Major Prophets Daniel

Daniel 11-12

Discover Jesus as: Stone Daniel 11-12 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 652 of 730
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INTRO

Today we finish Daniel and the entire study of the major prophets. Tomorrow we go back to the New Testament and into the book of Hebrews. I didn’t expect there to be as much in Daniel to discover as there has been. Daniel spent 70 years in exile, and he found favor in each of the kings under whom he served. We are going to look at chapter 11 first to prepare us for studying chapter 12.

TEACHING

Daniel 11: The verses of chapter 11 cover more than two hundred years of war. As you read through these verses, the historical figure in each is provided to make this clearer. 1

Daniel 11:1–4: In verse 2, the angel spoke to Daniel and told him of what was to come. Three more kings would arise in Persia after Cyrus (Cambyses 2, Psuedo-Smerdis, and Darius 1 Hystaspes), and the fourth king (Xerxes I) will be richer and will stir up everyone against Greece. [Note: This is not a surprise from what we already know about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue that would fall apart as the ruling nations were defeated by other nations. The statue would be shattered by The Stone, the victory of Jesus Christ]. The warrior king (Alexander the Great of Macedonia) shall then rise over all nations (v. 3). When Alexander the Great died (v. 4), his kingdom was divided into four sections. One section was led by the Ptolomies of Egypt, the kings of the south, and another led by the Selucids of Syria, the kings of the north (vv. 5–6).

Daniel 11:5–19: Next the king of the south (Egypt) will be strong as well as one of his commanders or princes (v. 5). In verse 6, an alliance was formed with the marriage of the daughter of Egyptian Ptolemy II to Assyrian King Antiochus III. However, the alliance wasn’t as productive as hoped for, and Bernice and her son were murdered by the wife Antiochus had divorced. Bernice’s brother rose up and came against the king of the north (v. 7). He defeated the Assyrian army and took the spoils of war and the idols back to Egypt (v. 8). In verses 9–10 the Assyrians tried to fight back but were unsuccessful. In verse 11, Ptolemy IV defeated Assyria again. In verses 13–17 Antiochus, the king of the north (Syria), marched against Egypt. His victory gave him control of Palestine. After defeating Egypt, Antiochus turned toward Greece, but he was defeated by Roman Lucius Scipio Asiasticus (v. 18). Antiochus turned his attention to his own land but was killed there (v. 19).

Daniel 11:20–35: In verse 20, another king would rise (Seleucus IV Philopator) who sent out a tax collector to pay the tribute required by Rome, who was poisoned and died soon afterwards. Then the most despised ruler (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) would rise in Syria to the north (v. 21), and his leadership is outlined through verse 35.

Daniel 11:36–45: Verses 36–39 detail Daniel’s seventieth week and the rise of the antichrist. The antichrist will make himself above every other god and will be successful until the time of wrath is completed (vv. 36–37). Kyle believes there are seasons when the spirit of the antichrist works through people and individuals. Satan uses people to function like an antichrist in those periods of time in the event he can take over the world. In verse 36, however, the prophecy moved to the antichrist who would come during the tribulation. He will be greatly honored and will make those who bow to him rulers (vv. 38–39). Verses 40–45 describe the beginning of the end times. The king of the north will invade with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, expanding his power over the countries. Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites will escape his power. Wars will take place across the region. Verses 44–45a describe the battle of Armageddon where he will meet his end against Christ.

Daniel 12:1–4: “At that time” (v. 1) points to Daniel 11:36–45 when the chief angel Michael will show up. Michael is mentioned in Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9; and Revelation 12:7. Michael always appears when an epic battle is about to take place. At that time all the people who are found written in the book will escape (v. 1). Then the resurrection of the dead will take place, some to eternal life and others to eternal contempt (vv. 2–3).

MacArthur outlines the times of resurrection in the Bible:

  • “The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1–7; Mark 16:1–7; Luke 24:1–8; John 20:1–10; Acts 2:24; 3:15; 10:40; 17:3; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Peter 3:18)
  • The resurrection of a few saints at the time of the resurrection of Christ (Matthew 27:50–53)
  • The resurrection at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51–58; 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17)
  • The resurrection of Old Testament saints (Isaiah 26:19–21; Ezekiel 37:12–14; Daniel 12:1–3)
  • The resurrection of Tribulation saints (Revelation 20:4–6)
  • The resurrection of the unbelieving dead to stand at the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11–15)”2

Verse 3 describes the glorious kingdom. Daniel was told to seal this information in a book until the time of the end—the tribulation (v. 4). MacArthur explains, “In the Tribulation, people will search for answers to the devastation and discover increased knowledge through Daniel’s preserved book.”3

Daniel 12:5–13: Daniel looked and saw two others standing there, one on each bank of the river (v. 5). One of them asked the man with Daniel how long they would have to wait until these extraordinary things took place (v. 6). “Time, times, and half a time” refers to the three-and-a-half years of the tribulation (v. 7). Daniel asked what all that meant (v. 8). The man did not give the explanation to Daniel but reminded him that it was to be held until the end of time (v. 9). However, the man said it would take place 1,290 days after the daily sacrifices have been abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up (v. 11). This means the antichrist will come and abolish the daily sacrifices, which will begin the period of wrath (the second three-and-a-half years of the tribulation). The 1,290 days is three-and-a-half years plus another 30 days. MacArthur states the additional thirty days is “possibly to allow for the judgment of the living subsequent to Christ’s return (Matthew 24:29–31; 25:31–46), before millennial kingdom blessings begin.”4 Then those who wait for and reach 1,335 days (45 days more) are blessed (v. 12).

The book concludes with the instructions for Daniel to go on his way until his earthly life was over. He was told he would rise (be resurrected) in the end times (v. 13).

CLOSING

I never realized the book of Daniel would give us a road map of the end times in this depth, but it does! Daniel was about dreams and visons, but ultimately, we see the Messiah as TheStone, TheRock, the Kingdom of God being established permanently.

  1. Names included in parentheses are from John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), pp. 964–967.

  2. MacArthur, p. 968.

  3. MacArthur, p. 968.

Questions

  1. Daniel 11:27 ends with the words, “But to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.” What does this tell you about who is really in control on the earth (Daniel 11:36)? Where else in Scripture do we see a similar statement? (Daniel 11:35; John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20)
  2. As Daniel was shown things that will take place in the future, we read in Daniel 11:32 that the “people who know their God will be strong and take action.” What do you think this means?
  3. Read Daniel 12:1. Who was Michael, and what do we know about him from other Scriptures? (Daniel 10:13, 21; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7)
  4. To what was Daniel 12:2 referring? Do you think this was the same occurrence as what is mentioned in John 5:28–29 and Acts 24:15? Why or why not?
  5. In Daniel 12, both verses 3 and 10 mention those who are wise (or have insight). Verse 3 even says, “Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” What kind of insight do you think these verses refer to? Does this encourage you to continue trying to lead many to righteousness?
  6. In the last verse of Daniel 12, Daniel was told he would die and rise again for his allotted portion, or allotted inheritance, at the end of the age. What do you think this allotted portion is? Is there a portion allotted for each of us who make Jesus our Lord? (Acts 20:32; 26:18; Colossians 1:12; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4)
  7. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Daniel 11—12 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Daniel 12:2–3

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

Daniel continued to see a vision of the final days. At the end of time, the wise will shine like the bright expanse in the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like stars. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined until the end. However, the wicked will act wickedly and will not understand. Only the wise will understand. The vision Daniel saw from the Lord was to be sealed until the end of time. Daniel would rest and then rise to his destiny.

Like Daniel, you may ask, “How long until the end of time?” You read the visions, you imagine the end days, and what do you do until then? Hold fast and draw near to Jesus. As you do, He will draw near to you. Resist the devil and flee from wickedness. Walk in the righteousness of Christ as you receive His love. In faith, continue to purify your heart, cleanse your hands, and, as the Lord allows refinement in your life, lean even further into Him. In doing so, it will prepare you to be like one of the stars shining in the heavens. The Lord will honor your faithfulness as you seek Him. Do not be afraid of what tomorrow holds. Hold firmly to the Lord, and He will bring you peace and understanding.

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

— Daniel 12:2–3

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Daniel 12:9–10 – “He said, ‘Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.’”
  • Philippians 2:14–16 — “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.”
  • James 4:7–8 – “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!”