(The previous post contained a lot of critical and complex prophetic information concerning the end times. Understanding those three chapters ought to be the foundation for any study on end times prophecy. It appeared Daniel was trying to understand Jeremiah's prophecy about seventy years of captivity and ended up getting a visit from an angel who gave Daniel understanding about an even greater "captivity".)
Daniel 10
(The vision in chapter 10 was connected to the previous visions.)
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a great warfare: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
(Cyrus, the son of Darius and grandson of Esther, was the king at the time of this vision. This vision occurred about five years after the vision in Daniel 9. According to Ezra 1, Cyrus made the commandment to rebuild the temple during the first year of his reign. So the commandment to rebuild the temple had been given, which fulfilled part of the vision in Daniel 9.)
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
(The cause of the vision: Daniel mourned three full weeks and fasted from "comfort foods" neither did he anoint himself for the three weeks.)
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,
5 I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz:
6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
(After twenty-one days, Daniel was by the Hiddekel (Tigris) River and saw an angel.)
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, and they fled to hide themselves.
(Daniel saw the vision alone.)
8 So 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.
(The vision exhausted Daniel and made Daniel see himself as corrupt.)
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
(The angel's words put Daniel into a deep sleep.)
10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
(The angel touched Daniel.)
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, thou 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.
(The angel told Daniel to understand the words he would say because the angel was sent specifically to Daniel.)
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard: and I am come for thy words' sake.
(On the first day of fasting (10:3), Daniel's words were heard and the angel began to come to Daniel.)
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
(The Prince of Persia (which was a spiritual enemy) withstood this angel for twenty-one days. The reason this angel was able to eventually make it to Daniel was because of one of the leaders of the angels: Michael. Again, notice his name ended in -el. Where was this Prince of Persia enemy during the previous visions? We do not know. However, it may be the Prince of Persia became present and/or empowered once Cyrus gave the commandment to build the temple. The spiritual enemies of God could see the plan for the Messiah had a timetable and they could have begun trying to disrupt it.)
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days:
(This would be the conclusion to Daniel's continual vision.)
15 and when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.
(The angel told Daniel what would happen to the Israelites during the latter days, but we do not find out what it was. Whatever it was, it caused Daniel to become speechless.)
16 And, behold, one in the likeness 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.
17 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 was there breath left in me.
(The vision caused Daniel to lose strength.)
18 Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.
(Again, an angel touched Daniel and he was strengthened. Remember, amazing things happened when people were touched by an angel.)
19 And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spake unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
(The angel told Daniel to "be strong" twice. Daniel gave the angel credit for strengthening him.)
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I go forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come.
(The angel told Daniel he would have to fight his way out of Persia.)
21 But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince.
(Michael was called Daniel's prince. Some believe Michael was the angel over Israel.)
Daniel 11
(The first fourteen verses of chapter 11 covered the time from Alexander the Great to Antiochus Epiphanes.)
1 And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
(The angel was talking, five years before this angel had been helped by Michael to defeat the spiritual enemy over Babylon.)
2 And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and when he is waxed strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion wherewith he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides these.
(Alexander the Great's kingdom would be divided into four parts.)
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.
6 And at the end of years they shall join themselves together; and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the strength of her 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 those times.
(Syria was the North and Egypt the South.)
7 But out of a shoot from her roots shall one stand up in his place, who shall come unto the army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail.
(The "army" was the Syrian army.)
8 And also their gods, with their molten images, and with their goodly vessels of silver and of gold, shall he carry captive into Egypt; and he shall refrain some years from the king of the north.
(The "gods" were Syria's gods.)
9 And he shall come into the realm of the king of the south, but he shall return into his own land.
10 And his sons shall war, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall come on, and overflow, and pass through; and they shall return and war, even to his fortress.
11 And the king of the south shall be moved with anger, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north; and he shall set forth a great multitude, and the multitude shall be given into his hand.
12 And the multitude shall be lifted up, and his heart shall be exalted; and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.
13 And the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former; and he shall come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with much substance.
(Verse 14: concerned the vision from Daniel 8-9.)
14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the children of the violent among thy people shall lift themselves up to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
(Verses 15-35: the details of Antiochus Ephiphanes.)
15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to stand.
(Verses 16-18: Antiochus the Great.)
16 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, and in his hand shall be destruction.
(The "glorious land" was Israel.)
17 And he shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and with him equitable conditions; and he shall perform them: and he shall give him the daughter of women, to corrupt her; but she shall not stand, neither be for him.
18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; yea, moreover, he shall cause his reproach to turn upon him.
19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.
20 Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
(Verse 20 described Selecus Philopater IV. He died by poison.)
21 And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
(Verse 21 described Antiochus Epiphanes.)
22 And the overwhelming forces shall be overwhelmed from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
(Anitochus Epiphanes was called Epimanes (the madman) by many instead of Epiphanes (God manifest). The "prince of the covenant" referred to Onias the high priest being removed and Jason put into his place because he gave a great sum of money: 2 Maccabees 4:4-10.)
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.
24 In time of security shall he come 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 prey, and spoil, and substance: yea, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
(Verses 25-28: Antiochus Epiphanes' many Egyptian conflicts.)
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 war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him.
26 Yea, they that eat of his dainties shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow; and many shall fall down slain.
27 And as for both these kings, their 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.
28 Then shall he return into his land with great substance; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do his pleasure, and return to his own land.
29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come into the south; but it shall not be in the latter time as it was in the former.
(Antiochus Epiphanes began his oppression of Israel.)
30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and shall return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and shall do his pleasure: he shall even return, and have regard unto them that forsake the holy covenant.
(Kittim was Cyprus: "...therefore he shall be grieved, and return (to Palestine)...and have regard unto them (Jews)...")
31 And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the abomination that maketh desolate.
(Antiochus Epiphanes would take control of the temple and turn it into a gymnasium.)
(Verses 32-34: "The Maccabean Revolt" recorded in 1 Maccabees 1.)
32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he pervert by flatteries; but the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
33 And they that are wise among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help; but many shall join themselves unto them with flatteries.
35 And some of them that are wise shall fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the time appointed.
(Between verses 35 and 36 was where the prophecy from Daniel 9:24-27 would fit.)
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done.
(Verse 36 jumped to the "70th Week." The Antichrist will do according to "his will" and will "exalt himself.")
37 Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all.
(The Antichrist will have no desire for women. When Satan was judged he lost any source of creation (seed). This would mean the Antichrist also would never have the ability to create or take part in creation. There would be no desire for women as an effect of this.)
(The Antichrist will attempt to make himself God.)
38 But in his place shall he honor the god of fortresses; and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whosoever acknowledgeth him he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price.
(Daniel 8:23-25 fit with verses 38 and 39.)
(Verses 40-45: details concerning the final conflict.)
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with 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 through.
(See Isaiah 5:25-30, Joel 2:1-11, and Zephaniah 1:14-18.)
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
(In this verse, the "glorious land" was Palestine. Edom (from Esau) and Moab/Ammon (from Lot). Again, notice the Amalekites were missing.)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
(Israel will be taken over by the Antichrist: Ezekiel 39:23-29.)
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many.
(This referred to three kingdoms that would be subdued besides the ten kingdoms. See Joel 2:19-20, Habakkuk 3:2-16, and Isaiah 14:1-27.)
45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Daniel 12
(The angel was still speaking…)
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who 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.
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.
3 And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
(Michael will stand up and the Tribulation period (time of trouble) will come to an end. The completion of the Dispensation of the Law is the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ.)
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.
(We do not have the explanation for what Daniel saw in chapter 10 and the subsequent details until the time of the end when "many shall run to and fro (transportation?) and knowledge shall be increased (internet capabilities?)." Could this be now?)
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
(The angels were talking to each other.)
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above 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 a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
(3 1/2 years is 1260 days. Christ returns for the battle of Armageddon and then the Millennial Reign.)
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.
(Daniel did not get an explanation.)
10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days.
(Thirty more days (1260 + 30 = 1290) to judge the nations. Apparently there will be at least thirty days between Armageddon and the beginning of Christ's Millennial Reign.)
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
(Forty-five more days (1290 + 45 = 1335) to set up the Messiah's Government. Whether the Millennial Reign begins at the 1335th day or the 1290th day (or somewhere in between), these verses did not specify.)
13 But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days.
(The Apocrypha had two more chapters at the end of the Book of Daniel. Chapter 13 - Susanna, Chapter 14 - Bel and the Dragon.)
(Taking these last six chapters together, here was what we have learned about end times prophecy:
There will be four great world leaders (beasts) culminating in the fourth world leader who will bring peace for 3 1/2 years which will cause people to relax. During this time, the world's economy will prosper. Then, after 2300 days of offerings being given in the temple, this fourth world leader will commit a transgression that makes desolate in the temple and torment God's people for three and a half years before God permanently defeats evil and establishes His Kingdom, seven years total. This fourth world leader will get power from ten smaller world leaders (beasts). There would be a dispensation that occurred before the seven-year period that brought about the completion of the Dispensation of the Law. The purpose of the 6th dispensation was for God to directly reach out to people outside of Israel. From the time the command to rebuild the temple would be given, the people of Israel had 490 years to complete their dispensation. There would be 483 years between the time of the command to rebuild the temple and the death of the Messiah. Then after the 6th dispensation, the final seven years (known as the "70th Week") would bring the completion of the 5th dispensation. This "70th Week" was the same seven-year period mentioned in conjunction with the fourth beast. There appeared to be between thirty and seventy-five days between the battle of Armageddon and the beginning of Christ's Millennial Reign.)
(The Book of Daniel was the fifth and final book that made up the major prophets section of the Old Testament. Part I consisted of six chapters and presented the history of interactions with three "heathen" kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. Part II consisted of six chapters and presented critical prophecy concerning the end times. Supernatural events were presented throughout the entire Book of Daniel: visions, miracles, and angels.)
(The next and final section of the Old Testament consisted of twelve books and was referred to as the minor prophets section of the Old Testament because the books were shorter.)
Day 261
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