The Prophet Daniel

The Prophet Daniel in the Bible Journey

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Bible Characters study program. This is our very interesting and faith building ... The Prophet Daniel in the Bible adventure sharing the Prophet Daniel in the Bible story looking for the reason God blessed Daniel and how you may receive a similar blessing.

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The Prophet Daniel in the Bible, Continued

The Book of Daniel

Chapter 9

Great to have you back! As we continue in our studies of the prophesies of the Prophet Daniel in the Bible, let me remind you that as we learned before, these chapters are not in chronological order. Chapters 7 and 8 took place before Chapter 6, and now, Chapter 9 reverts back to the first year of the reign of Darius.

If you recall, way back in the Chapter 1 of Daniel, that God bestowed the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and skill upon Daniel. He starts off this writing by saying that he discovered in the book of Jeremiah the prophet, that He (God) would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. In other words, the captivity in Babylon would last for seventy years.

Daniel, saddened in his spirit about this, fasted and prayed, asking for mercy from God upon Israel, confessing the sins of his forefathers as well as his own generation and asking to be delivered as they were once delivered out of Egypt. Daniel offers a very eloquent prayer to God, asking Him to let His anger be turned away and to again cause His face to shine upon Jerusalem and His sanctuary which lay in ruins.

Before Daniel ended his prayer, the Angel Gabriel again appeared to him and told him that when he began praying, Gabriel was commanded to show him a vision and make him understand it, because Daniel was greatly beloved. The vision is just four verses long, but the message in it is enormous. Let's take a look:

The term "week" is being used to describe a 7 year period. So, 70 weeks is equal to 490 years in the vision that Daniel had.

So, we must find the date that the commandment to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem occurred as to have a starting point of the 490 years.

The twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king was 445 BC.

The Angel told Daniel, that from the date of the order to rebuild Jerusalem, until the arrival of the long awaited Messiah would be 69 of the 70 weeks (483 years). So, the Angel predicted to Daniel that from 445 BC to this Messiah would be 483 years.

There are 360 days in a Jewish year. Based on this, it is 483 years or 173,880 days from the order to rebuild Jerusalem until this long awaited Messiah ... When one does the math, it is astonishing to find that the time period ends the exact day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem, just days before His crucifixion and resurrection proving Jesus is the Messiah!

Quite awesome ... But, remember, this study is called the 70th week of Daniel. We just found out 69 of those weeks (483 years) has past. But ... A total of 70 weeks or 490 years was predicted by the Angel in Verse 24, to bring in everlasting righteousness and anoint the most Holy. Since we discovered that it was only 483 years from the order to rebuild Jerusalem, to the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, that leaves this extra week, or 7 year period. What's up with this 70th Week?

There is a simple explanation for this. The Bible makes it clear that when Jesus was crucified and resurrected, that Israel's "time clock" stopped and it now began a time period known as the "Time of the Gentiles."

"Time of the Gentiles"

There is a time period mentioned in the Bible known as the "Time of the Gentiles" ... It is the period of time which is after Jesus' death but before the End Times which is a time where Gentiles (individuals from any nation other than Israel) have been given the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior ... It is believed that the "Time of the Gentiles" would be the same amount of time as the Jewish time period. If we look at the C-O-O-L Bible Timeline ...

... We see that Abraham who was called by God to become the Father of God's chosen people, was born around 2000 AA. If God's chosen people of that time period got from 2000 AA until 4000 AA which is 2000 years then that would suggest that 2000 years would be given as the Time of the Gentiles as well.

In short, the Jewish people received a certain amount of time to choose God, but chose their selfish ways instead and then Jesus was sent from Heaven, but the Jewish people did not accept Him as Lord. Their time period stopped. The Bible says that at this time all other nations and races (Gentiles) would receive the same amount of time (2000 years) to accept the Lord.

When the "Gentiles" time period ends, it will bring about the last "week" or seven year period that we spoke of earlier. This 7 year period of time is called ... The End Times.

It is interesting that in the book of Revelation, the Antichrist reigns terror for 3½ years (Chapter 13) ... The two witnesses prophecy for 3½ years (Chapter 11) ... and, the woman in the wilderness is hidden for 3½ years (Chapter 12) ... Is it not coincidental that 3½ years is exactly half of 7 years?

It is obvious that the End Times are split into two, 3½ year periods (the 7 remaining years from the 490 years). There will be an End Times period for the Gentiles, then a gathering and "Rapture" of those believing Christians. Then there will be an End Times period for the Israelites, then a gathering and a "Rapture" for the Jewish believers and those who became Christians during the second 3½ years.

This prophecy tells of "the people of the prince that shall come" (Antichrist's empire) "confirming a covenant" (deal or treaty) with Israel for 7 years, but will break the covenant in the "midst" of the 7 years and set out to destroy Israel. This simply means that many countries will "confirm" or agree with a peace treaty made between Israel and another country and then break the deal during the 7 year time period.

Coincidentally, many so called "peace treaties" have been made between Israel and Palestine and other Muslim nations brokered by the United States, United Nations and others. All nations are involved and affected. Israel surrendered land to the Palestinians (which God told them to never do) as to obtain peace with it's neighbors. It did not work.

As they always have ... They disobeyed yet another of God's commands. If so, beware any peace treaty made with Israel. This Seventieth Week Bible study on the 70 Weeks prophecy about the 70 weeks of Daniel story reveals that there is an event coming that brings on the End Times. Don't be scared. Be Prepared.

Come on back again soon for more exciting stories from the book of Daniel.

The Book of Daniel

Chapter 10

Glad to have you here for this truly interesting Chapter of Daniel. In this chapter, you'll learn that, even though we often forget that there is a spiritual realm that exists all around us, God is always orchestrating things to fulfill His prophesy.

This story takes place a couple of years after this happened:

So, we know that the captivity in Babylon has ended, however Jerusalem is still under Persian rule.

Daniel, at this particular time, was fasting for three entire weeks. Why do people fast? Well, whereas eating is a way to nourish your flesh, fasting is a way to nourish your soul. By eating, your body gains strength to carry out the tasks that you need to do. Your soul however is different than the flesh. How do you gain strength for your soul? We all want to be strong in the Lord, so in order to allow His strength to work through us, we have to humble ourselves. We have to choose to surrender our desires as to allow His will to work through us. One way to do that is by fasting. By depriving the flesh of what it craves, it brings you into a closer spiritual connection and dependence on God.

As Daniel stood by the Tigris river, he looked up and had a vision. Here is Daniel's description of the vision he saw:

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: 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.

The men that were with Daniel didn't see what he saw, but they suddenly became terrified and ran to hide. So Daniel was left by himself and saw this amazing vision, which was so fantastic that it took away all his strength. At the sound of His voice, Daniel fell into a deep sleep on the ground with his face down.

Who do you think this vision was of? Do you suppose it was the Word of God ... Or in other words, do you think that if you were Daniel, and you saw the vision that was just described, that there would be no doubt in your mind that this vision was from God? And would there be any doubt in your mind that whatever you saw next was not just a silly old dream, but a divine message?

The next thing Daniel knew, an Angel set him up on his hands and knees and said, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. So Daniel stood up, trembling. The Angel continued, Don't be afraid, Daniel, because from the first day you desired to understand and humbled yourself before God, your prayer was heard, and I have come to help you understand.

Now we get a little glimpse of the spiritual realm that we talked about earlier as this Angel tells Daniel what happened on his way to Daniel. The Angel said that the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed him for twenty one days, but the Archangel Michael came to help him.

If the details of history interest you, the king of Persia at that time was Cyrus. The prince of the kingdom, who this Angel was speaking of and heir to the throne, was the son of Cyrus, whose name was Cambyses. He had no interest in the Jewish people rebuilding Jerusalem as his father desired. The Angel was just giving Daniel a little idea of what was going on behind the scenes ... In the spiritual realm. Of course, only the Lord knows exactly what was meant when the Angel said that the prince of Persia "opposed" him, we only know that there was a spiritual matters concerning Cambyses while he was on his way to deliver his message to Daniel.

The Angel continues with the Spiritual matters at hand, saying, Now, I'm here to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days (the End Times), but this vision will not come to pass for a long time.

Daniel looked down and became dumb (silent), then another Angel touched his lips, and he could once again speak. Daniel said to the Angel, The vision took away my strength and left me speechless. Then another Angel came and strengthened Daniel and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.

Think back for a moment to the days of Abraham. Remember when the Lord appeared to him with the two Angels?

Now, remember the vision of the Lord that Daniel had before these two Angels appeared to him. Why two Angels? Because, as Jesus said:

Now, back to the story ... When the Angel told Daniel to be strong, immediately, Daniel gained strength and asked the Angel to reveal the meaning of the vision to him. The Angel said, Do you know why I'm here? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia, and then the prince of Greece will come, but I will show you the prophecy, and nobody but Michael is assigned to work with me.

Is this vision and prophecy starting to sound familiar ... Persia, Greece? Ding ding! It's a vision concerning the very same thing as the vision Daniel had in Chapter 8. In the next chapter, the Angel gives Daniel even more details about what is to befall his people, so be sure to join in again for more of this interesting prophecy as we continue our Old Testament study of the Book of Daniel.

This Spiritual Matters and Spiritual Events Bible study reveals that Visions and dreams require one to be "In the Spirit" to be able to discern Spiritual matters and Spiritual events that occur.

The Book of Daniel

Chapter 11

Happy to have you here to share another Old Testament Bible story. When we left off at the end of Chapter 10, the Angel was telling Daniel prophecy of the End Times. He began by saying that he would return to fight with the prince of Persia, and then the prince of Greece will come.

Let's back up for just a minute so that you fully understand this. As we learned in Chapter 8, this is sort of a two-fold prophecy of which part has already happened, and will, in a manner of speaking, repeat itself again in the End Times. We know that during the captivity, Babylon was in power, then Persia took over. Then Greece took over Persia.

The Angel then told Daniel that in the first year of Darius, he supported and strengthened him. Very interesting to know that God sends Angels to help leaders.

Continuing, the Angel said that there will still be three kings in Persia and the fourth will be much richer than all of them, and because of his riches, he will stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king from Greece will take over.

As you may have recognized, this is Alexander the Great. From this point, the Angel goes into details of the dividing of the kingdoms and who defeats whom, all the way through Verse 19.

Now we are introduced to Antiochus Epiphanes, the most evil ruler Israel has ever encountered. He did so much damage in fact, that when he was finally conquered,the Israelites made an 8-day celebration that is still carried out to this day. It is called Hanukkah.

As you read the prophecy in this chapter regarding Antiochus Epiphanes, starting at Verse 21 and ending at Verse 45, you will find a startling fact. This man died in the history books and yet the Bible has the story continue on after. History has this man dying at this point in this chapter.

Suddenly Antiochus is fighting against God and the story is suddenly in OUR future, as if he died and comes back to life or something.

That is because he does come back to life, just as predicted in John's vision ...

Antiochus was a ruler of Greece and is one of the five past kings, as is Antichrist. Antiochus also reigned terror on Israel for three and a half years, as will Antichrist, Antiochus set up an abomination of desolation in the Temple, as will Antichrist ... Both are called little horns in the Bible. Even his name Antiochus ... How many people have A-n-t-i as the first four letters of their name or title? Ladies and gentlemen ... Antiochus is Antichrist ...

Let's take a look at that chart of dreams and visions once again, and add the different kings (empires) that they represent:

Now ... Let's take a look at what we have so far ... It is clear according to both dreams that there are 4 empires and then Antichrist's Empire. The 4 empires are Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece and Rome. Rome was the kingdom that was ruling during the time the Revelation vision occurred.

So, the king that was ...

... Had to be before the Roman empire.

As we know from the Bible, Egypt and Assyria were the other two past empires that tormented Israel before Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece and Rome. This means that the 5 past empires, before Rome, in order of their appearance on the timeline of life are ...

• Egypt
• Assyria
• Babylon
• Medo Persia, and
• Greece

This means that Antichrist was a ruler from one of these 5.

Note: Some of these countries have new names now. The 5 countries names are now ... Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Greece.

You may like to research in encyclopedias and history books about these times in history, but remember, endeavoring to match these events and peoples and kingdoms with those of today in order to try and figure out exactly who the players in the End Times will be, is very difficult because even though certain people in ancient times lived in one place, today it is most likely named something completely different. Not only that, but the entire western hemisphere hadn't even been discovered yet, so for example, to equate the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward in ancient times with the territory known today as westward, northward, and southward, couldn't be an accurate comparison.

The Angel continues, telling Daniel of all the trickery that Antichrist will be wielding during the End Times, and how so very many will be deceived by him. He will be relentless to win as many souls away from God as he possibly can, and will do anything in his power to accomplish his determination.

Hurry on back, and we'll take a look at the last chapter of Daniel, to find out what else was revealed to Daniel in this vision.

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The Book of Daniel

Chapter 12

I knew you'd be anxious to find out what happens next in Daniel's vision. As you recall, last time, we learned who Antichrist was and will be, and how he will deceive many souls during the End Times.

The Angel revealing the meaning of Daniel's vision, now gives him an understanding of a few other things that will also be occurring during the End Times. The Archangel Michael, which this Angel spoke of previously to Daniel, will lead in a war between the Angels of God against Satan and his angels, and it will be like no other war has ever been before, and all of God's people, written in the Book of Life will be saved to life eternal. The Angel speaks briefly of Rapture and the destiny of those who are not in the Book of Life ... They are destined to everlasting contempt.

An interesting thing that the Angel says is that until the time of the end, many will be busy learning this and that. Do you suppose this could be a way of warning us not to get so caught up in worldly wisdom like technology and such, that it causes us to neglect seeking Godly wisdom?

Then Daniel saw two more Angels, one on each side of the Tigris River where he was at. The man clothed in linen, whom Daniel saw at the beginning of the vision (the Lord), was upon the waters of the river and one of the Angels asked how long these things will last. The Lord held His hands up to Heaven and sware by God that it would be 3½ years, and when He has accomplished scattering the power of the holy people, these things will be finished.

Though Daniel heard, he didn't understand, so he asked, What will mark the end of these things? The Lord said, Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand. And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the detestable thing that causes appalment set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Happy is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be; and thou shalt rest, and shalt stand up to thy lot, at the end of the days.

Let's take a look at one little part of that again, shall we?

Wait a minute! That's seventy five days after the 3½ years of the reign of Antichrist.

Well, it just so happens that seventy five days after the Day of Atonement is the celebration of Hanukkah, which is the Jewish celebration of the ousting of Antiochus Epiphanes. Remember, this evil man had the spirit of Antichrist (just as John the Baptist had the spirit of Elijah). So we have a shadow represented by Hanukkah, of Antichrist being ousted in the End Times. You could say that Antiochus was a shadow of Antichrist.

What does that have to do with Christians? Well, during the second 3½ years, called The Great Tribulation of the End Times, which is when Antichrist reigns, the believers in Jesus will be hidden in the wilderness. After 3½ years of abiding in the wild, as you can imagine, most anyone would be anxious to come out of hiding, assuming that all is safe, but Daniel warns ... Blessed is he who waits seventy five more days.

Who knows why? It could be that nuclear war will be involved and it won't be safe to come out until the "dust settles" so to speak. There may be spiritual reasons that we can't even fathom, but the important thing is that there must be some significance to this message or it wouldn't be included in this very important prophecy.

The Book of Daniel is one of the most important resources we have that reveals the prophecy of the End Times. You'll certainly want to re-read this study from time to time and I encourage you to read it Word for Word in your Bible as well. Repetition helps everyone to remember things, and during the End Times, you'll be glad you studied the Word of God, so you can be alert and aware and prepared.

Be sure to come back soon and enjoy the next book of the Bible with us here at Daily Bread Old Testament Bible Stories.

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There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.

How to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare