Daniel 3
The two important events are (1) the making of an image of gold, and (2) the deliverance of the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace.
The building of this image was the king’s reaction to the revelation of Ch. 2 where he is depicted as the head of gold. Pride
Proverbs 29:23
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in heart.”
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Read v. 1-7
The image was 90 ft high and 9 ft broad.
When it was built all the chief men of the kingdom were gathered before it.
Then they were instructed that at a given signal they were to fall down and worship it.
Those who failed to do so would be cast into a furnace of fire.
Read vs. 8-12
The accusations of the Chaldeans against the three Jews. Their accusations were three-fold.
1. They have no regard for the king
2. They do not serve the king’s gods
3. They do not worship the image.
Any one of these accusations if proven meant death.
Read vs 13-18
The Hebrews are brought before the king.
Usually men who were accused of such serious matters would have been slain immediately.
The king evidently had a high regard for these men and in spite of his anger gave them a second chance. See v. 15
Note the challenge of the king at the end of v. 15
“And who is that God, that shall deliver you out of my hands?”
All this despite what he said in Ch. 2:46-47
This describes the arrogance of the king.
See Acts 12:20-23. Herod eaten with worms.
In contrast to the arrogance of the king, note the quiet confidence of the three Hebrews.
v. 16 “There is no need for us to answer you in this matter.”
v. 17 They state positively that their God is able to deliver them.
v. 18 They also face the alternative that God might not deliver them. They did not doubt God’s ability to do this, but allowed for the will and purpose of God. Either way, they affirmed that they would not worship the golden image. See Ex. 20:4-6. These men were fully resigned to the will of God.
Job 13-15 “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.”
Read vs 19-23
Daniel’s companions cast into the furnace.
The king is full of fury – heat the furnace seven times more than usual.
These men had really punctured the pride of the king consequently he lost his temper and judgment.
Heating the furnace to seven times its normal heat would not increase the torment of the offenders. Actually to have cooled the furnace would have added to their torment.
v. 20 Mighty men were assigned to bind these men.
v. 21 The were bound in their clothes.
v. 22 The flames were so hot that the men who bound them were burned.
v. 23 The three were thrown into the furnace.
Read v. 24-27
The miraculous deliverance from the furnace.
v. 24 The king looked into the furnace and saw a strange sight.
1. instead of three men there were four
2. instead of being bound they were free.
3. instead of writing in anguish in the flames, they were walking around making no attempt to escape.
4. The fourth figure was like unto the Son of God.
v. 27 The king realizes that this must be of God working “You servants of the Most High God, come forth.” The Hebrew children came forth.
There was no question that a mighty miracle had been performed.
1. The hair of the men had not been singed.
2. Their garments had not been damaged with the fire.
3. They did not even have the smell of burning.
This is a picture of the deliverance of Israel, particularly at the end of the Tribulation, when they will be in fiery affliction.
Isaiah 43:1-2
“Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by My name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.”
v. 28 Nebuchadnezzar’s acknowledgment of God. He did this in Ch. 2.
v. 29-30 The king’s decree
The chapter brings to our notice the age long dilemma of the Christian – Obedience to God – or man.
The chapter is a thrilling account of three young men who remained true to God under severe trial.
The chapter also demonstrates God’s ability to help His children even in impossible situations.
Chapter 3 is the introduction to Chapter 4.
We see for the last time Daniel’s three companions, there is no record of their subsequent experiences.
Daniel 7
Daniel’s first vision: The four great Beasts.
Read verses 1-3
Daniel’s dream chronologically occurred between ch. 4 & 5.
Daniel had an experience with God which left him considerably shaken. When he regained control of himself, he was so impressed that he wrote it down, this he calls “the sum of the matter.”
v. 2 In the vision, four winds are seen striving on a great sea.
Symbolically the sea represents the mass of humanity or the nations of the world.
See Matt 13:47 “The net cast into the sea”
Rev 17:15 “The waters which you saw are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.”
Rev 13:1 “The beast rose up out of the sea, etc.”
The striving of the wind upon the sea is probably symbolic of God’s sovereign power in conflict with sinful man.
The history of the Gentiles is the record of God striving with the nations and ultimately bringing them into subjection when Christ returns to reign.
The first beast: Babylon – compare with Ch. 2 Head of gold.
Read verse 4 – A lion with eagles wings
Lion = King of beasts, the jungle – strength – power
Eagle’s wings = King of the birds of the air – strength – speed. This describes Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom.
Daniel saw the wings plucked and the lion made to stand upon his feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
This was Nebuchadnezzar’s experience. See Ch. 4
His lion-like power was taken from him and he was humbled.
Also in Ch. 5 the empire which he had established was conquered – defeated.
The second beast: Medo-Persia. Breast-arms of silver.
Read v. 5 – a bear – powerful, ferocious, less majestic, less swift, less glorious.
It raised itself up on one side – Persia was greater than the Medes
Three ribs in its mouth – These represent nations which had been subdued, conquered.
Devour much flesh – this refers to additional conquests.
The third beast: Greece – belly-thighs of bronze
Read v. 6 – A leopard with four heads and four wings
This symbol denotes the swiftness of Alexander’s conquests, and also the stealth. Describe.
After Alexander’s death the Grecian kingdom was divided between his four generals.
The fourth beast: Rome – legs of iron, feet & toes of iron & clay.
Read v. 7-8
This beast was so terrible that it could not be likened unto any known species.
The description given here describes the Roman Empire.
Dreadful and terrible – strong exceedingly – great iron teeth – devoured and broke in pieces – stamped the residue with its feet.
The Roman generals were ruthless in their conquests.
This beast also had ten horns.
v. 8 As Daniel gazed on this beast he saw another little horn emerging from its head, in the process it uprooted three of the first horns.
The little horn is then described.
It had eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things. It was a man. This horn has been identified as the Antichrist.
Ch. 9:6 the prince that shall come
12:11 The abomination
Rev 13:1 the beast out of the sea
This one will head the revived Roman Empire.
Paul refers to him as “the man of sin” 2 Thess 2:4-8
Vision of the Ancient of days
Vs 9-10 These verses are a vision of heaven at the time of the final judgment of the nations.
Vs 11-12 describes the destruction of the antichrist and his empire
V 13 Depicts the coming of the Son of man
V 14 Describes the coming in of the fifth kingdom and the everlasting dominion of God
Daniel 9
Daniel’s prayer.
Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks.
Let us look at Daniel’s prayer. Daniel, the man of prayer.
It extends from v. 4 through 19
It is divided into three parts.
v. 4 Adoration
vs. 5-15 Confession
v. 16-19 The Petition
v. 2 tells us what prompted the prayer.
Daniel understood certain prophecies (Jeremiah 25 and 29)
Jeremiah under inspiration wrote that:
“The land and the city were to be desolate for 70 years.”
Then these would be rebuilt.
Daniel realized that the time for the fulfillment of this prophecy had almost arrived. He also realized that the people were not ready for the restoration, so he confessed their sin and prayed for them.
Notice the pattern of his prayer.
Adoration – Confession – Petition
1. He gives to God the highest possible place. “The great and awesome God.”
2. Then he confesses the wickedness of the nation. He says We have sinned, transgressed, committed iniquity, done wickedly, rebelled, forsaken the precepts and ordinances.
All Israel has transgressed. V. 11
Though God had judged them for that sin and though they were suffering for their sin, the captivity, yet they did not pray and confess to God. V. 13
3. Having cleared all sin out of the way through confession Daniel presents his petitions.
a. He asks God to turn His anger from them.
b. He asks that the reproach be taken away from them.
c. H asks that god’s presence will fill the sanctuary.
d. Then finally Daniel admitted that there was nothing in them to deserve this, but appealed to God’s great mercies. V. 18
The prophecy of the seventy weeks
While Daniel was praying, v. 20 Gabriel the archangel came and touched him. v.21
The reason for Gabriel’s coming to Daniel was to show him a great prophecy. V. 22-23
The verses 24 to 27 contain the prophecy which has been called the Backbone of prophecy. This is entirely Jewish.
v. 24 “Seventy weeks are determined” cut off or set apart
This could also be interpreted “seventy sevens”. Week contains 7 years.
These are weeks of years – or 490 years = 7 x 70 years.
Verse 24 informs us what will happen at the expiration of these 490 years.
His death:
1. Israel’s transgressors will be finished.
2. Their sins will be brought to an end.
3. Reconciliation for their iniquity will be made.
His reign:
1. Everlasting righteousness will be brought in.
2. All visions and prophecy will be sealed up.
3. The most Holy will be anointed.
Shekinah glory will return to the temple.
When was this period of 490 years to begin?
v. 25 from the going out of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem.
This commandment was given in 445 B. C. See Nehemiah 2 Artaxerxes
From this time unto Messiah the Prince, was 69 weeks or 483 years.
For some reason Gabriel separates the last week of seven years from the 69 which were to be completed at the coming of the Messiah the Prince.
These 69 weeks are divided into two periods.
Seven weeks or 49 years.
Sixty-two weeks or 434 years.
During the first 49 years the streets and walls of Jerusalem would be built, the city would be built in troublesome times. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah describe this.
v. 26 And after threescore and two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, without being recognized. 483 years
Sir Robert Anderson calculates that it was exactly 483 years to the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem as Messiah.
Each Gospel writer reports this. Matt 21
Within a few days of His entry into the city He was crucified.
After threescore and two weeks cut off.
The prophecy continues
“The people of the prince shall come and destroy the city,” etc. fulfilled in A. D. 70. Romans
The future of the Jewish nation foretold war and desolation till the end.
v. 27 There is still an other 7 years to be accounted for. The Great Parenthesis.
This final week has been postponed by God and is still future.
This period begins with the signing of a treaty between the Antichrist and the Jews. The duration 7 years. Tribulation
After 3 ½ years he will break the treaty – will stop all temple worship – will set his own image there and demand obedience and worship – it will remain there until the Lord comes – and the final judgment will be meted out upon the desolator.
Daniel 11
The prophecy revealed in this chapter extends from the reign of Darius the Mede (589 B.C.) to the last Gentile ruler in the time of the end. (Antichrist) (Man of sin)
The chapter divides into two main sections.
History
1. v. 1-35 describe the major rulers of the Persian Empire, then the verses which follow describe some of the important events of the Empires that followed, concluding with the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. There is no mention or record of the Church Age in the chapter. This Age chronologically fits in between v. 35 and 36.
2. The second section – v. 36-45 deals with the last Gentile ruler who will be in power (Tribulation) when Christ returns to the earth. The Antichrist. The first 35 verses cover a period of approx. 200 yrs. These verses also contain approx. 135 prophetic statements and are all fulfilled without exception. So accurate are these prophecies that the critics have said that they could not possibly have been written before the events. This is the background in which is set the futuristic aspect of Daniel’s prophecy concerning the last days.
v. 36 Read.
The king is the Antichrist – the little horn of Daniel 7 – he will be the absolute ruler in the end time.
“He shall do according to His will”
“He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god.” The abomination of desolation. Dan 12:11; Rev 13
“He shall speak marvelous things against the God of Gods”
On his head are blasphemies. Rev. 13:5; also v. 1
“He shall reign until God’s purposes are fulfilled”
He will be destroyed when the Lord returns to earth.
Rev. 17 The religious side destroyed.
Rev. 18 The political side destroyed.
v. 37 Neither shall he regard the (pagan) gods of his fathers.
Nor regard the desire of women. He is inhuman.
Nor regard any god including GOD.
He will be a proud monstrosity. He will not have the affections and emotions of an ordinary man.
v. 38 He will honor the god of war. Rev 13:7
He will invest the wealth of the world in war.
v. 39 He will divide the land and appoint rulers.
These verses give us a complete analysis of the character of this super-man.
There is a combination of materialism, militarism, and religion.
This man will force his worship on all men.
He is Satan’s masterpiece – Satan’s substitute for Jesus Christ.
Therefore properly identified as the Antichrist.
v. 40 Read the first phrase of this verse.
The breaking up of world rule by the Antichrist. This describes the invasion of the kings of the north and south against Israel and also against its protector. The battle that takes place is described in Ezek 38:18-22.
The result is about 5/6 of the invading forces are slain. This apparently is done by God. Ezek 39:2. (7 months to bury the dead. Ezek 39:12).
The counter attack. Last phrase v. 40. He shall enter into the countries.
v. 41-43 The invasion of the middle east countries by the western forces under the Antichrist. Roman Victory is not complete Moab – Edom – Ammon escape.
v. 44 After the Antichrist has established himself in Palestine, news from the north and east will trouble him.
v. 45 Read between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The world kingdom or empire is continuing to break up.
This is made the more sinister by the drying up of the Euphrates. Rev 16:12
Two hundred million men advance from the Far East. Rev 9
Before the East and West fight, a sign appears in heaven. The sin of the Son of Man. Matt 24:30.
This sign causes them to turn from their hostility toward each other, and to unite to fight the Lord. Psalm 2
The result of this battle is found in (Zech 12:1, 3, 5; Zech 14:12-13)
“Supper of the great God” Rev. 19:17
“He shall come to his end”
At the return of Christ to the earth. Rev 19:17-21