7-20-10, DANIEL 11

DANIEL 11

Verse 1 is actually a continuation of chapter 10, and most agree that it should actually be a verse in that chapter. The first year of Darius actually occurred prior to Cyrus' reign, and Daniel apparently references some angelic intervention and activity during that time of Darius. Somehow, it appears that Michael, who came to help the angel in chapter 10, was aided by Daniel, perhaps in some earthly manner. Regardless of the exact specifics, we get a behind-the-scenes look at very real angelic activity.

Cyrus is the one who eventually allowed Israel/Judah to return to and restore their homeland, and it could have been partly the result of this angelic activity that took place a couple years prior to that happening.

There is so much history in this chapter, and I would have to post details of historical occurrences to show where the prophecies relate. There is a good point to at least understanding how these events unfolded, and how accurate Daniel was; the first part of this chapter deals with a series of leaders, conflicts, alliances, and wars that Daniel was told would occur. Names that relates to these prophecies include Alexander the Great, Antiochus, Cleopatra, just to name a few. By verse 16, the stage has been set for Antiochus (IV) Epiphanes to rise to power.

By verse 28, Gabriel gets to the point. The stage is set for the persecution of the Jewish people by this Syrian Greek leader, Antiochus. His desecration of the temple led to a Jewish revolt, and by verse 35, he is out of the picture.

This is followed by “the king” in verse 36 and following, and the mood shifts to one who will eventually come, one we know as the anti-Christ. He rejects any gods or practiced religion. By nature, he is atheistic. Instead, he will honor military power and might. He will seek to destroy all who challenge him. Armies will rise up against him, and caught in the middle of the conflicts will be God’s people, Israel. The battle that eventually shapes up is the Battle of Armageddon, that prophetic last battle before Christ returns. As we have developed previously, the scene for this is during that last week of Daniel, that 7-year period called the Tribulation. The end of the chapter climaxes with an unknown outcome of this battle, except that the anti-Christ appears to be coming to his end.

SO WHAT…?

Really, what does all this history and prophesy have to do with me? Let’s look at the theological value of this chapter. Forgive me for a little different format for this section.

1) The reality of God is on display. One commentator notes that in 35 verses, there are at least 135 prophecies which have been literally fulfilled, and are corroborated by a study of that time period. Since Daniel accurately predicted these, the God of Heaven must have revealed them to Daniel.
2) God’s omniscience and omnipotence shows forth. He shows His supreme knowledge and power over history.
3) For those who lived (including us) after these predicted events occurred, we have confidence in subsequent promises of triumph. God’s promises are certainly true.
4) We can trust that the Holy Scriptures are truly a product of supernatural revelation. We can never deny the supernatural aspect of our faith.

So, God’s people will ultimately be delivered. Amen?