Daniel's 'Sealed' Revelation
Daniel 11,12
What in the world is going on?
World peace is something that everyone would enjoy. But, a look at the conditions of our world tells us that peace is farther away than ever.
As much as global peace and stability would be wonderful, Biblically speaking, world peace takes a second seat to peace in Israel. Essentially, all of bible prophecy is in relation to that relatively small country.
For peace to happen in the Holy land, someone needs to break down the 'wall', the impasse, between the Jews and the Muslims. Either the Muslims need to be taken out of Israel and the surrounding Islamic countries neutralized as a threat, or Judaism and Islam will have to find points of agreement that are so meaningful that peace can be achieved.
Do they have any 'religious' points at all on which they can agree? Actually, yes.
Do they (Jews and Muslims) have any major differences that will be difficult to overcome? Yes.
Muslims:
How can both sides be brought together? Will this have to be the work of outside 'third' parties to lead in negotiations or will this have to be the work of a 'Messiah'?
Up to now (since 1948) the Palestinians want Israel gone. They have not seemed interested in coming to an agreement that gives Israel a right to 'their' land. On the other hand, Israel has been open to coming to a peaceful solution … as long as it does not require them to leave.
President Trump, shortly after his election, said he would lead in creating a so-called 'impossible peace agreement. So far that has not happened.
Christians know that the Messiah has already come, that He died and rose three days later, that He has ascended to heaven and has promised to return.
Both Jews and Muslims have not yet had a Messiah. They both are looking for one. Any messiah that the Jews or Muslims accept will be a false one, because the true One has already come.
John 7:25 – describes an intense public debate that took place two thousand years ago. It was regarding the Jews expectations of the coming Messiah. The crowd has just heard Jesus say some wonderful and amazing things.
25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, "Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?
26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? (the Messiah)
Some were clearly leaning toward believing that Jesus might be the Messiah. But then there was this 'problem':
Joh 7:27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where He comes from."
Just a little later we read that some of these people grew more convinced:
Joh 7:31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ appears, will He do more signs than this man has done?"
But we know the history. Most of the Jews, and especially the leaders, did not take Jesus to be the Messiah. They crucified Him.
Jesus made a prediction. Look at John 5:39-43.
John 5:39 You (Pharisees) search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
Most Bible expositors agree that Jesus was predicting the coming of the false messiah.
How great is the need for a messiah … not just for the Jews and Muslims, but for the world?
Let's talk about the conditions of our world.
Economic stability
The Guardian: “London-based forecasters Fathom Consulting have pencilled in a global bust for 2020. Nouriel Roubini, who can claim to be one of the few economists to forecast the last crash, also nominates 2020. That’s not much time to prepare.”
A number of countries are struggling and near economic collapse1:
Greece
Russia
Ukraine
Venezuela
Not listed as countries near economic collapse:
Argentina: In Argentina, 2018 has become the year of the “new poor2.”
Interest rates are at world highs, inflation is close to 50 percent and the peso has lost nearly 50 percent of its value against the dollar. Consumers have also faced wallet-emptying double-digit increases to electricity and gas bills and public transport fares, part of Macri’s austerity program to balance the budget.
China: Over the past decade, China devoted mountains of cash to build airports, factories and entire would-be cities — now known as “ghost” cities, since the cities are populated by largely empty skyscrapers and apartment towers — all in the name of economic growth. And grow it did.
The result is a country with a supersized population (1.4 billion people) and supersized debt. Where things go from here is anyone’s guess3.
What is the answer to economic disaster? A 'one-world' currency? Who could introduce such a thing?
And economic instability is not the only problem:
Political Chaos – National Security
Venezuela: Millions without electricity. Hospitals and clinics crippled. Massive blackout blamed on opposition leader and the USA. Venezuelans pour across the border into Columbia4.
North Korea
“North Korea’s quest for a nuclear weapon can be traced back decades to the Korean War.
“They felt that they needed to develop a capability that would deter an American attack,” said Duyeon Kim, a visiting senior fellow at the Seoul-based Korean Peninsula Future Forum. With the help of the Soviet Union, North Korea began work on a nuclear complex, and in the early 1980s, built its first power plant, Yongbyon.
In October 2006, the situation reached a dangerous new stage with North Korea’s first nuclear test. The explosion yielded less than a kiloton, per the Nuclear Threat Initiative. For comparison, the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima was 15 kilotons. Then, on May 24, North Korea conducted its second underground nuclear test, estimated to measure four kilotons, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative. In a statement, it said the test helped “settle the scientific and technological problems” in increasing the power of its nuclear weapons.
In December 2012, North Korea tried again, this time successfully launching the Unha-3 rocket and putting an object into orbit for the first time in its history. It maintained that the launch was for peaceful purposes. The rocket was similar in design to a missile that could possibly carry a warhead as far as California.
In 2017, North Korea reached two significant milestones. It successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missiles in July, capable of reaching Alaska. It once again claimed to successfully test a hydrogen bomb. Whether it was indeed a hydrogen bomb has not been confirmed, but its nuclear test in September was recorded as North Korea’s most powerful yet at an estimated 250 kilotons.
On April 20, 2018 North Korea announced that it would suspend nuclear and missile testing, and shut down the site where its six previous nuclear tests were carried out.
On May 24, 2018 President Trump canceled the summit, citing the “tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement.”
Trump and Kim held a second summit in Vietnam that began on February 27, 2019. After two days of talks, the leaders failed to reach an agreement. The American president said Kim wanted all sanctions on North Korea lifted, but didn’t offer sufficient dismantling of the country’s nuclear program in exchange5.
EU: Under normal circumstances, this would be a moment for the U.S. and EU to join forces and push back against Russian interference or unfair Chinese trade practices, but circumstances are anything but normal. Which leaves Europe caught between an ally upon which it cannot rely and two major powers it cannot ignore6.
USA-Russia: US announces withdrawal from key Cold War nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Donald Trump has announced, removing a cornerstone of Cold War era security and raising fears of a new weapons race7. – The Telegraph
Russia now has 'Hypersonic' missiles.8
"Putin vows to target US with new weapons if Washington deploys missiles to Europe"
Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY Published 10:26 a.m. ET Feb. 20, 2019
"MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country’s new missiles would point toward the United States if Washington expands its missile network in Europe.
Putin emphasized that Russia will act only if the United States makes the first move, but his remarks were among the strongest yet on a potential new arms race after the countries’ mutual pullout from a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty." - The Washington Post
Hypersonic missile: “Russia touted Thursday a new hypersonic missile said to hit speeds of more than 30,000 kilometres per hour, amid heightened tension with the US over arms control”.9
“Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday tracked final tests of a hypersonic missile dubbed "Avangard," which he says would defeat all existing missile defence systems.”
“When Putin unveiled the new weapon during his state of the nation address in March, he said the missile was highly manoeuvrable and flew at 20 times the speed of sound. - Spacedaily.com
In response: The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has given the green light to start building a new hypersonic rocket capable of flying at eight times the speed of sound. Being developed in partnership with Generation Orbit Launch Services, the X-60A vehicle has passed its Critical Design Review and now moves into the fabrication phase in anticipation of its maiden flight sometime in 2020.” -newatlas.com
Economic and political crises are the direct result of selfish, sinful, human ambition.
In addition to these, whether or not evil people are responsible, are mutating transmittable diseases, changes to geological stability and ecological changes.
Biblically, world issues all center around Israel, so that is where we need to look if we are to 'understand the times', and respond as God would have us to.
President Trump is pro Israel
“If I ran in the Israeli elections, I would win 98% of the vote," President Donald Trump said at a closed conference with Republican donors in Florida on Friday. President Trump also attacked the Democratic party, saying that they "hate Jews, I don't at all understand how Jews support them." - The Jerusalem Post, March 1210.
Netanyau: Israel anticipating Trump's Mideast 'deal of the century'
The PM expressed optimism regarding Trump's proposal in a meeting with US VP Pence during historic Mideast conference in Warsaw, which found the Israeli leader sitting beside and among many Arab diplomats11
Turning to the book of Daniel in scripture, in chapters 11 and 12 we find prophecy that relates directly to the 'winding down' of this age as we know it.
Daniel, in previous chapters, and even into chapter 11 has been given a prophecy that records one 'king' after another coming to power and then being replaced. It is like an 'advance' history lesson.
For our purposes we are interested with the kings (or powers that be) who are still future.
So, to be precise, the portion from 11:21 to the end of the book speaks of events yet future.
In order for you to clearly see that this passage addresses the last days prior to Jesus' return, I want to start with some scripture in chapter 12.
1 ¶ "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then12. (see Matthew 24:21) But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Da 12:1,2
“at that time' … is mentioned twice in these verses. So what happens … 'at that time '?
This means, to know what the world conditions are just 'leading up' to the 'resurrection … we need to move backward in Daniel's prophecy.
We will move back to chapter 11 verse 20.
Da 11:20 "There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.
Who or what are we talking about here? I have no idea .. except that I see two things:
As we move forward through these chapters we will realize that this person is the one we usually refer to as 'the Antichrist'. Please note that many of the 'older' commentators attribute these verses to Antiochus Epiphanes who lived about two hundred years before Christ. Their reason for calling this 'contemptible person' Antiochus Epiphanes? Because, as they looked backward into Jewish history, exactly such a person showed up. This evil person seemed to be very nice at first but at some point went into the temple and sacrificed a pig. This was an abomination to the Jewish people. As I said, this was about 200 years BEFORE Jesus came here.
But Jesus warns about a FUTURE time:
"Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Mt 24:15
Jesus refers to Daniel. Daniel mentions an 'abomination of desolation'. Where does Daniel mention it? In chapter 11:31, the chapter that we are reading.
It is not rocket science to see that Jesus refers to Daniel's abomination of desolation as being future … not past history i.e. Antiochus Epiphanes.
Like the extorting tax collector before him, we don't know this 'contemptible' person rises to power 'from within' Israel or whether he is a ruler of a 'foreign' power who seems to have some kind of authority within Israel.
What can we observe about this person?
And verse 22:
And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. (NKJV)
Since this verse mentions 'the prince of the covenant' we can assume that we are talking about Israel. The prince of the covenant could mean the High Priest of the Jews. At any rate, it refers to someone who appears to be in charge of Jewish worship and ritual. It mentions him as being broken. Some versions say destroyed, but the original Hebrew word means simply 'broken'. That leaves us open to a variety of definitions. My 'definition' of broken is somewhat along the line of breaking someone's will. In this case I believe that the High Priest holds to certain convictions. He will be serving in the newly rebuilt temple. When this persuasive individual steps into the High Priests area of responsibility, the normal response of the High Priest would be to resist and demand that this 'person' has no place in Temple responsibility. But the high Priest is 'broken'. And since the 'contemptible person' uses flattery for a weapon, he convinces the High Priest to 'move over'. The convictions of the high priest are no longer convictions. This person has broken the High Priest by the use of flattery.
Taking a quick look at our present world scene …
The Jews have no temple at this time. Perhaps some outside help is needed to allow the Jews to build their temple. An American president such as Mr. Trump could provide some help. Mr Trump has already moved the embassy to Jerusalem. He has been honored by the Jews. He has promised to lead in forming a peace agreement between the Jews and their neighbors … an agreement like was not possible heretofore. His 'help' would have to include clearing the way for the Jews to build their temple. (Note: Some have said that the assumed temple site, now occupied by the Mosque of Omar, is not the real temple site at all. If the alternate site that has been identified proves to be the original site, this removes one obstacle that has held the Jews back from building the temple.)
If and when the Jews have their temple ritual and worship in place and operating, it would be somewhat difficult for an unrelated individual (The contemptible person) to step into the Jewish system. But such seems to be the case. He 'overwhelms' them with 'a flood'. I believe it is a flood of flattery.
In a couple of verses we are going to find out that this 'contemptible person' represents powers to the North of Israel.
Taking another look at our own world scene … we note that at this present time the three largest powers in the world are the USA, Russia, and China.
Further, we can note that Russia has allies. The USA has allies. China? I am not certain who would align themselves with China in the case of global conflict.
There are other powers of course. Japan, North Korea ...
We will take it from here next time.
1. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/032315/countries-near-economic-collapse.asp
2 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/argentinas-year-of-endless-storms-and-the-new-poor
3 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/10/style/2019-financial-crisis.html
4https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6791761/Venezuela-opposition-leader-calls-national-march-country-suffers-night-blackouts.html
5https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/the-u-s-and-north-korea-on-the-brink-a-timeline/
6https://reliefweb.int/report/world/watch-list-2019
7https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/u-s-suspends-nuclear-treaty-russia-plans-pull-out-6-n965751
8https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/20/putin-confirms-tsirkon-russian-hypersonic-cruise-missile.html
9 https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-says-it-will-soon-deploy-mach-20-avangard-hypersonic-weapon-35377
10https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Trump-I-would-win-98-percent-of-the-vote-if-I-ran-in-the-Israeli-elections-583045
11https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5463770,00.html
12Mt 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
13Mt 24:22 If those days had not been cut short, no-one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
141Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Re 11:18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
As much as global peace and stability would be wonderful, Biblically speaking, world peace takes a second seat to peace in Israel. Essentially, all of bible prophecy is in relation to that relatively small country.
For peace to happen in the Holy land, someone needs to break down the 'wall', the impasse, between the Jews and the Muslims. Either the Muslims need to be taken out of Israel and the surrounding Islamic countries neutralized as a threat, or Judaism and Islam will have to find points of agreement that are so meaningful that peace can be achieved.
Do they have any 'religious' points at all on which they can agree? Actually, yes.
- They both claim a belief in God.
- They both accept the Old Testament as being Holy scripture.
- They both accept the Old Testament prophets as being from God.
- They both expect a 'messiah'.
- Both believe Jerusalem is to be the city of the Messiah.
Do they (Jews and Muslims) have any major differences that will be difficult to overcome? Yes.
Muslims:
- Accept the New Testament, Jews do not.
- Claim that most of the bible, Old and New Testaments, have been corrupted, therefore a new bible was needed.
- Claim that Mohammad was God's prophet to bring true worship back. Jews reject Mohammad.
- Claim that the Koran is the Holy Book that supersedes all other scripture. Jews reject the Koran.
- Claim that Jerusalem is 'their' city and Jews must leave.
How can both sides be brought together? Will this have to be the work of outside 'third' parties to lead in negotiations or will this have to be the work of a 'Messiah'?
Up to now (since 1948) the Palestinians want Israel gone. They have not seemed interested in coming to an agreement that gives Israel a right to 'their' land. On the other hand, Israel has been open to coming to a peaceful solution … as long as it does not require them to leave.
President Trump, shortly after his election, said he would lead in creating a so-called 'impossible peace agreement. So far that has not happened.
Christians know that the Messiah has already come, that He died and rose three days later, that He has ascended to heaven and has promised to return.
Both Jews and Muslims have not yet had a Messiah. They both are looking for one. Any messiah that the Jews or Muslims accept will be a false one, because the true One has already come.
John 7:25 – describes an intense public debate that took place two thousand years ago. It was regarding the Jews expectations of the coming Messiah. The crowd has just heard Jesus say some wonderful and amazing things.
25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, "Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?
26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? (the Messiah)
Some were clearly leaning toward believing that Jesus might be the Messiah. But then there was this 'problem':
Joh 7:27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where He comes from."
Just a little later we read that some of these people grew more convinced:
Joh 7:31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ appears, will He do more signs than this man has done?"
But we know the history. Most of the Jews, and especially the leaders, did not take Jesus to be the Messiah. They crucified Him.
Jesus made a prediction. Look at John 5:39-43.
John 5:39 You (Pharisees) search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
Most Bible expositors agree that Jesus was predicting the coming of the false messiah.
How great is the need for a messiah … not just for the Jews and Muslims, but for the world?
Let's talk about the conditions of our world.
Economic stability
The Guardian: “London-based forecasters Fathom Consulting have pencilled in a global bust for 2020. Nouriel Roubini, who can claim to be one of the few economists to forecast the last crash, also nominates 2020. That’s not much time to prepare.”
A number of countries are struggling and near economic collapse1:
Greece
Russia
Ukraine
Venezuela
Not listed as countries near economic collapse:
Argentina: In Argentina, 2018 has become the year of the “new poor2.”
Interest rates are at world highs, inflation is close to 50 percent and the peso has lost nearly 50 percent of its value against the dollar. Consumers have also faced wallet-emptying double-digit increases to electricity and gas bills and public transport fares, part of Macri’s austerity program to balance the budget.
China: Over the past decade, China devoted mountains of cash to build airports, factories and entire would-be cities — now known as “ghost” cities, since the cities are populated by largely empty skyscrapers and apartment towers — all in the name of economic growth. And grow it did.
The result is a country with a supersized population (1.4 billion people) and supersized debt. Where things go from here is anyone’s guess3.
What is the answer to economic disaster? A 'one-world' currency? Who could introduce such a thing?
And economic instability is not the only problem:
Political Chaos – National Security
Venezuela: Millions without electricity. Hospitals and clinics crippled. Massive blackout blamed on opposition leader and the USA. Venezuelans pour across the border into Columbia4.
North Korea
“North Korea’s quest for a nuclear weapon can be traced back decades to the Korean War.
“They felt that they needed to develop a capability that would deter an American attack,” said Duyeon Kim, a visiting senior fellow at the Seoul-based Korean Peninsula Future Forum. With the help of the Soviet Union, North Korea began work on a nuclear complex, and in the early 1980s, built its first power plant, Yongbyon.
In October 2006, the situation reached a dangerous new stage with North Korea’s first nuclear test. The explosion yielded less than a kiloton, per the Nuclear Threat Initiative. For comparison, the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima was 15 kilotons. Then, on May 24, North Korea conducted its second underground nuclear test, estimated to measure four kilotons, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative. In a statement, it said the test helped “settle the scientific and technological problems” in increasing the power of its nuclear weapons.
In December 2012, North Korea tried again, this time successfully launching the Unha-3 rocket and putting an object into orbit for the first time in its history. It maintained that the launch was for peaceful purposes. The rocket was similar in design to a missile that could possibly carry a warhead as far as California.
In 2017, North Korea reached two significant milestones. It successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missiles in July, capable of reaching Alaska. It once again claimed to successfully test a hydrogen bomb. Whether it was indeed a hydrogen bomb has not been confirmed, but its nuclear test in September was recorded as North Korea’s most powerful yet at an estimated 250 kilotons.
On April 20, 2018 North Korea announced that it would suspend nuclear and missile testing, and shut down the site where its six previous nuclear tests were carried out.
On May 24, 2018 President Trump canceled the summit, citing the “tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement.”
Trump and Kim held a second summit in Vietnam that began on February 27, 2019. After two days of talks, the leaders failed to reach an agreement. The American president said Kim wanted all sanctions on North Korea lifted, but didn’t offer sufficient dismantling of the country’s nuclear program in exchange5.
EU: Under normal circumstances, this would be a moment for the U.S. and EU to join forces and push back against Russian interference or unfair Chinese trade practices, but circumstances are anything but normal. Which leaves Europe caught between an ally upon which it cannot rely and two major powers it cannot ignore6.
USA-Russia: US announces withdrawal from key Cold War nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Donald Trump has announced, removing a cornerstone of Cold War era security and raising fears of a new weapons race7. – The Telegraph
Russia now has 'Hypersonic' missiles.8
"Putin vows to target US with new weapons if Washington deploys missiles to Europe"
Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY Published 10:26 a.m. ET Feb. 20, 2019
"MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country’s new missiles would point toward the United States if Washington expands its missile network in Europe.
Putin emphasized that Russia will act only if the United States makes the first move, but his remarks were among the strongest yet on a potential new arms race after the countries’ mutual pullout from a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty." - The Washington Post
Hypersonic missile: “Russia touted Thursday a new hypersonic missile said to hit speeds of more than 30,000 kilometres per hour, amid heightened tension with the US over arms control”.9
“Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday tracked final tests of a hypersonic missile dubbed "Avangard," which he says would defeat all existing missile defence systems.”
“When Putin unveiled the new weapon during his state of the nation address in March, he said the missile was highly manoeuvrable and flew at 20 times the speed of sound. - Spacedaily.com
In response: The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has given the green light to start building a new hypersonic rocket capable of flying at eight times the speed of sound. Being developed in partnership with Generation Orbit Launch Services, the X-60A vehicle has passed its Critical Design Review and now moves into the fabrication phase in anticipation of its maiden flight sometime in 2020.” -newatlas.com
Economic and political crises are the direct result of selfish, sinful, human ambition.
In addition to these, whether or not evil people are responsible, are mutating transmittable diseases, changes to geological stability and ecological changes.
Biblically, world issues all center around Israel, so that is where we need to look if we are to 'understand the times', and respond as God would have us to.
President Trump is pro Israel
“If I ran in the Israeli elections, I would win 98% of the vote," President Donald Trump said at a closed conference with Republican donors in Florida on Friday. President Trump also attacked the Democratic party, saying that they "hate Jews, I don't at all understand how Jews support them." - The Jerusalem Post, March 1210.
Netanyau: Israel anticipating Trump's Mideast 'deal of the century'
The PM expressed optimism regarding Trump's proposal in a meeting with US VP Pence during historic Mideast conference in Warsaw, which found the Israeli leader sitting beside and among many Arab diplomats11
Turning to the book of Daniel in scripture, in chapters 11 and 12 we find prophecy that relates directly to the 'winding down' of this age as we know it.
Daniel, in previous chapters, and even into chapter 11 has been given a prophecy that records one 'king' after another coming to power and then being replaced. It is like an 'advance' history lesson.
For our purposes we are interested with the kings (or powers that be) who are still future.
So, to be precise, the portion from 11:21 to the end of the book speaks of events yet future.
In order for you to clearly see that this passage addresses the last days prior to Jesus' return, I want to start with some scripture in chapter 12.
1 ¶ "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then12. (see Matthew 24:21) But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Da 12:1,2
“at that time' … is mentioned twice in these verses. So what happens … 'at that time '?
- Time of distress (or tribulation)
- The people 'whose name is found written in the book' will be delivered13 (see Matt 24:22).
- A resurrection of the dead occurs.14 (see 1Thess 4:16, Rev 11:18)
This means, to know what the world conditions are just 'leading up' to the 'resurrection … we need to move backward in Daniel's prophecy.
We will move back to chapter 11 verse 20.
Da 11:20 "There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.
Who or what are we talking about here? I have no idea .. except that I see two things:
- This person taxes Israel with an especially high tax.
- We don't know if he is a Jewish authority or if he is a foreign controlling oppressor.
- He doesn't last long.
- In the next verse …
As we move forward through these chapters we will realize that this person is the one we usually refer to as 'the Antichrist'. Please note that many of the 'older' commentators attribute these verses to Antiochus Epiphanes who lived about two hundred years before Christ. Their reason for calling this 'contemptible person' Antiochus Epiphanes? Because, as they looked backward into Jewish history, exactly such a person showed up. This evil person seemed to be very nice at first but at some point went into the temple and sacrificed a pig. This was an abomination to the Jewish people. As I said, this was about 200 years BEFORE Jesus came here.
But Jesus warns about a FUTURE time:
"Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Mt 24:15
Jesus refers to Daniel. Daniel mentions an 'abomination of desolation'. Where does Daniel mention it? In chapter 11:31, the chapter that we are reading.
It is not rocket science to see that Jesus refers to Daniel's abomination of desolation as being future … not past history i.e. Antiochus Epiphanes.
Like the extorting tax collector before him, we don't know this 'contemptible' person rises to power 'from within' Israel or whether he is a ruler of a 'foreign' power who seems to have some kind of authority within Israel.
What can we observe about this person?
- He is 'contemptible'. Some political leaders are more so than others, right?
- He does not rise to power in 'the normal' way.
- Israel is is experiencing 'security' at the time.
- He is a man with a 'flattering' tongue.
And verse 22:
And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. (NKJV)
Since this verse mentions 'the prince of the covenant' we can assume that we are talking about Israel. The prince of the covenant could mean the High Priest of the Jews. At any rate, it refers to someone who appears to be in charge of Jewish worship and ritual. It mentions him as being broken. Some versions say destroyed, but the original Hebrew word means simply 'broken'. That leaves us open to a variety of definitions. My 'definition' of broken is somewhat along the line of breaking someone's will. In this case I believe that the High Priest holds to certain convictions. He will be serving in the newly rebuilt temple. When this persuasive individual steps into the High Priests area of responsibility, the normal response of the High Priest would be to resist and demand that this 'person' has no place in Temple responsibility. But the high Priest is 'broken'. And since the 'contemptible person' uses flattery for a weapon, he convinces the High Priest to 'move over'. The convictions of the high priest are no longer convictions. This person has broken the High Priest by the use of flattery.
Taking a quick look at our present world scene …
The Jews have no temple at this time. Perhaps some outside help is needed to allow the Jews to build their temple. An American president such as Mr. Trump could provide some help. Mr Trump has already moved the embassy to Jerusalem. He has been honored by the Jews. He has promised to lead in forming a peace agreement between the Jews and their neighbors … an agreement like was not possible heretofore. His 'help' would have to include clearing the way for the Jews to build their temple. (Note: Some have said that the assumed temple site, now occupied by the Mosque of Omar, is not the real temple site at all. If the alternate site that has been identified proves to be the original site, this removes one obstacle that has held the Jews back from building the temple.)
If and when the Jews have their temple ritual and worship in place and operating, it would be somewhat difficult for an unrelated individual (The contemptible person) to step into the Jewish system. But such seems to be the case. He 'overwhelms' them with 'a flood'. I believe it is a flood of flattery.
In a couple of verses we are going to find out that this 'contemptible person' represents powers to the North of Israel.
Taking another look at our own world scene … we note that at this present time the three largest powers in the world are the USA, Russia, and China.
Further, we can note that Russia has allies. The USA has allies. China? I am not certain who would align themselves with China in the case of global conflict.
There are other powers of course. Japan, North Korea ...
We will take it from here next time.
1. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/032315/countries-near-economic-collapse.asp
2 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/argentinas-year-of-endless-storms-and-the-new-poor
3 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/10/style/2019-financial-crisis.html
4https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6791761/Venezuela-opposition-leader-calls-national-march-country-suffers-night-blackouts.html
5https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/the-u-s-and-north-korea-on-the-brink-a-timeline/
6https://reliefweb.int/report/world/watch-list-2019
7https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/u-s-suspends-nuclear-treaty-russia-plans-pull-out-6-n965751
8https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/20/putin-confirms-tsirkon-russian-hypersonic-cruise-missile.html
9 https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-says-it-will-soon-deploy-mach-20-avangard-hypersonic-weapon-35377
10https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Trump-I-would-win-98-percent-of-the-vote-if-I-ran-in-the-Israeli-elections-583045
11https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5463770,00.html
12Mt 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
13Mt 24:22 If those days had not been cut short, no-one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
141Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Re 11:18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth."