Archives for July 2024

Good morning,

In Daniel 12, we are reminded that no matter how difficult or tumultuous our circumstances may be, God’s protection and promises remain constant. We are also called to seek wisdom and understanding in the face of mystery, reminding us that, ultimately, our quest for knowledge is a divine journey.

Daniel 12 

The Great Unveiling: Divine Revelations and Eternal Promises  

Verses 1-4: The Time of Distress and the Promise of Resurrection

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

These verses describe a time of unparalleled distress that will occur at the end of days. Yet, in this time of strife, Michael, the great prince, will stand to protect Daniel’s people. It also mentions a resurrection, where those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awaken, some to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)

12:1 Daniel’s people Israel are to be the principal sufferers in the great time of the tribulation. This will be “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7). Michael is called the special prince or archangel who will be appointed to protect Israel. The Great Tribulation, “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time,” was discussed in the Olivet discourse by the Lord Jesus (Matt. 24:15-22). Matthew 24:21 labels that as the greatest time of tribulation the world will ever see. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.929)

12:2 The resurrection is taught in many Scriptures (cf. job 19:25-27; Is. 26:19; Hos. 13:14; John 5:28; 1 Cor 15:22 et al.). However, that there are two separate resurrections–first of the saved and then of the unsaved, a thousand years apart–is discussed only in Revelation 20:4-6. Here is stated the doom of the wicked and the blessedness of the saved after the resurrection.(The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.930)

12:3 Wisdom is a great incentive for soul winning (cf. Prov. 11:30).That wisdom will cause soul winners to “shine as the brightness of the firmament” and “as the stars for ever and ever.” God is most concerned with the salvation of His people. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:15) (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.930)

Verses 5-7: The Sealed Prophecy

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

Here, Daniel sees two beings, one on each side of the river, asking the man clothed in linen about when the astonishing events will occur. The man, raising his hands to the heavens, swears by the eternal God that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and when the power of the holy people has been shattered, all these events will be completed. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)

12:7 A time, times, and a half refers to the second half of the great Tribulation, when these prophecies will be fulfilled. The first half of the Great Tribulation will be a time of relative peace for Israel because of their covenant with the prince (9:27). However, after the prince (Antichrist) breaks the covenant at the end of three-and-a-half years, there will be a tremendous time of persecution and wars (11:40-45). (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988, pg.1294)

Verses 8-13: The Duration of the End Times

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

Daniel, not understanding, asks for clarification. The man, however, tells him that the words are sealed until the time of the end. He describes that the wicked will not understand, but the wise will, and puts forth times and durations to signify the end, blessing those who wait and reach the 1335 days. Finally, Daniel is told to go his way until the end, for he will rest and then rise again for his allotted inheritance at the end of days. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)

So, those who survive the tribulation and survive the sheep and goat judgment will enter the millennium. This is a blessing, indeed.

In summary, here is the timeline as we see it:

• Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.

• At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.

• At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.

• During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt and the earth is restored.

• During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.

• The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).  (https://www.gotquestions.org/tribulation-1260-1290-1335-days.html)

Daniel 12, the concluding chapter of the Book of Daniel, continues and finalizes the long range prophecy given to Daniel by an angel. In this captivating finale, Daniel receives revelations of the end times, including a period of unmatched distress, the promise of resurrection and judgment, and the sealing of these prophecies until the end time. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)

Themes

Prophecy and End Times

Resurrection and Judgment

Knowledge and Wisdom

Divine Protection and Reward

Topics

The Time of Distress

Resurrection and Judgement

The Sealed Prophecy

Duration of the End Times

People

Daniel

Michael

The two beings (one on each side of the river)

The man clothed in linen

Locations

The River(Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Despite the turbulent times and complex geopolitical struggles depicted in Daniel 11, the chapter serves as a testament to the divine providence of God. In its intricacy, it underscores God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty, demonstrating that even amidst chaotic world events, His plans ultimately prevail. This encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even in periods of persecution and tribulation.

Daniel 11

Kings of the South and North

Navigating Through the Intricate Prophetic Timeline: An Exploration of Daniel 11

Verses 1-4: The Predicted Power Shift

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

The angelic messenger outlines the future power struggles beginning with Persia, the rise of a mighty king in Greece (Alexander the Great), and the subsequent division of his empire into four parts after his death. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 10)

11:2 This verse through verse 35 is an amazing summary of about two hundred years of the history of the wars between Egypt and Syria that took place during the fourth through the second centuries B.C. All of these prophecies, however, were written by Daniel in the sixth century B.C! Three kings of Persia are Cambyses, the son of Cyrus (529-521 B.C.), Pseudo-Smerdis (521 B.C.), and Darius I (521-487 B.C.). The fourth is the most powerful of the four kings, Xerxes (485-464 B.C.), or as he is known in the Book of Esther, Ahasuerus. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, KJV, 1988, pg. 1291)

11:3-4 The mighty king is Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.) and the four winds are the four prominent generals who seized control of various parts of his empire. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, KJV, 1988, pg. 1291)

8:8 Four notable ones (or horns) refers to the four generals who by 301 B.C. ruled Alexander’s empire (v. 22): Cassander ruled in Macedonia and most of Greece; Lysimachus ruled in various parts of thrace and parts of Asia Minor; Seleucus held most of Syria, Israel, and Mesopotamia; and Ptolemy was ruler in Egypt and parts of southern Syria. The ensuing years saw continuous power struggles in this area of the world from the successors of these generals. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, KJV, 1988, pg. 1285)

Verses 5-20: The Kings of the North and South

5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.7 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

These verses depict a complex, extended conflict between the Kings of the South and North (Ptolemaic and Seleucid rulers respectively), detailing various battles, alliances, betrayals, and power shifts. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 10)

11:5, 6 The king of the south is the general who assumed control of Egypt, Ptolemy I (323-283 B.C.); and the king of the north is another general, Seleucus I Nicator (312-280 B.C.), who had sovereignty over Syria and Mesopotamia. The conflict between these two generals and their successors, called Ptolemies and Seleucids, is taken up in verses 5-20. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, KJV, 1988, pg. 1291)

Verses 21-35: The Contemptible King

21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.  22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.27 And both of these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

This section introduces a contemptible king (Antiochus IV Epiphanes), who deceives, manipulates, and exerts control over the Glorious Land (Israel). His sacrilege and persecution spark a period of intense tribulation but also resistance. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 10)

8:9 The little horn came out of the four horns. Most agree that this little horn can only refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler over Syria and Israel (175-163 B.C.), and for a short time over Egypt. In 167 B.C. Antiochus outlawed the Jewish religion, burned Jerusalem, killed multitudes of Jews, and forbade circumcision and other Jewish observances. On December 16, 167 B.C., he offered a sow on the altar outside the temple, the ultimate sacrilege to a Jew. This began the period of the Maccabean revolt. After three years of fighting, the Jews were able to restore temple worship in late 164 B.C. This rededication of the temple is still commemorated today in the eight-day Jewish holiday known as Hanukkah. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, KJV, 1988, pg. 1285-1286)

 Verses 36-45: The Self-Exalting King

36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.38 But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.39 Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.       40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

11:35 The focus of the prophecy is changed to center on the Antichrist himself who, like Antiochus Epiphanes, will defile the temple and claim to be God. he will commit the abomination of desolation in the midst of the seventieth week of Jewish history, i.e., after the rapture of saints. The “time of the end” in Daniel never refers to the days just preceding the rapture but always to the time when Israel, under covenant with the Antichrist, takes up the sacrifices again. This is the tribulation time.The “time of the end” occurs in 8:17, and 19; 9:25, 11:35, 40, and 45, and in 12:4, 6, and 9. The three and a half years, or forty-two months, or 1,260 days of the great Tribulation are the time of the end for Israel. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.929)

11:36 Verse 36 features some details concerning the life, rule, and character of the Man of Sin, the Antichrist. Verse 45 indicates that the Antichrist will move his palace from Rome to Jerusalem where he will enter the sanctuary and claim to be God on earth. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.929)

The final verses describe a self-exalting king, who is interpreted in various ways by scholars. This king faces opposition but will meet a destined end.

Daniel 11, one of the most detailed and intricate chapters of prophetic scripture, outlines a series of future events relayed to Daniel by an angel. This chapter, rich in historical, political, and spiritual implications, delves into the rise and fall of empires, battles, and rulers, ultimately focusing on the enduring faith and resilience of those who remain true to God amidst turmoil. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 10)

Themes

Prophecy and Prognostication

Kingdoms and Political Power Struggles

Spiritual Warfare

Faithfulness to God Amidst Turmoil

Divine Sovereignty

Topics

Prophetic History

Geopolitical Dynamics

Spiritual Resilience

Divine Intervention

People

Daniel

Angelic messenger

Kings of the South and North (representative of the Ptolemaic and Seleucid rulers)

A contemptible person (generally understood as Antiochus IV Epiphanes)

The prince of the covenant (interpreted as High Priest Onias III)

Locations

Persia

Greece

The Glorious Land (Israel)

Egypt

North and South Kingdoms

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com