Read Daniel 10 -- 12
In Today's Reading:
Daniel's fast; heavenly messenger detained; prophecy of kingdoms from David to the Antichrist; prophecy that they that be wise shall . . . turn many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3).
Verses for Today:
A vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom . . . shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. . . . And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. . . . And his heart shall be against the Holy Covenant. . . . And (he) shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. And such as do wickedly against the Covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries. . . . And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days (11:21,23,28,31-33).
The Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world are portrayed by Daniel as in a constant state of conflict that eventually will erupt into open hostility. Daniel foretold that, during the period of the Roman Empire, terrible persecution by a vile person (Daniel 11:21), later revealed as Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), would take place.
The many days (11:33) bring us to a later time period.
Jesus speaks of an abomination of desolation that has yet to come (Mark 13:14). The most wicked of all antichrists is foretold: The king . . . shall exalt himself . . . above every god, and shall speak . . . against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for [what] is determined shall be done (Daniel 11:36).
There have been many antichrists, as John foretold (1 John 2:18), and the driving force of all antichrists is to destroy the Kingdom of God. There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation. . . . Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased (Daniel 12:1). Knowledge has increased in our generation far beyond anything developed in the past 6000 years. However, having rejected the Creator God, many do run to and fro. They seek unknowingly for what God alone is able to give (2 Timothy 3:7).
Daniel cried out: O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And He said, Go [your] way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end (Daniel 12:8-9). Daniel admitted that there was much in his prophecy that he did not understand. However, it was not necessary for Daniel to know the details of the future since he had the utmost assurance that God controls the future and that His people will reign with the Lord forever. As in any crisis, some will turn to the Lord and some will continue in sin: Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand (12:10).
These closing chapters of Daniel's prophecy teach us to be prepared for the coming of Christ, to recognize His reign and His rule over our lives now. Seeing then that all these things shall be . . . what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness (2 Peter 3:11).
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who lives forever (Daniel 12:7). As One of the Three expressed Persons of the Trinity, Jesus Christ always has been and always will be (Revelation 4:8).
Word Studies:
10:15 dumb = speechless; 11:11 choler = furious rage; 11:15 most fenced = best fortified; 11:24 fattest = richest; forecast his devices = devise plans; 12:7 a time, times, and an half = 3-1/2 years.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Sen. Robert Bennett (UT), Rep. Jim McCreary (LA), and Rep. John Tierney (MA) · Pray for your church · Country: Turkey (66 million) in Asia Minor and southeastern Europe · Major languages: Turkish, Kurdish, and Arabic · Official resistance to Christian witnessing · 99+% Muslim; .5% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for those who forsake or disappoint you (2 Timothy 4:16).
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11