A. This is the most detailed revelation in the Old Testament concerning the drama

and culmination of the end of the age and the salvation of Israel. Daniel has this

vision during the third year of Cyrus. The Jews are back in the land after Cyrus

released a decree in his first year. Ezra 4:24 tells us that in 536 the foundation

was laid but the work on the Temple had ceased due to the great difficulty and

adversity from the surrounding peoples.

Trouble. In this time God will chastise Israel by gathering them to their nation

(Hos. 11:10), assembling the nations against her under the reign of a demonized

world leader who is empowered by Satan. He will deceive the nations through

miracles, signs and wonders and will stand in the Holy Place claiming to be God.

He worships the god of fortresses and ushers in a time of rule and oppression like

no other time in human history. This ruler is said to have 3 ½ years of dominance

and oppression on the earth. The saints will be persecuted, the nations will gather

against Jerusalem, God will unleash His judgments, and Jesus will return to set up

His everlasting Kingdom on earth.

A. The book has come full circle in chapters 11 & 12. In chapters 1 & 2 Daniel

consecrated himself unto understanding. He chose the path of prayer and

consecration and in the hour of trial he was in a position to hear from the Lord.

B. God changes the seasons and the wise are in a position to cooperate with the will

of God in that season. The season of persecution is to clarify between those who

know God and those who do not. The pressure and persecution reveals the hearts

heart an aligns priorities.

C. The battle lines are drawn, the blurred areas of life are taken out, and a decision

must be made. Whom will you serve? God brings the people of God into the

midst of the persecution and trial in order to purify their outlook on life and to

refine the priorities of their hearts. In times of trial we are forced to make key

decisions.

D. What will you give yourself to? The question of your own mortality forces you to

answer the important questions in life. In this pressured-filled scenario the human

heart must choose sides, and the greatest amount of maturity in the heart of the

believer is produced. It puts us in the place to where in the absence of freedom

and choice, because of the persecution and trial, we must live wholehearted.

E. God designed it that when it would be worst on earth for us it would produce the

greatest amount of good in us so that we would get more rewards for all eternity.

God designs that in the moments of the worst hours of human history, where the

kingdom of darkness is trying to snuff out the people of God, in those moments

when it seems the worst to them, that He would give His people their greatest

reward.

F. It will produce unparalleled levels of wholeheartedness, and although it seems

like the trouble on this side of eternity is great, it is actually producing an

enormous inheritance on the other side. What kind of God sets it up that way?

Everybody faces persecution in the last days. Everyone! But, only believers get

to it to count for them. Think about all the millions of people who endure

suffering on the earth, and when they hit the grave, it means nothing. What kind

of God sets it up so that in the midst of trial and suffering it counts the most for

you in the present quality of your own heart and in your reward in the age to

come?

G. We must be prepared and consecrated unto understanding. In chapters 1-2 it was

magicians whose lives were on the line. Under the rule of the vilest of kings, the

lives of God’s people are on the line.

A. Daniel introduces a transfer of power from Persia to Greece. Then he gives a

great deal of time in describing the various wars between the kings of the North

and the kings of the South. Why?

Him concerning the prophecies of the end. The details of these wars are so

precise that it has led some to conclude that Daniel was written in second century

BC. Many scholars doubt that the prophetic can be that accurate; thus, this vision

prophecies from this section were historically fulfilled.

1. In the prophetic you speak things that people are already aware to give

them courage to hear the next thing prophesied as truth. The first twenty

know about in the following ones.

2. We do not want to face the reality of a coming time period on the earth

when it really gets bad. Jesus said a period in history is coming unlike any

other in terms of distress. Yet, there is something in us that would like

every other option than to have to face the fact there is a coming period

regionally, will become global.

3. These prophecies come with such clarity in order to apprehend our hearts

and force us to wrestle with this coming period of tribulation. It drives us

to get understanding and to set our hearts towards wisdom and prayer. If

we do not, the hour of temptation will cause us to shrink back in fear and

offense.

strife between nations will consume the landscape of the day when a very wicked

ruler will come to power. Jesus tells us this in the Olivet Discourse.

2. Matt. 24:4-84 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no

one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the

of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to

kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and

NKJV

D. This is the story of humanity. Men of power want more power. Men thirst for

more dominance. Dominance and Deceit define the landscape in Daniel 11:1-20

and defines the landscape at the end of the age.

fame. One of the main themes of Daniel is the jostling of the nations. The

inevitable outcome of human rule is the jostling for power. This is the

emphatic testimony of the Bible. Humanity left on its own will corrupt the

whole earth with violence.

heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He

had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the

LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of

the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I

am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes

way on the earth. And God said to Noah,"The end of all flesh has

and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an

ark. . ."

b. My talk with a dear friend concerning the Antichrist.

order to gain the upper hand. In verses 1-20 you will find that there is no

such thing as a treaty or covenant between nations. They are only

Risk). The goal of full power and control undermines the peace process.

E. This affect on the Jews was tiring and wearisome as foreign armies swept through

their land. Israel found herself in between two world powers, caught in the

middle. The human frame wearies after years of stress and pressure due to the

wars and conflicts.

1. As the northern and southern armies moved back and forth; the

persecution and weariness of Israel set them up for a peacemaker. This

same dynamic will once again set Israel up for peace no matter the cost.

2. The Bible is very clear. When a man of peace steps into Jerusalem and

signs a peace treaty, watch out, for the end is near. What will begin in

peace will end with the violence of a devil.

A. Vile Person -- Despicable, Contemptible

B. Seizes the Kingdom by Intrigue. He comes to the throne through intrigue that

should have belonged to his nephew Demetrius. Demetrius was still a hostage in

protector. But the baby was murdered and Antiochus IV had the murderer

executed. Rumors exist that it was all set up by Antiochus IV.

C. Deceit under the guise of peace and generosity. He makes alliances with Jews

who were favorable towards Hellenizing Palestine, enculturating them into the

Greek lifestyle. These Jews, connected to Antiochus, built a gymnasium in

Jerusalem and abandoned the covenant of their forefathers. They quit

circumcising their babies and took on Greek names and practices. The youth gave

themselves to the sports of the day.

he returns to Jerusalem with a strong force. He enters the sanctuary and takes the

holy articles, the costly vessels, and all the gold and silver, and the hidden

treasures. He takes the loot back to Antioch in Syria. He commits deeds of

murder and speaks arrogantly. Some say between 40 and 80 thousand men,

women, and children were slaughtered.

E. In 168 B.C. he is preempted by the Romans in his desire to capture Egypt by the

Romans. The Roman commander, Gaius Popilius Laenas, humiliates Antiochus

by handing him a letter from the Roman Senate demanding his immediate

withdraw from Egypt, drawing a circle around him, and telling him that he must

decide his fate before he leaves the circle. Humiliated, he vents his frustration on

the Jews. Two years later he sends a collector of tribute, Apollonius, in with a

large army. He speaks peaceably but kills many, burns the city with fire, and

tears down houses and walls. He enters on the Sabbath and ravages the city

mercilessly. The army then stations in Jerusalem and continues its reign of evil.

F. He then dictates that all the peoples shall be one and that all are to give up their

customs. Many Jews gladly accepted and adopted his sacrifices. Antiochus

forbid burnt and drink offerings as well as the daily sacrifices. They built shrines

to idols and sacrificed swine. The practice of circumcision was commanded to

cease, and anyone who did not obey the command of the king was to be killed.

They had inspectors over all the people. They erected a sacrilege altar (an altar of

altars in the surrounding cities. Women who were caught circumcising their

babies had their babies hung from their necks and then were killed.

A. Verse 32 is the key verse in chapter eleven. The context sets up the scenario.

Who will choose righteousness? Persecution and pressure bring the context for

the heart to be revealed. What will we fear? To fear something is to ascribe

greatness to it. Will we fear persecution or fear the Lord?

B. The Perplexity of the Multitudes. History is made by the few who sway the

multitudes.

C. The Bible is clear that many shall be corrupted with flattery. Many will be turned

from the faith. Jesus warns in the Olivet Discourse that the pressure will cause

many to turn from their faith and even betray the ones they love.

Matt. 24:4-14 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one

deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and

will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you

are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will

be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the

beginning of sorrows. 9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you,

and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will

be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many

false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will

abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall

be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as

a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Isa. 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the

strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure. NKJV

D. The Bible is also clear that there will be those who do not give way to the flattery.

The Bible gives the qualification for this resistance to deception and flattery. It is

the principle set forth in chapter two. He will give wisdom to the wise and

knowledge to those who have understanding. The ones with an intimate

relationship with the Lord will be strong, will endure, and do great exploits.

E. Strong. One priest with understanding and courage would change everything.

His name was Mattathias. He and his sons grieved, fasted, and mourned greatly.

Eph. 6:10-20 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His

might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against

the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but

against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this

age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore

take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with

truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet

with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith

with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of

God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being

watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -- 19

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly

to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in

chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. NKJV

Heb. 11:32-38 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of

Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the

prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness,

obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire,

escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant

in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead

raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they

might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and

scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were

sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in

sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- 38 of whom the

world was not worthy. NKJV

F. Do Great Exploits.

15: And again a strong army of ungodly men went up with him to help him, to

take vengeance on the sons of Israel.

16: When he approached the ascent of Beth-horon, Judas went out to meet him

with a small company.

17: But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Judas, "How

can we, few as we are, fight against so great and strong a multitude? And we are

faint, for we have eaten nothing today."

G. The ones who understand will instruct many, even unto death by sword, flame,

captivity, and plundering. Many will join them by intrigue.

Dan 11:33-35 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many

days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they

fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35

them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. NKJV

A. God designed it that when it would be worst on earth for us it would produce the

greatest amount of good in us that we would get more rewards for all eternity.

God tells us that in the moments of the worst hours of human history, where the

kingdom of darkness is trying to snuff out the people of God, in those moments

when it seems the worst to them, I will give them their greatest reward.

B. The end of the age scenario is the perfect context to produce purity and glory in

the church. This context will produce the greatest amount of purity, power,

outreach, and love ever witnessed in human history.

James 1:2-6 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have

its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any

of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without

reproach, and it will be given to him. NKJV

Heb. 12:7-11 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what

son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening,

of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9

Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them

respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits

and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them,

but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no

chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward

it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

NKJV

1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who

according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible

and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are

kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the

last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be,

you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith,

being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may

be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom

having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you

rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith --

the salvation of your souls. NKJV

Rev. 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the

Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was

granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the

righteous acts of the saints. NKJV

puffs up but love builds up. The pursuit of understanding of the end of the age

scenario is unto the preparation of the Church for the salvation of souls. I am

studying to save souls, to lead as many as possible with the greatest amount of

clarity and joy through the darkest hour of human history.

B. This is a season for the messengers to get prepared and to seek understanding for

the days that are coming. Imagine that decisions which you make today can

affect the eternal destiny of the masses in the day of trouble.

C. Dan. 11:33-35 tells of the time when those who understand and instruct shall fall

by the sword, flame, captivity, and plunder. The Church will undergo a world

wide season of martyrdom.

D. The Church shall embrace the invitation at the end of the age to walk as Jesus

walked, to embrace the way of the cross. Jesus went the way of the cross so that

we can to.

John 12:23-26 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son

of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of

wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces

much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this

world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and

where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father

will honor. NKJV

E. The Two-Fold Effect of Martyrdom

2. Purifies and Refines

F. God gives white robes to the saints who give their lives for the faith.

1. Rev. 6:11

2. Rev. 7:9-14

3. Mark 16:5

4. Luke 15:22