THE WISE SHALL THE STUDY OF DANIEL UNDERSTAND THE STUDY OF DANIEL ROBERT W. TOZIER

Transcription

1 THE WISE SHALL THE STUDY OF DANIEL UNDERSTAND THE STUDY OF DANIEL ROBERT W. TOZIER 1

2 Creation Revelation Robert & Mary Tozier At Sunrise Southern Baptist Church Las Vegas, NV 2

3 The Wise Shall Understand The Study of Daniel Lesson 21 3

4 Opening Prayer 4

5 The Wise Shall Understand The Study of Daniel Lesson 21 ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES AND THE ANTICHRIST 5

6 LET S REVIEW 6

7 LET S REVIEW Chapter 1: Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and carried Judah into captivity. Daniel and his friends were educated in the Babylonian system, but refused to compromise. Chapter 2: Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream of succeeding world empires until the final kingdom of Christ will appear. Chapter 3: Nebuchadnezzar made an image to be worshipped by all. The three Hebrew children refused to bow down and were miraculously preserved from a fiery furnace after refusing to compromise. 7

8 LET S REVIEW Chapter 4: Nebuchadnezzar had another dream which Daniel interpreted as meaning that Nebuchadnezzar because of his great pride would be made to graze as an animal for seven years, until he learned his lesson. Chapter 5: King Belshazzar through a blasphemous party with the utensils of the Temple of Jerusalem and was defeated and killed that very night as Daniel interpreted the Handwriting on the Wall. Chapter 6: Daniel was promoted by Darius the Mede to a high place, but by intrigue survived the lion s den because he refused to 8 compromise.

9 LET S REVIEW Chapter 7: We now see that Daniel had a dream of four beasts that was interpreted by an angel. The beasts represented the same empires depicted in chapter 2, but with greater detail. The empires were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and revived Rome, and a little horn. Chapter 8: Verses 1-11 add additional details to what we learned in chapter 7 concerning the rise of the Greek Alexander the Great and also of a type of the Antichrist, the Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes who will desecrate the Temple at Jerusalem by slaughtering a pig upon the altar. 9

10 LET S REVIEW DAN 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher 10 came up last. (Continued)

11 LET S REVIEW 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. Continued) 11

12 LET S REVIEW DAN 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had there seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. (Continued) 12

13 LET S REVIEW 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. 13

14 LET S REVIEW 14

15 LET S REVIEW DAN 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 15

16 A LITTLE HORN 16

17 LET S REVIEW DAN 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. The description here was that of Antiochus Epiphanes, a type of the Antichrist to come. He was also Scripturally known as one of the kings of the north as we will learn in Daniel chapter 11. He was the Syrian king, from the legacy of Seleucus, one of Alexander s generals. 17

18 ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES AND THE ANTICHRIST Daniel 8:

19 THE CRIMES OF ANTIOCHUS 19

20 THE CRIMES OF ANTIOCHUS Why is he important to the history of the Jews? He plundered Jerusalem. He outlawed the Jewish religion and replaced it with Greek worship. He outlawed the observance of the Sabbath. He outlawed circumcision. He outlawed the reading of the Scriptures. 20

21 THE CRIMES OF ANTIOCHUS He burned whatever Scriptures he could find. He sacrificed a pig on the altar at the Temple. He set up an idol in the Temple. He compelled Idol worship. He claimed he was God manifest in the flesh. 21

22 THE CRIMES OF ANTIOCHUS The previous list is a small sample of his crimes. Now consider the double prophecy of these same verses of Daniel 8:1-11: 22

23 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY OF DANIEL 8:

24 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY Compare Antiochus Epiphanes to the Antichrist In this double prophecy as Daniel tells you what to look for: Antiochus plundered Jerusalem. The Antichrist will plunder Jerusalem. Antiochus Set up an idol in the Temple. The Antichrist will cause the image of the Beast to be set up in the Temple. Antiochus compelled idol worship. The Antichrist will compel idol worship. 24

25 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY Antiochus ended daily animal sacrifices. The Antichrist will end daily animal sacrifices. Antiochus exalted himself as god. The Antichrist will exalt himself as God. This double prophecy continues now in Daniel 8:12: 25

26 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY DAN 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. A portion, "an host", of the Jews was apostate and did not oppose the outrages of Antiochus. They were under his power. They compromised and embraced the Greek religion. They transgressed. 26

27 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY As a nation, we are compromising. There are those who transgress God by reason of their apostasy. Our nation's people are embracing the god of humanism, kicking God from His throne and the temple of their hearts. They support the murder of the unborn, and they permit spiritually and morally corrupt leaders without holding them accountable. 27

28 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY Our rebellion will give power over the nation to the Antichrist because the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross and his saving grace is rejected by the apostate people. The people will prefer lies instead of the truth. Just as Antiochus himself attacked the Scriptures, the Scriptures are attacked, ridiculed, and rejected today. 28

29 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY REV 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. 2TH 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 29

30 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Look again at Daniel 8:12: DAN 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. 30

31 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY Against the daily sacrifice indicated that he had power even over the daily sacrifice to the extent that he was able to substitute a heathen worship. He cast truth to the ground by his opposition to God, by his opposition to Israel, and by his hatred of the Mosaic Law. He was able to do his will (whatever he practiced ) with impunity (his will prospered ). 31

32 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY DAN 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint [angel] said unto that certain saint [angel] which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? Antiochus persecuted the Jews and profaned the Temple between 171 to 165BC. 32

33 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY This conversation was taking place between angels. They were asking how long would the Temple be allowed to be profaned? This is referring to Antiochus Epiphanes desecration of the Temple, but it is similar to the actions of the future Antichrist as revealed in the prophecy of Daniel 9:27. 33

34 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY DAN 9:27 And he [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he [Antichrist] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. 34

35 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24:15: MAT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 35

36 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY So Antiochus is a foreshadow or type of the Antichrist to come. The angels of Daniel 8:13 are asking, how long will the persecutions and abominations of Antiochus to God, Israel, and the Temple be allowed to continue? Because of the similarity to the actions of the Antichrist to come, the angels might as well be asking, when will the persecutions and abominations of the Antichrist in the endtime Tribulation be brought to a close? 36

37 THE DOUBLE PROPHECY In that case, the angels might have asked: How long would it take for this Vision of the Antichrist to be fulfilled? How long will God let the Antichrist have authority over the animal sacrifices at the temple? How long will God let the Temple be desolate because of the rebellion? How long will God let the sanctuary [the Temple] be under the Antichrist's control? How long will God let his people be under the Antichrist's power? 37

38 2300 DAYS 38

39 2300 DAYS DAN 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. According to H. A. Ironside in his commentary on Daniel, from the time the Temple was polluted by the sacrifice of a pig by Antiochus Epiphanes until it was cleansed again for Jehovah s service was 2,300 days. 39

40 2300 DAYS God will reject the reinstated animal sacrifices in the rebuilt end-time Tribulation Temple as rebellion against the true sacrifice of Christ. In the not too distant future the Temple once more will be desecrated, this time by the Antichrist. There are those in Jerusalem today preparing for the rebuilding of the Temple and the commencement of sacrifices. 40

41 2300 DAYS In light of this it is possible that these 2300 days may also refer to the time during which the Jewish people will be persecuted and the Temple will be desecrated and then cleansed when the Lord returns. Let s look closely at this prospect. 41

42 2300 DAYS It is important that we understand that we have seen a little horn in two chapters, first in chapter 7 and now in chapter 8. That they are two distinct persons can be demonstrated. In chapter 7 we saw the future Antichrist. Now in chapter 8 we are introduced to the type that foreshadows the Antichrist yet to come. The differences between the two is illustrated by Renald Showers as follows: 42

43 2300 DAYS Little Horn of Chapter 7 (Antichrist) 1. Would come from Rome (fourth kingdom). 2. Would be an eleventh horn rooting up three of ten horns. 3. Would persecute God s people for 42 months or 3-1/2 years. Little Horn of Chapter 8 (Antiochus) 1. Would come from Greece (third kingdom) 2. Would be a fifth horn, coming out of one of four horns. 3. Would persecute God s people for 2, days or over 6 years.

44 2300 DAYS Both the Antichrist and Antiochus would elevate themselves to the position of God. First, we see the Antichrist in Daniel 7 and again in 2 Thess 2. He thinks to change the times and laws of Moses, which is God s prerogative only: DAN 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws. 44

45 2300 DAYS 2 THESS 2:4 Who [Antichrist] opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Next, we see Antiochus Epiphanes in Daniel 8: DAN 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 45

46 2300 DAYS The starting point of the 2,300 days is uncertain as it might (or if it) relates to the future Antichrist, but the persecution of the Jews by Antiochus Epiphanes can be shown to have lasted 2300 days, between 171BC and 164BC when Judas Maccabeus cleansed the Temple. Judas Maccabeus, having captured the temple mount, he destroyed the altar of the Olympian Zeus, built a new altar, rebuilt the temple, and selected a priest who had remained faithful to Yahweh. 46

47 2300 DAYS Thus on 25 Chislev (Dec. 14) 164 [BC], exactly three years after its desecration, the temple was rededicated and the daily sacrifices were restored (1 Macc 4:36-59; 2 Macc 10:1-8; Josephus Ant. xii.7.6 f [ ]). This event marked the beginning of the Jewish Feast of Dedication or Lights (Hanukkah). 47

48 2300 DAYS Some liberal commentators believe that this prophecy has been fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, but others believe it refers to the future prophecies concerning the Tribulation, the Antichrist, and the Temple. It may, as I believe, refer to both; one as a type (Antiochus Epiphanes) and the other the future fulfillment (the Antichrist). 48

49 2300 DAYS A Biblical, or lunar, month is 30 days. The year would be 360 days. Therefore the seven year tribulation would be 7 X 360 = 2520 days. All other time periods in Daniel should be calculated using this method. A rough calculation of the 2300 days, if it might apply for the Tribulation Temple to be cleansed, goes like this: 49

50 2300 DAYS 2300 days / 360 days per month = 6.39 years. Cleansing of Temple 171 BC BC = 6(+) years. 7 years years = 0.61 year. 12 months x 0.61 year = 7.32 months. 50

51 2300 DAYS 51

52 2300 DAYS 52

53 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER {The Interpretation of the Vision} 53

54 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER DAN 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 54

55 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER It is uncertain who is speaking here, but it may be the voice of God, the angel Michael, or Christ. Whoever it is, he is directing his instructions to Gabriel to make Daniel understand the vision. Gabriel is the first of two angels to be named in Scripture, the other is Michael. Gabriel is also found in Dan 9:21; Luke 1:19 and 26; Michael is found in Dan 10:13 and 21; Dan 12:1; Jude 1:9; and Rev 12:7. 55

56 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER DAN 8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 56

57 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER "The time of the end" refers to the end of the time of the Gentiles, not the end of the world. The time of the end and the indignation are synonyms referring to the same time period. This time is the period of time that God is angry with Israel, which, beginning in the 730sBC, includes the Assyrian conquest and captivity, proceeding through the Babylonian captivity. 57

58 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER It also includes the dispersal of the Jews at the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD, and concludes with the time of the Great Tribulation ending with the Second Coming of Christ. This is the time of the Gentiles. It can be said that the time of the Gentiles refers to God s program for the Gentiles, while the indignation refers to God s plan for Israel during the same period of time. 58

59 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER It also includes the dispersal of the Jews at the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD, and concludes with the time of the Great Tribulation ending with the Second Coming of Christ. This is the time of the Gentiles. It can be said that the time of the Gentiles refers to God s program for the Gentiles, while the indignation refers to God s plan for Israel during the same period of time. 59

60 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER The "last end of the indignation" mentioned here refers to the vials, or bowls of God's wrath, which will be poured out to break the stronghold of the Antichrist on the earth. The early bowls will be directed against the Antichrist's seat of power and the later ones will be for the preparation of Armageddon (See Revelation 16). 60

61 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER This is why the church will be raptured before this. We were not appointed to suffer God's wrath. We will have persecution and tribulation by man, but when God's wrath is poured out it is not poured out on his faithful. This is his promise. 1TH 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 61

62 ALEXANDER S FOUR GENERALS 62

63 ALEXANDER S FOUR GENERALS DAN 8:20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 63

64 ALEXANDER S FOUR GENERALS This is a clear reference to Alexander the Great of Macedonia. Alexander was the "first king" of the Empire of Greece. The four generals of Alexander divided his kingdom but did not achieve his great power. 64

65 THE RISE AND FALL OF A WORLD LEADER 65

66 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER DAN 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Continued) 66

67 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. 27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, 67 but none understood it.

68 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER In the latter time of their kingdom refers to the latter part of the four kingdoms that were split from Alexander s empire. In the latter time a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences certainly refers here to Antiochus Epiphanes, who came to power at the end of the Syrian kingdom. But, as a type or foreshadowing, the prophecy might also have a double fulfillment in that it could also be applied to the coming Antichrist. 68

69 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER In this regard, the expressions he shall stand up against the Prince of princes (v. 25) the end (vv. 17 and 19), and the last of the indignation (v. 19) are difficult to harmonize with Antiochus Epiphanes. The Antichrist will have access to forbidden secrets of the occult and eastern religions, and have mastery of satanic knowledge and mysteries. He will dazzle the people with marvelous ways of doing things. 69

70 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER He will get his power from Satan, and lead many to follow his satanic ways. Everything he does will succeed. He will have the answer to all the world problems, but he will bring destruction. The transgressors are apostate Jews, not pagan Gentiles. Renald Showers writes: 70

71 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER The end-time world leader will do the following: He shall cause craft to prosper - He will use deceit or cunning to achieve his goals. He is thoroughly corrupt and treacherous. He shall magnify himself - He will exalt himself. He will consider himself superior and think that what he does is right because he is better than others. By peace (treachery) - He will make covenants and treaties to lull people into a false sense of security. Then he will break 71 them.

72 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER Shall destroy many - Many people, deceived by his treachery and false covenants will be struck down and will perish. He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes (Jesus) - He will be against Christ [Antichrist]. With an army he will wage war against Jesus. He shall be broken - He will be cast alive into the Lake of Fire. Broken without hand - No human power will destroy him, only the King of kings and Lord of lords will. 72

73 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER "Craft" means cunning or deceit; wickedness will prosper. The "Prince of princes" is a sure reference to God (Jesus). That this king stands up against the Prince of princes is another valid reason to apply this prophecy to the future world ruler known as Antichrist. The Antichrist will come to a swift end. Antiochus Epiphanes came to a fairly sudden end from complications of ulcers and worms. 73

74 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER With a quickening pace we are being led by our leaders, and propagandized by the controlled media, toward a global society or world government. We are fast approaching the time when it will be possible for one man to lead all the nations of the world under a one world government. In recent years, U.N. influence has crept into our national policy, education system, science, culture, and environment." 74

75 A FUTURE WORLD LEADER We will have world government and our leaders are leading us to that reality. We are losing our sovereignty as an independent nation. The vision is for a future time. The revelations made Daniel ill. He was astonished. 75

76 End of The Study of Daniel Lesson 21 76

77 Closing Prayer 77

78 Creation Revelation Robert & Mary Tozier At Sunrise Southern Baptist Church Las Vegas, NV 78