The Book of Daniel has
always had a great fascination to those who are keen Bible
students. One of the most thrilling prophecies in the Bible is
found in
chapter 2 which outlines, the history of the world.
As we move further into
the Book of Daniel we find that he introduces World powers who
oppress and persecute God’s people such as the Little Horn power
of
chapter 7 and
8.
Then as we come to
chapter 11 we are given a broad sweep of history with the
purpose of showing how that though God’s people are savagely
persecuted by oppressive powers, ultimately they will triumph. It
is interesting to notice that in
chapters 10,
11, and
12 you have the last vision given to Daniel.
Attack by the King of the North
In the
11th chapter is featured the activities of the King of the
North, the persecutor of God’s people, the one responsible for the
death and martyrdom of countless numbers of true believers. This
is brought to our notice in verse 35.
Daniel 11:35 says, “And some of them of understanding
shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white,
even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time
appointed.”
This is a prediction of
the fate of God’s true believers during the Dark Ages: then it
concludes with the final attack of the King of the North upon the
Church of God.
It says in
verse 45 “And he shall plant the tabernacles (worship) of
his palace (government) between the seas (peoples) in the glorious
holy mountain (heavenly Jerusalem); yet he shall come to his end,
and none shall help him."
By no stretch of
imagination could you call the earthly Jerusalem “the glorious
holy mountain”, rather it is symbolic of Mt Zion or the Church of
God.
God's Response to the Crisis
We have pictured in this
verse the final Papal attack upon God’s remnant people and in
chapter 12 we have how that God responds to this crisis.
Daniel 12:1 says, “And at that time shall Michael stand
up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy
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
thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found
written in the book.”
Michael Stands Up
Did you notice that it
says that Michael stands up. This term “stand up” is used (ten)
times in
chapter 11 and it means to reign or take the kingdom. So
when it says that Michael stands up, it is indicating that He is
taking His kingdom, which is a fulfillment the prophecy of
Revelation 11:15, where it tells us that the Kingdoms
of the world become the Kingdom of our LORD and His Christ. It
also tells us that the human race has reached the end of its
probation; that the day of salvation, the great investigative
judgment is over.
It is sad to think that at
this time all the names of the unfaithful of God’s professing
people have been blotted out of the Book of Life with only the
faithful names remaining,
Michael
is the Lord Jesus Christ, and that title means “One like God”. And
of course He is the express image of His Father. The text calls
Him “the great prince that stands for the children of thy people.”
That term “stands” actually means “stands over” or “He protects
His people.”
Prior to the close of
probation, that is down through the Christian era in the conflict
of good and evil, God's people have often been permitted to die at
the hands of the King of the North.
Time of Great Trouble
However after the close of
probation Michael stands over them in protection. Now isn’t that
great news! Especially for those of us who face a perilous future.
I am sure that you noticed that the text says, “…there shall be a
time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.
This means that great
trouble is coming upon the world, upon the unsaved. This is not
the tribulation brought to view in the
24th chapter of Matthew in
verses 21,22 where
Jesus spoke of a great tribulation that would come upon the
saints. "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not
since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall
be.
Verse 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should
no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be
shortened. “
Unfortunately there are
some Christians who are confused over the time of trouble
mentioned in
Daniel 12:1. They believe that the time of trouble,
mentioned in
Matthew 24 and
Daniel 12:1 are the same but they are not. For the one in
Matthew has been fulfilled. It occurred during the Dark Ages when
millions of God's people were martyred for their faith. But the
time of trouble of
Daniel 12:1 is one in which God's people are delivered
from death.
It is quite easy to see
the difference. One was where God's people were allowed to die for
their faith. The other mentioned in Daniel is where Michael stands
over them in protection and saves their lives.
I would like to make it
very clear that this time of trouble of
Daniel 12 afflicts the unsaved and not the people of God.
It involves a conflict between Christ and Anti-Christ, between the
King of Heaven and the King of the North, between the saved and
the unsaved.
King of the North Attacks God's People
And what is the power that
will be arraigned against Michael, against Jesus Christ in the
final conflict? The Spirit of Prophecy says, in Vol. 7 p.182, “The
world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one
head – the papal power the people will unite to oppose God in the
person of His witnesses."
And this is exactly what
the Book of Revelation tells us, that the Papacy or the King of
the North of
Daniel 11 attacks God's people at the close of time
intending to destroy them but Michael or Jesus Christ stands over
them to protect them.
Seven Last Plagues
This time of trouble
involves the 7 Last Plaques.
Revelation 18:8 says, "Therefore shall her plagues come
in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be
utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth
her”.
In
Revelation 15:1 it says, "And I saw another sign in
heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last
plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”
In bygone days little
drops of God's wrath has fallen upon individuals or peoples, but
at the close of probation God's wrath overflows. His indignation
is without restraint. Why Because the King of the North plants the
tabernacles of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy
mountain.
And what does that mean?
He attacks God's people, he attacks spiritual Jerusalem. So
Michael stands up “and there shall be a time of trouble", but with
that time of trouble there will come deliverance.
For it tells us “thy
people shall be delivered.” Now isn’t that wonderful! Every
Christian should be thankful for that.
Books of God
"Thy people”, who are
they? We are told clearly just who they are, “those whose names
are written in the Book.” What Book? Undoubtedly the Book of Life.
And this shows us how
vital is the truth concerning the books and their records as
brought to view in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible makes it very
clear that God keeps records; for several times the Book of Life
is mentioned, also the Book of Remembrance plus the Book of
Sin.
We are warned that those who reject the truth will have their
names blotted out of the Book of Life.
A Partial or Special Resurrection
Now as we come to verse 2
of
chapter 12 there is mentioned a partial resurrection,
"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.”
Here it speaks of a
resurrection. And when does it take place? It is during the “time
of trouble”, during the 7 last plagues. This is not general
resurrection which takes place at the end of the 7 Last Plagues,
at the end of the time of trouble.
You will notice that in
this partial resurrection there are (some) righteous and (some)
unsaved. Lets notice the text "… (some) to everlasting life, and
(some) to shame and everlasting contempt ".
There are two distinct
groups. Some of God's people who are given a special privilege,
and some who are raised to shame and contempt.
In
Revelation 1:7 we are given a clue as to who are the
ones raised in disgrace because it says, "Behold, he cometh with
clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced
him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.”
The haughty Herod who
jeered at His royal title, those who forced the cruel crown of
thorns upon His brow, those who drove the spikes into His hands
and feet, those who mocked Him on the cross and spat upon Him.
They are to be raised from their graves.
But you might say, "They
have been dead for centuries ‑ how is it possible for them to
behold Christ when He comes? The only answer to that question is
that there must be a special resurrection.
When Jesus was on trial
before the Sanhedrin and the Jewish priests, the High Priest
made this statement which is found in
Matthew 26:63, 64. “…I adjure thee by the living God,
that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Verse 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I
say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on
the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus
clearly indicated that there would be a special resurrection
which would take place (just before) the great Second Advent.
(for a more detailed account read Great Controversy pages 637
onwards chapter heading 'God's people Delivered)
I am sure that you can
imagine the consternation of these wicked men as they behold the
One who they condemned so unjustly to death, who they crucified
so cruelly, and now they see HIM coming in all His glory in
great majesty as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
It is no wonder that the
text says “....some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Blessed are the Dead in Christ
But who are those who
are raised to everlasting life? There is another clue in
Revelation 14:13. "And I heard a voice from heaven
saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the
Lord from henceforth…”
Now what does that mean?
Why should it say that the dead are blessed from henceforth? After
all every person who has died in Christ is blessed. However the
text tells us that there is a special blessing on those who die
during the time of the Three Angel’s Messages, (Great Controversy
pg. 637) because they are going to be raised in the Special
Resurrection. They will see Jesus coming in all His glory and
majesty. This is the very event they have prayed for, for which
they have labored, they have prepared for. And the Lord is going
to raise them up to see this tremendous event. What a blessing!
What a reward that will be.
Obedience of the Saints
Now before I move on to
the next verse there is something else in
verse 13 that we should notice, “Yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow
them.”
That is an interesting
statement. Their works, what works? St Paul tells us that works do
not count and neither they do. They certainly will not get us to
heaven. So what does the Holy Spirit mean? I am sure that He means
“their obedience”, because in accepting the Three Angel’s Messages
there is required special obedience, something that the average
Christian does not perform.
Revelation 14:12 says, “Here is the patience of the
saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus.” This calls for patient endurance on the part of
the saints (who obey God’s commandments) and remain faithful to
Jesus.
The great test in the Book
of Revelation is, who are you going to obey? It is either the
Beast of God. And God takes special notice of these obedient
people and pronounces a special blessing upon them.
The Wise Shall Shine as Stars
And now we will take a
look at the third verse of Daniel 12.
Verse 3 says, “And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
Here we have a beautiful
promise to God’s people. And it is particularly to the wise, that
is to the spiritually wise. And remember that every believer can
be spiritually wise for we are offered wisdom if we pray for it
according to
James
1:5. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him.”
The wisdom that God gives
us is to be shared. And that is why the margin says for “wise”
(they that be teachers). And when you share the wisdom that God
gives you, you become a teacher. And what kind of teacher? A
teacher that turns others to righteousness. And there is a special
promise, a special reward in the kingdom for those who turn many
to righteousness.
Throughout the Christian
era and beyond true teachers have suffered persecution. That is
those who have shared their faith.
In the eleventh chapter
verse 33 it speaks of those who have done this and the
fate that has befallen them. Notice what it says, “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.”
This refers to the 1260
Years of Papal Persecution when millions were put to death for
their faith, and most of those people shared their faith. They
were teachers turning many to righteousness.
And how wonderful and
relevant is this promise that those who do this "shall shine as
the brightness of the firmament and the stars”. Jesus said "…then
shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father.”
Matthew 13:43.
There will be a special
reward for those who have shared their faith.
Will there be Stars in Our Crowns?
Does this mean that there
will be literal STARS in our crowns? Yes, it is true that we will
have crowns.
2 Timothy 4:8 says, “Henceforth there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing.”
Peter talks of a crown (of glory).
1
Peter 5:4. James and John mention (a crown of life) in
James
1:12 and
Revelation 2:10.
The Spirit of Prophecy
tells us in Early Writings p.54. "The crowns of the saints were of
the most pure gold, decked with stars." Again in Early Writings
p.16, “Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright.
Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few.
All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns."
So we will have stars,
literal stars in our crowns.
This brings to my mind the
words of a very well known children's hymn.
"All His jewels, precious
jewels His loved and His own. Like the stars of the morning His
bright crown adorning, They shall shine in their beauty, Bright
gems for His crown."
Shut up the Words and Seal the Book
This 3rd verse concludes
chapter 11. And
verse 4 is the beginning of
chapter 12. Let us notice what it says.
Daniel 12:4 “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and
seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and
fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
So there it is! Shut up
the words and seal the Book. And the Book of Daniel or (a portion
of it) has been sealed or shut up for centuries to the people of
God. Not the whole Book. Because through the centuries various
parts of Daniel have been understood particularly the first seven
chapters.
You may remember that when
the Protestant Reformation began in Scotland under John Knox that
the opening sermon that brought about the Reformation in that
country was the sermon he preached at St Andrews on Daniel
chapter 7. In his audience was the devout Catholic, Mary
Queen of Scots. And when John Knox went through the four beasts of
that chapter and came to the Little Horn Mary interrupted him and
said, "And who Master Knox is the Little Horn?” and that
courageous man replied, "Your Majesty, if you were to issue a
warrant I would apprehend the Pope.” And what a consternation it
caused. And it was the beginning of the Reformation in Scotland.
So you can see that the
Book of Daniel up to
chapter 7 was understood but portions concerning the last
days were not understood particularly
chapter 8 onwards.
In fact in
verse 26 of the
eighth chapter it says in the last part “…shut thou up the
vision for it shall be for many days."
Time of the End
It wasn’t until the time
of the end that those particular portions of Daniel were unveiled.
Now this brings us to the
question, what is the time of the end? And when does the time of
the end begin?
The date marking the time
of the end was 1798. And how do we know this? Because it is
referred to six times in the Book of Daniel in
chapter 8:17,19;
chapter 11:35,40; and
chapter 12:4,9.
Let us notice one of these
statements; this is where it talks about the persecution of the
saints in the Dark Ages which would come to an end in 1798.
Daniel 11:35 says, "And some of them of understanding
shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white,
even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time
appointed.”
That is clear enough. The
persecution of God's people would continue to the time of the end.
And when did Papal supremacy come to an end? Without question it
was 1798 AD. So rightfully we hold that 1798 marks the time of the
end.
Many Shall Run To and Fro
And at that time "…many
shall run to fro and knowledge shall be increased.”
The Hebrew word for
running “to and fro" denotes a roving about or searching the
Scriptures, especially the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.
And was there an increase
in knowledge concerning the Book of Daniel? When did light come on
those sealed portions of the Book? Why yes, around 1798 there took
place a great revival of prophetic study. Leading scholars working
independently in various parts of the Northern Hemisphere were led
to the study of the prophecies of the Book of Daniel. The
remarkable agreement among them that the great time periods of
Daniel ended about 1844, was quite uncanny.
Living in the Time of the End
We are living at a time
when the last three chapters of this great Book are open. And how
do we know that? In the
10th chapter of Revelation there is pictured a mighty
angel, and in his hand there is a little book open which is the
Book of Daniel.
We are living at a time
when the last three chapters of this great Book are open. They can
be understood and now is the time to study them.
And I assure you that a
great blessing comes with that study. Then we are to share that
blessing and in doing so we shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament the stars for ever."
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