|
Last Days Prophecy
HIS
SERVANTS' MINISTRY
www.lastdaysprophecy.org
Welcome to our web site
Book of Daniel
If we truly want to understand the Book of Daniel, we must understand what
God was doing with the Jews and the world. Israel had a theocratic government.
Theocracy is a word first used by Josephus to mean that the Jews were under
the direct government of God Himself. The nation was in ALL things subject
to the will of their invisible King. ALL the people were the servants of Jehovah,
who ruled over their public and private lives. God communicated to them His
will through the prophets. The Jews were the subjects of a heavenly King,
not an earthly king. They were subjects of Jehovah, and were ruled directly
by Him (see 1 Samuel 8:6-9). Since God gave them their land, they were not
subject to anyone but God. God was making Himself known to the world through
the His special nation, Israel.
But, the Jews strayed from God. God through His prophets, warned them time
and time again that if they didn’t turn back to Him, He would scatter
them in judgment. The effect of them being scattered would be that they would
be subject to worldly authorities and not to God Himself as they had been.
Sin always has its consequences.
Isaiah prophesied God’s warnings to the Northern Kingdom of Israel,
and later Jeremiah brought God’s message to the Southern Kingdom of
Judah. Did the people listen? NO! So, God scattered them to Babylon and Assyria.
They lost their special theocracy. If they refused to obey and serve God,
they no longer would have their nation headed by God. They had no Temple,
no Levites, no high priest, no sacrifices for sin. A drastic change to say
the least.
God gave them many years to repent. God is good. He always gives us warning
before judgment, He always gives people time to repent. They had been warned!
But because of their disobedience, God told them that they would be under
Gentile rule until the end. Does this seem harsh to you? He had warned them,
He gave them many years to repent and turn back to Him . . . but they refused.
God will tolerate sin just so long, and then He will bring down the judgment
He has promised. God chose the Jews, they didn’t choose Him (Dan.11:15).
God was well in His rights to remove His Hand of blessing from them. God will
always do right. Will God forsake Israel forever? NO! He had made an unconditional
Promise to them, and He absolutely will never break it.
When God removed His Hand of blessing from Israel, they went into exile.
Daniel was also with the multitude sent into exile. Daniel would be Israel’s
new prophet. God would reveal to Daniel in this sad time of exile that this
captivity would not be 70 years as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer.25:11-12; 29:10;
Dan.9:2), but 70 X 7, this time period contained a “gap” between
the 69th and 70th weeks that Daniel most likely did not see. This “gap”
would be the church age, which was not seen by the prophets, but was definitely
part of God’s perfect plan.
The Book of Daniel shows us God’s plan to allow Gentiles rule over
Israel until the time of the end (Dan.8:17; 11:35,40; 12:4,9). The empires
Daniel saw are those that surround Israel. Daniel also saw that God would
be in complete control. Daniel shows us the Jew’s rejection of their
Messiah, the future destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in AD 70, the
reign of the Antichrist, and the triumphant Messiah and His everlasting Kingdom.
What a tremendous Book it is.
Chapter 1 Gives us historical background, and presents Daniel and his friends
to us.
Chapter 2 First prophecy, of Nebuchadnezzar, and shows future Gentile empires.
Leaves out 4th kingdom and the Antichrist. Shows 4 kingdoms, then the Millennial
Kingdom. Shows God is giving Gentiles world control.
Chapters 3-6 Even though the Gentiles will have dominion, God reveals that
He is sovereign and in control. Nebuchadnezzar finally admits it is God that
gives and takes away any control and authority.
Chapter 7 An extended vision is given to Daniel. The 4th kingdom develops
into a 5th kingdom, and has singled out a person. This person speaks blasphemous
words. God lets Daniel know that this evil one will be defeated. An angel
reveals God’s message to Daniel: #1 Kings will arise. #2 The saints
shall receive an everlasting Kingdom. God had ordained that Gentiles would
rule from Babylon until the Second Coming when the Son of Man would destroy
the Gentile nations and smash them into dust. Starting with Daniel 7:19, we
see details about the various kingdoms. We need to remember that the nations
in general never follow God. They reject God and create their own gods.
Chapter 8 A period of Medo-Persian and Grecian history appears
under the figure of a Beast.
Chapter 9 Contains Daniel’s prayer and a veiled prophecy
of the time of the coming of the Messiah. God gives Daniel the prophecy of
the 70 weeks, this reveals how long it would take to bring an end to God’s
plan for the nations and sin. #1 Finish the transgression (unbelief
of Israel). #2 Make an end of sins. #3 Establish an atonement
for sins. #4 Bring in everlasting righteousness. #5 To fulfill
all prophecy. #6 Anoint the Most Holy.
Chapter 10 Daniel learns of God’s protection of His
people through angels. He sees the glorified Christ.
Chapters 11 & 12 Contain additional far-reaching predictions
and revelations of future events. These chapters have been the battleground
of theological disagreement with many different interpretations.
The Book of Daniel is a book of prophecy. Prophecy in Scripture can be divided
into two categories: fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecy. There are prophecies
in Daniel that have been fulfilled, and there are some that have not been
fulfilled. There are several specific subjects of prophecy, but the primary
subject of prophecy is the Lord Jesus Christ. Other subjects include Israel,
the Gentile nations, evil, judgment, Satan, the Man of Sin, the Great Tribulation
Period, and how this particular age will end. The church is also a subject
of prophecy, but never in the in the Old Testament, so Daniel does not mention
it. There are also the subjects of the Kingdom, the Millennium, and the eternal
future. All these are subjects of prophecy.
The neglect of the study of prophecy (eschatology) has produced some harmful
results that are quite evident today. Many cults have gone way off base in
prophetic areas. This is largely because the teaching of prophecy has been
neglected by most churches. As a result, we find men in a great many of our
denominations today who are not sufficiently equipped to speak on prophecy.
They dismiss it as unimportant. And those who do go into the study of prophecy
often come up with things which borders on fanatical. The Book of Daniel is
the subject of many crazy writers on prophecy.
The Book of Daniel is very important, and has been the object of special
attack by Satan in the same way that the Book of Isaiah has been. Isaiah has
been called the prince of the prophets. It is my estimation that Daniel, then,
is the king of the prophets. Both of these prophets are very important in
Scripture and have been especially attacked by unbelievers. Many critics,
as well as present-day unbelievers, assume the position that the supernatural
does not exist. They believe that since foreknowledge is supernatural, there
can be no foretelling, no prophesying.
The heretic, the critic and the cultist always go to an area of the Bible
where we do not have full knowledge at the time. Everyone can speculate, and
you can speculate in any way you want to . . . but speculation nearly always
goes the wrong way in prophecy. But always in time, the Word of God is proven
accurate and true.
Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Vol. 1, p. 388) records an incident during
the time of Alexander the Great which supports the early authorship of Daniel.
When Alexander’s invasion reached the Near East; Jaddua, the high priest,
went out to meet him and showed him a copy of the Book of Daniel in which
Alexander was clearly mentioned. Alexander was so impressed by this that,
instead of destroying Jerusalem, he entered the city peaceably and worshiped
at the temple.
I feel that Daniel was not a deceiver and that his book was absolutely NOT
a forgery. As a very wise man once said: “To reject Daniel is to reject
the Christian religion.” Our Lord Jesus called the Pharisees “hypocrites,”
but He called Daniel “the prophet” (Matt. 24:15; Mark
13:14). I will go along with the Lord Jesus. The endorsement by the Lord Jesus
Christ is valid and should be sufficient for every believer, whether he has
considered the arguments of the critics or not. It should satisfy true believers
without his having to study the answers of liberals (Acts 5:29). Who is more
important, Jesus or man? Who has more wisdom, Jesus or man? I’ll stand
with my Lord Jesus.
We know more about Daniel the man than we do of any other prophet, because
he gives us a personal account of his life from the time he was carried away
as a captive to Babylon in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (about
606 B.C.) until the first year of King Cyrus (about 536 B.C.). Daniel’s
life and ministry cover the entire 70 years of captivity. At the beginning
of the book he is a boy in his teens. At the end he is an old man of fourscore
and more years. What does God think about Daniel? Daniel 10:11 And
he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that
I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when
he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. (KJV) I certainly
will not call the Book of Daniel a forgery after those words!
There are three words which characterize Daniel’s life: purpose, prayer
and prophecy.
- #1. Daniel was a man of PURPOSE (Dan. 1:8;
6:10). When the king made a decree that everyone had to eat the same thing,
Daniel and his friends decided they would stay with the law of Moses . .
. and they did. He was a man who stood on his own two feet and had the boldness
to speak God’s Word. Many people today do not have the courage to
declare the Word of God. May God have pity on them. They say they are His
messengers, but they have no boldness to speak the Truth.
- #2. Daniel was a man of PRAYER (Dan. 2:17–23;
6:10; 9:3–19; 10). There are several incidents recorded in this book
about Daniel’s prayer life. Prayer is what got Daniel into the lion’s
den, but Daniel’s faith came through. God miraculously saved him from
the lions. #
- 3. Daniel was a man of PROPHECY. The Book
of Daniel divides itself: the first half is history, and the last half is
prophecy. Daniel gives us the framework of prophecy on which all prophecy
is placed. The image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2) and the beasts
(Dan. 7) are the backbone of prophecy; the Seventy Weeks (Dan. 9) are the
ribs which fit into their proper place.
The key verse to the Book of Daniel is: Daniel 2:44 And
in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which
shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,
but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall
stand for ever. (KJV) God’s Kingdom will never be destroyed. If
threats of war and prosperity of evil leaders concern you, please remember
that God, not world leaders, decides the outcome of history. Under God’s
protection, God’s Kingdom is indestructible and eternal. Those who believe
in God, accept His Words and obey Him, are members of His Kingdom and are
totally secure in Him.
The Book of Daniel reveals the universal sovereignty of God, which most people
today do not want to hear. God can do what He
wants, when He wants, any time that He wants! Daniel interweaves
prophecy with history to show that God is the absolute and supreme Ruler over
all things; idolatry, blasphemy, self-will, and intolerance of the Gentiles.
Daniel 12:4 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. (KJV)
Luke 21:24 And they shall
fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations:
and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled. (KJV) Daniel 12:4 weaves together
“… the times of the Gentiles …” (Luke 21:24) and “the
time of the end” (also see Dan. 8:17; 11:35, 40) for the nation Israel
in the Great Tribulation Period. This coming catastrophe results in Christ’s
setting up the Millennial Kingdom. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge
shall be increased . . . this certainly has been fulfilled! World travel is
common place, and technology has proven to be almost unbelievable.
The Book of Daniel answers the question . . . Who will rule the world? .
. . not, How will the world be converted? This marvelous Book is the key to
understanding many other Scriptures. Our Lord, in the Olivet Discourse, quoted
from the Book of Daniel. The Book of Revelation would be a perfect puzzle
without the Book of Daniel, and Paul’s revelation concerning the “… man of sin …” (2 Thes. 2:3) needs Daniel to amplify and
clarify.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people
and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most
Holy. (KJV) A “week” means seven. “Seventy weeks”
does not mean weeks of seven days. Seventy Weeks means seventy sevens. It
is clear that Daniel has been reading in Jeremiah about years, seventy years.
Jeremiah had been preaching and writing that the captivity would be for seventy
years. The seventy years of captivity was the specific penalty for Israel
violating seventy sabbatical years. That would be seventy sevens, a total
of 490 years. In those 490 years, Israel had violated exactly seventy sabbatical
years; so they would go into captivity for seventy years.
2 Chron. 36:21 To fulfil the word of the Lord by the
mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as
she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
(KJV) God keeps all His Promises . . . not only His Promises of blessing,
but also His Promises of judgment. Most people never consider this Truth!
1 week=7 years. 70 weeks=490 years.
70 weeks divided into 3 periods: 7 weeks—62 weeks—1 week
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people
and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most
Holy. (KJV) Daniel was probably wondering how the end of the seventy
years of captivity would fit into the long period of Gentile world dominion
which the visions in chapters 7 and 8 had so clearly indicated. He most likely
thought that at the end of the seventy years, his people would be returned
to the land, the promised Messiah would come, and the Kingdom which had been
promised to David would be established. But, how could both be true? It probably
seemed to him, to be an irreconcilable situation created by these prophecies
that seemed to contradict themselves.
The Seventy Weeks, or the seventy sevens (490 years), answer two questions.
(#1) Israel’s kingdom would not come immediately. The seventy sevens
must run their course. These seventy sevens fit into the Times of the Gentiles
and run at the same time with them. They are broken up to fit into Gentile
times. The word for determined in verse 24 correctly means “cutting
off.” These seventy sevens are to be cut off, as the following verses
will indicate.(#2) The seventy sevens for Israel and the Times of the Gentiles
would both come to an end at the same time, that being the Second Coming of
Christ. This is important if we want to correctly understand the prophecy.
The Seventy Weeks concern “thy people,” meaning the
people of Daniel, meaning Israel. And they concern “thy
holy city,” which is none other than Jerusalem.
Six things are to be completed in those Seventy Weeks or 490 years, and all
are stated in verse 24.
Here are the six things to be accomplished:
- #1. “To finish the transgression. ”
This means the transgression of Israel. The cross provided the redemption
for sin . . . for the sin of the nation, but not all Jews accepted it. Today
the word has gone out to the ends of the Earth that there is a redemption
for mankind. Just look at the land of Israel and you will know this has
not been fulfilled. This prophecy will not be fulfilled until the Second
Coming of Christ.
- #2. “To make an end of sins.” The national
sins of Israel will also come to an end at the Second Coming of Christ.
Israel is just like any other people or any other nation. They are sinners
as individuals and as a nation. They have made many mistakes as a nation
(so have we), but God will finally make an end to that. See Eze.37:23 and
Rom.11:26-27. This has not been fulfilled yet.
- #3. “To make reconciliation for iniquity.”
In this age in which we live, God has provided a Redemption through the
death and resurrection of Christ. This, of course, is for Jew and Gentile
alike. Most Jews reject this Redemption, but, God has provided it (Him).
See 2 Cor.5:18-21
- #4. “And to bring in everlasting righteousness”
refers to the return of Christ at the end of the 490 years to establish
the Kingdom. Not fulfilled yet.
- #5. “To seal up the vision and prophecy”
means that ALL prophecies will be fulfilled, which means this prophecy and
all other prophecies in Scripture. Not fulfilled yet.
- #6. “To anoint the most Holy” has reference
to the Holy of Holies in the millennial temple about which Ezekiel spoke
(Ezek. 41–46). Not fulfilled yet.
Daniel 9:25-27 Know therefore and understand, that from
the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto
the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:
the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. [26]
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:
and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the
sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of
the war desolations are determined. [27] And he shall confirm the covenant
with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice
and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall
make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be
poured upon the desolate. (KJV)
70 weeks divided into 3 periods: 7 weeks—62 weeks—1 week
#1 7 weeks (49 years), for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (verse 25).
#2 62 weeks (434 years) to the coming of the Messiah. “After threescore
and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off” (verse 26). After 49 + 434 years
(483 years, 69 weeks) from the command to rebuild Jerusalem, Messiah would
be killed.
There is a time delay (interval) between the 69th and 70th week.
The 70th week does not follow chronologically (in sequence)
the other 69 weeks.
#3 1 week (7 years) is the period of the Great Tribulation when Israel will
be tortured, afflicted and persecuted as never before (verse 27). The Holocaust
will be nothing compared to the Great Tribulation.
The starting point for this period of 490 years is essential for us to correctly
understand the prophecy. This period is planned into the Times of the Gentiles,
so it must fit into secular history and originate from some date connected
with the Times of the Gentiles.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people
and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most
Holy. (KJV) “Seventy weeks are determined” or separated (cut
off) “upon thy people and upon thy holy city.” God does not leave
Daniel hanging. He sends His angel Gabriel to explain some things to Daniel.
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from
the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto
the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:
the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
(KJV) There is the starting point of the 490 years. So, from the command to
rebuild the city of Jerusalem until the day Jesus was crucified, was exactly
483 years (69 weeks). The first seven weeks (49 years) was the time it took
to rebuild Jerusalem. History bears witness that it took exactly 49 years
to finish the job.
The second time period mentioned in verse 25 is threescore and two weeks
(62 weeks) or 434 years. This time period ran from the completion of the Temple
until Messiah would be cut off (crucified, killed) see verse 26. This also
is a historical fact that it was exactly 434 years from the completion of
the Temple to the cross.
Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall
Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that
shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall
be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (KJV) This prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem was fulfilled when Titus
and the Roman army completely destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, which was also
prophesied by Jesus (Mat. 24:2). From that time, Israel has had no Temple
and no blood sacrifice. There is no Jewish king sitting on the throne of David.
And since this time, the Jews have been scattered far and wide over the Earth.
That takes care of 69 of the 70 weeks mentioned by Daniel in this prophecy.
My friend, Jesus was cut off, but it was not for Himself. Jesus did
NOT die for anything that He did or anything wrong or evil that He had done.
He died for your sins. He died for my sins. He died so we could live. He died
for the Jews, and He died for Gentiles (non-Jews).
This Present Age
As we come to the last part of verse 26, we see one of the greatest prophecies
in the entire Bible concerning this age in which we live. And unto the
end of the war desolations are determined is the KJV. The (NASB) reads: even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. Consider
the word determined in verse 26. God is telling Daniel (and us), that until
the Messiah comes again, wars and desolations (destruction and devastation)
will continue. They are determined by God. Any and all efforts
of peace will prove to be fruitless and worthless. Don’t believe those
who say things will get better and better. Believe God who tells us it will
NOT get better!
When you turn on the news, you never fail to hear of peace efforts. There
has never been more talk about peace than in today’s time. We hear “peace,
peace” and we hear “pray for peace.” But according to Daniel
9:26, there will be NO peace until Messiah returns! Almighty God clearly states
that all efforts of peace will be fruitless. Our president insists on peace
with Israel and her enemies. Personally I think he is SO wrong! It
will not happen. Even in the Great Tribulation, the “peace”
brought about by the Antichrist will be a false peace (Rev.6:1-8). I will
believe God who never lies. Who will you believe?
The 70th Week
After the 69 weeks, or 483 years, there is a time break. Between the 69th
and 70th week, two very important events are to take place:
- #1. Messiah will be cut off. This means
the crucifixion of Christ, the great mystery and Truth of the Gospel. Matthew
16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that
he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. (KJV)
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal
life. (KJV)
- #2. Destruction of Jerusalem, which took
place in AD 70, when Titus the Roman was the instrument. The final “week”
(the seventieth), a period of seven years, reaches into the future and does
not follow chronologically the other sixty-nine. The time gap between the69th
and 70th weeks is the age of grace (the time in which we now live), which
was unknown to the prophets (Eph. 3:1–12; 1 Pet. 1:10–12). The
70th week is eschatological; it is the final period and is yet unfulfilled.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many
for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and
the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall
make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be
poured upon the desolate. (KJV)
Daniel 9:25-26 Know therefore and understand, that from
the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto
the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:
the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. [26]
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:
and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the
sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of
the war desolations are determined. (KJV) As you study this amazing time
prophecy, you will see in these verses that there are two “princes.”
Messiah the Prince in verse 25, and the prince that shall come in verse 26.
Messiah the Prince is our Lord Jesus, the Christ; the one and only Christ
who is Saviour of the world and the only way to Heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The prince that shall come is the Antichrist in the Book of Revelation who
shall be the one-world ruler. He is the “little horn”
of Daniel 7; he is the false christ in John 5:43; he is man of
sin and the son of perdition in 2 Thes. 2:3; he is the beast of Revelation 13 who shall blaspheme God and all that belongs to God. The
one Prince (Christ) is cut off (killed), and the other prince that shall come
will make a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years. God's covenant is everlasting
(Heb.13:20), but the covenant (agreement, promise) of the Antichrist lasts
only 3 1/2 years.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many
for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and
the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall
make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be
poured upon the desolate. (KJV) The second prince, Antichrist of Revelation
13 shall appear after the church is removed from the Earth at the Rapture (next event to take place). He will make a covenant (peace treaty) with
Israel. Israel will accept him as her Messiah (John 5:43), but in the midst
of the “week” he will break his covenant by placing an image in
the Temple (Rev. 13) that the Jews shall build. This will be the abomination
of desolation that Daniel and Jesus speaks of (Dan.11:31; 12:11; Mat.24:15;
Mark 13:14). What Israel will think is the Millennium, will turn out to be
the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:15–26). Only the coming of Christ can
end this horrifying period (Matt. 24:27–31). The Antichrist will convince
the Jews that he can solve all their problems, but after 3 1/2 years, Antichrist
will break every promise he ever made to them. Completely opposite of the
TRUE Christ who never lies!
After the Jews rebuild their Temple, they will again have blood sacrifices
to God. But, in the midst of the week he (Antichrist) shall cause
the sacrifice and the oblation (offerings) to cease. Remember the week is
7 years. In the middle of the week, this evil man, Antichrist shows his true
colors and puts a complete stop to all Jewish worship in their new Temple.
He will even have the gall to enter the Temple and demand to be worshipped
as God. And he shall set up an image and demand people worship it (Rev.13:14-17).
2 Thes. 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for
that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that
man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [4] Who opposeth and exalteth
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as
God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV)
This is what Daniel is telling us about in Dan.9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Jesus also
tells us about it in Mat.24:15; Mark 13:14, and it shall happen in the latter
part of Revelation chapter 13. The falling away
(apostasy) is upon us! Just look around! People do not fear God, do not reverence
God, do not worship God, do not even believe there is a God! WATCH, so that
you are ready! Jesus could come at any time.
We are living in the age of grace. The seventieth week of Daniel, or the
Great Tribulation, as our Lord Jesus called it, is yet to take place in the
future, which I believe is very near.
The last three chapters of Daniel are as one vision. It relates to the Israel
in the immediate future but also in the latter days. This fills in much detail
of the preceding visions. All was prophetic when it was given to Daniel, but
today much has been fulfilled and is history. But, there much left that is
still prophetic . . . to be fulfilled in the last days. The fulfillment in
the immediate future gives us the key for the far future fulfillment. For
instance, the historical fulfillment in Antiochus Epiphanes gives us a picture
of the future fulfillment which will be fulfilled by the Antichrist.
The key to understanding these last three chapters is found in the explanation
the angel gives to Daniel. Daniel 10:14 Now I am come
to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for
yet the vision is for many days. (KJV) Again I remind you, Daniel is
speaking about Israel . . . NOT anyone else. It would be
a long time before this would be fulfilled, and it concerns Daniel’s
people (Israel). Daniel’s people is Israel, no one else! It is not the
church or any one else, it is Israel. Daniel makes it very clear that he is
talking about his people.
We are moving into a very strange and eerie section. The veil that shrouds
the spiritual world is partly pulled aside, and Daniel gives us a look into
the unseen world. There is nothing here to satisfy the morbid curiosity of
unbelievers, but there is plenty to make a serious effect upon the humble
believer that will produce an effect on us, similar to that of Daniel.
This intrusion into the spiritual realm acquaints the believer to the order
of angels . . . both good and bad angels. Daniel shows us something about
the kingdom of Satan, which is very present with us today. There has been
much said and written about angels. It is always best, as with all things,
to stay with the facts that the Bible gives us, because there is so much falsehood
out there.
Evidently angels exercise a free will since some of them by their own choice
followed Satan in his rebellion against God. Some of these fallen angels belong
to the order of demons which is frequently mentioned in the Gospels. Angels
have different orders, ranks, positions and have various powers and abilities,
just like humans.
Col. 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are
in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him,
and for him: (KJV) There is a great domain today that is invisible. There
are many things in this world that we know very little about. God created
thrones, which would be the archangels like Michael and Gabriel. There are
dominions, which would be the cherubim and seraphim. There are principalities,
which would be the generals, “the brass” of the angel hosts. And
powers would be the privates such as serve as guardian angels (Heb. 1:4).
Some angels in the rank of principalities fell away to join with Satan. Notice
what is said in God’s Word about “principalities”. Ephes.
6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV) Satan has his
angels organized according to rank. Just as one army is set over against another
army, there are generals on both sides. Satan’s principalities seem
to have the oversight of nations. His powers are the privates of his army
who are demons who seek to possess human beings and many are being possessed
by them through drugs. The rulers of the darkness of this world are demons
who have charge of Satan’s worldly business, and I think he has a lot
of monkey-business going on down here. I think spiritual wickedness in the
heavenlies, which are the demons who have charge of religion. Satan’s
department of religion is the large department. Religion is Satan’s
business. Many people think Satan is against religion. No way! He promotes
religion (FALSE religion) . . . NOT Christ, but religion.
Circumstances surrounding the
vision.
Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia
a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and
the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the
thing, and had understanding of the vision. (KJV) The “third year
of Cyrus” was 534 B.C., probably about four years after the vision of
the Seventy Weeks. Daniel was an old man by this time. A message was revealed
to Daniel (Belteshazzar), which was extremely hard to understand. It was explained
to him in a vision.
Daniel 10:2-3 In those days I Daniel was mourning three
full weeks. [3] I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my
mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
(KJV) This vision relates to the Daniel’s vision of the 70 weeks. It
would be a long time (the time appointed was long) before all would be accomplished;
and much is not yet fulfilled. Daniel’s fasting (a 3 week period) was
an outward expression of sorrow and separation from worldly pleasure, in order
to give himself to prayer. Why was Daniel mourning? Probably for his people,
who met with many obstructions to their building of the temple, from their
adversaries in the Persian court.
Daniel 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the
first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; (KJV) Daniel gives us the exact place and date when he received his vision
and revelation. He was by the great river Hiddekel (Tigris River) on the twenty-fourth
of Nisan (April 24). Daniel states exact dates. This makes it difficult for
faultfinders to argue with, because the one who wrote this was dealing with
specific dates.
The cause of Daniel’s mourning is not told us, but we can speculate.
Remember that it was the third year of Cyrus’ reign, and in his first
year he had made the decree which permitted Israel to return to her land (see
Ezra 1:1–4). Two full years had passed and only a paltry few had returned
to the land of Israel under Zerubbabel. This is before the group under Ezra
and the group under Nehemiah had returned. This was a rigorous time for Daniel.
It brought grief to the heart of this aged prophet of God, now past ninety,
to see that his people did not want to return to their homeland. Probably
retired now from active participation in office, evidently having served through
the first year of Cyrus, he gave himself entirely to the service of God. He
fasted for three weeks because he did not get an immediate answer to his prayer.
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side
of the great river, which is Hiddekel [Dan. 10:4].
THE VISION OF CHRIST
GLORIFIED
CHAPTER 10 The vision of Christ glorified.
Daniel 10:5-9 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked,
and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine
gold of Uphaz: [6] His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance
of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like
in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of
a multitude. [7] And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were
with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they
fled to hide themselves. [8] Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great
vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned
in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. [9] Yet heard I the voice
of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep
sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. (KJV) This is what Daniel
saw. Daniel saw the glorified Christ long before Peter, James and John did
on the mountain.
Matthew 17:1-2 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter,
James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and
his raiment was white as the light. (KJV)
The Transfiguration was a brief glimpse of the absolute glory of the King
(Mat.16:27). This was a very special revelation of Jesus’ divinity (that
He is God) to three of the disciples, and God affirmed everything Jesus, His
Son, had done and was about to do.
Rev. 1:13-15 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks
one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and
girt about the paps with a golden girdle. [14] His head and his hairs were
white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; [15]
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his
voice as the sound of many waters. (KJV) John saw the glory of the King.
He saw what all God’s TRUE children shall see one day.
Neither Daniel or John could tolerate what
they saw. When I think of this, I can’t help but wonder how unbelievers
will react when they come before Him, which they shall.
Daniel 10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this
great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was
turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. (KJV) Daniel
states that after this amazing vision, he had no strength left, and his face
was so changed that no one could have recognized him.
Rev. 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as
dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the
first and the last: (KJV) John fell down at Jesus’ Feet like a
dead man.
This is a different method of revelation. Daniel no longer sees an image
or visions of beasts or weeks. He sees Man, a certain, particular Man, whom
I think can be no other than Christ. Many excellent expositors hesitate to
identify Him, evading the problem by saying He was just a heavenly visitor.
Most certainly He is a heavenly visitor! But that is not an explanation of
this Passage. I truly believe this Person is Christ.
When the Lord Jesus was on Earth, He gave many parables, and some concerned
“a certain man” (Mat.21:28; Mark.12:1; Luke 10:30; 13:6,
etc.) That “certain man” was either God the Father or
God the Son. In the verse before us the “certain man”
is identified even further by His person and His dress. There is a striking
similarity to the vision of Christ after His ascension into glory as seen
by the apostle John in the Book of Revelation! John saw a vision of Christ
in Rev.1:13-15 (above), and I believe Daniel saw Christ . . . not in His preincarnation
(as a physical Man on Earth), but he saw Him as the postincarnate (in His
glorified Body) Christ, in the office only He could hold, that as priestly
Intercessor and Judge and the great Shepherd of the sheep. And please remember
. . . both Israel and the church are called His sheep.
Transforming effect
on Daniel
Daniel 10:7-9 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for
the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon
them, so that they fled to hide themselves. [8] Therefore I was left alone,
and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness
was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. [9] Yet heard
I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was
I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. (KJV)
Daniel, and Daniel alone saw the vision. The men that were with him did not
see the vision (Dan. 10:7), but they were terrified and ran and hid. Do you
think an ordinary angel or even an archangel would have this effect upon these
men? It is very doubtful. The apostle Paul had a similar experience on the
road to Damascus. Acts 9:7-8 And the men which journeyed
with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. [8] And Saul
arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they
led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (KJV) When Saul finally
stood up (Acts 9:4), they had to lead him by the hand into Damascus. He was
blinded. He had seen the glorified Christ.
Christ appeared to Daniel in His glorified Body. This should make us to think
highly and honorably of Christ. We should admire His condescension for us
and gratefully thank Him for our salvation. All strength was drained from
Daniel in this vision. The greatest and best of men cannot bear the full discoveries
of His Divine glory; for no man can see it, and live! But born
again saints see Christ as He is, and we can bear that
sight. Even though Christ may appear to us under convictions of sin, there
is enough in His Holy Word to quiet and comfort our spirits.
Only the Holy Spirit can identify Christ for men, and that is what He did
for Daniel. The Lord Jesus said: John 16:14 He
shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (KJV)
Millions of people today “hate” the Jews. People have always
hated the Jews. I pray that you ate not one of them. See below what God clearly
states to Abraham, the father of the Jews, His chosen people:
Genesis 12:2-3 And I will make of thee a great
nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be
a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
(KJV) God will bless everyone who blesses Israel . . . BUT, He will curse
everyone who curses Israel. Plus, only through Abraham will nations be blessed
. . . meaning that Christ (the Messiah) would come to the world (ALL nations)
through Abraham; which the Bible clearly states in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, plus
many Old Testament Passages.
Keep your eyes on Israel! That is the nation with which
the Antichrist shall make his peace treaty. They crave for peace! And when
it is offered to them by the Antichrist, they shall leap for joy, thinking
it is Christ, the Messiah. John 5:43 I
am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come
in his own name, him ye will receive. (KJV) There is
nothing about the life of Antichrist before that time.
Only one week (7 years) of Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks remains
to be fulfilled. The week could begin at any moment! Take into consideration
Jesus’ words about being ready.
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore:
for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (KJV)
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore,
for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (KJV)
Harvest time in my estimation is very
near! Judgment Day is approaching fast! Christ could come in the clouds at
any time (1 Thes. 4:14-18).
End
Times Prophecies
Book
of Daniel
Elijah's Return
Enoch
and Elijah in Heaven
Messianic
Prophecies
Prophecies
Fulfilled in Our Time
Resurrection
Home Page
|