Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
October 18, 2009
Daniel 11
But the people who know their God shall be strong
Introduction Daniel 11 is the prophecy of what happened in Palestine
after the death of Alexander the Great. It is so accurate that it
has caused those who do not believe in predictive prophecy to try
to find evidence that it was written after the fact. This “evidence”
is grasping at straws, and Jesus Himself vouched for the authenticity
of Daniel as a prophet, not a historian.
What Daniel predicted was the 200 year war between two of Alexander’s
four successors, one dynasty ruling Syria, Babylon, Persia and India,
and the other ruling Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean, including
Palestine. The first is called the King of the North, and the other
is called the King of the South. This prophecy is accurate, right
down to the smallest details.
However, I don’t want to get into the smallest details, because
there is a bigger picture we need to look at today - the issue of
how God’s people in Israel dealt with the atrocities of one
of the northern kings, namely Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He actively
opposed the worship of God, rewarded those who turned away from
the Covenant, and desecrated the Holy of Holies in the Temple.
A Jewish priest named Matthias began a revolt, but had to flee with
his sons and hide. Later, in 166 BC, one of the sons, Judah “the
Hammer” Maccabee took Jerusalem back, cleansed the temple and
re-established the worship. The Jewish people still celebrate Hanukkah
to commemorate the miracles associated with this victory.
Antiochus IV sent his army to put down the rebellion, but died before
they could get to Jerusalem, so they army went home. The Jews then
lived and worshipped in autonomy until the Roman Empire captured
Jerusalem in 63 BC.
So, let’s look into what God’s people did when they were
being ruled by powers antagonistic to God, worship, the Holy Covenant.
We might encounter the same thing sometime soon.
“But the people who know their God shall be strong”
I. THE BATTLE 10:20-11:1
Daniel 10
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And
now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I
have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I
will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds
me against these, except Michael your prince.
Daniel 11
1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I,
stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
II. THE BAD GUYS
A. Hatred for God’s Land 11:16
16 But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will,
and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious
Land with destruction in his power.
B. Hatred for the Covenant 11:28, 30
28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall
be moved against the holy covenant
30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall
be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do
damage.“So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake
the holy covenant.
C. Encouraging apostasy 11:30-32
30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall
be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do
damage.“So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake
the holy covenant.
31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the
sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices,
and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly
against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery
D. Characteristics of the evil leader
36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall
exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies
against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been
accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. 37 He
shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women,
nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38
But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god
which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver,
with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against
the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge,
and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many,
and divide the land for gain.
III. THE GOOD GUYS
A. United and Coordinated 10:20-11:1
10:20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And
now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I
have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I
will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds
me against these, except Michael your prince.
11:1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I,
stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
B. Reverence for the Scripture of Truth 10:21
21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.
C. God is in control 11:27
27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they
shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for
the end will still be at the appointed time.
D. God’s people remain true
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with
flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and
carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand
shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword
and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they
shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them
by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to
refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of
the end; because it is still for the appointed time.
1. Not moved by flattery
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with
flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong
2. Knowing God
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with
flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong
3. Gaining power
32b but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry
out great exploits.
4. Doing great things
32b but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry
out great exploits.
5. Understanding and instructing
33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many
6. Suffering persecution and martyrdom
33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet
for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and
plundering.
7. Being helped
34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help
8. Infiltrated
34 ... but many shall join with them by intrigue.
9. All things work together for good
35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them,
purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because
it is still for the appointed time.
10. Trusting God’s control and timing
35b until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed
time.
36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall
exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies
against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been
accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.
IV. The Final Outcome - the Good Guys Win
45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and
the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no
one will help him.
Daniel 12
1 “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
Pastor Steve Boggan
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
Heritage Ranch by Lake Nacimiento, CA
Website - livingwaters.cc
