Daniel 11

By John Thiel, Daniel 11 Series, Study 1, mp3

This is a study into the book of Daniel chapter 11, and the purpose of this study is to explore the entire vision of that prophecy, which is a very controversial subject. To introduce this series of studies I want to make one thing very clear: the real intent of inspiration in giving the prophetic detail is something more than merely understanding future events. It is something that Apostle Peter handles very clearly. Here is the real intent behind prophetic Bible study:

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

What is Apostle Peter saying? He is trying to tell those that he is writing to of an experience that he and the disciples had – that these are not cunningly devised fables. They themselves heard and saw and were sure that it was the Son of God. They heard the voice from heaven declaring that. However, a personal witness and testimony is not as secure as a more sure word of prophecy. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.” It is more sure than another person’s testimony of what they saw. Prophecy is “a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.” In other words, Jesus Christ the bright and morning star, is to arise in our own hearts as we study prophecy. That is the real intent of prophetic Bible study. The apostle John comes to the assistance of Apostle Peter:

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The apostles made a living experience with Jesus. That living experience was a fellowship. The apostle John says, That fellowship that we had with Jesus, you also may have. It can be had only as we make a personal experience with the day star that comes through prophecy. Because we were not there with the apostles. We do not see Jesus as they have seen Him. But when you study prophecy, it is a security because you will make a personal experience with Jesus. That is the intent of prophetic Bible study. We want to avoid controversial discussions on prophecy. We want to study prophecy to discover Jesus. That is the issue and the intent of Bible study. Jesus Himself seals these thoughts with His words:

John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].

What is Jesus saying? I am making a prophecy, and that which I have told you is going to come in the future, when it comes to pass you will know it is me, I am He. Prophecy is a living experience in the fulfilment of events that reveal Jesus Christ to us personally. This is the purpose of our study of Daniel 11, to experience the manifestation of Jesus. Every true believer would thrill at such a prospect to actually meet Jesus personally in this time of earth’s history. It is my own experience in my research of the book of Daniel and especially and most emphatically of Daniel 11. Most profoundly there the day star arose in my heart as I studied Daniel 11. As we go forward and venture into this somewhat theologically controversial subject, we are commencing with a clear source of what Jesus said – As you see it coming to pass, you will know that it is I.

Daniel 10 the Introduction to Daniel 11

Daniel 11 is a part of a vision which commenced in Daniel 10 and is completed in Daniel 12. To demonstrate that, we turn to Daniel 10. We see there a vision that Daniel has. It is not in Daniel 11 that it starts, but in Daniel 10. Notice the introduction to Daniel 11:

Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

This is the beginning of the vision of Daniel 11. Notice that he was in a weakened condition because he saw this vision. No comeliness was left in him, and he basically fainted.

The One Who Came To Him in the Vision

Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Here the prophet is in really deep mental anguish. He is asking God for light, and God is actually sending him a vision. In sending him this vision there is someone who explains to him the particular events:

Daniel 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.

This is where we are today. This prophecy has to do with people who are living in the latter days. It is a prophecy of great importance. And it is unfortunately an arena of contention. What a shame if it is something that is important for the latter days.

Daniel 10:21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Focus On Jesus

The introduction to this whole series is to focus on the day star, to focus on Jesus, so that as the prophecies are fulfilled we can see Jesus, so that the day star can be arising in our hearts. The angel said, I will show you the things that are noted in Scripture, and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. This is a very important point. This vision of Daniel 11 commences in chapter 10. When we go on to chapter 11, what we read is the same vision:

Daniel 11:1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, [even] I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

This is the angel who is speaking to Daniel in that same vision.

Daniel 11:2 And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia…

You can see here that this vision which launches into the prophetic picture leading into the last days, has been so thoroughly dealt with in an introduction in chapter 10. In chapter 12, after the whole vision of chapter 11, the vision continues in its final stages:

Daniel 12:1 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.

In chapter 11 the vision is not yet concluded. It continues in chapter 12. We then continue in verse 4, and this is still part of the vision of Daniel 11:

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end:

“I will show you what will happen in the latter days” – to the time of the end.

Daniel 12:4 …many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. … 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 

Daniel 10, 11 and 12 are one vision. In this vision we are looking at an all-comprehensive revelation beginning in the Persian Empire and running right through to the very end, to the time of the end. That was the first issue of this vision. The second issue is to understand not only that entire picture, but Michael your Prince. We were reading here that Michael your Prince is the one who is helping this angel as he is unfolding the prophetic detail and the history of man. In this introductory research we are seeking to identify these two beings – the angel that was speaking to Daniel, and Michael your Prince – and also to see what they are actually doing in this vision.

The Angel Gabriel

We first notice the angel that was talking to Daniel in this vision. Compare the one who is continually speaking to Daniel in the different visions. Who is he? We see an angel explaining to Daniel the vision of chapter 8:

Daniel 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, [even] I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision.

Who was called upon to teach Daniel the vision? Gabriel.

Daniel 8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.

Again we see in Daniel 8 a prophecy that deals with the time of the end, just like the Daniel 11 period. The person who is explaining it and saying, I am going to help you understand the things of the end, is Gabriel.

Daniel 9:21 Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Who is speaking to Daniel? It is Gabriel, the same who was speaking to him in Daniel 8. Notice the way that this person was speaking. Can you see in Daniel 10 the same person, the same personality, expressing itself to Daniel?

Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent.

Can you see the personality of this angel? It is none other than the one who has always been showing him these things – Gabriel.

Daniel 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days:

What did he said to him before? I am going to explain it to you and make you understand.

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end…

This is very interesting language because when we come to the period of the fulfilment of certain events of Daniel 11, we see the angel again. In Luke 1:19 we see a portion of Daniel 11 being explained by the very same angel to Zacharias, the priest in the temple:

Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.

There was a point in time when Jesus Christ would be coming to this earth, and here, Gabriel, the one who was working together with Michael, is now coming to announce this, like he announced things to Daniel. “I am Gabriel, announcing to Zacharias the birth of John.”

Gabriel Comes to Mary

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name [was] Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

Isn’t this interesting? The angel came to Daniel and said, You are a greatly beloved man. This is the personality of an angel who is hailing these people that he is sent to. He announces things to them in a very similar light in every given situation. This is the personality of a person called Gabriel, who is seen in Daniel 8, 9, and naturally it follows in Daniel 10. He is one of the prominent angels working in these visions in reference to the last days and in reference to Jesus Christ the day star.

Who is Michael?

We will seek to understand who this person is. Gabriel is the one who stands in the presence of God, as he identified himself, and he says here:

Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes [marginal reading: the first of the chief princes], came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Michael is here identified in the marginal reading as the first of the chief princes. Who is this person Michael who comes to help Gabriel in this exercise of prophetic fulfilment?

Daniel 12:1 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…

Who is Michael? The one that standeth for the people? I think every Bible student is beginning to recognise who this person is. “Michael your Prince” (Dan. 10:21).

Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks…

Notice the language identifying the Prince: Michael your Prince, Michael the first of the chief princes, Michael who stands for His people. This is none other than Messiah the Prince, as we see in Daniel 9:25. We will read some other scriptures to come to a clear, satisfactory conclusion that Michael must be the Messiah, the Prince – Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Michael the archangel, Michael, the first of the princes, Michael your Prince. Are we beginning to see how Scripture explains who Michael is? The one who stands for His people. There is no angel but Jesus Christ who stands for His people as High Priest. It is Jesus who is the High Priest.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout,

1 Thessalonians 4:16 …with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

This is a reference to the Lord being the one who resurrects those who are in Christ who have passed away. It is with the voice of whom? With the voice of the archangel. What did we read in Jude? We read of “Michael the archangel.” Here the Lord shouts with the voice of the archangel. Is there any other person than Jesus Christ that can actually shout and with a loud voice raise the dead? No one else.

John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

Whose voice? The voice of the archangel. He will come with a shout, with the loud voice of the archangel. No other angel could raise the dead. It was given to the one who Himself has life in Himself, the one who can shout with the voice of the archangel and raise the dead. These scriptures leave us with no other conclusion but that Michael is Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of the Jews; He is the first of the princes; He is Michael your Prince; He is Michael who stands for His people; He is Michael who, with the voice of the archangel, raises the dead; He is Michael the archangel who fought for the body of Moses.

Conclusion

We see then Gabriel, who is standing beside the throne of God, and Michael, Jesus Christ the archangel, the Prince of Israel. What are these two doing in this vision?

Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

This vision has to do with the activities of the universe of Heaven working upon the rulers of the kingdoms of this earth. As Gabriel was influencing Cyrus the prince of Persia, Cyrus was resisting him, so Jesus had to come. Michael had to come to assist Gabriel to influence Cyrus.

Daniel 10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

What do we see? Gabriel is working upon the hearts of the kings, and he says, There is no one else that is working with me in these matters, but Michael your prince. Gabriel and Michael are labouring and influencing the world empires and their events.

Daniel 11:1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, [even] I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

As these particular rulers of the empires come into power, they are actually being orchestrated to fulfil their role in the history of the world. It is Michael and Gabriel who are doing the work; they are confirming the different kings in their positions. Are we beginning to understand the particular role that Jesus and Gabriel are fulfilling, and especially what Jesus is doing in the world affairs? Are we beginning to see that prophecy is a revelation of Jesus Christ, your Prince? He is a Prince, and He has power over the events of the world. Daniel marvelled when he had the vision that explained the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Notice how Daniel speaks. He remarks a discovery that he made in this vision, he was overwhelmed:

Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

What does he do? Jesus Christ pulls down kings and lifts other kings up. Daniel 11 is a demonstration of it. Jesus moves upon the hearts of the nations’ leaders and princes and sets some up and pulls others down. As you watch history taking its course you can see how He does it. We can look back to the empire of Persia, then Greece, Rome, and onwards to our time, and we can actually see Jesus working the events, by studying this prophecy of Daniel 11.

Nebuchadnezzar was overwhelmed with this realisation when he woke up out of his terrible condition of the seven years when he went mad. He finally acknowledged that God, Jesus Christ, is the one, because he saw Him there with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

We see very vividly here that Nebuchadnezzar recognised that God had His hands over the rulers of the nations, who think that they are the ones who have conquered the other nations. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was the one, and that’s why he went mad. Here, after seven years of madness, we have an acknowledgement that, There is somebody who can actually govern the whole situation. We thought we were the ones who gained our power, when really it was not us at all.

In Daniel 11 the angel Gabriel said, We are confirming Darius the Mede.

The Confirming of Darius the Mede

You will remember the story of Belshazzar, the weak kneed king. In verse 17 of chapter 5 Daniel was called to explain the writing on the wall, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN:

Daniel 5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

He describes to Belshazzar that it was God who gave the power of the Babylonian Empire to Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar was now coming to the end, and that is what MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN was all about. We read in verse 28 when Daniel came to the word PERES:

Daniel 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

As you look at the history of the overpowering of the Babylonian Empire, it was Darius the Mede, together with Cyrus, who came and conquered.

Daniel 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.

“Darius the Median took the kingdom.” What did we read in Daniel 11:1? Gabriel said, “I, stood to confirm and to strengthen Darius.” As you study the stories of the conquests of the empires you are actually observing Jesus Christ and Gabriel at work. Most people will just study these events and think, Look at this, the nations are angry with one another, they are conquering each other, they are destroying each other, and one is conquering the other and becoming the power. People think that this is all there is to it. But in this prophecy of Daniel 11 we are actually seeing the events of the world empires right through to the second coming of Jesus and how they are being orchestrated by Jesus Christ. This is one of the most fascinating studies and we want to go into it very carefully. We see here very clearly portrayed that what God is able to do is to affect people who don’t even recognise God, to do exactly what He wants them to do. We read in Proverbs a very clear revelation of the work of Jesus Christ (Michael) and Gabriel.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Like rivers of water the hearts of the kings are turned so that they will do exactly what God wants them to do. As we look at the history, all we can see are nations fighting each other, yet Michael and Gabriel are conducting the affairs.

Another Powerful Insight

We have another vivid representation of this in 2 Chronicles 18. Ahab, king of Israel, had come to the end of his rule over Israel, but notice the way this happens:

2 Chronicles 18:18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and [on] his left. 19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead?

What was God saying? He was saying, Ahab has to fall in battle; how are we going to do it? Follow carefully how God works:

2 Chronicles 18:19 …And one spake saying after this manner,

Beside God there were all those angels, the host of heaven, and here they came. He asked them, What shall we do?

2 Chronicles 18:19 …And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. 20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? 21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And [the LORD] said, Thou shalt entice [him], and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do [even] so. 22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

What is revealed here? Satan was there in the heavenly courts. He was a lying spirit. The angels wouldn’t do that. God was asking the angels, How are we going to bring this king Ahab to his end? While all the other ones were giving good counsel as they only knew, Lucifer comes and says, I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of his prophets. What were his prophets actually prophets of? They were prophets of Baal. Ahab had resisted the prophets of God and he had surrounded himself with Baal worship. That was his choice, he wanted that, and he left himself wide open to trust those prophets. It was through those prophets that he was told to go to Ramothgilead to fight against the king there, and be conquered and killed. That’s how God works. He works according to the heart of the wicked. That is how He orchestrates the events of the world.

World Events

When we study world events down through the line of history, we are to observe in Daniel 11 the detailed workings of God in the hearts of men in every instance of government interactivity. We are to see God, Jesus and the angel Gabriel working and orchestrating these wicked people according to God’s ultimate aim: to bring about the final scenes of earth’s history. Jesus our Prince, who gave His life for us, is guiding to care for the purchase of His children. He is not only working spiritually with us, He is also working with the wicked. In our study of Daniel 11 we will see the detail of Jesus at work, and the day star will arise in our hearts.

We are living today at a time when we are surrounded by circumstances that are very negative to us. However, as you notice in Daniel 7:23, by understanding these prophecies, we have nothing to fear because the one who is behind all of these events is Michael our Prince.

Daniel 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

According to Daniel 7 this was the Roman Empire. It goes on to talk about the splintering of the Roman Empire in verse 24:

Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

As we have read, God is in control – His people are given into the hand of the papacy.

Daniel 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy [it] unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

This is the grand conclusion that the people who are living in the end of the world are going to see. They are going to see Messiah the Prince, Michael their Prince. They are going to see Him conquering all the nations.

As He was helping each nation to conquer the next nation, He is now going to so orchestrate events that ultimately His own people in the latter days will be part of the kingdom that He will finally bring into powerful existence on this earth.

How Jesus Does It

Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

This is a situation where the interactivity of kings will affect other kings and will affect this whore.

Revelation 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

What a wonderful revelation of how Jesus Christ coordinates the affairs of the world according to the direction of the Father. God hath put it in their hearts – into the hearts of these kings, these ten horns – to agree to give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

The study of Daniel chapter 11 is a study that spans across the millennia. Spanning from the Babylonian and the Persian empires through to the very last days, to the final deliverance of the kingdom. In Daniel 12 we read that Michael shall stand up, He who stands for His people. He will stand up, and what will happen? As all these horrible events of earth’s history have been of nations slaughtering nations, now we come to the grand finale of that orchestration where He stands up in this vision of Daniel 11.

Daniel 12:1 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. 2 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.

Notice that this is still part of the vision:

Daniel 12:3 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. 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.

Is this not a subject that could thrill every true believer? Yes, it might be a very intense study through prophetic detail that calls for concentration and careful observation of correct Bible reading. But it will reveal to us the wonderful power of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, the Prince of His people. If we will cooperate with Him in the light of this prophecy we will be the wise ones, as it says:

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament

How important such a study is so that God’s people can be shining. May God help us to understand this subject, especially as we go forward into the series.

Amen.