Lesson Number Fifty Four Chapter Ten Twelve [The Time Of The End]

Transcription

1 Lesson Number Fifty Four Chapter Ten Twelve [The Time Of The End]

2 Daniel The Circumstances 2 Daniel saw the vision which this chapter records in 536 BC; it is the last recorded revelation that this illustrious man received. We have followed Daniel s history from 606 BC, so, if he was a teenager when Nebuchadnezzar deported him in that year, he would have been around ninety at the time he saw this vision. This vision, like its three predecessors, expanded on the outline of all history given to Daniel to pass on to the human race. In its case, though, there is considerably less explanation; but the reason for this is revealed in 10:1 which informs us that Daniel both understood the message and this vision. So Daniel s growing experience of visions was educating him in their interpretation; this means we can use the understanding we have gained of his earlier visions as a key to interpreting this vision.

3 This vision includes an astonishingly detailed revelation of the future course of the Greek Empire, so much so that it has long been a favorite battleground for rationalist critics of the Bible who argue that its detailed depiction of events is so precisely correct that it clearly had to be written after the event. As these critics deny the supernatural, they resort to rejecting the historical claims for the writing of the text and date it after the predictions it makes. However, as we noted in our earlier studies, Daniel was translated into Greek before its predictions of Antiochus Epiphanes, in particular, had been fulfilled, so its supernatural character is established beyond rational rebuttal. Daniel The Circumstances 3

4 Daniel The Circumstances 4 And this is precisely the point, for the foundational principle of prophecy is that it is supernatural so as to provide incontrovertible proof that the prophet was indeed nothing more than God s mouthpiece. Deuteronomy 18:18-20 (NKJV) - 18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 19 And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. The New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

5 Daniel The Circumstances 5 THE TEST OF A TRUE or FALSE PROPHET: Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NKJV) 21 And if you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken? 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. The New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson. This fact has never changed even today!

6 Daniel The Circumstances 6 THE TEST OF THE TRUE GOD vrs The False Idols of Old: Isaiah 41:21-24 (NKJV) - 21 Present your case, says the Lord. Bring forth your strong reasons, says the King of Jacob. 22 Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they were, That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come. 23 Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see it together. 24 Indeed you are nothing, And your work is nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination. The New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

7 Daniel The Circumstances THE TEST OF THE TRUE GOD vrs The False Idols of Old: Isaiah 48:5 (NKJV) - 5 Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, My idol has done them, And my carved image and my molded image Have commanded them. The New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 7

8 H.W. Everest has suggested the following criteria for true prophecy: The event must be beyond the power of man to foresee. It must be demonstrated that the prediction was made before the event. The prediction must be applicable to the event. The language of the prediction must be unambiguous and unmistakable. The prediction must have a clear and demonstrable fulfillment. Via The Divine Demonstration 1972 p. 260 Daniel The Circumstances 8

9 Daniel The Circumstances 9 This vision starts at Daniel s historical setting (11:1 2) and projects itself into the latter days (10:14), so it s broad in its sweep. It can be outlined as follows: Chapter 10: The vision introduced :1-9 The purpose of the vision :10-17 Greece is about to vanquish Persia :18-21 Chapter 11: The course of Persian history :1-2 Alexander the Great s conquests :3-4

10 Daniel The Circumstances 10 Conflict between Egypt and Syria :5-19 Syrian oppression of Israel and the Beast Antiochus IV Epiphanes :20-35 The Beginning of the 4th Worldwide Empire :36-45 Chapter 12: Israel in Tribulation (Jewish Christians?) :1-4 The timing of the End :5-13

11 Daniel The Circumstances 11 Reigns Covered Timeline B.C. Years Verses Years Per Verse Four Persian Kings Alexander the Great Seleucids/ Ptolemy's (146 not dealt with) Seleucus IV Antiochus Epiphanes

12 Daniel 10: The Circumstances 12 It is the 3rd year of Cyrus 10:1; 9:1; 11:1 Daniel is fasting and praying for 3 weeks 10:2-3 At this point in time Daniel sees a vision of warfare. Daniel sees a man whose is brilliant in appearance 10:4-6 The five features described: body/chrysolite; face/lightning; eyes/torches; limbs/ bronze; voice/multitude) can also be found in the descriptions of the creatures that bear the chariot throne in Ezekiel 1.

13 Daniel 10: The Circumstances 13 Daniel faints 10:7-9 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Daniel is touched and stands upright 10:10-12

14 The man comes immediately, but was hindered. He tells Daniel that He is loved. He tells Daniel that His prayer has been heard. He tells Daniel the Prince of Persia withstood him for 21 days. The man said Michael the Great Prince of the Jews came to help (10:13,21; 12) This implies the demonic beings and righteous angels in conflict with regards to matters pertaining to the world. Hailey notes it may be the conflict between the garden of Eden and the Salvation found in the Kingdom of Christ. What the Angel Revealed About Current Events in the Unseen World: 14

15 The exact details of the HOW and the WHY are unknown. This man had come to reveal what would happen to the Jews in the future 10:13; cf Gen 49:1; Deut 4:30; 31:29; Num 24:14. The angel revealed this to Daniel These things concerned his people 10:14. May be a continuation from 9:24-27 The things seen refer to the Kings of Persia and Greece. It must be noted that this is really just a broadening of the vision of Chapter 8. What the Angel Revealed About Current Events in the Unseen World: 15

16 The four Kings who followed after Cyrus are: Cambyses Smerdis Darius Hystaspis (Darius the Great) Xerxes (In Esther Ahasuerus) The fourth King will enter into conflict with the Greeks. This was Xerxes Esther 1:3-4 History reveals the running conflict with the Greeks. A king of Greece would stand up against Persia Dan. 8:5-21 The Angel Reveals What Will Happen in Persia 16