17. The Book of Daniel 12:1-3

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1 7. The Book of Daniel 2:-3 (8/6/7) As we come to Daniel 2, we come to the conclusion of the fourth and final vision that God gave to Daniel which started in chapter 0 and runs into chapter 2. As we saw last week, chapter :-35 contain 35 prophecies that have already come to pass. Starting with :36 and running thru 2:3 these verses contain prophecies that are yet future focusing on the final world empire the kingdom of Antichrist, before Jesus returns to establish His Kingdom upon the earth. Chapter ends with the words Daniel :45 (NKJV) 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. This prophesies the end of the Antichrist as he is judged when Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation Period Revelation 9:20 (NKJV) 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

2 Now starting in chapter 2 the angel Gabriel, who is giving Daniel these prophecies, goes back to the middle of the Tribulation Period to talk about something that happens which greatly effects the Jewish people. Daniel 2: (NKJV) "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people This dovetails with Revelation 2 Revelation 2:-2 (NKJV) Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. The woman in Revelation 2 symbolizes Israel, as indicated by Genesis 37:9-, where the sun and the moon referred to Jacob and Rachel Joseph s parents. The stars in the woman s crown clearly relate to the 2 sons of Jacob (2 tribes of Israel), again, identifying the woman as Israel. Revelation 2:3 (NKJV) 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. We know that this fiery red dragon is Satan because verse 9 tells us it is. Revelation 2:4a (NKJV) 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. 2

3 These stars are angels angels are depicted symbolically as stars elsewhere in Scripture (Rev.9:; Job 38:7). From this verse we understand that a third of the angels in heaven followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God they all became fallen angels. Revelation 2:4b (NKJV) 4 And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. There is at least 4000 years between the first and second sentences of Revelation 2:4. This Child is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We know that for sure from v.5 Revelation 2:5a (NKJV) 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron Psalms 2:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' " Revelation 9:5 (NKJV) 5 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron Revelation 2:4 (NKJV) 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 3

4 This I believe, in the narrow sense, is a reference to Herod the Great trying to kill the baby Jesus when the Wise Men came to him with news of His birth as the King of the Jews. Herod eventually ordered the death of all the male children in Bethlehem two years old and under. However, there is a much broader application that s in view here than simply what Herod tried to do. Revelation chapter 2 sheds a whole new light on anti-semitism. If the promise of God s redemption depended upon the existence and perpetuation of a nation if Satan could destroy that nation he could defeat the plans and purposes of God in offering redemption to the human race. When you understand that the whole Bible takes on new insight. Anti-Semitism is a demonic thing that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:5 (NKJV) 5 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." God is promising that someday He would send a Messiah, a Savior who would crush the serpent s head destroy his authority and judge him. As Satan had declared war on God now God declares war on him an invisible war that is still going on today. 4

5 Revelation 2:5 (NKJV) 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Most see this as a reference to the ascension of Jesus forty days after His resurrection where He sat down at the right hand of the Father on His throne. Acts :9 (NKJV) 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Hebrews 2:2 (NKJV) 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Revelation 2:6 (NKJV) 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. There is a time gap of 2000 years between Revelation 2:5 and v.6. As we said last week, when Antichrist enters the rebuilt temple and demands to be worshiped the Great Tribulation (last half of the seven-year Tribulation Period) that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 begins. And at that time,260 days of unparalleled hostility and persecution will be unleashed against the Jewish people by the Antichrist and his followers (all being controlled by the devil). That is why Jesus told the Jews to flee to the wilderness when they see the abomination of desolation (the Antichrist s image) standing in the Holy of Holies (Matt. 24:5). 5

6 Daniel :40-4 (NKJV) 40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 4 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. Isaiah 6:-4 (NKJV) Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, From Sela to the wilderness, To the mount of the daughter of Zion. 2 For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest; So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon. 3 "Take counsel, execute judgment; Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day; Hide the outcasts, Do not betray him who escapes. 4 Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab; Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler... Your margin might say, Sela means Rock or Petra. Many commentators believe this place in the wilderness is the rock city of Petra, southeast of the Dead Sea Petra is truly an amazing city located in Moab, or present-day Jordan, this city carved out of stone has stood for centuries, preserved largely because the sole entrance is a passageway only twelve feet wide. You say, Do the Jews know of these prophecies and do they take them seriously? A Jordanian guide told one of our Calvary pastors that from January through June each year a thousand Jews a day come to Petra to see this city. Christian businessmen have stocked the place with food and evangelistic tracts written in Hebrew. 6

7 Daniel 2: (NKJV) "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time Matthew 24:2-22 (NKJV) 2 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Jeremiah 30:4-7 (NKJV) 4 Now these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. 5 "For thus says the LORD: 'We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace. 6 Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale? 7 Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. This marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation Period. Many have trouble reconciling this, that the second half of the Tribulation Period known as the Great Tribulation which here in Rev.2:6 is said to be 260 days long (3 ½ years), with the statement of Jesus in Matt.24:22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. However, the Greek in Matt.24:22 doesn t indicate that those days will be cut short in the sense that they will be less than 260 days. In the Greek Jesus is saying that unless this period of horrific judgment, warfare and cataclysmic upheaval was shortened (not allowed to go on year after year but was cut short by God keeping it to only three and one-half years) no one on the earth would remain alive. Revelation 2:7 (NKJV) 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 7

8 Daniel 2: (NKJV) "At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. The fact that Michael led God s angels to victory is significant, because Michael is identified with the nation Israel (Dan. 0:0 2; 2:; note also Jude 9). The name Michael means who is like God? and this certainly parallels Satan s egocentric attack on Jehovah I will be like the Most High (Isa. 4:4). Revelation 2:7-8 (NKJV) 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. We should notice that this is truly a battle between equals; Satan is not the counterpart of God God has no counterpart. If anything, Satan is the counterpart of Michael, who seems to be the chief angel opposite this chief of fallen angels Many people think that Satan is the ruler of hell but the Bible tells us that right now Satan is the god of this world who has access to heaven where he constantly stands before God accusing believers before the throne of God. (Job :6-2) Revelation 2:9-0, 2 (NKJV) 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 0 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our 8

9 God day and night, has been cast down 2 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." This, I believe, coincides with the devil entering into the Antichrist to resurrect him after someone tries to assassinate him. At this point (mid-point of the Tribulation Period) the Antichrist, possessed by the devil (who hates the Jewish people for being the instrument that God used to bring forth Messiah into the world) becomes a military dictator a bloodthirsty madman turning his fury primarily at the Jewish people. His first order of business will be to kill the Two Witnesses (Revelation :7)). After the Antichrist kills the Two Witnesses he will then go into the Temple in Jerusalem where he breaks his covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27) stops the sacrifices and offerings to the God of Israel, places an image of himself in the Holy of Holies and demands to be worshiped as God. This is what Jesus is referring to in Matthew 24:5-6 Matthew 24:5-6 (NKJV) 5 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 6 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [Petra]. Daniel 2:b (NKJV) And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 9

10 Matthew 24:9, 3 (NKJV) 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake 3 But he who endures to the end shall be saved [from the Antichrist s rampage against the Jewish people when Jesus returns]. Daniel 2:2 (NKJV) 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. This isn t talking about the Rapture which is the resurrection of those who sleep in Christ (the Church) and happens before the Tribulation Period starts. This event happens at the end of the Tribulation Period when Jesus returns to establish His Millennial Kingdom. The focus of this resurrection will be believing Jews (Abraham, Moses, Daniel etc.). In Daniel 2:2 it sounds like this resurrection will include both believing and unbelieving Jews who will all resurrect simultaneously in one great all-encompassing resurrection. However, the Book of Revelation tells us that these two resurrections will be separated by at least 000 years Revelation 20:4-6 (NKJV) 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death [lake of fire or hell] has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 0

11 The term first resurrection is a category and not referring to a single event. In Corinthians 5 Paul talks about the first resurrection Corinthians 5:23 (NKJV) 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. The word for order in verse 23, But each one (group, will be resurrected) in his own order is the Greek word tagma and it means an order of succession.. The resurrection of Jesus, the Firstfruits (April A.D. 32) 2. The resurrection of the Church (Rapture before the Trib. Period) 3. The resurrection of the Old Testament saints (when Jesus returns 2 nd Coming) 4. The resurrection of the Tribulation saints (when Jesus returns 2 nd Coming) The only resurrection remaining will be that of the unrighteous, who will be raised to condemnation and eternal punishment at the end of Christ s thousand year reign. Revelation 20:5 (NKJV) 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished And once again, every believer, whether they are a member of the Church (those saved during the Church Age Pentecost to the Rapture), Old Testament saint or Tribulation saint belongs to the category of the first resurrection.

12 This is a category that began with Christ s resurrection and will culminate with His Second Coming when He resurrects Jewish and Tribulation saints roughly covering 2000 years. Now, getting back to Daniel 2 are we supposed to take the first part of v.3 literally? Daniel 2:3 (NKJV) 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament The word firmament means expanse. In this context, it means the expanse of the universe ( new heavens ). The Bible teaches that, because the original creation (Genesis ) was corrupted by sin that after the last sinner is judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev.20:-5) the Lord will destroy this present physical universe (2Peter 3:0) and create a new universe, pure and undefiled by sin. Isaiah 65:7 (NKJV) 7 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 2 Peter 3:3 (NKJV) 3 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Revelation 2: (NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. In this new universe, there will be no need for the sun, moon or stars anymore because the glory of the Lord will illuminate the earth and the New Jerusalem and the saints of God will shine like the stars throughout the expanse of God s new heavens. 2

13 Daniel 2:3 (NKJV) 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. This is talking about rewards for our service for Jesus Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Jesus said that everything we do for Him no matter how small (giving a cup of water to one of His disciples) will be rewarded a hundred-fold in the life to come. Now, does Daniel 2:3 mean only evangelists like D.L. Moody and Greg Laurie will be rewarded ( those who turn many to righteousness )? Winning souls is a group undertaking. There are the prayer warriors 2. There are the financial givers 3. There are the hospitality people 4. There are those who are the evangelists who speak But we will all share equally together in the rewards for each person won to Christ 3

14 John 4:36-37 (NKJV) 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' Corinthians 3:6-8 (NKJV) 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 4