YAHWEH’S PROPHETIC DETAILS FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL
ARE FOUND IN DANIEL CHAPTERS 8-12
Part 7: Events Prophesied About the Antichrist, Israel’s
Tribulation Period, Israel’s Deliverance, The Resurrection of the
Just and Unjust and the Inheritance of the Saints
Daniel 11:36 – 12:13
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. At the “time of the end” a future king will arise who will extensively conquer the area around Israel , exalt himself at the peril of any who oppose him, and be in the center of the great “end time” war centered in Israel . However, Yahweh’s ultimate plan is to destroy this king who appears to be the New Testament antichrist (Daniel 11:36 -45).
A. There seems to be a switch that happens in verse 36 to a different person other than Antiochus IV Epiphanes who has some of the same characteristics as this king and yet many differences. We discussed some of these in the last teaching. Many times prophetic writing moves directly into new events with only contextual and scripturally discerned clues to help (look at Isaiah 61:1,2 as it compares with where Jesus stopped reading in Luke 4:18 ,19).
B. Some of the king’s (antichrist’s) traits and values (verses 36-39).
1. The king has great authority and power to do as he pleases. Future Scripture explains the source of his power in the ten king coalition and Satan himself (verse 36a; Rev. 16:12-14, 17:12 , 13).
2. The king is a blasphemer of Yahweh and an exalter of himself (verses 36b- 37; Dan. 7:25 ; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 13:14-16; 14:9-12).
a. Even though Antiochus IV blasphemed Yahweh and hated the Jews, he never placed an image of himself to be worshipped but that of the Greek god Zeus.
b. The “one desired by women” who the king has no regard for is probably either a special cult worship practiced by women such as the old Tammuz or Adonis worship (Ezek. 8:14 ) or every Jewish woman’s desire to be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:42 ). If the last one is correct, the antichrist would have no regard for the worship involving the true Christ!
3. The king sets aside everything belonging to his religious heritage (some type of worship from the revived Roman world) and worships a foreign god of fortresses (possibly producing military strength derived from Satan) (verses 38, 39; Rev. 13:3-8).
C. The last great world war involving the antichrist king before the coming of the true Christ King to rule Israel and this earth (verses 40-45).
1. This military activity of this antichrist king seems to line up with the last seven year tribulation period prophesied for Israel (Daniel 9:26b-27). It further is narrowed down to the last 3 ½ year period called the “great tribulation” for Israel (Daniel 12:1, 7; Matt. 24:15-25). It seems to finish at the end of this 3 ½ years concluding with the final battle of the kings and the antichrist against the true Messiah at Armegeddon (Har-Megiddo) in Israel (Zech. 14:1-5; Rev. 16:14-16; 17:12 -14; 19:17 -21).
2. The antichrist king engages in battle with a king from the South ( Egypt ) and a king from the North (possibly Russia , Ezek. 38:11-15) who’s military is well equipped (verse 40a). However, the antichrist king seems to be able to pass through and conquer them easily (verse 40b).
3. During the antichrist king’s military campaigns, he easily conquers many nations and countries including Israel (the Beautiful Land ). However, the area of modern day Jordon ( Edom , Moab , Ammon) he does not conquer for some reason (verse 41).
4. He conquers all of Egypt along with their Arab allies the Libyans and Nubians gaining total control of their wealth. By this time the antichrist king appears to be very powerful (verses 42, 43)
5. At the height of his power, the antichrist king hears disturbing reports of an Eastern military (possibly the 200 million army of Rev. 9:16) and a Northern military (possibly a powerfully reassembled Russian army, Ezek. 38:14-16) and sets out to destroy them with rage (verse 44).
6. The antichrist king chooses for his base of operations the land of Israel and probably Jerusalem (the beautiful holy mountain) itself. However, Yahweh Jesus the true Christ (Messiah) at the appointed time comes to rescue Israel, put an end to this false reign, and establish true righteousness (verse 45; Zech. 14:4-19; Matt. 25:31-34; Rev. 19:11-20:6).
II. Israel ’s prophesied deliverance and the bodily resurrection of the righteous Yahweh believers (who have been written in His book) as well as the unrighteous non-believers (Daniel 12:1-3).
A. The arch angel Michael (who we saw in Daniel 10:21 and we see again in Jude 9) seems to have a particular job assignment of protecting the remnant people and nation of Israel (verse 1a). During this time of the nations great distress or tribulation (verse 1b; Matt. 24:21), he accomplishes his final assignment of helping to deliver every one written in Yahweh Jesus’ book (verse 1c; Zech. 12:10 -13:1; Rev. 13:8, 17:8, 20:12 ).
B. One of the clearest verses for the bodily resurrection from the dead for the whole human race is found in Daniel 12:2 (see also Job 19:26 ; Psalms 17:15 , 73:23, 24; Isa. 25:8, 26:19). There seemed to be special reward for those who walked and served Yahweh in a wise, intelligent way (verse 3).
1. There has seemed to be further revelation of several resurrections in Scripture as time went on such as: 1) the resurrection of Christ bodily and the righteous spirits with Him (I Cor. 15:23 ; Phil. 1:23), 2) the bodily resurrection of the saints at Christ’s second coming (I Cor. 15:23; I Thes. 5:13 -18), 3) the bodily resurrection of the tribulation saints (Rev. 20:5), 4) the bodily resurrection of non-believers (Rev. 20:11-13).
2. There is a special reward given for those who have walked with and served Yahweh in a wise and intelligent way which leads others in the way of righteousness (verse 3; Matt. 20:27 -30; I Cor. 3:8-15; Rev. 22:12).
Thought: Praise Yahweh for His protection and plan. Praise Him for including you and dedicate yourself to His kingdom purposes.
III. Daniel is told to seal up the scroll so that it can be studied by others and two questions are asked (Daniel 12:4-13).
A. In Daniel’s time, important documents would be copied off the original document but the original was “closed up” (put in a secure place) and sealed (with wax). The original then could be consulted at a later date to make sure the copies were true. It was to be preserved until the “time of the end.” The ability to understand this revelation would increase over time (verse 4).
B. One of the angels asked the man dressed in linen (Daniel 10:5) how long the astonishing things (probably of Daniel 11:36 -12:1) will take to be completed or fulfilled? (verses 5-7; I. Peter 1:12)
1. With holy hands raised toward the heavens the man tells the inquiring angel that it would be 3 ½ years (verses 5-7b; Daniel 7:25 , 9:27 ; Rev. 12:6).
2. When the Jews have reached rock bottom and are powerless is when their once rejected Messiah returns to save them (verse 7c; Zech. 14:1-3; Rev. 17:12-15).
C. Daniel then asks his final question about the outcome of these events for Israel and himself (verses 8-13).
1. He was basically told that many in Israel will believe and grow in righteous perseverance through the years and was given the assurance of a constant remnant (verses 8-10).
2. He was given two times to record for other Bible students of 30 days before the 3 ½ years and 45 days after the 3 ½ years (verses 11, 12).
a. For the wise believers during this time they would have a 30 day advance warning before the great distress or great tribulation starts (verse 11).
b. For the wise believers who have lived through the full tribulation, there is 45 days after the antichrist’s end until the full Millennial blessings begin (verse 12).
3. Daniel himself is told that we will have continued blessing in this life, and rest, bodily resurrection and kingdom reward in the next (verse 13).
May Yahweh, the Ancient of Days and our Son of God who will come and do exactly as He has promised, bless you all!
