This chapter is divided into two section.
The first 35 verses deal with the immediate future, from Darius to Antiochus.
Verse 36 through Ch. 12:4 deals with the far future, the end times, just prior to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the first 35 verses we have history, pre-written.
So accurate are these predictions, and their subsequent fulfillment that the enemies of the “Scripture of Truth” have declared that it could not have been written by Daniel several centuries before these persons and events came into existence.
These verse with amazing detail contains approximately 135 prophetic statements, all now fulfilled.
These prophetic utterances were made in the year B.C. 524 and cover history which commenced with the invasion of Greece 480 B. C. and continued through the centuries till the death of Antiochus Epiphanes.
Between were 25 and 35 there is what some commentators call the “Great Parenthesis.”
This is the present dispensation … the age of Grace, and will continue until the king spoken of in v. 36 is revealed.
Who is this king?
He is the New Testament antichrist. 2nd Thess 2
The ‘little horn’ of Daniel 7 … the beast out of the sea of Revelation 13:1-10.
A description of his character is given in v. 36.
He assumes complete political rule also assumes the role of God.
“He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god.”
He shall blaspheme against the true God.
But it will only be for a time.
This man will be a monstrosity. He will fear neither God nor man.
He will be devoid of natural desires.
He will honor the goal of might and of war.
This man will be a smooth talker … have a terrific personality … he will be the deceiver of all deceivers. He will eventually captivate a great portion of the nations of the world. His peace programs will be the greatest.
v. 40 The final world war erupts.
“At the time of the end (see v. 28) the King of the South shall push at him. The ruler of Egypt … the United Arab Republic … possibly the African nations, too, will move first against the Antichrist.
The Antichrist after making a treaty with the Jews for seven years, guaranteeing them military protection, suddenly breaks the agreement, occupies Jerusalem. Stops all Jewish worship, and sets himself up as supreme ruler.
At this point the nations of the south and north will make their move. The advance of the northern armies is described as a whirlwind. According to Ezekiel they will come by land, sea and air, a great irresistible force. This invincible force will eventually defeat the defending army. The Middle-East, including Palestine will go under his control. As they re-group and rest around the area of Armageddon, God steps into the scene and unleashes His fury against these evil forces.
By natural means He destroys them.
1. a great earthquake
2. overflowing rain
3. great hail
4. fire
5. pestilence
The result of God’s intervention is that 5/6 of the armies of the Northern Confederacy is destroyed.
v. 41-43 When God has finished this phase of his program, the Antichrist enters into Palestine and with his almost intact powers and might, subdues all enemies and establishes his throne there.
v. 44 As he rules with an iron hand, and reaps the fruit of an unearned victory, he receives disturbing news from the East. This is probably the beginning of the gigantic invasion described in Revelation 9:13-21.
An army of two hundred million men is descending upon the Holy Land.
The River Euphrates has been dried up.
At this point the Antichrist musters his forces, goes forth with great fury to destroy the invaders.
The opposing armies meet on the plains of Armageddon.
Describe the awesome array of military might.
As they wait for the strategic moment to precipitate an awful carnage there appears the sing of “the Son of man”. Matt 24.
This sign melts the hostility and hatred and unites this ungodly force as one, to fight against the returning Lord Jesus. This is the scene David saw through prophetic eyes in Psalm 2, “Why do the nations rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take council together, against God and His Anointed. Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. He who sitteth in the heavens shall laugh. He shall have them in derision.”
Revelation 17:14 “Thee shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings.”
How will God deal with the nation?
God again will destroy His enemies with natural and supernatural means. Rev. 19
Zechariah 12 – He will cut them in pieces
He will smite the men with terror and blindness and madness.
Zechariah 14
Their flesh shall rot away. Their eyes corrode. Their tongue decay. The carnage will be indescribable.
Rev. 9:15 – “And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men.”
God will only stop when His enemies lie crushed and broken. Then the beast and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire. Then comes the Judgment of the nations. Sheep to the Millennium; Goats to hell.
Picture a world without Communism as an active force.
Describe some of the judgments of the Tribulation.
The first four seal judgments are connected with the defeat of Russia.
The fifth with the souls of martyred tribulation saints.
The sixth depicts the total collapse of the moral and political systems… Anarchy
Describe the next events chronologically
1. War in the heavens – Stan cast out. Rev 12. His first major task on earth was to incite the Kings of the North and South to attack Palestine.
2. The fifth trumpet – “Hell let loose.” 5 months of pain. Rev 9
3. The first bowl = a foul and painful sore Rev 16:1-2
4. The sea became blood … everything therein died. Rev 16:3
5. The rivers and fountains became blood. Rev 16:4
6. Humanity is scorched by fire = a great heat; the blasphemed Rev 16:8-9
7. God poured out His wrath upon the throne of the beast. Darkness enveloped the kingdom and great pain gripped there body. Instead of repenting they blasphemed God. Rev 16:10-11
8. The river Euphrates is dried up. Rev 16:12
9. The Far Eastern armies march, two hundred million men. Rev 9:13-21. Describe the confrontation. The scene as depicted in Psalm 2
10. Describe also the coming of the Son of man. Matt 24 ... Rev 19
11. The final conflict. Earth’s last great battle. Zech 12 and 14; Rev 17:21
The fulfillment at Dan 2 – “The stone which smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”
The beast and the false prophet are taken and cast into hell.
The nations of the earth are judged.
The goats are banished into hell – the sheep go with the Lord into the Millennium.