READ The BIBLE Together. Daniel th August 22 nd September SHALOM CHURCH, SINGAPORE (Upholding the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith)

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1 READTheBIBLETogether Daniel th August 22 nd September2012 SHALOMCHURCH,SINGAPORE (Upholdingthe1689BaptistConfessionofFaith) 1

2 Week7 [12 th 18 th August2012] IntroductiontoDANIEL7 12 ThegenreofDANIEL7 12isapocalyptic.ThisisadistincttypeofJewishliteraturethat is written to encourage the faithful in times of persecution. The main themes are:(a) the growth of evil, (b) God s care for His people, (c) the assurance that evil will not finallyprevailbecausethekingdomofgodistheonlythingthatwillendureforever. Inapocalypticliterature,wewillencounterdreamsandvisions,andmanysymbolisms (such as numbers, beasts and horns) that outline the future. The imageries are often mysterious, even bizarre. One thing is for sure: future events are outlined before they occur! Wecome,then,tochapterswhichpredicttroubleaheadforthegodly.Theywillalways liveinahostileandpersecutingworld.buttheyshouldnotdieofdiscouragement.history isingod shands.alleventsaresteadilybringinghispurposestopass.inhisowntimehe willendtheruleofevilandbringinhiseverlastingkingdom. (StuartOlyott) WhileDANIEL1 6taughtushowtostandaloneforGod,DANIEL7 12willexplaintous whyitisworthwhiletodothat!whiledaniel1 6showedusthingsthathappenedin the physical world, DANIEL 7 12 will reveal to us what goes on behind the physical world,inthespiritualrealm! IntroductiontoDANIEL7 ThestructureofDANIEL7issimple: 7:1 Prologue 7:2 14 TheVisions 7:15 27 TheirInterpretations 7:28 Epilogue The purpose of DANIEL 7(the visions) is straightforward: To encourage the believers andtobuildthemupinthefaith. Hence, wemustnotbediscouragedifwecannotdeciphereverydetailofwhatfollows,for weshallfindthatthebroadsweepofthechapterisasclearascrystalandthatitsmain lessonistooobvioustobemissed.chapter7isafaith buildingchapter.nochristiancan fail to be strengthened by studying it, and most believers find it thoroughly exciting. (StuartOlyott). Day1ReadtheIntroductionandDANIEL7:1 1. WritedownonethingyouhavelearntfromtheIntroduction. 2

3 2. WhendidDanielhavethisdream? Inthe yearof kingofbabylon,danielhad... Note(1):Thiswouldbetheyear553B.C. Note(2):We vemetkingbelshazzarindaniel5.thatwasthelastdayofhislife and the last day of the Babylonian empire. That would be the year 536 B.C. This means that Daniel s dream in DANIEL 7 took place before Daniel sappearancebeforebelshazzarindaniel5. Day2ReadDANIEL7:2 4, (a) WhatdidDanielseeinverse2? (b) WhatdidDanielseeinverse3? (c) Whatdidthesearepresent?(Hint:verse17) 2. (a) Howwasthefirstbeastdescribed? (b) Whathappenedtoit? Note: This first beast corresponds to the golden head of the image in Nebuchadnezzar sdreamindaniel2.hence,itrepresentsthebabylonian empire. Day3ReadDANIEL7:5 6, (a) Howwasthesecondbeastdescribed? (b) Focus on these two phrases: three ribs in its mouth between its teeth and devourmuchflesh..whatsortofpicturescometomindandhowwouldyou describethem? 3

4 2. Howwasthethirdbeastdescribed? Note(1): Thesecondbeastcorrespondstothesilverchestandarmsoftheimage innebuchadnezzar sdreamindaniel2.hence,itrepresentsthemedo Persianempire. Note(2): Thethirdbeastcorrespondstothebronzebellyandthighsoftheimage innebuchadnezzar sdreamindaniel2.hence,itrepresentsthegreek empire. A leopard moves swiftly. Having four wings will make it move even more swiftly! That would be a very accurate picture of the rapid expansionofthegreekempireunderalexanderthegreat! Note(3): Remember that Daniel had this dream in the first year of Belshazzar. TheBabylonianempirewasstilltheworldpowerthen,yetDanielwas told of its end, then the rise and fall of the Medo Persian empire, followed by the rise and fall of the Greek empire! In other words, God was telling Daniel what was to come for the next 390 years (36 B.C. 146B.C.)! Note(4): Whatsaidconcerningthethirdbeast( dominionwasgiventoit verse 6)wouldequallyapplytotheotherbeastsandhornsmentionedinthis chapter! In simple words, they have power and authority only by the permissionofalmightygod!! 3 (a) How would this glimpse into the future build up the faith of Daniel and the faithfulofhisdays? (b) Howcanitbuildupyourfaith? Day4ReadDANIEL7:7,19 20, Howwasthefourthbeastdescribed? Verse7: Verse19: Verse23: 4

5 Note: This fourth beast corresponds to the iron legs and iron clay feet of the image in Nebuchadnezzar s dream in DANIEL 2. Hence, it represents the Romanempire. 2. Thefourthbeasthastenhorns(verse7).Whatcanwesayaboutthesetenhorns basedonverse24? Thesetenhornsrepresentalaterstageinthehistoryofthisempire.Weknowthat becauseverse24specificallytellsusthatthesetenhornscameoutofthiskingdom. In the Bible the horn is a symbol of power. Ten is almost certainly a symbolic number. As I understand it, the vision is predicting that in direct succession to the Roman Empire, and springing out of it, will be a multiplicity of kingdoms. None of these couldhavearisenwithoutrome,andyetnoneofthemisrome. The vision teaches that a multiplicity of dominions will spring out of Rome. Ten standssimplyforcompleteness,andshouldnotbepressed.itisaroundnumber. StuartOlyott Day5ReadDANIEL7:8,19 20, Howwastheeleventhhorndescribed? Verse8 (a) (b) (c) (d) Verse20 (a) (b) (c) (d) Verse24 He shallrise them 5

6 Heshallbe fromthefirstones He shall threekings 2. Whatwilltheeleventhhornalsodo?(Verse25) 3. Whatwillbetheendoftheeleventhhorn?(Verse26) Iamconvincedinmyownmindthatthislittlehornisthesameindividualasisreferred to in 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 3 and 4. He is the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sittethinthetempleofgod,shewinghimselfthatheisgod. WhatwehaveinDaniel7isasurveyofhumanhistoryfromthetimeofDanieltothevery end of the world. Four great kingdoms will arise, one after the other. These will be followedbyamultiplicityofkingdomsspringingfromthefourth.attheend,powerwillbe concentratedinasingleblasphemousindividual.althoughonlyaman,hewillappearto besupernatural,andwillbetheenemyofgodandwhatisgodly. StuartOlyott Day6ReadDANIEL7: In sharp contrast to the chaos depicted in first part of his dream (verses 1 8), Daniel now sees calm and order in verses 9 12, where the central figure is the AncientofDays. (a) HowwastheAncientofDaysdescribed? (b) WhoisthisAncientofDays? (c) AncientofDays whatdoesthismean? 2. We read in verses of the defeat and destruction of the beasts and horns. Howdidthishappen?(Youcanfindtheanswerinverses11 12;youcanalsolook atverse22) 6

7 Day7ReadDANIEL7:13 14, (a) OneliketheSonofManisthecentralfigurehere.HowwasHedescribed? (b)what was given to Him? Who would serve Him? What was said about His kingdom? 2. (a) Readverse18andverse27.Whowouldreceivetheeverlastingkingdom? (b) Howcanwereconcilethiswithverse14whereitwassaidthattheeverlasting kingdomwouldbegiventothesonofman? 3. HowwouldthisportrayaloftheAncientofDays,theSonofManandthesaintsof themosthighbuildupthefaithofdanielandthefaithfulofhisdays? Howwoulditbuildupyourfaith? Week8 [19 th 25 th August2012] Day1 ReviewofDaniel7 1. Take time to review Daniel 7. Write down the most important lesson you have learntfromit. 2. TaketimetoreadtheSummaryNotesofDaniel7below: SummaryNotesofDaniel7 DanielwastakentoBabylonasacaptiveintheyear605B.C.attheageofaround 13 14yearsold.HencetheDanielofDANIEL7(553B.C.)wouldbeanoldmanof around65 66yearsold!Althoughhewasadvancedinyears,thevisionhesawstill lefthimgrievedandtroubled(verses15&28)! 7

8 Thefirstpartofhisdream(vision)has4beasts,10hornsandalittlehorn.Thisis anoutlineofhumanhistoryspanningfromhisdaystilltheendofthisworld the Babylonian Empire, Medo Persian Empire, Greek Empire, Roman Empire, the kingdoms and nations that follow and finally the Anti Christ! The fact that God couldtellhimwhatwouldtakeplaceinthefutureshowsthatgodisincontrolof thefuture!that smeanttoencouragedanielandthefaithful!! Whyusebeaststosymbolizetheempires?That stheirtruenature!humanempires usuallyrepresenthumanityatitsworst bestialanddominant,fullofrawpowerand savagefury,makingadvancementsbyconsumingothers! Living under the rule of beasts must be hard, especially if you are a faithful believeringod!henceitisnosurprisethatthebelievers(alsoknownassaintsof the Most High) will be severely persecuted, especially during the time when the littlehornholdssway! Wecanloseheartandbecomedespondent,evencynical,unlessweliftoureyesto seeheaven!standinginsharpcontrasttothisworld suniversalchaos,depictedin verses2 8,isthecalmandorderofheaven(verses9 12).WeseeGoddepictedas Ancient of Days sitting on His throne as the Great King (surrounded by other thrones), His purity symbolized by the white as snow garment, His eternity and wisdom symbolized by the pure wool hair. The fiery flame and wheel probably convey His omnipotence and omnipresence, while His majesty and glory is depicted by the great multitude standing before Him and serving Him. Besides beingthegreatkingwhorulesoverall,heisalsothejudgeofall. The most comforting picture to a saint suffering and undergoing persecutions would be verses 11 12! Just a word from the Ancient of Days, or even a decision madewithoututteringasingleword thatwassufficienttodefeatthebeastsand the horns, including the little horn!! What a Mighty God we serve!! No wonder DanielcouldbesobraveastotellBelshazzarhissinsandtoannouncetheendof thebabylonianempire(daniel5),andtonotflinchinthefaceofdanger(daniel 6)! TheencouragementforGod ssaintsdoesnotstopinverse12.fromverse13,we areintroducedtoonelikethesonofman.weknowfromthenewtestamentthat this is Jesus Christ our Lord, God s Son! His glory is seen in Him coming in the clouds,andhistriumphissopowerfullydepictedinverse14!surelythemessage mustbethis:howblessedyoumustbeifyoubelongtohim!! Andthisisindeedso,asverse18aswellasverse27tellusthattheeverlasting kingdomshallbethepossessionofthesaintsofgod.thekingdomisoursbecause thekingdomischrist sandwearehispeople!! Yes, we are suffering now as God s people. In fact, the suffering could become worse!butthesufferingwillend!evilwillbedefeated!wewilltriumphbecause 8

9 Christ has triumphed! The only thing that will endure is the kingdom of God! Hence,itmakesperfectsensetoseekfirstGod skingdomandhisrighteousness,to followchristwhereverheleadsus,forourgodreigns!!! WhathaveyoulearntfromtheSummaryNotesabove? 3. ShareyouranswerstoQuestions1and2withsomeone. Day2ReadtheIntroductiontoDANIEL8belowandDANIEL8:1 2 IntroductiontoDANIEL8 ThestructureofDANIEL8issimple: 8:1 2 Prologue 8:3 14 TheVision 8:15 26 TheInterpretation 8:27 Epilogue Like the vision in Daniel 7, this vision describes a series of kingdoms in the form of animals that exalt themselves, with one kingdom rising after another, aspiring to greatness and achieving it, but then being shattered. The ram seems invincible until the goatarises,butthenheisswiftlydestroyed.thefirsthornofthegoatthrowstheramto thegroundandnoonecanrescuetheramfromthehorn spower,butattheheightofhis power,thelargehorntooisshattered. In other words, no matter how great and menacing an empire may appear to be, it is simplyanactorinaplaywrittenbysomeoneelse.itplaysouttheroleassignedtoitby Godontherevolvingstageofworldhistory,andthen,whenitslinesareover,itslinksoff ignominiouslyintothewings.theriseandfalloftheserealhistoricalnations,predictedso accurately centuries ahead of time by the Lord through his prophets, remind us clearly who is directing the course of history. Earthly thrones and dominions come and go in a ceaselessround;onlythekingdomofgodisforever. Themessageofthevisionswasthusgoodnewstogenerationsofsaintswhosufferatthe hands of earthly kingdoms, whether the Babylonians, or the subsequent Persians or Greeks,orpresent daypersecutors.theseempiresthattohumaneyeslookedsopowerful, thatseemedtohavenoweaknessorchinksintheirarmor,wereactuallymerelysheepand goats whose destiny laid in the hands of the divine shepherd, the Lord himself. They weren t even the cosmically frightening monsters of Daniel 7, but only overgrown domesticanimals.likeanygoodshepherd,thelordiseasilyabletojudgemeresheepand goatswhostepoutoflineandtoputthembackintheirplace. (IainM.Duguid) 9

10 1. WritedownonethingyouhavelearntfromreadingtheIntroduction. 2. (a) WhendidDanielhavethisvision?(Verse1) (b) WherewasDanielinthisvision?(Verse2) Note: Remember that DANIEL 7 happened in 553 B.C. (1 st year of Belshazzar s reign). Our chapter for this week DANIEL 8 took place in 551 B.C. (3 rd year of Belshazzar sreign) Recall that DANIEL 5 took place in 539 B.C. (14 th and final year of Belshazzar sreign). Day3ReadDANIEL8:3 4, ThefirstanimalthatDanielsawinthisvisionwasaram. (a) Howwastheramdescribed?(Verse3) (b) Whatwastheramdoing?(Verse4a) (c) Howsuccessfulwasit?(Verse4b d) 2. Accordingtoverse20,theramstandsfor:. Note(1):The Medo Persian Empire lasted some 200 years, from 539 B.C. to 330 B.C.Itwasthesuperpowerofitsday.Itsconquestwasallembracingand irresistible. It spread to Babylonia, Syria and Asia Minor in the west, to ArmeniaandtheareaoftheCaspianSeainthenorth,andintoAfricain thesouth.shushan(mentionedinverse2)wasitscapital. Note(2):Daniel received this vision from God in 551 B.C. (more than a decade beforetheactualriseofthemedo PersianEmpire).Whatotherssawonly aftertheevent,danielsawinpropheticvisionbeforehand. 10

11 3. (a) Howwouldthisvision(thusfar)buildupthefaithofDanielandthefaithfulof hisdays? (b) Howcoulditbuildupyourfaith? Day4ReadDANIEL7:5 8, ThesecondanimalthatDanielsawinthisvisionwasamalegoat. (a) Howwasthemalegoatdescribed?(Verse5) (b) Whatdidthemalegoatdo?(Verse6 7) (c) Aftertramplingtheram,whathappenedtothemalegoat? Verse8a: Verse8b c: Verse8d: 2. Accordingtoverse21,themalegoatstandsfor:. Accordingtoverse21,thelargehornbetweentheeyesofthemalegoatstandsfor:. Accordingtoverse22,thefourhornsstandfor:. Note(1):TheGreekEmpirelastedmorethan260years,from330B.C.to63B.C.Its first king was Alexander the Great( B.C.) With lightning speed, Alexander defeated the Persians and established the Greek empire that spannedfromeuropetoindia. Note(2):When Alexander died in 323 B.C., the kingdom was divided among his four generals: Cassander (Macedonia and Greece), Lysimachus (Thrace 11

12 andmuchofasiaminor),seleucus(syriaandotherregionsintheeast), andptolemy(egypt). Note(3):Daniel received this vision from God in 551 B.C. (more than 200 years beforetheactualriseofthegreekempire).oncemore,whatotherssaw onlyaftertheevent,danielsawinpropheticvisionbeforehand. 3 (a) Howwouldthisvision(thusfar)buildupthefaithofDanielandthefaithfulof hisdays? (b) Howcoulditbuildupyourfaith? Day5ReadDANIEL8:9 14, Theseversestalkaboutthelittlehorn. (a) Howwasit(he)described? (b) Whatwouldit(he)do?Wouldit(he)succeed?(Seeverses9,24 25) (c) Howwoulditbeliketoliveunderits(his)reign? (d) Whatwouldbeits(his)end? 2. Inverses13 14,weheartheconversationbetweentwoholyones(angels). (a) Whatwasthequestion? (b) Whatwastheanswer? (c) If you were present to hear this conversation then, what would be your reactionuponhearingtheanswer? 12

13 Day6ReadDANIEL8:15 17,27 1. ItwasnotsufficientforDanieltoseethevision. (a) WhatelsedidDanielneed? (b) WhowasgiventhetasktohelpDanielachievethat? 2. HowdidDanielrespondtothevisionhesawandtheinterpretationhereceived? (Verse27) HowgreatGodis!HowisitthatHecanrevealfuturehistorytoHisprophets,centuries beforeithappens?itisbecauseheisthegodofhistory,andbecausealleventseverywhere servehissovereignwill.whatacomforttoknowthatnoevilpowercanarisewithouthis expressdecree!howconsolingtobeawarethathewhoruleshistoryhasguaranteedthat HisSonshallfinallytriumphoverallruleandauthority,andthateverydisplayofevilat lastwillbeputdown!whatfollyitistofightagainstsuchagod!whatwisdomitisto walkwithhim!whatconvincingpowerisintheargument: IfGodbeforus,whocanbe againstus? (Romans8:31) StuartOlyott Day7SummaryNotesforDANIEL8:1 27 ThevisionDanielsawinDANIEL8concernedthenext400yearsofworldhistory,from the time of the Medo Persian empire to the Greek empire. In other words, this vision provided further information on the second and third beasts that had appeared in Daniel sdreamindaniel7. Danielwouldnothaveknownanythingaboutthecoming400years(539B.C. 63B.C.) if God had not given him this revelation. Also, Daniel would not have been able to understand what he had seen in the vision if God had not send Gabriel (an angel) to explainthevisiontohim(v15 17).Clearly,DanielwasutterlydependentonGodforany knowledgeofthefuture.thesamewouldbetrueofus. The ram, male goat and their clashes formed the backdrop for the main focus of this vision:thelittlehorn.considerablymoretimeandspaceweredevotedtothislittlehorn inthevision.wenotethathecameoutfromoneofthe4kingdoms,grewexceedingly powerful,wasamorallydepravedperson,wasverydeterminedtowipeoutthepeople ofgodandascribedtohimselfdivineattributes.fromthetwoangels conversation,it was clear that this little horn would lord over God s people for quite some time, pointingtoaperiodofgreattribulationforthem.butcomfortcouldbefoundinthelast 13

14 lineofverse25:heshallbebrokenwithouthumanmeans.nomatterhowpowerfulhe was(orappearedtobe),hewouldfinallybedefeated...bygod! ThehistorybooksidentifiedthislittlehornasAntiochusEpiphanes.Heemergedfrom the Seleucid dynasty, came to power in 175 B.C and gave himself the title Theo AntiochusEpiphanes,meaning TheIllustriousGod! Power hungry, Antiochus sought to expand his dominion to include Palestine. This brought him into conflict with the Ptolematic dynasty in Egypt. While in Jerusalem, Antiochusreplacedthehighpriestwithamanofhisownchoosing.HetheninvadedEgypt, and while there, a rumor of his death circulated among the Jews (much to their joy). Efforts were made to reinstate the genuine high priest. Antiochus accused the people of rebellion,savagelyattackedandsackedjerusalem,andexecutedtensofthousandsofits inhabitants forty thousand apparently dying within the space of three days while othersweretakencaptive.heenteredtheholyofholiesinthetemple,sacrificedapigon the altar of burnt offering, defiled the temple precincts, took the sacred furniture, and establishedatraitor,menelaus,ashighpriest. In 168 B.C., when Antiochus efforts to take Egypt were foiled by the Romans, he again ventedhisrevengeonthejews.morethantwentythousandofhissoldiersmassacredthe Jews assembled for worship on a Sabbath day and committed further atrocities and vandalism. The temple was left without the daily sacrifices, religious practices were nonexistent, and a statue of Zeus was placed in the temple and human sacrifices were made on the altar. Circumcision was forbidden, unclean meat was mandatory fare, and thesabbathandotherfeastswereprofaned. (SinclairFerguson) In December 164 B.C., Judas Maccabeus led a successful revolt against Antiochus and re dedicated the temple. Today, the Jews would remember this re dedication of the templethroughtheobservanceofthehanukkah.asforantiochus,hesooncontracted anexceedinglypainfuldiseaseanddied. WhathaveyoulearntfromtheSummaryNotes? Sharewhatyouhavelearntwithsomeone: (Name) Week9 [26 th August 1 st September2012] Day1ReadDANIEL9: (a) When did the event mentioned in this chapter take place? (This would be 539/8B.C.) 14

15 (b) DanielwastakentoBabylonin605B.C.aroundtheageof14yearsold.How oldwoulddanielbein539/8b.c.? 2. WhatwasDanieldoinginverse2? ItislikelythatDanielwouldhavereadthesepassages: Jeremiah 25:8 11 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Because you have not heard My words, behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, says the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them againstthisland,againstitsinhabitants,andagainstthesenationsallaround,and willutterlydestroythem,andmakethemanastonishment,ahissing,andperpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstonesandthelightofthelamp.andthiswholelandshallbeadesolationandan astonishment,andthesenationsshallservethekingofbabylonseventyyears. Jeremiah 29:10 14 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to returntothisplace.foriknowthethoughtsthatithinktowardyou,saysthelord, thoughtsofpeaceandnotofevil,togiveyouafutureandahope.thenyouwillcall uponmeandgoandpraytome,andiwilllistentoyou.andyouwillseekmeandfind Me,whenyousearchforMewithallyourheart.Iwillbefoundbyyou,saystheLord, andiwillbringyoubackfromyourcaptivity;iwillgatheryoufromallthenations andfromalltheplaceswhereihavedrivenyou,saysthelord,andiwillbringyouto theplacefromwhichicauseyoutobecarriedawaycaptive. 3. WhatwasDanieldoinginverse3?Whydidhedoit? 4. Writedownonelessonyou velearntfromreadingthisportionofdaniel9. TwoquotesfromMatthewHenryworthpondering: (1) ThoughDanielwashimselfagreatprophet,andonethatwaswellacquaintedwith thevisionsofgod,yethewasadiligentstudentinthescripture,andthoughtitno disparagement to him to consult Jeremiah s prophecies. He was a great politician, and prime minister of state to one of the greatest monarchs upon earth, and yet couldfindbothheartandtimetoconversewiththewordofgod.thegreatestand bestmenintheworldmustnotthinkthemselvesabovetheirbibles. 15

16 (2) God s promises are intended, not to supersede, but to excite and encourage, our prayers; and, when we see the day of the performance of them approaching, we shouldthemoreearnestlypleadthemwithgodandputtheminsuit. Day2ReadDANIEL9:4 19 These16versesrecordDaniel sprayertothelordhisgod. 1. (a) HowdidheaddressGod? (b)howdoyouaddressgodinyourprayer? HaveyoueveraddressedGodinthewayDanieldidhere? 2. Verse 4 states that Daniel made a confession in his prayer. What did Daniel confess? Verse7: Verse8: Verse9: Verse10 11: Verse14: Verse15: 3. (a) Is confessionofsins aregulariteminyourprayers? (b) Haveyoueverusedanyofthewords/phrasesDanielusedinyourconfession? Day3ReadDANIEL9:4 19again 16

17 1. Daniel acknowledged that Israel s troubles and exile were the fruit of their sins. Wherecanwefindhimsayingthisinhisprayer? 2. DanielfurtheracknowledgedthatGodactedrighteouslyinpunishingthem.Where canwefindhimsayingthisinhisprayer? 3. Inverses11 14,DanieladmittedthatallthathashappenedwaswhatGodthrough Moses promised would happen if Israel turned her back on God (Read Deuteronomy28:15,47 51,64 67,ifyoucan). SeeingthatGodwasfaithfulincarryingoutHisthreat,howwouldthisencourage DanielwhenhecamebeforeGodtoaskHimtoendtheexileasHehadpromised? Day4ReadDANIEL9:4 19oncemore 1. Besides confession, there was also supplication in Daniel s prayer. What did he supplicatefor? Verse16: Verse17: Verse19: 2. Accordingtoverse18,whyshouldGodhearhisrequest? 3. DidGodanswerDaniel sprayer?[read2chronicles36:22 23] Day5ReadSummaryNotesforDANIEL9:1 19andDANIEL9:20 24 SummaryNotesforDANIEL9:1 19 Intheyear605B.C.DanielwasbroughttoBabylonasanexileattheyoungageof13/14 years old. 66/67 years later in 539/8 B.C., the Babylonian empire had collapsed and wasreplacedbythemedo Persianempire.Danielwouldbe80/81yearsoldthen. 17

18 Atsucharipeoldage,wefindDanielstillreadinghisBible!FromJeremiah25&29he learnt that God had made a promise the Babylonian exile would only last for 70 years!in539/8b.c.,danielcouldseewithhisowneyesthatthebabylonianempirewas gone.whythenwerethejewsstillinexile?hencedanielsethishearttoseekthelord with fasting, sackcloth and ashes, to plead with God to fulfill His promise to end the exile! Inhisprayer,Danielstartedwithworship OLord,greatandawesomeGod,whokeeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments(verse4). Then he moved to confessions, where he fully identified himself with Israel and confessedtheirunfaithfulness,rebellion,wickedness,iniquities,transgression,sinsand disobedience. He freely admitted that the desolations they have suffered were fully deserved!godwasrighteousinpunishingthem.hehadindeedwarnedthemcenturies ago through Moses in Deuteronomy 28 that if they turned their backs on Him, these disasterswouldcomeuponthem.andindeedtheyhad! SeeinghowfaithfulGodwasincarryingoutHisthreattopunish,Danielmovednextto supplicate, asking God to be faithful also in carrying out His promise to end the exile after70years!henceheaskedgodtoturnawayhisangerfromjerusalem,tocausehis face to shine on His sanctuary, to forgive them and to restore them. We know from 2 Chronicles26andEzra1thatGodhadindeedheardDaniel sprayer!! PastorStuartOlyottcalledthis agreatprayer.headded, Whendidyoulastpraylike that?itisthesortofprayerthatgodhears.ifwewouldseegodatwork,wemustfindout whathehaspromisedandprayforitlikethat.wedonotneedtowaituntilwearejoined by others before we begin. It is when the remnant prays in this way that history is changed. What have you learnt from the Summary Notes above concerning Prayer? How have yourprayerschangedasaresultofwhatyouhavelearnt?whatneedstobechangedin yourprayersafterwhatyouhavejustlearnt? Sharewhatyouhavelearntwithsomeone: (Name) DANIEL9: WhoappearedtoDanielandwhydidhecome? 18

19 2. WhatdidhetellDaniel? Verse23: Verse24: 3. (a) HowwashiscominganencouragementtoDaniel? (b) Howisthese4versesanencouragementtoyou? Day6ReadDANIEL9:24 27 These4versescontainthemessagethatGabrielwaschargedtoconveytoDaniel.Itwas a response to Daniel s prayer for God to fulfill His promise to end Israel s exile. The seventyweeks ofverse24isliterally seventysevens. According to verse 24, six things will take place at the end of this period of seventy sevens.whatarethey? FromtheNewTestamentperspective,wehavetosaythatthesesixthingspointtothe coming of Jesus Christ the Saviour and the salvation He will accomplish! Hence, on hearing all this Daniel must have been filled with immeasurable excitement. For the greaterpartofhislifehehadbeengrievingoverjerusalemandlongingforitsrestoration. Now he was hearing that seventy sevens from then it was going to have a future far exceedingallhisexpectations.thepromisedchristwouldcome,sinwouldbedealtwith, andtherewouldbeawaybywhichsinnerscouldbeeverlastinglyrightwithgod.thetime ofpredictinghimwouldbeover.hewillhavecome tojerusalem! (StuartOlyott). 19

20 Taketimetoponderthis:DanielwasprayingtoGodtoendIsrael sseventyyearsofexile. God sanswerwastotelldanielaboutaperiodofseventysevensafterwhichisraelwould berestoredandthemessiahwouldcome! InHisanswertoDaniel sprayer,godhascertainlydoneexceedinglyabundantlyabove all that Daniel could ask or think!! Can you think of a New Testament verse that says somethingaboutthis?writeitdownbelow. Day7ReadDANIEL9:24 27again Theperiodofseventysevenswasdividedintothreesections: Sevensevens(verse25) Sixty twosevens(verse25) Afterthesixty twosevens(verse26)[thatis,the70 th sevens] 1. Accordingtoverse25,whatwilltakeplaceduringthesevensevensandthesixtytwosevens? 2. Accordingtoverse26,afterthesixty twosevens,whatwillhappen? Note:GodtoldDanielintheyear539/8B.C.abouttheeventsthatwouldhappeninAD 33 (the death of Christ) and AD 70 (the destruction of Jerusalem)! Hear what Isaiah48:3 5saidconcerningGod: Ihavedeclaredtheformerthingsfromthebeginning;theywentforthfromMy mouth,andicausedthemtohearit.suddenlyididthem,andtheycametopass. Because I knew that you were obstinate, and your neck was an iron sinew, and yourbrowbronze, Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; before it came to pass I proclaimedittoyou,lestyoushouldsay, Myidolhasdonethem,andmycarved imageandmymoldedimagehavecommandedthem. Focusonthepartoftheversethatisunderlined(seeabove)andthentaketimeto worshipyourgod!whatagod!! 20

21 Week10 [2 nd September 8 th September2012] Day1SummaryNotesforDANIEL9:20 27 Verses20 23 WhenDanielstartedtopray,Godstartedtohear!That sthemessageofverse23.when God hears, He acts! Hence Gabriel the angel was dispatched to bring the answer to Daniel.Thephrase beingcausedtoflyswiftly (verse21)conveysjusthoweagerour Lord was to give Daniel the answer! From Daniel s perspective, the swiftness of the answer was equally impactful. We can see this from his twice repeated while I was speaking (verse 20, 21). What an encouragement to him, and to us, to pray unceasingly! FurtherencouragementstoDanielcanbeseeninthefollowingtwothings: [i] Hewascalled greatlybeloved!rememberthathewasconfessingsinsinverse3 [ii] 19,andnowhewasassuredofGod sgreatlovetohim! He was not only given the answer (vision), he would also be given the skill to understandthevision! Verses24 27 While Daniel was thinking and praying over the 70 years of exile, God talked to him about the 70 sevens when salvation will be accomplished! The 70 sevens will start whenthe70yearsofexileended(verse25).the70sevenswillbedividedintothree sections:the1 st 7sevens,thenext62sevensandthelastsevens. FromthetimethecommandgoesforthtorestoreandrebuildJerusalem,7sevensand 62sevens(altogether69sevens)willpass.Duringthisperiodof69sevens, thestreets shallbebuiltagain,andthewall,evenintroublesometimes.thiswouldcoverthetimes and events narrated in the book of Ezra and Nehemiah, as well as the 400 years of silence,bringingustothetimesofjesus!jerusalemwasindeedaninhabitedcitybythe timeourlordwalkeditsstreetsinad30!! Afterthe62sevens,meaningduringthelastsevens(70 th sevens),themessiahwouldbe cutoffbutnotforhimself!thisisclearlytalkingaboutthedeathofjesusonthecross for the sins of His people. In shedding His blood, Jesus has inaugurated the New Covenant. From then onwards, all the Old Testament sacrifices would no longer be needed.thisishowweshouldreadthefirstpartofverse27. InrejectingtheMessiahandnailingHimtothecross,theJewsweresealingthedoom and destruction of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem did not immediately follow Calvary, but it was an event which was determined by the fact that the Jews rejected Christ. It did not happen in the seventieth week, but was determined in the seventieth week.ourlordmadeitclear,bothinhisolivetdiscourseandashewalkedtothecross, that His rejection by the Jews would mean the destruction of their city and temple (Matthew23:34 24:38;Luke23:27 31). (StuartOlyott).Thisishowweshouldreadthe secondpartofverse26andthesecondpartofverse27. 21

22 ItisinterestingtonotethattheangelGabrielwhobroughtGod smessagetodanielhere indaniel9 tellinghimthatthemessiahwouldcomeandthenbecutoff,isthesame GabrielwhoannouncedthebirthoftheMessiah sforerunner(luke1:19)aswellasthe birthofthemessiahhimself(luke1:26)! WhathaveyoulearntfromreadingtheSummaryNotes? Sharewhatyouhavelearntwithsomeone: (Name) Day2ReadDANIEL10:1 4 Thiswonderfulchapterisfullofpowerfullessonsforus,especiallyasfarasourprayer lifeisconcerned.allthepreviouschaptersofdanielhavebeenself containedunits.each onestoodonitsown.chapter10isnotlikethatatall.itstaskistointroduceavision,the detailsofwhicharefoundinchapters11and12.ittellsusthecircumstancesinwhichthe finalvisionofthebookwasgiven,butwemustwaittoreadthetwofollowingchaptersto seeexactlywhatthatvisionwas. (StuartOlyott) 1. (a) Whendidthisvisiontakeplace?(Verse1,4) (b) Wheredidthisvisiontakeplace?(Verse4) 2. WhatwasDanieldoingforthethreefullweeksbeforehehadthisvision?(Verses 2 3) Note(1):CyrusgavethepermissionfortheJewstoreturntotheirhomelandinthe 1 st yearofhisreign(ezra1).sincedaniel10bringsustothe3 rd yearof Cyrus reign, the first group of returnees under the leadership of Zerubabbel(Ezra2)wouldhavealreadyreachedJudeaandsettledin. Note(2):FromEzra3,weknowthatbythe2 nd yearofthisreturn,thejewshave alreadylaidthefoundationofthetemple.however,theirworkmetwith muchopposition.ezra4:4 5reportedthesituationbackinJudeainthis way: Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reignofdariuskingofpersia. Note(3):The small number of people who joined Zerubbabel in the 1 st return (Ezra2)andtheintenseoppositionthatthereturneesfacedwhilebackin 22

23 Judea(Ezra4)couldbethereasonwhyDanieldidwhathedidinverse2 3:InthosedaysI,Daniel,wasmourningthreefullweeks.Iatenopleasant food,nomeatorwinecameintomymouth,nordidianointmyselfatall, tillthreewholeweekswerefulfilled. GoodmencannotbutmourntoseehowslowlytheworkofGodgoesonin theworldandwhatoppositionitmeetswith,howweakitsfriendsareand howactiveitsenemies. (MatthewHenry) Day3ReadDANIEL10: Onthe24 th dayofthe1 st month,danielhadavision.inthevision,hesawaman. Howwasthemandescribed? Hisclothing: Hisbody: Hisface: Hiseyes: Hisarmsandfeet: Hisvoice: 2. Read Revelation 1: Here John met one like the Son of Man. How was He described? Hisclothing: Hisheadandhair: Hiseyes: Hisfeet: Hisvoice: 3. DoyoufindthedescriptionsinQ1andQ2similar? Who,doyouthink,isthemanDanielsawinhisvision? 23

24 Day4ReadDANIEL10: WhatwereDaniel simmediatereactionstothevision? Verse8: Verse9: 2. HowdidDanielrecoverhisconsciousnessandstrength? 3. (a) WhatdidthemansaytoDaniel?(Verse11) (b) HowwouldhiswordsbeanencouragementtoDaniel? Day5ReadDANIEL10: Verses12 14recordthewordsofthemantoDaniel. (a) (b) Note what was said in verse 12. How would this be an encouragement to Daniel? Note what was said in verse 14. How would this be an encouragement to Daniel? 2. (a) HowdidDanielreacttothewordsofthisman?(Verse15,17) (b) Verse16: Verse18: Verse19b: HowdidDanielrecoverhisstrengthandspeech? 24

25 Day6ReadDANIEL10:13,20 21,11:1 1. Severalcharacters(beings)werementionedintheseverses.Whowerethey? Themaninthevision Michael(oneofthechiefprinces) 2. What,doyouthink,weretheirrealidentities? 3....I,evenI,stooduptoconfirmandstrengthenhim (11:1) Whodoyouthinkisthe I mentionedhere? Whodoyouthinkisthe him mentionedhere? Note:Weareheregivenaglimpseintothewarfarethatgoesoninthespiritualrealm! TheprinceofPersia(fallenangel)wasinfluencingthekingsofPersiatomakelife difficult for the Jews in Judea, and the man in the vision together with Michael werefightingthatprince.lateron,themaninthevisionwillbattletheprinceof Greece! Day7SummaryNotesforDANIEL10:1 21(I) ThechapterbeginswithDanielspendingthreeweeksinprayerandfastinginthe3 rd yearofthepersianking,cyrus.thisimmediatelyalertsustothefactthatthoughdaniel had prayed for the exile to end and the Jews to return to Judea, he himself(for some reason)wasnotabletojointhereturnees.hence,heremainedinpersia. ThoughDanielwasphysicallyinPersia,hisheartwasbackinJudea!Thisexplainedwhy hewasfastingandprayingfor3weeks.weknowfromverse14thathisprayerhadto dowiththewellbeingandfutureofisrael! It was very likely that Daniel was very troubled by what he had seen and known. Although a group of Jews had returned to Judea, the fact was that a huge majority of themhadremainedbehindinpersia.mostofthejewsappearednottobeinterestedin going back to Judea! His prayer in DANIEL 9 was answered Cyrus had issued the decreefortheirreturn.howeververyfewjewshadtakenupthatoffertogoback!in addition, news from Judea wasn't very encouraging either. Yes, the group under 25

26 ZerubbabeldidarrivebackinJudeasafely,andyestheydidlaythefoundationsofthe temple. But things soon took a turn for the worse! Oppositions to the Jews and their rebuilding project were many, intense and malicious. The people were soon very discouraged.infact,lifebackinjudeawasonehugestruggle!wouldanyjewsinpersia, uponhearingsuchnews,eagerlysignupforthe2 nd returnparty? In the face of such bleak and discouraging circumstances, Daniel gave himself to seek God in prayer. The rest of the chapter tells us about God s answer to his prayer. But beforewelookatgod sanswertohisprayer,weshouldnotewhatverse12says From the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. This is almost identicalwithdaniel9:23! DowedoubtifGodhearsuswhenwepray?Dowewonderifourwordscouldevergo beyond the ceilings of our houses? Even if God hears us, will He bother to respond? DANIEL9:23andDANIEL10:12mustburyallourdoubtsforever!Godhears,Godhears straightaway,andgodwillgiveananswer! WhathaveyoulearntfromreadingSummaryNotes(I)? Howhavetheychangedyou? Week11 [9 th September 15 th September2012] Day1SummaryNotesforDANIEL10:1 21(II) WhowasthemanDanielsawinhisvision?Wecouldarriveatareasonableanswerby first observing how Daniel responded to him and the vision. He lost all strength and becameunconscious(verse8 9).Thoughsomeangelicbeingscametostrengthenhim (v10,16,18),danieldidnotfullyrecoverhisstrength.whenthemanspoketohimin verse 12 14, Daniel again lost his strength and even his speech. Daniel only fully recoveredhisstrengthandspeechwhenthatmanspoketohimandstrengthenedhim (verse19b). This prolonged experience of being overwhelmed was unusual, especially when we compareitwithdaniel sexperiencewhengabrielcametohimtoexplainhisvisionin DANIEL8.Therehedidlosehisstrengthandconsciousness,butonceGabrieltouched him, he regained his strength immediately. However, this was not the case here in DANIEL10,implyingthatthemaninthisvisionisfarmoregloriousandmajesticthan Gabriel!WemustalsonotethatDanieladdressedthispersonas mylord (verse16,17, 19). And from 11:1, we know that this person confirmed and strengthened Michael, implyingthathemustbefarmorepowerfulandgloriousthanmichael! Wearenotabletofullycomprehendthemeaningofverse13,howtheprinceofPersia 26

27 canopposethisgloriousandmajesticpersonfor21days.butweneedtonotethatthe princeofpersia(verse13&19)andtheprinceofgreece(verse19)werenothumans! In the same way, Michael (called one of the chief princes and your prince) was not human.thefirsttwocharacterswerelikelytobefallenangelswhilemichaelwasthe archangel(jude9).however,thekingsofpersia(verse13)werehumans. Putsimply,wearegivenaglimpseintothewarfarethatgoesoninthespiritualrealm! The prince of Persia (fallen angel) was influencing the kings of Persia to make life difficult for the Jews in Judea, and the man in the vision together with Michael were fightingthatprince.lateron,themaninthevisionwillbattletheprinceofgreece! ThischaptershowsuswhoaretherealenemiesoftheworkofGod.Zerubbabelhadgone backtojerusalem.thewholeworkwhichheandhisfewcompanionshopedtoundertake hadbeenheldup.whoistobeheldresponsible?shouldweblamethediscouragedband itself?arewetosaytothem, Itisallyourfault.Itisyourdiscouragementwhichisholding thingsup.discouragedpeoplearetherealenemiesoftheworkofgod? Or should we blame the Samaritans? They had been living in Palestine throughout the wholetimeofthejewishexileinbabylon.theyweremorethanupsetbythereturnofthe Jews and their plan to rebuild the temple. It was the last thing they wanted, and they therefore set about trying to stop it. Should we then say that the real enemies of God s workareitscriticsandphysicalopponents? OrisitthePersianswhoshouldcarrytheblame?ItwasthePersianauthoritieswhofirst gave permission for the Jews to return and then ordered the work to stop when the Samaritanscomplained.Surelytheyaretherealrogues. NoneofthesearetherealenemiesoftheworkofGod.Therealenemiesarerevealedin verse13and20: TheprinceofthekingdomofPersiawithstoodme. Iwillreturntofight withtheprinceofpersia. ItistheclearteachingoftheWordofGodthatevilmenonearth are directed by evil powers. It is the evil spiritual personalities, which influence and penetratehumanminds,thataretherealenemiesofgod swork. The warfare in which we are engaged is not primarily a warfare with our own discouragementsorwithvisibleenemies.itisnotprimarilyawarfarewithcritics,orwith authoritieswhoconstantlyfrustratethethingswewanttodo.ourwarfareisaspiritual warfarewithspiritualenemies.thisisclearfromthechapterwehavejuststudied,andis afactunderlinedbytheapostlepaulwhenhewrote, Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshand blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world,againstspiritualwickedness(orwickedspirits)inhighplaces (Ephesians6:12) StuartOlyott WhathaveyoulearntfromreadingtheSummaryNotes(II)? 27

28 Asaresultofwhatyou velearnt,whatareasofyourlifemustchange? Day2ReadDANIEL10:21 11:4 RememberthatDANIEL10 12belongtogether.DANIEL10showedusDanielpraying and the man clothed in linen coming to give Daniel the answers to his prayer. In DANIEL11weshallreadofwhatthemanclothedinlinentoldDaniel.DANIEL11isthe longest, most complex, most detailed and precise prophecy in the book of DANIEL, indeedinthewholeofscripture! RememberthatDANIEL10 12tookplaceduringthe3 rd yearofcyrus reign(daniel 10:1). 1. Read11:2again. (a) Howmanykingsarementionedhere? (b) From the history books, we know the Persian kings who reigned in the 6 th centuryb.c.are: Cyrus ( B.C.) Cambyses ( B.C.) Pseudo Smerdis (522B.C.) DariusI ( B.C.) Xerxes ( B.C.) Whowas thefourthwhoshallbericherthanthemall mentionedin11:3? He was also known as Ahasuerus (husband of Esther). Under his reign, Persian power reached its pinnacle. He invaded Greece but was defeated at thebattleofsalamis. 2. Read11:3 4again. (a) Whatwassaidaboutthe mightyking whoshallarise(v3)? (b) Whatwouldhappentohiskingdomafterwards(v4)? This mightyking isalexanderthegreat.afterhisdeath,hisextensivekingdom wasfinallydividedupamonghisfourgenerals. 28

29 3. RememberthatDANIEL11wasGod sanswertodaniel sprayerinchapter10.he fastedandprayedfor3fullweeksbecausehewasverytroubledoverthesadstate ofthejewsbackinjudeaandalsohowthemajorityofthejewsstillremainedin exile.daniel11:2 4wasconveyedtoDanieltoencouragehim. Howwoulditencouragehim? Day3SummaryNotesforDANIEL10:21 11:4 DANIEL10:1informedusthatthiseventtookplacein537B.C.(the3 rd yearofcyrus reign).daniel11:2 4revealedtoDanielinbroadstrokeswhatwouldtakeplacefrom 537B.C.to323B.C.Howcouldhistorybetoldbeforehistoryactuallyhappens? InDANIEL10:21,wereadof ScriptureofTruth (NKJV)or bookoftruth (ESV).From this book, the man clothed in linen would tell Daniel what would come to pass in the comingdecadesandcenturies.danielthenwrotedownwhathehadheardinthebook ofdaniel.finally,aftertheseeventshavecometopass,athirdbookwouldbewritten historybooks! Wehavethreebooksinthisorder: Book of Truth Book of DANIEL History books Chapter11consistsofhistorywhichwaswrittenbeforeittookplace!Ithadbeenwritten eternally in the divine books (10:21), but was even to be written in Daniel s book a considerabletimebeforeithappened. (StuartOlyott) SoDANIEL11:2 4revealstouseventsinhistory(the3PersiankingsafterCyrus,riseof Xerxes,fallofPersianEmpire,riseofAlexandertheGreat,divisionofhiskingdominto four)beforetheyactuallytakeplace! ThisismeanttobeanencouragementtoDanielatthattimeofsorrowandgrief.How? GodcantellhimthefuturebecauseGodhasthefutureinHishands,andthisGodwho holdsthefutureinhishandsisdaniel sgod!! Haveyoulearntanylesson(s)fromtheSummaryNotesofDANIEL10:21 11:4?Ifyou have,writeitdowninthespacebelowandthenshareitwithoneotherperson: Day4ReadDANIEL11:5 20 After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was finally divided among his 4 generals.hereindaniel11:5 20,twoofthekingdomscameintofocus:TheSeleucid dynastybasedinsyria&babylon,andtheptolemydynastybasedinegypt.thecentre of the compass was the Glorious Kingdom (v20) Palestine, where the Jews lived. 29

30 Hence, the king of the North would be the Seleucid dynasty in Syria while the king of thesouthwouldbetheptolemydynastyinegypt. DANIEL11:5 20recordsaverydetailedprophecyofwhatwilltakeplaceinthehistory of these two dynasties. This is known as the inter testament period in the history books.copyouttherelevantversesfromdaniel11:5 20inthespacesprovided: Daniel sbook HistoryBook V5:AlsothekingoftheSouthshallbecome strong,aswellasoneofhisprinces;andhe shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion. V6:Andattheendofsomeyearstheyshall join forces, for the daughter of the king of thesouthshallgotothekingofthenorth to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neitherhenorhisauthorityshallstand;but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, andwithhimwhostrengthenedherinthose times. V7 8: 30 In 322 B.C. Ptolemy Soter rose to power and ruled Egypt till 305 B.C. He took a prince named Seleucus under his wing. In 312 B.C. this young man left to form the Seleucid empire, exceeding the Ptolemies bothinsizeandpower. Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus(SouthernKingdom)became the wife of Antiochus II (Northern Kingdom). This led to a marriage alliance between both countries. But this alliance did not last as Antiochus II, Berenice and their child were all murdered not long afterwards! Ptolemy Euergetes, brother of Berenice, became king of Egypt and he successfully avengedthedeathofhissisterbyinvading the North Kingdom and putting the murdererstodeath. His armies spoiled the north and carried its protective gods back to Egypt. For a while, the Ptolemies dominated the Seleucids. V9: Seleucus Callinicius of the Northern KingdommarchedagainstthePtolemiesin 204 B.C., thoroughly defeated them and returnedhomevictorious. V10: Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus the Great, both princes of the Northern kingdom,combinedtheirmilitarystrength to conquer the surrounding areas. Seleucus died in a battle. Antiochus the Great continued to battle alone, till he reachedtheveryedgeofegypt.

31 V11: And the king of the South shall be movedwithrage,andgooutandfightwith him, with the king of the North, who shall musteragreatmultitude;butthemultitude shallbegivenintothehandofhisenemy. V12: 31 The army of Antiochus the Great far outnumbered that of Ptolemy Philopator, the king of the South; but surprising, AntiochustheGreatwasdefeated! The unexpected victory filled Ptolemy Philopator with pride, and he began to inflict more defeats on the Northern Kingdom. We will continue from verse 13 tomorrow. For now, just look at the table above. Can youseeanythingsignificant?whatisit? HowwouldthisencourageDanielinthe6 th centuryb.c.andustodayinad2012? Day5ReadDANIEL11:5 20again ContinuetocopyouttherelevantversesfromDANIEL11:5 20inthespaceprovided: V13 14: V15 16: Daniel sbook V17:Heshallalsosethisfacetoenterwith the strength of his whole kingdom, and uprightoneswithhim;thusshallhedo.and heshallgivehimthedaughterofwomento destroyit;butsheshallnotstandwithhim, orbeforhim. HistoryBook The superiority of the Southern Kingdom didnotlast.afterptolemyphilopatordied, the Northern Kingdom became dominant again. During that time, rebels appeared within theegyptianborders. The days of the Southern Kingdom appearedtobenumbered! The Northern Kingdom achieved a decisivevictoryatsidon. During those days, Antiochus the Great looked invincible. He even took over Palestine and the Jews then suffered greatly. Antiochus the Great changed his tactics. He decided to defeat the Southern Kingdom through subtlety. He gave his daughter, Cleopatra, in marriage to the Ptolemaic king in the hope that he would then be able to control the Southern Kingdom using her as a proxy. But Cleopatra sided with her husband instead ofherfather!

32 V18: V19:Thenheshallturnhisfacetowardthe fortress of his own land; but he shall stumbleandfall,andnotbefound. V20: 32 Antiochus turned his attention to Asia MinorbuthewasdefeatedbytheRoman, Lucius Scipio Asiaticus. He was utterly humiliated. He returned home to concentrate on his domestic affairs and soon disappeared fromthepoliticalscene. Seleucus Philipator replaced him. He wantedtoseizethefundsfromthetemple in Jerusalem but failed. Not long afterwards, he also disappeared from the pagesofhistory. Once again, can you see just how detailed and accurate the prophecy given to Daniel was? How would this encourage Daniel in the 6 th century B.C., and us today in AD 2012? Day6SummaryNotesforDANIEL11:5 20 SomeofusmayfindDANIEL11:5 20quiteboring!However,weneedtorememberthat DANIEL 11:5 20 is Scripture, and hence it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,forinstructioninrighteousness(2timothy3:16).sohowisthispassageof Scriptureprofitableforus? First of all, recall that from 11:2 4, we see that God knows the big picture! He told Daniel in broad strokes what would come to pass for the next 200 years! Now from 11:5 20,GodtoldDanielinveryspecificdetailswhatwouldtakeplaceinthefollowing 200 years, from 323 B.C. to 175 B.C.! God knows the big picture and God knows the minutedetails,hencegodknowseverythingaboutthefuture!!whatagoddanielhad! WhataGodwehave! Read11:5 20andwhatconfrontsusisacatalogueofwars,alliances,marriages,battles andaconfusingpatternofcomingsandgoings.itwasallaboutman,orsoitseems.the onewhowasstrongestatthemomentcalledtheshots.therewasnomentionofgodin these16verses,nonewhatsoever!yetifweponderoverthepassageabitmoredeeply, we realized that God was everywhere, for He was the One who was telling Daniel all thesedetails!! GodisstillGod evenwhenheisnowheretobeseen, sayspastorstuart Olyott. This is true, not just at the level of international history but also true at the level of personal history! Your life right now may look as if God is nowhere to be found. The truthis,heisthere,rightthere!

33 DANIEL11:5 20alsodemonstratesthetruthoftheseotherversesfromtheBible: Romans13:1Leteverysoulbesubjecttothegoverningauthorities.Forthereisno authorityexceptfromgod,andtheauthoritiesthatexistareappointedbygod. Isaiah40:23 24Hebringstheprincestonothing;Hemakesthejudgesoftheearth useless.scarcelyshalltheybeplanted,scarcelyshalltheybesown,scarcelyshalltheir stock take root in the earth, when He will also blow on them, and they will wither, andthewhirlwindwilltakethemawaylikestubble. 1. (a) Whathaveyoulearntfromyourownreading/studyofDANIEL11:5 20? (b) WhathaveyoulearntfromreadingtheSummaryNotes? 2. TaketimetoponderthewordsofthishymnbyMatbieBabcock,andsingittoyour Lordinworship: ThisismyFather sworld,andtomylisteningears Allnaturesings,androundmeringsthemusicofthespheres. ThisismyFather sworld:irestmeinthethought Ofrocksandtrees,ofskiesandseas; Hishandthewonderswrought. ThisismyFather sworld,thebirdstheircarolsraise, Themorninglight,thelilywhite,declaretheirMaker spraise. ThisismyFather sworld:heshinesinallthat sfair; IntherustlinggrassIhearHimpass; Hespeakstomeeverywhere. ThisismyFather sworld.oletmene erforget Thatthoughthewrongseemsoftsostrong,Godistheruleryet. ThisismyFather sworld:thebattleisnotdone: JesusWhodiedshallbesatisfied, AndearthandHeav nbeone. Day7ReadDANIEL11:21 35 These 14 verses zero in on one particular individual: the Seleucid king, Antiochus Epiphanes.WehavemethimpreviouslyinDANIEL8(thelittlehorn). 1. Verses21 24giveusasketchofthekindofpersonhewas: 33