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Israel in Bible Prophecy

“THE TIME IS FULFILLED”-Part 1

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Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1:-14-15

The time is fulfilled…the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Jesus’ coming as the Messiah the first time. It is also the track we are on when the warnings of pleadings of Jesus are complete, and judgments begin to fall on the earth and are culminated with the return of Jesus.

Jesus is unlike any god, religious leader, philosopher, seer, or person on the earth because of the many plain-spoken prophecies concerning Himself. Unlike many “seers” such as Nostradamus, the prophecies concerning Jesus are direct and not subject to fancy interpretations of mystical words. and phrases.

Prophecy-First Coming as the Messiah

Prophecies regarding the Messiah reach back thousands of years. After John was imprisoned, Jesus started his ministry by proclaiming a clear message of the fulfillment of ancient prophecies concerning Himself.

Even at the end of his earthly ministry, three and one-half years after it started, He gave a “Bible study” to the disciples to equip them for their work of proclaiming the good news of Himself to the world. His study centered around prophecy.

 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24:44-45

His ministry at the start began with prophecy and itended with prophecy.

The Coming Messiah’s Message

In the book Desire of Ages p. 231, the author makes a clear list of high-level Biblical events at the time of is coming as Israel’s Messiah (This would cover the time from his birth tot the start of his ministry around 27AD. I have separated the paragraphs into distinct events around Jesus’s time for clearer reading. These events were announcing His coming, which was more detailed in the prophecies of the Old Testament writers.

“The Messiah’s coming had been first announced in Judea. In the temple at Jerusalem, the birth of the forerunner had been foretold to Zacharias as he ministered before the altar.

On the hills of Bethlehem, the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus.

To Jerusalem, the magi had come in search of Him.

In the temple, Simeon and Anna had testified to His divinity.

“Jerusalem and all Judea” had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist, and the deputation from the Sanhedrin, with the multitude, had heard his testimony concerning Jesus.

In Judea, Christ had received His first disciples. Here much of His early ministry had been spent.

The flashing forth of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple,

His miracles of healing, and the lessons of divine truth that fell from His lips, all proclaimed that which, after the healing at Bethesda, He had declared before the Sanhedrin—His Sonship to the Eternal.”

There are some 300 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus.

But sadly, the leaders in Israel and the people didn’t understand nor accept their Messiah. It was the duty of the priests to prepare the people for the arrival of their Messiah by rightly dividing the word of Scripture, particularly prophecy. But, alas, they preferred to turn the scripture into what they preferred in a Messiah rather than what the Holy Scripture clearly revealed. Consequently, Jesus, as the Messiah, was hardly recognized by the leadership.

“If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. To them, first, were given the opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and grace of God. But Israel knew not the time of her visitation. The jealousy and distrust of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of the people were turned away from Jesus.”

“The Sanhedrin had rejected Christ’s message and was bent upon His death; therefore, Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those who should carry the gospel to all nations.” Desire of Ages, p.231, 232

Jesus turned to the people of Galilee as a more favorable field for His work. The rabbis of Jerusalem despised them as rude and uneducated, but they were more open and free from the bigotry of the priests. They were more open to the reception of the truth.

Please don’t miss what was said here. Jesus turned to the leaders of Israel FIRST. They were given the first opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and the grace of God! Why? But they rejected it, and God had to take the message to those who were more open to receiving truth rather than fanciful interpretations of Scripture. Jesus had instructed His disciples to take it to people who were open to receive it. If they didn’t, they were to symbolically shake the dust from their feet and move on. Matthew 10:14

So it is today. The message of Christ is to go to those who will listen. If not, go to those who are open to truths about Jesus. But the message today is not about the first coming; it is about the warnings concerning the second coming and the end of time as we know it.

As the people of planet earth await the powerful return of Christ. There is plenty of prophecies that clearly paint the picture of His soon return, but that we will study another time. For now, let’s stick with the prophecies concerning his coming to the earth as the promised Messiah.

Corrupt Religious Leaders

The religious leaders coveted power over the people rather than humbly becoming servants and educators of the people. They were more interested in maintaining tradition than truth. Their positions of popularity were preferred over the truth of the word of God. Their offices had become corrupt, and they relished in the love of money. So ingrained in the Jewish teachings was the false idea of the Messiah as a warrior and King that even the disciples, after three and one-half years of being with Jesus, needed a Bible study on the prophecies concerning Himself.

 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded (explained) to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luke 24: 25-27

This verse added so much clarity to me when I first stopped to consider what these verses revealed. It did not need any fanciful interpretation. It is a message to the disciples that applies to His followers today.

1.) Are we foolish and slow to understand what the prophets have spoken about Jesus? How clear are you on the prophecies of Jesus’ first and second coming?

2.) The disciples expected the coming Messiah to be as a conquering King to free them from the Romans. The learned Sanhedrin taught this. Instead, Jesus came as a sacrificial leader that would receive glory because of death rather than war. There was a cross before there could be a crown.

3.) Jesus refers to the writings of Moses (the first five books of the Bible) and the prophets (Major and minor prophets) as “Scripture.“

4.) Jesus gave them a study about Himself from the Old Testament! There was no New Testament at this time. In fact, “Scripture” is a word that refers to the Old Testament only. Scripture ( or the Old Testament, which is referred to as the Tanakh by modern Jews)) was what Jesus and the Apostles used to proclaim the gospel to the world. This does not diminish the inspiration for the apostles’ writing and letters in the New Testament. Since this is true, we should never limit our study of Jesus Christ to the New Testament only. We will miss out on almost two-thirds of the story of Jesus if we fail to read and understand its message. It is relevant to the modern Christian today.

When Jesus came preaching, “the time is fulfilled,” it had a very literal application…a very specific time. Next time, we will look at an amazing prophecy from the book of Daniel that specified the exact time Jesus would appear on the scene. And, wouldn’t you know it, the religious leaders of our time have misinterpreted it to fit in with the Hollywood version of end-time events instead of the clear message of Christ’s second coming.

This prophecy in Daniel helps explain why Jesus started His ministry with the Jews as His priority and why He instructed His disciples to do the same. He told them:

“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Matthew 10: 5-7

This would be the case for an additional three and one-half years. The house of Israel was God’s “lost sheep.” They had wandered from God!

This prophecy in Daniel also explains the words of Paul, who became the “preacher to the Gentiles.” 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11.

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46

Jesus kept the covenant explained by Daniel by giving the promised people the first opportunity to become His voice to the world, but they rejected it. He turned to a people that were not his people. This was also prophetic. It happened as the hourglass of probation ran out on the house of Israel.

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people, and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:3

Herein are the elements of the New Covenant that was to be given to both those called “not my people.” (Gentiles) and the Jews (His people of promise). It applies to all those who are “in Christ.”

Jesus is the great Unifier between the lost sheep of the house of Israel and the Gentiles. Those called “His people” and those called “Not His people.” He erases the distinction between the two and makes us all one in Him.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

Because Israel didn’t believe, God had to turn to the Gentiles to carry His message to the entire world rather than keep it in a small plot of land called Jerusalem. This was prophetic! The time was fulfilled, and the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

Prophecies for Our Time, The Soon Return of Jesus

Second Coming Predictions-God Reveals Secrets About The Future

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“When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Ezekiel 33:33

It has often been said that “hindsight is 20/20.”  In our study, we will look back at prophecy found in Chapter 2 of Daniel and we will see the future beginning with Daniel’s time (6th Century BC) and moving forward through the first coming of Jesus and on through the years of ancient Rome to the time of  modern Europe up to our time in 2014.

This prophecy is important because it makes some predictions about Europe that still holds true to this day, some 2,500 + years later. But it does not stop with modern times.  It continues to the future to let us know what the future holds for this planet in rebellion.

Later, it will  tie in with other prophecies by Daniel and Revelation.  Actually, the Daniel 2 prophecy is the  foundation and touchstone for other more detailed prophecies.

It lays out before the reader the great monarchies that affected God’s people.  It demonstrates how these powers were to be temporary and victims of their own strategy of living by the sword and their own might without regard for the great and only true God who created them.

Finally, it ends with hope in a coming kingdom that will “fill up the whole earth” through out eternity-This is the soon coming of the kingdom of God-The return of Christ!

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“Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7

There IS a secret, God’s secret.  But it is something He desires to reveal to those who would search or want to know.  The way He chooses to reveal this “secret” is through His servants the prophets.  It is not revealed through those who work for the enemy such as fortune tellers, psychics, soothsayers,  and those with familiar spirits.

“Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 19:31

People, especially followers of Jesus, should seek God rather than the enemies who seek to deceive:

And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

Isaiah 8:19

We often forget that there is an enemy of God and His creation.  It has been the work of the fallen angel ,formerly called Lucifer, to confuse the mind of man through lies and deception.

Regarding the enemy called Satan or the devil, Jesus said,

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Matthew 8:44

Jesus claimed the opposite:

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

Satan is a liar, Jesus tells the truth. The world has managed to twist this around.  The work of the Holy Spirit also directs the seeker into truth:

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.“

John 16:13

It is the work of the third member of the Godhead to guide mankind into truth and to reveal the “things to come.”

This Spirit is given every person who comes in the world.  It is through the Spirit we are given the desire to know the truth and to wonder about the future.

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

John 1:9

The work of God the Father, Jesus, and The Spirit is to reveal or pull back the curtain of the future to show, to warn, and to save. This work is for every person who comes into the world.  God gives each a measure of His Spirit, so truth can be revealed.  Because  of this work, the liar will be overcome and people will find peace in knowing the future God has planned….if they choose to seek and yield to the pulling or drawing of the Holy Spirit.

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Starting with this understanding, we will lay the ground work for studying Bible Prophecy.  We will let the work of God impress upon our hearts the truth about the future and the character of God through the visions of Daniel and Revelation.

Today, we look at a basic prophecy found in Daniel 2 which will help us understand the framework for more complicated prophecies later in Daniel and repeated in Revelation.  As we shall see, the two books go together and interpret each other.  This is the goal, to let the Bible interpret itself.  My personal desire is that you will be able to know this material and be able to explain it to others who “have an ear.”  This prophecy turned my heart from unbelief and to searching the truth about Jesus.

Let’s get started.  Much to cover, but I will try to make it as simple and quick as possible.

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Have you ever had a dream you could not  remember? Did you feel that the dream was very important, but you just could not remember it?

This is exactly what happen to an ancient king.  His name was King Nebuchadnezzar.  It was in his second year as king that he “had dreams” that troubled him so much that he could not sleep.  His story is found in Daniel 2.

daniel 2 dreaming

He needed help in remembering his dream so he sent for the people who claimed to know about dreams and spiritual matters:

Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.”

Daniel 2: 2-3

daniel 2 astrologers

This wise men tried to impress the king so they spoke in his language “Aramaic” and made a simple request,

“Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”

Daniel 2:4

Here is the first sign, these guys were fakes.  If they were so knowledgeable of matters of the spirit, etc., then why did they not know ahead of time that the king did not remember the dream?  They were not even good listeners because the king was anxious to “know the dream.”  This meant he couldn’t remember the dream!

They were anxious to give an interpretation and get back to whatever they were doing, but they did not realize that the true God of heaven was about to reveal the true prophets from the false prophets.

These men had something new thrown at them.  It is apparent that the king had never asked them to tell him the dream.  Usually he would tell them a dream and they would interpret.  Interpretation is easy.  You can make it up so it sounds plausible,.  Just ask my son. 🙂 But reading the mind of someone else is something altogether different.  Only God has that ability.

“My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.  However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

Daniel 2:5-6

They couldn’t believe what they were hearing so they requested again that the king would tell them the dream,

 “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”

Daniel 2:7

But the king was wise to their tricks and he said,

“I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.”

Daniel 2:8-9

daniel 2 angry

The fakers then informed the king that his request was not fair.  But, unwittingly they said a couple of things that were true:

“There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.”

Verse 10

Truth #1-There IS no man “on earth” who can help the king.  Only the Omnipotent God of heaven has the answers about the future.

“…there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

Verse 11

Truth #2 -The “gods” do not dwell with flesh.  Why?  Because they are not real.  They are not alive.  They are dumb idols, but the Creator Himself would one day  become flesh and dwell among flesh.  In fact, He would come in the flesh:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

None of this mattered to the king. He was extremely angry.  He was furious and made a decree to have all the wise men killed. In the king’s mind, he knew they were all fake, they would attempt to deceive him and therefore they were useless to him.

 For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; 

Verse 12-13

In today’s world, there are many who claim to know more than they really do and surprisingly there are many who know the true God who  are given wisdom by Him.  They are confident and humble in their knowledge and wisdom.  Daniel was such a man.

Daniel asked the king for more time, which was obviously granted even though the fakers wanted time too, but I think the king had heard of the God of Daniel and gave them extra time expecting they would deliver.

Daniel went back to his three friends and they had a prayer session and sought God.

“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

Verse 17-19

These four men, asked for mercies regarding the secret.  The secret was revealed to Daniel.  His first action?  “Bless the God of heaven.”  May we never be in such a haste that we fail to stop to thank our Creator for His “mercies.”  There is a blessing for us when take time to thank God.

Daniel’s prayer of blessing to the God of heaven is below.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.

“I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”

Verses 20-23

Notice the things Daniel confirms about God:

1.) Wisdom belongs to God

2.) He changes “times” and “seasons”

3.) He sets up kings and removes kings

4.) He gives wisdom to the wise  (Notice who gets the wisdom.  It is the wise! Who gets the knowledge?  Those who have understanding!)

5.) He reveals secret things (This fits with our opening verse from Amos 3:17-He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets.)

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Next, Daniel intercedes for the wise men, even the fakers.  He could have just saved himself and his three friends, but the character trait of the person who knows the true God of heaven is to save life, not destroy it, even if the “wise men” are fakers.

Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wisemen of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”

Verse  24

Daniel is taken in before king Nebuchadnezzar.  The king asks,

“Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”

Verse 26

Before Daniel answers the king, he demonstrates, with power, the comparison between the fakers and the true God in heaven.

“The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.  But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.”

Verse 27

Daniel has a mini-sermon before he starts to reveal to the king what he wants to know.  The mini-sermon is this:  There is a God in heaven (He is real).  He reveals secrets or things that man on earth would not know.  These secrets are given to man through God’s servants the prophets.  It is not only for the prophets benefit, but also it is for the benefit of the ones who are hearing the message from God through His prophets.

I can image the king on the edge of his seat.  He can sense through Daniel’s confidence that what he is about to hear is truth and there is no guile (falsehood or fakery) from the mouth of this prophet of God.  It is one man (Daniel) and his God (Jehovah) in comparison to the many astrologers, magicians, and soothsayers.

Truth does not come through the majority.  It comes from the God of heaven and His prophets. It has always been a testimony to the power of God, that one with God is stronger than the majority.

Daniel begins to explain the dream:

Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be.  But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

Verse 28-30

The dream is for the benefit of  both the prophet (who makes known the interpretation) and the one who is receiving the interpretation so that the thoughts of the heart may be revealed.  Notice the phrase:

“for OUR sakes…”  

What a wise and powerful Creator!  Daniel is telling the king that God’s revealing of the dream and God’s secrets is for both the speaker and the hearer!

As a speaker and writer for God, I am blessed as much or more than the hearer!  Our great God blesses us both if we have ears to hear!

When I read Bible prophecy, it has a strange effect of letting me know where my heart stands with God.  The effect can be fearful or it can be comforting.  All people have the invitation to move from fearful (lost) to comforting (saved from the penalty of sin i.e., eternal death)

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Daniel tells they king the topic of the dream.  It is about

“….what will be in the latter days.”

“The term “latter days” is simple to understand in context of the dream.  Since this dream will be about the “latter days” of the kingdom of Babylon and its kings we can use it in that context.  But, it is also about the end of all kingdoms as well.  So the “latter days” can also refer to the end of time and this earth as we know it.

To the amazement of the King, Daniel begins to recount the dream for him.  As he talks, the king begins to remember and cold chills run throughout his body:

“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.  This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”

 “This is the dream.”

Verses 31-36

Graphically, this is the image the king saw:

Daniel 2

The king must have been amazed as he recalled each detail.   Before the king could say anything, Daniel began the interpretation.  We will let Daniel interpret for us.  Then we will look back at history to see if it was true.  Finally, we will look into the future using the foundation of the interpretation.

Here is how Daniel interpreted the king’s dream as God showed it to him:

“Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold.“

Verses 36-38

So what does the head of Gold represent?  Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “you are this head of gold.”

Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon is represented in both time and space as the “head of gold.”  Could there be any other interpretation with something so plainly spoken?

The King must have been proud as he thought, even if just for a moment, that he was the top and the most valuable metal in the image.  But, he was soon to be disappointed.  Daniel continues with the interpretation of the great image,

But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.

Verse 39

As great and wonderful as was King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon, it would fall to another.  Not just another, but one that was inferior.  Just as silver is of less value and strength as gold, the next kingdom was to be inferior.

Does the Bible tell us who this next kingdom was to be?  Yes!  The story can be found in Daniel 5.  It is an interesting story about Belshazzar (The son of Nebuchadnezzar and current king of Babylon) The king and his subjects were having a feast with debauchery, and disrespect for things God had made holy.  During the drunken sacrilegious feast, a man’s finger appears and writes a message on the wall.

This supernatural act made the  king’s “countenance” change.  Like his father Nebuchadnezzar, he was troubled as to what it meant so he called for the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers.   Remember them?  They are the fakers.   Just as they could not see Nebuchadnezzar’ s dream. They were unable to read the writing and make an interpretation.  Sound familiar?

handwriting on the wall

Fortunately for the king, the queen remembered Daniel.  She told the king,

There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans,and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

Daniel 5:11-12

Daniel’s interpretation confirms what he had told King Nebuchadnezzar with the image of God falling to an inferior kingdom,

And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Daniel 5:26-28

That night the king was slain and Babylon fell to  the dual kingdom of the Medes and Persians led by Cyrus and Darius.

That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.  And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Daniel 5: 30-31

The Medes and the Persians was represented by the arms and shoulders of silver.  (Two arms-two kingdoms)

It is interesting and shows the fore knowledge of God as to how Babylon fell and the way the enemy was able to get into the walled city.

Also, before Cyrus was born, God called him by name as the conqueror of Babylon

Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut…

Isaiah 45:1

So how was Cyrus and Darius able to get into the walled city of Babylon?

*They dried up the river Euphrates (Sound familiar)! This diverted the river that ran under the walls and through the city.  Along the river within the city was another set of walls with gates. The citizens were protected should someone swim in under the outer walls.  The enemy swimmers would then need to get through a second set of gates.   But on the night of Babylon’s fall, the gates had been left open due to drunken feast!  So the Medes and Persians were able to walk under the walls and up the banks through the leaved gates and into the city!

God is so amazing!  He knows the end from the beginning!

* See pages 265, 266 of Volume 1 of the book The Great Events by Famous Historians in the chapter on “Conquests by Cyrus The Great B.C. 538,” by George Grote. — University Edition, copyrighted 1905, by The National Alumni.
See also The Golden Age, as of June 7, 1922. page 572.

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But, there was to arise yet a third kingdom represented by the belly and thigh of brass.

“And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.”

Verse 39

The deciding point in the fall of the Persians
was
reached on the field of Arbela, B.C. 331, in which the Grecians,  were entirely victorious; and Alexander
became absolute lord of the Persian empire.

More could be said on this third kingdom, but let’s move on.  We will talk more about each kingdom as we study the prophecies that provide more detail.

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The events really pick up when the powerful fourth kingdom comes on the scene,

And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. 

Verse 40

History tells us that this fourth power of legs of iron is none other than the “iron monarchy” of Rome.  Rome became the world power after it crushed the third kingdom of Greece.

Rome was in power during the life of Christ on earth and continued on for hundreds of years afterwards.

But the prophecy does not stop there,  there was to be a time when this iron would mix with clay (partly strong and partly weak substances)

It is interesting that Rome eventually was divided into 10 divisions by the invading nomadic tribes.  These divisions became the modern day countries of Europe.  Three of these 10 divisions were eventually annihilated so that there was only 7, but even those events are part of the prophecy were will study later in Daniel and Revelation.  Those divisions of Rome are as follows:

10 Toes or Divisions of Rome
Heruli
Ostrogoths
Vandals
Franks
Visigoths
Burgundians
Lombards
Anglo Saxons
Alamanni

Seuvi

map_europe476 (1)

Daniel continues on and informs the king of something that stands to this day.  These divisions of Rome would attempt to unite, but as iron does not mix with clay, they would never unite:

 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 

Verses 41-43

This 4th kingdom would be divided and would never reunite.  Though out recent history there have been attempts to reunite the old divisions of  Europe, but it has always failed and it always will because the God of Heaven has spoken. Those who have tried were:

 Charlamagne, 8th Century;

Charles V l6th Century;

Louis XIV l5th Century;

Napoleon, l9th Century;

Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler, 20th Century.

All of these men invested enormous
resources and countless lives in their efforts to unite Europe, but each one failed. Even today the leaders
of Europe are trying to unite as one, but God says this will never happen!

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Daniel ends the interpretation of the dream with a dramatic ending!

You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Verse 34, 35

Jesus is the Rock that was cut out without hands.

For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

I Corinthians 10:4

Daniel takes the king and the reader of this chapter to a time when God would set up his kingdom that would never end:

 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

Verse 44

Daniel 2(1)

When Jesus returns the earth is melted and no trace of anything left on this earth will be found.  Then He will make a new heaven and a new earth.

About 500 years before Jesus came to this earth the first time as a lamb to pay for the sins of a planet in rebellion, we see a prophecy concerning his second coming when he comes to “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms.” It will stand forever!

 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:30

When Jesus returns the earth passes away.

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Matthew 24:35

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

II Peter 3:10

And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 4: 62

When God destroys the earth, he creates a new heaven and a new earth that will last forever:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Isaiah 65:17

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Daniel tells the king,

“The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”

Verse 45

After hearing Daniels recalling of the king’s forgotten dream and the  interpretation, there wells up in the heart of this heathen king both fear and joy!

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel

Verse 46

This is what each of us should do as we see that God is in control of the history of planet earth and of our own lives.  He knows the exact number of hairs on your head.  He is all powerful, but most important, He loves each one of us so much as to send His son to pay for the sin we have committed.

His law, that can never be changed, shows we are sinners and deserve to die for eternity, but God makes a substitutionary   sacrifice (atonement) for us so that we might live and enjoy the greatest gift he could have given us:  Life to the uttermost!

The king understood that there is a God in Heaven who reveals secrets

The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”

Verse 47

I hope you have been blessed by this study.  Next we will look at a vision given to Daniel that repeats this dream, but expands it.  He will receive other visions that will demonstrate that God knows the end from the beginning.

Prophecies for Our Time

Prophecies for Our Time-Daniel 9 – (7 Years Time of Trouble?)

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“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.”

Daniel 12: 1

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Matthew 24:21

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No doubt, there is predicted a “time of trouble” by Daniel and Jesus in these two verses, but how long is it?  Is it 7 years as surmised by Hal Lindsey and his followers?  What passages of scripture does he use to support this length of time?

There is no verse in the Bible that has the phrase “7 years of tribulation”, or “trouble.”,  The length of the time of trouble in the verses above is not specific.  It is just a “time of trouble.” The attempt to make it 7 years  comes from a fanciful interpretation of  Daniel 9: 24-27  prophecy.  Despite this, the Daniel 9 prophecy is powerful when interpreted in its setting and context.  It has helped  many believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah including me.

Hal Lindsey and his followers predict 7 years of tribulation before Jesus returns based on a part of this prophecy.  He states that since the church is “raptured” and the “saved” are spared from any uncomfortable situations i.e., the plagues, Anti-Christ, Mark of the Beast etc.  But, as we saw in the Bible in the previous posts, there is no biblical evidence for a 2nd Coming part A (Invisible) Part B (Visiable/Literal). Read carefully the verses that talk about Jesus’ return.  It is plain, He comes one time and not two.

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  Let’s read the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 and compare it with actual history and Biblically documented historical dates to see if there is a 7-year tribulation hidden somewhere in it.  In the process, we will discover the power of this prophecy written almost 500 years before Jesus came the first time!

Please follow closely.  When we are finished, I recommend you verify the dates at your local library or other resources.  Beware of the confusion of the internet.  Also, I have included a chart at the end in the “Appendix” to make these dates easier to see and follow.  There are also other helpful references.

Ready? Here we go:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

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 (7), and threescore (60) and two weeks (2): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

 And after threescore (60) and two weeks (2) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (1): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

Daniel 9: 24-27

If you count up the number is parenthesis, the sum will be  70 years mentioned at the start.  There is a reason why they are split up that way i.e., 7 weeks + 60 weeks + 2 weeks + 1 week.  This will be explained later.  For now, let’s figure out the starting date for the 70 years.

The setting for these verses is important in understanding the prophecy.  Daniel and his people (The Jews) had been taken captive by Babylon and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and lay desolate as prophesied by Jeremiah.  It was predicted by Jeremiah that they would be in captivity for 70 years!

“In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

Daniel 9:2

As the 70 years drew near to the end, Daniel began to pray and confess his sins and the sins of the people (Verses 4-20). Then Gabriel (an angel) came and informed Daniel that he had come to

“give thee skill and understanding.” 

Daniel 9:22

Then Gabriel beings to explain verses 24:27 above.  But, this is part of the unexplained part of the 2300 days found in Daniel 8 (See the previous post)

From Daniel 9: 24-27 above, we observe the following:

70 weeks was given to Daniel’s people (Israelites) and the city of Jerusalem to:

  1. Finish the transgression
  2. Make an end of sins
  3. Make reconciliation for iniquity
  4. Bring in everlasting righteousness
  5. Seal up the vision and prophecy
  6. Anoint the most Holy
So God was giving the Jewish people 490 weeks to do all those  things. Impossible to do on their own, but achievable under the power of a mighty God.  With God’s bidding comes His ability to do it through His strength.
So let’s set this stake in the ground:  The 70 weeks are given to the Jews or “cut off” from the longer prophecy of Daniel 8 (2, 300 days).
An easy calculation shows that  70 weeks is 490 days (7 X 70).  This 490 years is for the Jews leaving 1810 years of the 2,300 days.  In Bible prophecy the day = year principle should be used to unlock the timelines for history.  The verses that supports this principle can be found in the passages below:
 “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.”
Numbers 14:34
  “And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.”
Ezekiel 4:6
God was giving the Jewish people 490 years for their assignment.  During this time, he sent prophets and others to inspire and help keep them close to Him.  But as one reads their story, it is quickly seen that they often went after other gods and forsook the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob…the one and only true Creator God!
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…”
Daniel 9: 24
If we can determine where the 490 years begins (with certainty) we can understand the other parts of the prophecy.
The time lines starts here:
“….from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem”
Daniel 9: 25
This command to restore and build Jerusalem can be found in Ezra Chapter 7 when Artaxerxes gave the commandment in 457 BC (**See the notes at the end).
So, now that we have a starting date, let’s see where it takes us:  The first stop is the coming of the Messiah the Prince
“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince….
Daniel 9: 25
The Messiah the Prince can refer only to Jesus himself.  He is both the Messiah and a Prince
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
John 1:41
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
John 1:45
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
From this, we know that from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Jesus would be a certain length of time.  How long?
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 (7), and threescore (60) and two weeks (2): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
From 457 BC to Jesus is 69 weeks or 483 days or 483 prophetical years.  Lets do some math:
Starting at 457 BC and moving through history 483 years brings us to the fall of 27 AD
This is the date Jesus was baptized by John (anointed) and he began his ministry as the prophecy predicted. Here is an important verse in connection with Jesus’ baptism:
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:“
Matthew  3:16
A dove  represents anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Another interesting passage that makes sense in the light of Jesus beginning his ministry exactly on time according to Daniel’s prophecy some 500 years before Jesus is this one:
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…”
Galatians 4:4
The time was “full.” In other words, Jesus came to this earth and began his ministry right on time.  It may be possible that this quote is in reference to this particular prophecy.  Whatever the case, we know that God knows the future  and will not do anything unless he reveals it by his prophets:
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Amos 3:7
69 weeks or 483 years of the 70 weeks or 490 years has been explained.  Isn’t it comforting to know that God, through the prophet Daniel let the world know when Jesus would come on the scene?
 Now let’s look at the last week or 7 years.  This is where Hal Lindsey and his followers use the 7 years as a period of tribulation.  They disconnect it from this time line and attempt to run it down to the end of time after Jesus “raptures the church.”
But we are going to  let the verses speak for themselves and maintain the time line that is constantly demonstrated in the book of Daniel.  If we keep the  last week as it was intended, we learn the most interesting part of this prophecy.
Daniel tells us after Jesus began his ministry that Jesus would be cut off:
“Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:….”
Daniel 9: 26
Jesus died for our sins and not for himself.  Would you not agree that this verse is a direct reference to Jesus?
But before He is cutoff he would do the following:
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,
Daniel 9:27″
Jesus was to “confirm the covenant with many for 1 week or 7 days which is 7 years in prophecy. But He is “cut off” in the middle of the week or 3 1/2 days or 3 1/2 years
Jesus ministry was exactly that long (3 1/2 years) before He was “cut off” or crucified on a Roman cross in 31 AD.  He ministered from 27 AD to 31 AD.
As Daniel 9:27 stated, the sacrifices and oblations also ended at the time of Jesus’ death.  The law of ceremonies had served their purpose of teaching the Jewish nation about the price of sin, the sacrifice for it, and the plan of salvation.  Those ceremonial laws were the School Master to bring people to Jesus and help them understand the lesson of sin, forgiveness, and grace.  The School Master died forever the day Jesus died on the cross as the true Lamb of God.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:24, 25

All the festivals, drink and meat offerings and special Sabbath days (Not the weekly Sabbath) were shadows pointing to  the body of Jesus.   All those had served their purpose and were fulfilled in Christ:

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Colossians 2:17

On the other side of the cross, the people looked forward in faith to Jesus (the Messiah) and what He would do for them.  All of us on this side of the cross look back in faith at what Jesus has done for us.

 Something extraordinary occurred at the crucifixion of Christ to demonstrate the truthfulness of the two verses above:

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Matthew 27: 50, 51
Thus ended the rounds of ceremonies and the laws put in place by Moses to teach about Jesus.  Please note:  These laws did not include the 10 commandments as some would assert.  A study for another time.
Jesus told His disciples this:
 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.“
Matthew 15: 24
Jesus was “confirming the covenant” with the children of Israel during His ministry.  With them he spent most of His time.  His plea of the coming Kingdom of God was a message primarily to the Jews.
He also told His disciples to do the same:

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 10: 5, 6

This the disciples did for 3 1/2 more years after Jesus was “cut off” or crucified in 31 AD.

This takes us 3  1/2 years forward to the end of the 70 weeks or 490 years.

In the year 34 AD some interesting things happen to mark the end of the 490 years “determined”  or “cut off” for the Jewish nation:

In this year Stephen was martyred and Paul was converted to be the teacher to the Gentiles

“I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” 

2 Timothy 1:11

A very interested passage of scripture also marks the end of 70 weeks given to the Jews to do all those things of the covenant listed in Daniel 9.  It is a point where the burden of carrying the gospel to the entire world is taken off the shoulders of the Jews and given to the Gentiles. It is the point where God determines who is a real Jew or seed of Abraham.

Paul and Barnabas were preaching to a large group, but were interrupted by the Jews because of the large following of the two disciples.  Those religious leaders who were interrupting contradicted Paul and Barnabas  and actually blasphemed God!  But it is what Paul and Barnabas say that marks the transition from Jew to Gentile or Spiritual Jew:

 “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:  45, 46

The appointed people of God had failed to keep the covenant (agreement) and God turned to the Gentiles and made them heir to the promises of God:

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.“

Galatians 3:29

No longer was there a distinction between literal Jew and the God’s chosen people simply identified as belonging to Christ:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.“

Galatians 3:28

 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 2:28, 29

Thus the 70 week prophecy came to an end! There is no room or context in the prophecy for 7 years of tribulation or the Anti Christ. It is simply not there.  To try to force it takes away from a beautiful and important part of the ministry of Christ.

While Hal Lindsey has everyone looking at Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the temple to mark the soon return of Jesus, the Anti Christ is at work elsewhere in the world.  this we will see in future studies.  This is so deceptive that almost the whole world is taken in.  What a great diversion by the enemy of mankind!

In conclusion, the 70 week prophecy of Daniel 9 is mishandled to try and support 7 years of tribulation at the end of time and the work of the Anti Christ.  If the prophecy is kept in its context, it becomes a prophecy to support Jesus as the Messiah, his crucifixion, the spread of the gospel, and God’s long suffering with the lost sheep of the house of Israel!

Below is a summary chart of the dates we have discussed above:

We find in the time prophecy of Daniel 9, the curtain pulled back to allow us to see the movement of God and history towards that great day when Jesus came upon the earth to reveal the true nature of God.  Jesus demonstrated in the flesh a God of compassion and forgiveness eager to save people from the wages of sin- eternal death.

The prophecy does not stop with Stephen, Paul, and the gospel burden moving to those who are Christ….the new heirs of the promise.  It continues for 1810 years.  490 years were given to the Daniel’s people. What happened 1810 years after 34 AD?  The attending angel told Daniel that the “Sanctuary would be cleansed.” What does that mean?  Next time, we will explore.

“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.”

Daniel 12:4

My friends, we are in “the time of the end.”

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APPENDIX

Below is information if you want more detail, otherwise I hope this prophecy helped you see how God is in control.

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*Notes about the dates described above:

Ezra has three decrees with different dates that could be used.  Nehemiah has a date also.  But the decision as to which one to use, you must keep in mind the key words of the prophecy: “the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.”

The four decrees are :
The decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4)
The decree of Darius I (Ezra 6:1-12)
The decree of Artaxerxes I (Longimanuus) (Ezra 7: 12-26)
The decree of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah Chapters 1 and 2)
Let’s eliminate some of the dates  based on the guiding verse of Daniel 9:25
Ezra 1-gave instruction only for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Said nothing about the whole city.  We can eliminate this date.
Ezra 6-simply the endorsement by Darius of the decree of Cyrus.  Only mentions the building of the “house of God.” We can eliminate this date.
Ezra 7 makes provision for complete restoration of the Jewish state, including the right to appoint magistrates and judges, hold trials, and pass and execute sentence upon violators of the own national laws. This is the date that fits the idea of “restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem.” 
Nehemiah 2-Wording has not been preserved, but was simply a reinstatement of Artaxerxes original authorization to Ezra recorded in Ezra chapter 7.
Determination of the date of the decree:It was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:7,8)
Biblical evidence for the 457 BC start date:
The dates for Artaxerxes reign are well documented in the ancient sources: Greek historians, Ptolemy’s Canon
The Babylonian business tablets
Elephantine papyri from Egypt
From the above documents, we know that Xerxes was killed in late December of 465 B.C. and the reign of Artaxerxes began at the time.

Artaxerxes Reign

Fall to Fall
First year 464/463 B.C.
Second year 463/462 B.C.
Third year 462/461 B.C.
Fourth year 461/460 B.C.
Fifth year 460/459 B.C.
Sixth year 459/458 B.C.
Seventh year 458/457 B.C.

Therefore, the seventh year of Artaxerxes, according to Jewish reckoning, extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B. C.

Note: the references in this prophecy to destruction of the city and temple and desolations:

“….the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined… for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”

Daniel 9:27

This is not reference to a small historical character called Antiochus or a future Anti-Christ, but to the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD as predicted by Jesus himself when he told the disciples.  There has never been a temple since then and never will be!

“Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24:2 

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,.  Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not e in the winter or on the Sabbath.   For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Matthew 24: 15-22

The total destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman soldiers was horrible.  Many who tried to escape were crucified outside the city.  At one time, the number of crosses outside the city almost made it look like a forest of trees.  Those who heeded the advice of Jesus escaped the city and remained alive.

The abomination of the fourth beast of Rome made desolate the once proud city of Jerusalem.  The rebellion of the Jewish nation was humbled forever.

The church of Jesus replaced the Jewish nation as His witness.  Now if you are Christ’s, you are a person of the promise.

The temple and the city were destroyed never to be rebuilt again.  The next city is the Holy City New Jerusalem built by the Lord Himself.  It will come down from heaven and set up on the new earth.

 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21: 1 – 3

Prophecies for Our Time

Prophecies for Our Time-Daniel 8

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” And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but “no one understood it.”

Daniel 8:27

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Introduction

Daniel ends chapter 8 with a startling statement:

“….no one understood it.”

No doubt, Daniel told others about the vision he received because he said, “no one“ could understand the vision, or at least the part unexplained.  Ironically, this becomes a big point in understanding Daniel 9.  Because in Daniel 9 the angel comes back to uncover the part of Daniel 8 that was not explained.

Quite likely, Daniel discussed the vision with his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who stood the test of the fiery furnace.

What is odd about Daniel’s statement is that almost all the prophecy is interpreted by the attending angel.  This is what we will study today.  But, there is part that was left open and revealed in chapter 9.

So when the chapter ends, Daniel and those that discussed it with him are confused, this confusion is the reason for the events of Daniel 9

“O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision”

Daniel 9: 22, 23

The angel starts by encouraging Daniel who was made sick by the visions.  The angel reminds him that he is “greatly beloved.”  My friends, what an encouragement to us is to know that we are “greatly beloved!”.  Let us never forget this!

Then the angel begins to lead Daniel through the time part of the prophecy.

With this in mind, let’s do a quick review and consider Daniel 8.

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Quick Review

As one studies the book of Daniel and the visions, it becomes clear there is a time line of world events throughout. The starting point is when Daniel and his friends are taken captive by Babylon and Daniel reveals to Nebuchadnezzar a succession of nations and kings that would arise.  At a designated point the end would come and Jesus would reign without end.  The dream of Daniel 2 sets up the structure on which the remaining prophecies are built:

1.) Babylon

2.) Medes and Persians

3.) Greece

4.) Rome

5.) 10 Divisions of Rome (Never to be reunited)

6.) Return of Jesus (Rock that breaks the image and fills the whole earth.)  We live in this part of the image!  The next big even is the return of Jesus!

These 6 major events is the framework for the succeeding related chapters. The prophecies repeat and expand.  With each chapter we learn a little more detail and the detail focuses on the period at the end of the statue i.e., the 10 divisions of Rome.

Some might wonder why other great countries like China are not mentioned.  The reason is simple.  The focus of the visions are on the apple of his eye-His people! It is these countries and these events that have a world-wide effect because of the great controversy between Christ, Satan and their followers.

It is not until chapter 7 that the dream of Daniel 2 has detailed added.  In this chapter , we see the same countries and the same outcome, but there more detailed is revealed.

In Daniel 7, the four great monarchs of our history are now shown as animals rather than metals.  Animals are used to demonstrate their character, speed of conquest, and details of their territory.

Also introduced is more detail about the 10 divisions now called horns.  Horns represented power.  These horns are nations that would arise.  We can now see that 3 of the nations would be destroyed by the new character added to the basic vision.  It is a little horn power that spoke and did “great” things!  This little horn would rage war “against the saints and prevail against them” all the way until the next event, the judgement scene just before the return of Christ.

“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.”

Daniel 7:21 – 22

Daniel wants to know about the 4 great beasts, but particularly the 4th beast and the little horn.  He recognized how different it was and the impact they would have on the earth before the return of the Son of Man.

Daniel 7 is interpreted for us as we saw

“Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.”

Daniel 7: 19 – 20

The time part of the prophecy has to do with the length of time the 4th beast (Rome and the papacy) would rule.  It is expressed in prophetic language as a time, times, and a half of time.  This was explained previously. See Prophecies for Our Time-The Beast and Little Horn of Daniel 7

At the end of Chapter 7, Daniel understands everything, but he is troubled and he keeps the dream to himself and does not talk to anyone about it.

“This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.”

Daniel 7:28

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The same principle of repeating and expanding on the basic prophecy of Daniel 2 continues in Daniel 8 as it did with Daniel 7.

In Daniel 8, the dream starts with the Medes-Persians and Greece.  They are represented by the ram with two horns and the male goat with on large horn that broke into 4 “notable horns”

The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.

Daniel 8: 21 – 22

We know from history Greece conquered the Medes and Persians (Doubled-horn Ram).  Greece is depicted as a goat with a notable horn.  The prophecy tells us this “notable horn” was the first king.  History tells us that the first king of Greece was Alexander the Great!

We also know that after the death of Alexander, his brother and sons became the heir apparent, but were murdered, thereby eliminating the Alexander heritage.  Instead, the kingdom was divided among Alexander’s 4 generals as the prophecy foretold by the symbolic language of 4 horns.  Those generals were:

1. Cassander, who had Greece and the neighboring countries;

2. Lysimachus, who had Asia Minor;

3. Selecus, who had Syria and Babylon, and from whom came the line of kings known as the “Seleucidae,” so famous in history; and

4. Ptolemy, son of Lagus, who had Egypt, and from whom sprang the “Lagidae.”

These held dominion toward the four winds of heaven as predicted. Cassander had the western parts, Lysimachus the northern regions, Seleucus the eastern countries, and Ptolemy the southern portion of the empire.

But, here is where it gets interesting.

And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great..

Daniel 8:9

History again reveals the beginnings of the powerful little horn that came from one of these generals.

Many who subscribe to the popular Rapture scenarios point to Antiochus Epiphanes as this little horn power.  But he does not fit the description.  Antiochus was one of 26 kings and was a weak king who had very little influence during his reign.  Remember, this little horn was to have influence all the way until the Lord returns.  (For those desiring more information on the error of identifying Antiochus Epiphanes as the little horn, please contact me)

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The little horn can represent none other than the powerful nation of Rome.  It is in the same line as that of Daniel 2.  After Greece was to come Rome.  Chapter 8 tells us the beginnings of Rome.

As we look at the actions of the little horn and we will see that if fits Rome perfectly:

And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.

Daniel 8:9

This power would grow “exceedingly great” toward the south, east and the “Glorious Land”

South:  This was true of Rome. Egypt was made a province of the Roman Empire in 30 B.C., and continued such for some centuries.

East: This also was true of Rome. She conquered Syria in 65 B.C., and made it a province.

The pleasant land:  Judea is called “the pleasant land” in many scriptures. The Romans made it a province of their empire in 63 B.C., and eventually destroyed the city and the temple, and scattered the Jews throughout the earth.

 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.

Daniel 8: 10

In this expressions two figures are introduced, “the host” and “the stars.” When used in a symbolic sense concerning events taking place on earth, these figures refer almost always to the people of God and their leaders. In verse 13 of this chapter, we read that both the sanctuary and the host will be trodden under foot. Here, undoubtedly, reference is made to God’s people and the place of their worship. The stars would naturally represent the leaders of the work of God.

In Matthew 24, the Lord warned the people of the coming destruction of Jerusalem by Rome and its comparison with the end of the world. Jerusalem was destroyed as well as the temple.  It has never been rebuilt and it never will be despite the predictions of of Hal Lindsey’s  and  his followers regarding the rapture theories.

He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.

Daniel 8: 11

The little horn “exalted himself even to the Prince of the host.” Rome alone did this. In the interpretation (verse 25) the little horn is said to “stand up against the Prince of princes.” This is clearly an allusion to the crucifixion of our Lord under the jurisdiction of the Romans.

Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.

Daniel 8: 12

Out of Rome came the papacy.  The papacy suppressed the truth from God’s word by taking it from the people in order to perform her craft. It was not until Martin Luther found a Latin bible chained to a monastery wall that the truth was uncovered and the craft of the “prospering” and powerful Roman Catholic revealed.  Thus began the reformation which produced the protestant churches as we know today.  Even today, the error of the papacy can be uncovered by simply comparing its teachings with the Bible.

The “daily sacrifices” taken away refers to the institution of confessionals to a priest rather than directly to Jesus who is our mediator.  Later, we will see that this is the work of the Anti-Christ or Beast of Revelation 13.  It sets up itself as a block between the sinner and Christ.  It becomes a power that sets itself up as a person “in the place of” of Jesus.

Only Jesus can forgive sins.  Sins are forgiven freely through him without the need to perform penance!

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Matthew 23: 8 – 9

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

It is clear from God’s word that there is only one Father (in the context of religion) and that is our Lord.  He alone can forgive our sins and provide us help.  Powerless is the confessional booth, the priest, and a set of beads!  Forgiveness is given freely without any works to earn it.  It was earned by the sacrifice of Jesus.

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.”

Isaiah 55:1

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Next Daniel hears the angels asking a question:

“How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”

And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

Daniel 8: 13 -14

Immediately following these verses, Gabriel comes and explains the vision as has been pointed out above in verses 20-26.  Daniel does not see the literal fulfillment of the vision, but he understands “in part” the vision.  He knows there are rising and falling of powers but, he doesn’t understand the time part of this prophecy.

The question asked by the angel and the another angel’s response is left uninterpreted, at least at this point.  The chapter ends by the angel telling Daniel that the vision of the “evenings and mornings” is true.  This is a reference to the 2300 days (i.e., evenings and mornings).  The understanding is  to be sealed up until the time of the end.  No one would understand it until the time of the end.

“And the vision of the evenings and mornings
Which was told is true;
Therefore seal up the vision,
For it refers to many days in the future.”

And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

Daniel 8: 26 – 27

My friends, it IS the time of the end and the unexplained time prophecy of Daniel 8 has an explanation.  We find the answers in Daniel 9.  Next time, we will let the Bible interpret itself and we will review history to see how it all fits together.  Most importantly, we shall pull back the curtain to reveal the workings of our enemy and the powerful work of our Savior that is “greater than he that is in the world.”

Until then, be blessed and seek God’s wisdom, power, and mercy.

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