Sermon - Daniel 11:40-12:13 - Drawing to a Close - Littleby Baptist Church - September 20, 2020
The last couple of weeks we have continued our walk-through history and prophecy as we have reviewed what the angel shared with Daniel in the fourth and final vision. We have the benefit of seeing how this vision has played out over roughly 360 years. It proves to us that God’s Word is accurate and true.
We have been reminded that our God knows all. We have seen that He is beyond powerful. We have read that those who honor God are refined, purified, and cleansed. Great reminders as we walk this earth in this uncertain time.
Before we get into today’s verse, I do want to say that once again the different commentaries do not agree on a lot of things. Some point to these verses focused on the end of king Antiochus’ life and some point to our future and the rise and fall of the antichrist. We will look at a bit of both as we wrap up Daniel.
Daniel 11:40
“40 “At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood.”
‘At the time of the end’ – at the end of the prophetic window we are looking at meaning starting at 536BC to 164 BC or it could be pointing to the end of the antichrist’s reign on this earth. Those that believe this has to do with Antiochus state that it could either be a recap of some of the events in the years of 171-168 BC or could be a final invasion into Egypt in the years of 166-165 BC.
Looking at the End Times this could be pointing to second half of the 70th seven years we talked about a few weeks back. The king of the South would be attacking Israel halfway through the Tribulation period and the king of the North will charge in also. This could tie to Ezekiel 38 when Gog the leader of Magog, believed to be modern day Russia or Turkey, attacks Israel.
Daniel 11:41
“41 He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites.”
Antiochus will crush Israel and it is believed that he used the help of Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites to do so. These enemies of the Jewish people escaped falling to the king’s power by siding with him. Same could be said for those who side with the antichrist, for a time they will escape his wrath.
Daniel 11:42-43
“42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. 43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission.”
These last couple of verse seem to be expanding on the control that Antiochus had, the wealth he acquired through conquest, and some of the other countries that were serving him due to his power or the money he paid them.
Looking to the future it is believed that these verses are pointing to these nations initiating the invasion of Israel.
Daniel 11:44-45
“44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.”
Antiochus will respond to revolts from the east and the north and he will destroy many. Upon his return to Israel he will setup his royal tents in Jerusalem. The antichrist charges into battle, conquers many, and then sets up his headquarters in Jerusalem to rule the world.
Antiochus dies a painful death because he elevated himself above God. The antichrist will be crushed by our Lord because he tried to be God.
Looking at these verses you can see how history played out, but you can also see how they may point to the End of Days.
Daniel 12:1
“12 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.”
The angel who is talking to Daniel, tells him that at the end of the king’s reign or when the antichrist is destroyed that Israel’s guardian angel Michael will rise up and protect the people.
A time of distress as never has occurred, refers to the desecration of the temple of God. Antiochus desecrated the temple and setup pagan idols in it. The antichrist will desecrate the temple and require people to worship him and him alone.
The people written in the book will escape, can be referring to those who pick up the pieces after Antiochus death or it may be the remnant of Israel who will reign besides Jesus in the millennial kingdom.
Daniel 12:2-3
“2 Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to disgrace and eternal contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
If this is referring to the time of king Antiochus, it is believed this was meant as encouragement to those who were struggling to hold on to their faith. On the other hand this is one of the strongest pieces pointing to the End of Days in which some will be given eternal life and those who have the knowledge, the insight, the understanding of these events will shine like the heavens and some eternal contempt. Those who serve God during the final days will be rewarded.
Daniel 12:4
“4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.””
Daniel was told to keep this a secret and to seal the book, meaning that this prophecy was not meant for those of his day. These words were meant for those who would be living through these events, those that would ‘roam about’, they will study the prophesies, they will flip through the pages of the Word of God, they will continue to try to understand what it all means and their ‘knowledge will increase.’ The more we study God’s Word, the more we try to understand what these prophesies are telling us, the more our knowledge will increase to help us understanding what is unfolding before us today.
Daniel 12:5-6
“5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other. 6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river, “How long until the end of these wondrous things?””
As Daniel was talking to the angel, who was likely Gabriel, he saw two other angels. The angel who has been sharing this vision with Daniel is the one dressed in linen, and I will call him Gabriel for this dialogue to help keep it straight. One of the other angels asked Gabriel how long until the persecution and the blasphemy comes to an end?
Daniel 12:7
“7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river. He raised both his hands toward heaven and swore by him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.”
Gabriel, responded with a phrase we have looked at before when looking at the End of Days. Time is 1 year, times is 2 years, and half a time is half a year, totaling 3.5 years or 42 months. The dialogue between these angels’ points to the time of the antichrist not king Antiochus.
Revelation 13:5
“5 The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies. It was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.”
During the Great Tribulation, the temple will be overrun, and the antichrist will reign for 3.5 years.
Daniel 12:8
“8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?””
Daniel did not understand what the angels were talking about, so he asks for clarification.
Daniel 12:9-10
“9 He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”
This answer could apply to either the persecution under Antiochus or the antichrist. Either way, Gabriel tells Daniel to not worry about when the end will come. The prophesy that has been shared will come to pass and the people who have been purified, cleansed, and refined will understand what is unfolding before them. Those that have insight, who have studied the Word of God, who pay attention to what is going on in the world, they will understand that the end is near.
Daniel 12:11
“11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.”
Another verse that could point either way. 1,290 days is not exactly 3.5 years and can really point to the time of Antiochus or the second coming of Christ. It could point to how long it took for temple sacrifices to resume after Antiochus put a stop them. When we look to the future, it could be referencing from the point of the antichrist taking control over the temple which is expected to be a short time before the actual desecration takes place.
Daniel 12:12-13
“12 Happy is the one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days. 13 But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, and then you will stand to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.”
45 days after Antiochus reign the people of Israel will see life returning to normal. 45 days after the judgement of the antichrist the millennial kingdom will be in place and Jesus will be reigning. Happy will be those who reach these times!
The angel then tells Daniel that he will rest and receive his inheritance as a favored servant who is treasured by God. Hearing those words would have been like hearing, well done my good and faithful servant.
We have spent thirty-one Sunday’s going through the Book of Daniel. Like in the verses today, we have seen that theologians do not always agree on what they mean. The important thing is, we have seen that God is faithful! We have seen our God honor those who are faithful when faced with challenges. We have seen God judge those who ignored Him, turned their back on Him, or challenged Him. We have looked at prophesies that have already been fulfilled and we have looked at prophesies that are still part of our future.
I pray that we take what we have learned so far this year and use it to grow our faith, I pray it will help us to have insight into what is happening in the world around us. I pray that when the time comes each one of us will receive our ‘allotted inheritance’ and hear the words well done my good and faithful servant when we stand before the judgement seat of God.
God Bless,
Robert
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