Ralph Porter
© 2002
An old story recounts an Army staff planning war games without live ammunition. They instructed their men to use verbal "ammunition": "In place of a rifle, just say 'Bang, bang.' In place of a bayonet, say 'Stab, stab.' In place of a hand grenade, say 'Lob, lob.'"
So the games began. One of the soldiers saw an enemy. He went, "Bang, bang," but nothing happened. So he ran forward and went, "Stab, stab," again nothing happened. Finally, he ran back and went, "Lob, lob," but still nothing happened.
In anger he spoke to he enemy soldier, "Hey, you're not playing by the rules! I went 'Bang, bang,' 'Stab, stab,' and 'Lob, lob,' and you didn't fall dead.
At that point the other soldier replied, "Rumble, rumble. I'm a tank!"
Some people see spiritual conflict like that--for them it's all a game. Either they don't think there is such a thing or, if there is, it really doesn't have any practical significance in our life! People think, "Supernatural conflict only happens on mission fields--far from the scientific U.S." It's not something that happens in our lives today.
Have you ever wondered why God sometimes delays so long in answering our calls for help? As we struggle for an answer to that question, we find encouragement in Job's example: though unaware of what was going on, Job was a participant in spiritual battle. Spiritual conflict sometimes affects our life, without us even knowing it!
Daniel's situation provides another example. In Daniel 10, he's enmeshed in a struggle. God has revealed to him that there is going to be a great war that will affect His people. While afflicted by what God revealed to him, and by the political events taking place around him, opposing spiritual forces postponed the solution to his problem.
How about us? Do we sometimes feel alone and frightened? Does God ever seem far away, not caring what we're going through? Could it be that we, too, are participating in a spiritual battle, like Job or Daniel?
The spiritual conflict in Daniel 10 leads into Daniel's final prophetic revelation. The book has revealed 6 historical examples which demonstrate that God is in control, even when we're confronted with powerful pagan governments. Following the historical evidences, the prophetic revelation began with a presentation of God's plan for the future of Gentile Nations (7-8), which provoked Daniel's concern about the future of his own people.
GOD'S PROGRAM FOR ISRAEL IN THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES 9-12
Following the revelation of God's program for Gentile nations, Daniel 9 introduces God's
program for Israel's future. He begins with an overview of the entire program from Daniel's day
to the establishment of the kingdom. That plan is revealed in the Vision of the 70 Weeks. He goes
on in chapters 10-12 to provide the concerning their immediate future, the events which would take
place during the period between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The prophetic
revelation demonstrates that God knew what was going to happen long beforehand, and He
revealed it, to encourage and motivate God's people.
Daniel first tells how God prepared him for what he was about to hear. The prophecy revealed was sufficient to scare anyone, if they didn't understand the spiritual nature of the conflict, and Who's in charge!
Daniel's Fast 10:1-3
What's Daniel's response to the revelation he received? When Daniel learned that a great war was coming--with severe implications for God's people--he fasted and prayed. He suffered for three weeks--with fasting--considering what was going to happen.
We learn a significant lesson by observing Daniel's response: There's nothing he can do about it. He has to trust God! His only recourse was to pray! Struggling and fighting, trying to claw his way through would do no good!
Daniel became committed to prayer, when he could do nothing except bring his struggle to God. The contemporary church has much to learn from Daniel. Many Christians prize personality and hard work more than discernment and prayer. Weaknesses are resolved by new programs. We must commit ourselves to seeking God; to cry out to Him to work in our lives individually, in His church, and in our community. We should be crying out for Him to start that work in us!
Daniel was desperate. He was determined not to eat, nor dress up, nor participate in other normal activities of life, in order to focus on his concern for his people, until God responded to his cry for his people. How did God respond to Daniel's attitude and actions?
Vision of the Messenger 10:4-11
God responded to Daniel's prayer by sending a messenger to reveal His plan for His people. The question that continued to perplex Daniel, though, was why God waited so long to respond to Daniel's prayer?
Delay of the messenger 10:12-14
When the messenger finally does appear, he gives Daniel a surprising answer. God didn't keep Daniel waiting. The messenger was sent the first day Daniel cried out to God to answer Daniel's prayer (10:12). Daniel responded properly to what he saw and God responded immediately to his request. Because Daniel "Set his mind to gain understanding and to humble himself before His God," God sent His messenger to answer his concerns.
However, what Daniel didn't understand was that other invisible interests are involved in this struggle. God's messenger was delayed because he was involved in an unseen spiritual conflict. The messenger had to struggle against Satan's forces in order to fulfill his mission. Satan and his armies, were involved in the conflict. Satan's purpose was to prevent the messenger's arrival.
He was delayed for three weeks--the exact time Daniel was questioning why God wasn't responding (10:13)! God finally sent Michael, an angelic "prince," an authority in the spiritual realm, to help His messenger accomplish his mission.
The messenger was sent to reveal what would occur in the last days (10:14). He encourages God's people who can't understand what's happening and how their struggle fits in God's program. It's important for the messenger to arrive in order to explain what's going on; otherwise, God's people would get discouraged. That gave Satan special cause to interfere with his mission.
What does the angel's conflict teach us about world history? We learn two important lessons about history by observing the conflict. First, it teaches us that there's more to history than what meets the eye! It's fascinating to view Middle Eastern history through the lens of God's dealings with Israel. The surrounding pagan nations always rise and fall in inverse proportion to Israel's walk with God! Human history is intertwined with spiritual events in heavenly places.
Abraham Kuyper once said, "If once the curtain were pulled back, and the spiritual world behind it came to view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so intense, so convulsive, sweeping everything within its range, that the fiercest battle ever fought on earth would seem, by comparison, a mere game. Not here, but up there--that's where the real conflict is waged."
This thought leads to the conclusion that the center of world conflict isn't the super-powers; it isn't the United States, nor is it Russia, China, or whomever! The second lesson we learn about world history from this incident is that we're participants in a spiritual conflict that surpasses all political powers.
Strengthening of Daniel 10:15-19
What's the result of this encounter for Daniel? God's messenger strengthens God's servant in the midst of the conflict! His Spirit is strengthened and revived. Daniel learned that "God's strength is made perfect in our weakness." Even though we face difficult circumstances, we shouldn't give up, be frightened or discouraged. Just remain faithful to God; He's the One Who gives victory in the end.
We often suffer because we don't understand what's happening to us! God responds to our prayer, though sometimes it seems to take forever! When we find ourselves in spiritual conflict, we can trust Him. It seems as though "All hell is breaking loose!" We don't understand it. The fact is that the forces of hell have broken loose, and are seeking to wipe us out! Confusion is part of the plot. God not only knows what's going to happen in our life this week; He's in control of it! We can trust Him with the future--even in the face of spiritual conflict.
Preservation of Israel 10:20-11:1
What is God's message to Israel in the midst of these difficult times? God is protecting Israel before the enemies that want to destroy them. Even the angels take part in this spiritual battle we're part of! Daniel's encounter with God's messenger concludes as the messenger moves on to continue the conflict against the spiritual authority in charge of the conflict with Persia. Soon he'll face a new opponent in Greece (10:20).
Before returning to the conflict, the messenger leaves a final affirmation (10:21-11:1). This angel has to fight all alone on Israel's behalf. The only one who helps him is the spiritual "Prince" of Israel, Michael--at least he comes to help (10:21)! The messenger helps Darius accomplish God's purposes. He helps him govern the region so it will work out well for God's people (11:1).
What assurance can we derive from the messenger who appeared to Daniel? There's still more here than meets the eye. God's hosts still fight on our side, just as they did in Daniel's day.
Detailed History of 2nd and 3rd Empires 11:2-35
The messenger continues his intervention on behalf of Israel in the events to take place in the immediate future (11:2). The remaining revelation of God's plan presents the details related to the summary Vision of the 70 Weeks in 9:24-27. The overview revealed God's program for Israel from Daniel to the establishment of kingdom. This revelation goes back to the same starting point and presents greater detail concerning the immediate future, especially under the 2nd and 3rd empires, Media-Persia and Greece.
In the fiercest attack ever, God knows the plan in advance and He will protect the faithful. the details introduced cover nearly 400 years of history between the testaments. The chapter is so specific and accurate that scholars who don't believe God intervenes in history, can't accept that this prophecy was given centuries in advance. Reading it is like reading abbreviated historical commentary on the inter-testament period. The details of that period are fulfilled to the letter-at least until you get to 11:35.
In spite of the conflict ahead, Daniel learns that God is in control of history, even among the powerful pagan nations of the world. When God's people are passing through these difficult times, they can understand what's going on and foresee the final results of the conflict (12:1-3).
Persia 11:2. Daniel presents a brief summary of the rest of the history of the Persian Empire. Four main kings are yet to come, plus a few weak ones in their final days. The real loss of power comes when Xerxes, identified in Scripture as Ahasuerus, takes on Greece and is defeated. They never recover! Daniel's real interest is to present the period controlled by the descendants of Greece, so he quickly summarizes the Persian history and moves on.
Greece 11:3-35. The Greek empire is born with the military conquests of Alexander the Great.
After a slow start, Alexander moved quickly, with impressive victories, and established his
kingdom-greater than any before him. However, he died young under mysterious circumstances.
Then the four generals who collaborated with Alexander began to fight among themselves for power. Eventually the kingdom was divided into pieces, none of which was as strong as the empire had been under Alexander. The other nations relax because the four generals kept busy with the internal struggle.
Daniel's main interest was the two generals closest to the Holy Land. They were continually fighting, and kept marching through Israel, trampling on God's people as they went. At first, Ptolemy, king of the southern kingdom based in Egypt, was strongest. Eventually the sons of Seleucus became strong enough to challenge the Ptolemies.
Daniel's historical survey centers on the battles between Ptolemy and Seleucus, and their descendants. Throughout these conflicts a strong king would arise who "does whatever he pleases. No one can stand against him" (11:3, 16, 36). To those who live in that time, it looks like he's in charge-like he's calling the shots! God even allows him to destroy His house and trample His people (11:16, 31).
Eventually Antiochus IV, "Epiphanes," took over (11:21-35). He controlled Palestine from 175-163 B.C. He's the "little horn" in Daniel 8-a type of the Antichrist who would come at a future time. Antiochus wants to unite his kingdom. So he institutes a Greek cultural program, to hellenize his subjects.
During his reign, the faithful people suffered greatly for their faith (11:31-32). Many turned away to save their skin, and betrayed their God and their people (11:32a). In the midst of the affliction, a resistance movement is born. The faithful teach others to remain faithful (11:32b-33). A popular movement is born in the conflict, under the leadership of the Maccabees. Some people joined the movement for false motives--these weren't committed to staying faithful to God. They signed up for the wrong reasons. They were politically motivated; not seeking holiness!
The movement grew and was able to break free from Antiochus' rule (11:34-35). Ultimately the result of the movement was that when the wise resist him, and fall because of their loyalty to Yahweh, their fall results in the purification of the people. As always, suffering produces purification!
Antiochus wasn't able to carry out his plan because the end times hadn't arrived yet; neither was it yet the hour for the final restoration of God's people (11:35b). In the end God would deliver His people from this great affliction. But the plan won't be complete until the end time God established.
Daniel 11:35 leads into verse 36. The writer introduces the transition from Antiochus to Antichrist:
Another king who "does as he pleases" will come; he will take them to the end God appointed. Daniel understood where the trends were heading. Soon the king was going to prohibit any form of public worship of the true God. He would force them to worship him! Satan's about to win a victory over God's people; and there's nothing they can do about it!
When we go through hard times because of our faith in Christ, it's hard to concentrate on the spiritual battle, or final victory-all we can think about is the pain! Like a blow on our thumb with a hammer, it gets our attention; we pay little attention to what's going on around us. It hurts; we want to be free from the pain.
Like a common prayer of people in the midst of spiritual conflict, "Lord, sometimes you seem so far away while Satan and the affliction he's causing seem so much closer and more real." Throughout all generations, God's people have had to struggle with this conflict. It was as real for God's people in Daniel's day as it is for us. It's never been easy to suffer for God's name. However, even in the midst of the darkest hour and most painful affliction, it's still true that . . . .
Those who remain faithful will triumph with Him!
Irresistible King Described 11:36-39
After describing the first sixty-nine weeks, Daniel talks about the final week-a week which is not yet fulfilled! Another king "who does as he pleases" comes; he does take them to the end of time God appointed.
Many scholars insist that the difference between the two parts points to the precise date when Daniel lived. They say, "Daniel was a better historian than a prophet!" It's at this point that he begins to "make mistakes" concerning the end of Antiochus' life. What Daniel says didn't come true for Antiochus at the end! Either Daniel suddenly begins to make a bunch of mistakes, or he isn't talking about Antiochus!
This description of the king "who does as he pleases" points to a future proud king that no one can oppose (11:36-39). He corresponds to the description of the "little horn" in Daniel 7. There are two distinct little horns-one out of the third empire and one from the fourth empire. Antiochus is clearly the little horn that comes out of the third empire-the one mentioned in Daniel 8. He can't be the same one that comes out of the fourth beast in Daniel 7.
This new king is also described as "the Prince who was to come" (Dan. 9), the "man of sin" (2 Thess. 2), and "the beast" (Rev. 13). His description fits what we know about Antichrist.
He loves to exalt and magnify himself (11:36; 2 Thess. 2:3-4). Look at the first part of verse 36 again. Can you think of any description that would be more in tune with the spirit of our age than that?!! He looks like a real twenty-first century, post-modern person! The New Age movement, the contemporary religious expression of our age, just repeats what Satan proposed in the garden: "You shall be like gods!" That's what this world leader proposes for himself. He wants to take God's place. He wants it all to himself! He speaks against God and denies His right to rule over him, or over his kingdom. He won't have any god rule over him!
Second, he institutes his own religion-focused on himself (11:37). He won't accept any previous god. He even denies the god of his fathers. The use of plural here, in contrast to the singular uses in the context, seem to indicate that he's talking about pagan gods. This king denies the true God (36), but he also denies all other gods (37). He establishes himself as god (37b; cp. 2 Thess. 2:3-4).
There is a "god" he seems to honor, however. He honors a "god of fortresses" (11:38). This could be a figurative reference to power personified. Everything we know about him, inclines us to believe that he is enamored of power. You could say power is his god--that's the only god he's willing to worship except himself. His fundamental religious value: "Might makes right!" He spends vast sums of money in "sacrifices" for military activity in order to establish additional fortresses and to demonstrate his own great power.
The strongest of fortresses are conquered by this "strange god" (11:39). The people of towns that honor him are repaid royally for their submission to his authority. He is willing to pay a price for their submission; but they will also pay a price!
What would life of God's people be like in a time like this?
What would you do if you had to live through it?
Contrasts proud king with those who ultimately triumph, depicted by Daniel's attitudes and
victory.
Irresistible King Attacked 11:40-45
The account of this proud king's life ends with a great conflict. Daniel describes the military movement which attempts to overthrow him. In modern history, instead of the conflict between north and south, which was repeated during the Greek period, they've allied together against Israel-a united effort of the northern and southern alliance to get Israel. In the process they'll have to defeat the one who has promised to defend her. This guarantee of protection, made by a western power, could set up the context for the events Daniel and Ezekiel foresaw. The peace referred to in Ezekiel 38-39 can be explained by their confidence in the king who makes the treaty with them. The description of the enemy from the north indicates that they come from far off regions of the north, identified with Russia's new offspring (38:6, 15; 39:2).
At the end of the period, after the battle, since there is no longer any opposition capable of stopping him, the king establishes his throne in Jerusalem. Thus he's able to establish his palace between the Mediterranean and Dead seas and by the beautiful holy mountain, which would have to refer to Mt. Zion
In spite of his strength and firm position, in the end he won't prevail; he'll be destroyed. When God intervenes to destroy him, no one will be able to save him.
Israel delivered 12:1-3
Then the prophet describes the end of the final great political and spiritual conflict. The Great Tribulation comes at that time, after this king establishes his palace in Jerusalem (12:1a). He breaks his treaty and sets himself up as dictator. He demands that everyone worship him (11:36-39; 1 Thess. 2:3-4). That's how the Great Tribulation-the last 3½ years of the week-is launched (Matt. 24:21-22; Jer. 30:4-9).
Following this time of affliction God will intervene to deliver His people (12:1b-3). God sends Michael, His heavenly messenger and their "prince," to deliver them. 144,000 will be sealed first, to protect them from judgments (Rev. 7). Although they suffer tremendously, they won't die. God protects them and in the end they'll be saved.
Finally they can see what the people in the midst of their suffering couldn't see: the final result, the climax (12:2-3). Some people will be resurrected to receive eternal life; others will be resurrected for future punishment.
In 12:3, we see the final victory. Those who have insight, who are referred to as the wise ones, understand the significance of what they've endured and respond appropriately; they receive the promised exaltation (11:33; 12:3). Although rough and uncertain times are ahead, our destiny is not uncertain. God's in control of it!
In the end the faithful really do triumph. This victory is permanent. God's people may have lost a lot of intermediate battles, but they eventually win the war that really counts.
A pastor comforted an afflicted woman with these words: "I hold in my hand two stones. They are alike in color and are equally pure. Yet there's a marked contrast between them. One has a dazzling brilliance; the other is quite dull."
"What makes the difference?" inquired the woman.
"Any dealer in precious stones could give you the answer," said her pastor. "It's because one has received eighty cuts from the jeweler's chisel, and the other only eight! The stone that has 'suffered much' is radiant, but the one that has had little effort expended on it is dim and lusterless." He then reminded the lady that her light affliction, which was only temporary, was working for her an "eternal weight of glory." She could accept her trials with joy, because they were not worthy to be compared with the reward she would eventually receive when she stands before the Lord.
This is Daniel's message. Joachim Neander wrote in the seventeenth century what are now familiar words:
Praise to the Lord,
Who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shieldeth thee gently from harm,
Or, when fainting, sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen how thy heart's wishes have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
What difference does all this prophecy stuff make in our lives today anyway? We can learn
several practical lessons from this prophecy:
The first comes from the angel's message in 10:20-11:1: "Do you know why I have come to you?" He proceeds to inform Daniel of the spiritual battle that is raging--that Daniel can't see. "I just want you to know what's going on." "There's more here than meets the eye." We're at war! But we know who wins the war!
Lincoln stated: "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. . . ."
The angel's message was similar: "Now we are engaged in a great spiritual war, testing whether this people, or any people, so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure . . . ." "I just want you to know what's going on here. We're at war. Your suffering, and the suffering of your people, is part of that war. So I'm off to fight the war, Daniel. But before I go, let me assure you, I'll be back, for we know who wins the war. We've read the last chapter! It's all written here."
The second practical lesson from the prophesy assures us that God not only knows what's going to happen in your life this week, He's in control of it. We can trust Him with our future. He has a plan for us, and it's good! No matter how bleak things may seem, He's protecting His people. He's using our affliction for good. Even the "downfall" of the righteous is in His hands; He uses it to refine His people, to purify us. Ultimately it's still true: "If God is for us, WHO can stand against us?"
The third practical lesson from the prophecy shouts once more the challenge: Hang in there! Just be faithful! This prophecy concerning the future ends with a reaffirmation of the importance of faithfulness by the wise among God's people who understand the significance of events taking place around us. The faithful will triumph in the end!
They will teach others, and even their "downfall" results in the purification of God's people. But in the end, those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens. those who are righteous will shine like the stars for ever and ever!
That's why we need this message!
When we're down in the midst of the battle,
. . . we can't see the spiritual and eternal nature of the conflict
. . . we can't see the angels fighting on our side
. . . we can't see the end of the conflict
. . . we can't see the victory, or the glory to come.
But it's real! And God says hang in there!
Let your light shine before men!
Be wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Be righteous, as children of the righteous prince.
And you will shine like the heavens!
You will shine like the stars for ever and ever!
The faithful will triumph in the end!