The Prophecy of Daniel          

A Bible Study  

Introduction
Background History
Daniel 1	How did it all begin for Daniel?
Daniel 2	Nebuchadnezzar's Statue Dream
Daniel 3	The Statue becomes an Image
Daniel 4	Another Dream - the Tree is Felled
Daniel 5	Belshazzar Challenges God
Daniel 6	A Night with the Lions - and an Angel!
Daniel 7	Daniel's Vision of 4 Beasts
Daniel 8	The Ram and the Goat
Daniel 9	Daniel prays - God's Answer
Daniel 101-111	God's Plan Revealed
Daniel 112-39	Detailed Prophecy Fulfilled 530-164 BC
Daniel 1140 - 1213	Prophecy Not yet Fulfilled

Introduction              

Jesus quotes Daniel in 3 of his 55 recorded quotes from the Old Testament.
Dan 7₁₃ (Math 26₆₄), Dan 12₁ (Math 24₂₁), Dan 12₁₁ (Math 24₁₅)
The scriptures record no sin of Daniel. One of the very few. Ezek 14₁₄
Dan 1₁ - 2_4a and 8 - 12 are written in Hebrew, 2_4b - 7 in Aramaic. Daniel would have been fluent in both.
Several everyday expressions come from Daniel.  'The writing's on the wall', 'You're number's up' etc
Jews consider Daniel more as a statesman than a prophet. (In Tenach the book is placed among the 'writings', not the 'prophets')
Prophets interpret the past, discern the present and predict the future.
God's revelations to his prophet Daniel concerning the future are very precise.
      So some say that it could not have been written until about 150 BC.
      (They also say the same about Isaiah naming Cyrus)
      (and they deny that God can reveal to man such exact details)

Daniel 7-12 is apocalyptic. Much of Revelation is based on it.
Many different views about these chapters, especially Daniel 9.
God gives us details and an overview of  'the times of the Gentiles' (Lu 21₂₄) and of world events at the end.
It is intended to inform us of God's plan so that we may be prepared for the great events of the last days,
      not to prove our own various theories (or to disprove those of others).
Parts of the visions are clearly interpreted, but others are 'sealed until the time of the end'. 12₉
There is a great need for more humility and acceptance of 'mystery'.

Daniel stands as a great man of God in an evil empire.
We see the presence of the Living God even in Babylon.
The Eternal c.f. the transient.  Real power c.f. temporal power.

The principal message of Daniel (and Revelation) is that it is God, not fate, who orders the timing of world events.
      And God alone is the just Judge of all the earth.
Throughout world history God is sovereign, not the mighty Nebuchadnezzar or ...
Daniel refers to God as 'the Most High God' 13 times.
Do we gladly acknowledge the sovereignty of God in the details of our lives?

There is (and remains) a major battle for the souls of men. Satan does not give up easily.
This vicious Being was even allowed to crucify the Son of God;
      not knowing it was God's plan, and the very means of our salvation.
God punishes sin and God intervenes to save.
The 'end-time' events are going to be very tough, but God remains the mighty Sovereign.
Do not compromise, or be deceived, but 'be strong and very courageous'.  Josh 1₉

There is much about Angels (good and evil).  Michael and Gabriel are named.
Saddam Hussein of Iraq calls himself the new Nebuchadnezzar.
He has built a statue in Baghdad with Nebuchadnezzar's body and Saddam's head.
He has rebuilt part of the old city of Babylon that was just a mound in the desert. See Jer 50,51 esp 50₃₇

Background History              

Daniel was born in the days of Josiah's revival (622-609 BC)
This was immediately after the wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon.
Assyria had earlier sent Israel (N. Tribes) into exile (722 BC).
Josiah regained the Coastal plain, Samaria, Meggido and Galilee.
The Temple was refurbished, the 'Law' honoured, Passover celebrated and all the public idols destroyed.
      But the hearts of men are not so easily changed.
Most retained their old culture and tradition, not God.
The revival, though real for Josiah, was for most only skin deep.
      See early chapters of Jeremiah, who was preaching at the time.
In 609 Josiah was killed in battle with Pharaoh Neco; it was a brave, maybe even reckless act,
      but it did delay Pharaoh Neco until after Nabopolassar of Babylon ( Nebuchadnezzar's father)
      had taken the Assyrian city of Harran.
Jehoiakim became a vassal to the Egyptians.
In 605 Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt at Carchemish (and at Hamath).
Jehoiakim capitulates to Nebuchadnezzar without battle.
Daniel and the 1st exiles are taken to Babylon.
Jewish population in 606 was 250,000
After 3 exiles 605, 597 and 586 only about 20,000 Jews remain.
10-20,000 Jews to Babylon. 2 Kgs 24₁₄ ( Jer 52₂₈ 4,600 from Jerusalem)
In 601 Nebuchadnezzar and Neco fight again indecisive bloodbath.
Jehoiakim rebels and foolishly sides with Neco. He ignores Jeremiah's warning.
      So in 597 Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem. Ezekiel and others are exiled to Babylon.
8 years later Zedekiah rebels, Jerusalem is besieged by Nebuchadnezzar for 18 months. Falls in 587
The City and Temple are totally destroyed in 586; and all the towns of Judea.
There is nothing squeamish about Nebuchadnezzar, no Geneva Convention to limit his killing and destruction.
Jeremiah is given freedom, but rebel Jews flee to Egypt taking Jeremiah.
God is faithful to Jeremiah and he is greatly honoured in heaven.
Plight of the few remaining Jews in Judea and the slaves in Babylon was dire.
Daniel would have heard Jeremiah as a young man,
      and from Babylon he would have heard all about this destruction
He would also have heard the prophet Ezekiel in Babylon.
But back to 605, and to the University of Babylon.

Daniel 1    How did it all begin for Daniel?              

Nebuchadnezzar did not like the challenge of Yahweh.
Daniel and his 3 friends are re-named.

Hebrew	Aramaic (Babylon)
DANIEL = God is my Judge	BELTESHAZZAR = Bel protect his life or Prince of Bel
HANANIAH = Yahweh has been gracious	SHADRACH = Command of Aku (moon-god) or Illumined by  Aku
MISHAEL = Who is like God is?	MESHACH = Who is like Aku is?
AZARIAH = The Lord has helped	ABEDNEGO = Servant of Nebo (writing, trade) (son of Bel).

Nebuchadnezzar's first year was 605.  Jehoiakim began to reign in late 609.
4th year by Jewish reckoning. Jer 25₁ and 3rd year by Babylonian. Dan 1₁
Why was captivity to be for 70 years?
God revealed it to be so Jeremiah. Jer 25₁₁ see also 2 Ch 36₂₁
Why to Babylon? Judah practised idolatry. 2 Ch 36₁₄ Jer 19_4,5
      And Babylon was the centre of idolatry!
      Babylon was founded by Nimrod, grandson of Ham, the cursed son of Noah. Gen 10_6-10
Isaiah had prophesied this exile to Babylon over 100 years earlier. Is 39_6,7

Ashpenaz was the chief of the 'court officials'. (probably not 'eunuchs' as in AV)
The young men taken to Babylon were 'the cream' of Judah.
Intelligent, without deformation, eloquent, zealous, of good character.
Daniel, as a teenager experienced peer-pressure to eat the best food.
(Don't rock the boat - just do as you are told).
Issue is not Meat-eating .v. Vegetarian, but Obedience .v. Disobedience.
The meat was non-kosher and had probably been offered to idols.
Did eating non-kosher food really matter that much?
Was it a vital 'faith' matter, or something insignificant?
Daniel thought it better to obey God, even in little things.
Still an 'unknown', he had yet to win Nebuchadnezzar's favour.
Daniel was about 17 years old when this first crucial test came. Ps 119_95-99
Who taught him righteousness? His parents.
Even in a wicked age with a wicked king (Jehoiakim).
Daniel was resolute but not rebellious.
And he did not try to make everyone else eat only vegetables!
How did he object?
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful, despotic ruler that has ever lived.
No one questioned his authority from 605 onwards if he valued his life!
Ashpenaz had every reason to be afraid.
But Daniel's suggestion was fair and sensitive.
The 4 young Jews were found to be wiser than all the 'wise men'
      who had had a life-time of study and experience.
This was acknowledged by all, not just their Jewish peers.
Their wisdom was God-given; it was not because of their diet.
Why did Nebuchadnezzar give these special exiles 'royal food'?
Lure of luxury to prevent any rebellion.
Encourage them to be Babylonians, and forget about being Jewish.
Why did he change their names?
Also to help them forget their Jewish origin. But in both these he failed.
They were trained in astronomy, mathematics, language, arts, etc
Not promoted because of his 1st class honours degree,
      but because of God's revelation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Dan 2
      (only in second year, not yet graduated)
Daniel remained in Babylon all his long life. He never returned to Jerusalem.
      i.e. for the next 66 years (from 605 until 539, the 1st year of Cyrus)
As we will see, God had a most vital plan for this man and his nation.
He still has.

Daniel 2   Nebuchadnezzar's Statue Dreams            

Nebuchadnezzar is probably under 30, bright, resolute and successful.
Like many young rulers he was probably impatient for change,
      and he was not enamoured with his inherited 'wise-men'.
Magicians - sacred writings and tricks.
Enchanters - worshipped stars, astrology.
Sorcerers - demonic worship and clairvoyance.
Chaldeans - Babylonian nationals.
He was tired of their flattery and falsehood, and probably only pretended not to remember the dreams. 2_9b
He was probably getting muddled as there were several dreams. 2₁
Why should he continue to support such a bunch of pretenders? He desired to separate the real from the false.
His threat to the astrologers was not an idle one. He meant it, and they knew he did.
They desperately try to negotiate - and fail.
They correctly said that no man can know the dream without being told.
The King is angry and dangerous, very dangerous!
Decides to eliminate the civil service, the whole administrative machinery.
      It includes Daniel, who is in his 2nd year at the Babylon University
      But God has other plans for Daniel.
Daniel speaks to Arioch, as he had to Ashpenaz, "with wisdom and tact" and no small degree of courage.
Why did the 'boy' Daniel succeed where his elders had failed?
      He promises success - and his was not a vain promise. c.f. 2_8,9

What would you do?
      Can you be an executor of my will without knowing what is written?
      Or build my dream extension without any plans?
      Or write a computer programme without being given any specification?
Daniel had faith that God would reveal the dream in all its detail.
Time was not on his side, but God was! He arranges a prayer meeting at home.
How did they pray? Earnestly!
God reveals the dreams and their meaning.
This is not the first or last time that truth is revealed by a exiled Jew!
Arioch goes in haste to the king. What does he say?
"See what I have found ..." (Men have not changed much!)
The young Daniel is marched in before the great Nebuchadnezzar.
What did Daniel say?  "No man can tell you ... but God has chosen to do so ..."
With respect and without fear, he tells Nebuchadnezzar all that God has so accurately revealed.
It was probably better than he remembered them himself!
Like Abraham, Joseph and Moses, he had been told by the one and only reliable Source.

Why did God arrange this strange event? What would be the result?
Daniel, a godly exiled Jew, was honoured. Like Joseph was in Egypt.
Like on Mt Carmel it was a battle of the Gods. It would show Nebuchadnezzar that it is the God of Daniel who controls,
      not Nebuchadnezzar, nor any of his 'tin-pot' gods, and that his kingdom would not last for ever.
      c.f. God's promise to Abraham and to David.
Note that Daniel pleads for the other wise men.  2₂₄  c.f. 3₈  6₄
There is no doubt in what was dreamed, or in it's simple, uncontroversial meaning. What is it?
Nebuchadnezzar, your kingdom will not last. Three others will follow it.
Four world empires are described: First Babylon, then in the future, Media/Persian, then Greece, then Rome.
God wanted him to understand it would be his plan that would outline the rest of world history, not his or that of any man.
Furthermore God himself would raise up a righteous and eternal kingdom.

Who took any notice of this? I wonder!
Yet it happened over the next 500 years exactly as this great heathen king had dreamed.
And the 4th Kingdom would unfold over a further 2000 years; all precisely on schedule - God's schedule!  4₁₇  2₂₁

The mighty king Nebuchadnezzar falls prostrate before Daniel, a young Jewish exile. 'How are the mighty fallen?'!
His emotional response before the God of Daniel would not last.  It rarely does.
All men need a change of heart, a new birth.
      This is far more than 'an experience', however great.
      Emotions change, but a new birth continues for ever.

God had not finished with this mighty Gentile king.
The teenage Daniel is given Babylon and the whole Civil Service to administer.
He appoints his 3 prayer partners, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
      This is not 'jobs for the boys', for all 4 were found 10 times wiser ... 1₂₀
The dream shows 'the times of the Gentiles'. (written in Aramaic)
      Gold - Silver - Bronze - Iron - Iron+Clay
Increasing strength and hardness, but decreasing value and weight.
Increasing military power but decreasing absolute power.  (and increasingly brittle)
Nebuchadnezzar never had a general election!
Neither did Darius, Alexander or even the Caesars (though the latter were supposed to be subject to Senate).
Dan 2 sees these Gentile times as man sees them; bright, shiny, strong, valuable.
But none of the empires would last; the first three would be overthrown,
      and the last would eventually become a brittle confederation.
Dan 7 sees these kingdoms from God's perspective; ravenous, destructive animals.
The 4th one was so terrible that he could not even name it.

Beware of losing the main message of Daniel
      by trying to gain a too detailed interpretation of future events at the end of the 4th empire.
Men can guess the future, but only God knows what it is.
He knows tomorrow, next year and the next millennium!
The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to Daniel before Cyrus was born, and centuries before Alexander or Pompey.
At the end there would be feet of clay and Iron - which do not mix.
Rome failed to unite its conquered peoples.
At the end there will be a confederation with constitutional weakness and national animosity.

Lastly, and most important, is the part of the dream that is usually forgotten.
The rock which destroys this top-heavy statue -
      i.e. all the cultures that our current civilisation is based upon.
The Rock destroys the whole statue; all 4 parts.
The Lord tells us much more of the 4th kingdom than the first three.
The Rock is cut from a mountain (but not by human hand).
It destroys the whole statue (made by men) - suddenly!
The Kingdom of God that Christ will build will be eternal.
At the end Christ will destroy all the other kingdoms of men. Rev 18₂₁
This Rock is Christ alone (the stone that the builders rejected).
      Note that it is Christ, not the Church, who conquers.
God graciously reveals the future - to them and to us.

Daniel 3  The Statue becomes an Image.            

3_1-7  The Image
We never know when God is going to surprise us with the extraordinary.
Take care that the familiar is not by-passed or ignored.
It is now about 580 BC. Nebuchadnezzar had been king for some 25 years.
What had happened during his reign?
In 601 he had fought with Egypt. Both sides suffered very heavy losses.
So Jehoiakim rebels and sides with Egypt (although Jeremiah warns him not to. Jer 2_36,37)
      (As also Isaiah warned Hezekiah in his day. Is20_5,6)
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilds his army and returns. Jerusalem falls in 597.
More are exiled, including Ezekiel who becomes God's prophet in Babylon.
He also began a 13 year siege of Tyre in 595.
Zedekiah rebelled in 590. (He should have learned from Jehoiakim's experience)
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem + Temple in 586 after 18 month siege.
Meanwhile in Babylon he is very busy building.
Nebuchadnezzar had not forgotten the statue dream, but in his mind it had changed over the 25 years.
      (no doubt encouraged by his flattering officials)
Now all the statue was gold, not just the head.
As often happens, God's revelation is distorted. Why?
He seems to have rejected the idea of the subsequent 3 kingdoms. The kingdom he had built would surely last.
      It was too big, too powerful and too secure to just disappear.
      He thought God was wrong! It wouldn't, it couldn't be destroyed.
      "Power corrupts ..." and King Nebuchadnezzar had absolute power.
Dura was 6 miles SE of Babylon (the image would reflect the setting sun)
      60 cubits high (25 metres) x 6 cubits wide. (6 = man, imperfect) also Goliath 6 cubits tall. 1 Sam 17₄
"Zither, harp and pipes" are the only Greek-loaned words in Daniel.
      (some have used this to say it must have been written later)
Who had to worship this statue?
The Babylonians were not asked to worship the image, nor just given the opportunity to do so.
They were commanded to. And the disobedient (of all nations and religions) would be burned alive!
No problem to polytheists; but disaster for the Jews.
This challenge will come again at the end times. Rev 13_14-17
Why were they commanded to worship the image?
He not only desired, but felt he deserved the acclaim of all men.
Nebuchadnezzar had some justification for becoming proud of his military and building achievements.
See in next chapter (4₃₀) as to how much pride had set in.
The image is not given a name; it was probably of Nebuchadnezzar.
'They neither serve your gods nor worship the image ...' 3_12,14,18
He tried to initiate a state religion that worshipped him.
He is not the first, nor last man to attempt this.

3_8-23 The Contest

Daniel was absent. (probably on the king's business elsewhere)
His 3 friends refused to bow before this piece of carved, gold-leafed wood.
God had commanded them not to worship images - and that was that.
      No if's or but's or exceptions. Exd 20_3,4 Ro 13₁
To be uncompromising is often costly, even today.
Remember, they did not know that God had planned a glorious deliverance.
The astrologers made 3 Accusations of the disobedient Jews:
      (each designed to make the king angry - and they succeeded!)
'They pay no attention to you, O king'
'They do not serve your gods'
'They do not worship the image of gold you have set up'
      (i.e. a public challenge to his authority)
The 3 Jews had each given good service for 25 years, so he gives them a 2nd chance to obey.
But Nebuchadnezzar makes a most foolish mistake: he also challenges God!
'What God will be able to rescue you from my hand?'
This is always a foolish thing to do!
The 3 saw the challenge immediately.
But they did not presume that God would rescue them.
They just confirmed that it is God who would decide, not Nebuchadnezzar.
Their reply has inspired many martyrs down the ages
      e.g. Mrs Wurmbrand in 'The Pastor's Wife' p.150
No one had ever dared to challenge Nebuchadnezzar, and certainly not in public.
He was angry. And anger usually leads to bad decisions.  i.e. to heat the furnace 7 times hotter.
      A lower heat would have caused the 3 much more pain!
Several of his best soldiers were killed throwing the Jews in the furnace.

3_24-30 The Result

God wins the contest.
How can mere man expect to challenge God and win!?
Persecution and suffering for God brings extra courage and a special awareness of the presence of Jesus.
Nebuchadnezzar was amazed!  The 3 were not destroyed, and Son of God is seen with them.
How was the Son of God recognised and not seen as just a 4th man?
The 3 were dark against the bright yellow flames, but the Lord was brighter than the x7 flames. Math 17₂ Rev 21₂₃
Their ropes were burnt, but their clothes and hair were not even singed.
The 3 obeyed Nebuchadnezzar when he called them to come out.
God's intervention did not make them proud or arrogant.
They remained Nebuchadnezzar's servants.
But they would have loved to have stayed in the fire!
In the plan of God, the 3 are set free and are honoured,
Not quite what the astrologers wanted!

But the statue remained and the Jewish God is added to Babylonian gods.
Temporally put at the top of the list. c.f. 'You shall have no other gods'.
Being amazed is not the same thing as believing.

What do we learn from this great story?
Beware of powerful men or institutions.
Democracy is not a guaranteed protection against injustice.
We should always obey the civil power except if it means disobeying God.
When does civil disobedience become the right way? Ro 13₁
Learn to determine when a government command is also a compromise.
This would not have been the only incident in the previous 25 years.
There were at least 53 Temples in the city of Babylon.
      (There must have been many dedications, 'rites', official services etc)
God does not always deliver the saints from their ordeals, but he himself is always with them. Is 43₂ 2 Pe 3_3-14
Honest and true witness may well enrage Nebuchadnezzar or Islam or ...
New Age and Modern Humanists' are deeply offended if anyone insists that there is only one God
      and one way of salvation through Jesus.
We will certainly be accused of being intolerant or narrow-minded.
Humanists think they can manage without any god.
They hate Christian worship and our total dependancy upon the Lord.
It is God who 'rides through the heavens', he created all of it by his word.
He alone is Master of the world today. He always was and always will be.
God does far more than we either ask or think. Eph 3₂₀
He not only rescued them from the fire, but God's name was honoured in heathen Babylon.
      "... in all things God works for the good of those who love him ..." Ro 8₂₈
      In all things, and at all times.
Have we learned to affirm this truth in our many circumstances?
      Or do we only expect God to make life easier for us?
Beware of distorting God's Word, or embellishing prophecy, or misapplying promises.

This is the second time that Nebuchadnezzar is 'moved'. But where to?
It was not yet to faith in the God of Abraham alone.
Note that it is this issue that will always separate Protestants from Rome.
RC's will gladly affirm that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.
But they refuse to say that it is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.
They add the necessity of pennance, good works and receiving the sacrements of the church.
Threatened excomunication brings the fear that you lose your salvation.

Daniel 4   Another Dream - the Tree is Felled            

4_1-18
It is about 571BC, when Nebuchadnezzar had reigned for nearly 35 years,
      and some 10 years after 'the fiery furnace' deliverance.
Nebuchadnezzar tells us of his dream and it's fulfilment.
This chapter is the only part of the OT written by a Gentile.  (also Luke + Acts in NT)
It is his honest testimony, and certainly not the usual speech of a political despot.
He states clearly that he was wrong and needed to be humbled!
The proclamation was 'To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world.'
It was sent out and read in every town square of his considerable empire.

'May you prosper greatly'.  Dan 4₁
Did he think that prosperity was the best goal for men to aim at?
Like wishing each other "A happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year."
He tells of the signs and wonders of THE Most High God.  Dan 4₂
It can't have pleased the many religious leaders of Babylon.

What was Nebuchadnezzar's state of mind at this time?
Contented and prosperous. 4₄
Isn't this the aim of nearly all men.
While ease and riches may not be wrong, it is always highly dangerous.
The Son of God warned us about it many times.  Math 6_21,33 Lu 6_24,25 14₁₁ 16₁₃ also 1 Tim 10₆ 2 Tim 3₂ Heb 13₅

Why did Nebuchadnezzar call the magicians first?  Only when they failed did he seek Daniel.
In the wisdom of God, all the others were seen to have failed - again!
Nebuchadnezzar's pleasant dream turned to a nightmare.
He was not a man that was easily frightened.  Dan 4₅
He honours Daniel by using his Hebrew name.  Dan 4_8,19
      But he also uses Belteshazzar in Dan 4_8,9,19 - after his god.
And the 'other gods' were still not destroyed. Dan 4_8,18  See 1st and 2nd Commandments. Exd 20_3-6
"Chief of magicians" and "Belteshazzar, after the name of my god",
      would not have pleased Daniel, but he let it pass without objection.
He reserved his thrust for what would be more important matters.

4_19-27 The Interpretation.

Daniel was also alarmed when he was told the dream; why?
Genuine concern for his master, Nebuchadnezzar.
He saw that the tree was Nebuchadnezzar. Dan 4₂₂
That God had given him a 7 year suspended sentence.
It would end only when he acknowledged that it is always God who is the Sovereign Lord, not Nebuchadnezzar.
God was also saying that he had to change his ways!
Daniel has courage to tell the king that he must stop sinning and practice justice.
No man can build great edifices without exploitation and/or slave labour.
      e.g. Solomon, the Jewish builder and king, "chastised with whips" 1 Kg 12
Compassion is a good antidote to pride. Dan 4₂₇ Job 33_14-17
Nebuchadnezzar accepts this rebuke.  It says something for his respect for Daniel.

4_28-37 The Fulfilment.

What did Nebuchadnezzar do about this instruction and the earlier sequence of God-events?
      i.e. Dream of statue interpreted, 3 delivered in (not from) furnace and now the Felled Tree.
He may have followed God's instructions for a while; but not for long.
Just 12 months later he was surveying Babylon from the palace roof.
The city stretched for about 3 miles and must have been a fantastic view:
      Palaces, temples, watchtowers, walls, river, green parkland, hanging gardens,
      new houses everywhere, no slums or decay, everything on a grand scale.
"And I built it all ... for the glory of my majesty"!  Dan 4₃₀
"But pride comes before destruction ..."  Prov 16₁₈
He had been personally warned by God and now he chose to ignore him.
So God fulfilled his promise!
He always does. When will men realise this?
Most of the proud West (and East) also choose to ignore God.
What will be the result? Ro 12₂ 2 Co 10₅   "What a man thinks, that he is, or that he will soon become."

Why has God included this Gentile testimony in the Scriptures?
So that we may clearly know what God thinks of pride.  Prov 11₂ 16₁₈ Amos 6₈ Acts 12₂₃
Why does God so hate pride?
Because there is no room or need for God.  Ps 10₄ Dan 5₂₀
God is soon forgotten. Deut 8_10-20
It leads to captivity of the nation and slavery for the soul. Jer 13₁₇
God alone will be exalted. Is 2₁₁
Satan rebelled because of pride. Is 14_1-15
Why don't proud men always fall? It is God who chooses 'if' and 'when'.
      (Note: Pride is not the same as pleasure in good workmanship. Gal 6₄)

What did Nebuchadnezzar say he learnt during these 7 years of madness?
Only the kingdom of the Most High God will endure for ever.  Dan 4₃
Not Babylon, and not the 3 succeeding empires of his dream.
It is God who gives the kingdoms to whom he will.  Dan 4_17,25
God humbles the proud.  Dan 4₃₇ (often through difficulty. Job 33_14-17)

His sanity was restored only when he sought God in humility.
Who looked after the mad king for the 7 years (times)? 4₂₅
Jewish tradition records that it was Daniel.
Why didn't others kill the mad Nebuchadnezzar, and take the throne?
They had heard Daniel's prophecy; and rightly feared him and his God.

Why was Daniel not bitter against Nebuchadnezzar?
He had destroyed the beloved Jerusalem and the Temple, and killed or enslaved 1000's of his Jewish kinsmen.
Daniel quickly recognised that it had been God who had ordered it, and their own wickedness had deserved it. Dan 9
They had refused God's warning by Jeremiah.

Nothing more is known of this great King; he died the following year.
With God's work accomplished, he fades from the Biblical stage.
Nebuchadnezzar had been humbled.
Judah had been exiled, though preserved.
Much remains of the brief and mighty kingdom of Babylon:
In astronomy and maths. e.g. 360 degrees in a circle.
At winter solstice they worshipped the rebirth of Tamuz (Sun god)
      by burning the branch of a tree, a Yule log (Yule =infant in Aramaic)
Next day they celebrated by bringing the trimmed tree into the house.
They worshipped a fertility god whose symbol was mistletoe.
Babylon (in Gk., or Bab-el in Heb.) has become a symbol of evil.  Rev 17,18
Daniel had prayed for Nebuchadnezzar and served him with love and loyalty for over 40 years (605 to 562)

(Daniel 5 and 6 come later chronologically - and in this study)

Daniel 7  -  Vision of 4 Beasts            

Given by God in 553 BC. 1st year of Belshazzar, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.
      Daniel aged 65-70 (and now retired)
In Chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar sees the 4 kingdoms from man's view.
      Here Daniel reveals Babylon, Media/Persia, Greece, Rome as God sees them.  
      And it is very different!  They are ravenous beasts that seek to destroy. (Hos 13_7,8 Rev 13₂)
Nebuchadnezzar saw them as - bright, valuable, strong, even beautiful. A view of Gentile history.
Nebuchadnezzar had built a fantastic kingdom; but it his great kingdom of Babylon lasted only 66 years.
Soon afterwards all that he had built would be left to rot and become just a mound of sand in the desert.
Do we labour for what perishes or what lasts?

Facts from Dan 7   +   More Facts from Dan 7	Comments
The four winds of heaven churn up the sea.  72	Churning is God's initiative, as also in Rev 71 Jesus "rebukes" the wind The 'Sea' = Mediterranean
Four beasts rise up out of the sea.  73   + = Four kingdoms    but saints will inherit eternal kingdom.  717,18	Rise out of the sea. i.e. Mediterranean Gentile nations The 'Final' beast also rises out of the sea. Rev 131 Same 4 kingdoms as in Dan 2
1. Lion with eagles wings. 74     Wings torn off,   Rises on two feet,   Given heart of man	Babylon Lion is king of animals and Eagle is king of birds.       i.e. Absolute power Daniel would have seen lions sculptured on the new buildings Daniel sees it as a symbol of man's pride that must fall       As with Babel. Nebuchadnezzar had lived like an animal for 7 years, then raised.  Dan 4
2. Bear raised on one side. 75 Three ribs in it's mouth.   Told to eat fill of flesh	Medes and Persians Like a bear, big and powerful, but little tact or cunning strategy. Army of ½ million!   Crude and cruel 'Raised on one side'. Persians predominate in alliance 3 ribs = Babylon, Lydia (Turkey) and Egypt
3. Leopard with 4 wings.  76 Four heads.  Given authority to rule	Greece No faster animal than a leopard; and this one had four wings! Alexander died at 33 in Babylon having marched 30,000 miles and conquered all Asia Minor and ME, Egypt, Persia, and NW India 4 heads = 4 Generals who succeeded him Lysimachos (Turkey + Bulgaria), Antipater (Greece + Macedonia) Seleukos (Syria + Babylon), Ptolemy (Egypt)
4. Beast - Terrifying and powerful.  77,20 Iron teeth.   Crushed victims.         Trampled on remainder Ten horns.   Different from the others + Daniel desires to know more. 719 Different - devours whole earth crushing all.  723-24a 10 horns = 10 kingdoms that come from it	Rome So wild and terrible that no suitable animal name to give it Defeated all Europe, N.Africa and ME They killed 1000's in battle and afterwards, and many were enslaved 'Different' is emphasised.       More terrible!  Much more evil and corrupt. No nation defeated Rome. Caesar, Czar, Kaiser      Czar's were called '3rd Roman Empire' Successor? The EU (including Russia)? or more likely      a world power (e.g. the UN) with 10 central members? Iron legs become iron + clay feet with 10 toes.  240-43
Little horn rises up.  78,21,22 Uproots three horns Eyes of a man.  Spoke boastfully Little horn wages war on saints       until God pronounces judgement in favour of the saints + Another and different king arises from it.  724b,25 Subdues 3 kings.  Speaks against Most High Oppresses saints, handed over for 3½ years Tries to change the set times and the laws	The Antichrist. The Beast and his false prophet of Rev 13 Began little but became powerful Mouth became bigger too! Utters great blasphemy. Rev 137 He who endures and overcomes will be saved.       Rev 2,3 Math 1618 Rev 137,10b Math 249,10,21,22 Saints will receive an eternal kingdom - at the end, not before No pre-tribulation rapture for the saints. 1 Th 415-56 Doesn't like origin of AD and BC!  Sets himself above the Law       c.f. 221 It is God who does this, not Satan
Ancient of Days takes his throne.  79-14 River of fire flows Thousands attend him.   Court sits and books opened Son of Man given authority, glory and power All people worship him.   Rules everlasting Kingdom + Then Court sits and saints are given the kingdom.      726,27 Beast is destroyed and thrown into fire Others stripped of their authority       and live a short time	Throne of God also seen by Isaiah and in Rev 4,5 Jesus returns with great power and glory.  Mk 1326,27  Act 111 Millennium (1000 year reign of Christ).  Is 22-4  Rev 204b Jesus destroys the Beast (and False Prophet).  Rev 1911-21       The arrogant will receive their just reward. Satan is bound for 1000 years.  Rev 201,7  Then final battle Satan also thrown into lake of fire for ever.  Rev 2010 Jesus used title (Ancient of Days). Math 820 96 1023 1119 128 etc "All authority"  "Every knee shall bow ..."  Phil 210 1 Co 1527  Math 2818 New heaven and new earth.   Rev 21,22
Daniel troubled, and asks meaning.  715,16 + Daniel is deeply troubled after being told.  728	Not troubled because of what he didn't know       but because of what he did know! Alarmed before explanation; even more alarmed afterwards!       Why?  Because he sees the saints being persecuted               and wickedness prevailing (even if for a limited time) Desired to know more accurately, so God told him.

In the above we have endevoured to take the facts and draw reasonable conclusions.
Some may choose to differ.  As they say, "Time will tell."

Daniel 8   The Ram and the Goat            

551 BC 3rd year of Belshazzar (2 years after vision of Dan 7)
In this vision (and in remainder of Daniel) the focus is on the Jews. Written in Hebrew (Dan 2-7 in Aramaic)
Accuracy of Daniel's prophecy for all past events gives us confidence that he is a true prophet and future will be correct also. Dt 18₁₄
'Transported' to Susa, ancient capital of Elam. Act 8_39,40   Darius would build his palace there in 520 BC

Facts from Dan 8   +   More Facts from Dan 8	Comments
Ram.  83,4 One horn longer and grew up later Charged W, N and S. Powerful - None could withstand him + Two-horned Ram is Medes and Persians.  820	Medes / Persians Persians became predominant.  Ram's head = emblem of Persia Defeated Greece (W),       Phrygia + Cappadocia (N),       Egypt + Babylon (S)
Goat.  85-8 Single prominent horn came from the West Moved so fast, his feet did not touch the ground Charged Ram with great anger Broke both his horns and trampled on him No one to rescue him Goat becomes great but horn broken 4 horns grew in its place + Shaggy Goat is the king of Greece. 821 Large horn is first king 4 horns are 4 kingdoms that replace broken horn,  822       but will not have the same power	Alexander the Great. Not a fighter but academic!       Tutored by Aristotle (a brilliant strategist) Had a vision of a unified world government (like NWO)       and one language (Greek) Left legacy of Greeks in Alexandria       hence OT Hebrew Greek Septuagint. Aegean Sea = 'Goat' Sea His 4 successors: Ptolemy (Egypt),       Antipater (Greece +Macedonia),       Seleukos (Syria + Babylon),       Lysimachos (Turkey + Bulgaria)
Out of 4 horns grew another horn. 89 Increased in power towards S and E and towards Beautiful Land + Rebelious people become completely wicked.  823       Then a stern-faced, master of intrigue will arise	'Beautiful Land' = Israel This one horn is Antiochus IV not the 'little horn' of Dan 7 He arises from 4 horns, not the 10 horns in the end times. Similar characteristics of the Antichrist yet to come       and a very unpleasant taste!! Jesus speaks of abomination as being in the future. Math 2415
Threw some of starry host to ground and trampled them.  810-12 Set itself up to be Prince Took away daily sacrifice; sanctuary brought low Prospered: truth thrown to the ground + Becomes strong, but not by his own power.  824 Devastation and success. Destroys the holy people Deceit prospers.  825	Contemptible person, (Dan 1121)  - like Beast in Rev 13       both will be raised to power by Satan. Persecution of Jews started in Oct 169 BC       and lasted until Syrians were defeated by the Maccabees Temple defiled for exactly 3 years 15/25 Kislev 167 to 164
"How long will sanctuary be trampled?"  813,14       "2,300 evenings and mornings" + Magnifies himself. Many destroyed when they feel secure. He even attacks the Prince of princes He will be destroyed, but not by human power	2300 am + pm sacrifices =1150 days (3 years =1095 days)       pig sacrificed on alter to Zeus 55 days       after God's altar removed Wickedness will increase - (not revival)       Math 2412  2 Th 27-12  Is 520 Many holy people added to the throng of martyrs. Rev 69-11 Sin has to run it's full course.  Gen 1516  Then judgement.       God remains in full control. Antiochus calls himself  'Epiphanes' = god. Beast also claims to be God! He is destroyed by Jesus, whom he blasphemed. Is 1412-23 Act 1223 Dan 1121-24 Zech 114-16 Is 32 Rome defeats Greece 146, Lydia 133, Selucids 64       and Egypt 31 BC Prophecy now concerns only the Antichrist at the very end What audacity! The Rock will destroy the 'feet' kingdom. Dan 244,45 Rome falls apart but is never totally defeated like Babylon, Persia, and Greece
Gabriel told to explain the vision.  815-19 Calls Daniel 'Son of man' "The vision concerns the time of the end ...       in the time of wrath." + Daniel exhausted and ill.  827 Appalled. Vision beyond understanding Seal up vision - concerns distant future.  826 124,9	Only Jesus has authority to command the arch-angel Gabriel There was much that Daniel did not understand,       but he saw enough of what was to happen to righteous Jews,       and was appalled. Is 2819b

Daniel 5  Belshazzar Challenges God.            

Nebuchadnezzar 605-562 dies
Amel-Marduk (son) 562-560 murdered by brother in law
Neriglissar (brother in law) 560-556 military Captain
Labashi-Marduk (son of Ner.) 556 murdered by Nabinidus
Nabinidus (son in law 556-539 lived mostly in Teima in Arabia of Nebuchadnezzar)
Belshazzar (son of Nabinidus) 553-539 co-regent with his father (grandson of Nebuchadnezzar)
Nabodinus retired to Teima and Belshazzar became co-regent in Babylon 9 years after Nebuchadnezzar died.
"... Nebuchadnezzar his father ..." 5₂ (No word for grandfather in Aramaic)
Belshazzar reigned for 14 years, during which Cyrus (=Darius the Mede)
      had conquered all the kingdoms from Lydia (Turkey) to Afghanistan, and now he had turned south!

Babylon was a big and wealthy city.
Euphrates ran through city + canals, walls over 8 miles long, 250ft high and 87ft wide at the top,
      watchtowers every 200ft and 100ft higher than the walls, at least 53 temples + 300ft(?) Temple Tower (Ziggurat),
      (Jacob's Ladder was probably the steps around the side of a Ziggurat)
      Hanging Gardens and Nebuchadnezzar's Palace.
      All clean, new, modern buildings - no expense spared; plenty of slaves.
Belshazzar had food, water, security, power and pleasures in abundance.
He had inherited great prosperity and power.
He had seen his grand-father go mad; he knew why, but took no notice.
He had 'kicked over the traces', like Hezekiah's son, Manasseh.
He was proud, ignorant and wicked.
He desired to impress his friends and boost morale, so what does he do?  He gives party for 1000!
Orgy, became drunk and he chose to defile the Jewish Temple vessels.
No foreigners and foreign 'gods' can defeat mighty Babylon.
Even Nebuchadnezzar in his pride had respected the God of the Jews.
      But not Belshazzar: he has contempt for Darius,
      and worse, far worse, he has contempt for the God of Israel!
Many have found to their cost, the folly of such action. e.g. Pharaoh, Goliath, Sennacherib, Jezebel, ...

What does God do to such men or women?
David had sought God's answer - and asked "Why do the wicked prosper?"
      So had Jeremiah. God had told both of them the answer.  Jer 12_1,14 Ps 73_3,17 Ps 37
500 years after David, (and 50 years after Jeremiah), God had not changed his reply.
It is like the man who wrote a letter to his local newspaper boasting that he had ploughed,
      sowed, sprayed and harvested a bumper crop, all on Sunday.
      Underneath, the Editor wrote, "God does not always settle his accounts in October!"

In Babylon they were enjoying 'wine, women and song' when suddenly fingers appeared and wrote on the wall.
      Just the fingers; no arm or body were visible.
      (A banqueting hall 173' x 56' with white plastered walls has been excavated)
It was not the first or last time the finger of God is mentioned.  Exd 8₁₉ Exd 31₁₈ Jn 8₈ Lu 11₂₀
Belshazzar was more than a little alarmed!
His face went white, his knees knocked and his legs gave way.  Dan 5_6,9
      But it was through fear, not repentance.
What was is like for those outside when God shut the door of the Ark?
Or for Egyptian army at the Red Sea, or for the evil men of Sodom?
What will men do in the last days, when the seals are broken, the warning trumpets sound
      and finally the bowls of wrath are poured out one by one?
They still will not repent!  Rev 6₁₇, 9_6,20, 16_9,11,21

No one could tell what the writing said; even when offered the greatest possible reward.
Belshazzar is even more alarmed.
The Queen - not present - is told. (Nebuchadnezzar's wife or daughter)
She came and told him of Daniel.
      Like Naaman's Jewish slave girl (2 Kgs 5₃)   and Pharaoh's wine steward (Gen 41_9-13)
It never occurred to Belshazzar to consult the righteous and elderly Daniel.
Offers him third position in the kingdom. (His father Nabinidus is still alive, so he was second or co-regent)
Daniel rightly refuses his promised gift. He knew it was worthless! (and besides he was now over 80)
      Like Abraham, who refused the gifts of the 5 kings. Gen 14_21-24
Daniel has no trouble in reading what was written and revealing what God had already told him;
      as God had told David and Jeremiah concerning 'the end of the wicked'.

First Daniel gives him a humiliating history lesson.
He does not respect Belshazzar like he did Nebuchadnezzar.  Dan 2₂₇ 4₁₉
      "You knew all this but have not humbled yourself."  Dan 5₂₂
      "You have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven."  Dan 5₂₃
      "You praised the gods of silver (and sex)."  Dan 5₂₃
Then he interprets. "Therefore ..."
Men who live for frivolity and pleasure will not do so for long.  Job 4₈
Many know about God (Belshazzar did), yet refuse to repent or believe.
What is the problem?
They deny the helplessness of man and the need for God's salvation.
The necessity for the Cross seems foolish to their 'wisdom'.  1 Co 1₁₈,3_19,20
Belshazzar desecrated the Temple vessels showing his contempt for all gods.
No man can insult Almighty God and get away with it.
Harvest will always come sooner or later - in this case it was sooner!  Gal 6₇

Mene (Heb. Wt Minas 600gm 1 Kg 10₁₇ Ezra 2₆₉)
1st meaning = numbered. Your days are numbered,
God numbers our days. Don't waste them. Ps 90₁₂
He is the judge of all men. The last number has now been called.
When? (Now)

Mene
2nd Hebrew meaning is to appoint. Dan 2₄₉ 3₁₂ - and to DIS-appoint!

Tekel (Heb. Wt Shekel 10gm) Is 40₁₂
= To balance, to weigh. You have been weighed against a true standard
and found to be light. 1 Sam 2₃ (all) Job 31₆ (Job) Prov 16₂ (+motives)
Why? (Wicked)

Peres (half a Minas) means to divide or distribute.
Kingdom divided and given to Medes and Persians.
Parsin is plural of Peres (x 2). also Paras = Persians
How? (Deposed)

The words were three common weights;
      and in God's scales of justice Belshazzar just did not measure up to any of them.
How did God achieve this judgement?
Unknown to Babylon, Darius the Mede had done some remarkable civil engineering. (very sloppy intelligence)
About 20 miles north, he had diverted the Euphrates into a lake.
While they feasted, he marched into Babylon up the dried up river bed.
Exit Balshazzar from the world stage; but not Daniel.

Babylon falls. The prophecy of Isaiah and Jeremiah are fulfilled. Is 21_6-10 Jer 51_37,42,64
Now the head of gold was finished: Babylon's heyday lasted just 66 years.  Dan 2₃₉
Although in one evening the great Babylonian Empire had ended,
      the evil worldly spirit of Babylon would continue to thrive.
      The naturally corrupt heart of man will always welcome it.
In the 'last days', Babylon (symbolising world economic foundations)
      and the Gentile kingdoms will also suddenly fall - in just one hour!  Rev 18
And deservedly so, because they too will actively insult God. They will not just ignore him.
Humanism says God does not exist; New Age says God is in everything.
Proud, indulgent man thinks he is free to decide what is right and wrong.
He can choose to do so, but he will pay a high price!
Many youngsters refuse God's command of "no" to sex outside marriage,
      when they feel guilty, instead repenting, they choose to reject God.
      It is so sad that this is not just one or two, but thousands of youngsters.
On Sunday we say, 'Keep it special', but God says 'Keep it holy'.
On Monday we abolish the Law of God. Everyone can decide what feels right.
On Tuesday we say 'enjoy safe sex, whenever and with whoever, male or female, what does it matter!?'
On Wednesday we make divorce easy. 'Promises are made to be broken'.
On Thursday we legalise the mass murder of the unborn. What a cry!
On Friday we encourage greed; rewarding ability or by the lucky lottery..
On Saturday we claim rights without responsibility, the State will provide ...
Then we find that 'there is no such thing as a free lunch!'
All day our gracious God spreads out his hands towards a rebellious people.
Most still ignore or ridicule him - but for how long?

Note: In this judgement of Babylon,
      God was bringing about the return of the Jews to Judah and the rebuilding of the Temple.
Daniel is spared: God has more work and revelation to give this righteous old man.
Cyrus takes on the Hebrew slaves - including Daniel
It is likely that Daniel shows Cyrus what is written in  Is 44₂₄-45₇ about 150 years earlier!

Daniel 6   A night with the Lions - and an Angel!            

Belshazzar and Babylon had fallen to Darius about a year previously, in 539.
Darius the Mede (or Cyrus) also appoints Daniel to the top position.
This is more remarkable than it appears at first sight:
      Daniel had been the Prime Minister of his defeated enemy, Babylon.
      In the history of war, this must be unique.
      He is old (about 80), he is an exile, he is righteous and he is Jewish!
It is easily seen here that it is God who appoints.

Lesser men were very jealous of this most able man.
      But they could find nothing deceitful and no wrong decisions.
      Daniel is totally honourable in all things. Unique!
      No sleaze, no slush fund, no secret love affairs, no private pension plan.
      Is this what others can say of us?
      'Every man has his price' - except Daniel.
What does it say about the Mede or Persian leaders, or leadership today?
Are there still some men like Daniel who are honest and wise?
Democracy encourages deceit; leaders need votes so they must appear to do what the people want.
      Dictators do not need popular support.
The only other man in scripture without fault (except Jesus) was Joseph.
      (and he was also made 'Prime Minister' in foreign land)
      But even these two noble men were not without sin.
      Like us, they needed and looked forward to their Redeemer.

The conspirators resorted to making a new law;
      one they knew Daniel would break, and that appealed to Darius' pride.
      'For 30 days all prayer should be to Darius, and not to any (other) god.'
This was very cunning.
Persian rulers were considered to be the son and representative of the chief god, to whom they prayed.
No Jew could accept that Darius was a god or even the son of a god,
      but it was no problem for the Median polytheists.
In the plan of God, Darius didn't see through their intrigue.
Always beware of the praise (flattery) of men, when deserved, and when it is not deserved!

Daniel remained faithful to the Lord, he continued to pray 3 times each day, facing Jerusalem. 1 Kg 8_33,44
      Even though Temple is in ruins. (all Synagogues are built facing Jerusalem).
He knew that the Jerusalem Temple would one day be rebuilt.
Babylon was the centre of evil.
Jerusalem stood for God's choice, God's presence, God's plans and God's salvation.
Daniel was never too busy to pray, nor was it ever too dangerous!
Why kneel?  Jesus Lu 22₄₁ Stephen Act 7₆ Peter Act 9₄₀ Paul Act 20₃₆
But they also stood or sat to pray.
Today Jews stand and 'Free Church' people usually sit.
Evangelicals are usually strong on intimacy, but weak on reverence.

What was the conspirators accusation?
Daniel, the Jew!, pays no attention to the King, he still prays to his God.
They could not have put it more emotively.
Darius sees through their plan immediately. Now he is upset.
Not with Daniel, nor the conspirators, but with himself for being duped.
He knew that Daniel was loyal. Even after only 1 year he had learned to trust his friend.  Dan 6₃

What did Daniel pray?  Dan 9₃ Ps 57
His exceptional ability did not stop Daniel seeking God's help.  Dan 6₁₁
Indeed, it was the reason for it.
His prayer was out of need, not for a 'photo opportunity'.
He gave thanks - he had learned to trust God, whether he knew or did not know the outcome.
Once signed, even Darius could not change the law.  (Unlike Nebuchadnezzar: silver c.f. gold part of statue)
Rule Books can be helpful - national, Church or ... but there will always be loopholes and exceptions.
God can change the natural laws -
      He divides the Red Sea, stills the storm, knocks down a city wall, or changes the habits of hungry lions.
      Note: "Lions" as a punishment replaces Babylonian "Fire", which was sacred to Zoroastrian Persians.
Darius hopes that somehow God would deliver Daniel; he is in earnest.
He spends a sleepless night, he fasted, and there was no music.
First thing in the morning, the anguished Darius went to the den expecting Daniel to be no more.
He refers to Daniel as servant of God, not of Darius.
Was your God able to deliver you? ... Yes!!
Daniel was with the angel throughout the long hours of the night.
      Have you ever wondered what they talked about?
Darius may have lost his fingernails in his agitation, but Daniel lost nothing.
No hurt was found on him (as with his 3 friends some 40 years earlier).
The God of Daniel is honoured.  He has shown who is the one and only true God.
An edict with this message is sent throughout Persia.  Like Nebuchadnezzar did some 25 years earlier.

The conspirators receive their just reward.
God vindicated Daniel, and he avoided the mark of the Beast!!
Note that Darius proclaimed the judgement, not Daniel.
Take care not to retaliate to injustice or insult.  Ro 12₁₉ Lu 23₃₄ Act 7₆₀
God will be just in his judgement; we probably would not be.
Daniel sought, knew and observed the commands of God. He prospered.  Josh 1_6-9
Jewish prosperity in foreign lands has always caused anti-Semitism.
But God has promised that they will somehow survive!
Today we see that God remains faithful. (even if Israel is in difficulty)

His servant Daniel has been faithful for nearly 70 years of exile.
He has had an immeasurably great effect on all the known world.
Two of the most powerful heathen kings have sent worldwide edicts about the God of Israel and Daniel.
God determines the ultimate destiny of all men.

Jesus was also sentenced by the law to die. He was also sealed with a stone.
      And he lives for ever.  Jn 19₇

Daniel 9   Daniel prays - God Answers                     

The year is 539 BC,  the 1st year of Cyrus (or Darius the Mede, not Darius I).
The Babylonian empire had just ended, now the Medes and Persians ruled
Just as God had revealed in the dreams in Dan 2 and 7, though timing had not been revealed.
Daniel would have known about the rising power of Medes and Persians
      in the North before Belshazzar's great and last feast.
The writing on the wall did not surprise Daniel, he was waiting for it.
      He remembered what others had forgotten.
What would Daniel, now over 80, be doing?
Probably asking God concerning his plan for the Jews.
To find out he reads the word of the Lord to Jeremiah.
He considered it as 'Scripture' (thus the revealed truth).
"When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you
and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place."  Jer 25₁₁ 29₁₀
He understood that 'the desolation of Jerusalem' (Dan 9₂) would last 70 years.
There is some confusion about these 70 (literal) years.
      There was 3 stages of exile to Babylon:
            605 (Daniel+3), 597 (Ezekiel) and 586 (Others)
      and 3 stages of return to Jerusalem:
            538 (Joshua and Zerubbabel), 458 (Ezra), 445 + 425 (Nehemiah)
The only dates that fit the 70 years are:
      586 (destruction of Temple) to 516 (rebuilding of Temple complete)
So 'The desolation of Jerusalem' was the destruction of the Temple in 586
      (some, and I think incorrectly, say the 70 years is from 605,
            so this prayer of Daniel in 539 would be only 4 years to go)

Why were the Jews exiled to Babylon?
Idol worship, widespread wickedness, they even offered their children to Molech.
      Hab _12-4 Zeph 1_4,5,12 Jer 1₁₀ 2₁₃ 5_1,31 6₁₄ 32₃₅ 25₃ Ezek 16₄₉
Why did God declare 70 years?
No Sabbaths given to the land for 490 years (1076-586?).  2 Ch 36₂₁

It is now 539, so it is only 47 years after the Temple destruction,
      and there is still another 23 years of the prophesied 70 years to go.
      The Temple destruction was a devastating blow to the Jews.
      No more sacrifices for sin; the meeting place for God and man abandoned.
It is clear that, like Joseph, Daniel will never return to Jerusalem.
He will never live to see the Temple rebuilt and city restored.
But he also sees that God does have a plan to restore Judah.
      (unlike Northern tribes of Israel that were exiled nearly 200 years earlier)
What does Daniel do?
He does not say 'Praise the Lord!'
He prays earnestly - with truth and with fasting.
He is rightly and deeply concerned; but he is not confused.
Scripture revealed the just cause of exile; and the sure hope of restoration.

9₅   We have sinned ... we have rebelled ...
9₆   We have not listened to the prophets ...
9₇   Lord, you are righteous but we are covered with shame because we sinned against you ...
9₉   The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving ...
9₁₂ You have fulfilled the words spoken against us ...
9_13b Yet we have not sought the favour of the Lord our God ...
9₁₅ Our God hear our prayers ... because your city and your people bear your name.

"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."  Lu 6₄₅
Here we see Daniel's heart.  
He is not trying to impress others - he is alone before God.
It is not something he had to do to get what he wants from God.
It is the overwhelming feeling of need.  (c.f. our concern for the UK)
It is the pleading of his soul, laid bare before God.
      (and it is an excellent example for us all)

1.   He confessed his own sin and that of the people.
      He includes himself - 'we', not 'they' have sinned.
      The devil is like a fly; he hates clean places.
      Daniel is truly ashamed of the sins. He doesn't call them mistakes!
      He is heart-broken and offers no excuses.
      He fully admits that he deserves God's punishment.

2.   He pleads with God for forgiveness, and to restore the desolate sanctuary.
      The appeal to God is based upon God's promise.  
            It was for the sake of the Name of God, and for God's glory.  Dan 9₁₉
      It is not for Daniel or even Israel's benefit.
      Daniel's longing is for a righteous Jerusalem, not just a rebuilt city, or even a rebuilt Temple.
      His living for the previous 66 years in Babylon, the world centre of idol worship, must have enhanced this desire.
      One day his great longing will be fulfilled.   Is 2_2-5  Dan 2₃₅  Is 28_16,17  Jer 31_3-17 33_6-9,15,16
      The grounds of his plea is not his own righteousness, but God's limitless mercy.  Dan 9₁₈

Cyrus had made a decree to return the Temple vessels and to rebuild it.  2 Ch 36_22,23   Ezra 1_1-4 5_13-17
      (He also decreed that other imported slaves could return - general amnesty)
      Maybe Daniel had shown Cyrus.  Is 44₂₈ 45_1,13 (written 150 years earlier)
Daniel sees this return under Joshua and Zerubbabel.  Zech 3₁-4₉
No doubt he heard that they start re-building the Temple but he was not surprised when it faltered and stoped.
      Only 50 of God's 70 years were completed.
He remains in Babylon, and much is revealed to him by God for our benefit.

But first, how does God answer Daniel's earnest prayer for a restored and righteous Jerusalem?
The great archangel Gabriel appears with heaven's answer.
      (much of Revelation comes from this prophecy of Daniel)
Not surprisingly it concerns the Jewish nation.
"Daniel ... you are highly esteemed ..."
      Mary was called 'highly favoured' by Gabriel.
      John was called 'greatly beloved' and God gave him Revelation.
Gabriel tells Daniel of another 70 - a 70 'sevens' (i.e. 70x7 years)
490 years are required to: (and it is much more than just rebuild the Temple)
      Put an end to sin.
      Atone for wickedness. (Atone = Heb. Kaphar)
      Bring in everlasting righteousness.
      Seal up vision and prophecy.
      Anoint the most holy.
These words from heaven must have thrilled Daniel.
He joined Abel, Noah, Abraham ... who rejoiced to see the day of Jesus.

Were all these completed with the first coming of Jesus, the Messiah?
      Yes, in a sense, but also no.
Yes, God has graciously forgiven my sin, but sin has not yet ended.
He has given us everlasting righteousness, but we must 'keep the faith'.
Even a casual look anywhere will show that universal righteousness has not arrived!
God reveals his plan for the Messiah to come once to put an end to sin
      and again at the end ('seal up the vision') to complete the promise.

This 490 years is split into three sections. 7x7, 62x7 and 1x7
Gabriel explains! He expects Daniel to 'Know and understand ...'  Dan 9₂₅
From the word to restore Jerusalem to the coming of the Anointed One will be 7x7 + 62x7 (=483).
      But there were 4 possible proclamations:
            538 Proclamation of Cyrus to rebuild Temple.  Ezra 1_1-4 2 Ch 36_22,23
            520 Darius I to governor of Trans-Euphrates re-issues decree of Cyrus.  Ezra 6_1-15
            458 Artaxerxes to Ezra.    Ezra 7
            445 Letter with Nehemiah to rebuild city wall. Neh 2_1-9
Subtracting 483 years from each of these gives:
      538-483=55 BC    520-483=37 BC    458-483=26 AD    445-483=39 AD
The 'Coming of the Anointed One' was either at his birth between 5 and 2 BC
      or when he entered Jerusalem as King on a donkey in 30 or 33 AD
Why is the 483 only approximate, when God is always accurate?
      And why is the first 69x7 split into 7x7 and 62x7?
      I don't know.
Some claim the use of a Babylonian 360 day year with 12 months of 30 days.
      (62+7) x 7 = 483 years x 360 days = 173880 days
      But 173880 days = 476 years 21 days (using 365.25 days/year)
      Then using the letter to Nehemiah in 445,   445 - 476 = 32 AD (no 0 AD).
      If Jesus was born in 3 BC and died in 33 AD aged 35,
            then he was 32 or 'about 30' when he began his ministry.  
      But this seems a bit too clever!
      Jews and Greeks each used lunar months. (29 or 30 days/month)
      Jewish years have always been lunar based with each month begining at new moon.
            To keep the seasons correct a 13th month (2nd of Adar) is added in 7 of the 19 'Metonic' years.
      Egypt and Rome used a solar year of 365 days, with a leap year every 4 years.

It is tempting to try to sort out the 'years', but doing so usually obscures the events which God has promised,
      and the great, eternal kingdom that he has and will fulfill.
At the first coming of the Messiah:
The Anointed One came, Jesus was 'cut off' from his Father, and from among his people.
      Ps 22₁ Jn 1₁₁ Exd 12_15,19 (yeast = sin)  Is 53_3,8,10
His sacrifice has made atonement for my sin.
The City and the Sanctuary were destroyed in 70 AD
Then there is a 'Gap' like that found between Rev 12_{5 and 6} also Is 61_{1,2a and 2b}
      The 70x7 changes from literal years to standing for 'a long time'. Similar to Math 18₂₂
War has continued, and desolations for the last 2000 years, during the 'times of the Gentiles'.
The 7x7 and the 62x7 are completed; the last 1x7 is yet to come
War will continue until the end. (no peace treaty will stop it.)  Math 24_6,7
Desolations have been decreed. (desolations is plural. Not just the mosque of Oman - Golden Dome)
He (the Anti-Christ) shall make a strong covenant (a Peace Treaty) with many (probably the Arabs) for 7 years.
      (Like President Clinton made or 'brokered' a Bosnian peace treaty. 11/95)
      This treaty will probably be between Israel and her neighbours.
After 3½ years the Anti-Christ will put an end to sacrifice and offering.
Does this 'end of sacrifice' assume a third Temple? Some think so.
      More likely it is the stopping of all true public worship of God that Satan hates.
The Peace Treaty is broken.  "The treaties of men are founded on fear and honoured when convenient."
      Mohammed broke his covenant with his Koreish tribe after 24 years.
      (Arafat keeps mentioning this in his Arabic speeches. I wonder why?!)
The Anti-Christ will set up an abomination that causes desolation on Temple wing.  Math 24₁₅
      'wing' in Heb. = wing, corner or pinnacle.
Is this desolation/abomination 70 AD, later or both?   Or is it the 'man of lawlessness'  2 Thes 2_1-4
      Maybe the Anti-Christ will accept the 3 temptations that Jesus refused.
Until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.  2 Thes 2_5-12 + Dan 11₄₅
      God remains in control - always.

Daniel, exiled for nearly 70 years in the world's idol-worshipping capital,
      had asked God for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, a righteous city. 9_16-19
God's answer to him is 'more than we can ask or think'.  Eph 3₂₀
God promised Daniel 'to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness
      and bring in everlasting righteousness.'
Not in stones of Temple rebuilt in 516 or the City walls rebuilt in 445 BC
But the Anointed One would come (for all men)
      and provide the atoning sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God in 30 AD.
and
At the Messiah's 2nd Coming he will rule in Jerusalem for 1,000 years.
Then at the end of this Millennium, the released Satan is finally thrown into the fire.
      God will create the new heaven and the new earth.  Rev 21, 22
This is the crown of all God's revelation to Daniel - and the least known!
Daniel would have read and believed Jer 23_5,6 Zech 12₁₀ Is 2_2-4
      see also Deut 4_29,30 Jer 30_8-11 Rev 7_13-17 Math 24_21-31 Heb 9₂₈

Daniel 10-12    God's Plan Revealed              

Daniel mourns and fasts for 3 weeks by the river.
Why fast when God had revealed putting at end to sin? Dan 9₂₄
Vision was for "a great (and long) war"on earth. Dan 10₁
Daniel is distraught at the suffering his people will have to endure.
The cost of war is always high. In WW1 8½m died.
      In WW2 at least 35m died.  Allies 1.5m killed + 9m civilians.
            Axis 4.5m killed + 1.5m civilians.   USSR 8m killed + 10m civilians.
      War materials alone cost >£200,000 million each for US, UK, and Germany,
            not including war damage to buildings, shipping etc.
      Today (1995) the world spends >£480,000 million / year on 'defence'.
      Sometimes the cost seems too high and it leads to capitulation and/or compromise. e.g. Israel and PLO
In 537 BC the cost had been high.
      The Jews had experienced wholesale exile, death and destruction.
      The first of the three batches of exiles had known 68 years of slavery.
It was now 2 years after Cyrus had allowed all Jews to return to Jerusalem, but only a few had done so.
Had the others 'given up' or were they just too comfortable?
In Jerusalem the Temple rebuilding started, but had now stopped - many enemies.
When they got 'home' all was not well. (Like Israel in 1947.)
Daniel sought with tears to find out what God's plan meant.
God reveals it to him, and we are told in Dan 10-12.

First Daniel sees the Man, whose 'face was like lightning ...' and whose 'voice was like the sound of a multitude'.
What is God like?
      He has a body; we are like him, made in the image of God.
      Moses saw his back.
      He has a heart, hands, fingers, mouth, feet, eyes, ears, hair, head, face ...
      He has a voice - sometimes quiet, sometimes like thunder.
      He has breath, a countenance, wears linen clothes with golden girdle.
      He eats, lives in heaven, sits upon a throne, rides on the wings of the wind.
      He has feelings, grief, anger, joy. He can repent and be jealous.
      He can hate, love, have pity. He takes pleasure and delight in people.
      He has a mind and intelligence, he has a will, a plan and power.
      He loves truth, righteousness, justice and mercy.
      He has love, hope, compassion, faith, reason.
Some men have seen the Lord. OT and NT, pre and post Resurrection.
      Gen 18_1-33 Dan 10_5-7,16,18 Lu 24_15-35 Jn 20_19-23 Jn 1₁₄ 14₉ Josh 5_13-15 Dan 7_9-11 Lu 24_36-51
      Jn 20_26-29 Rev 1_12-19 Is 6_1-6 Act 9_3-8 Jn 20_14-17 Jn 21_4-14 Rev 4₁ - 6₁
Daniel fell on his face, he had no strength left. I am not surprised!
Jesus says, "Fear not, I have been sent to make you understand." 10₁₂
Only the Lord and Michael fight for Israel Dan 10₂₁ -  but what an Army!
Delayed by battle with demonic prince of Persia.
This vision is for the days to come, not now.
Again Daniel is told that he is 'highly esteemed', but he still needs to be strengthened.  Dan 10_15-19
       Jesus provides for us to be strengthened too.   Act 9₃₁ Col 1₁₁
Jesus also tells him that he must go and fight the prince of Persia and then Greece.

What does the Lord reveal? In summary:
3 more kings of Persia, then Greece. The kingdom is then divided into 4.
North (Selucid) and South (Ptolemy) great rivals with Israel in between.
All detailed prophecy fulfilled until Antiochus Epiphanes.
Then no historical fulfilment; because it is for the time of the end. There is a gap, (a long gap of over 2000 years)
The last 7 years will end with a time of unprecedented trouble for 3½ years and power of holy people ended. Dan 12₇
Resurrection, some to everlasting life but others to everlasting contempt.
The Wise shall purify themselves and be ready.
The Wicked shall not understand, they reject God and do nothing.
Daniel, this vision shall divide all who read it - Wise or Wicked.
Seal it up, keep it and add nothing; it is for the end of days.
In the end much that is now a mystery will be clear.
There are many surprises in store.  Be warned, immediately prior the end is not comfortable for Christians!
      But our destiny is sure and the end is eternal life with God himself.  What could be better?!

The vital message of the prophet Daniel is:

God will faithfully fulfill all that he has revealed.

He has provided atonement for sin,

and he will bring in everlasting righteousness.

Daniel 11_2-39   Detailed Prophecy Fulfilled              

The revelation to Daniel was fulfilled so exactly in 530-164 BC  that some say it must have been written later!

The following table sets out the prophecy and its fulfilment:

Verses in Dan 11	Fulfilment
2  (After Cyrus),  3 more kings will appear in Persia. Then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others When he has gained power by his wealth,       he will stir up everyone against Greece.	Cambyses, Smerdis, and Darius I (530-486) Xerxes (486-465) attacks the Greece in 480. He fails to conquer Greece,      and they never forgave his brutality (Bear)
3,4  A mighty king will appear who will rule with great power       and do as he pleases. After he has appeared, his empire will be broken up,       and parcelled out to the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants,       nor will it have the power he exercised,       because the empire will be uprooted and given to others.	Alexander the Great (336 - 323) Greece Turkey Egypt Syria Persia, Pakistan      W.India are each conquered in turn. He was never defeated! Alexander dies, aged 32 in Babylon 4 Generals took command.  Both Alexander's sons are murdered
5  The king of the South (Egypt) will become strong. But one of his commanders (Syria) will become even stronger       and he will rule his kingdom with great power.	Ptolemy I (a Greek, ruled Egypt. 323-285) Seleucus I (a Greek, ruled Syria. 311-280). Initially ruled Babylonia       then added Syria and Persia.
6  After some years they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North       to make an alliance, But she will not retain her power. He and his power will not last. In those days she will be handed over, together       with her royal escort and her father       and one who supported her.	Antiochus II marries Bernice daughter of Ptolemy II Bernice and her son and Antiochus II       are murdered by Laodice,       the former wife of Antiochus II. Ptolemy II dies.  The alliance fails!
7  One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North       and enter his fortress;       he will fight against them and be victorious.	Ptolemy III (246-221) the brother of Bernice  gets his revenge. He defeats and kills Laodice. Captures Antioch and/or its port of Seleucia.
8  He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their       valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.	Ptolemy III took the Syrian idols      and the Egyptian idol      which Cambyses had taken in 525
9  Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the       South but will retreat to his own country.	Seleucus II (246-226) lost his fleet in a storm and is defeated.
10  His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army,       which sweep like an irresistible flood       and carry the battle as far as his fortress.	Seleucus III (226-223) + Antiochus III ('the      Great' 223-187) (both sons of Seleucus II)      advance to Raphia (Gaza).
11  The king of the South will march out in rage       and fight against the king of the North,       who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.	Ptolemy IV (221-203) with army of 70,000       defeats Antiochus III at Raphia in 217.
12  When the army is carried off the king of the South       will be filled with pride and slaughter many thousands,       yet he will not remain triumphant.	10,000 killed and 4,000 prisoners Ptolemy IV was an indolent king. He feasted and failed to 'follow up' his victory.
13  For the king of the North will muster another army,       larger than the first;   and after several years,       he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.	Antiochus III went East and returned mightier.
14  In those times many will rise against the king of the South. The violent men among your own people will rebel       in fulfilment of the vision, but without success.	Ptolemy V (203-181) (General Scopas)       crushed the rebellion of resurgent Jews       who had joined Antiochus III in 200
15  The king of the North will come and build up siege ramps        and will capture a fortified city.       The forces of the South will be powerless to resist;       even their best troops will not have the strength to stand.	Scopas then went to Sidon,      which fell to Antiochus III ??
16  The invader will do as he pleases;      no-one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land       and will have the power to destroy it.	Antiochus III wins battle of Panium in 198, Control of Israel transfers from Ptolemy to      Seleucid rule.
17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom       and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And will give him his daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the       kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him.	Antiochus III gives Cleopatra in marriage    to Ptolemy V in 197  hoping that together    they could defeat the growing threat of Rome. But Cleopatra wisely refuses to fight Rome.
18  Then he will turn his attention to the coast lands and will take       many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence       and will turn his insolence back on him.	Antiochus III turns his forces on Greece,      and conquers much. But is defeated by      Roman Generals Glabrio at Thermopolae      in 191,  then by Scipio at Magnesia in 190.
19  After this, he will turn back towards the fortresses of his own       country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.	Antiochus III returns duly humiliated,      and is murdered in a Baal temple while     trying to extract a larger tribute for war.
20  His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendour. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.	Son, Seleusus IV (181-175). Rome could be bribed so sends finance minister Heliodorus, to collect tax + temple treasure. Heliodorus has a vision, returns home      and poisons Seleusus IV
21  He will be succeeded by a contemptible person       who has not been given the honour of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when it's people feel secure,       and he will seize it through intrigue.	Demitrius was true heir and young son of    Seleusus IV but he was very young and held    hostage in Rome.  Antiochus IV who was a    younger brother of Seleusus IV,    bribed people with lower taxation    and pretended to be guardian to Demetrius.
22  Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.	Ptolemy VI (181-146) attacks Antiochus IV with a large army. Defeated at Pelusium in 170. Antiochus IV appoints Ones III as 'Hellenised' High Priest, who is then murdered.
23  After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully,       and with only a few people he will rise to power.	Antiochus IV follows up victory and      successfully invades Egypt. He establishes      protectorate. But people not satisfied for      long. Taxes were not reduced. Antiochus IV's popularity quickly faded.
24  When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them       and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses, - but only for a time.	In 168 Antiochus IV again invades Egypt      and captures Alexandria. Robbed rich areas      like Galilee and literally scattered money      in the streets, to try and gain popularity.
25,26  With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage       against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage       war with a large and very powerful army,       but will not be able to stand because of plots against him. Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him;       his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.	Antiochus IV's success in the 168 campaign was partly due to the intrigue that surrounded       the still young king Ptolemy VI. A divided command looses the war. Many killed on both sides.
27  The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil,       will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail,       because an end will still come at the appointed time.	Ptolemy VI agrees to Antiochus IV 's coronation at Memphis. But 'Watch this space' - Antiochus IV is about to be defeated.
28  The king of the North will return to his own country with great       wealth,  but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.	(Recap. This is how it will happen.) A. IV returned home in 170 with much wealth. Sees Jerusalem as a potential threat if they       side with Egypt. Posts garrison?
29  At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this       time the outcome will be different from what it was before.	Invades Egypt again in 168       but his success is short-lived because ...
30 Ships from the western coast lands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favour to those who forsake the holy covenant.	Ships arrive from Cyprus with Roman Consul Laenas who publicly humiliates Antiochus IV       demanding that he leaves Egypt. Antiochus IV ambitions are ended, so he      takes it out on the Jews.  Apostate Jews      who supported him are given authority.
31  His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.	Antiochus IV defeats Jerusalem in 167. Coveted and took its wealth. Defiles the Temple on 25th Kislev. After 55 days he builds an altar to Zeus       and sacrifices pig.      40,000 Jews sold as slaves many killed Forbids Bar-mitzvah, Shabbat, Jewish feasts ..
32  But those who know their God shall do great exploits.	Mattathias Maccabee kills first apostate priest       who sacrifices pig in Modin       20 miles NW. of Jerusalem. Sons kill Syrian Apelles and his soldiers.       (Mattathias dies soon afterwards) Judas and his 4 brothers lead guerilla war. They defeat A. IV's men and free Jerusalem. This scripture encouraged them to trust God. Temple cleansed on 25th Kislev after exactly       1150 days or 2300 sacrifices. 813,14       =3 years + 55 days (see above) One day's lamp oil lasted for 8 days! Miracle celebrated by Jews ever since at the      the feast of Hanukkah.
33-35  Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help,       and many who are not sincere will join them. Some wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and       made spotless until the time of the end,       for it will come at the appointed time	Israel then independent but at war until       Roman occupation by Pompey in 63 BC.
36  The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself      above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of      gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed,      for what has been determined must take place.	The last coins of A. IV bear "Theos" = god     Antiochus and calls himself 'Epiphanes'     (= god revealed, made known) The Rev 13 Beast has similar characteristics
37  He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one       desired by women, nor will he regard any god,       but will exalt himself above them all.	Antiochus IV forsook Apollo and Tammuz (Ezek 8;14)
38  Instead of them he will worship the god of fortresses;       a god unknown to his fathers he will honour with gold and silver,       with precious stone and costly gifts.	Antiochus IV worships Jupiter (Zeus), the god of war.
39  He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign       god and will greatly honour those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the       land at a price.	Of this there is no fulfilment in the days of Antiochus. He fades and the Antichrist is seen. He will say, 'I am god; you shall all worship     me'.   Those who refuse will be persecuted.  See Rev 13

Daniel 11₄₀ - 12₁₃    Prophecy Not yet Fulfilled              

11_40-45
South will again attack North (Antichrist).
North will react with fury and attack with mighty army and navy.
North will invade various lands on the way, including Israel.
Moab, Edom and most Ammon (Jordan) will escape.
North will overthrow many countries as far as Libya and Ethiopia.
Egypt will lose her treasure.
News from East and North will alarm him,
so returns in anger, destroying as he goes.
Halts between Jerusalem and the Sea.
There his time will run out! No one will help him.

12_1-13
Michael shall fight for you in heaven against satanic forces.
Greatest time of anguish for Jews in their history.
All whose names are written in the Book shall be delivered.
Everlasting life or everlasting shame and contempt.
Wise will shine like stars and turn many to righteousness.
Daniel, seal this book, it is complete and it is for end times.
Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase.
Angel asks, 'How long till end of these wonders?'
A time, 2 times and ½ a time after power of God's people has been crushed.
Many will be purified, refined and shall understand.
Wicked will continue in their wickedness and not understand.
From ceasing of burnt offering to setting up of abomination that makes desolate for 1290 days.
Blessed is he who waits and comes to 1335 days.

Christians have been granted the great privilege of being grafted into the house of Israel.   Rom 11₁₇
But this means that we shall also share the suffering of the Jews prophesied in Daniel.
      How different this is from the deception that Christians have all the good promises of God
            while the Jews are left to the suffering that so appalled the Prophet,
            and which Jesus tells us is sure to come upon the elect.  Math 24_{9, 21, 22}
"This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."   Rev 13_10b
Let us be ready and not deceived.
Let not wickedness cause our love to grow cold.
We shall yet sing the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
      "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
      Just and true are your ways, King of the ages."   Rev 15₃