Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 31, 2014 Be Ready For Tribulation Background: Daniel 9:1-12:13 Lesson: Daniel 9:20-27; 12:9-13

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 31, 2014 Be Ready For Tribulation Background: Daniel 9:1-12:13 Lesson: Daniel 9:20-27; 12:9-13 Motivation: Daniel s amazing prophecy contained in this study gives God s overall plan for the ages. It is specific to the point of individual intrigues but so broad in scope as to affect every person. Contained within are great studies in prayer and spiritual warfare. Examination: I. Praying About Desolation (9:1-27) A. Daniel s Confusion and Intercession Whereas Daniel s previous revelations had come by way of dreams and visions, this insight came through a study of Jeremiah s prophecy. Daniel s prayer is a superb example of talking to God; notice the elements of prayer using the ACTS acrostic: A = Adoration Ah Lord, great and awe-inspiring God (4) Daniel begins by praising God, establishing God s rightful place of praise. God keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands. (4) C = Confession we have sinned (5-13) Daniel confesses in specific terms to wickedness and rebellion (5), to ignoring the prophets (6), to unfaithfulness (7), to disobedience (10), and to transgression of the law (11) on behalf of God s people. 1 / 10

2 T = Thanksgiving Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God ( 9) The primary purpose of Daniel s prayer is repentance for the sins of Israel. However, thanksgiving is certainly implied: for God s faithfulness and mercy (4), for His precepts and judgments (5), for His prophets (6), for His righteousness (7, 14), for His mercy and forgiveness (9), for His deliverance from Egypt (15), and for your abundant compassions (18). S = Supplication presenting our petitions before you (18) Daniel understood that the people still had not repented (13). Daniel interceded for the people and prayed for forgiveness and restoration (14-19). B. Vision of the 70 Weeks (9:20-27) The 70 weeks are usually interpreted as weeks of years, thus 490 total years. One key to understanding the first 69 weeks is that the Jewish calendar was based on a lunar year of 360 days (Gen. 7:11, 24; 8:3-4). 1. Appearance of Gabriel While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my petition before Yahweh my God concerning the holy mountain of my God while I was praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the first vision, came to me in my extreme weariness, about the time of the evening offering. He gave me this explanation: Daniel, I ve come now to give you understanding. At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. So considered the message and understand the vision: (9:20-23) Gabriel s second appearance in the book came about the time of the evening offering (3-4 pm). Unfortunately, the sacrifice can no longer be offered because the temple no longer exists. Daniel s extreme weariness was a result of fasting, sackcloth and ashes (9:3). The appearance of Gabriel is recorded only four times in the Bible, twice to Daniel (8:15-27), once to Zechariah (Luke 1:8-20) and once to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). 2. Arrival of Righteousness Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city to bring the rebellion to an end, to put a stop to sin, to wipe away iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. (24) HCSB, p. 1451: 9:24 Seventy weeks probably refers to 70 periods of seven years, or 490 years, during which six objectives would be accomplished. The first three pertain to bringing rebellion sin 2 / 10

3 , and iniquity to an end. The final three relate to consummating prophetic events by bringing in a kingdom of everlasting righteousness, fulfilling vision and prophecy and setting apart the most holy place (lit the holy of holies ), referring to a yet future, literal, millennial temple (cp. Ezk 40-48). 3. Accounting of Time Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. (9:25) Jeremiah prophesied that the people would be in captivity for 70 years (2 Chronicles 36:20) reclaiming the sabbatical years prescribed by the covenant which had been ignored. The decree probably refers to that of Artaxerxes in 444 B.C. authorizing Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 2:1-8). HCSB, p. 1451: 9:25 There will be a period of seven weeks of years (49 years) followed by 62 weeks of years (434 years), making a total of 69 weeks of years or 483 years from the decree until the coming of Messiah the Prince. The starting point of the prophecy would have begun on Nisan 1 (March 5), 444 B. C., followed by 69 weeks of 360 day biblical/prophetic years or 173, 880 days, and culminated on Nisan 10 (March 30), A.D. 33, the date of Jesus the Messiah s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Lk 19:28-40). 4. After the 62 Weeks After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. (9:26) HCSB, p : 9:26 Several events are said to follow the seven weeks and the 62 weeks (or the 69 weeks). First, the Messiah would be cut off, a prediction of the death of the Messiah Jesus. Thus, the book of Daniel, written in the sixth 3 / 10

4 century B.C., predicted not only the precise date of the Messiah s coming (v. 25) but also that the Messiah would be put to death some time before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified in A.D.33 (A.D. 30 according to some interpreters). Second, the people of the coming prince would destroy the city of Jerusalem and the second temple. The coming prince probably is a reference to the future ruler described as the little horn in Daniel 7, also known as the beast or the antichrist. He is not said to be the one to destroy Jerusalem and the temple; rather it is his people who will do it. Since Daniel 7 clearly viewed this ruler as coming from the fourth major world power, or Rome, this prophecy predicts that the Romans would destroy Jerusalem, as they did in A.D. 70. Third, there appears to be a significant time gap from the end of the sixty-ninth week to the beginning of the seventieth week. 5. Appearance of Antichrist He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator. (9:27) HCSB, p. 1452: 9:27 The final seven-year period, or the seventieth week, will begin when he (the coming prince) will make a firm covenant of peace with many in the leadership of Israel. Although some consider the prince to be Messiah, he is more accurately identified as the antichrist, who will desecrate the future temple and put a stop to the worship there. This covenant is yet future and will mark the beginning of a time of oppression of the Jewish people called a time of trouble for Jacob (Jr 30:7) or the tribulation period (Mt 24:29; Mk 13:24). In the middle of the week, or after the first three and one-half years, the antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, leading to a time of unprecedented persecution of the Jewish people (Mt 24:21; Mk 13:19) and followers of Jesus (Rv 7:14) that will last for another three and one-half years (Dn 7:25; Rv 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:5). When the antichrist breaks his covenant, he will also put a stop to sacrifice in the rebuilt temple (7:25) and will commit the abomination of desolation (Mt 24:15). Desecrating the temple and declaring himself to be God (2 Th 2:4; Rv 13:5-7). The antichrist s oppression and abominations will continue until God s decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator (11:45; Rv 19:20). 4 / 10

5 II. Seeing Cosmic Conflict (10:1 11:35) A. A Vision of Christ (1-6) Compare Daniel s description in 5-6 with John s description of Jesus in Rev. 1: B. A Vivid Conflict (10-13) Following Daniel s deep sleep (9), an angelic messenger was sent to comfort him. His tale of spiritual warfare with the Prince of the kingdom of Persia and spiritual reinforcement from Michael reminds us of Ephesians 6:12 for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Col. 1:16-17) 1. Very real warfare Christians need to realize that they re in the midst of battle every day. Just because it s not revealed by our five senses, doesn t make it any less real. In the short term, God s forces can be delayed and even defeated, but we can hasten the day of His coming by evangelism. (Heb. 1:4) 2. Very real warriors Angels are battling for us; Satan s minions oppose us. 3. Very real weapons Ephesians 6:13 instructs us to know our weapons and use both armor and weapons. C. A Verdict of Compassion (18-19) Don t be afraid, you are treasured by God. Peace to you, be very strong. As He spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my Lord speak for you have strengthened me. (10:19) Daniel confessed to extreme weariness (9:21). God sent his angel to instruct him but also to strengthen him with physical touch and words of encouragement (10:18). 5 / 10

6 D. A View of Combat Between Persia and Greece (11:2-4) A. three more kings refers to Cambyses, Smerdis, and Darius Hystaspis. B. the fourth shall be far richer refers to Xerxes. C. a warrior king will arise Alexander the Great. D. his kingdom will be broken up and divided the four winds represent his four generals who inherited the empire Ptolemy, Seleucus I, Cassander, and Lysimachus. E. A Violent Century and a Half (11:5-20) Detailed and specific prophecies were fulfilled in Ptolemy II (king of the south), his daughter, Berenice, and Antiochus Theos (king of the north). F. A Vile Conqueror (11:21-35) This passage describes Antiochus Epiphanes, a type of Antichrist, who was defeated by the Maccabean revolt in 164 B.C. celebrated by the Jews through the festival of Chanukah which Jesus observed in John 10:22. III. Foreseeing the Final Distress (11:36-12:3) Introduced by the phrase until the end of time (35), verses seems to describe the Antichrist of the latter 3 ½ years of Daniel s 70 th week. So, the vision shifts from the historical Antiochus to the Antichrist of the future He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed (11:36). A. Remnant HCSB, p : 12:1 At that time refers to the events predicted in the previous paragraph (11:36-45), which details the antichrist s furious attempt to destroy and annihilate the Jewish people (11:44). Then the archangel Michael who stands watch 6 / 10

7 over the Jewish people will rise to their defense to preserve them (see note at 10:12-13; cp. Rv 12:7). This will be necessary because the great tribulation (the second half of Daniel s seventieth week; Dn 9:27) will be a time of unprecedented distress. Despite the horrific nature of the persecution of Israel, the result will be that the surviving remnant of the Jewish nation will turn in faith to their Messiah Jesus (Zch 12:10; Rm 11:25-27) and He will deliver them. The book refers to the heavenly Book of Life in which the names of the elect are listed (Ps 69:28; Php 4:3; Rv 13:8; 17:8; 20:15). B. Resurrection Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt. (12:2) HCSB, p. 1457: 12:2 Following the deliverance of Israel, there will be a resurrection of those who sleep in the dust. This verse does not imply any kind of soul sleep before the resurrection since the faithful go to be with God instantly upon dying (2 Cor 5:8; Php 1:21-23) and the faithless go to a place of suffering also immediately upon dying (Lk 16:22-23). The word sleep is used as a metaphor to emphasize the temporary state of bodily death before being physically raised at the resurrection (cp. Jn 11:11-15). Although telescoped together here (as is common in prophecy), the resurrection of the faithful and the unfaithful are two distinct event separated by the one-thousand-year messianic kingdom (Rv 20:4-6). Daniel 12:2 contains the clearest statement of resurrections in the OT, but by no means is it the only one (cp. Jb 19:25-27; Is 26:19). C. Redeemed Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 12:3 A beautiful promise for those who receive eternal life and for soul winners who proclaim the good news. IV. Going on With Life (12:4-13) He said, Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. The one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed. But as for 7 / 10

8 you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days. (12:9-13) Time, times and half a time (7) is 3 ½ years, the Great Tribulation. 1,2 90 days (11), 1,335 days (12) is possibly a double allusion, first to the Great Tribulation, (thirty days of transition featuring the treachery of the Antichrist) and to the early days of the Millennial kingdom. Therefore, we should get on with what we ve been instructed to do. Concerning the end times, God s sovereign plan is in motion and will happen according to His design. We should be aware of the broad strokes, but not spend a lot of time finalizing the details. It s going to happen and we can t change it. God did not place us on the program committee, but rather, the invitation committee. Application: 1. A person of God should be a person of prayer. 1 Thes. 5: The accuracy of Biblical prophecy confirms the authority of God s Word. Isa. 46: Spiritual warfare demands spiritual soldiers and spiritual weapons. 2 Cor. 10: Although evil sometimes seems unstoppable, God s people will triumph. 1 John 4:2-4 Leader Pack Item 22: Four Views of the 70 Weeks Illustrator: p. 72: The Exile as a Curse: Daniel s Understanding **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: org 8 / 10

9 Dates: 8/29 HFBC Minute Maid Park; 9/1 - Labor Day Offices closed; 9/3 Milestone Classes start; 9/7 Adult 2 Rally; 9/7- Deacon s mtg./ Church conference; 9/12 Pastor s Anniversary Event; 9/12-14 Single Parent Family Camp; 9/13 Men: Serve; 9/14 LBS Leadership Luncheon; 9/17-19 Ed D6 Conf; 9/21 MIYCO; 9/25 Summit Celebrates; 10/3-4 Women s Retreat; 10/5 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conf.; 10/11 Girl Meets World event; 10/19 Lord s Supper; 10/19 Parent Commitment; 10/23 Pathfinder Dinner at Hunt; 10/25 Summit Hoedown/ Men: Serve; 10/26 FBA Day; 10/31 First Fest/Light the Night; 11/2 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conference; 11/4 Election Day; 11/9 Mission Trip Reveal Lunch; 9 / 10

10 11/14 Work Conference; 11/16 Make it Your Church Orientation; 11/19 Last Midlink; 11/23 Christmas Store Collection; 11/23 Preschool DTW Appreciation Lunch/AMP/Wired; 11/27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday, church offices closed; 11/30 No LBS; 12/6 Christmas Store; 12/6 ReCreate: Date Night; 12/13 Deacon Christmas Party; 12/14 HUB Christmas Event-Palooza; 12/24-25 Christmas Holiday, church offices closed; 12/28 No LBS; 12/31 Summit New Year s Eve Party. 10 / 10