What does the Bible tell us about Daniel’s Prophecies? Part 2.

The Medo-Persian king Cyrus the Great had allowed the Jews to return to their own land and had including financial help to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Daniel was disappointed that he was too old to make the journey, but soon became concerned, most of the Jews in Babylon preferred to stay there and had not returned, only fifty thousand had returned, Ezra 2:1ff. He had also heard that there was very little work being done in Jerusalem due to laziness and poor leadership. So Daniel takes the situation to the Lord in prayer and fasting.

Daniel 10:1-6 (KJV)

"1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; (Tigris River)
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude."

Some Bible scholars feel that the figure that Daniel saw was a pre-incarnate Jesus, as his appearance was similar to the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-15, but Jesus would not have needed help from archangel Michael with the Satanic Persia Demons, Daniel 10:10 so this is probably the angel Gabriel again.

This does remind us of what Paul said in Ephesians 6:12 (KJV).

"12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "

The message from God was given to Daniel in 536 B.C. This message given by the angel told that there would be many more difficult years for the Jewish nation. The news had a dramatic physical effect on Daniel and he needed strengthening help by the angel.

The vision of the future.

The message from God gives a glimpse into the future events still to come to Israel,experts think that over 100 prophecies, most of them already fulfilled, were given in this message. The events listed deals with the rise and fall of many empires which were centered upon the Middle East. The prophecy starts with the Persian Empire then stops at the Roman empire, then makes a great leap into the future to the end times and the reign of the AntiChrist.

Daniel 11:1,2.

The History associated with Persia.

Daniel 11:3-20.

The History associated with Greece, Egypt and Syria and covers nearly 150 years and many rulers.

Daniel 11:21-35.

The History associated with Israel and Maccabean time.

Daniel 11:36-45.

The History associated with future empire of the AntiChrist.

Daniel 12:1-3.

The great tribulation and afterwards.

These prophecies given to Daniel cover five rulers still in the future as far as Daniel was concerned.

Daniel 11:1,2.

"1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecian. "

Four more kings were to reign in Persia, Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, and Darius the Great, then came Xerxes, also named Ahasuerus, 486 to 465 B.C. The fourth will be far richer and will upset the Grecian empire.
This ruler is associated with the story of Esther and had control of one of the largest armies in ancient history.

Daniel 11:3-20.

"3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. "

These verses are referring to the Greek ruler Alexander the Great. By the age of 32 he controlled most of the known world covering Europe to India. At the peak of his reign he suddenly died and his empire was broken up into four parts, each controlled by his generals. Two of these area’s became significant, Egypt and Syria, who were at war with each other for some years, which affected Israel in the middle.
Eventually Egypt, under the leadership of Ptolemy III, defeated Syria and took much of their riches and possesion back to Egypt, verses 7-9.

Daniel 11:21-35.
Antiochus Epiphanes (Antiochus IV).

"21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. "

From verses 21 to 35 the prophecy is only looking at a short period of 175 to about 164 B.C. and involving only one ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes, who represents the "antichrist of the Old Testament." He had no claim to the Syrian throne but bribed and lied his way to power.
Antiochus Epiphanes creates a battle with Egypt but could not win the battle. Both kings were very evil and lied during discussions of peace, v27. Peace was agreed then both broke it and Antiochus Epiphanes turned his anger towards Israel. He invaded Israel and Jerusalem, created an image of Zeus in the Temple, stopped all Jewish sacrifices and then sacrificed a pig on the alter. His action made the Temple an abomination to the Jews until a small band of Jews revolted against him, verses 31,32. This ended up with Antiochus Epiphanes destroyed.

The Prophecy now seems to jump forward a long time and appears to be now talking about the final Time of the AntiChrist, "even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." verse 35.

The Future Antichrist description.

Daniel 11:36-45 (KJV)

"36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. "

"The king shall do according to his will;" v36.

He will rule according to his desires.

"He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god," v36.

He will make himself as a god.

"Shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods,"v36.

He will speak blasphemies against the True God.

"Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all," v37.

He will totally ignore all other religions. He will not be interested in anything sexual. He will exalt himself only.

"his estate shall he honour the God of forces:," v38.

The Military will be very important to him.

"Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain." v39.

He will attack and declare war against many other foreign powers, winning and becoming very powerful.

"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over." v40.

Towards the end of his reign other nations will attack him but suffer defeat.

"He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand," v41.

Israel will be attacked but the people will escape.

"He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps." v43,43.

He will become very rich and wealthy.

"But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." v44,45.

Despite being controlled by Satan, the world nations are at war with the Antichrist, it comes to an end with the return of Christ.

The prophecy was for the future for Daniel but now mainly in our past was given in this prophecy, we can choose whether we believe and accept it or reject it as a fake, but it does not affect what is reality. History has proved how accurate it was and time will prove that what God predicts it will happen then it will happen exactly as He said.

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV).

"12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "

We must never underestimate the power of Satan, the book of Daniel shows many prophecies apparently under Satanic control but he is still under the ultimate control of God as Satan is a created being, created by God Himself!!!

The Final Stages of the Prophecy.

Daniel 12:1-3 (KJV)

"1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. "

The first three verses of chapter 12 gives more prophecies directly concerning Israel.
"at that time, " shows that these words apply to the Tribulation period, look at Revelation 12:7-9. (KJV)

"7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

At the beginning of the Tribulation Satan and his demonic army are thrown out of heaven onto the earth, Israel is now his main target but some people of Israel will be rescued, "at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." The Jews who have rejected the Messiah sent by God will be rejected by Him, but those who have accepted the Messiah will arise into eternal life.