As already stated, chapters 10-12 comprise one last vision / message to Daniel. Most of chapter eleven gave us prophecies that have already been fulfilled. They cover events that took place from Daniel’s Day until around 163 B.C., when Antiochus IV died. This lesson will take us into the unidentified future and show us the kingdom of the Antichrist and the earthly kingdom of Christ. These prophecies are yet to be fulfilled.
Daniel 10:14 showed us three important things about this last vision that Daniel received:
- “What shall befall your people…” – It concerns the nation Israel. Many see Israel as cancelled from any relevancy to the matter of prophecy. Many feel that all future promises apply only to the church. The events of the twentieth and twenty-first century should be an encouragement that “God has not cast away His people…” (Romans 11:1-2, & etc.)
- “…In the latter days…” – Not merely the last days of the Old Testament times, before Christ came, but latter days of the New Testament Revelation. It will take us into that period, which may be identified as the seventieth week of Daniel 9:24-27. “The time of the end” (Daniel 11:27,35,40; 12:4,9) is not the end of time, but rather a period of events that will bring us to the climax of history: the return of Christ and the establishment of His earthly kingdom. See Isaiah 2:1-4.
- “…Yet the vision is for many days.” – The time of fulfillment is very distant for Daniel. It has been over 2500 years since Daniel received this message. If none of it had been fulfilled yet, we might be discouraged, but much has been fulfilled. We should take heart that the rest will be fulfilled. We do not know how soon, but the events in our world point to the fulfillment of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.
Daniel 11:21-35 dealt with the vile and contemptible Antiochus IV. He is a forerunner of the Antichrist. They both have much in common with regards to cruelty towards and control of the people of Israel. Here is a comparison of the two, taken from our lesson on chapters seven and eight of Daniel:
The Little Horn of chapter seven – The Antichrist shall come from Rome (fourth kingdom). He will be an eleventh horn, rooting up three of ten horns. He will persecute God’s people for 42 months (3 ½ years). See Daniel 7:8, 11-12, 21-26.
The Little Horn of chapter eight – Antiochus IV shall come from Greece (third kingdom). He will be a fifth horn, coming out of one of the four horns (Descendant of Seleucus I Nicator – See previous notes on Daniel 11:5-20 ~ “Egypt & Syria” / “King of the North” & “King of the South”). He will persecute God’s people for 2,300 days (over six years). See Daniel 8:9-14.
Now, continuing our outline from chapter eleven:
| II. Prophecies yet to be fulfilled – Daniel 11:36 – 12:3 |
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| | A. | The Great Tribulation & the Antichrist – Daniel 11:36 – 12:1
This portion of Scripture describes the seventieth week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27 cp. 2:41-43; 7:7-8, 21-26). There is a sudden shift from discussing Antiochus IV to discussing the ultimate Evil One – Antichrist (II Thessalonians 2:1-12). “…It is yet for a time appointed.” (Daniel 11:35) would seem to move us to the “time of the end” (Daniel 11:35, 40). For an example of such shifts in Scripture, consider Ezekiel 28:1-10, talking about the evil Prince of Tyre (a man) and 28:11-19, talking about the King of Tyre (Satan, himself! cp. Isaiah 14:3-11 [King of Babylon] & 14:12-17 [Satan]). |
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| | | Daniel 11:36-39 shows us that the Antichrist is self-willed, proud, irreverent and blasphemous. |
| | | Daniel 11:40-43 speaks of a military invasion against him from north of Israel and south of Israel. The Antichrist will overcome this invasion and become very wealthy. This appears to be the battle mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39. It possibly could be describing a confederation of Russian & Syria, along with Egypt and other Islamic allies. |
| | | Daniel 11:44-45 seems to be describing the battle of Armageddon, where the Antichrist shall be destroyed by the return of The Christ. |
| | | Daniel 12:1 is a summary statement of those bad times for Israel (the time of Jacob’s trouble – Jeremiah 30:7), showing divine intervention / protection for Israel via Michael. |
| | B. | The Promised Kingdom – Daniel 12:2-3
This is not a discussion of a general resurrection at the end of the world. A careful study of Revelation 20:4-5 gives us insight on the fact that God has planned more than one resurrection. As the Lord comes to establish His kingdom, after the battle of Armageddon, He will resurrect and reward those who were faithful and righteous during the tribulation period, along with all of the Old Testament saints. These may seem like strange teaching. So, go back and carefully read Revelation 19:11 – 20:15. Now compare Daniel 12:2-3 with John 5:28-29. |
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Understanding of the resurrection has increased with the Gospel of Christ / New Testament Scriptures (II Timothy 1:10). There appears to be three resurrections shown in the Bible:
- The Rapture of the Church (The Judgment Seat of Christ - previous to the Great Tribulation). See II Corinthians 5:8-10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
- The Resurrection of the Old Testament Saints & Tribulation Saints (after Armageddon/before Millennium). See Revelation 20:4-5.
- The Resurrection of the Damned (The Great White Throne - after the Millennium). See Revelation 20:4-5, 11-15.
Here are some examples of the progressive knowledge about the resurrection, going from Old Testament to New Testament:
- Old Testament – Job 19:25-27; Psalm 17:15; 49:15; 71:20.
- New Testament – John 5:19-29; 11:14-16; Matthew 25:31-46; I Corinthians 15:1-58; I Thessalonians 4;13-18; Revelation 20:1-15
May God motivate us to serve Him, in view of the resurrection and the coming kingdom of Christ
(I Corinthians 15:51-58; II Timothy 4:1). |
