Last time we looked at the first part of the vision given to Daniel and saw that the events in the vision have now already occurred in history. We stopped at Daniel 11:35. There seems to be a definite break between verses 35 and 36. What we are about to see in the remainder of this vision is future prophecy that has not yet occurred. Beginning with verse 36, the king referred to in passage is the Antichrist who is to arise in the last days of human history. There are three facts that show us this is referring to the antichrist:
1. The king in our passage tonight is definitely a different King because he is opposed and attacked by the kings of both the North and the south.
2. The facts that are given to us in this passage did not take place during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes or any other king down through history. Nor have they taken place yet today.
3. The king that we will look at tonight must be the Antichrist who was predicted earlier by Daniel.
As this passage will show, the wars and horrors of war will continue right up to the very end of time. And human history will climax in the horrifying battle known as Armageddon. All of this portion of the vision is covered in the Book of Revelation.
As a brief overview of this passage, the Antichrist will arise in the end times of human history and seek to become the supreme ruler of the world. But his rise to worldwide power will not come through military conflict. He will be elected as the leader of a ten Nation European coalition. He will be the little horn that arises from the ten horns that have been discussed in chapter 7. The Book of Revelation actually says that he will arise from among the people because of the enormous increase in world violence, terrorist activities, natural catastrophes such as famine, earthquakes, and disease. People and nations will be clamoring for a brilliant leader who can offer solutions to the problems that are threatening the earth. The Antichrist will be this leader, providing solutions and giving the people the hope for which they've been craving.
Daniel 11:36-39. As we discussed in chapter 7, the Antichrist will arise as a man of peace, a man offering answers to the world's problems. But he will prove to be wicked, a man whose basic character is selfish and evil. You might remember that we discussed that he will do as he pleases. He will be an atheist. He will curse the Lord and will be used by the Lord as God's agent of judgment upon the wicked of the earth. He will reject the religion of his people. He will reject the Lord Jesus Christ. He will honor the imperial State as the supreme power. And he will gain power by military conquest and peaceful negotiations or treaties with other nations.
Daniel 11: 40-43. Now the scripture covers the wars and military conquests of the Antichrist. These events are said to definitely take place at the end time of human history. When the Antichrist declares himself and his government to be the supreme ruler and state of the world, not every government will willingly submit.
The rulers of the south and of the north will ignore his claims and attack Israel. These forces are probably a coalition of Arab nations. Whatever the case, he will conquer many nations as a result of this uprising. For some unknown reason though, the territories that were under the ancient Kingdom of Edom, Moab, and Ammon will not be destroyed by his army. However, he will conquer Egypt and gain control of the nation's enormous wealth as well as the wealth of Libya and Ethiopia. It should be pointed out that some scholars suggest that this battle is the Battle of Gog and Magog that are predicted by the prophet Ezekiel and in Revelation, and the battle will take place in the middle of the tribulation.
Daniel 11:44-45. The Antichrist will finally meet his end and be wiped from the face of the earth at the Battle of Armageddon. The army of the Antichrist will also be aroused by the devil and his angels. In the Battle of Armageddon, neither army will be marching for justice or for a righteous cause, to free people. They will be marching for selfish purposes, for the right to dominate the world and subject its citizens to the will of the imperial government and its rulers. The great battle of Armageddon will take place in the valley of Megiddo. The very name Armageddon means mountain of Megiddo.
So the most evil man ever to walk the face of the earth will meet his end and die when the armies gather for the great battle of Armageddon. But the Antichrist will not die by the hand or weapons of men. He will die by the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The Lord will simply speak and the Antichrist will be struck dead immediately. The Antichrist will then be cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his horde of demonic angels. We need to realize that THIS battle is not a spiritual battle in the heavenly realms. THIS battle will take place here on this earth.
Daniel 12:1. The Great tribulation will be a time when Michael, the archangel of God, will arise to save Israel. Apparently, God has given Michael a very special assignment, that of watching over and protecting the Jews, especially those who trust in the Lord. When the Great Tribulation is launched on earth, the archangel Michael will arise to keep the evil forces of the Antichrist from exterminating the Jews and the followers of Christ.
The Great tribulation will be a time of terrible distress, unparalleled suffering. Jesus Christ Himself warns the world that it will be the most horrible period of devastation and suffering the world has ever known. Armageddon will end the Great Tribulation. Jesus Christ Himself will put an end to the horrors of war and the terrible wickedness of people, putting an end to the rebellion against Him and the cursing of His Holy Name. All sin, wickedness, and evil will be erased from the face of the earth, and Jesus Christ will set up His kingdom on earth.
Daniel 12:2-3. The dead will rise. This is one of the most wonderful promises ever given to the believer. When a believer leaves this earth, his spirit immediately goes to live with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, the believer is given the wonderful promise of a new and glorious body. This was bound to be a strong encouragement to Daniel who was now about 80 years old. Death was not the end, not for him nor for his people. Nor will death be the end for anyone who has put their trust in the Lord. The Lord is going to raise all dead bodies from the dust of the earth.
The wise of the earth will be greatly rewarded when they are raised from the dead. The wise are the true believers, the persons who are wise enough to trust Christ as Savior and Lord. The brightness of the sky or heavens refers to the light, glory, radiance, and beauty of the starry sky as it shines so brilliantly on a dark night. Believers will be glorified and given positions of honor, ruling and reigning as Kings and priests under the supreme rule of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Daniel 12:4. The angel Gabriel commanded Daniel to seal or preserve the prophecies of this great book. To seal a document meant to preserve the document by putting it in a safe place and protecting it so that it would be available to those who would need it in the future. God wanted to treasure and protect the precious prophecies for all future generations. And here we are studying that great book.
Daniel 12:5-7. The great prophecy of the end times is now ready to be concluded. But before it is, God wants Daniel to know the length of the Great Tribulation that's coming up on the earth. Standing there with Gabriel, Daniel looked and saw a striking scene. One Angel stood on each side of the Tigres river, and standing in mid-air above the river was the man clothed in linen, the awesome person Daniel had seen at the beginning of his vision, probably Jesus Christ. T he Lord Jesus was suspended in mid-air, standing exalted above them all. One of the Angels shouted out to the awesome person clothed in linen, asking him how long these astonishing events would last when they begin to occur. Daniel saw the awesome man in linen lift his hands and swear a solemn oath that the time of the Great Tribulation will be controlled by God, three and one half years. And that the events of the Great tribulation will last until the holy people are broken and utterly defeated.
Daniel 12:8-9. Daniel was confused and did not understand much that had been revealed to him in the prophecy so he asked for a more detailed explanation. Daniel desperately wanted to know if they would survive as a people or nation. But the prophet’s question was not answered, not directly. He was simply told to go on about his life, living day by day for the Lord. It was not necessary for him to know any more than what it already been explained to him. The rest of the prophecies will be fulfilled in future generations.
Daniel 12:10. The angel went on to say that in the intervening time between Daniel's own day and the end time, many believers would be purified, cleansed, and refined. They would grow closer to the Lord and be strong witnesses for Him. The trials and sufferings would define God's people, making them stronger in their faith and witness for him. But this would not be true with unbelievers. Many of the wicked would continue in their sin instead of repenting and seeking the Lord. Only the wise, the true believers, will understand that God is fulfilling his prophecy and warning to the human race.
Daniel 12:11-12. The explanation about the timing of the Great Tribulation continued. Verse 11 tells us that the Great Tribulation will be launched when the Antichrist breaks his covenant or treaty with the Jews. Note that 30 more days are added to the length of the Great Tribulation, making the time 1290 days. What is the purpose for the extra 30 days? Scripture does not say, but perhaps it is the time needed to judge the nations. 45 more days were added, which indicates that the Great Tribulation will last for a total of 1,335 days. Again, scripture does not explain the purpose for the extra 45 days. Perhaps they will be used for Christ to organize and set up His government in Jerusalem and throughout the world. Whatever the case, 75 extra days will be needed for Christ to fully establish His kingdom on earth.
Daniel 12:13. As the Great Book of Daniel closes, the angel Gabriel gives God's dear prophet a great hope and an astonishing promise. If Daniel will go on and live his life faithfully to the end, he will rise from the dead and receive the wonderful inheritance that has been set aside for him by God himself. What a glorious hope!
This same hope is ours to claim as long as we believe in Christ as our Savior. Thus ends our study of the book of Daniel.
