Friday, May 25, 2012

Daniel 12 Notes


DANIEL     12     STUDY
Daniel 10-12 The Antichrist and Eternal Life
Charles e Whisnant         May 23, 2012
Overview[i]
Daniel 12 Resurrection and Reward
12:1 At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your 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 your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased.
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. 6 One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 I heard, but I didn’t understand: then I said, my lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 He said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand. 11 From the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits/perseveres, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13 But go you your way until the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance, at the end of the days.

1) Israel and the Last Days 11:40–12:13
(2) Israel and the “little horn” 11:40-45
(3) Israel’s distress and deliverance 12:1-4
(4) The length of Israel’s distress 12:5-7
(5) The outcome Israel’s distress 12:8-13

Israel’s Distress and Deliverance (12:1-4)

1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
The events of history from Daniel’s day down to the “day of the Lord” are described in chapter 11 in terms of the on-going struggle of two world powers: “the king of the North” and the “king of the South.” The final “king of the North” is introduced in Daniel 11:21 and is the central figure in the remainder of chapter 11. He comes into frequent contact with the nation Israel because of its location in relationship to the “king of the South.” At least three times in our text, the “king of the North” wages war with the “king of the South.” The first and last attacks are successful, while the second ends in retreat. On each of these occasions, the king passes through Israel and gains a growing hatred and animosity toward the God of Israel, His people, and the holy place. At the end of chapter 11, the “king of the North” is encamped between the sea and the “beautiful Holy Mountain” ready to attack and to destroy.


The Great Tribulation will be a time of great suffering; the worst ever known to mankind.  The Church will be redeemed from the Earth before God's wrath is poured out at the end of the Great Tribulation.  Some of God's people who are 'mature' and 'ready' will be redeemed before the Great Tribulation starts.  They will be the first fruits of the harvest.  The majority of God's people will have to endure the Great Tribulation.  They will be redeemed after 1260 days and then God will pour out his wrath.  Those who remain on Earth will suffer God's wrath.  Those that survive until the end of the 1335 days will continue to live on Earth for 1000 years and are destined to become the Nations in the New Heaven and Earth.[ii]
ISRAEL: GOD’S "TIMEPIECE"
And at that time
The first three verses of this chapter are a continuation of the prophecy started in 11:1.  Most scholars feel these verses should have been part of chapter 11, since its part of the same event.
The first three verses deal with the last half of tribulation, and merge into the Millennium of blessing and touch on the great white throne judgment and eternity. 
The last ten verses fill in some very specific details and events to close of seven-year tribulation period. 
The flow of time is a continuation of the events occurring in chapter 11:36 to 45.  At the close of verse 45, the Antichrist has entered Israel and is about to desecrate the Temple.
What time?  Daniel 11:36-45 time.  The last 3.5 years of the “time of great distress.” The time that will come on the entire world but in specifically on the nation of Isarel.
Chapter 12 is not a new vision but one what we started in chapter 10. 
Shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:
The first verse of chapter 12 reveals two facts pertaining to the end times we would not have expected apart from divine revelation. First, the angel Michael114 is the instrument through whom the period of the Great Tribulation is initiated. There is a definite link between the “king of the North” and the Great Tribulation to be sure. But the text leaves this evil king behind in chapter 11, linking the beginning of the tribulation to Michael, who will arise and bring about a “time of great distress,” a time particularly directed toward the Jews.
Michael the angel who is assigned to Israel to guard Israel

Michael:  The angel Michael is reintroduced here, the first mention of him in the bible occurred in Daniel chapter 10, where he helped the current angel speaking with Daniel, resist the demonic, “Prince of Persia” who tried to prevent Daniel from receiving this message. (Daniel 10:13,21). 
We again see him, now intervening on Israel behalf at the middle of tribulation period.  Revelation 12, also corresponds with events taking place on earth, revealing the spiritual events in the heavenly realms.  Michael and his angels are finally permitted to engage Satan and his angels, who up to this period, had access to Heaven to accuse God’s servants on earth.  At the mid-point this access ceases, and Satan and his forces sent to earth where Satan will make his last stand in the person of the Beast or Antichrist.
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,  8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

 AND THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE OR DISTRESS, thlipsis 06869
It is easy to see that the first half of verse 1 pertains to Michael and the last half to the period of the Great Tribulation, but it is difficult to accept the connection between the two. When Michael arises, the time of Israel’s trouble begins. At first this does not seem possible. Michael is “Israel’s prince” (10:21), the “great prince who stands guard” over the sons of Daniel’s people, Israel (12:1). How could the “protector of Israel” precipitate this time of such great suffering?
Trouble or distress:
Literally  gives the idea of something which is narrow, tight or confining and figuratively describes discress (great pain, anguish or suffering affecting the body and mind.
A term which originally expressed sheer, physical pressure, as when pressing grapes. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally thlipsis.
Figuratively pictures one being “crushed” by intense pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble pressing upon them from without.   Which gives the idea of persecution, affiction, opposition or tribulation, all press hard on one’s soul.
            This identifies this as a future event. An event that has not equal in history. A time of distress.
Thlipsis (tribulation) has the underlying meaning of being under pressure and was used of squeezing olives in a press in order to extract the oil and of squeezing grapes to extract the juice...In Scripture the word thlipsis is perhaps most often used of outward difficulties, but it is also used of emotional stress." (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press)
            It is a technical theological term for the Great Tribulation of the end times.  Matthew 24:15,21

SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION EVEN TO THAT SAME TIME.
The Tribulation period is a time for punishing the Gentile nations for the way they have sinned against the Jews Joel 3:2-8, it is also a time for siftying and purging Isarel and preparing the Jews for the return of the Messiah Amos 9:9-12. 

AND AT THAT TIME THY PEOPLE SHALL BE DELIVERED 04422,[iii]
EVERY ONE THAT SHALL BE FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK.
According to Zechariah 13:9, 1/3 of Israel is saved and enters the Millennium age of blessing.  Those who flee Jerusalem through the mountain valley of the Mt. Olives will survive the tribulation (Zechariah 14:4)
Israel will finally understand, Jesus was the Messiah, he came and suffered for the sins of humanity (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). When Israel cries out to Jesus, he will return as promised, before he was crucified, but not until Israel recognizes Him as their Messiah. 38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' "  Matthew 23:38-39
Christ returns with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-17) (Zechariah 12:10), to a repentant Israel who understands Jesus the Messiah (Christ) is their only hope. At this point, Israel is restored, 
and the Millennium is put in motion, starting with the resurrection of the saints killed

Referes to God’s Book of Life in which there is a record of all the names of the saved.
Some will be rescued, delivered from all this great tribulation.  Some by the way, this is not a universal salvation for all, but those whose name is in the books.
Those that are going to be delivered are the elect of Israel.  But this verse does not teach, nor anywhere in scripture that every Jew living on the earth at that time will be saved. 
The prophecy  in Daniel limits the deliverance to “every one that shall be found in the book.”
These are the godly Jews, the believing remnant on the earth at the time.
Certainly the apostate Jews in that day are not included, but only the redeemed Israelites.
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.
MANY OF THEM

            Resurrection 386  40 times Anastasis  

 Luke 2:34; Luke 14:14; Luke 20:27; Luke 20:33; Luke 20:35  Acts 2:31; Acts 4:2; Acts 4:33; Acts 17:32; Acts 23:6; Acts 23:8; Acts 24:15; Acts 24:21; Acts 26:23  1 Corinthians 15:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:21; 1 Corinthians 15:42    (King James Version)

 


What event follows this horrendous period of judgment on the world? What follows is a period of blessing and reward.  Outside of the Temple mount, on the Mount of Olives is a Jewish cemetery facing the Temple.  The hope those being buried there is the resurrection, to see the Messiah at the resurrection when Messiah kingdom is established.
Paul links Israel’s national conversion, with the resurrection in the book of Romans, 15  For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?  Romans 11:15
The resurrection has two parts, a resurrection of the just and a resurrection of the unjust.  The timing of these two parts has caused great debate and division. Who is resurrected? Moreover, when? 

There are several view of the resurrection;
1. At the end of time there is one resurrection of the just and unjust, known as the “General resurrection” a view held by AMillennialists and post-millennialist[
2. There are two distinct resurrections, the resurrection of the saved, and the unsaved.  The first resurrection takes place before the Millennium and the second, of the unsaved, takes place after the millennium. This view often held by pre-millennialis.
3.  Under the Pre-millennial heading, there are three view of when the rapture occurs, the first resurrection.
a. Pre-tribulation:  The first resurrection takes place in two phases, the first phase when the when the church is raptured before the tribulation, and the second phase when the saints killed during the tribulation are resurrected to rule and reign with Christ for 1000-years. (I Thes 4;13, Revelation 20:4). In addition, many commentators view the Old Testament saints, such as Daniel being part of the second phase of the first resurrection, when the Jewish saints killed in the tribulation are resurrected following the return of Messiah.
b. Mid-tribulation:  The resurrection occurs at the middle of the tribulation period, followed by second resurrection at the end of the tribulation for saints killed during the last half.
c. post-tribulation: Immediately after the tribulation (Matthew 24:30), before Christ returns the saints are resurrected to return with Christ and establish the Millennial kingdom.
 
Why many and not “all”? Simply, not all mankind will sleep in the dust (die).  There is going to be a Rapture.


[iii] Verses 1-4 of chapter 12 are generally considered part of the paragraph beginning at Daniel 11:40. In defense of the chapter division as we have it in our Bibles, a significant change is evident in Daniel 12:1, one which explains (if it does not also justify) the ending of chapter 11 at verse 45. Never again is the “king of the North” (or the “king of the South”) mentioned in the remaining verses of Daniel. If chapter 11 describes the approach of the last days from a human standpoint, chapter 12 describes the end in terms which are divine.
The first verse of chapter 12 reveals two facts pertaining to the end times we would not have expected apart from divine revelation. First, the angel Michael114 is the instrument through whom the period of the Great Tribulation is initiated. There is a definite link between the “king of the North” and the Great Tribulation to be sure. But the text leaves this evil king behind in chapter 11, linking the beginning of the tribulation to Michael, who will arise and bring about a “time of great distress,” a time particularly directed toward the Jews.
It is easy to see that the first half of verse 1 pertains to Michael and the last half to the period of the Great Tribulation, but it is difficult to accept the connection between the two. When Michael arises, the time of Israel’s trouble begins. At first this does not seem possible. Michael is “Israel’s prince” (10:21), the “great prince who stands guard” over the sons of Daniel’s people, Israel (12:1). How could the “protector of Israel” precipitate this time of such great suffering?
The answer is found in the second surprising fact revealed in verse 1: The deliverance of God’s people is that which occurs in the time of her greatest trouble—the Great Tribulation.115 If we are surprised to see Michael associated with the suffering of Israel, we should also be surprised to see Israel’s deliverance associated with the time of her greatest suffering. Those whose names are found written in the book of life116 will be rescued.
God has chosen to bring about the salvation of his chosen ones by means of suffering. God does save men and women from suffering, but He also saves through suffering. Consider for a moment the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. God was well aware of their suffering and heard the cries of His people. He sent Moses to deliver His people from their suffering. But the deliverance of the Israelites came through suffering. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh and demanded that he let God’s people go, Pharaoh only made things more difficult for the Jews. The Jews protested that Moses had only made matters worse. In a sense, they were right. Things were going to get worse before they got better. It looked as though the entire nation would be wiped out by the Egyptian army as they found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian forces. But God opened the sea, bringing about the salvation of His people and the destruction of their enemies.
The salvation of sinners has been accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ. He delivers us from sin, from suffering, and from death, but He did so by means of His own suffering and death. So too the nation Israel will be delivered from its sins and suffering, but this will happen by means of the suffering of the nation in the time of the Great Tribulation. Then the people of God will be rescued.
For this reason, Michael, the guardian prince of the nation Israel, is revealed as the one who will arise, bringing about the Great Tribulation. Israel’s time of great suffering is God’s appointed means for her deliverance; thus, the angel appointed to protect her precipitates by his actions the time of her suffering. When Michael arises and the tribulation begins, it is like the doctor who “breaks the water” of a woman as she nears the time to give birth to her child. A time of pain will come upon her, but it is through this pain that the joy of new life will come to pass.
The righteous do not receive their full reward in this life. When the wicked rule, the righteous may suffer persecution and even death because of their faith in God and their obedience to Him:
33 “And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days. 34 Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. 35 And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time (Daniel 11:33-35).
In order for justice to be meted out at the coming of the Messiah and of His kingdom, the dead must be raised so that all men receive their just reward. This resurrection of the righteous and the wicked is very plainly prophesied in verse 2 of our text. The righteous will be raised and rewarded with everlasting life, while the wicked will be raised and given the recompense of everlasting contempt.
In verse 3, the reward of the righteous in eternity is directly linked to their faithfulness to the task they were given in time. Those who “let their light shine” in the dark days of persecution and opposition, and thus led many to righteousness, will shine brightly forever in eternity.
In verse 4, the angel turns from the fate of the saints of the latter days to the fate of Daniel whose life and ministry is drawing to a close. Daniel need not worry about these future days of distress; he has seen difficult times in his life, and remained faithful. Daniel was instructed to conceal the words revealed to him and to “seal up the book until the end time.” I understand the angel to mean that this final vision has completed the revelation of the Book of Daniel; now that the book is complete, it is to be sealed.
Why should the book be sealed? If the saints of the end times were faithful to proclaim their faith and to lead many to righteousness, why should the revelation of the Book of Daniel be kept concealed until the later days? The reason is given in the last half of verse 4: “many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
The prophecy of Daniel is not the revelation of God’s plan of salvation; it is the revelation of God’s plan for the future. It reveals how God’s salvation will be fulfilled, not how it is made possible. Daniel focuses on the manifestation of God’s salvation in history, not its means through the coming, death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
In the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is recorded as told by our Lord. When the rich man died, he went to hell, while Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom. In his place of torment, the rich man begged that someone be sent to warn his five brothers of the wrath to come. Abraham’s response to this request was: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). The brothers of the rich man did not need new revelation nor did they need to hear a word of warning in a unique and dramatic way. What this man’s brothers needed was to obey the revelation they had already received from the Old Testament Scriptures.
The same was true for those in Daniel’s day as well as for those in the last days. They needed no new revelation. They needed to believe God’s promise of salvation which was revealed to them in the Old Testament Scriptures, just as every Old Testament saint was saved by faith (see Hebrews 11). While the last days would be characterized by a rapid increase in knowledge, this will not turn men toward God. Instead, men in the last days will vacillate, manifesting no consistency. They will go here and there seeking new knowledge (see Acts 17:16-21). The prophecy of the Book of Daniel proves to be of great value to those living in the last times, for it gives insight into the events taking place around them


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