abomination of desolation is set up (12:11). The angel gave a cryptic answer that became clear only after Daniel received his final vision when he learned that the Antichrist will be allowed to perpetuate the abomination of desolation for 1,290 days or 43 months before Jesus removes it and cleanses the temple and the casts the Antichrist in the lake of fire (8:14; 12:11; ).
11“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 [1290 days or 43 months]. ()
a. When Jesus returns, the sanctuary will be cleansed (8:14) and the abomination of desolation will be removed (12:11). The temple is not cleansed until the abomination of desolation is removed. These two events happen in in close proximity. They will both occur 1,290 days or 43 months after the abomination of desolation is set up (12:11).
b. Israel’s leaders will receive Jesus as Messiah in His triumphal entry to Jerusalem (). He cleansed the temple at His triumphal entry at His first coming ().
6. 2,300 days: There will be a 2,300-day period (76 months or 6 years and 4 months) from the time that the Antichrist opposes the sacrifices and defiles the temple (8:14; 11:31;12:11) until the time when the temple is cleansed by Jesus when He judges the Antichrist.
7. The final seven years of this age begins when the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel and other nations (9:27). But an angel spoke of an additional 30 days or one month (). Thus, 85 months after the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel the temple will be cleansed. The Antichrist will begin to oppose the daily sacrifices (8:11) and defile the temple in 11:31.
31And [military] forces…shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away
the daily sacrifices and place there the abomination of desolation. ()
8. The first sign of the Antichrist’s betrayal of Israel will start 2,300 days or 76 months before the sanctuary is cleansed or 9 months after he confirms a covenant (9:27). Something related to resisting or opposing the temple service will occur 2,300 days (76 months) before the abomination of desolation ends and the sanctuary is cleansed. We are not sure what the resistance will be. It will be the first sign that the “man of peace” who confirmed a covenant in the Middle East (9:27) is hiding his true identity as an evil, demonic man.
a. By subtracting 2,300 days or 76 months from 85 months (when the temple is cleansed), we can see that 9 months after the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel—something will happen related to the Antichrist opposing the daily sacrifices (8:12) that signifies that the he will eventually betray the covenant.
b. The body of Christ will publicly declare the counterfeit peace covenant as an evil demonic deception. They will declare that something significant will happen 9 months after the inception of the peace treaty that will be the first sign that the man who confirmed a covenant in the Middle East (9:27) is hiding his true identity as an evil man. The full betrayal of the abomination of desolation will not happen for another 33 months (9 months + 33 months = 42 months).
H. Understanding the 2,300 days: There are three views of what these 2,300 days are.
1. 2,300 days view: The resistance to the temple will last 2,300 days (76 months).
2. 1,150 days view: Some see this as referring to 1,150 mornings plus 1,150 evenings, thus totaling 2,300 mornings and evenings—totaling three years, two months, and ten days.
3. Symbolic view: Some see the 2,300 days as a symbolic number. However, since all the other numbers in Daniel are taken literally, there is no reason to take this symbolically.
I. Applying the 2,300 days to Antiochus Epiphanes:
1. Some promote theories to make the 2,300 days fit the history of Antiochus. None are precise and, thus, are not convincing. The Jews rededicated the temple on December 14, 164 BC under Judas Maccabeus. Counting backwards 2,300 days, we come to September 170 BC. Some say this corresponds roughly to the time in which the high priest Onias III was murdered. However, most insist that he was killed in 171 BC.
2. Some say that Antiochus persecuted Israel from 170-164 BC. Others insist that he did this from 171-165 BC. If 171 BC is accurate, then there is no known significant event that occurred at that time. If so, Antiochus cannot have fulfilled the prophecy in .
J. Applying the 2,300 days to the Antichrist (see the Combined 2300 Days & 70 Weeks pdf on our cbetskc.com website):
1. The sanctuary will be cleansed (8:14) exactly 1,290 days (43 months) after the sacrifices are stopped and the abomination of desolation is set up in the middle of the final 7 years (12:11).
11“From the time the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days [1,290 days].” ()
2. There are 84 months in the seven-year period of 9:27 or two periods of 42 months plus an additional 30 days or a 43rd month, totally 85 months. By subtracting 2,300 days or 76 months from 85 months, we conclude at 9 months into the final 7 years something significant happens related to the Antichrist opposing and defiling the temple (8:11; 11:31).
3. When the Antichrist, who is masquerading as a man of peace, does something that opposes or tampers with the temple, it will signify that eventually he will betray Israel. He openly betrays Israel at the abomination of desolation which occurs 33 months (or 2 years and 9 months) later (). When this is proclaimed ahead of time, it will alert unbelievers. It will be a sign of the times.
4. We cannot be sure what will happen 2,300 days before the sanctuary is cleansed.
a. Some see this as the time when the Antichrist begins to oppose the daily sacrifices—starting 9 months into the final 7-year period.
b. Some see this as the time when Israel begins the daily sacrifices—starting 9 months into the final 7-year period.
c. Others think that the 2,300 days (76 months) will begin when the abomination of desolation starts and will continue 33 months (nearly 3 years) into the Millennium, signifying when the temple is completed.
K. Some debate whether the 2,300 “evenings and mornings” speaks of 2,300 days or as 1,150 days. Premillennial interpreters usually embrace the 2,300 days view. In the Scripture “evening and morning” speaks of one complete day. Six times in , “evening and morning” are mentioned together as one day (, , , , , ). The flood in Noah’s day is described as continuing “40 days and 40 nights” (,). Jesus “fasted 40 days and 40 nights” ().
L. Summary: Antiochus never caused angelic “stars” or “host of heaven” to fall. This is an end-time event when Satan and his angels will be cast out of heaven to the earth. Antiochus never took a stand against Jesus, the “prince of princes.” Antichrist will do this. Antiochus did not reign in the “latter period” of the Seleucid dynasty. He died 100 years before the end of the Greek Empire.
VI. the importance of understanding God’s view of the Antichrist
A. God sent Gabriel to give Daniel understanding of the vision (8:15-16). His appearance indicates the importance of this vision. This is the first time that Gabriel appears in Scripture, and it is to reveal the power, cruelty, and evil of the Antichrist.
1. Daniel spoke more about the Antichrist in his four visions than about Christ (). Why? Because the Lord knows that many will be deceived by the Antichrist and be tempted to be offended at God when He allows the Antichrist to persecute His people.
The Lord wants the Church to understand His sovereign plan in using the Antichrist.
2. There is a spirit of stupor and unbelief related to the four visions that Daniel saw of the Antichrist (7:15-28; 8:9-26; 9:27; 11:21-36). Many teach that the prophecies about the Antichrist are merely symbolic; others teach that they were all fulfilled in the past (by Antiochus Epiphanes or in AD 70). I talked to a pastor who earned two PhD’s in theology yet said that he could not make any sense of what the Bible says about the Antichrist.
3. God raised Daniel up as a forerunner prophet 2,500 years ago as a premier gift to the generation in which Jesus returns, so that God’s people would be prepared with understanding of what the Word says about the Antichrist and would not yield to fear, offense, or deception but be filled with clarity, peace, and confidence in God’s leadership.
B. In , Jesus’ primary end-time warning was to avoid deception (24:4-5, 11, 24).
4“Take heed that no one deceives you…5Many will come in My name…and will deceive many... 11Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many…24For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (, , )
C. Jesus called His people to see the abomination of desolation and pointed them to Daniel’s visions to grasp it (). The abomination is the central event that helps us to understand Jesus’ view of the Antichrist and the end times. Two components of the abomination will be the image and the mark of the Beast. Daniel described how uniquely horrific the Antichrist will be.
15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…21then there will be great tribulation.” (, )
VII. Gabriel appeared to Daniel ()
A. God sent Gabriel to give Daniel understanding of the vision (8:15-16).
15…when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man [Gabriel]. 16And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who…said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”
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1. Seeking the meaning: As Daniel was seeking the meaning of the vision, suddenly Gabriel stood before him in the appearance of a man to give him understanding.
2. A man’s voice: A voice charged Gabriel to give Daniel understanding. Most angels would not have the authority to commission Gabriel to do something.
3. Gabriel: Gabriel’s appearance indicates the importance of this vision. Gabriel is mentioned four times in the Scripture—twice in Daniel (8:16; 9:21) and twice in the gospel of Luke (, ). Known as a “messenger angel,” each time he delivered significant messages directly related to the coming of the Messiah.
B. Daniel’s response to seeing Gabriel (8:17-18).
17So he came near where I stood…I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” 18Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright. 19And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be…26“And the vision of the evenings and mornings…refers to many days in the future.” (, )
1. Son of man: The name son of man indicates Ezekiel’s human weakness. About 13 years later, Gabriel visited Daniel again and called him, “greatly beloved” (9:23). Though living in weakness, he was “beloved” to God. The Lord loves His people even in their weakness.
2. “…what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation” and “for at the appointed time
the end shall be” (8:19). The final period of indignation speaks of “the great tribulation”
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3. Time of the end: Gabriel emphasized 5 times that the message pertained to the end times (8:17, 19 [2x], 23, 26)—the time of the end (8:17), the latter time of the indignation (8:19b), the appointed time of the end (8:19c), in the latter time (8:23), and many days in the future. These 5 phrases essentially point to the same period and mean the same thing.
a. Was Gabriel referring to the entire vision of the ram and the goat that started in 8:3 or just the second part of the vision describing the little horn that started in 8:9?
b. If the entire vision applies to the end times, then we should watch the current events that are related to Iran, Turkey, Greece, etc.
C. The indignation (8:19): In the Old Testament, the term indignation is used at times when God was indignant with Israel because of her sin and disciplined her through the oppression of Gentile armies—Assyria (, ) and Babylon (). The term “the” indignation refers to God’s discipline of Israel specifically during the Great Tribulation (, ).
VIII. Gabriel’s explanation of the symbols in the vision ()
A. Gabriel interpreted the ram with two horns (8:3-4) as referring to the kings of Media and Persia, and the goat (8:5-8) with the large horn (8:20-22) as speaking of Greece and her large horn—Alexander the Great. Though these were initially fulfilled by the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, they may give prophetic insight into end times events that parallel ancient events.
20“The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia.
21And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the
first king [Alexander the Great]. 22As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.” ()
1. Large horn: The notable horn (8:5) and the large horn (8:21) between the goat’s eyes is Alexander the Great who was Greece’s first king (8:21). He is the broken horn (8:8) who died at 32 years old in 323 BC. This was declared 200 years before Alexander was born.
2. Four kingdoms: The four notable horns (8:8) speak of the four kingdoms that were created after the division of Alexander’s kingdom following his death (1) Seleucus ruled Syria and the land to the east; (2) Ptolemy ruled Egypt, etc.; (3) Cassander ruled Greece, etc.; and
(4) Lysimacus ruled Asia Minor. These four leaders were in place by 301 BC, 22 years after Alexander’s death.
a. Ptolemy and Seleucus ruled about 85% of Alexander’s empire and Lysimachus and Cassander about 15%.
b. The traditional view is that the little horn was Antiochus Epiphanes who began to reign in 175 BC.
IX. the Antichrist’s Personality and power ()
A. emphasizes the Antichrist’s activities in relationship to the Jewish people and the temple in Jerusalem (8:9-14), as well as his reign of terror over the nations (8:23-25).
B. In the end times, the Antichrist will arise as a king to control and oppress many (8:23-24).
23“In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness,
a king shall arise [the Antichrist], having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes.
24His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power [by demonic power]; he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty and also the holy people.
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1. A king shall arise: The Antichrist shall arise as a king or a political leader, not merely an evil religious leader. God will give the human race a king “after their own heart” (). The Antichrist shall arise as a king when sin “reaches its fullness” in the end times (8:23).
2. Their kingdom: The reference to “their” kingdom speaks of the four generals from 8:22.
3. Latter time: The Antichrist will emerge in the latter time of the kingdoms of these four kings of Greece in 8:22 as the evil spirit that animated these four ancient kingdoms will live on and be expressed in those territories. These four kingdoms will express the evil, geography, and ethnicity of ancient Greece. They will find their full and final expression in the Antichrist’s empire as the “composite beast” (7:12) when sin reaches its fullness (8:23).
a. The little horn is to arise in the “latter period” of this extended Greek kingdom (8:23). The Seleucid Greek empire continued for 242 years (305-63 BC).
b. The first king in the Seleucid dynasty was Seleucus who ruled from 305-282 BC.
c. Antiochus IV ruled from 175-164 BC which was not toward the “latter period” of the four kingdoms. Rather, it was about 100 years after Seleucus. After Antiochus died, the Seleucid Greek Kingdom, carried on for another 100 years. Thus, Antiochus Epiphanes arose to be king in the middle of the 242-year Seleucid/Greek dynasty.
4. Transgressors will reach their fulness: In the end times, sin will reach the greatest heights in all history (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).
This is one of the most disturbing statements in the Bible related to human activity.
a. Murder, sorcery, and sexual immorality will reach depths of perversion and will pervade the culture across the nations. Sexual perversion is rapidly accelerating by using new technologies including holograms, virtual reality, augmented reality, combined with artificial intelligence and robotics with human-like skin texture.
21They did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. ()
b. The earth will be defiled by the sin of its inhabitants () .
5The earth is defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed… 6Therefore the curse has devoured the earth…and few men are left. ()
5. Fierce features: The Antichrist will have fierce features (8:23). Some translations refer here to his bold or strong countenance—he will be fiercely cruel without any capacity for mercy.
a. His most prominent name in Scripture is the Beast, because he thinks like a wild beast. He is called “the beast” 36 times in the book of Revelation to convince us that it will be impossible to negotiate with him for mercy. He will be the cruelest man in history.
b. He thinks and reasons like a fierce wild beast. This is important to know is because many will be deceived because he will initially appear as a man of peace who promotes justice and humanitarian causes.
6. Understands sinister schemes: He will have supernatural understanding of sinister schemes. He will solve complex national and international problems—political, military, social, economic, etc.—by receiving supernatural, demonic insight and help (8:23).
a. He will see through the sinister schemes that rise up against him including deceptive and manipulative plans of his adversaries against him. He will be able to understand and uncover treasonous plots against him before they unfold.
b. He will solve complex problems in the spirit realm through the occult.
c. Various Bible translations offer alternative meanings of the phrase “sinister schemes.”
· Insolent and skilled in intrigue (NAS)
· A master of intrigue (NIV)
· One who understands riddles (ESV)
· Understanding dark sentences (KJV)
7. Mighty power: The Antichrist’s power shall be mighty because it will not be limited by his own human power as he will be empowered directly by Satan ().
a. Satan will give his power and great authority to the Antichrist to do great miracles.
2The dragon [Satan] gave him [Antichrist] his power, his throne, and authority.
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9The coming of the lawless one [Antichrist] is…with signs, and lying wonders.
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b. The Antichrist will ascend from the bottomless pit (; ). It seems that he will ascend out of the pit after he receives the deadly head wound. His spirit will descend into the pit, and then he will seemingly be raised from the dead as his spirit will ascend from the pit in proximity to setting up the abomination of desolation and beginning to operate in Satan’s great power at a new level.
7The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war. ()
8The beast…will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. ()
c. Demonic locusts who are currently held captive in that pit will also be allowed to ascend out of the pit to torment people on the earth ().
2And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace…3Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. ()
8. He shall destroy fearfully: (8:24) He will destroy people, cities, and nations in a fearful way and on an unprecedented level using methods that have never been used before (8:24). The Hebrew word for fearfully includes being unique, as in uniquely fearful. He will use unique ways to kill large numbers and will use fearful methods to produce terror.
a. The Nazis were the first to kill people on a massive scale using ovens to exterminate them. Western leaders dismissed rumors of this, thinking that no one could be that evil.
b. Some will be awestruck by his power to destroy. They will worship him with full enthusiasm. Others will be intimidated by this so will worship him.
9. He shall prosper and thrive: The Antichrist shall temporarily thrive politically, militarily, and financially, even while destroying people and operating in Satan’s power. His power and wealth will increase as his armies conquer more nations.
a. He will thrive only for a short season (3½ years or seven years). He will thrive politically, militarily, economically and in terms of his influence and popularity in the nations. His approval ratings will be the highest of any leader in human history.
b. What he does will seem to be blessed by God. Many will assume the prosperity is a sign of God’s blessing on him. This will give some confidence to join him. His policies, military decisions, economic strategies will prosper, enhancing his popularity in the nations.
c. He will oppress and even slaughter more people, but will grow more popular. People will wrongly assume that, because he “rose from dead” after receiving a moral head wound, his power and increase are the result of God’s favor on his life.
d. He will seem totally invincible to the nations (). Because the Nazis rapidly conquered nation after nation, “the myth of Nazi invincibility” was birthed.
4They worshiped the beast [the Antichrist], saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” ()
e. Some believers will be confused about how he could prosper using demonic power. Believers will be strengthened by knowing that Gabriel prophesied his temporary prosperity to Daniel (8:24).
10. He shall destroy the mighty: He will not be afraid to kill the most powerful and prominent leaders (politics, military, finances, media, sports, etc.)—as well as beloved public figures, movies stars, or cultural icons (8:24). They will not be able to “buy him off” or garner his loyalty in return for their services to him. He will not be intimidated for he will not have any fear of repercussion as he will not need their support. This will cause many people to stand with him assuming that he is right because he will be fearless and bold.
11. He shall destroy the holy people: He will kill the Jewish people and the body of Christ (, ; ; ; , ; ; , ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; cf. , ; ; ; ; ).
21…the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22until…a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time
came for the saints to possess the kingdom…25He shall…persecute the saints of the
Most High…the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. ()
7It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. ()
a. The holy people speak of the Jewish people and the body of Christ. To be holy means to be set apart. The Jewish people are called “the holy people” due to their national calling (because God made a covenant with Israel) and born-again believers are called holy in an individual sense because they have received the gift of Jesus’ righteousness.
b. Some of the holy people or saints will be protected supernaturally; some will not.
C. The Antichrist will deceive and destroy people, rise up against Jesus, and be destroyed (8:25).
25Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes [Jesus]; but he shall be broken without human means [by God’s power].” ()
1. Cunning: His propaganda will be cleverly devised to deceive multitudes. He will probably use the arts, media, music, and miracles to make his message convincing. His propaganda team will make everything he is doing look like a beneficial service to humanity.
a. The definition of “cunning” is a crafty use of special skill characterized by trickery. Deceit will be one of his primary weapons. He will be a master manipulator of public opinion.
b. He will present himself as a man of peace but will cause many wars and great destruction. Normally a man who causes wars is hated by the people, but his trickery will be skillful and successful for a short season,
2. He will cause deceit to prosper: He will have a supernatural ability to deceive people successfully. He will convince the multitudes with lies that are confirmed by demonic signs (). He will lie to the kings and great merchants of the earth, yet still prosper. Billions of people will fully accept his lying propaganda seeing him as great leader.
a. He may use the arts, media, and music to make his message more convincing. He will present himself as a man of peace but will cause many wars and great destruction.
b. His deceitful plans will succeed being backed up with demonic intelligence with miracles.
3. He shall exalt himself (8:25): He will have an unholy boldness in promoting himself and will have no fear of consequences for his ruthless attacks on other nations.
a. Paul referenced Daniel’s prophecies of the Antichrist exalting himself as high as God (8:11) and above God (11:36) in claiming to be God ().
4[The Antichrist]…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. ()
b. He will blaspheme Jesus on a global level with boldness and without fear of consequences.
4. He shall destroy many in their prosperity: The Antichrist shall destroy many rich people (8:25). He will not be afraid to kill the rich because he will not need their favor to succeed like most politicians do. The rich should not place their confidence in their wealth to protect them from the Antichrist, for he has no capacity for kindness or mercy.
a. The wealthiest merchants of the earth will support the harlot Babylon.
b. They should not be confident in their prominence nor in their relationship with the Antichrist because he will turn on the Harlot, allowing the 10 kings to destroy her.
16…the ten horns…on the beast…hate the harlot…and burn her with fire.
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5. He shall be broken: The Antichrist will be destroyed in a supernatural way. He will be broken by Jesus without human intervention ().
a. No military alliance will be able to defeat him. The only solution will be the Son of Man intervening from heaven to destroy him by His supernatural power (7:11-14, 26-27)
b. People should not try to assassinate him nor hope for new military alliance or political solution to defeat him. He will only be stopped by divine intervention of Jesus.
c. Daniel described the Antichrist’s judgment four times—prophesying that he will be consumed, destroyed, and broken without human means (but by divine intervention), and that no military alliance will be able to help him or to rescue him from God’s judgment (7:11, 26; 8:25; 11:45).
6. Rise against Jesus: The Antichrist will stand against Jesus as the Prince of princes (8:11, 25).
25“…he shall even rise against the Prince of princes [Jesus]…” ()
11He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host... ()
36“The king [the Antichrist] shall…speak blasphemies against the God of gods.”
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6Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name…
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X. the Importance of the vision ()
A. Gabriel emphasized again that the vision would be fulfilled in the distant future (8:26).
26“And the vision of the evenings and mornings which was told is true; therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future.” ()
B. Many days in the future: Gabriel emphasized that the vision would be fulfilled in the distant future (8:17-19, 26).
C. The vision of the evenings and mornings: Gabriel gave a name to the vision about the 2,300 days during which an army under the Antichrist will oppose the daily sacrifices (8:12-14). The vision was recorded in 8:1-14, but Gabriel highlighted one key facet of it by calling it “the vision of the mornings and the evenings”—that is the 2,300 days.
13I heard a holy one speaking…“How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices…? ” 14“For two thousand three hundred days [2,300 days]; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” ()
D. It is true: Gabriel declared that the vision was true, emphasizing its importance and reliability.
E. Seal the vision: Gabriel told Daniel to seal, or preserve, the vision (8:26) for the people of God’s benefit in the future. The word seal does not mean to make secret (7:28; 12:9), but to preserve it.
1. To seal up the vision meant to write and preserve it, not to make it secret (7:28; 12:9). To seal a vision up sometimes means to hide it, while other times it means to authenticate or preserve it.
2. Daniel was commanded to seal it because it was about things that would occur in the future.
XI. Daniel’s response to the vision ()
A. Daniel fainted and was sick, overwhelmed and astonished by what he saw in the vision (8:27).
27And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it. ()
B. Daniel was sick: He fainted and was sick for days (8:27) because of the severe persecution coming to Israel. If this vision does not make us sick, then we have not understood it.
C. Daniel was astonished: As he thought over the vision, he was astonished by what he saw.
D. Daniel’s work: After taking a few days to recover, he went back to work with the king’s business.
E. Understanding the vision: No one fully understood the vision. Even with the help of Gabriel interpreting the vision to Daniel, there were implications that he did not understand.
1. The Lord promised that in the end times His people would understand (11:33-35; 12:10).
33“Those of the people who understand shall instruct many…35Some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them…until the time of the end.”
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10Many 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. ()
2. Daniel told the vision to others, but none of them understood.
XII. Possible end-time Applications
A. identifies what could be future military conflicts including the ram (Iran) pushing to the west, the north, and the south (8:4). After this Iranian aggression, the male goat (Turkey or a coalition from Eastern Europe) defeats Iran. After the leader of this Eastern Coalition dies the empire would be divided into four new territories. Then from one of these four new Eastern territories (Greece, Turkey, Iraq, etc.) the Antichrist will arise as a little horn who grows in power.
B. may speak of two future wars— Iran “pushing” to the west, the north, and the south, then after this Greece, Turkey, or a coalition from the east responds in a military way. After the death of the leader of this newly victorious eastern coalition, the coalition breaks into 4 new territories. Then from this the Antichrist comes forth, starting small but then growing in great power that dominates the nations.
Session 8 The Forerunner Message in
I. Introduction
A. is considered by many to be one of the most important messianic prophecies in the Bible. Gabriel appeared to Daniel to tell him where Israel and the nations were headed eventually.
B. Outline of
9:1-19 Daniel’s intercessory prayer for Israel
9:1-2 The setting of this vision
9:3 Daniel’s heart to seek God
9:4-19 Daniel’s intercessory prayer
9:20-23 Gabriel appeared to Daniel to give him understanding
9:24--27 The 70th week prophecy
9:24 Israel’s salvation and restoration: six glorious promises
9:25 Events during the 69 weeks (9:25): Jerusalem restored and Messiah comes
9:26 Events after the 69 weeks (9:26): Messiah killed, Jerusalem destroyed
9:27 Events during the 70th week (9:27): Antichrist, his covenant, and the Tribulation
II. Daniel’s intercessory prayer for Israel ()
A. The third vision later in Daniel’s life is recorded in . Daniel received this vision in the first year of Darius the Mede, in 538 BC. Darius ruled the province of Chaldea, i.e., Babylon. This was 68 years after Daniel was taken to Babylon in 606 BC. If he was in his teens when he arrived in Babylon, then he would have been in his eighties at the time of this vision.
1In the first year of Darius [538 BC] the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans [Babylon]… ()
B. Daniel had been studying Jeremiah’s prophecy that Jerusalem would be desolate for 70 years and then restored (; ; , ). It was 538 BC; thus he understood that in two years’ time, the 70 years of captivity (606-536 BC) would be complete.
2In the first year of his [Darius’] reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting. ()
1. By the books: This refers to the Word of God. Jeremiah had prophesied that Israel would be in captivity in Babylon for 70 years (). was written about 60 years earlier, just after Israel’s deportation to Babylon in 597 BC (). Daniel also knew Isaiah’s prophecy about Cyrus helping to restore Jerusalem (; ). Cyrus, the king of Persia, had conquered Babylon one year earlier in 539 BC.
10After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you and cause you to return to this place [Jerusalem]…12You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me…13You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart…14I will bring you back from captivity. ()
2. Seventy years: This 70-year period was to end in two years; therefore, Daniel prayed for Jerusalem’s restoration. God promised to deliver Israel if they cried out for it ().
3. By prayer: Daniel prayed with fasting for the release of God’s purposes. Daniel searched the Scripture to understand God’s plans and promises. Then he responded with prayer and fasting. Many of God’s promises are invitations, not guarantees. Prophetic Scriptures are to produce hope, confidence, and urgency to respond to God in a way that includes prayer with fasting.
C. is a prototype of intercession for Israel. God responded in Daniel’s prayer (9:20-23).
III. Gabriel appeared to Daniel to give him understanding ()
A. The Lord responded to Daniel’s prayer by sending Gabriel to give him a prophetic word (9:20-23). The archangel Gabriel appeared to Daniel twice (8:16; 9:21). The first time was 13 years earlier. Both times, he appeared in human form, having the “appearance of a man” (8:15).
21Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
22And he informed me…, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
23At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you,
for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.
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B. Consider: Gabriel urged Daniel to seek to understand the vision by considering it (9:23, 25).
1. The need to seek understanding was emphasized in each of Daniel’s four visions (7:16, 19; 8:15, 17; 9:3, 22-23, 25; 10:3, 11-14; 11:33, 35; 12:4, 8-10).
2. Skill to understand: The Holy Spirit gives God’s people skill to understand the Scripture.
3. Gabriel spoke in such a way that God’s plan would be clear only to those who were hungry to understand it. He gives according to our hunger for understanding.
C. Beloved: About 13 years earlier, Gabriel referred to Daniel as a “son of man” (8:17) highlighting his human weakness, yet here and in his next vision (two years later), the angel told Daniel that he was “greatly beloved” by God (9:23; 10:11, 19).
11And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you… 18Then again, [the angel]… strengthened me. 19And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not!
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D. Fly swiftly: Gabriel is described as flying swiftly when traveling to visit Daniel.
E. Evening offering: This daily offering would have been at 3pm—a time that devout Jews commonly devoted to prayer (9:21).
F. The command went out: At the beginning of Daniel’s prayer, the Lord commanded Gabriel to visit Daniel. Apparently Gabriel was delayed for some time in bringing God’s answer to Daniel. This is similar to what happened two years later, when an angel was delayed by a demonic principality from answering Daniel’s prayer until the archangel Michael came to help him (10:12-14)
12Then he [an angel] said to me, “…Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand… your words were heard… 13But the prince [demonic principality]…of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael…came to help me, for I had been left alone …14I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days….” ()
IV. The 70-weeks prophecy ()
A. is the only Bible passage that presents Jesus’ first and second comings, His death, the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple (536 BC), and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple again (AD 70). It also describes the temple in the Great Tribulation with the Antichrist’s abominations and the resulting desolations. It concludes with God’s judgment of the Antichrist.
24“Seventy weeks [490 years] are determined for your people…to make an end of sins…”
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1. 70 weeks: A week in ancient Israel was a period of 7 days or 7 years. Here, Gabriel referred to a “week of years” (7 years)—thus, 70 weeks, or “70 units of 7 years,” totals 490 years. The Hebrew reads, “70 sevens” and the term “seven” was used to refer to a period of 7 days or 7 years.
2. Determined: In the council of the Godhead, the Lord sovereignly determined that 490 prophetic years were needed to prepare the Jewish people and Jerusalem.
3. To make an end of sin: The end of Israel’s 70 years of captivity in Babylon did not end her captivity to sin. Her captivity to sin would end after 70 weeks (70 units of 7 years) or 490 years. Gabriel assured Daniel that complete forgiveness and restoration would come to Israel (9:24), but only after she had been disciplined and purified by fire (9:25-27).
B. God’s plan contained surprising developments—Messiah being killed, followed by Jerusalem and the temple being destroyed again (9:26) like the destruction of Solomon’s temple in 586 BC.
C. The temple will be rebuilt in the end times and then made desolate by the Antichrist (9:27).
D. Jeremiah prophesied that Israel would be oppressed for 70 years outside the land ().
Here, Gabriel revealed they would be oppressed for 70 weeks inside the land (9:25-27).
E. In 9:24-27, Gabriel prophetically foretold the following:
1. God’s plan to restore Jerusalem and Israel includes six great blessings (9:24).
2. Jerusalem would be restored (536 BC), and then Messiah would come to Jerusalem (9:25).
3. Jerusalem would be destroyed (AD 70) after Messiah was killed in Jerusalem (9:26).
4. The Antichrist will cause great desolations and then be destroyed (9:27).
F. The time frame for significant events in the 70-weeks prophecy (9:24-27)
1. Israel’s salvation and restoration: six glorious promises (9:24)
2. Events during the 69 weeks (9:25): Messiah came after Jerusalem was restored.
3. Events after the 69 weeks (9:26): Messiah was killed, and Jerusalem was destroyed.
4. Events during the 70th week (9:27): the Antichrist’ covenant, abominations, and defeat.
G. Summary: First, Gabriel gave Israel good news in 9:24-25 by describing six glorious promises that will continue forever (9:24) followed by the promise that Jerusalem would be restored and the Messiah would come (9:25). After that, Gabriel revealed bad news in 9:26-27 by declaring that the Messiah would be killed (9:26) and the Antichrist would bring desolation to Israel (9:27).
V. Israel’s salvation and restoration: six glorious promises (9:24)
A. Gabriel revealed that “70 weeks” (490 years) were sovereignly determined by God to prepare Israel to receive her national salvation and walk in her worldwide leadership role in the Millennium. Gabriel highlighted six glorious promises (9:24), each based on Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. These promises are partially experienced now and will be fully manifested when Jesus returns.
24“Seventy weeks [490 years] are determined for your people and for your holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.”
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B. 70 weeks: Gabriel referred to a “week of years” (7 years)—thus, 70 weeks, or “70 units of 7 years,” totals 490 years. A “week of 7 days” does not have any historical application to this prophecy.
C. Your people and holy city: Gabriel’s focus was on Jerusalem (9:24a); his words answered Daniel’s prayer for ethnic Israel and Jerusalem (9:4-19). God’s end-time purpose is “Jerusalem-centric.”
1. I agree with the view that God’s “prophetic calendar” for the 490 years only advances when Israel is in the Land, with Jerusalem under their jurisdiction, and with a functioning temple.
2. After Jesus’ ministry was rejected starting in AD 27, God’s “prophetic calendar” has been on pause for nearly 2,000 years.
3. Why we see a pause: The 490 prophetic years of 9:25-27 occur over at least a 2,500-year span—from the time that a Persian king gave the command to rebuild Jerusalem in 458 BC (9:25) to the time that the Antichrist makes and breaks a seven-year covenant and is judged by God (9:27).
D. Promise #1—To finish the transgression: Israel’s national rebellion against God will come to an end. The Hebrew word transgression has a definite article here, “the,” implying that it refers to a specific transgression—Israel’s rebellion against God, which is manifested mostly clearly in rejecting Jesus. God promised a time when all Israel will be saved (, ; ).
26So all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer [Jesus] will come out of Zion.”
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4“I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away.” ()
E. Promise #2—To make an end of sins: Sins in the plural speaks of one’s individual sins in everyday life. Israel will be the first nation in which every person will live completely holy lives (; ).
21“Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever.” ()
F. Promise #3—To make reconciliation for iniquity: There will be no consequences for past sins repented of, whether by individuals, family lines, or nations. The negative “sow and reap” effect of sin will be finished because Jesus paid the debt for both national and individual sin. Here, to make reconciliation includes healing and cleansing the land of curses (; ).
1. In this age, a criminal may sincerely repent of his crimes, but still be sent to prison for them. Here the negative “sow and reap” effect of sin will be finished, because Jesus paid the debt for national and individual sins.
2. To “make reconciliation” includes healing the land and cleansing it of curses, demonic spirits, etc. (; ).
14“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will…forgive their sin and heal their land.” ()
2“In that day…I will also cause…the unclean spirit to depart from the land.” ()
G. Promise #4—To bring in everlasting righteousness: King Jesus will establish a new world order in which righteousness will be expressed in the people and in all the social and governmental structures including national economies, agriculture, the environment, and even among animals (). The earth will be filled with righteousness forever (; ; ).
13We…look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ()
5“A King shall reign…and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.” ()
H. Promise #5—To seal up vision and prophecy: God will fulfill all the promises He has given in prophetic visions. To seal up a vision in this context means that God guarantees to bring it to pass.
1. A sealed document was one that was guaranteed. Sealing a document involved closing it, but it also included authenticating it with one’s seal. He will set His seal on all that He promised.
2. The word seal can be interpreted in two very different ways. First, in the ancient world, when a king sealed a document he guaranteed, confirmed, and authenticated it. Second, to “seal up” a document could imply hiding its contents. Some translations use to “seal up” while others do not add the word “up.” The ESV translates it, “to seal both vision and prophet.” The Hebrew reads “vision and prophecy.” The expression can also be interpreted as “to seal the prophetic vision.”
3. The NKJV translates the Hebrew verb hatom as to “seal up” vision. This word can also be translated “to seal, to ratify, or to confirm.” Isaiah used the verb hatom referring to sealing or confirming and preserving the law or teaching (8:16). The idea of sealing to confirm or to preserve is found in others Scriptures (; , ; ).
16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. ()
4. The king of Tyre is described as being the “seal (hatom) of perfection” (). The use of the root of hatom has to do with a seal of approval on him.
5. Peter spoke of “the restoration of all things” that God promised ().
21“…whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” ()
6. Here, the Lord guaranteed the complete fulfillment of all the prophetic visions and promises that He has given His people such as the millennial earth being restored to conditions seen in the garden of Eden and filled with God’s glory (; ), God’s people reigning on the earth with resurrected bodies () and living in the New Jerusalem which will descend to the earth (; , ).
I. Promise #6—To anoint the Most Holy: To anoint is to consecrate and empower for God’s service. There are two applications—to anoint Jesus or the temple. Many see both applications as valid.
The progression of God’s blessings in 9:24 reaches the ultimate here—the Lord will anoint the Most Holy— God’s anointing on Jesus as the King and God’s anointing on the millennial temple.
1. Jesus is the “anointed One”—the Hebrew word for Messiah is meshiach—it can be translated as the anointed one.
a. In the Millennium, Jesus’ anointed ministry will “branch out,” or be fully manifested, filling all the earth with God’s glory (; ).
12“Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the Lord.” ()
14The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord… ()
b. Jesus is anointed now as He reigns at the right hand of His Father (). After Jesus returns to earth, He will be openly crowned before all the nations as God’s anointed King who will then openly receive all power (political), riches (financial wealth), wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing! ().
12saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” ()
2. The millennial temple: God’s anointing, or glory, will be manifested in the Holy of Holies in the new temple () and will “rest on” Jerusalem ().
5…behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple… 7And He [Jesus] said to me, “…this is the place of My throne…where I will dwell in the midst of…Israel forever.” ()
2…the Lord will arise over you [city of Jerusalem], and His glory will be seen upon you.
3The Gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising.
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a. The phrase the Most Holy is godes gada in Hebrew (“holy of holies”), and godes (“holy”) is translated as “the sanctuary” (v. 26).
b. The phrase the most holy is used over forty times to speak of the temple or tabernacle.
3. The glory will rest on Jesus, His temple and His great city Jerusalem (; ).
35…Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ()
VI. messiah was to come afTer Jerusalem was restored ()
A. describes events that occurred before the 69 weeks (483 years) were complete. Messiah was to come 483 years after the command to restore Jerusalem (9:25). Gabriel revealed that God’s answer included sending Messiah (9:25) to establish personally what God promised Israel (9:24).
25“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem [given in 458 BC] until Messiah the Prince [Jesus], there shall be seven weeks [49 years; 409 BC] and sixty-two weeks [434 years; AD 27]; the street [city square] shall be built again, and the wall [409 BC], even in troublesome times. ()
B. The 70 weeks (490 years) are divided into three parts: 7 weeks (49 years), 62 weeks (434 years), and the 70th week (the final 7 years before Jesus returns). There is at least a 2,000-year gap after the 69 weeks, before the 70th week begins. Each date points to a time when significant events occur—Jerusalem restored, Messiah’s first coming, Jerusalem destroyed, Antichrist activity and destruction. See mikebickle.org for a chart titled “Daniel’s 70 Weeks and the 2,300 days.” https://mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3642
1. 7 weeks and 62 weeks: Gabriel distinguished the first “7 weeks” (49 years) from the following “62 weeks” (434 years)—a 49-year period followed by a 434-year period.
2. The two periods are distinguished by a significant event—the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Thus, 49 years after the command was given, Jerusalem was “rebuilt” by 409 BC.
3. The total “69 weeks” (7 weeks plus 62 weeks) equals 483 years before Messiah came.
C. Know and understand: Gabriel called Daniel to understand the details of this vision because its meaning was not immediately obvious (9:23, 25).
D. To restore Jerusalem: Gabriel promised that Jerusalem would be restored and rebuilt. It had been desolate for about 50 years (since being destroyed in 586 BC). The promise began to be fulfilled in 536 BC under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Haggai, and Zechariah (; ).
E. The street and wall built: Gabriel emphasized that the street and the wall would be built again. “The street” is the Hebrew word rehov, which can be translated as open square or plaza. The mention of “the street,” Jerusalem main street or city square and its wall of protection being restored indicates that the city would being functioning again.
F. Messiah the Prince: Many scholars agree that Jesus’ ministry started in AD 26 or 27 and that His crucifixion was in the spring of AD 29 or 30 and thus, that He was born around 4 BC.
G. Troublesome times: The blessing of the coming of Messiah and the restoration of Jerusalem occurred in the context of trouble and difficulty (:l-23; 9:36-37). There were obstacles in the way. In our prophetic promises, there are obstacles. The Lord prepares His people in context to trouble and pressure.
H. The command: From a Persian king’s command to restore Jerusalem (in 458 BC) until the coming of Jesus to begin in His ministry in AD 26 or 27, there was to be a period of 69 weeks, or 483 years.
1. There were four decrees by Persian kings to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple (). One decree was given by Cyrus, one by King Darius, and two by King Artaxerxes. The right dates can be understood when comparing them to actual historical events.
14They built…according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. ()
a. Cyrus’ decree to Zerubbabel in 538 BC (): 483 years brings us to 55 BC. The argument against this is that Jesus did not come in 55 BC.
b. Darius’ decree to Tattenai in 518 BC (, ): 483 years brings us to 35 BC.
c. Artaxerxes’ decree to Nehemiah in 445 BC (): counting 483 years from 445 BC brings us to AD 38. Sir Anderson calculated 483 years, or 173,880, days from this decree, and arrived at April 6, 32 (his calculations have been questioned by many).
d. Artaxerxes’ decree to Ezra in 458 BC (; )
2. Summary: Artaxerxes’ decree to Ezra in 458 BC is the best date since Jesus’ ministry began 483 years later, probably in 26/27 AD, and the initial restoration of Jerusalem could have been completed in 409 BC (49 years after 458 BC). There are no significant events that occurred 49 years (7 weeks) or 483 years (69 weeks) after the other decrees—489 BC and 55 BC (Cyrus); 396 BC and AD 38 (Artaxerxes’ second decree); and 469 BC and 35 BC (Darius)
I. King Artaxerxes’ decree to Ezra in 458 BC (; ; ): counting 483 years after this decree in 458 BC brings us to AD 26/27. In my opinion this is the most convincing date, since Jesus’ ministry probably began in AD 26/27.
1. King Artaxerxes reigned 40 years (464-424 BC). He temporarily stopped the building in Jerusalem (, ), but later in 458 BC, he issued a decree in a letter to Ezra for all to help finance the building of the temple in Jerusalem ().
8And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king [458 BC]…11This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra…13I issue a decree that all…who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you…16and all the silver and gold that you may find in all the province of Babylon…are to be freely offered for the house of their God in Jerusalem…20Whatever more may be needed…pay for it from the king’s treasury. 21And I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree…that whatever Ezra the priest…may require of you…23let it diligently be done for the house of the God…
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2. Thirteen years later, in 445 BC, he allowed Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls (; ).
9“He extended mercy…to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in…Jerusalem.” ()
J. Gabriel made it clear that a Gentile king would give a decree to rebuild Jerusalem. He prophesied that Jesus would come 483 years or 69 weeks (7 weeks plus 62 weeks) after the command to restore Jerusalem that was given by a Persian king in 458 BC. Since the Persian king at that time was the leader of the Middle East “super power,” he was the only person with authority to give a command to build Jerusalem, a city under his jurisdiction.
K. Gabriel gave Israel two timing indicators to make it clear when Messiah was coming to them.
1. In 409 BC, or 49 years (7 weeks = 7 units of 7 years) after the command to restore Jerusalem given in 458 BC, the “main street” or city square of Jerusalem and its wall were to be built. The completion of Ezra and Nehemiah’s rebuilding work in Jerusalem is probably the significant development that occurred in 409 BC. The Elephantine Papyri mentions the man who replaced Nehemiah as governor of Judah in 407 BC, indicating that 409 BC may have been the end of Nehemiah’s work in Jerusalem.
2. In AD 27, or 434 years (62 weeks = 62 units of 7 years) after the city square in Jerusalem was finished in 409 BC, Jesus entered Jerusalem as Israel’s Messiah. This was also 483 years (69 weeks = 69 units of 7 years) after the command to restore Jerusalem in 458 BC.
L. The Lord required Israel to know these two dates or timing indicators since He sent Gabriel to give them this insight concerning when their Messiah was to come to them ().
41…He [Jesus] saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, “If you had known…the things that make for your peace…43For days will come upon you when your enemies [the Roman army] will build an embankment around you, surround you…44and level you…to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
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M. Since knowing the signs of the times that Gabriel give of Jesus’ first coming was important, then how much more important is it for God’s people to know the signs of the times given by Jesus!
VII. messiah was killed and Jerusalem destroyed ()
A. Gabriel described events that occurred after the 69 weeks, or “62-plus 7” weeks (9:26). Jesus was killed and Jerusalem destroyed. Verse 26 focuses on tragic events related to Jesus’ first coming.
26“After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off [killed], but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come [Antichrist] shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war [AD 70] desolations are determined.” ()
B. After 62 weeks: Gabriel said that “62 weeks”—434 years—after Jerusalem was restored (409 BC), two momentous events would occur—Messiah’s death and Jerusalem’s destruction (AD 70).
C. Shall be cut off: Being cut off is an idiom for being killed—cut off in death (; ; ; ).
1. Imagine how shocking it must have been for Daniel to hear that the Son of Man (7:13-14) would be cut off. When Jesus was killed, God’s “prophetic time clock,” or calendar, was put on pause for at least 2,000 years, until Israel would be back in the Land with Jerusalem under their jurisdiction and having a functioning temple.
2. Not for Himself: Jesus did not die for a crime that He committed; He died to save others
D. Destruction of Jerusalem and the temple: Israel’s rejection of Jesus led to Jerusalem’s destruction by the Roman army and the Jewish people being driven out of the land for nearly 2,000 years.
1. The temple has only been destroyed twice in history: 586 BC and AD 70.
2. The destruction of both Jerusalem and the temple has only happened one time since Gabriel gave this prophetic message to Daniel in 538 BC—in AD 70. Parts of Jerusalem have been destroyed over 40 times since AD 70, but without any connection to destroying the temple.
3. The cutting off or killing of Jesus is connected with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple; it resulted in the Jewish people being driven out of the land for nearly 2,000 years.
E. The people of the prince: Gabriel introduced another prince called “the prince who is to come.” This prince is the Antichrist who makes a covenant in 9:27 and is the little horn of 7:8 and 8:9. The people of the prince are identified as the people who would destroy Jerusalem and the temple.
1. Most commentators view these “people” as the Roman army—made up of mercenaries from many nations, thus soldiers under the sway of the Roman government.
a. Gabriel specified that Jerusalem and its temple would be destroyed after 69 weeks.
b. The weakness of this view is in seeing the destruction of Jerusalem and temple in AD 70 as occurring outside of the 490 prophetic years since the 69th week ended in AD 27 and the 70th week begins at the end of the age.
c. In this view, the “pause” on the prophetic calendar is after 9:26.
d. From the going forth of the command until the coming of the Messiah is 69 weeks (9:25b-c). Then, "after" the 69 weeks (9:26a), Messiah is cut off, and the city and temple are destroyed. "Then" (9:27a), some time after the city and temple are destroyed, the Antichrist establishes a covenant with many (9:27a). Gabriel clarified that Messiah's death (AD 30 ) and the destruction of the Temple (AD 70) both happened after the 69th week and before the 70th week, those two events are not considered as part of either the 69th week or the 70th week. Historically, we know they are forty years apart. This means that there is at minimum a forty-year gap between weeks 69 and 70. And there is no reason that gap couldn't more than 40 years, even over 2,000 years.
2. Some view these “people” as the Antichrist’s end-time army. They see the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple as happening at the end of the age in the 70th week. Thus, they see the 2,000-year “pause” on the 490-year prophetic calendar as in the middle of 9:25 right often Messiah is killed.
a. The weakness of this view is that there is no mention in Scripture of the Antichrist’s armies destroying the city and the temple (which houses the image of the Antichrist; ; )
2I 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…the man of sin…4who…sits as God in the temple of God… ()
b. Gabriel said that a flood would bring the “the end of it”—Jerusalem (9:26d).
F. The end of Jerusalem: The end of “it”—Jerusalem under Jewish leadership—came with a flood
of destruction. The Roman military attacks brought desolation to Jerusalem and the temple.
26“…the end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.” ()
1. Gabriel clarified that they should not expect a miracle deliverance from the Roman attack.
2. During Rome’s attack on Jerusalem (AD 66-70), undoubtedly the Jews prayed for a miracle of divine deliverance remembering how the Lord helped the Maccabees to rise against the Antiochus Epiphanes and the Seleucid/Syrian army.
a. When a Jewish priest named Mattathias was being forced by a soldier under Antiochus Epiphanes (175-163 BC) to make a sacrifice to a pagan god, he murdered the soldier rather than submitting to him. Antiochus began reprisals, and in 167 BC the Jews rose up behind Mattathias and his five sons to resist Antiochus. Mattathias’ family became known as the Maccabees, (from the Hebrew word for “hammer”).
b. In 164 BC, the Jews under the Maccabeans liberated Jerusalem from Antiochus’ army and cleansed the temple. They won their independence from Antiochus’ reign of terror and have celebrated it from that time until today in the holiday Chanukah.
c. Israel enjoyed almost 100 years of independence until they were oppressed by Rome.
G. Till the end of the war: War was decreed by God until Jerusalem was completely destroyed.
H. The Lord’s prophetic calendar has on “pause” for nearly 2,000-years. The traditional view is that “pause” began after 9:26, in proximity to the time Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah. At that time, Jesus declared that “their house” (the temple) was left to them desolate ().
37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets…How often I wanted to gather your children together…but you were not willing! 38See! Your house is left to you desolate.”
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I. 2,000-year gap: The gap begins at the end of the 69th week and lasts until the start of the 70th week. Many messianic prophecies have a gap of 2,000+ years between Jesus’ first and second comings (; ; ; ; ; ). For example, while applies to both comings of Jesus, the second part of verse 2 describes the end times. In , John the Baptist’s prophecy of Jesus’ coming has a gap of 2,000+ years.
VIII. The final 7 years ()
A. Gabriel described events occurring during the 70th week—the final 7 years of this age (9:27).
This verse points to world events related to Jesus’ second coming, the Antichrist’ covenant and abominations and defeat in context to the Great Tribulation.
27“Then he [Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant with many [nations] for one week [7 years];
but in the middle of the week [3½ years] he shall bring an end to sacrifice…[in the temple].
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate [the Antichrist], even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate Antichrist].” ()
B. He: The antecedent of “he” is “the prince that shall come” (9:26). (It is the last antecedent, thus is the subject of the next verb, “shall confirm.”) The end-time context of 9:27 points to the Antichrist.
C. One who makes desolate: The Antichrist is referred to as the “prince who is to come” (9:26c), and second, as “one who makes desolate,” or “the desolator,” in the NRSV translation (9:27d). His activities include confirming a covenant, stopping sacrifices, and establishing abominable practices.
D. Confirm a covenant with many: The Antichrist will confirm a political covenant with many nations for seven years. This political covenant will include both Israel and Gentile nations. I assume that the 10-nation confederation under the Antichrist will participate in this covenant ().
1. This political covenant will be result in a counterfeit peace and safety (). It will be the primary political event that signals the final seven years of this age. This covenant will only last 3½ years before the Antichrist betrays Israel by breaking it.
3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction [Great Tribulation] comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
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2. Central to this covenant with Israel is the implied promise that Israel will be allowed to rebuild the temple and begin the sacrifices prescribed by Moses. Israel’s religious leaders today view these as essential to the coming of Messiah.
3. Israel’s leaders will make a covenant with the Antichrist that will result giving him great authority over Israel (; ; ; ; ).
4. Isaiah spoke of the rulers in Jerusalem making a covenant of death (28:14-15). Historically, a political covenant was made either with Egypt to help protect them from Assyria (30:1-3) or with the Assyrians to buy their protection from an Assyria attack.
14Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men, who rule…in Jerusalem, 15because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we are in agreement.” …18Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. 19…it will be a terror just to understand the report.” ()
5. Covenant of death: Isaiah sarcastically spoke of this covenant as a “covenant with death” (28:18) since it would result in many people dying. The covenant with death with the Antichrist will be annulled or shown to be invalid when it does not save Israel from being trampled underfoot by Gentile armies. It will not protect Israel from the Antichrist’s rage.
6. Sheol: The rulers in Jerusalem will made a covenant with Sheol or hell. There will be a demonic, supernatural element to it since Satan will empower the Antichrist ().
E. One week: This is the final seven years of this age that will conclude with the return of the Lord. This seven-year period is often referred to as “Daniel’s 70th week.”
F. Middle of the week: The middle of the week speaks of the 3½-year mark, when the Antichrist shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering in the Jerusalem temple. In the middle of the week, or at the beginning of the second half of the final 7 years (referred to as the 70th week), the Great Tribulation will begin (). This is the same 3½-year period referred to in .
G. Bring an end to sacrifice: The Antichrist will stop the sacrifices in the temple.
1. By doing this, he will violate his covenant with Israel in the area that is most sacred to them—their sacrifices.
2. Stopping the daily sacrifices in the temple in the end times was emphasized six times in Daniel’s visions (8:11, 12, 13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). This act of betrayal will be significant.
H. The Lord’s messengers will proclaim that a man will confirm a covenant that will bring peace to the Middle East. They will declare that in conjunction with this covenant Jewish leaders will be allowed to offer animal sacrifices and initiate the building of the Jewish temple on the Temple Mount, in the place where Islam’s Dome of the Rock (called the Noble Sanctuary) is located.
I. The Antichrist will cause great desolations (9:27). He will do this in various ways, including defiling the temple and killing those who resist him. This will result in cities being destroyed.
27“On the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate [the desolator, NRSV].” ()
1. On the wing of abominations: This may refer to the Antichrist’s extreme abominations.
“On the wing of abominations” may be a figure of speech translated as “overspreading abominations” (KJV, Webster translation). The Antichrist will make many desolate by
his murderous, cruel, and blasphemous policies that enforce his extreme abominations.
2. Consummation: This speaks of the fullness of judgment poured out on the Antichrist.
The Antichrist will continue his “desolating activities” until God’s judgments destroy him. The consummation of judgment speaks of the fullness of what God has determined. The cup of wrath will be poured out on him until it reaches the fullness of God’s judgments. This will result in the Antichrist being thrown in the lake of fire () and Satan cast into prison ().
3. Determined: God has determined to pour out judgment on the Antichrist (the desolate one). God only declares His sovereign determination to act in specific ways in dealing with the nations when it relates to something that is of great importance to His global purposes (; ; ; , ; ; ; ; cf. ; ).
J. Daniel described the Antichrist’s judgment four times, emphasizing that he will be consumed, destroyed, and broken without human means—by divine intervention (7:11, 26; 8:25; 11:45).
8And then the lawless one [Antichrist] will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ()
Session 9 The Forerunner Message in
I. Introduction
A. describes one vision along with the encounter that Daniel had with a mighty angel. The angel emphasized that this vision pertained to the end times (10:1, 14; 11:35; 12:1-3).
1…but the appointed time was long…14“…I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” (, )
B. describes the effectiveness of prayer; the power and cruelty of the Antichrist; and the sure victory of the redeemed—the nation of Israel and all the redeemed.
C. There are five visions recorded in the book of Daniel. One in Daniel’s early life (2:31-45) and four more in the later years of his life—as recorded in , , , and .
D. Outline of
10:1-11:1 Daniel’s angelic encounter (10:1-11:1)
10:1-3 The context of Daniel’s fifth vision
10:4-9 Daniel’s response to seeing a mighty angel
10:10-14 How prayer affects the activity of angels and demons (10:10-14)
10:15-19 Daniel was given divine strength (10:15-19)
10:20-11:1 The angel’s continued conflict (10:20-11:1)
11:2-12:13 The Antichrist’s religious attitudes and military activities and victory for God’s people
11:2-20 Events affecting Persia, Greece, Syria, and Egypt
11:2 Events related to the Persian Empire (11:2)—208 years (539-331 BC)
11:3-4 Events related to the Greek Empire (11:3-4)—8 years (331-323 BC)
11:5-20 Conflict between Egypt and Syria (11:5-20)—177 years (323-146 BC)
11:21-45 Events that give insight into the Antichrist’s activities
11:21-35 Antiochus Epiphanes foreshadows the Antichrist (11:21-35)
11:36-39 The Antichrist’s religious attitudes (11:36-39)
11:40-45 The Antichrist’s military activities (11:40-45)
` 12:1-13 The final deliverance and victory of God’s people (12:1-13)
E. The vision is called a “great” vision (10:8)—it is the longest prophecy about the Antichrist in the Bible (57 verses). The second longest prophecy about the Antichrist is in (51 verses). The phrase “great vision” means that the vision is great in importance and significance.
8…I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me… ()
F. is the most detailed prophecy of the Antichrist. It gives insight into the Antichrist’s political decisions, religious attitudes, and military activities, and Israel’s deliverance and victory.
1. Three of the four most detailed prophecies about the Antichrist in the Old Testament were given to Daniel (7:8-27; 8:9-26; 11:21-36). The fourth detailed prophecy is in .
2. describes how the Antichrist will emerge as a little horn who kills three world leaders and then persecute the saints for 3½ years.
3. emphasizes the Antichrist’s power and cruelty towards people.
4. emphasizes his lust for power, his military aggression, and his self-exaltation.
II. Daniel’s angelic encounter ()
A. describes the angelic encounter that Daniel had in receiving the vision of .
B. The context of Daniel’s fifth vision (10:1-3): Daniel received this vision during the third year of the reign of Cyrus—in 536 BC. This was about three years after Persia conquered Babylon (539 BC).
1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia [536 BC] a message was revealed to Daniel… The message was true, but the appointed time was long… ()
1. Two years before this vision, in 538 BC, the Persian king Cyrus freed the Jewish captives to leave Babylon to go back to Jerusalem. They arrived there in 536 BC. Daniel, being in his mid-eighties, did not go back to Jerusalem since he had an important position in the Persian government.
a. In the first year of Cyrus’ reign (539 BC), he established Darius as leader over Babylon. Thus, the third year of Cyrus and the third year of Darius both occurred in 536 BC.
b. Darius is the name of several Persian leaders. Darius the Mede (11:1) was the son of Ahasuerus (9:1). Some see Darius as the name of a political office such as governor and Gobryas as the name of the man holding this office in Daniel’s time.
C. Daniel mourned because of the trouble the remnant was experiencing in Jerusalem (10:2-3).
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth…till three whole weeks were fulfilled. ()
1. Immediately after the Jews returned to Jerusalem, they faced great pressures ()
2. Because there is no time or distance in prayer, Daniel’s prayer influenced what was happening in Jerusalem 700 miles from where he lived in Babylon under Persian rule.
D. What is a Daniel fast? In 10:3 we learn that Daniel ate no meat or tasty foods and drank no wine and in 1:12, that he ate vegetables. The word vegetables comes from the Hebrew zeroa—it includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (peas or beans), nuts, seeds, tofu, and herbs.
12…ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. ()
3I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth…[for] three weeks… ()
1. A common approach to a Daniel fast includes eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains (breads or rice), legumes (peas or beans), nuts, seeds, tofu, and herbs in strict moderation.
2. Many agree that Daniel abstained from all meat, sugar, dairy products, fried foods, wine, and pleasant foods (all that enhances the flavor—seasonings, salad dressings, sweetener, etc.).
E. Daniel saw a high-ranking angel (10:4-6).
5I lifted my eyes…a certain man [angel]…whose waist was girded with gold… 6His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. ()
1. This appearance of this high-ranking angel reflected the glory of Christ ().
14…His eyes like a flame of fire; 15His feet were like fine brass…His voice as the sound of many waters. 16…His countenance [face] was like the sun… ()
2. Daniel saw an angel that was comparable to the mighty angel that John saw ().
1I saw…mighty angel…his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. ()
F. Daniel was impacted by this mighty angel (10:7-9) who possessed a great measure of God’s glory.
7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision;
but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8Therefore I was left
alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me…9I heard the sound of
his words…I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. ()
1. The stature of the angel speaks to the great importance of the prophetic revelation.
2. Great terror: Daniel was overwhelmed by fear and sorrow and lost his strength when he saw the aggression and cruelty of Antichrist in this vision (10:15-16).
15When he had spoken such words to me, I…became speechless…16I…spoke…, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. ()
III. how prayer affects the activity of angels and demons ()
A. A mighty angel came in response to Daniel’s prayer to give him understanding (10:10-14).
Angelic and demonic powers were both at work in the spirit realm to affect the king of Persia. Daniel’s prayer with fasting had a significant impact in shifting things in the spirit realm. This is
the main passage in the Bible that most clearly describes how prayer shifts the interaction between angels and demons.
11And he [angel] said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you…12for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; I have come because of your words. 13But the prince [demonic principality] of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes [archangel], came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14…I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” ()
B. Greatly beloved: The angel revealed that Daniel was greatly beloved of the Lord (9:23; 10:11, 19). Daniel made long-term life decisions that pleased the Lord.
1. From his youth, Daniel was in prayer three times a day (6:10), yet in his 80s, he still had sins to confess (9:20).
10Daniel…knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. ()
20Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my supplication before the Lord… ()
2. Jesus spoke of the Father loving the relationship and life choices of all those who diligently obey Him ().
21“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
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3. No study on the book of Daniel would be complete without mentioning Daniel’s dedication with emphasis on his prayer life. The effectiveness of his life was undergirded by a lifetime of prayer (6:10), seeking wholehearted obedience (1:8) and to gain understanding (10:12).
8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank… ()
12“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard…” ()
4. Daniel is the only man who was used by God as an example while he was still alive.
13“When a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it…14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves… 19If I send a pestilence into that land …20even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it…they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”
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C. Withstood me: The demonic principality of Persia had great strength—powerful enough to resist the mighty angel for 21 days until Michael the archangel helped.
D. We wrestle against demonic principalities and rulers of darkness in the heavenly places (). There are angelic and demonic authority structures over each city and nation. There are two types of spiritual rulers over each nation—angels and demons in the spirit realm and humans in the natural.
12We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts…in the heavenly places. ()
1. We wrestle with demonic powers by fasting and prayer and obedience in acting in an opposite spirit of what demons energize.
2. Demonic powers can incite negative feelings (anger, fear, confusion, etc.) in a head of state. Prayer releases greater spiritual activity (including angelic activity) to hinder demonic activity so that a king might “feel” differently and lead his cabinet meeting with a different attitude.
1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. ()
3. Political leaders and governmental infrastructures are affected by the activity of angels and demons which can affect the events, decisions, and cultures of the cities of the earth.
1I exhort first of all that…intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…
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E. The prince of Persia: The demonic principality of the kingdom of Persia (Iran) withstood the angel for 21 days. This demonic power sought to stir up the Persian leaders against Israel (10:13, 20-21). The Persian king Cyrus had already released the Jews two years earlier in 538 BC.
F. Kings of Persia: The mighty angel was battling the kings or demonic principalities over Persia.
1. When the Antichrist brings many nations to fight Israel, Persia will be with him ().
3“I am against you, O Gog [Antichrist]… 4I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws,
and lead you out, with all your army…5“Persia [Iran], Ethiopia, and Libya are with them [Antichrist’s army], all of them with shield and helmet…” ()
2. The demonic principality of Persia/Iran who resisted this angel is still very powerful today.
G. Michael came to help: Michael, one of the chief princes or archangels came to help this angel. Michael is mentioned five times—(, ; ; ; ). Each time he is described as fighting. Therefore, some refer to him as the “warrior angel.”
H. I had been left alone there: The mighty angel did not have another angel of great stature to help him to war against the demonic principality of Iran and his host. The mighty angel had been left alone, that is, without the aid of another angel of great stature to assist him.
I. I have come because of your words: Angels respond to the prayers of the saints. The mighty angel and Michael came to Daniel because of his continued prayer. If Daniel had not prayed, these two angels would not have come. There was activity in the angelic realm from the first day that Daniel set his heart to understand and to humble himself before God—this is the same for believers today.
12For from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; I have come because of your words. ()
J. Set your heart to understand: Daniel sought to understand what he saw in each of the four visions that he received in his later life (7:16, 19; 8:15-17; 9:22; 11:33-35; 12:3, 9-10). Daniel was seeking to understand what the Lord wanted in terms of helping Israel in their troubles in 536 BC.
K. I have come to make you understand: A mighty angel came to give Daniel understanding of what will happen to Israel in the end times. The Lord wants His people to understand important aspects of His end-time plans. The main part of the vision pertained to the end times (10:1, 14; 11:33-35).
IV. Daniel was given divine strength ()
A. In seeing the vision, Daniel lost his strength and was overwhelmed with sorrow (10:15-19).
15When he had spoken such words…I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16And suddenly, one [an angel]… touched my lips…, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength…” 18Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened…” ()
B. Sorrow: He was overwhelmed with sorrow when he saw the aggression and cruelty of Antichrist.
C. Greatly beloved: The angel revealed again that Daniel was greatly beloved of God (9:23; 10:11, 19).
V. The angel’s continued conflict ()
A. The angelic dialogue with Daniel continues in 11:1 from 10:21 showing the team ministry between the mighty angel and Michael the archangel. The mighty angel’s power is seen in his ability to strengthen Michael. Darius was a Babylonian leader under Cyrus (9:1). The first year of Darius is the same as the first year of Cyrus.
1“Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.” ()
B. An angel described his continued conflict against demonic spirits (10:20-11:1).
20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.” 11:1“Also in the first year of Darius the Mede [538 BC, two years earlier], I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him [Michael].” ()
C. Do you know why I have come to you?: The angel came for at least three reasons.
1. First, he came in response to Daniel’s perseverance in prayer because Daniel believed God’s promises enough to act on them by praying instead of passively waiting for them to come to pass (10:12).
2. Second, he came to assure Daniel that the Lord would give aid to Israel to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple as Gabriel promised him two years earlier (9:25).
25…to restore and build Jerusalem…and the wall, even in troublesome times. ()
3. Finally, he came to give him prophetic insight into His plans related to Israel’s future troubles (11:2-45) and victory (12:1-13). Daniel received a “breakthrough revelation” that will be used by the Spirit to equip the Bride to stand strong when the principality of Iran rises up against Israel in the end times.
D. I must return to fight: The fact that the angel must return implied that his conflict against the principality of Persia would continue. Thus, the prayers of God’s people must also continue.
The demonic principality of Persia continued to war against Israel through the Persian authority structure over Jerusalem () and in attacking Daniel by casting him in the lion’s den (). Israel faced resistance from Persia over the next 100 years. There is no “cease fire” in the spirit.
1. In response to Daniel’s prayer in 10:2, 12, the Lord helped Israel to lay the foundation of the temple (called the house of prayer) in 536 BC in the face of much resistance from the enemy (; , ). Eventually, Israel succumbed to the pressure and stopped building the temple for 16 years (535-520 BC) but then the Lord sent prophets to help them ().
4Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus …even until the reign of Darius…24The work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year [520 BC; 16 years later] of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (, )
1Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah…prophets, prophesied to the Jews…
So Zerubbabel…and Jeshua…rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; the prophets of God were with them, helping them. ()
2. Two years earlier, Gabriel prophesied to Daniel concerning the restoration of Jerusalem that would occur in the context of trouble and difficulty (9:25).
25…to restore and build Jerusalem…and the wall, even in troublesome times. ()
3. In this very season, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den by the Persian leaders (6:9).
The Persians had recently captured Babylon and thus were the new government over the Babylonian empire. The demonic principalities over Persia that were resisted by Michael
(as a result of Daniel’s prayer) struck back at Daniel through the Persian government.
The Lord sent His angel (6:22) to deliver him from that attack from the principality of Persia.
3Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the [Persian] governors…and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm [in Babylon]. 4So the governors…sought to find some charge against Daniel…16they…and cast him into the den of lions …21Daniel said to the king, “…22My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths…24And the king…brought those men who had accused Daniel, and cast them into the den of lions... 25Then King Darius wrote…26I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel…for His kingdom…shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. 27He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders…[He] who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. ()
a. There was demonic rage against Daniel near the time that he received great prophetic insight. He was cast into a lion’s den () near the time that he received the vision in or and near the beginning of the Persian rule over Babylon.
b. The lions were an external manifestation of the demonic attack against him.
E. The prince of Greece will come: When the mighty angel left, he informed Daniel that the demonic principality of Greece would surely come. This implied that Greece would eventually replace Persia as the “superpower” that would affect the nation of Israel.
1. About 200 years later, Alexander the Great and the Greek armies defeated Persia and became the most powerful empire on earth (331-146 BC).
2. The Scripture does describe the conflict of demonic principalities with each other for control of cities or nations. In my opinion I think the demonic principality of Greece “took over” the territory against the will of the demonic principality of Persia.
F. No one upholds me against these: No other angel of great stature upheld this mighty angel in his fight against the demonic principalities of Persia that resisted him, except the archangel Michael.
G. I stood up to confirm and strengthen him: The angel mentioned that he “stood up” to strengthen Michael two years earlier in 538 BC in the first year of Darius’ reign. It was at that time that Daniel received the vision seen in where Gabriel prophesied the restoration of Jerusalem (9:25).
H. Scripture of Truth: The angel highlighted what was noted in the Scripture.
I. The angel now tells Daniel the truth about the future based on Scripture of Truth (10:21). One of the main reasons for 11:2-20 was to foretell and give an historical context for what would happen from Daniel’s generation through to the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes (11:21-35) who is a type of the Antichrist (11:36-45).
J. Prophetic insight into the future of Persia (11:2).
VI. the Antichrist’s religious attitudes and military activities (11:2-12:13)
A. describes one vision reporting a long conversation between Daniel and a mighty angel who mentioned the abomination of desolation twice in one section of the vision (11:31; 12:11).
B. covers the period from this vision in 536 BC up to Antiochus Epiphanes’ reign ending in 164 BC—a period of 372 years (536-164 BC).
1. Future events related to the Persian Empire (11:2)—208 years (539-331 BC)
2. Future events related to the Greek Empire (11:3-4)—8 years (331-323 BC)
3. Future conflicts between Egypt and Syria (11:5-20)—177 years (323-164 BC)
C. describes future events related to the Antichrist. He gave important details about the Antichrist (25 verses). The first 15 verses also applied in part to Antiochus IV (as in 8:9-12).
1. Antiochus Epiphanes foreshadows the Antichrist (11:21-35).
a. has a dual application.
b. The prophecies here were partially fulfilled in the reign of Antiochus IV (175-164 BC). They have their complete fulfillment in the Antichrist.
2. The Antichrist’s religious attitudes (11:36-39) and military activities (11:40-45): The prophecy in 11:36-45 is fulfilled in the Antichrist (any reference to Antiochus is minor).
D. describes the final deliverance and victory of God’s people.
E. Jesus pointed us to in ; therefore, we should take time to understand it. This is only end-time vision in the Scripture that Jesus directly called His people to understand.
15“When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet…whoever reads, let him understand… 21For then there will be great tribulation…” (, )
1. Jesus drew attention to a phrase that Daniel emphasized twice—the abomination of desolation (11:31; 12:11). By understanding this phrase, we can understand some of the major themes of end-time prophecy. The abomination of desolation is the only political and religious event that Jesus gave to let His people identify when they were in the generation of His return.
2. The “abomination” speaks of a great evil—one that will cause “desolation,” or great destruction. It speaks of an evil event that will result in great destruction in the nations.
3. Two components of the abomination are the image and the mark of the Beast (). This event concerns the Antichrist entering the temple in Jerusalem and declaring himself to be God, then demanding on pain of death that all worship him as God (). Paul and John give more information about the abomination of desolation (; ).
VII. Events affecting Persia, Greece, Syria, and Egypt ()
A. Daniel saw that the Persian government would overthrow Babylon (11:2). Next, he saw Greece overthrowing the Persians (11:3-4). Then he saw military conflicts between Egypt and Syria as they fought for dominance in the Middle East (11:5-20).
B. The Egyptian kings of the South warred with the Syrian kings of the North (11:5-20). The mighty angel gave an overview of a 160-year period (323-164 BC) of conflicts between the Northern Kingdom of the Seleucids (Syrian kings) and the Southern Kingdom of the Ptolemies (Egyptian kings)—from Alexander’s death (323 BC) until the death of the Antiochus IV Epiphanes (164 BC).
C. See APPENDIX #2 of this session in another document for a verse-by-verse study of 11:2-20.
VIII. Daniel received prophetic insight into Antiochus IV Epiphanes (11:21-35)
A. To distinguish between the various kings of history, I will use the following notation:
1. P1 here stands for the Egyptian Ptolemy I (a king of the South in the Ptolemaic dynasty).
P2 stands for the Egyptian Ptolemy II and P3 for Ptolemy III, etc.
2. S1 here stands for the Syrian Seleucids I (a king of the North in the Seleucid dynasty).
S2 stands for the Syrian Seleucid II and S3 for Seleucid III, etc.
3. A1 here stands for Antiochus I (a king of the North in the Seleucid dynasty).
A2 stands for the Antiochus II, and A3 for Antiochus III, etc.
B. This passage describes Antiochus IV who was a type of the Antichrist. Antiochus did not fulfill all that Daniel prophesied here. Antiochus IV reigned 12 years (175-164 BC) during the time that Judas Maccabees and his five sons resisted him. In its entirety, this is actually the most detailed description of the Antichrist.
C. One reason for the angel showing Daniel the events in 11:2-20 was to provide the context to understand Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC). He was the eighth Seleucid-Greek ruler.
He was used by God to discipline Israel and was a type of the Antichrist.
D. The reign of Antiochus IV as a young man (11:21-24).
21And in his [S4] place shall arise a vile person [A4], to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23And 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. 24He 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. ()
1. Vile person: This refers to Antiochus IV as a prototype of the Antichrist. Antiochus IV was
a vile person who was evil. He persecuted Israel with fierce hatred and killed thousands of Jewish people. He called himself Epiphanes or the “Manifest One,” or “Illustrious One.”
2. Honor of royalty: The honor of royalty belonged to Antiochus Epiphanes’ nephew—the son of Seleucus IV. When he being held as a hostage in Rome, Antiochus IV stole his throne in Syria. The Antichrist will not initially have the honor that comes with one possessing royal authority.
3. Peaceably: Antiochus IV presented himself as a peaceful man. Political intrigue was his primary means of operating. He persuaded people using flattery and bribes. Initially, the Antichrist will gain control of a 10-nation confederation through intrigue ().
4. With the force of a flood: Nations will be broken and conquered by the Antichrist. This is the “flood” of 9:26. In 169 BC, Ptolemy VI (181-146 BC) attacked Syria to win back the lost territories of Israel and Phoenicia. Ptolemy’s army was swept away and broken or defeated by Antiochus’ army. Ptolemy was captured (broken) and kept as a hostage (11:26-27).
5. Prince of the covenant (11:22): This may be a leader over the temple and the government. Some see the prince of covenant as the high priest Onias III who was assassinated in 170 BC.
a. The Antichrist will destroy the “prince of the covenant” who may be an end-time false messiah or a top leader over the temple and the government of Israel.
b. The Antichrist will break this “prince of the covenant;” thus it is not Jesus.
c. Many see the high priest Onias III as the prince of the covenant. His brother Jason bribed and conspired to usurp his position. He paid a considerable sum to Antiochus to replace Onias as high priest. Three years later Menelaus paid a larger sum and replaced Jason as high priest in 172 BC. Menelaus had Onias III killed. The office of high priest went to the highest bidder. It became a political position rather than a religious one.
d. Some see Ptolemy VI as the prince of the covenant.
6. The league made with him (11:23): A peace treaty will be made with the Antichrist that will allow Israel to operate the temple and the sacrifices. The Antichrist will “confirm a covenant” (9:27).
7. Small number of people (11:23): Antiochus began with the support of “a small group” (11:23), but eventually he won over the powerful Jewish leaders who furthered his cause in ruling Jerusalem.
a. The Antichrist shall become strong after starting out with only a small number of people. He will grow in strength by sharing his wealth with them.
b. He starts out as a “little horn” among the 10 powerful kings (7:8; 8:9).
8. Richest places of the province (11:24): Antiochus IV entered into the richest places of the provinces (Egypt, Judea, and other provinces, etc.) to take the wealth for his own purposes. His policy was to plunder all that he could.
a. The plunder or spoils of war were used to bribe his associates into cooperation. He devised military plans to take over the fortresses in Egypt. However, these plans had a limited time of victory as determined by the Lord.
b. Antiochus allowed the Jews that he bribed to hold both civil and religious positions and to gain significant benefits for their cooperation with him (11:24).
E. Antiochus Epiphanes would attack Egypt and persecute Israel (11:25-28).
25He [A4] shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South [P6] with a great army. And the king of the South [P6] shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he [P6] shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him [P6]; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27Both 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. 28While 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. ()
1. Shall not stand: The young Ptolemy VI did not stand when attacked by Antiochus in 169 BC. He raised a vast army to fight Antiochus VI, but was defeated.
2. Eat his delicacies: Antiochus devised plans against Ptolemy which included bribing men in Ptolemy’s inner circle, “those who eat of the portion of his delicacies,” (11:26) to urge a young and inexperienced King Ptolemy VI to attack and recapture Egypt’s lost territory in Israel. This bad counsel resulted in stirring up Antiochus against Egypt.
3. Speak lies at the same table (11:27): Both Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI lied to each other.
a. Their schemes were not successful because God is in control with an appointed time.
b. The Antichrist and the king of the South will sit at a table seeking to deceive each other.
4. Moved against the holy covenant (11:28): The Antichrist will return to his land with great riches and will be engaged against the covenant that God made with Israel.
5. Both kings were bent on evil: The two kings, Antiochus and Ptolemy VI, worked together to overthrow the young brother Ptolemy VII. Both kings agreed to things that they fully intended to violate. Antiochus sought to gain money from Ptolemy for Syria and Ptolemy wanted the military support of the Syrians. Both Antiochus and Ptolemy VI wanted to control Egypt. Eventually Ptolemy VI betrayed Antiochus and worked closely with his younger brother Ptolemy VII to remove Antiochus’ influence.
6. Returning with great riches (11:28): After taking the wealth from the Egyptians, Antiochus returned to Syria through Israel. During this journey home, he ran into a Jewish rebellion against him. He squelched the uprising by killing over 70,000 Jews, then stripped the temple with full support of the high priest, Menelaus who was bribed by Antiochus.
F. Antiochus Epiphanes was defeated after attacking Egypt a second time in 168 BC (11:29-30)
29At the appointed time he [A4] shall return and go toward the south [Egypt]; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30For ships from Cyprus shall come against him [A4]; 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. ()
1. Ships from Cyprus: Egypt, aided with ships from Cyprus, was able to defeat Antiochus IV (11:30). A fleet of Roman ships came to rescue Ptolemy.
a. Many translate the “ships of Cyprus” as the “ships of Chittim,” or the “ships of Kittim.” Chittim was a term used to refer to the general area west of Israel in the Mediterranean.
b. The prophecies about Antiochus IV and Antichrist overlap and are mingled here.
c. It seems likely that European or western powers will come to Israel’s aid against the Antichrist. The ships of Cyprus will not be able to hold back the Antichrist. He enters the temple, stops the sacrifices, and places the abomination there.
2. Rage against the covenant: Antiochus vented his rage on Israel as the people of the covenant. This happened on several occasions. In 169 BC, news came to Jerusalem that Antiochus was killed in battle. Based on this false news, Jason reestablished himself as high priest. Antiochus took this as a revolt and came back to Jerusalem with vengeance. He plundered the temple, reestablished Menelaus as high priest, and took treasures from the temple. Historians recorded that between 40,000 and 80,000 Jews were slaughtered or sold into slavery in that attack.
3. Those who forsake the covenant: Antiochus bribed high-ranking Jews who would deny the faith like the high priest Menelaus.
G. The Antichrist and Antiochus are both described as defiling the temple and persecuting God’s people (11:31-35). In December 167 BC, Antiochus offered a pig on the altar and set up an idol to Zeus (Jupiter) in the Jerusalem temple. This is referred to as the abomination that causes desolation. The temple was defiled and was thus no longer pure or clean so that Israel might worship God in it.
31And forces shall be mustered by him [A4], and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32Those 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. 33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35And 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. ()
1. Abomination of desolation: This prophecy has partial fulfillment in Antiochus IV and a complete fulfillment in the Antichrist. Jesus referred to this and the other abomination of desolations verses of 9:27; 11;31; 12:11 and placed them in the future ().
15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place”… 21For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world…nor ever shall be. 22And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved…. ()
2. Corrupt with flattery: Antiochus bribed and flattered the Jews who would cooperate with him which included standing against Israel and the temple.
3. People who know their God: God’s grace strengthened the devout Jews who refused compromise even to the point of martyrdom. The Maccabeans were a famous devout family.
a. Mattathias, a priest had five sons who resisted the apostasy in Israel. The resistance movement was known as the Maccabean movement after Judas Maccabee, the eldest son of Mattathias.
b. They defeated Antiochus, and in 164 BC they cleansed the temple. This historic occasion is celebrated today in the feast of Hanukkah.
4. Aided with a little help (11:34): The Lord helped some in the Maccabean movement who withstood the onslaught of the Syrian military force under Antiochus Epiphanes.
5. Many joined by intrigue: Many Jews joined the Maccabean movement with intrigue which points to the Jews who switched sides from the losing Syrians to the Maccabean movement in Israel. The Maccabees killed the Jew who aided the Syrians.
6. Shall fall: This speaks of those who died as martyrs. This purified faith in Israel
7. The time of the end (11:35): The fullness of this prophecy will be seen in context to the time when Jesus returns.
IX. Five trends highlighted in
A. Premise: The trends that will come in fullness at the time of Jesus’ return are occurring now and will continue to increase until He comes. Thus we believe that God will release the greatest revival in the Church and the greatest harvest of the lost in the midst of the escalating darkness.
B. In , an angel described five key trends occurring on the earth when Jesus returns.
He mentioned the five trends twice—they cover the same five themes using different terminology. Some of these events were partially fulfilled in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in 175-164 BC.
1. Four of them are very positive, while one highlights the coming trouble or persecution.
2. In 11:31 he highlighted the abomination of desolation and described five trends in 11:32-35, then followed it by describing the Antichrist for 10 verses in 11:36-45. He then described the five trends again (using different terminology) and mentioned the abomination of desolation 12:11
3. The first description (11:31-35) connects the abomination of desolation (11:31) to
five key themes: knowing God and understanding His plans (11:32-33), doing miracles (11:32b), reaching “many” (both saved and unsaved) who will be purified (11:33b, 35),
God’s people facing martyrdom (11:34a), and receiving God’s help in persecution (11:34).
31“Then they shall…place there [the temple in Jerusalem] the abomination of desolation…
32The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits [miracles]. 33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many…34When they fall [martyrs], they shall be aided with a little help…35Some of those of understanding shall fall [martyrs], to refine them, purify them…until the time of the end.” ()
4. The second description (12:1-11) connects the abomination of desolation (12:11) to five themes: increased angelic activity (12:1a), great trouble (12:1b), the deliverance of God’s people (12:2), embracing righteousness (12:3, 10), and receiving understanding (12:10).
1“At that time Michael shall stand up…there shall be a time of trouble [Great Tribulation] …your people shall be delivered…3and…turn many to righteousness …10Many shall be purified …but the wise shall understand…11and the abomination of desolation is set up…” ()
C. Summary of the five themes presented by the mighty angel (11:31-35 and 12:1-13):
#1 Increased understanding to know God and His plans: The Lord will raise up “people of understanding” who will know God and make His heart and plans known to “many” (11:32-33).
#2 Supernatural ministry: There will be great miracles (11:32), including much angelic activity by Michael and his angels (; ) and a global outpouring of the Spirit ().
#3 God’s people delivered: Some will be aided in persecution (11:34), and all will be delivered when Jesus returns (12:2). God’s people will be fully delivered physically (from persecution) and politically (from oppressive governments) by Jesus’ return and the resurrection (12:1-2).
#4 Many walking in righteousness: This includes “many” believers repenting of compromise to walk in purity as well as “many” unbelievers turning to Jesus for salvation (11:35; 12:3, 10; , ).
#5 Time of trouble: This includes the Great Tribulation () and persecution (11:34).
D. See APPENDIX #1 at the end of this document for more information on these five trends.
X. The Antichrist’s religious attitude: His Arrogance ()
A. The Antichrist’s religious attitude is seen in his arrogance and self-exaltation (11:36-37).
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…37He 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.” ()
1. The king: The Antichrist will be a political leader (11:36) in the generation when Israel is permanently delivered at the end (12:1-3). He was earlier referred to as the “little horn” (7:8), “another king” (7:24), a “king who will arise” (8:23), and the “prince to come” (9:26).
2. His own will: His arrogance will manifest in that he will do his own will without fear of consequences from God or man. This also refers to his seemingly unstoppable military might.
3. Exalt himself above every god: His unique political, military, economic, and spiritual power will embolden his pride to the point where he will claim to be God. He will exalt himself as high as Jesus (8:25). Paul referred to Daniel’s prophecies of the Antichrist exalting himself as high as God (8:11) and above God (11:36) in claiming to be God ().
4[The Antichrist]…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. ()
4. Speak blasphemies: He will speak pompous words in claiming things about himself that
are shocking as he speaks with terrible boldness against God (7:8, 11, 20, 25; ). He shall speak of “great things”—things so unique and extraordinary, as well as new things never heard of before (). The spirit of the Antichrist is expressed in blasphemy.
5He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…6he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle… ()
5. He shall prosper: He shall prosper, but only until the time that God’s wrath accomplishes its sovereignly determined purpose (11:36). He will prosper only a short time (3½ years).
6. Shall not regard the God of his fathers: He will reject the religion of his ancestors. Some use this verse to make a case that the Antichrist is an apostate Jew. They say that he may grow up in a Jewish home; however, the text is inconclusive. The phrase the God of his fathers can be singular or plural. The “God of your fathers” is biblical phrase (; ).
a. The singular—“the God of your fathers”—is a biblical phrase for those with a devout Jewish heritage. Manasseh humbled himself before the God of his fathers (). Ananias told Paul that the God of our fathers had chosen him ().
b. Some translate it in the plural as the “gods of his fathers.”
7. Not regard the desire of women: Some translate this as he shall have no “desire for women,” meaning that he will hate women in every way. If this is the meaning, then he may legalize perversion and oppression that targets women.
a. The “desire of women” seems to be something related to God, since the first thing he disregards in 11:37 is “God,” and next is “women,” and third is “other gods.” It seems that the second thing he disregards has to do with God—God’s deep value of women.
b. Some think that the phrase “the desire of women” is a reference to Messiah, because Jewish women were said to all desire to be the mother of Messiah.
8. He shall not regard any god: He will have a total anti-God policy. He will be totally anti-religion in all of his policies. He will not tolerate the harlot of Babylon religion. He will require all to worship only him under threat of losing their lives (). One of Satan’s purposes in giving him power is to lead a global satanic worship movement (, )
4So they worshiped the dragon [Satan] who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast [AC], saying, “Who is like the beast?”15…to cause as many as would not worship the…beast to be killed. (, )
9. Above them all: He shall exalt himself above them “all” (11:37). He will view himself as more important and powerful than the concerns of women and religion.
B. The Antichrist’s religious attitude is seen in his magnifying “a god war” (11:38-39).
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. 39Thus 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.” ()
1. He shall honor a god of fortresses: The Antichrist will honor “a god of war,” or military conquest (11:38). The god of fortresses speaks of demons that work to promote war, thus combining military and demonic power (11:40-45; cf. 7:8, 24; ; ).
2. A foreign god: This speaks of a demonic source behind his military strategy and success. He will acknowledge Satan, advancing the glory of the demonic realm by promoting leaders who have zeal for Satan. He will advance “its” glory and shall cause “them” to rule over many (11:38-39). The “it” and “them” may be demonized leaders who zealously worship Satan.
3. But in their place: The Antichrist will value and exalt war more than the God of his fathers, the desire of women, or any god (11:38). He will give “the god” of military might the honor and value that others give to God, religion, and women.
4. Honoring a god his fathers did not know: His fathers did not “know” or experience war. The combination of military and demonic power will be unknown in his heritage. This may imply that he will grow up in a family that was not involved in the military or in satanic worship.
5. Honor with gold and silver: The Antichrist will honor the god of war, the god of military might (god of fortresses), with gold and silver by spending unprecedented amounts of money on developing his military.
6. Act against the strongest fortresses: He will take aggressive military action against the strongest nations (and military alliances), those with superpower status in military might.
7. He shall cause them to rule: Leaders—political, military, economic—who fully support him will be rewarded with opportunity to rule, i.e., promotions to new positions, with authority over many. He will reward them with land gained as the spoils of war. In other words, he will use bribes to make alliances with and gain the cooperation of leaders in the nations.
XI. The Antichrist’s military activities ()
A. This passage identifies some of the Antichrist’s most significant military campaigns (11:40-45).
He will overwhelm (11:40), overthrow (11:41), and stretch out his hand against (11:42) nations.
The north and south are determined in their relationship to Jerusalem.
40“At the time of the end the king of the South [Egypt] shall attack him [Antichrist]; and the
king of the North [Syria] shall come against him [Antichrist]…and he [Antichrist] shall enter the countries, overwhelm them …41many countries shall be overthrown… ()
B. Scholars debate whether there are two or three kings in 11:40. The three-king view identifies the Antichrist (a king, 11:36), the king of the North, and the king of the South. The two-king view sees only the king of the North (the Antichrist) and the king of the South (Egypt). Both views are plausible. In my opinion, the three-king view is the best view but I am not dogmatic
C. In 11:40-45 there are 16 masculine, third person, singular pronouns: “he,” “him,” “his.”
• He is used 7 times (11:40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
• Him is used 4 times (11:40 twice, 44, 45)
• His is used 5 times (11:41, 42, 43, 45 twice)
D. Three-king view: In this view, the mighty angel introduced a third king into the narrative—“the king” in 11:36 who is the Antichrist and who is based near Jerusalem, not in Syria (11:45).
1. The three-king view is consistent in the way it interprets all 16 pronouns as referring to the Antichrist thus, seeing the Antichrist as separate from the king of the North.
40“At the time of the end the king of the South [Egypt] shall attack him [Antichrist]; and the king of the North [Syria] shall come against him [Antichrist]…and he [Antichrist] shall enter the countries…41many countries shall be overthrown… ()
45And he [the Antichrist] shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain [in Jerusalem]… ()
2. A weakness in the three-king view is in seeing Antiochus both as a type of the Antichrist (11:21-35) and a type of one of the Antichrist’s enemies (11:40-45).
3. Some suggest another weakness in the three-king view is that historical enemies—the kings of the North and the kings of the South—are eschatological allies. But nations can have a common enemy without being allies. For example, Iran and Iraq have a common enemy in Israel without being considered as military or political allies.
E. Two-king view: This view sees the Antichrist as the king of the North. The rationale for this view is in seeing that since Antiochus was described as the king of the North, so the antitype, the Antichrist, should also be the king of the North.
1. A strength of this view is that throughout 11:5-28, the “king of the North” always refers to the Syrian king, and the “king of the South” always speaks of the Egyptian king.
2. A strength of this view is that 11:40-45 only emphasizes the defeat of the South (Egypt) without mentioning the defeat of the North (Syria).
3. A weakness in the two-king view is seeing the Antichrist as being based in Syria instead of near Jerusalem (11:45).
4. A weakness in the two-king view is in the inconsistency of interpreting 15 of the masculine pronouns as referring to the Antichrist, and one referring to the king of the South (11:40).
40“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him [Antichrist as king of the North]; and the king of the North [the Antichrist] shall come against him [king of the South] like a whirlwind…and he [king of the North] shall enter the countries…” ()
F. The practical effect of the three-king interpretation is in looking for a northern confederacy of nations to resist the Antichrist. The practical effect of the two-king interpretation is seeing the Antichrist as being based in Syria instead of Jerusalem (11:45), Babylon, Turkey, or Russia.
G. The Antichrist may have some historical roots in Syria, but Syria will still fight the Antichrist
H. Syria (part of Assyria) and Egypt will be unified with Israel when the Lord returns ().
23In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria [includes Syria], and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and…the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. 24In that day Israel will be
one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land… ()
XII. the kings of north and south will attack the Antichrist ()
A. The kings of the North and South will attack the Antichrist (11:40). The kings of the South (Egypt) and the North (Syria) will probably each have a coalition of nations working with them since Syria and Egypt would not be able to threaten the Antichrist’s empire without the help of other nations.
40“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him [Antichrist]; and the king of the North shall come against him [Antichrist] like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he [Antichrist] shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.” ()
1. King of the North: Syria may be the leading country in a northern confederacy, called the “king of the North” (11:40), which will most likely be an Islamic/Arab bloc.
2. King of the South: Egypt may be the leading country in a southern confederacy, called the “king of the South” (11:40, 42)—it may also be an Islamic/Arab bloc.
3. Shall Attack: These attacks against the Antichrist may be preemptive strikes before he gains more power and invades them.
4. Overwhelm them: The Antichrist will respond by entering countries and overwhelming them.
B. The Antichrist shall enter the “Glorious Land” of Israel (11:41, 45; cf. 8:9).
41“He shall also enter the Glorious Land [Israel], and many countries shall be overthrown;
but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.”
()
C. Many countries: The Antichrist will engage in a hostile takeover of many nations.
D. Edom, Moab, and Ammon: These three countries correspond with present-day Jordan. They will be escape or will be spared, possibly because they help him. They escape trouble until Jesus marches through Bozrah and Teman, which refer to this same area (; ).
XIII. The Antichrist will attack Egypt ()
A. The Antichrist will attack Egypt (11:42-43). Egypt will be temporarily overthrown and occupied by the Antichrist’s military, giving the Antichrist control of their national finances.
42“He [Antichrist] shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall
not escape. 43He 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.” ()
B. The land of Egypt will not escape: Isaiah gives many more details about the Antichrist’s attack against Egypt in the end times ()
17And the land of Judah [Antichrist’s activity in Judah] will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid…20for they [the Egyptians] will cry to the Lord because of
the oppressors [the Antichrist], and He will send them a Savior…22The Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord…” ()
C. Power over the treasures: The Antichrist will have power over Egypt’s national economy. He will exert his influence over their gold and silver and their precious things (11:43) such as their oil wells, natural resources, and their waterways which are significant trade routes.
D. Libya and Ethiopia: Libya in north Africa and Ethiopia in east Africa are highlighted by Ezekiel as being allies who partner with the Antichrist in his attack against Israel ().
3“I am against you, O Gog [Antichrist]… 4I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws,
and lead you out, with all your army…5“Persia [Iran], Ethiopia, and Libya are with them [Antichrist’s army], all of them with shield and helmet…” ()
E. Shall follow: The Libyans (North Africa) and Ethiopians “shall follow” at the Antichrist’s heels (11:43). The NIV translates “at his heels” as “in submission,” thus, conquered by him. In other words, to be “in step,” or in cooperation, with the Antichrist. The Ethiopians (Nubians, kusim in Hebrew) may also include Sudan and/or parts of East Africa.
F. The information in the prophetic oracles in 11:40-45 will be very important in providing direction to the end-time Church as they pray for the body of Christ in each of regions mentioned.
XIV. The Antichrist will be attacked from the east and north ()
A. The Antichrist will be firmly resisted and/or attacked from the east and the north (11:44). He will act in great anger to annihilate the leaders and nations that participated in the troubling news.
44“But news from the east and the north shall trouble him [Antichrist]; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.” ()
B. News from the east: The Antichrist will hear troubling news from the Asian kings of the East, who will persistently resist his financial seductions, refuse his demonic miracles, and stand against his military threats. Eventually the Antichrist will win over the kings of the East ().
12The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the East might be prepared. 13I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan], out of the mouth of the beast [Antichrist], and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14They are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth…to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty… 16They gathered them together to the place called…Armageddon. ()
C. News from the north: This may not refer to Syria (the king of the North). It possibly speaks of trouble from the Antichrist’s ten-nation confederation based in the far north (, ; ), in contrast to Syria being in the immediate north in relationship to Israel.
6…the house of Togarmah [Turkey/Armenia] from the far north…many people are with you
[the Antichrist]… 15Then you will come from your place out of the far north…a mighty army. (, )
1“…prophesy against Gog [the Antichrist], and say, …“Behold, I am against you, O Gog…
2I will…bring you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.
()
D. Trouble him: The troubling news maybe news of treason or division in the Antichrist’s ranks since the unity of his 10-nation confederation will be fragile (). The news may be related to the seals, trumpets, and bowls destroying his resources ().
41“You saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided…42so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43As you saw iron mixed
with ceramic clay…but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.” ()
XV. The Antichrist will plant his palace near Jerusalem ()
A. His palace: The Antichrist will enter the land of Israel (11:41; cf. 8:9) and he will plant his palace or governmental headquarters near Jerusalem (11:41, 45; cf. 8:9). This implies that Israel will give him great authority in their national government along with their temple—where he will sit and will also set up his image (; )
45“And he [Antichrist] shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas [Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea] and the glorious holy mountain [temple site in Jerusalem] yet, he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.” ()
1. The Antichrist may be interested in keeping Jerusalem intact to make it his headquarters instead of destroying the city with bombs (; ; ).
2. Moving his palace or headquarters to Israel might be part of what stirs things up back home in the far north. Imagine Hitler moving his main base to Jerusalem instead of Berlin during World War II. That would have stirred up his leadership back home in Germany!
3. The Lord will raise up a shepherd—the Antichrist—in the land of Israel ()
16“I [the Lord] will raise up a shepherd [Antichrist] in the land [Israel] who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken…”
()
4. The Antichrist may use the covenant of 9:27 to gain a stronghold in the land of Israel. He will annul or betray the covenant and trample Israel as Daniel saw in 7:7, 19.
14“…you scornful men, who rule…Jerusalem, 15because you said, “We have made
a covenant with death…18Your covenant with death will be annulled [violated]…when the overflowing scourge passes through [Israel], then you will be trampled down by it…”
(, )
B. Glorious holy mountain: This speaks of the temple site on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.
C. The seas: The seas on the two sides of Jerusalem are the Mediterranean Sea (on the west) and the Dead Sea (on the east).
D. Come to his end: The Antichrist will be defeated (11:45) without help from any human sources (8:25). Jesus will destroy him (7:11-14, 22, 26-27; 9:27; 11:45; ; ; ).
1. The Antichrist shall come to an end even with his great wealth and vast army that will seem invincible. His armies will not be able to protect him from his God-ordained destruction.
2. Jesus will consume and destroy the Antichrist simply by breathing on and looking at him.
8Then the lawless one [Antichrist] will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ()
E. Some see Antiochus Epiphanes as the king in 11:36-45. However, the historical facts of his life and military career do not fit this passage. He did not exalt himself above every god (11:36-37), nor did he reject “the gods of his fathers,” nor worship “a god unknown to his fathers” (11:38). Rather, he worshiped the Greek pantheon that his fathers did and built an altar to worship Zeus in the Jerusalem temple. Antiochus did not die or “come to his end” in Israel (11:45), but in Persia.
F. The Antichrist will be involved in many wars as seen in 11:40-45. The timing of these events is clearly in the end times (11:40) when four significant things occur together. First, the defeat of the Antichrist in the land of Israel (11:45). Second, the Great Tribulation (12:1). Third, Israel’s national deliverance (12:1). Fourth, when the saints are raised from the dead (12:2). These events happen all in the same time frame which is in the generation that the Lord returns.
G. Why would God give prophetic information about the Antichrist’s military activities?
1. First, so that God’s people would be able to pray for the nations and their leaders as indicated in . This “military intelligence” will affect and direct their prayers.
2. Second, so that God’s people would be able to declare these events before they even happen. This may cause some unbelievers to believe in the prophetic scriptures and thus turn to the Lord. For example, when God’s people boldly declare that the Antichrist is a demonized man, though he brought peace to the Middle East, then they will tell unbelievers that Egypt and Syria will attack the Antichrist and mention the other events signified in .
3. Third, this passage assures us that the Antichrist will not conquer every nation of the earth. There will be nations resisting him at the end as seen here in . Yes, he will have some influence in all nations, but that is not the same as dominating them all.
4. Fourth, to prepare believers in the nations mentioned in to understand some of the challenging things ahead. Knowing that these are part of God’s prophetic plan will help them to respond in faith instead of fear. For example, the Antichrist will take over the treasures of gold and silver (the national economy) of Egypt for a short season ().
XVI. The final deliverance and victory of God’s people ()
A. describes the full and final deliverance and victory of God’s people—Israel and the saints. This passage assures us of God’s sovereign power and of eternal rewards for the faithful.
B. emphasizes the sovereign rule of God over all, declaring that history is heading towards a most glorious future and that God’s people will prevail with victory.
C. In 12:1-13, the angel again highlighted the five activities that were emphasized in 11:31-35. These truths will give God’s people courage to live godly lives and refuse compromise.
XVII. God’s people will be victorious over the Antichrist ()
A. God’s people will be victorious over the Antichrist (12:1). After describing the Antichrist’s invasion of Israel (11:45), the mighty angel assured Daniel that Michael will rise up to help Israel (12:1) and that the martyrs will be raised up and rewarded in the resurrection (12:2-3).
1“At that time [the battles in 11:40-45] Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people [Israel]; and there shall be a time of trouble [Great Tribulation], such as never was since there was a nation…at that time your people shall be delivered…
()
B. At that time: Several important things will occur in the same time frame—the Antichrist will have his headquarters in Israel where he is later killed (11:45), Michael the archangel will arise to action (indicating angelic activity and miracles resulting in many turning to righteousness; 12:1, 3),
the Great Tribulation, the deliverance and salvation of Israel (12:1), the resurrection (12:2), globalization made possible by travel, and knowledge increasing in an unprecedented way (12:4).
C. Great Tribulation: In , Jesus referred directly to this time of trouble () when He spoke of a “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world.”
1…there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation… ()
21“There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved…” ()
1. Jesus described the Great Tribulation as being so violent that if its time was not cut short then no one would survive (). The death toll will far surpass anytime in history.
2. Some scholars think this most severe “time” of tribulation was fulfilled in AD 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed. The death toll of the World War II far surpassed the death toll in
AD 70. The death toll in the Great Tribulation will far pass World War II and AD 70.
D. Michael the great prince: Michael is a great angelic prince, or a mighty archangel ().
E. Stands watch over: Michael’s divine assignment is to protect and stand watch over Israel.
F. Michael will stand up: In the end times, Michael will “stand up” to help Israel—he will arise to action in the earthly realm. This indicates an unprecedented increase of angelic activity with miracles. Great miracles occurred when angels appeared in the book of Acts. Michael will fight for Israel in a way similar to what Daniel saw him do against the principality of Persia in 10:12-14.
1. John elaborated on Michael standing up in the end times as seen here in 12:1. John prophesied Michael and his angels will cast Satan and his demons out of heaven (). Satan and his demonic principalities currently operate in the heavenly realm (; ).
7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought…9The great dragon [Satan] was cast out…he was cast to the earth, and his angels [demonic principalities] were cast out with him. ()
2. The spiritual warfare modeled in will be played out again on a global level. The Lord is raising up a global “corporate Daniel” to pray for Israel in the spirit of .
3. The demonic principality of Persia/Iran who resisted this mighty angel is powerful today.
The Antichrist will bring many nations including Persia to fight Israel ().
3“I am against you, O Gog [Antichrist]…4I will…lead you out, with all your army… 5“Persia [Iran], Ethiopia, and Libya are with them [Antichrist’s army]…” (, )
G. Your people shall be delivered: God’s people will be fully and finally delivered spiritually (from sin), physically (from persecution), and politically (from oppressive governments), etc. This includes the glorious reality of the salvation of national Israel.
XVIII. in the resurrection the saints recover all that was lost ()
A. In the resurrection the saints will recover all that was lost in persecution (12:2-3). The faithful will receive far more than a 100-fold increase of all that was lost (). The saints are emboldened by the assurance of the rapture, resurrection and eternal rewards.
2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake [resurrection], some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever.” ()
B. Shall awake: Many will be martyred in the end times (11:33-35), but they only sleep until Jesus awakens them. The enthroned Messiah will rescue Israel and resurrect the dead saints.
C. Everlasting contempt: Some will be resurrected to eternal shame and contempt.
1. The Scripture teaches the resurrection of the righteous and the damned.
2. All of the dead will be raised when Jesus calls forth all who are in the graves—the godly and ungodly from all history ().
28Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. ()
9…punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord… ()
a. We all deserve shame, but the Man who will deliver the nations from the Antichrist bore our shame and gave us His own righteousness as a free gift.
b. Those who refuse His gift of salvation will bear their own shame forever ().
D. Those who are wise: Those who make strong choices to be loyal to truth—the truth about the nature of who Jesus is (as God and Man and the only way to salvation) and truth about His leadership in our life and over the nations. Those who understand, embrace, and make known the Lord’s His end-time narrative (11:33;12:10) will “shine” in their resurrected body.
3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever. ()
E. Those who turn people to righteousness: Righteousness includes all that God’s Word says is “right” in the practical areas of our daily life related to our money, speech, sexuality, time, and relationships. These are those who speak the truth in a time when the distorted grace message is leading many to be confident to continue in compromise under a false understanding of grace.
F. Turn: Those who turn will be those who formerly lived in unrighteous and sinful addictions.
People turn to righteousness more consistently when others—pastors, fathers, or mentors— invest in them by walking with them through the practical processes of their godly choices.
G. Shine: They will shine like stars forever as the Lord rewards the faithful for standing true.
In other words, it is worth it to choose righteousness and forever shine. Jesus emphasized God’s promise from 12:3 of the righteous shining like stars ().
43“Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” ()
41…for one star differs from another star in glory. 42So also is the resurrection of the dead.
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XIX. Details about the Great Tribulation ()
A. The mighty angel told Daniel to seal the vision (12:4), then assured him that the trouble would be brief—only 3½ years—but that it would completely shatter Israel’s self-sufficiency and pride in her accomplishments (12:7). He assured Daniel that many would respond to the Lord by turning to righteousness and gaining wise insight into God’s end-time plans (12:10).
B. The mighty angel spoke of 75 additional days (30 days + 45 days) in which important events would occur after the well-known 1,260 days or 42 months were completed (12:11-12).
XX. Daniel prophesied the increase of knowledge and travel ()
A. Daniel was told to seal the vision and then he was given two important signs of the end-time—increased travel (to run to and fro) and increased knowledge (12:4).
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.” ()
B. Seal the book: The sealing of a vision here indicates preserving it against change or addition—to keep it intact so it could be read and understood by many. To seal a vision can mean to preserve it by writing it down and properly protected it (8:26; 12:4), or it can mean to hide its full meaning (12:9), or to authenticate and fulfill what is promised in it (9:24).
1. The sealing of the book here speaks of preserving it so it could be read by many in the end times. The book or the original document was shut up or put in a place to be preserved.
2. Daniel was in his mid-80s living in the Persian court in Babylon. He was called to make sure his prophecies were preserved until scribes were established who would copy them.
3. The sealing of Jeremiah’s property deed was not to hide the contents, but to preserve it. Jeremiah made this transaction in presence of witnesses who signed the deed ()
9So I bought the field…10I signed the deed and sealed it, took witnesses…11So I took the purchase deed, both that which was sealed according to the law…12I gave the purchase deed to Baruch…in the presence of the witnesses who signed the purchase deed…
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C. Signs of the times: Daniel was told about two developments in society that were significant enough to mention in context to Michael standing up, the Great Tribulation, the salvation of Israel, and the resurrection—they are increased travel and increased knowledge, making globalization possible.
1. Increased knowledge and travel can make sin or righteousness more accessible in far greater intensity. They are both significant components in facilitating the synergism of good or evil resulting in the gospel being preached () or of evil coming to fullness ().
2. Globalization speaks of the peoples of the world functioning as a single world society.
It implies an interconnectedness of knowledge, products, media, economics, technologies, transportation, military forces, and more—in a way that is unhindered by national boundaries.
D. Premillennial commentators who see 12:4 as an increase of travel and general knowledge include John Walvoord, Leon Wood, Richard DeHaan, Eugene Faulstich, James Coffman, Uriah Smith, Gary Fisher, Scott MacGregor, David Reagan, Ron Cusano.
E. Some limit their view of 12:4 to only pertain to increasing in knowledge of the book of Daniel.
This does not capture the fullness of the remarkable truth that the angel is highlighting.
F. The mighty angel highlighted an unprecedented increase of knowledge in the end times (12:4).
1. The scientific revolution in the 20th century continues today. It includes the discovery of
X-rays, radioactivity, sub-atomic particles, relativity, quantum theory, even splitting atoms, and manipulating DNA. Most major technological advances have taken place in the last
40 years—satellite TV, internet, computer chips, smart phones, artificial intelligence, etc.
2. Over 3 billion people or about 40% of the world population has an internet connection today. In 1995, about 15 million people or less than 1% of the global population had the internet.
In 2005, over one billion who used the internet. There are over one billion websites and
one trillion webpages and 2.5 billion searches performed on Google every month.
3. The totality of human knowledge doubled about every 100 years from 1700 to 1900. By 1950, it doubled every 25 years. Today, it doubles every 12 months. Because of technology and artificial intelligence it will soon double every 12 hours.
a. Knowledge doubled from 100 BC to 1700 (it took 1800 years).
It doubled from 1700-1900 (it took 200 years).
It doubled from 1900-1950 (it took 50 years).
It doubled from 1950-1970 (it took 20 years).
It doubled from 1970-1980 (it took 10 years).
Today, its doubles every 12 months.
Soon, it will double every 12 hours according to David Schilling
b. See the article “Knowledge doubling every 12 months, soon to be every 12 hours,”
by D. Schilling, a researcher for IndustryTap.com who writes on emerging technologies.
G. The mighty angel highlighted an unprecedented increase of travel in the end times (12:4).
1. The unprecedented increase of knowledge has made the increase of travel possible. There were very limited changes in travel for almost 6,000 years. Until the 20th century, the horse and carriage was the fastest form of transportation. By horse power, the fastest that man could travel was about 25 miles per hour. A space shuttle can travel at 18,000 miles per hour. In the last 100 years men increased the speed of travel from 25 miles per hour to 18,000 miles.
2. In the 1800s, a Pony Express rider took about 20 days to travel from NYC to San Francisco.
Today, someone can travel from NYC to San Francisco by plane in 5 hours. The Falcon Hypersonic vehicle is able to cover that same distance in 12 minutes traveling at 13,000 mph. Elon Musk claims that people be soon be able to fly from NYC to Shanghai in 40 minutes https://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/spacex-wants-get-you-ny-shanghai-39-mins/
3. Worldwide there are over 35 million flights a year (100,000 a day). In 1915, just over 1,000 passengers flew commercially in one year. In 2015, only 100 years later, almost 5 billion passengers fly on planes each year.
XXI. The brevity of the Great Tribulation ()
A. Daniel was assured of the brevity of the Great Tribulation (12:5-7). The Antichrist will persecute Israel for only 3½ years—until Israel’s rebellion is finished—when all Israel is saved ().
5Then I, Daniel, looked and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6And 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?” 7Then I heard the man…who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand…and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time [3½ years]; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. ()
B. How long?: One angel asked a question (12:6) and received a twofold answer (12:7)—a mighty angel swore that the Antichrist’s persecution of Israel will be short (only 42 months or 3½ years) and that it would effectively shatter Israel’s power that they boasted in and relied on.
C. A time, times, and half a time: The reference to “a time, times, and half a time” is defined by
John as 42 months, and 1260 days (; , ; ); it is the final 3½ years of this age. Time means one year, times speaks of two years, and half a time points to half a year.
D. Swore: A mighty angel swore by God that the Great Tribulation would last only 3½ years.
E. There stood two others: Two angels witnessed the oath (; ). A mighty angel
or the “man clothed in linen” stood in midair above the river indicating his superior authority.
F. Completely shattering: The final outcome of this is the shattering of the power of the holy people.
1. Israel’s national accomplishments are remarkable, including their agricultural, economic, military, and technological achievements and more.
2. It is easy to understand why they have national pride related to what they have accomplished.
XXII. DANIEL’S QUESTION ()
A. Daniel asked for insight into the end (purpose and outcome) of the process that will shatter Israel. He was puzzled as to how such suffering will lead to the promised deliverance and purity (12:1, 10).
8Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end [purpose] of these things?” 9And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10Many 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. ()
B. What will be the end: The Lord will use the persecution of the Antichrist to shatter Israel’s pride, self-sufficiency, and sinful agendas, resulting in them crying out to Jesus for salvation () and to purify the end-time Church (12:10; ; ).
C. Many: The result of the Antichrist’s persecution is that many will be purified (12:10). The Lord
will create the optimum situation for God’s people to grow in purity in the generation the Lord returns. God’s plan will succeed and Jesus’ Bride will be prepared before He returns ().
1. Millions will turn to righteousness even when it is unpopular to stand for truth (12:3).
Many will be purified breaking free of their bondages and renounce all compromise.
They will experience the Spirit’s power in their everyday struggles with temptation.
3Those who are wise shall shine…those who turn many to righteousness… ()
2. There will be “people who understand” who shall effectively bring understanding to many.
33Those of the people who understand shall instruct many…35and some of those of understanding shall fall [as martyrs], to refine them…until the time of the end…
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3. The Lord’s plan will greatly succeed as multitudes love Him, proclaim His wisdom, and walk in purity in the midst of the intense pressures in end times (11:33; 12:3, 10; , ).
9“…a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne…14These…come out of the great tribulation.”
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D. Sealed up: This vision was “sealed” and will be “unsealed” by the Spirit. The Lord has given
a measure of understanding of end-time Scriptures, yet much has been hidden until the end.
The words were sealed by the work of the Spirit (not by Daniel who sealed the vision in 8:26).
Verse 9 is a statement of fact rather than a directive to Daniel to do something as in 8:26.
XXIII. the abomination of desolation will continue for 1,290 days (12:11)
A. The mighty angel spoke of two significant time frames referred to as 1,290 days and 1,335 days. Both will begin at the same time in the middle of the final 7 years of this age when an image of the Antichrist is set up in the temple and he ends Israel’s daily sacrifices in the temple (12:11-12).
11From 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 [1,290 days]. 12Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days [1,335 days]. ()
B. Many are familiar with the 3½ year period of the second half of Daniel’s 70th week. This period is also referred to in Scripture as 42 months or 1,260 days or as time, times, and half a time.
1. The last 3½ years of this age or the second half of Daniel’s 70th week consists of 1,260 days—it ends with Jesus’ coming. Thus, the 1,290 days speak of an additional 30 days beyond the day that Jesus returns. The 1,335 days will extend 75 days beyond the day He returns.
2. The fact that the abomination of desolation continues for 1,290 days clearly means that
the Antichrist’s activities, presence in Jerusalem, and the abomination of desolation will continue for 30 days beyond the 1,260 days.
C. Summary: From the setting up of the abomination to Jesus’ return at the seventh trumpet will be 1,260 days. That is, Jesus will return to earth 1,260 days after the abomination of desolation starts. For the next 30 days He will kill the Antichrist’s armies at He travels to Jerusalem ().
D. During the final 3½ years of this age, three activities pertaining to God’s people will occur. They will all begin on the day that the abomination of desolation begins and will continue for 1,260 days.
1. Provision: God will supernaturally provide for the remnant of Israel for exactly 1,260 days (, ).
6The woman [Israel] fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days [1,260 days]…where she is nourished [provided for] for a time and times and half a time [3½ years], from the presence of the serpent [Satan]. (, )
2. Prophecy: The two witnesses will prophesy for exactly 1,260 days ().
3I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days [1,260 days], clothed in sackcloth.” ()
3. Persecution: The Antichrist will war against the saints (7:25; , ) and dominate Jerusalem (12:7; ) for exactly 1,260 days (or 42 months or 3½ years).
25The saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. ()
5…he [the Antichrist] was given authority to continue for forty-two months [1,260 days]… 7It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. ()
2And they will tread the holy city [Jerusalem] underfoot for forty-two months [1,260 days]. ()
7..it shall be for a time, times, and half a time [1,260 days]; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. ()
E. These three activities will end on exactly the 1,260th day after the abomination of desolation begins. Why? This is the day the Church is raptured at the seventh trumpet () and when the Antichrist’s unchallenged domination of Israel ends. The Lord will allow the Antichrist’s worship system in Jerusalem to function for 30 days after the Church is raptured at the seventh trumpet.
XXIV. the blessing on those who come to the 1,335 days (12:12)
A. The 1,335 days refer to 45 more days (beyond the additional 30 days of 12:11—the 1,290 days) probably to establish issues related to the governmental structures of the nations in the Millennium.
12Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days [1,335 days]. ()
B. A total of 75 days after Jesus returns will be used for the judgment of the nations to determine who enters the millennial kingdom. Ezekiel prophesied of the purging of all rebels out of Israel at the beginning of the Millennium (; ; ).
C. Jesus will remove evil leaders and replace them with the saints who reign with Him (7:27).
1. The 1,290 days seem to be focused on judging the Antichrist and those associated with him.
2. The 1,335 days seem to be focused on establishing positions in the millennial government.
D. Waiting: The unsaved survivors of the Great Tribulation will need to pay careful attention to their choices during the unprecedented danger and chaos of those days. Knowing this promised blessing will be important to many in that day. It will encourage people to be faithful to the Lord in the midst of the post-war chaos in the nations at that time. Jesus spoke of Gentiles being judged according to their treatment of the Jewish people, referred to as “these brothers of Mine” ().
E. Daniel received personal encouragement from the mighty angel (12:13). The Lord promised him that he would enjoy his inheritance in the resurrection. We can live endure hardship with confidence by believing in the resurrection. This book closes reminding us that God has great plans for us.
13But you, go your way till the end [of his life]; for you shall rest [die physically], and will
arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. ()
1. Go your way: He was to continue in his lifestyle with confidence of having a blessed future.
2. You shall rest: After receiving assurance of Israel’s total victory, he could die in peace.
3. Arise to your inheritance: He was promised an inheritance in the resurrection “at the end.”
XXV. Appendix #1:
hSummary of 5 Themes Presented by the Angel (11:31-35 & 12:1-13)
A. Premise: The trends that will come in fullness at the time of Jesus’ return are occurring now and will continue to increase until He comes. Thus we believe that God will release the greatest revival in the Church and the greatest harvest of the lost in the midst of the escalating darkness.
B. In , an angel described five key trends occurring on the earth when Jesus returns. This angel described the trends twice in this one vision, mentioning the abomination of desolation both times (11:31; 12:11). The two descriptions cover the same five themes using different terminology. Some of these events were partially fulfilled in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in 175-164 BC.
1. The first description (): connects the abomination of desolation (11:31) to
five key themes—knowing God and understanding His plans (11:32-33), doing miracles (11:32b), reaching “many” (both saved and unsaved) who will be purified (11:33b, 35),
God’s people facing martyrdom (11:34a), and receiving God’s help in persecution (11:34).
31“Then they shall…place there [the temple in Jerusalem] the abomination of desolation…
32The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits [miracles]. 33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many…34When they fall [martyrs], they shall be aided with a little help…35Some of those of understanding shall fall [martyrs], to refine them, purify them…until the time of the end.” ()
2. The second description (): connects the abomination of desolation (12:11) to five themes—increased angelic activity (12:1a), great trouble (12:1b), the deliverance of God’s people (12:2), embracing righteousness (12:3, 10), and receiving understanding (12:10).
1“At that time Michael shall stand up…there shall be a time of trouble [Great Tribulation] …your people shall be delivered…3and…turn many to righteousness …10Many shall be purified …but the wise shall understand…11and the abomination of desolation is set up…” ()
C. #1 Increased understanding to know God and His plans
1. The Lord will raise up “people of understanding” who will know God and make His heart and plans known to “many” (11:32-33). Daniel also described these faithful messengers as “wise” (12:3, 10).
2. Their wisdom will be related to understanding more of Jesus’ glory and beauty, as well as His plans, including what the Bible says about the unique events and trends that will occur on the earth in His end-time plan.
32“…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many.” ()
10“…and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” (
3. Many: The fact that they teach many indicates that many will be hungry for understanding. Someone without a public teaching ministry could teach many through social media.
4. Know God: As people encounter the heart of the Father and the beauty of Jesus, they will call young people to a righteous lifestyle through a lens of love that sees the beauty, liberty, and excellence of “love-based” righteousness, which is obedience (, ).
5. People of understanding: The Lord will release understanding of what the Word says about His end-time plans. There are 150 chapters in the Bible focusing on end-times. We must not neglect these since they come from the same Bible, reveal the same Jesus, and are inspired by the same Spirit as the gospels. See mikebickle.org for a list of 150 chapters on the end times.
20The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. ()
D. #2 Supernatural ministry
32“But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits [miracles].” ()
1. There will be great miracles (11:32), including much angelic activity by Michael and his angels (; ) and a global outpouring of the Spirit ().
2. Michael: Michael standing up (12:1) and Michael and his angels fighting Satan () indicate that an increase of angelic activity will be manifested in the end times. Angels intervened to help the saints in Acts (; ; ; ; , ; ).
1“At that time Michael shall stand up…and there shall be a time of trouble…” ()
7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon…9The great dragon was cast out…the Devil…he was cast to the earth… ()
3. Outpouring of the Spirit: God will pour out His Spirit in fullness that touches “all flesh.”
28“…I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” ()
E. #3 God’s people delivered
1“…your people shall be delivered…2those who sleep in the dust…shall awake [resurrection]… 3and those who turn many to righteousness [shall shine] like the stars forever.” ()
1. Some will be aided in persecution (11:34) but all will be delivered when Jesus returns (12:2). God’s people will be fully delivered physically (from persecution) and politically (from oppressive governments) by Jesus’ return and the resurrection (12:1-2).
2. In the resurrection they will recover all that was lost in the persecution (12:3).
3. Some of God’s people “shall be aided” in the face of persecution with a supernatural deliverance (11:34), just as angels twice opened prison doors for Peter (; ), while others were not delivered. In both Peter and James were imprisoned but only Peter was supernaturally delivered while James was killed.
34“When they fall [martyrdom], they shall be aided with a little help.” ()
F. #4 Many walking in righteousness
1. This includes “many” believers repenting of compromise to walk in righteousness and purity as well as “many” unbelievers turning to Jesus from every tribe and tongue to be strengthened to walk in purity (; , ; , ).
2. The Lord will release a great revival in the church and a great harvest among all the nations.
3“…those who turn many to righteousness…” 10“…many shall be purified…”
(, )
35“…to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end.”
()
9… “behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne…14These…come out of the great tribulation.” (
G. #5 Time of trouble
1. Jesus referred to when referring to the tribulation () which including persecution (11:34). Many will fall away from the faith (; ).
1“…there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation…”
()
15“When you see the ‘abomination of desolation’…21there will be great tribulation,
such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (, )
2. Distress of nations (): This will include terrorism, racial clashes, violent weather, war, financial crisis, etc. The intensity of the distress will cause men’s hearts to fail from fear.
25“There will be…distress of nations…26men’s hearts failing them from fear…”
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3. Falling away: Scripture describes many people falling away from the faith in the end times (; ; ; ; ; ).
1Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…3forbidding to marry… ()
4. Martyrdom (11:33): There will many martyrs in the end times. I do not believe the majority of believers will be martyred, but each will face the possibility and have to decide whether they will stand for Jesus. This will have a sanctifying effect, causing others to be refined.
33“They shall fall by sword…35Some of those of understanding shall fall [martyrdom], to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end.” ()