Lesson Number Sixty Five Chapter Twelve [At That Time - The End of THY PEOPLE]

Transcription

1 Lesson Number Sixty Five Chapter Twelve [At That Time - The End of THY PEOPLE]

2 At that time refers to the Establishment of Roman Power over the Jews 2 The King will do according to his will At the time of the end: Daniel 11:40 - 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. He will enter into the glorious land vrs 41 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.

3 At that time refers to the Establishment of Roman Power over the Jews Daniel 11: 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. The King that entered into the glorious land was in the person of Pompey vrs B.C. Intervention. This king would plant his tents between the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Zion This was done when TITUS brought his Roman armies and besieged the city in A.D. 70. Destruction He destroyed the Jewish people as a nation, the city of Jerusalem fell and the temple was destroyed. BUT: Like all the other heathen nations before them Rome would fall. 3

4 Chapter 12:1-2: Relative Teachings and Writings of Men 12:1 Resulting from the ferment described in the latter verses of ch. 11, a time of trouble will fall upon Israel as never before. Considering the Exile in Babylon, the awful atrocities of Antiochus Epiphanes and the anti-semitic persecutions of Hitler and Stalin, such a prediction assumes awesome proportions. So devastating will be the visitation of Israel during the concluding three and onehalf years of Daniel s Seventieth Week that Michael the angel has to intervene to avoid complete annihilation of the human race (cf. Matt. 24:22). At that time, those Jews who have been saved, i.e., those found written in the book, will be delivered. 4

5 Chapter 12:1-2: Relative Teachings and Writings of Men 12:2 As is frequently the case in prophecy, information was provided for Daniel concerning the facts about two resurrections, while the chronology of such events was revealed later to John on Patmos. Daniel was simply instructed that there were to be two phases to the resurrection, one involving the righteous, who would be raised to life, and another focusing on the lost, who would be raised to experience everlasting shame and contempt. John, in Rev. 20:4, 5, revealed that an interval of 1,000 years will separate the two resurrections. W.A. Criswell, Believer s study Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. 5

6 A.D. 33 Church/Kingdom Matt. 16:18-19; Revelation 1:9; Col. 1:13 John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15 all the dead raised Judged the Last Day John 6:44 Salvation revealed in the Last Day 1 Peter 1:5 Acts 24:15 Only one Resurrection 1 Cor. 15:50-53 Bodies Changed Matt. 25:31-46 Judgment will occur 2 Tim. 4:1 Judged at His Coming Jude Judgment on all Rev. 20:12 All Stand before His Throne The Second Coming Of Christ The Resurrection The Final Judgment E V E R L A S T I N G K I N G D O M Heaven Great Gulf Hell Ushered In 2 Tim. 4:1; 2 Pet. 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:50

7 Chapter 121:1-2: Relative Teachings and Writings of Men 12:1 that time. This points back to 11:36 45, the time of the ascendancy of Antichrist during the final tribulation period. During that period, Michael the archangel (cf. Jude 9) of 10:13, 21 ministers with special attention to protecting Israel during that Gentile time (cf. Is. 26:20,21; Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:21). Your people means Daniel s Israelite people, who can have hope, even in the distress of an unprecedented kind set for the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21; cf. Rev. 12:12 17; 13:7). The book is the book of the saved (Mal. 3:16 4:3; Luke 10:20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27). 7

8 Chapter 12:1-2: Relative Teachings and Writings of Men 12:2 many Some Some. Two groups will arise from death constituting the many meaning all, as in John 5:29. Those of faith will rise to eternal life, the rest of the unsaved to eternal torment. The souls of OT saints are already with the Lord; at that time, they will receive glorified bodies (cf. Rev. 20:4 6). John F. MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible, (Dallas: Word Publishing)

9 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: KJV vrs 1 cf.ezek 5:8-9; Matt. 24:21,34 Jesus identifies when this would be Matt 24:2,21-22 ; Mk 13:19-20 Jesus tied the destruction of Jerusalem to Daniel s prophecies Matt. 24:15; Mk 13:14; Lk 21: Thus, the period in view here is during the first century. Some who heard will still be alive to see the kingdom established. Mk 9:1 Chapter 12:1-2: During the days of the Roman Kings There will be a Time of Trouble For the Jews 9

10 Chapter 12:1-2: During the days of the Roman Kings There will be a Time of Trouble For the Jews and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (KJV - vrs 1) cf. Ex 32:32-33 and Mal. 3:16-4:2 Jesus once again said the same Matt 24:22 These are the Jewish Christians Matt 24:16, 20; Mk 13:14; Hebrews 10: Their names are found written in the book Lk 10:20; Heb 12:23; Rev. 13:8 (the faithful) Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. - The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge)

11 Chapter Twelve: During the days of the Roman Kings There will be a Time of Trouble For the Jews 11 In the twelfth year of Nero [A. D. 66], Cestius Gallus, the president of Syria, came against Jerusalem with a powerful army. He might, says Josephus, War, b. ii c. 19, have assaulted and taken the city, and thereby put an end to the war; but without any just reason, and contrary to the expectation of all, he raised the siege and departed. Josephus remarks, that after Cestius Gallus had raised the siege, many of the principal Jewish people forsook the city, as men do a sinking ship. Vespasian was deputed in the room of Cestius Gallus, who, having subdued all the country [Galilee, A. D. 67], prepared to besiege Jerusalem, and invested it on every side. But the news of Nero s death, and soon after that of Galba, and the disturbances that followed, and the civil wars between Otho and Vitellius, held Vespasian and his son Titus in suspense.

12 Chapter Twelve: During the days of the Roman Kings There will be a Time of Trouble For the Jews 12 Thus the city was not actually besieged in form till after Vespasian was confirmed in the empire [A.D. 69], and Titus was appointed to command the forces in Judea. It was in those incidental delays that the Christians, and indeed several others, provided for their own safety, by flight. Adam Clarke, Clarke s Commentary, new ed. (New York: Abingdon- Cokesbury Press), V, p. 230, comments on Matt. 24:20.

13 Chapter Twelve: During the days of the Roman Kings There will be a Time of Trouble For the Jews 13 Those that heeded the words of Jesus escaped the horrors of the siege. Eusebius and Epiphanius say after Cestius Gallus had raised the siege, and Vespasian was approaching with his army, all who believed in Christ left Jerusalem and fled to Pella, and other places beyond the river Jordan; and so they all marvelously escaped the general shipwreck of their country: not one of them perished. Ibid., p. 229, comments on Matt. 24:16. Josephus says 1,100,000 slain - Josephus, Wars, VI:9:3.

14 The truth of God revealed to Daniel is to be shut up and sealed to the time of the end. The vision is to be preserved, for the fulfillment is in the future. (ie. not in Daniel s Days JC) Notice that the prophecy of Revelation was not to be sealed, for the time is at hand, the beginning of its fulfillment was at hand (Rev. 22:10). In the meantime, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. But to what knowledge does the speaker refer? More than two centuries earlier the prophet Amos wrote, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Amos 8:11-12). Chapter 12:2-3: During the days of the Roman Kings Spiritual Awakening 14

15 The written revelation of God is in the world and available to all, but many go elsewhere in their quest for knowledge. The Preacher stated, of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (man s all, NKJV) (Eccl. 12:12-13). Peter admonished those of like precious faith to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (II Pet. 3:18). James M Booth Workbook on Daniel Chapter 12:2-3: During the days of the Roman Kings Spiritual Awakening 15

16 With the preaching of the gospel there was a spiritual resurrection and a new people of God came forth (Eph. 2:1, 5; Heb. 8:10-11). These shall be the light of the world, preaching the righteousness of God (Matt. 5:14; Rom. 1:16-17; Phil 2:15-16). This is a spiritual resurrection, not as is found in John 5:28-29 but as in Romans 6:1-6. They are written in the book and Jesus calls them the elect in Matt 24:22, obviously this is a reference to the faithful Hebrew Christians. Chapter 12:2-4:The Resurrection of Israel Not the Final Resurrection 16

17 This is the triumph of the Davidic Kingdom over the nations which oppose and hate God: Luke 21:24-28; Heb 12:18-29; Matt 24:29-31 Resurrection is used as a figure in the O.T. of the expectations of the Jews Ezek 37 ; Isa 26:11-21 The Messiah s reign is universal Psa. 2:7-9 But the fact remains that many will be lost Matt 24:9-13, Chapter Twelve 2-4:The Resurrection of Israel Not the Final Resurrection 17

18 The Time, Times & Half Time 1,290 Days & 1,335 Days There are 3 popular views for reckoning the 1,290 days and 1,335 days. # Antiochus IV Epiphanes is the point of reckoning 11:31; 8:11 Thus from Antiochus Epiphanes to the destruction of Jerusalem = 1,290 days The additional forty-five days to the overthrow of Rome. This is a blessings because the kingdom is seen established and those that endure are among the faithful Rev. 2:10 Chapter 12:7; Time of the End Is When The Vision Is Complete 18

19 Chapter 12:7; Time of the End Is When The Vision Is Complete 19 # The Anti-Christ is seen as the reckoning point: This can easily be argued by just showing the errors of the millennial theory. 12:7 --- is against the very notion that the nation of Israel will be restored: Daniel 12:7 and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (KJV) The Jews are to be scattered. Time is the last days and there is no proof that these extend to the present let alone the nearby future.

20 Chapter 12:7; Time of the End Is When The Vision Is Complete 20 # Reckoning from the Roman Power. The daily sacrifices are taken away when Rome/Jews crucified Christ Acts 2:23; John 19:6-22 cf Dan. 9:27. Their power continued from then until the destruction of Jerusalem Luke 21:24; Matt 24:29 The additional forty-five days is until the destruction of Rome 9:27; 11:45; cf Rev. 2:10, 26; 3:5; 3:12, 21. Of the three views I prefer the 1st since Daniel 12:7 clearly applies to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation. Daniel is concerned about the remnant and the Kingdom of Heaven. The 1,290 days and the 1,335 days set the limits of Satan s power and shows that many will endure to the end Rev. 2:10

21 IN CONCLUSION: 21 The bulk of Chapters is concerned with a further detailed treatment of the vision of Chapter 8. We learn the outcome of the Persian and Greek conflict. We see in detail the course of events in Greece after the death of Alexander the Great. We are introduced to the persecution of the righteous remnant during the intertestamental (400 year silence) period.

22 IN CONCLUSION: 22 The simple Message of These Chapters to Daniel is God will preserve His people to the time of the coming of the Messianic Kingdom. The enemy will seek to destroy it and those who serve God in it. However, the Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom and the Dominion an Everlasting Dominion. While it sometimes may appear that Heaven and the Righteous are not victorious: We need to remember that God is in Control. We do not know what He knows or see what He sees. Also, we cannot begin to question why He allows things to continue as they sometimes do. We only know that the blessings belong to those who endure Rev 3:10 & 2:10. And thus, we shall stand and not lose heart.