Daniel 1:8
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”
“Daniel, purposed in his heart” - one cannot serve God by following a set of rules. One can only serve God through the heart. It is out of the heart that the issues of life proceed.
Daniel 2:19
“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”
“Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” - man cannot bless God in the sense that He blesses us. This passage denotes praise of God. Only the greater can bless the lesser. Yet God wants us to praise Him and acknowledge His works.
Daniel 2:31-45
“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his beast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floor; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 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. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.”
The Roman Empire fell apart from the inside. All other great empires of the world were destroyed from the outside. No enemy from outside, destroyed the Roman Empire, it is undefeated.
Rome, is alive and well in some of the great nations of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, for they were Rome. No great world power has followed Rome, although others have tried.
Scripture says: that Rome is the last world power. The Roman Church was birthed from the Roman Empire. She has claimed to be Christianity. She has kept alive much of Rome’s traditions and ways, through her religious ways.
The Roman Empire is alive and well in these latter days. It will openly re-appear to the world with the coming of the antichrist.
The Roman Empire is the last seed of the great Babylon Empire, the greatest empire the world has ever known.
Babylon was first, it was the greatest, and it was gold. Media-Persia was less, it was silver. Graeco-Macedonia was even less, it was brass. Rome is iron, it is even less.
King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the Babylon Empire – the greatest ruler that ever was – was given a dream from God. God interpreted this dream, through Daniel His prophet and servant.
Daniel 7:3-7
“And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”
“And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.”
The “lion” - represents the Babylon Empire.
The “bear” - represents the Media-Persia Empire: the ribs are the three kingdoms that constituted this empire, Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt.
The “leopard” - represents the Graeco-Macedonia Empire (Alexander the Great).
The fourth “beast” - is the antichrist, the Roman Empire.
The “ten horns” - are the 10 nations which the beast absorbs. (See also Revelations 17:12) These beasts are the same four metals described in King Nebuchannezzar’s dream. (Daniel 2:31-45)
Daniel 7:8
“I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
The “little horn” - is the antichrist that comes out of the Roman Empire. (The Roman Church).
The “ten horns” - are the nations he absorbs. (See also Revelations 17:12) Yet three of these he completely destroys, plucked up by their roots. The rest serve him.
The horn has the eyes of a man. This denotes he is one person, not a nation.
Daniel 7:9
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame and his wheels as burning fire.”
“The ancient of days did sit” - this is the eternal God.
“His throne was like the fiery flame” - peaks of the judgement of God.
“His wheels as burning fire” - “wheels” indicates that God and His judgement go everywhere.
Daniel 7:10
“A fiery stream issued and came forth form before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
“A fiery stream issued” - this is God’s judgement.
“Thousand thousands ministered unto Him” - those that minister belong to Him, the saved.
“Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” - so many more are the unsaved.
“The books were opened” - if one’s name does not appear in the book of life he faces the second death.
Daniel 7:11
“I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”
The words the antichrist spoke had a great effect on the world. The antichrist and his kingdom, the Roman Empire will be destroyed. They will be given over to the lake of fire.
Daniel 7:12
“As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.”
The other three kingdoms – Babylon, Medi-Persia and Graeco-Macedonia, time has passed, yet their spirits live on for a time.
Daniel 7:13
“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”
The “Son of man” - Jesus, comes before God to receive His authority.
Daniel 7:14
“And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
That authority was to take away the kingdoms of the earth and to establish His kingdom. His dominion will be forever.
Daniel 7:17-18
“These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.”
The four beasts, of course are the four kingdoms; Babylon, Medi-Persia, Graeco-Macedonia and the Roman Empire. (Antichrist)
These are the four metals – gold, silver, brass and iron from king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. They are also depicted through the beasts; the lion, bear, leopard-panther and the horned creature. Yet the saints of the "most High" shall overcome and possess the kingdom, the earth for ever and ever. (See also Revelation 21:7)
Daniel 7:19-20
“Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.”
God, through scripture, places much emphasis on the fourth beast, for he is the last and has brought forth the antichrist, the worst of all.
Daniel 7:21
“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;”
During the great tribulation, the antichrist will make war against the saints and they will be powerless to stop it, for God allows this. (See also Revelation 13:7) Those that teach the rapture and call themselves saints, have trouble explaining this part of scripture.
Daniel 7:22
“Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.”
The “Ancient of days” - is God, Christ. They are one in the same, where the son goes, so goes the father.
“And judgement was given to the saints of the most High;” “judgement was given” only Christ will truly judge. Yet this means the saints will be avenged. They will be part of the judgement as they will be on the Lords heart. These “saints” are New Testament saints that have been persecuted and murdered for the Lords sake.
“The saints possessed the kingdom” is the New Jerusalem; when the old has passed away, when heaven and earth are the same.
Daniel 7:23
“Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.”
The fourth kingdom is the Roman Empire with the antichrist as king. It shall take over the earth and break it down into submission; it shall be supreme ruler.
Daniel 7:25
“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”
The antichrist, the king, shall come after the first ten kings (nations) are in power. He will kill three of these kings.
“He shall speak great words against the most High,” the antichrist shall blasphemy God.
“Great words” are words that people listen to. He will be very convincing.
“Shall wear out the saints of the most High,” he will be relentless in his war against God’s own. He will persecute and murder and keep them scattered.
“Think to change times and laws:” everything will be different. The laws will be all for him as he controls everything. You must have his mark to live in his world.
“And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time,” the world will be in his hands, 31/2 years. This time, these times will be his to do as he pleases, as he divides and conquers the world. (See also Revelation 13:5-6)
Daniel 7:26
“But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.”
Jesus will sit in judgement. The antichrist will loose his kingdom and it will be destroyed.
Daniel 7:27
“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
“greatness” means free from sin and disorder.
Daniel 7:28
“Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.”
“cogitations” here means thoughts.
“countenance” here means outlook. Daniel was very bothered by this prophecy, but kept matters to himself.
Daniel 8:4-5
“I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hands; but he did according to his will, and became great. And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.”
The ram is the world empire of Media-Persia; its horns are its kings. The ram pushed every where, conquering as he went, except eastward. Persia was itself in the east. No nation could stand against it. Then a goat came from the west; Greece - the Graeco-Macedonian Empire.
“touch not the ground” - its army moves so fast, it seems like it flies.
“The goat had a notable horn between his eyes” - this horn is Alexander the Great.
Daniel 8:6-7
“And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.”
Alexander the Great attacked with great hatred and fury.
“Choler” - means anger and great hatred.
He over-whelms the ram. He was no match for the power and speed of Alexander the Great
Daniel 8:8
“Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.”
The “goat” - the Empire of Graeco-Macedonia was great. Alexander the Great was at his strongest, he had conquered the world.
“the great horn was broken” - Alexander the Great was 32 years of age and died from alcohol. When Alexander the Great died his empire was divided into four.
Daniel 8:9
“And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.”
This “little horn” - is not the antichrist. Yet he is cruel and demented. He is often called “the madman.” He is Antiochus the IV or Epiphanes.
“the pleasant land” - is Israel. He tried to exterminate the Jews. He was worse than Hitler.
Daniel 8:10-11
“And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.”
“the host of heaven” - is God. God permitted Antiochus to come against Him. He captured Jerusalem and the temple. Antiochus did astounding things, as Satan’s power was behind him.
Daniel 8:13
“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?”
These two saints speaking are angels. (heavenly saints are angels). One is wondering how long God will permit the desolation of the temple, His sanctuary.
Daniel 8:14
“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
This was for a period of about 7 years.
The Jewish priest, Judas Maccabeus, “the Hammer”, drove out the Syrian army. At that time the temple was cleansed of all its pollution, and then rededicated.
Daniel 8:16-17
“And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of U’lai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall by the vision.”
The angel Gabriel (in human form), was summoned to help Daniel understand his vision. He calls Daniel, “son of man” a term often used by Jesus to describe Himself during His ministry on earth. It means - offspring of humanity.
“for at the time of the end shall be the vision” - this refers to the complete fulfillment of prophecy. Only then shall the vision be complete. The prophecy has been shown to Daniel, yet it is not just for Daniel. It is for all servants of God.
Daniel 8:20-24
“The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Me’-di-a and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Gre’-ci-a: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.”
As you have learned earlier, the “ram” is Media-Persia. The “horns" are their kings. The “goat” is Greece. “The great horn” between his eyes is the first king, Alexander. After Alexander died, four kings came out of his kingdom, yet none had his power. Yet one, Antiochus came from the dark side. His power was mighty, but it was not his own. He slaughtered many people and grew and prospered. He destroyed the mighty and the “holy people.” The “holy people” is Israel. He was worse then Hitler.
Daniel 8:25
“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”
“craft to prosper” - is goods, wares, and possessions.
“he shall magnify himself in his heart” - he believes that he is greater than God.
“by peace shall destroy many” - he brings a false peace. Many are lulled into this false sense of security.
They become victims of this peace.
“he shall stand up against the Prince of princes” - he opposes God and stands up against Him. The heads of tribes or of the congregation of Israel are often called princes. This does not refer to Jesus, often called the Prince of peace.
“he shall be broken without hand” - God Himself will break this king. He needs no other hand, but His own.
Daniel 9:1-20
Please read Chapter 9:1-20.
Daniel, after prayer and confession of his sin and prayer for the sins of his people – received a visit from Gabriel who appeared in human form.
Daniel 9:21-22
“Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding."
The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel once again in human form – in immediate answer to his prayer.
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24)
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.”
“Seventy weeks” does not mean 70 x 7 or 490 days. The Hebrew word for seven means unit, a measure of time.
Week means 7 days. So we have 70 units (of time) x 7. God has not told us what comprises a unit, for it is immeasurable. The period of time for each unit may be different.
Many religious teachers have speculated that “seventy weeks” is actually 490 years; that a unit is a year. It is not. Daniel’s “seventy weeks” is to remain a mystery.
“thy people” is the people of Israel (God’s people).
“the holy city” is Jerusalem.
“finish the transgression” transgression means rebellion, not accepting Jesus as the son of God.
Many speculate that the end of transgression came with the crucifixion of Christ. That is not true. The end of rebellion is after the great tribulation. God’s people are still in rebellion.
“make an end of sins” - sin will not end until after the millennium.
“to make reconciliation for iniquity” - God’s people must go through the great tribulation to make reconciliation. There is no rapture.
The “saved” are Jews – God’s people. All the saved are of Jewish descendent. God’s people have this “seventy weeks” to make things right with God, to reconcile with Him.
“and to bring in everlasting righteousness” - at the end of the “70 weeks” there will be everlasting righteousness. There will be peace with God, all will be right.
“to seal up the vision and prophecy" - all will be fulfilled. This prophecy and other prophecies in scripture, will be complete at the end of the “seventy weeks.”
“to anoint the most Holy” - at the end of the “seventy weeks” only “the most holy” shall be with God. They have paid the price. They are truly righteous, as they take their place in the New Jerusalem.
Daniel 9:25-27
“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Mes-si’-ah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Mes-si’-ah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the price 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. 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.”
The time that Jerusalem was rebuilt, restored, was “seven weeks” - (seven again means unit). After the restoration of Jerusalem, until the time of Christ, shall be three score and two weeks. (Threescore is 20 x 3 = 60). We are not told what 60 is. The time is 60 plus two weeks, not necessarily 62 weeks as most interpret or (434 days).
“the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times” – the city will be restored in troubled times. It will not be a time of peace.
“And after threescore and two weeks shall Mes-si’-ah be cut off, but not for himself” – again, after 60 plus 2 weeks, Christ will be separated from His people. The separation is the crucifixion.
“but not for Himself” – He will not do this for Himself, but others.
“and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary” – the prince to come is Satan. His people here are the Romans. Titus was the Emperor. They shall destroy the city and the temple.
Many believe and teach that upon the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D., that there is a time break; for up to the destruction of the city and temple is 69 weeks. (Or as they teach 69 years) That this “time break” is a time of grace; that this time breaks was unknown to the prophets; that the count-down to the final week (7years) the “seventy weeks,” has not started. They teach the final week will be the start of the great tribulation, that the final week will last 7 years, the time of the great tribulation. Yet in Daniel 9:24 we are taught that the anointing of the “most Holy” is after the millennium. (The millennium itself is 1000 years). It is only then that this prophecy will be complete. (See also Daniel 9:24) There is no time break after 70 A.D.
Yes, we are in the final week and have been since 70 A.D. The final week is a unit of time, immeasurable by us. All units are not the same. It cannot be measured in calendar days or years, as most try to do. Man, through his speculation has taken “seventy weeks” and made it into 490 years; then added a time break. God does not want man to speculate. He wants to teach him. That’s why the Holy Spirit is here. We are now in the time of grace, but it did not begin at the destruction of the city at 70 A.D. It began at the crucifixion of Christ and ends at the beginning of the great tribulation.
“the end thereof shall be with a flood” – this is not meant with a flood of water, but as a flood goes; quick, powerful and complete.
“unto the end of the war desolations are determined” – there will be complete devastation and ruin when the war has ended.
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week” – he (the price – Satan) shall allow a covenant (treaty) with the Jews (by the antichrist) which will be for a time.
“and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” – during this period of time the antichrist will take away their worship and rituals, for he is the one that wants to be worshipped.
“and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” – he spreads his abominations until many Jews give in. They are desolate.
This shall continue to the end as the Jews must find a private place to worship their religion, their God.
Daniel 10:2
“In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.”
Daniel was troubled and in deep prayer three full weeks. These “weeks” were earthly weeks not to be confused by the “seventy weeks."
Daniel 10:3
“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.”
Daniel fasted and did not bathe nor clean himself for three weeks.
Daniel 10:5-6
“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of U’-phaz: 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 bass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”
This heavenly visitor is none other than Christ.
Daniel 10:7
“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.”
Daniel was not alone at the time of the vision; for he was outside by the river. Yet only he saw the vision, all the others fled. (Paul had a similar experience when he saw Christ – Acts 9:7-8). Only an encounter with God or His Son can cause men to run or be speechless – no angel can have this effect.
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.”
Daniel was left alone with Christ. He was left weak from the experience.
Daniel 10:9
“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.”
Daniel became unconscious. He was so overwhelmed.
Daniel 10:10
“And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands."
Daniel was awakened by an angel. A “certain man” was gone.
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.”
Daniel stood up to hear the message from the angel. He is “a man greatly beloved.”
Daniel 10:12-13
“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Mi’-cha-el, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”
Daniel’s prayer was heard from the beginning. (Remember: he fasted and would not clean himself for 21 days). God’s messenger was sent to bring him his answer. (God always answers the prayers of his faithful).
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia” – this powerful angel is Satin’s ruler over all of Persia.
“withstood me one and twenty days” – God’s messenger could not reach Daniel for 21 days. He was no match for one so powerful.
“but, lo, Mi’-cha-el, one of the chief princes, came to help me” – Mi’-cha-el - one of God’s strongest angels, a ruler himself, came to assist God’s messenger so that he could get through.
“and I remained there with the kings of Persia” - God’s messenger waited by “the kings of Persia,” until he could get through. All angels are not the same. Some are more powerful and have more responsibility than others. God allows Satan, his do. For during the times of his reign, Satan must be allowed to be Satan. His angels are structured much like; God has structured His.
Princes, or chiefs or principalities are angels that rule, very powerful. They are in charge of other angels – much like an army. Satan sent a most powerful angel to detain God’s messenger. Daniel, very distraught, because he could not get an answer, did not understand this. He couldn’t understand why God did not answer his prayer. He was desperately seeking an answer. Satan was allowed a chance to break Daniel’s faith.
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.”
Daniel, has been so concerned about the future of his people; God’s people. This messenger brings with him the answers. It covers a long period of time. We are in the “latter days.”
Daniel 10:15-16
“And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.”
Daniel could not speak. Then one who looked like a man touched his lips. Daniel could now speak, but the visions have drained him of all his strength.
Daniel 10:17-18
“For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,”
The angel strengthens Daniel with his touch. He was ministering to him.
Daniel 10:19
“And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”
Daniel became even more strengthened. He was ready to hear the angel speak.
Daniel 10:20
“Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the price of Gre’-ci-a shall come.”
There are other battles with the prince of Persia. Soon another powerful angel of Satan’s will come, the prince of Gre’-ci-a. (Greece)
Daniel 10:21
“But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Mi’-cha-el your prince.”
I will show you only the truth; what God destines. Only I and “Mi’-cha-el your prince” hold to these truths (known them and accept them). Mi’-cha-el is the prince over Israel.
The Roman Catholics have adopted Mi’- cha-el. Yet he does not watch over them as they allude to. Their prayers and petitions to him are an abomination.
Daniel 11:2
“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 Gre’-ci-a.”
History has recorded that the three kings are Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis and Darius Hystaspis. The fourth, the rich one, is Xeres-Ashauerus. (See the Book of Esther for more about him)
Daniel 11:3
“And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.”
This mighty king is Alexander the Great.
Daniel 11:4
“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.”
After he is in power, his empire will be broken, as he is broken (alcohol) and shall be divided to the east, west, north and south. It shall not go to his family, nor will it be as strong as it was. It shall be uprooted and given to others.
Daniel 11:5
“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.”
“The king of the south” will be strong. Yet, one under him will become even stronger and rule his own kingdom with great power. “The king of the south” is Ptolemy. (Egypt) The one under him was Seleucus. His kingdom was Babylonia, which he added to greatly.
Daniel 11:6
“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.”
After some warring years, they shall come together. The daughter of the king (Ptolemy) of the south, Berenice, shall marry “the king of the north,” Antiochus of Syria. Berenice will not retain her power and Antiochus will not last. Antiochus puts away Berenice after two years of marriage. He, Antiochus, takes back his first wife Laodice. She in turn kills Antiochus and then Berenice. She then places her own son Selneucus on the throne.
Daniel 11:7
“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:”
One from the family line of Berenice; her brother, Ptolemy Euergetes, brings an army against Syria and captures their fort. He is victorious.
Daniel 11:8-9
“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. So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.”
He shall seize captives, their gods (idols) and silver and gold and carry them off into Egypt. He will then leave “the king of the north,” alone.
Daniel 11:10
“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.”
His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which shall sweep the Egyptians, all the way to their fortress.
Daniel 11:11
“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.”
"Choler" - means rage. “The king of the south” will come out the meet him with a great army and defeat them.
Daniel 11:12
“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.”
The “king of the south” will be with great pride as he has defeated the great army. Yet he shall not remain in triumph.
Daniel 11:13
“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.”
After several years, “the king of the north” will muster even a larger army, better equipped, to again advance against Egypt. During these times, Israel is in the middle; first being captured by Egypt and then by Syria, as continual warfare rages on.
Daniel 11:14
“And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of they people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.”
Many will rise up against “the king of the south.” Many from Israel shall fight and die as they seek to fulfill prophecy. Yet they shall fail.
Daniel 11:15-16
“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. 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.”
Syria, decisively defeats Egypt. During this period of time, Israel suffers immeasurably. The “glorious land" - is Israel. “the king of the north” - will establish himself in Israel and consume her. He will have absolute power.
Daniel 11:17
“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.”
“the king of the north” - Antiochus the Great, made a treaty with Egypt. He gave Ptolemy Epiphanes his daughter, Cleopatra, in marriage. This was in his plan to overthrow Egypt.
Daniel 11:18
“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.”
The "Isles" is Greece and all the Greek Islands.
“a prince for his own behalf” – is Rome. Rome will turn him back.
Daniel 11:19
“Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.”
He shall go back to his own country and will be defeated and die.
Daniel 11:20
“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.”
There shall rise up a tax collector to maintain the royal standards. However he will shortly be destroyed through a conspiracy.
Daniel 11:21
“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”
This person is Antiochus Epiphanes. He is not in line for the throne. Yet he will be a popular choice for he will flatter and deceive so very many. People will be intrigued by him.
Daniel 11:22
“And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown form before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.”
All resistance to him shall be swept away; even the high priest was murdered.
Daniel 11:23
“And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.”
After they come to agreement with him, he will be deceitful. Only with a small band of supporters he shall come in to power.
Daniel 11:24
“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 strong holds, even for a time.”
He shall enter in place; but soon shall seize the wealth and the riches of the provinces; things no one has done before. He shall give it to his followers. He shall threaten the strongest in the land, for a time.
Daniel 11:25
“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.”
With a large army he will muster his strength and courage to do battle against Egypt.
“the king of the south” will be ready with a very large army of his own. Yet Egypt will not be able to win because of the strategy and tricks used against them.
Daniel 11:26
“Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.”
Those from inside his army will try and destroy him as his army is scattered. Many will die in battle.
Daniel 11:27
“And both 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.”
The two kings shall meet in a formal setting but with deceitful hearts. They shall speak lies to each other, and make agreements neither intends to keep. It does not matter for the end is already decided.
Daniel 11:28
“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.”
“the king of the north” - shall return home with great wealth. He already has plans against the Jews and their temple, and will take action against them.
Daniel 11:29-30
“At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chit’-tim 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.”
As God wills, Antiochus will again come against Egypt, but it will not be like the first time. Ships come from Rome against him and he has to turn back. He is angry and turns his fury against the Jews. Yet many Jews side with him and he brings them great favor.
Daniel 11:31
“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.”
He shall take up arms killing many Jews. He shall take the temple polluting the holy place with his own gods. He will not allow the Jews their rituals and worship.
“the abomination that maketh desolate” – is the worship of Jupiter in the temple.
Daniel 11:32
“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.”
He flatters the Jews that side with him. Yet, for those who know God, they take a strong stand and rise up against the king.
Daniel 11:33-34
“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. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.”
The Godly leaders of the Jewish resistance will build a force against the king –yet for a time. They will fall as they are killed or captured. They shall receive a little help. Yet many only discourage them; but do not help.
Daniel 11:35
“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.”
Some of the wise Jews shall fall as the hand of God prepares others for a future time.
Daniel 11:36
“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.”
The king shall do as he pleases. He shall hold himself above all gods. He will speak astonishing things against the only true God. He will be successful for a time until his time is through.
Daniel 11:37
“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.”
The only god that he now recognizes is himself. Many women in those days, did not honour the same god as men. In his eyes, he has become a religion.
Daniel 11:38
“But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.”
“honour the God of forces” – the god of forces is Satan. The god of forces has the kingdoms of the world. Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world; just as the antichrist will accept the kingdoms of the world.
Daniel 11:39
“Thus shall he do in the most strong holds 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.”
He attacks the strong with the help of a "strange god," Satan. As he becomes more and more successful he honours Satan even more. They shall rule over many and divide the spoils of the land.
Daniel 11:40
“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.”
“the king of the south” - will rise up again to do battle with the north. Yet the north is far too strong, sweeping not only Egypt, but many other countries.
Daniel 11:41
“He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even E’-dom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.”
The “glorious land” - is Palestine. Many countries will fall; but he will have trouble with E’-dom, Moab and Ammon.
Daniel 11:42
“He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.”
Egypt will at last be his.
Daniel 11:43
“But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Lib’-y-ans and the E-thi-o’-pi-ans shall be at his steps.”
He will have control of the wealth of Egypt. He can conquer the Lib’-y-ans and the E-thi-o’-pi-ans any time he wants.
Daniel 11:44
“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.”
Reports from the east and north will alarm him. He will set out in great rage to destroy many.
Daniel 11:45
“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.”
He shall make his headquarters between the Mediterranean and Jerusalem. There he shall come to his end; he has no alleys.
Daniel 12:1
“And at that time shall Mi’-cha-el 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.”
Mi’-cha-el is the angel, the overseer, assigned to the people of Israel. The Roman Church has embraced him as their own, yet he has no hand in that religion.
“a time of trouble” – is the great tribulation period, which shall be unlike any other.
“thy people” – are Daniels brothers and sisters. They shall be delivered.
“every one that shall be found written in the book” – this is the saved, the Book of Life.
Daniel 12:2
“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.”
“many” – refers to a great number.
“them that sleep” – these are all who have died the first death. They now rise to face judgement. Those who are “saved” shall have everlasting life. The “unsaved” will be received with shame and everlasting contempt, for the choice they have made.
Daniel 12:3
“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.”
The “wise” - are God’s servants, His 144,000, His elect.
They are “wise” in the ways of Christ. They will shine during the great tribulation. Many turn to Christ, “righteousness”, because of their witness. Many are saved from religion. God’s mercy and grace are gone, but not his witnesses.
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.”
Most of what will happen in the great tribulation is not known by man. For this is Gods will. The world is to know, as it occurs. These things are sealed by God, unto that time.
“many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” – many shall learn the truth. Although at first, they will run from it.
Daniel 12:5-7
“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. 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? 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.”
We are taken back to the original vision.
“the man clothed in linen” – is Christ. He is asked, “How long shall it be to the end of the wonders?”
He replies:
“time, times and an half” – three and one half years, which is the last half of the great tribulation.
“scatter the power of the holy people” – refers to the rebellion of the Jews, not to accept Jesus. This will have been broken, as their traditions and religion (which keep them from Jesus) will be broken.
Daniel 12:8
”And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
Daniel did not fully understand these things he say and heard.
Daniel 12:9
“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
Daniel is told that what he understands is all that there will be. Many answers are to be sealed unto the end.
Daniel 12:10
“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.”
Many, during the tribulation will leave their religion.
“purified and made white” – they will now be looked at as righteous.
“the wicked” – is the unsaved. They shall continue in their wicked ways.
“the wise shall understand” – the144,00, is the wise. They shall understand. They shall help those who leave religion for they have no communication with God other than these witnesses.
Daniel 12:11
“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.”
From the time that the antichrist removes the Jews worship and rituals, and sets himself up to be worship; it shall be 1290 days. The last half of the great tribulation is 1260 days. Yet the antichrist will set himself up for worship 30 days before. This is a signal for Gods faithful, “the wise,” the 144,000, that the last half is about to begin.
Daniel 12:12
“Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.”
The ones who hold fast will be blessed. The last half of the great tribulation is 1260 days. The millennium begins 75 days after, 1335 days in all.
Daniel 12:13
“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 will die, and then rest in the Lord, until he is raised to enter the millennium. He will be in the New Jerusalem at the end.
How can one be at rest – at rest in God without being in the kingdom? For God is in the Kingdom. To “raise up” means; the raising of ones body, a raising up from the earth. One’s spirit and soul depart with the first death. Daniel’s spirit is now in the kingdom, (See Revelation 4:4) as is many New and Old Testament saints. He will not come back with Jesus, when Jesus brings His bride. (See Revelation 21:9) Yet his body will be raised up at the end of the millennium. Satan is released after 1,000 years, yet the millennium does not end with his release, for all events must be played out. The New Jerusalem does not come after the millennium. This is all one time with different events.
If one “born again” were to die today, after three days their spirit and soul go to the kingdom, for they are “born again.” They rest with God. Their body will be raised in the great tribulation. Those “born again” have given up sin.
There is no need for judgement, only reward.
When they sin, they know it, and quickly seek forgiveness. There is nothing to judge.
For those who are “saved”, yet not “born again” – go to heaven. They still face judgement for they have not given up sin. They themselves chose to live within their sin nature; they accept it.
Those who are “born again” hate their sin nature. They chose not to accept it. Those who are “born again” hate religion. Those who are merely “saved” love religion; yet religion is sin.
Religion says, you must go to church every Sunday. God does not say that.
Religion says, you must belong to a church. God does not say that.
Religion says, you must tithe to them. God does not say that.
Religion says, you must have a pastor or priest to be your spiritual leader. God does not say that.
Religion says, all are welcome. God does not say that.
Religion says, the bible is for everyone. God does not say that.
Religion says, you must serve your church! God does not say that.
Religion says, you must serve others. God does not say that.
Religion says, what are you giving up for lent? God does not say that.
Religion says, you must honor Easter and Christmas. God does not say that.
Religion says, you must honor the cross. God does not say that.
Religion says, honor me! God does not say that.