Daniel’s Vision of the Future

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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Today, we are covering the following section of Daniel 11:36-12:4

•The Coming Ruler (36-39)
•Attack Against the Ruler (40-45)
•Deliverance of Israel (12:1-3)
•End of the Vision (12:4)

Daniel 11:36: The word “then” propels the reader into the far future and this coming ruler will be given the ability to do whatever he pleases. There will be no higher human authority that he must answer to in all the world. He sees himself as and will claim to be God and will blaspheme the true God Most High. He will demand to be worshiped.

Interestingly enough, there is proof in the text that God is fully in control. “…till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.” This coming world ruler will disavow any god his fathers may have worshipped (could be Jewish). It probably means he will abandon the religion of his past and will set himself up as the object of worship.

Daniel 11:37: This coming ruler will not regard the desire of women. This could mean:

• He will not regard the Messiah
• Every godly Jewish woman in Daniel’s day was that she bear the Messiah
• Could also refer to the Greek god Adonis that all women found to be beautiful
• Could also mean Antichrist will simply not desire women or be devoid of natural affection

Daniel 11:38: What Antichrist will trust in is military might (as did Antiochus). While his forefathers all elevated some type of pagan god or deity, Antichrist will only put faith in power through military might. The foreign god (v39) may be another reference to the military or may refer to himself.

Daniel 11:40: The time of the end refers to the end of the Tribulation period. This section highlights the wars between the king of the north and the king of the south. Apparently,  Antichrist is neither king here, but takes them on to increase his kingdom. He is the little horn from the west (7:8, 24).

Daniel 11:41: The Antichrist will go on a campaign of war with many countries, like Hitler tried to do and Alexander the Great. He will overwhelm the countries and move onto other countries. It’s also possible that the Northern Invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 will occur here.

The Antichrist will also enter the area known as Palestine (8:9). This will probably occur after he breaks his covenant with Israel (Dan 9:27). He will defeat many. Antichrist will seemingly avoid the areas of Ammon, Edom and Moab, areas east and south of Israel. Today this is Jordan.

Daniel 11:42-43: Antichrist will continue to invade other countries. He will also move south against Egypt. He will successfully plunder Egypt and also gain control of Libya and Ethiopia.

Daniel 11:44-45: He will then hear of rumors from armies of the north & east (Rev. 9:13-21; 16:12).  This will irritate him and he will go on a killing rampage. He will then return to Palestine where his headquarter are located, possibly Jerusalem.
Here is where he will meet more than his match in Jesus when He returns.

Campbell summarized the revelation about Antichrist in verses 36-45 as follows:

• He will act in self-will (v. 36)
• will exalt himself (v. 36), and
• will magnify himself above every god (v. 36)
• He will blaspheme the true God(v. 36),
• will succeed for a limited period of time (v. 36), and
• will be an irreligious person (v. 37)
• He will also place confidence in military might (vv. 38-39),
• his military might will be challenged (v. 40), and
• he will be initially victorious in battle (vv. 40-43)
• However, he will face renewed conflict (v. 44),
• will establish his headquarters in Jerusalem (v. 45), and
• will finally come to an end (v. 45)

Daniel 12:1-4 – Deliverance
This final section of Daniel 11 focuses on Israel. At the time of the end, Michael stands to deliver Israel (v1). This again points to the supernatural nature of God’s timing and intervention. This particular period of time (the end of the Tribulation), will be of tremendous distress (Matthew 24:21). This will be worse than any other time in history for Jews and Israel.

Daniel 12:1: Use of the term “your people” again points to Jewish people, not the Church. Israel’s land will become an international battlefield. “Every one who is found written in the book” probably refers to deliverance from human enemies (not salvation).

Daniel 12:2: The reference in v2 is speaking of the physical resurrection that occurs after this life:

• Some to life (believers)
• Some to death (unbelievers)
• There is no such thing as “soul sleep” as some teach
• This is referencing a sleep of the body who “sleep” until they are resurrected

This resurrection to shame will occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. This is the Great White Throne judgment. Believers who were killed during the Tribulation will resurrect to reign with Jesus during the Millennial Kingdom. V2 by the way is the first use of “eternal life/everlasting life” in the OT.

Daniel 12:3: Rewards follow resurrection of believers. Their glory will involve the privilege of reigning with Jesus Christ during His millennial kingdom, and from then on – forever, in the eternal state (cf. Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; Rev. 20:4).

Daniel 12:4: Daniel was to:

• shut up the words
• seal the book until the time of the end;
• many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
• Daniel was to ensure the scroll was kept in a safe place
• To seal it with his official seal
• People would try to make sense of it

As time passes and knowledge increases, people would have an easier time understanding what eluded Daniel. Even though Daniel and other Jews did not understand the meaning of what the angel revealed. They were comforted with the fact that God was in charge and would deliver Israel from hostile Gentiles.

Next time, we will finish up Daniel 12:5-13 and be done with Daniel.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective