V Daniel s Vision of the END a DANIEL 11:36-12:13...and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation... and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book... But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time he t of the end. 8
MARVIN J. ROSENTHAL DANIEL CHAPTER 12 1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. DANIEL 9 Daniel was excited, concerned, and probably above all else curious as to what was going to happen to his people, the Holy City, and the Temple. These emotions of the almost ninety-year-old prophet were certainly justified. While reading the writings of Jeremiah, his contemporary, a prophet of God, Daniel, noted that Israel s Babylonian captivity was to last seventy years (Jeremiah 25:12), and Daniel realized that the God-given time indicators for the length of the captivity had been reached. In response to Daniel s prayer, ( Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord s sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies, Daniel 9:17-18), God sent the angel Gabriel to reveal to Daniel a broad outline of what many Bible teachers have called the backbone of prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27).The prophecy revealed that seventy sevens of years would bring Israel s history to an end. DANIEL 10 Time passed and we don t know how long, and we read: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia [the kingdom that conquered the Babylonians] a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision (Daniel 10:1). This vision that was now given to Daniel was the last of the four visions which were given to Daniel and it was easily the longest of the Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal Executive Director Zion s Hope ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 9
COVER FEATURE Daniel s Vision of the End the onehundredyear conflict The more-thanone-hundred-year conflict between Egypt and Syria are important biblically for two towering reasons. First, Israel was in the middle of the two fighting nations. Secondly, a man arose out of Syria who became a great persecutor of Israel and is set forth in God s Word as the Antichrist. four. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth chapters of Daniel contain the vision. An angelic being was the messenger who brought the vision to Daniel. However, he noted that there was interference in getting the message to Daniel. The messenger said: But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia (Daniel 10:13). The prince of the kingdom of Persia refers to a fallen angelic being who was attempting to keep the vision from getting through to Daniel. The angelic messenger explains this demonic opposition to Daniel, adding the length of time that he and the fallen angel battled was twenty-one days (Daniel 10:13). The angelic messenger noted that the purpose for his coming was to reveal to Daniel what will befall his people in the latter days. The opposition of the fallen angel was so strong that Michael, the archangel was called alongside to help so that the answers to Daniel s prayers could get through (Daniel 10:21). DANIEL 11 In the eleventh chapter, as part of Daniel s vision, he is given to see in great detail the lengthy conflict between the nations of Syria and Egypt, both of which had been part of the Grecian Empire of Alexander the Great. After his death, his empire was divided up into four parts. Egypt reverted back to its indigenous culture. And Syria continued to embrace the Greek culture which was spread by Alexander through his philosophers during his rapid conquests. The more-than-one-hundred-year conflict between Egypt and Syria are important biblically for two towering reasons. First, Israel was in the middle of the two fighting nations. At that time Israel was weak and a vassal nation. And, like a revolving door, she had to pay tribute and be influenced by the nation which dominated at any given time. And secondly, a man arose out of Syria who became a great persecutor of Israel and is set forth in God s Word as a type of the Antichrist. THE PRECURSOR In the July-August issue of Zion s Fire, I dealt with the satanic reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. He ruled Syria from 175 to 163 B.C. He was a vile and wicked persecutor of the nation of Israel. He had his soldiers murder multitudes of the Jewish people and attempted to put an end to the practice of Judaism and observance of the Mosaic Law. In its place, he promoted the worship of Zeus (Jupiter). To that end he implemented a terrible abomination (a defilement to the worship of God) by sacrificing a pig on the altar and placing a statue of Zeus in the holy of holies. A heroic uprising by the Maccabees broke Herod s grip over the land, and the Jewish people were able to rededicate their Temple, cleanse it, and reclaim it for worship of Yahweh. Antiochus served as a precursor of the Antichrist who will come on the stage of human history at the end of the age. The things that Antiochus did to the Jewish people typifies what Antichrist will do at the end of the age. The big difference between the two is the scale on which Antichrist will commit his atrocities. Whereas Antiochus satanic activities were limited to the small piece of real estate separating Syria and Egypt, Antichrist s arena during the Great Tribulation will be centered in Jerusalem but have a ripple effect that will impact much of the world. Also, Antichrist will at first focus his satanic work against the Jewish people and that will be followed by the terrible persecution of Bible-believing Christians who refuse to give him their allegiance or take his mark. We will continue our look at Antichrist s reign and what follows, especially as it pertains to Israel. GRECIAN OR ROMAN EMPIRE? My previous article concluded at Daniel 11:35. As we come to verse 36, the overwhelming majority of commentators believe this is where the text moves from Antiochus (the type) to Antichrist (the substance) at the end of the age. This follows the same pattern of Daniel, Chapter 8. There, the focus is on the goat, which clearly represents the Grecian Empire, and then shifts to 10 ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
MARVIN J. ROSENTHAL a discussion of Antichrist at the end of the age. Verses 20 through 25 of Chapter 8 read as follows: The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 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. 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. 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. Concerning these verses, The Liberty Annotated Study Bible says: many believe that the description here transcends that of Antiochus alone, and uses him as a type of Antichrist who will oppose Christ during the Great Tribulation. Certainly the devious work of Antiochus and of Antichrist is of the same heinous character. Many commentators believe Daniel 8 speaks of Antiochus Epiphanes who comes out of the Grecian Empire, and then jumps to Antichrist at the end of the age. However, though Antiochus is a type of Antichrist, there can t be a discussion of events occurring in the Grecian Empire and then switch gears to another king who is going to arise from the Roman Empire, as many Bible teachers believe. However, since the end of Chapter 8 is speaking of Antichrist, then he must come from the region of Syria (as noted earlier, Syria was part of the Grecian Empire of Alexander the Great). THE KING WHO WILL COME Daniel 11:36 reads: And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. We are now at the time of the end (v. 35), and all discussion of Antiochus Epiphanes is behind us. We are also in the Great Tribulation, which is part of the final three-and-one-half-year period of Daniel s Seventieth Week (see Daniel 9: The Backbone of Prophecy in the May-June issue of Zion s Fire). It is during this final half of Daniel s Seventieth Week that Antichrist will reveal his true character. During the first three-and-onehalf years of Daniel s Seventieth Week, he will pass himself off as a man of peace, especially in regard to Israel, with whom he will make a seven-year covenant but break it off at the halfway point of the Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:27). This is the abomination of desolation of which the Lord speaks (Matthew 24:15). When this happens, Antichrist will show himself to be a blasphemer who denounces the God of Heaven and will proclaim himself to be God. Verse 37 tells us more about Antichrist: Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. This verse is the reason why quite a few Bible teachers believe Antichrist will be Jewish. They see the phrase his fathers as referring to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That Antichrist will have no regard for them indicates, they argue, that he will be Jewish but will abandon his people and faith. The phrase, the desire of women, they believe and with credibility refers to Jesus. In ancient Israel, a pregnant woman would live with the expectation that she was carrying in her womb Israel s long-promised Messiah; hence, the Messiah was the desire of women. However, the Book of Daniel focuses on the time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24), when there was no divinelythe Great Tribulation the Great Tribulation, is part of the final three-and-one-halfyear period of Daniel s Seventieth Week (See Daniel 9: The Backbone of Prophecy in the May-June issue of Zion s Fire). ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 11
COVER FEATURE Daniel s Vision of the End Antichrist He will be godless (i.e., he will not believe in any deity). He will honor only himself Antichrist will not only be against the true and living God, but will claim that he is God, the One who can cure all of the earth s ills and usher in a period of joy, goodness, and light. Millions of people at the end of the age will buy into these boastful claims, which will be the ultimate manifestation of humanism the deification of man. appointed king from the tribe of Judah and family of David ruling over Israel. Instead, the nation is under Gentile authority, ruling out a Jewish Antichrist. Furthermore, the text should read gods of his fathers, not God of his fathers (italic added). This changes the meaning from Yahweh (God) to all the pagan deities (gods) of all the world leaders who came before him. Antichrist will have as little regard for them as he does for the one, true God of the Universe. In essence, this man will be godless (i.e., he will not believe in any deity). I remind you that in Daniel we are dealing with the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a Gentile kingdom at the end of the age. This end-time empire as its predecessor empires will persecute Israel. Far from honoring any deity real or heathen Antichrist will honor only himself, as we read, for he shall magnify himself above all. In the Greek, the word anti means against and instead of. Antichrist will not only be against the true and living God, but will claim that he is God, the One who can cure all of the earth s ills and usher in a period of joy, goodness, and light. Millions of people at the end of the age will buy into these boastful claims, which will be the ultimate manifestation of humanism the deification of man. Though Antichrist will be godless, he will believe in something: But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things (v. 38). Antichrist will believe in military strength the God of forces and will use his military power to increase his influence. He will also be a worshipper of money and will accumulate vast riches gold silver, and... precious stones. With his power and wealth, Antichrist will do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain (v. 39). The god whom his fathers knew not of verse 38 and the strange god of verse 39 could be referring to Satan, with whose help Antichrist will grow in might and prestige ( glory ) and become wealthier by selling the land for gain. OPPOSITION TO ANTICHRIST Despite Antichrist s power, not everyone will follow him; he will encounter serious opposition. Verse 40 reads: And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. The phrase, And at the time of the end could be a reference either to the very end of the age itself, or the end of Antichrist s reign of power. Tradition has Antichrist arising from a revived Roman Empire a ten-nation confederation and will be the Pope. I don t believe this person will be the Pope but a political leader who will work with an apostate Christian religious system (the harlot of Revelation 17) to rise to power, then violently turn against it. In light of this, the reference to the king of the north in verse 40 is traditionally held to be Russia. I believe Antichrist will come out of the Syria- Turkey region and will be Arab, and possibly Muslim, in origin. I have believed this leader will come out of the Roman Empire (Daniel 7) AND the Grecian Empire (Daniel 8) because though the Grecian Empire once stood alone, it was conquered by the Roman Empire the Roman Empire encompassed the Grecian Empire, whose power base was Syria. This is why Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes the precursor of Antichrist came out of both the Syrian and Roman empires. Regarding the attacks of verse 40, we have already seen that the king of the south in verses 5 through 35 refers to the ruler of Egypt, therefore, this attack from the south will be led by Egypt. Regarding the northern kings, this could be a confederation from lands which may or may not include Russia. When the attack comes, Antichrist will be ready for it and defeat his enemies shall overflow and pass over which could read, sweep through them and defeat them. 12 ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
MARVIN J. ROSENTHAL Though Israel is not part of either of these attacking forces, Antichrist will nonetheless drag her into the battle. Verse 41 says: He shall enter also into the glorious land [Israel], and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. Antichrist will defeat the southern and northern armies, but, interestingly, will not be able to defeat the region just east and southeast of Israel, Edom Moab and Ammon, which is modern-day Jordan. I believe the Lord is going to designate this region as the sanctuary to which Israel will flee from the wrath of Antichrist (Revelation 12:6). Verses 42 and 43 read: He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. Not only will Antichrist defeat the Egyptians, but also the Libyans and Ethiopians who will align themselves with the Egyptians in an attempt to overthrow Antichrist. In conquering these countries, Antichrist will gain control over them. Despite the victory, Antichrist s troubles will not be over, as we see in verse 44: But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. If Antichrist is coming out of Syria, I see the phrase, tidings out of the east and out of the north as being Iran and Iraq, which are the other beast empires (Iran is Persia; Iraq is Babylon). Again, Russia may or may not be involved. These attacks will infuriate Antichrist, and he will look to take his revenge with ruthless aggression. Chapter 11 closes with verse 45: And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. Antichrist will set up his world capital between the seas. What are these seas? The key is the phrase, the glorious holy mountain, a clear reference to Israel. Specifically, the mountain in view here is Mount Moriah, home of the Temple in Jerusalem. The two seas are the Mediterranean, west of Israel s capital Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem. When will Antichrist relocate to Jerusalem? I believe the answer is clear; it will be during the time of the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate (Daniel 9:27) the abomination of desolation. During the Seventieth Week of Daniel, Israel will reinstitute its ancient sacrificial system. However, at the midpoint of the Seventieth Week, Antichrist will turn on Israel and the sacrifices (Daniel 9:27) while parading an image of himself in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He will demand the allegiance of the Jewish people and require them to bow down to his image. Many will succumb, but many others, realizing at last whom this man is, will flee into the wilderness in the region of modern-day Jordan. However, the days of Antichrist will be numbered as he shall come to his end, and none shall help him (Daniel 11:45). DANIEL 12 ISRAEL S PROTECTOR Chapter 12 reintroduces a distinguished personality: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (Daniel 12:1). The archangel Michael has a special covenantal relationship to Israel, serving as her protector. Daniel 10:21 says: But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. The word holdeth literally means restrains or binds. Michael s restraining concerns demonic forces that come against Israel. Michael wages war on Israel s behalf. Two phrases in Daniel 12:1 are important. The first is at that time, which is the middle of Israel s Protector Chapter 12 reintroduces a distinguished personality: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (Daniel 12:1). ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 13
COVER FEATURE Daniel s Vision of the End Michael Stands Still As a result of Michael withholding his protection, we read: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. This is exactly in line with Matthew 24:21 when Jesus says: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. the Seventieth Week when Antichrist turns against Israel and sets up his world headquarters there. The second phrase is stand up. The Hebrew word for this is Amad. In the Hebrew, the word Amad is in the present, continuous tense. To be precise, the actual translation of the word Amad should be, simply, stand rather than stand up. What s the difference? If you are reclining, and you are said to Amad, you would stand up. However, if you are already standing and are said to Amad, you would stand still. Therefore, this verse is speaking about Michael not standing up, but standing still. Note further in verse 1 where it says, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. That Michael standeth indicates this is his normal activity. He is not standing up, but simply standing on Israel s behalf, something he does at all times. It is a continuous action. Now, however, something has changed. With Israel s persecution by Antichrist, Michael stands still. Michael, who for so long has fought to protect Israel, will cease from his protecting work in the middle of the Seventieth Week, which marks the start of the Great Tribulation. As a result of Michael withholding his protection, we read: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. This is exactly in line with Matthew 24:21 when Jesus says: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Concerning the Seventieth Week and the Second Coming of Christ, the apostle Paul writes: Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2). False teachers were spreading lies that the Rapture had already occurred. Paul wants to assure the Thessalonians that this is not the case, as he states in verses 3 and 4: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who 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. Paul begins by telling the Thessalonians that the Rapture, which will occur at the second coming of Christ, will not come until certain events precede it. First is the falling away, or the apostasy. At this apostasy, the man of sin, also referred to as the son of perdition Antichrist will be exposed for who he truly is. He will be exposed in the middle of the Seventieth Week when he breaks his covenant with Israel. The word Antichrist means both opposed to and instead of. We see this in the phrase, Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped. It is only natural, then, for him to sit in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Paul continues in verses 6 and 7: And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. The word withholdeth is the word restrains, the same word in Daniel 10:21. In other words, this one who is doing the restraining ceases from his restraining so that Antichrist may carry out his will. The phrase, For the mystery of iniquity refers to spiritual lawlessness, that which is in opposition to God s holy commandments. Paul tells us that this spirit of lawlessness is already at work in the world, echoing the words of the apostle John, and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world (1 John 4:3). The spirit of the antichrist was alive in the days of Paul and John, and is alive today, but not at full strength. It will reach full potency when Antichrist is revealed midway through the Seventieth Week and will only be revealed when the restrainer is taken out of the way. In other words, there is currently someone or something which is restraining, but the time will come when he, or it, will no longer restrain. Who, or what, is this restrainer? Everything in Daniel 12:1 points to the restrainer being the archangel Michael. Everything 14 ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
MARVIN J. ROSENTHAL in 2 Thessalonians 2 points to Daniel 12:1 in that Michael has a restraining ministry on behalf of Israel. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul says Antichrist is going to sit in Israel s temple and ask her people to worship him. Many of the Jewish people will do it, just as they did in the days of Antiochus Ephiphanes. This will be Israel s ultimate apostasy: rejecting the true Christ and paying homage to a false christ. What will allow Antichrist to do this? So long as Michael is standing and restraining, Antichrist doesn t stand a chance. But, when Michael is standing still and not restraining, then Antichrist will be free to persecute Israel. This is why Jesus says, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21). There was never tribulation like this for Israel because there was never a time when Michael was not restraining. Let s look again at the beginning of Daniel 12:1 and see how closely it coincides with the words of Jesus and Paul: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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 (italic added). THE FATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND UNRIGHTEOUS Verse 1 continues: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. This is great news, but it is qualified. Those who will be delivered are those whose names are written in the book of life (the redeemed of God, both Old Testament and New Testament saints). Verse 2 says: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. This requires some editing in order to get to the heart of the passage. Replace the words And many of them with the words And these. Therefore, the verse should read, And these that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. Now take the words some to everlasting life and replace it with these to everlasting life. What we now have is, And these that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, these to everlasting life. In other words, only those who awake shall experience everlasting life. Now, change the phrase and some to shame and everlasting contempt to others those who do not awake to shame and everlasting contempt. Combined, verse 2 more accurately reads: And they that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake to everlasting life; and others those who do not awake shall later arise to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who continue to sleep the unrighteous will arise after the millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom of Christ to be judged in the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. They will then go to their eternal condemnation. Verse 3 says: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. The wise are the ones who will not bow to Antichrist. These will attain eternal glory and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. The angel who has been communicating this vision to Daniel now gives him a specific order: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased (v. 4). To seal the book (they had scrolls in those days), would be to preserve what was in the scroll. A scroll was rolled up and wax applied to keep it closed. The one sending the scroll would press his ring (containing his identifying insignia) into the soft wax, which would then harden. If anyone other than the intended recipient broke the seal, it would be obvious, and the offender punished. A sealed scroll could not legally be opened by anyone other than the intended recipient. The sealing not only assures that the Book of Daniel will be preserved throughout the centuries, but that, at its unsealing, its contents will be made clear. As we advance further in history, we know more and more, but we are not in the Seventieth Week yet; we don t know how the predetermined events of the end times are going to unfold. This is why any teacher of the end times can never be exact. We have come a long way in history and know far more than we once did, but we still have a ways Seal the Book The angel who has been communicating this vision to Daniel now gives him a specific order: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased (v. 4). ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 15
COVER FEATURE Daniel s Vision of the End the Angel also said... Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand (v. 10). A better reading is, Many things will be clarified, and made plain, and they are going to be understood. However, despite all the warnings given at the end of the age, the wicked will continue in their wicked ways, and they will have absolutely no idea what is going on that judgment is at hand. They will be clueless. The wise the righteous, those to be raptured at the Lord s coming will understand what is happening when the Great Tribulation beg ins. to go; how much, I don t know. In verse 4, we are again reminded that the contents of the Book of Daniel will not be made clear until the time of the end. Until that time, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. This running to and fro refers to people at the end of the age toiling, straining, and laboring to discover the meaning of these prophecies. It does not imply flying to all parts of the world to attain knowledge, but to earnestly work at determining the meaning of the end-times prophecies of Daniel. Knowledge will be increased because events occurring at that time along with the enabling of the Holy Spirit will shed light of the prophetic texts. Verse 5 reads: Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. Daniel sees two more angelic beings on either side of the Tigress. One of them speaks and says to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? In other words, when these things the taking away of the restrainer and the time of trouble (v. 1) begin, how long will they last? The answer is, for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished (v. 7). The time frame is three-and-one-half years. Though Daniel has been given this extraordinary vision, he does not understand it, leading to his question in verse 8: O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? Probably because the meaning is reserved for the end of the age, the angel will not give Daniel the answer he seeks. In verse 9, the angel says, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. However, the angel will communicate something: Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand (v. 10). A better reading is, Many things will be clarified, and made plain, and they are going to be understood. However, despite all the warnings given at the end of the age, the wicked will continue in their wicked ways, and they will have absolutely no idea what is going on that judgment is at hand. They will be clueless. The wise the righteous, those to be raptured at the Lord s coming will understand what is happening when the Great Tribulation begins. THE 75 DAYS Next follows one of the most difficult prophetic passages to understand in all the Word of God: And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (v. 11). This is an additional thirty days added to the second half of the Seventieth Week of Daniel. What is this additional thirty days? These thirty days have two purposes. The first concerns Israel. These additional thirty days will be a time of mourning. In Deuteronomy 34:8, Israel wept and mourned for thirty days at the death of Moses. For ancient Israel, thirty days was the standard length of mourning for a loved one. At the end of the age, following the coming of Christ who according to Zechariah 14:3-5 will save Israel when she is at the brink of destruction Israel will look upon me [Jesus] whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn (Zechariah 12:10). So, first, these thirty days will be a time of mourning for Israel. The second purpose for the additional thirty days concerns the remainder of the unsaved world. This will be the time of the bowl judgments of Revelation Chapter 16. In Revelation, the seventh trumpet judgment (11:15) brought to a close the Seventieth Week of the Book of Daniel. Just as the seventh seal contained the seven trumpet judgments (Revelation 8:2), so the seventh trumpet contains the seven bowl judgments. The bowl judgments will fall upon the earth in rapid, staccato-like fashion and will last but thirty days. This final judgment will be fierce and quick. However, this is not all. Verse 12 tells us: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. This is an additional forty-five days from the already-added thirty days. What are these forty- 16 ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
MARVIN J. ROSENTHAL five days? I believe two things will occur during this time: one, Israel will cleanse the Temple in preparation for the millennial reign of Christ; two, the millennial Kingdom will be established upon the earth. Seventy-five days is also the amount of time between Tabernacles and Hanukkah. I believe Christ will return during the feast of Tabernacles. We read in John 1:14: And the Word [Jesus] was made flesh, and dwelt among us. The Greek word for dwelt can be translated tabernacled and reflects the time when Christ lived among men. He will do so again beginning with His return. Hanukkah commemorates the cleansing of the Temple following the abomination of desolation committed by Antiochus Epiphanes. I believe Israel will finish cleansing the millennial Temple seventy-five days following the return of Christ. The Book of Daniel closes with these words: But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days (v. 13). In essence, the angel tells Daniel, Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). Also, this is a definite Old Testament resurrection verse. The New American Standard Bible reads: But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age. The angel is basically telling Daniel that his death is coming soon. However, at the end of the age, he will be resurrected along with all the saints of history in the Rapture and will be given his ultimate reward. What a fitting and wonderful ending to this extraordinary book! A FINAL THOUGHT I have often referred to the Book of Romans as the most important document ever penned, and still hold to this claim. However, if I extended by Most Important Documents Ever Penned list to four or five, I assure you that Daniel would make this exclusive list. Besides its breathtaking look at the end times, we are also granted an insightful peak into the workings of the spirit world, given understanding as to how God orders heathen governments to accomplish His will, and, wonderfully, are privileged to gaze into the heart of Daniel, this humble servant of the Lord and one of the most remarkable human beings who ever walked the face of the earth. The events described in the Book of Daniel seem to be unfolding right before our very eyes as we watch the movement of nations in the Middle East. This series is a must for this hour of history. SET A Kings, Countries and Gods Collide 4 CDs $23.95 CD2050 SET B SET C SET D SET E SET F SET G SET H SET I SET J SET K SET L Daniel Interprets the Dream 1 CD $7 CD2051 The King Demands Allegiance and Idol Worship 1 CD $7 CD2052 Nebuchadnezzar Meets El Elyon 1 CD $7 CD2053 The Conquest of Babylon 1 CD $7 CD2054 Darius s Decree 1 CD $7 CD2055 The 4 Beasts & 10 Horns of Daniel 7 2 CDs $11.95 CD2056 Alexander, Antiochus, and the Antichrist 2 CDs $11.95 CD2057 The Backbone of Prophecy & Daniel s Magnificent Prayer 2 CDs $11.95 CD2058 The Final Vision Chapter 10 1 CD $7 CD2059 The Final Vision Chapter 11 1 CD $7 CD2060 Daniel s Vision of the End 1 CD $7 CD2061 ORDER ONLINE: WWW.ZIONSHOPE.ORG ORDER BY PHONE: 1-888-781-ZION (9466) ZION S FIRE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 17