Daniel: Introduction/ Daniel 2

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These writings on the book of Daniel are a result of the course that was offered in the fall semester of 1999, at Berea Bible Institute, in Gautier, MS.  Our assignment was to write a one page summary of each chapter with an application of what we had learned.  As you read the summaries, you will gain some understanding of what each chapter is about.  My hope is that it will inspire you to do an extensive study, on your own, of the Book of Daniel.  Daniel was very dedicated to God and chose to serve God no matter what he faced. As a result of Daniel's devotion to God, God found favor with Daniel.  God loved Daniel very much, and in the latter chapters, you will find that God gave Daniel many revelations concerning his people.  Will you dare to be a Daniel? -- Janice Pelletier

The book of Daniel begins with the reign of king Nebuchadnezzar.  He had gone down into Jerusalem and captured the city, carrying away many of the treasures and vessels from the temple.  Upon hearing of the death of his father, who was king, he took captive some of Israel's best and brightest young men and brought them back to Babylon.  These children were to be taught the ways and languages of the Chaldeans, for a period of three years, and then to be brought before the king. Daniel was one of the young men who had been brought to Babylon, along with three of his friends.  One of the first things the children of Israel faced, was having their Hebrew names changed.  This was part of the strategy the king used to strip them of their identity.  He wanted them to be Babylonians, loyal to him and no longer have any thoughts or connections to their former way of teaching. But, Daniel loved God, and decided in his heart that he would not defile himself by eating the food of the king.  This food had first been offered as a sacrifice to idols; therefore Daniel knew that eating it would be wrong.  So Daniel, who had gained favor with the prince of the eunuchs, who was caretaker of the children of Israel, went to him requesting not to eat the food.. The prince was fearful of the king and afraid to let Daniel and his friends go without eating the food.  So Daniel requested of Melzar, his caretaker that they be given only water to drink and the herbs and vegetables to eat for ten days.  Then he could check them and see if they were doing as well as the other. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his friends were fairer and fatter than all the other children who had eaten the king's meat.  So Melzar allowed Daniel and his friends to continue with this diet. God blessed Daniel and his friends and they were found to be the best among all the children of Israel.  They were ten times better then any in the king's realm.

We could learn a lesson from Daniel.  He never compromised his faith and trust in God.  He knew that God would take care of him.  Sure, Daniel could have found many excuses for eating the king's meat, but Daniel knew that it was wrong.  I found myself in this same situation, in the summer of 1998.  My mother passed away that June.  Some friends of my nieces had done a wonderful job of taking care of the food that had been brought in, and cleaning and greeting folks who came and visited my sisters home during the hours shortly after Mother passed away.  My sister and I wanted to do something for them, to show our appreciation.  We decided to take them out to eat.  They wanted to go to one of the gambling ships on the coast of Mississippi, which is not far from where I live.  When I found out that was where they were going, I just plainly told my sister to go ahead and have a good time, but I just could not go there to eat.  This is a strong conviction I have about those gambling ships.  Even though, it was only to eat, I felt that I just could not do it.  By standing up for my beliefs, they decided to eat in a restaurant in Mobile.  We all had a good time and my beliefs were not compromised.

In this chapter, we find that king Nebuchadnezzar has been having some troubling dreams.  He commands the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to interpret his dream.  The Chaldeans said, "O king, live forever:  tell us your dream and we will tell you the meaning."  The king answered and said, "I can't remember the dream, so you must tell me what the dream is and its meaning or I will cut you into pieces and your houses shall be made a dunghill."  The Chaldeans told the king there was no one alive that could tell him his dream and interpret it also.  They knew they were in trouble.  The king had asked of them something they could not do.  The king became so angry and ordered that the wise men be destroyed along with Daniel and his friends. Somehow, Daniel got to the king, telling him not to be in a hurry, that he would tell the king the interpretation, if given a little time.  Then Daniel went back to his house telling his friends that they needed to pray and ask for God's mercies, so that they would not die with the rest of the wise men. Then as Daniel was sleeping, God revealed the king's dream to him.  Daniel began to pray, thanking and praising God for giving him the wisdom and knowledge to interpret the king's dream.  Then Daniel went to the guard, Arioch, and told him not to destroy the wise men, but to let him go before the king.  Arioch went to the king, telling him that he had found a man who could interpret the dream. The king asked Daniel to tell him his dream.  Daniel answered the king, telling him that God gave him the interpretation.  The dream was a great image, with a head of gold, breasts and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, and his feet were part iron and part clay.  In the dream, the image was broken into pieces and the wind blew it away.  The stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the earth. Daniel told the king that the God of heaven had given him a kingdom, power, strength, and glory, and that he was the head of gold.  But, there was coming another kingdom greater, and another kingdom even greater to rule the whole world.  Then, the fourth kingdom would break the entire structure of kingdoms, and set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed, and stand forever.  The stone that broke the kingdom would be Jesus Christ.  God had made the dream known to Nebuchadnezzar. The king was so impressed with Daniel and his interpretation, that he bowed down and worshipped Daniel, telling him that his God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings.  The king made Daniel a great man, giving him gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.  Daniel did not forget his friends who had prayed and believed with him.  He asked the king to set his friends over the affairs of the province of Babylon.

We could learn a lesson from Daniel, who trusted God to the fullest.  Even in times, when we feel there is no one who can help us, God is there.  I have experienced this many times in my life.  Having a child with disabilities can sometimes become so overwhelming that it seems to be almost impossible to cope with.  I have found myself in such despair with nowhere to run, or no one to turn to.  God is always there.  God gives the strength, the courage, and wisdom to continue on.  Thank you God.

This chapter opens with King Nebuchadnezzar having made an image of gold.  The statue stood 90 feet high and 9 feet wide and it was set in the plains of Dura.  So he sent out a decree and commanded everyone to be at the dedication.  At this time, the whole nation was told that when they heard the sound of the music, to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then some of the Chaldeans came to the king accusing the Jews that the king had set over the province of Babylon.  These three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, had not bowed down and worshipped the image. The king became infuriated, and commanded that the three be brought before the king.  He told them that he would throw them into a fiery furnace if they would not bow down and worship the golden image.  But, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king that they would serve their God only.  At this, the king ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual, and bind the three, and throw them in the fiery furnace.  The flames were so hot, that the men who bound the three were killed when they threw them in the fire. Then the king rose up and looked, saying, "Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?"  They answered, "True, O king."  Then Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."  What an amazing feat!  They did not even smell of fire, and the only thing that burned was the rope that had them bound! The king then made a decree, that none should ever speak anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.  Then the king promoted the three in the province of Babylon.

What a lesson to learn from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!  They knew who their God was and they would not waiver by bowing to another god.  I know in my own life how easy it has been in the past to bow down, so to speak, to other gods.  It could be anything that is put before God.  I have decided that it is very important to put God first in everything that I do. At work, at school, at play, at home, in everything, I will not waiver.  Thank you, dear Lord, for this wonderful lesson and thank you, dear Lord, for the strength and power to stand firm in my faith.  I am reminded of a song that I have heard on the radio, ... "whatever you're going through, just remember you're going through!"  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through, and God went through with them.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  What a blessing!

This chapter opens with a proclamation from King Nebuchadnezzar, exalting the most High God for the signs and wonders that had been shown him.  The old king had another dream that frightened and troubled him.  So he sent for all the wise men to have them interpret the dream.  Then he sent for the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers.  Yet none of them could interpret the dream. At last, though, Daniel came in and Nebuchadnezzar told the dream to him, recognizing that Daniel knew everything because he had the spirit of God.  In the dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a very tall tree that had grown into the heavens.  The leaves were fair, and it was so fruitful, it fed the whole earth.  Then an angel came from heaven and told him to cut the tree down, shaking off all the leaves, scattering the fruit, and leaving only the stump of the tree.  Then the stump's heart would be changed to a beast's heart for seven years, and would be wet from the dew of heaven, and would eat of the grass of the earth.  Then he asked Daniel to interpret the dream for him. Daniel was astonished for one hour and was very troubled.  But, when Daniel finally spoke, he said that the tree was the king, who was strong and great in his kingdom.  The angel was sent by the most High with a decree that the king would be driven from men and dwell with the beast, eating grass as oxen and wet from the dew of heaven for seven years, so that the king would know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomever he will.  The stump would be left meaning that once the king knew that god ruleth over everything; his kingdom would be restored unto him. Daniel encouraged the king to confess his sins and show mercy to the poor, and maybe God would give him peace and tranquility.  But, just twelve months later, the king spoke again in pride about his mighty kingdom and all the power he possessed.  Even as he spoke, though, a voice from heaven said, "Thy kingdom is departed from thee."  In that same hour, Nebuchadnezzar was driven out from men and did eat grass as oxen; his body wet with dew and his hair was as eagle's feathers, and his nails like bird's claws. After the seven years had passed, Nebuchadnezzar lifted up his eyes unto heaven, and his understanding returned to him.  He blessed the most High God and praised and honored him that liveth forever, acknowledging that the most High God does what He wills and no one can stop Him.  At that time, Nebuchadnezzar's reasoning returned to him, and the glory of his kingdom was returned and he was established once again, to praise, extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment; and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.

The lesson to be learned from this chapter is that God is in control.  He does what he will.  No one on earth can change the mind of God.  But, God can change the mind of man.  Pride is a terrible thing.  God does not like for us to boast about anything, for all that we have is God's.  He allows us to have things, and we should be thankful for what we have.  O God, most High, forgive me for being proud of any of my accomplishments.  All that I have, and all that I am is from You.  You have given to me eternal life, of which I am so undeserving.  Help me, O God to be humble with a sweet spirit, as Daniel must have had.  Amen.

This chapter opens with Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, having a big feast.  As he begins to taste the wine, he commands that the gold and silver vessels, which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, be brought in.  The king, along with his princes, his wives, and his concubines, begin to drink from the vessels, when suddenly, the fingers of a man's hand began writing on the wall in the king's palace.  When Belshazzar saw this, it frightened him so much that he began shaking all over.  He started yelling for the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers to be brought in.  He told them that whoever could interpret the writing would be given a scarlet robe, a gold chain and become the third ruler in his kingdom.  But, none of them could interpret the writing.  Belshazzar was greatly troubled and everyone around him knew it.  So the queen told him not to worry, that there was a man in the kingdom, who had the spirit of God in him, who had interpreted dreams for Nebuchadnezzar in the past and had been made master of all the wise men. So Daniel was brought before the king.  The king began telling Daniel that he had heard of him, that he was one the children of Israel and had the spirit of the gods in him, having much knowledge and wisdom.  Now, Daniel was told by the king to interpret the handwriting, and he would be given a robe of scarlet, a gold chain, and made third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel told the king to keep the gifts, that he would interpret the handwriting.  As Daniel began to speak, he reminded Belshazzar of how his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had been made mighty in the kingdom, but had become so proud and arrogant, giving himself all the credit for what had been accomplished, not recognizing that the most High God was Who had put him in authority.  He explained to the king that he had not humbled his heart, even though he knew what had happened to his father, and had brought in the vessels of the temple of Jerusalem, to drink from them, praising the gods of silver, gold, brass, wood, iron, and stone.  Yet he did not acknowledge the Most High God, glorifying Him, who had given the king his very breath and had set him over the kingdom. This is the writing:  MEME, MEME, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.  Then Daniel explained..  MEME MEANS God hath numbered they kingdom, and finished it.  TEKEL means thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  PERES, means thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.  Then Belshazzar gave Daniel the scarlet robe, the gold chain and made him third ruler in the kingdom.  In that very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Median took the kingdom.

The lesson to be learned here is to never mock God.  We must realize that God is in control of the entire world.  He puts those he wants in places of power, and God has the power to remove them.  I know sometimes I get discouraged when I listen to the news, and hear of how our leaders seem to mock God in the way they are so arrogant and proud of their accomplishments.  I don't think God likes that.  We are coming upon an election year, where pride and mockery will be the norm, hearing how this one done that and that one did this.  Help me, O lord, to remember that you are in control.  You place those in power whom you choose.   I only have control of my one vote, and I pray that I will let You lead me to cast that one vote the way You would have me.  Amen.

This chapter opens with Darius as king.  He was pleased to have Daniel as a president and set him over the whole realm because he had an excellent spirit and could be trusted.  But, the other presidents and princes were jealous of Daniel and sought to find fault in him.  But, they could not find anything against Daniel, unless it was concerning his loyalty and obedience to God.  So they went before King Darius, asking him to sign a decree that whoever shall pray to God or any man, other than the king, for thirty days would be cast into the den of lions.  The law of the Medes and Persians was so strict that once it went into effect, it could not be changed.  Darius signed the decree. Daniel had not been consulted about the decree, of course.  But knowing it, he still went into his house, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, kneeled and prayed, giving thanks to God, as he had always done.  Well, the other presidents and princes knowing that is what he would do, went to the king about the decree, saying Daniel should be cast into the den of lions.  Darius knew the decree could not be changed, and was very upset with himself for signing it.  He began trying to figure out a way to save Daniel, for he knew this thing would have to be carried out before sunset.  He could not save Daniel from being cast into the den of lions. Darius said to Daniel, "Thy God whom thou servest continually will deliver thee."  A stone was brought and the king closed the den with his own signet.  Then Darius went back to his palace to pass the night away, not eating, or sleeping.  He arose early and went to the den of lions lamenting to Daniel.  "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" Daniel answered, "O king live forever, my God has sent an angel to shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not hurt me.  I have done no wrong."  Darius was so glad!  Daniel was brought from the den with no harm to him, because he had believed in his God.  Then the king demanded that the men who had accused Daniel, be cast into the den along with their children and their wives, to be ravished by the lions. King Darius made a decree that in his kingdom men would tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:  for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom would not be destroyed, and His dominion would reign unto the end.  Daniel's God had delivered him from the power of the lions.  Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

The lesson here is to trust God.  Daniel had no fear of what could be done to him.  It mattered not to him what kind of decrees had been made.  Daniel never compromised his faith and trust in God.  He continued as he had always done.  O, Lord, I pray that I will never compromise my beliefs.  I pray that no matter what comes my way, I will completely trust you, as Daniel did.  We never know just what we may face today or tomorrow, for we live in a very wicked world, where Christians are now considered the lowest of the low.  I may never face a den of lions, but if anything of this magnitude should ever come before me, let me dare to be a Daniel.  Amen.

Chapter seven begins with Daniel revealing a dream that he had the first year Belshazzar was king of Babylon.  Daniel was asleep in his bed when a vision came to him of four winds of heaven upon the great sea.  Four beasts came up from the sea.  The sea is a symbol of the Gentile nations.  The first beast was a lion with eagle's wings.  Daniel saw the wings being plucked and the lion made to stand as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.  The second beast was like a bear, higher on one side with three ribs in its mouth.  The third beast was like a leopard with four heads and four wings of a fowl on its back.  The fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, was very strong.  It had iron teeth and ten horns.  As Daniel was looking at the horns, another little horn came up plucking up three of the first horns.  This little horn had eyes and a mouth.  Then Daniel saw thrones cast down and the Ancient of days sat upon the throne clothed in white, with hair like pure wool.  The throne was like a fiery flame, and thousands of thousands of angels ministered unto him upon the throne.  The judgment was set and the books were opened.  The little horn spoke great things, until the beast was slain and his body destroyed in a burning flame.  The rest of the beasts had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.  Then Jesus appeared in the clouds and come to the Ancient of days.  Jesus was given dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him forever and ever. Daniel was troubled by the visions and asked one of the angels standing nearby if all this was true.  So he was told the interpretation.  The four beasts represent kings.  The fourth beast however, is the most dreadful, for it is very powerful, and speaks great things.  It will also make war against the saints, and prevail against them until God, the Ancient of days comes and gives judgment.  The saints will then possess the kingdom.  This little horn on the fourth beast is the Antichrist.  He will reign for seven years.  Then God will destroy him and give the saints of the most High dominion under the whole heaven and will serve and obey the most High forever and ever. This vision greatly troubled Daniel, for it changed his countenance.  Surely what he saw was a terrible, terrifying time.

The lesson to be learned in this chapter is that God is in control.  There is coming a time when God is going to allow Satan to rule the whole earth.  This is what we refer to as the Great Tribulation.  This time period will be for seven years.  The first half of this time is going to be very peaceful, yet deceitful, and probably good times.  The Antichrist will be in power and will eventually force everyone to worship him.  The last three and a half years that Daniel saw in this vision, troubled him.  It troubles me also.  I don't want any of my loved ones and friends to be around when all this takes place.  I pray, dear Heavenly Father, that you send someone in their lives, to point them to you, Lord.  So many of my family members are deceived.  They need to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, and start living as a child of God.  My humble prayer is:  Lord, help me to be a witness that will help them to know that You are for real and that you can save them from these terrible times that are about to be upon this earth.  In Jesus' Name I pray.  Amen

Chapter eight opens with Daniel having another dream.  This dream happened in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar.  The vision places Daniel in the palace at Shushan, which is in the province of Elam.  Standing by the river, Daniel saw a ram with two horns, one higher than the other, with the highest one being last.  The two horns are Media and Persia.  Daniel watched the ram push west, then north, then south, so no beast could stand before him.  This ram did as he wanted and became great (represents Cyrus of Persia).  As Daniel continued watching, a male goat came from the west, which had a notable horn between his eyes (represents Alexander the Great of Macedonia).  The goat came and ran into the ram with great fury and anger, causing the ram to be cut to the ground and stamped upon.  The goat became great, and when he was very strong, the horn broke, and four notable horns replaced it.  These four horns represent the four generals who divided the kingdom when Alexander the Great died.  Out of one of the four horns came a little horn, which became exceedingly great.  This little horn represents Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria.  He was a type of antichrist, who brought much tribulation upon the Jewish people, and eventually blasphemed God.  As Daniel began to ponder the meaning of the vision, Gabriel appeared to help Daniel understand.  Daniel was so afraid; he fainted and fell to the ground.  But, Gabriel touched Daniel, and he sat straight up, and told him that at the time appointed the end shall be.  He continued telling Daniel the interpretation of the dream.  In the latter time of the kingdom, there will arise a king who will be very powerful.  He will stand up against the Prince of Princes, but he will be broken.  Daniel fainted, and became very ill.  After a few day, though, Daniel got up and went about doing what had to be done.  No one understood why Daniel was so astonished.

I would be astonished!  What a dream Daniel had.  The things that Daniel saw so overwhelmed him.  He was terrified at what God had revealed to him.  All of what Daniel saw in the dream has come to past, except the rise of the little horn on the goat.  This is Antichrist, who has not come into power yet.  The time, as the angel Gabriel told Daniel, has been set and it will happen when the time comes.  We do not know when that will be.  This is going to be a very terrible time upon the earth.  Satan will blind the eyes of people and they will be so deceived.  Thank you, Lord, for this time of study in the Book of Daniel.  I have learned so much.  Help me, dear Lord, to be able to convey what I have learned to people that I may have the opportunity to witness to.  It is so important to stay prayed up and ready to witness.  This time that is to come is not a time that I would want anyone to have to endure.  Lord, keep me pure.  Forgive me my sins; let me be your willing vessel to do your work.  Thank you for such a wonderful example of devoted sacrificial living, as is found in Daniel.

Chapter nine of Daniel begins in the first year of the reign of Darius.  Daniel had been studying the scriptures and the prophesies of the prophet Jeremiah.  Therefore, Daniel knew that the Babylonian captivity of the Jews would last for seventy years.  Time was very close to the end of the seventy years.  So, Daniel began to fast and pray for his people.  Daniel began praying with a very repentant heart.  He knew that God was faithful and would hear his prayer if he had an attitude of confession and repentance.  As Daniel prayed, he confessed all the horrible sins that had led Israel into captivity.  Daniel's people had rebelled against God and had not listened to the prophets who warned them of the judgment God would send if they rebelled.  Daniel, in his prayer, reminded God that in the past, He had delivered the people of Israel from the bondage of Egypt.  Now, Daniel wanted God to do the same thing again for Israel. Daniel pleaded with God to forgive Israel and to act with favor toward Israel, not because they deserved it, but because God is merciful.  Daniel believed that God would hear, forgive, listen and act upon his requests, if his people would repent and turn toward God once again.  While Daniel was praying, confessing his sin and the sin of his people, God sent the angel Gabriel to exhort Daniel.  Daniel was very precious to God, and He wanted Daniel to understand the vision of chapter eight. In this new revelation, God indicated that He would continue to chasten Israel for at least seventy more sevens of years beyond the end of the Babylonian captivity.  These 490 years would accomplish six things with regard to Israel and Jerusalem:  to finish the transgression, make an end of sin, make atonement for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Gabriel indicated that the starting point of 490 years would be the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem with a plaza and a moat.  This starting point was in March 445 B.C.  Gabriel said that Messiah would be cut off and the city and Temple would be destroyed again.  Gabriel indicated that Israel would be troubled until the second coming of Messiah. The seventieth week is described in the last verse of chapter nine.  This is when the Antichrist will come into power causing great troubles upon Israel.  Abominations and desolation will come, causing Israel to finally turn back to God through Messiah.

The lesson we learn here from Daniel is:  as Daniel prayed for his people, so ought we to pray for our people.  Daniel knew how to pray.  He confessed his sin and the sin of his people.  Confession is the key to true repentance.  I believe that is truly when God hears our prayers.  I believe that God will turn a deaf ear to unrepentant people.  One cannot approach God with sin in his/her heart.  Thank you God, for the lesson in Daniel's prayer.  I ask you God, to forgive me, what a sinful person I am.  The people of today need someone like Daniel.  Help me, O Lord, to be that person.  Please forgive the sin of my people, Lord, as You have forgiven me.  You are worthy of praise and adoration for your grace and mercy endureth forever.  Amen.

This chapter begins in the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia.  This was about two years after king Cyrus had officially ended the Babylonian captivity.  Daniel had not returned to Israel, probably because of his advanced age (about 85).  He held an important position in the Babylonian government also, and he probably felt he could do more good for his people if he remained in Babylon. Before Daniel received this new vision, he had been mourning and fasting for 21 days.  He was intent upon humbling himself before God on behalf of Israel.  As Daniel was standing beside the Tigris River, he saw a vision of the Son of God.  There were some people there with Daniel who did not see the vision, but knew something unusual was happening.  They ran and hid.  Daniel was so overwhelmed by the vision, that when he heard the roar of Christ's voice, he fainted and fell down to the ground. When Christ touched Daniel, he came to his knees, but swayed.  Christ told Daniel that he was greatly loved by God, to stand upright and pay attention, because God had sent Him to Daniel.  Daniel did stand, but was still shaky.  Christ reassured Daniel and told him not to be afraid, because God had heard him from the very first day.  Christ had been sent on the first day, but had been detained for 21 days by a high-ranking evil angel that Satan had assigned to influence Persia against Israel.  The evil angel did not want Christ to deliver the new revelation to Daniel concerning Israel's future.  But, Michael, the archangel, who is assigned to be the prince of Israel, came to fight the evil angel and freed Christ to come to Daniel.  Christ told Daniel He was sent to reveal to him what would happen to Israel in "the last days". As Christ began speaking, Daniel became weak again, falling to the ground, face down and unable to speak.  Christ touched his lips and Daniel spoke, calling Christ, Lord, and explaining that seeing Him had caused him to be weak and unable to speak.  Christ touched Daniel again, giving him more strength and encouragement.  Christ then asked Daniel if he understood why He had come to him.  Then Christ went on to tell Daniel that, after He would finish revealing to him what God had already written in scripture concerning the future, that He would return to fight against Satan's prince of Persia again.  As soon as He would be finished with that prince, He would then have to fight with the prince of Greece.  Here, Christ is indicating that He and Michael are the only two supernatural beings who oppose such evil angelic forces as the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to come face to face with Jesus Christ.  I can totally understand how it weakened Daniel and brought him to the ground.  It takes the touch of the Lord, though, to give us strength to carry on sometimes.  This chapter teaches us that we don't always know what is going on behind the scenes sometimes.  Christ and the angel Michael are looking after Israel.    This is an awesome thought to me.  I never realized this before.  Satan has assigned powerful angels to influence rulers and nations in their policies-particularly in their policies against Israel.  God has also assigned powerful angels to fight against the evil angels.  There are supernatural rages going on behind the scenes of international events.  But, the greatest hope we have is that God has prewritten the course of history, and God is going to have the final say.  This is the sovereignty of God.

This chapter opens with the continuation of the revelation Christ is sent by God to reveal to Daniel.  Christ told Daniel that there would be three more Medo-Persian kings after Cyrus, and before the fourth successor.  The "mighty king" Christ spoke of was Alexander the Great.  He conquered a vast territory, but was cut down at age 32.  The kingdom was then divided into four parts by four generals.  Christ referred to the "king of the south" as being Egypt, and would be very strong.  The king of the south's daughter will marry the king of the north, which is Syria.  But according to scripture, it wouldn't last.  The king of the north's first wife would become jealous and have the Egyptian woman killed.  The Egyptian woman's brother had become king of the south and invaded the king of the north to avenge his sister's death..  The new king of the south would prevail and bring back to Egypt many precious vessels and treasures.  Meanwhile, the king of the south will sit idle and the king of the north will continue to invade toward the south, conquering many lands.  The battling back and forth will cause much distress upon the land of Israel, for it is caught right in the middle.  Christ continues revealing to Daniel all the future events leading up to the second coming.  History has proven that the prophecies in this chapter up to verse 35 have been fulfilled. In verse 35, though, Christ refers to the time of the end, which is yet to come.  In verses following, Christ describes to Daniel the characteristics of the future Antichrist who will come to power in the revived Roman Empire, after the rapture of the church.  Antichrist will do as he pleases, he will be an absolute dictator, demanding his own way.  He will reject all forms of law.  He will blaspheme God.  He will reject the god of his fathers and the Messiah.  He will be an atheist.  He will exalt and magnify himself above every god.  He will be devoted to the conquest of the world.  War will be his god. Christ continues the revelation, stating that some time in the end time, Egypt and Syria will attack the Antichrist militarily.  It appears that the Antichrist will attack Syria from the north first and then will march south through Israel bypassing Edom, Moab, and Ammon, to reach Egypt.  He will conquer Egypt, but upon hearing some disturbing news from the north and the east, probably that Israel is being attacked, he will turn back toward Israel, but the Libyans and the Ethiopians will be right on his heels.  God will intervene and the Russians and her allies will be supernaturally destroyed.  Antichrist will take credit for God's work and will claim deity.  This is when he will break his covenant with Israel, and will persecute the Jews unmercifully.  But, as stated in verse 45, he will come to his end, and none shall help him.  God, at this time, is going to destroy Antichrist.

As I started writing this chapter, I honestly had no idea how I would be able to write it and most definitely, I thought I would not be able to apply it.  I found this chapter be very hard to understand, because of all the history involved.  I have never been much of a history student.  All the prophecies that Christ revealed to Daniel leading up to the end times are hard to understand.  But, you know, if Christ said it, and He did, I believe it.  I do not have to have proof.  But, the proof is there in the history books.  As far as the prophecies concerning the Antichrist that Christ revealed to Daniel, they are yet to happen, but I believe it.  I know that it is out there sometime in the future.  And in my heart, I feel that it could be in the very near future.  All the events that are taking place in our world today are setting the final stages that Christ told Daniel about in his vision.  I pray for my people, that they will know and trust Jesus before it is too late..

As we come to the last chapter in the Book of Daniel, Christ is still speaking to Daniel, giving him the revelation of the last vision Daniel had.  Christ refers to that time which interpreted means the time when Egypt and Syria will attack Antichrist by invading Israel, during the first half of the seventieth week.  Michael, the archangel will stand up to guard Israel.  Michael will protect Israel because this is going to be a time of great trouble for the nation of Israel, "a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation."  Michael will be there to keep the nation of Israel from being totally annihilated. God will allow this remnant to suffer severe persecution-to the point that they will believe in Jesus as their Messiah and Savior.  At that time, Christ will rescue those saved Jews, whose names are written in the Book of Life.  Christ then tells Daniel that many of them that sleep will be resurrected to everlasting life, and some to shame and contempt.  I believe that Christ is teaching here that all those Jews who died, as believers during the seventieth year will be resurrected at the second coming of Christ.  Old testament saints will be resurrected at this time also, to enter the Millennial Kingdom of God with Christ.  There will be some people during the Tribulation Period who will recognize the lies of Antichrist, and will lead many others away from Antichrist and to Christ.  These Tribulation saints will be rewarded for their service, and will be given the opportunity to shine forth the glory of God forever, even as the stars shine. When Christ finished giving the revelation to Daniel, he told him to preserve "these words" and to "seal the book" until the "time of the end."  Christ was indicating that in these end times, people would be hurrying to and fro, trying to gain knowledge of the future.  Because Daniel was given these revelations, people would be able to study it and increase their knowledge of the future. While Christ was talking to Daniel, two angels appeared on the banks of the river.  They had probably been there for a while, but invisible.  They had heard part of the revelation given by Christ and one of them asked how long the Antichrist would be able to continue his persecution of Israel once he breaks his covenant with that nation.  Christ raised both hands towards heaven and swore an oath by God.  He swore that the Antichrist would be able to persecute Israel for three and a half years, until Israel would believe in Christ and stop the rebellion against God.  Daniel then asked Christ to explain how Israel would be delivered.  But, Christ refused to give Daniel any further explanation, and told him to go his way for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  Christ indicated to Daniel that many Jewish people would get saved in the latter half of the seventieth week.  Those saints who wait earnestly until the end of the 1335 days will be blessed.  Christ was telling Daniel that the nation would be preserved.  Then He told him to go on until he died, but that he would be resurrected to enjoy the future Kingdom of God.

The lesson here to be learned is:  God is sovereign.  He does as He wills..  God made it clear through the writings of Daniel that He is in control.  God will always be in control.  But, man is so stupid to think that he can do as he wills and get by with it.  God knows every person, every event, every thing that has taken place, and every thing that is going to take place.  In these last days, there is much knowledge and gaining of knowledge.  God lets us know what we need to know through the Holy Scriptures.  Thank you; Lord, for the opportunity to study the book of Daniel.  I have gained much knowledge from it.  Show me how I can be of help to teach others what I have learned.  What a wonderful study of the scriptures.  Amen.

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