The End Times.
Daniel 11:36-12:3
We now find the following predictions;-
The appearance and rise to power of the Antichrist.
The Time of Tribulation.
War between Nations.
The Battle of Armageddon.
Christ returns to defeat the Antichrist.
The resurrection of the dead.
The New Glorious Kingdom.
The rise of the Antichrist.
Daniel 11:36 to Daniel 12:1, Gabriel reminds Daniel that these events are related "until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time." Gabriel now gives details of the coming Antichrist, his behaviour, his problems, his power and successes against other nations. This person does not suddenly appear, he becomes the leader of the ten Nation European alliance, the "little horn" of Daniel 7:24ff. He seems to bring peace to the Arab / Israeli problems and shows that he is a great politician. He will be a man who has no religious faith, the text refers to "He shall regard neither the God of his fathers," verse 37, this could suggest that he may be Jewish but no other scripture confirms this, a true translation of this passage is "the gods of his fathers", therefore the Antichrist will be an atheist, rejecting all religions except the one he himself sets up and becomes "a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things," verse 38.
He is also an excellent spellbinding communicator, able to persuade the people to follow him.
Over time his real personality appears, selfish and obstinate, rejecting religion in general and out to destroy the Jewish religion, he finally claims world control and makes himself as a god, controlled by the power of Satan. When the world turns to follow and worship the Antichrist they are actually worshipping Satan.
Daniel 9:27;
2 Thessalonians 2:1ff;
Revelation 13:1ff
The Time of Tribulation.
Daniel 11:36-12:1
This is the period during the last week of Daniel’s seventy weeks,
Daniel 9:24-27,
It is triggered by the signing of a covenant with Israel by the powerful leader of a ten nation alliance based in Europe, who the Bible gives the name of the "Antichrist." This covenant seems to offer protection for Israel as they rebuild the temple. After three and an half years the Antichrist ignores the covenant with the Jews. This action will then take the world into a terrible time, "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be,"
Matthew 24:21.
It is the time period that God pours out His punishment on the people of the world.
The Antichrist will be against the Jewish people under the control of Satan, but God will protect them, the angel Michael will be there to preserve them,
Revelations 12:1ff.
Military Invasions,
Daniel 11:40-43.
Some nations appear to be going to object to the Antichrist’s action,
Daniel 11:40-45
The next stage predicts the "kings of North and South" will attack the Antichrist confederation but be beaten back and the Antichrist becomes very wealthy as a result. At the time of this prophecy the kings of South and North would be considered Egypt and Syria, but some students, based upon the words of Ezekiel 38 and 39, now see it as a northern confederation under Russian control and a Southern confederation possibly led by Egypt.
Armageddon
Daniel 11:44-45.
Towards the end of the tribulation period there is a growing objection from the nations to the East and they meet the Antichrist on the Plain of Esdraelon in the battle of Armageddon (mountain of Megiddo),
Revelations 9:13-21;
Revelations 16:12-16;
Joel 3:1,2, 12-14;
Zechariah 14:1-3.
Christ returns.
Just as these armies prepare to meet each other the signs of the return of Christ appear in the heavens,
Matthew 24:29-30,
This makes the opposing armies unite to fight the returning Christ. The armies of Christ defeat both armies, capture the Antichrist, the false prophet and Satan.
Daniel 11:45.
See also Revelations 19:11-21;
Zechariah 12:1-9;
Zechariah 14:1-3;
Zechariah 12:10-13:1;
Zechariah 14:9;
Revelations 20:1-7.
The Earth Kingdom.
Daniel 12:2,3
Revelations 20:1-7
This refers to a world kingdom of a thousand years controlled by Christ, Satan is locked away in the bottomless pit for the duration.
Daniel is told of the coming resurrections, "some to shame and everlasting punishment, some to a glorious everlasting life," verses 2,3. Little details is given but we are told in the New Testament what these words mean,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;
Revelations 20:4-6, Revelations chapters 11-15,
Daniel receives final instruction.
Daniel 12:4-13.
Daniel is having difficulty in understanding what he has just witnessed.
Daniel is now instructed to seal and keep safe the book until the "time of the end." This does not mean that it should be hidden away, the message from God for His people was telling them of the future events, they were to protect and share the contents with others. However, the full meaning would not be understood until the "time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.". This is not referring to greater worldly education but to the understanding of the Word of God, people will be seeking the truth but not find it.
The Time.
Daniel 12:5-7.
We now see two more angels arrive, one on each side of the river Tigris. One of the angels ask the man clothed in linen that Daniel had seen at the beginning,
Daniel 10:5-6,
"How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?", the response is "it shall be for a time, times, and half a time;", three and a half years. The action of by the man in linen when he "held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever," is an oath, a certainty.
Daniel seeks clarification of this but the information is withheld "the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." The meaning of the "one thousand two hundred and ninety days until the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days." is unclear, the starting point is when the Antichrist breaks the covenant, there are 1260 days in three and half years. So the first date would take us 30 days after the return of Christ and the 1335 days to 75 days after the return, beyond the tribulation. All we know it will be a "blessing to those who wait."
Daniel knows that he will one day be raised from the dead and receive his reward. |
