DANIEL - A Verse by VERSE BIBLE STUDY

Daniel 8:5..........
"And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes."

The HE goat is the nation of Greece and the "horn" is Alexander the Great. The GOAT is the acknowledged symbol of Greece. The Greek king Caranus, while on a trip to a new city, was advised to take along goats for his guides. As they were traveling, they came across a herd of goats fleeing from a storm. The king followed them to the city of EDESSA. There he built a seat for his empire and called it "AEGEA" which literally means....."The Goat's Town".
 
Daniel 8:6-7.............
"And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand."

The Greek Empire and the Medo-Persian Empire greatly hated each other (with furious power… moved with rage). Some of the greatest, fiercest battles of ancient history were fought between the Greeks and the Persians.

The Greek Empire conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (no one that could deliver the ram from his hand).

The reign of the notable leader of the Greek Empire was suddenly cut short (the large horn was broken).

After the end of Alexander the Great’s reign, the Greek Empire was divided among four rulers (in place of it four notable ones came up).
 
Daniel 8:8...........
"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.”

The greatness of Alexander’s Empire was not only in its vast dominion but also in its cultural power. Alexander the Great was determined to spread Greek civilization, culture, and language across every land he conquered.

As God guided history, He used Alexander’s passion to spread Greek culture to prepare the world for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of Alexander’s influence, koine (common) Greek became the common language of the civilized world – and the language of the New Testament.

The four rulers of the Greek Empire after Alexander ruled their own dominions, not the entire empire together (came up toward the four winds of heaven).

Alexander did not divide the empire among his four generals himself. His four leading generals divided it among themselves by force after his death. The four generals were:
1. Cassander, ruling over Greece and its region.
2. Lysimachus, ruling over Asia Minor.
3. Seleucus, ruling over Syria and Israel’s land.
4. Ptolemy, ruling over Egypt.
 
Daniel 8:9-14.......
"And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."

We come now to the point where we need to stay FOCUSED. We must do our work diligently with study and prayer so that we can right divide the Word of God and not be led down rabbit holes of false teachers.

A little horn which grew exceeding great:
This "Little Horn: came up out of THEM. THEM would be the FOUR generals of Alexanders army from verse 8. This was fulfilled in one of the four successors to Alexander the Great. Since the dominion of this horn was extended toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land, we can identify the historical fulfillment of this little horn in Antiochus IV Epiphanes who ruled over Syria and Israel’s land under the Seleucid dynasty.

THIS IS NOT THE LITTLE HOEN OF CHAPTER 7:8 WHO CAME OUT OF THE 10 HORNS.
THE LITTLE HORN OF CHAPTER 8:9 IS A MAN NAME ANTIOCHUS EPHIPANES IV.

Israel’s land was contested between the dynasties of Seleucid and Ptolemy, but the Seleucids gained power over the region in the days of Antiochus III (198 B.C.).

STUDY reveals that Antiochus IV gained the throne of his father (Antiochus III) by murdering his brother, the former king Seleucus Philopator. The son of Philopator was the rightful heir to the throne, but Antiochus IV had him held hostage in Rome. Antiochus IV legitimized his rule mainly through flattery and bribery.

Antiochus IV assumed the title Epiphanes meaning, “illustrious” and alluding to deity. The ancient Jews twisted his name into “Epimanes” meaning, “madman.”

The Glorious Land:
In the Hebrew, the same term was used for the land of Israel in Ez. 20:6(the glory of all lands), Ezekiel 25:9 (the glory of the country), and in Daniel 11:16 and 11:41. Similar wording is used in Psalm 48:2.

We can rightly see the Glorious Land as the center of the world:

· It is the nerve center of civilization since the days of Abraham.

· It is the truth center from which flowed God’s revelation to man.

· It is the storm center of warring nations since the days of Joshua.

· It will be the peace center of the earth during the millennial reign of Jesus.

· It will be the home center for the Jewish people forever more.

He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host:
Antiochus Epiphanes was an accurate and dramatic fulfillment of this prophecy in history – so much so that liberal critics insist that the Book of Daniel must have been written after his time.

Antiochus Epiphanes exerted his dominion toward the south, toward the east, and toward the land of Israel.

Antiochus Epiphanes murdered other rulers and persecuted the people of Israel (cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them).

Antiochus Epiphanes blasphemed God and commanded idolatrous worship directed towards himself (exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host).

Antiochus Epiphanes put a stop to temple sacrifices in Jerusalem (by him the daily sacrifices were taken away).

Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple (the place of His sanctuary was cast down).

Antiochus Epiphanes opposed God and seemed to prosper (he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered).

It cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground:
The host and stars are symbols used in the Old Testament for angels, kings and leaders, or the people of God at large. This prediction was fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes and his attacks against rulers and against God’s people in general.

The terms stars of heaven (Genesis 12:3 and 15:5) and the hosts of the LORD (Ex. 12:41) are at times used of God’s people in general.

“Undoubtedly it is the design here to describe the pride and ambition of [the ‘little horn’], and to show that he did not think anything too exalted for his aspiration.” (Barnes Commentary)

And trampled them:
Antiochus was an infamous persecutor of the Jewish people. He wanted them to submit to Greek culture and customs and was more than willing to use murder and violence to compel them.

Antiochus’s suppression of the Jews came to a head in December of 168 B.C. when he returned in defeat from Alexandria. He ordered his generals to seize Jerusalem on a Sabbath. There he set up an idol of Zeus and desecrated the altar by an offering of swine and sprinkling the pig’s juices in the sanctuary. Sacrifice stopped because the temple was desecrated.

1 Maccabees 1:29-32 and 1:52-61 describe how Antiochus persecuted the Jews. 1 Maccabees 1:41-50 describes his blasphemies. By some estimates he was responsible for the murder of more than 100,000 Jews.

· And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude, and spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side. But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle. (1 Maccabees 1:29-32)

· Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land; and drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour. Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side; and burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. And when they had torn in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. And whosoever was found with any book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king?s commandment was, that they should put him to death. Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God. At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them. (1 Maccabees 1:52-61)

· Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, and every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath. For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land, and forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days, and pollute the sanctuary and holy people: set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine?s flesh, and unclean beasts: That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation, to the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.
(1 Maccabees 1:41-50)

Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices:
This was fulfilled in the terrors of Antiochus Epiphanes. The Jews, especially their leaders, invited God’s judgment upon them through Antiochus because of their sin.

The first attack of Antiochus against the Jews of this time was to settle a rivalry for the office of high priest. A pious high priest, Onias III, was removed from office and was replaced with his brother Jason because Jason bribed Antiochus. Then in 172 B.C. another brother (Menelaus) gave Antiochus an even bigger bribe and replaced Jason. A year later Menelaus started selling many of the temple’s gold utensils to raise money to pay off the bribe. Onias III rebuked him, and Menelaus had him murdered. Meanwhile, Jason gathered armies and fought against Menelaus to regain the office of High Priest. Antiochus Epiphanes came in to Jerusalem in 171 B.C. to defend the man who paid him a bigger bribe to be the High Priest.

“This was the reason why God set over them such a breathing devil, as was Antiochus, for a punishment of their open impiety and formal apostasy.” (Trapp Commentary)

Then I heard a holy one speaking:
Many think this nameless holy one is an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. This is possible, but there is not enough information to be certain.

How long will the vision be?
Daniel didn’t ask this question; he heard the holy ones speaking together and one of them asked the question. They wanted to know how long the sacrifices would be suspended and how long the sanctuary would be desecrated.

For two thousand three hundred days:
Literally, Daniel heard a holy one say “two thousand three hundred mornings and evenings.”
Most Bible students believe this means 2,300 days or seven years.

The date when the temple was cleansed is well established as December 25, 165 B.C. If we count back 2,300 days from then, we come to the year when Antiochus Epiphanes began his persecution in earnest (171 B.C.).

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that This passage has been a favorite springboard for elaborate and fanciful prophetic interpretations. A popular and tragic interpretation of this passage took one year for every day, and William Miller (7th Day Adventists) used 2,300 “year-days” to calculate that Jesus would return in 1844 (2,300 years after Cyrus issued the decree to rebuild the temple).
His movement ended up giving birth to the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and several other movements.
This is why I stated that we must be very careful and do the work and study!

We can know that Miller and other “year-day” theories are wrong because this passage was fulfilled before the time of Jesus. Jesus recognized that the temple was properly cleansed and rededicated when He attended the Feast of Dedication, commemorating the cleansing and rededication of the temple after the desecration brought by Antiochus Epiphanes in John 10:22.

Adam Clarke’s comments show what a hold the year-date approach had to many of his time:
“Though literally it be two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings, yet I think the prophetic day should be understood here, as in other parts of this prophet, and must signify so many years. If we date these years from the vision of the he-goat, (Alexander’s invading Asia), this was A.M. 3670, B.C. 334; and two thousand three hundred years from that time will reach to A.D. 1966, or one hundred and forty-one years from the present A.D. 1825.”
Again.......There is no foundation for Clarke’s approach, and it has led many others off into serious error.

Then the sanctuary shall be cleansed:
This amazingly specific prophecy was written some 350 years before the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. Great prophetic fulfillment like this demonstrates that God not only knows the future, He also guides the future.
 
Daniel 8:15-16.............
" And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision."

Daniel wants to know the meaning of this vision and the angel Gaberial is sent to interpret it for him. The angel appears as a MAN and as Daniel is looing at him, a voice tells the angel to give Daniel the information he wants.

Now who could that be?????

I believe it was the pre-incarnant Christ the very same ONE who sat with Daniel in the lions den.
 
Daniel 8:17-19...........
"So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be."
The vision refers to the time of the end:
Gabriel assured Daniel that this vision had to do with end times, with the latter time of the indignation.

This is a problem for some, because we see that the prophecy of Daniel 8:1-14 was fulfilled in the days of the Medo-Persian and Greek Empires, especially in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. The terms time of the end and latter time of the indignation commonly refer to what we think of as the end times, not events fulfilled more than a 100 years before the birth of Jesus.

The answer is that though this prophecy was fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes, it also has a later fulfillment in the Antichrist, referring to the time of the end. Antiochus Epiphanes is sometimes called the “Antichrist of the Old Testament.” He prefigures the Antichrist of the end times and is a PICTURE of the Last Days Anti-Christ.

SO, we have TWO ends in view.

#1. HISTORICALLY.
Out of the Grecian Empire of Alexander came a "Little Horn" who was ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES. He brought "in the last end of the indignation" and oppression to the Jewish nation and was a PICTURE of the Last Days coming anti-Christ. This must be the case as historical to us today because of the explanations given in verses # 8-14.

#2. PROPHETICALLY.
The end of the Gentile rule that oppresses Israel must be in our future and the "Little Horn" who comes out of the 10 nation Old Roman Empire will be THE Anti-Christ of the Last Days and he will bring in the "End That Shall Be".

Just as Antiochus Epiphanes rose to power with force and intrigue, so will the Antichrist.
As he persecuted the Jews, so will the Antichrist.
As he stopped sacrifice and desecrated the temple, so will the Antichrist.
As he seemed to be a complete success, so will the Antichrist.

From observing what Antiochus did to Jews in his day, therefore, one may know the general pattern of what the Antichrist will do to them in the future.

Notice that Greece with all its refinement, culture and art, produced the Old Testament Anti-Christ while the so called Christian nations produce the New Testament Anti-Christ.

What shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end:
Some see this Antiochus and Antichrist connection, and some do not.
Martin Luther wrote.......“This chapter in Daniel refers both to Antiochus and Antichrist.”
John Calvin wrote, ..........“Hence Luther, indulging his thoughts too freely, refers this passage to the masks of Antichrist.”
 
Daniel 8:20..........
" The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia."

The RAM is the old Medo-Persia Empire and relates to the "silver" on the image in chapter 2:32 & 39. It is the 2nd of the FOUR beasts of chapter #7 and is the FOURTH of the EIGHT Kingdoms of Rev. 17:8-11.
 
Daniel 8:21............
"And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king."

The "Rough Goat" is the Old Grecian Empire under Alexander and is the belly and thighs of the image in chapter 2:32 & 39. Of course the Great Horn between the eyes of that goat was Alaxander the Great.
 
Daniel 8:22............
" Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power."

The breaking of the great horn is the death of Alexander. He died at 32 years of age.
 
Daniel 8:23............
"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up."

"Their Kingdom" is of the FOUR men out if which came ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES (vs 22). That would mean that "when the transgressors are come to the full"..........those apostate Jews that were identified in verse #9, are then ready for judgment.

The rest of this verse would then apply to ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES who oppressed the Jews.
 
Daniel 8:24.............
" And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people."

Real history has proven this to be the man that I have identified as ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES.

Many want to believe and work hard to make this the coming Anti-Christ because the A/C will do just as ANTICHUS actually did.

Again.....we need to be reminded that there is a HISTORICAL and a PROPHETICAL view.
 
Daniel 8:25...............
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

In the HISTORICAL view, we have ANTIOCHUS who did just as Daniel said he would do.

In the PROPHETICAL view we understand that the coming A/C will work in the same manner and do the same things.
He will do and say all the same things. WHY.......????????
Because both of them did and will be done at the instigation of SATAN!

"HE" here explains that the coming A/C is in view. Christ is the Prince of Princes and "HE" (the A/C) will be broken by the Lord Jesus Christ by the spoken Word!
 
Daniel 8:26.............
"And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days." And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it."

Just as the text tells us....Daniel was astonised at the vision and he fainted.

"Shut thou up the vision":
Means that the vision, will be a long time coming. It has now been over 2600 years and the main part of this vision is yet to happen.
 
Chapter 9:1-2.......
"In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; 2 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."

The "BOOKS" were the Scriptures, specifically Jeremiah 29:1 & 5-10.

Daniel came by this information through the study of the Word of God. When he read the Jeremiah passages he understood that the number of years that the Jews were to be exile in Jeremiah 29:10............
" For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward
you, in causing you to return to this place."

Now why 70 years in captivity??????????

The reason for that captivity is that the Israelites had failed to observe 70 Sabbath years. In other words, the Israelites were kept in captivity in Babylon for 70 years, in order to “atone” for the 70 Sabbath years that they had failed to observe the Sabbath.

It is important to note that Daniel regarded these as real, literal years. They were in no way understood as symbolic years.

Daniel was undoubtedly also familiar with Isaiah’s prophecies concerning Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28-45:4). He must have been encouraged to see a man named Cyrus rise in power over Persia.

That He would accomplish seventy years:
Daniel believed that God would accomplish seventy years of captivity, yet he prayed passionately that God would do what He promised to do. Daniel knew that God’s promises invite our prayers and participation. They do not exclude our prayers and participation.

The Power of Prayer!!!

This principle is repeated in many passages. 2 Peter 3:12 indicates that there is a sense in which we can hasten the Lord’s coming by our holy conduct and godly lives; we can also hasten the Lord’s coming through evangelism because Paul says that God’s prophetic focus on Israel will resume when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25).

This means that we can also hasten the Lord’s coming through prayer, even as Daniel asked for a speedy fulfillment of prophecy regarding captive Israel. We can also pray Even so, come, Lord Jesus!. If we want Jesus to come soon, there is something we can do about it.

But a second important reason is that Daniel asked God, in His mercy, to take the earliest of all possible starting points (Daniel’s abduction) for determining the beginning of the 70 years. There were three waves of captivity:

1. 605 B.C. – Jerusalem was attacked and Daniel and other captives were taken to Babylon.

2. 597 B.C. – Jerusalem was attacked and treasure was taken from the temple.

3. 587 B.C. – Jerusalem falls and the nation was exiled.

Daniel wanted to prevail in prayer, asking God to take the earliest possible starting point to determine the 70 years. He wanted God’s mercy to come to Israel 18 years earlier rather than 18 years later.

In the first year of Darius:
This was still three or four years before 70 years had passed from 605 B.C. This was not too soon for Daniel to begin praying. Daniel had the foresight to look ahead three or four years and to begin praying.

The word of the LORD through Jeremiah:
Even in God’s eternal decrees, God has an essential role for people to play. God’s plan of the ages is declared, yet Jeremiah made a prophecy; Daniel made a prayer, and Cyrus made a proclamation.

“Too often our interest in the prophetic Scriptures is of a curious and speculative nature, or else we conclude that God will carry out His sovereign purpose no matter what we do, and so we do not concern ourselves with those matters.” (Strauss)

By his tribal heritage or family history Daniel was not uniquely qualified for a ministry of intercession. He did not belong to a priestly family like Ezekiel and he wasn’t a career prophet like Isaiah or Jeremiah. Yet like all of us, he could pray.

In fact, Daniel’s calling and station in life made it less likely that he would be such a man of prayer. He was a high government official who almost certainly had a busy schedule – yet he took time and energy to pray.

“Do not, I pray you, get into the habit of neglecting the assembling of yourselves together for prayer. How often have I said, ‘All our strength lies in prayer’! When we were very few, God multiplied us in answer to prayer.” (Spurgeon)

​

 
Daniel 9:3 ..............
"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:".

Verses 3 -19 is Daniels prayer. He does what he always did....pray.

So here is how it all started... with Daniel reading the words of the prophets! The year is 538BC and Daniel is a young sprightly 80ish year old. But he is still looking to see what he can learn from God's word. And he notices something... something important! He notices that Jeremiah gives the amount of time that the Jews would be exiled in Babylon. To be specific, Daniel would have noticed the two following passages:

Jer 25:8-12 .........
Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: ' Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations... This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 'But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,' declares the LORD.'

Jer. 19:8-14..........
'Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you... They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,' declares the LORD. This is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD , 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future . Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back from captivity...'

There are two things that stand out from this:
1. Wisdom, hope and steadfastness come from God's word.
Like Daniel, don't stop reading it! In Daniel's 80 years he had seen whole kingdoms and empires rise and fall around him, yet he wasn't shaken. The confidence he received from God's word held his life steadfast and assured him that God was in control.
2. God expects action.
He expects our response to His word. Read the Jer 29 passage again. Daniel could have just read verse 10 & 11 (verse 11 especially seems to be everyone's favourite) and just thought 'sweet, God will restore everything after 70 years... let's see what happens'. No, God said he would be found when His people sought Him with all their heart. So that is exactly what Daniel does
 
Daniel 9:14-19...........
"And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."

There are a few things that stand out to me in this prayer.

1. The first is pretty obvious and sort of hits you between the eyes as you read it - Daniel sure does call a spade a spade when it comes to sin! There isn't a lot of watering down or blame shifting going on! He is brutally honest about the condition of their current state.

2. Over and over Daniel associates himself with his people Israel. Daniel himself was a righteous man (even God places Daniel in the 'top 3' of godly men in Ezek 14:19) yet he identifies himself with his fellow Jews in this intercessory prayer and speaks of their sin as his own. In the space of this one prayer, Daniel associates himself with his people 32 times. In a sense it gives us a small picture of the one who would one day not only intercede for fallen humanity but would totally identify himself with their sin by taking it upon Himself and destroying it at the cross!

3.Daniel recognizes that it is God who is righteous and that the shame is upon the people. I know... that's not exactly rocket science! It's a pretty plain obvious point... yet we can get this around the wrong way at times!

Then there are TWO that I think we need to focus on in this part of the prayer.

1. What is the measure that Daniel uses to judge where Israel is at?
A. Does he compare them to the Babylonians?
B. Does he compare them to what they were like in previous generations?
No, not at all. The only measure that is suitable to use is one that compares their current state with the word of God. I'm not sure if you have noticed but the world is slip sliding away from God's truth and laws. The church is following behind. There is certainly still a gap in morality between the world and the church so we look at that gap and think everything is ok. And yet all the time the slide continues. Daniel was correct in judging their condition based on what the word of God (which for them was the law of Moses) said. It is a fixed reference point that will always remain constant and true.

Do YOU really think that the USA can remove prayer from schools, Bible reading from school, legalize killing babies, legalize homosexuality, drugs, and God stand by and do nothing. Do YOU really believe that?????

2. Daniel speaks a lot about sin in his prayer. But do you know what Israel's sin actually was at this time? You see, you could be mistaken for thinking that Israel had a lot of immorality or violence or theft or adultery etc and you would of course be dead wrong. That wasn't the case. They were actually quite religious at the time of the exile into Babylon. They still had the priesthood, the temple, the prophets (both true and false)... the wheels were turning and everyone carried on with their religious duties... but their hearts were long gone. More in the mighty fine print if interested.

In the last part of the prayer Daniel moves from confession to supplication. There are two related points that I would like to make here:

1. Israel had become a reproach to the people.
The nation of Israel was meant to be a light to the other nations. They were to show the way to the true God through their words and deeds. But what had happened? Well, Daniel correctly identifies and prays that they had become an object of scorn to all those around them. The Hebrew word used here means a source or cause of shame and disgrace. Instead of attracting the people, the Israelites where doing the opposite! Through their lives and current state they were actually repelling people from coming into a true knowledge of the true God.

Isn't that exactly what the USA is doing today????

2. God and His people are inseparably linked.
In the first part of the prayer Daniel associated himself with his people. In the last part he associates God with His people! Israel alone worshipped the true God yet because of their sin, Jerusalem now lay in ruin and the people in exile. So what did this mean for the God of Jerusalem? In the eyes of the Babylonians it meant the God of Israel was weak or false. So notice how Daniel repeatedly reminds God that it is 'your people', 'your city', 'your holy hill'... If God is to act it is for 'your sake' and because of 'your mercy' for those that bear 'your name'. In other words, God and His people are inseparably linked. Like it or not, when God's people become a reproach it is also brings shame and scorn for God Himself. If God were to act, it would be because of his grace and mercy towards His people and because of regard for His own name. This principle applies to God's faithfulness to Israel in the last days as well. Look also at a promise of God to Israel to restore them fully in the last days and note why God will act:
 
Daniel 9:20-23.............
"Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, 21 while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. 22 He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision."

While I was speaking in prayer:
This dramatic answer to prayer came even as Daniel prayed.
Jesus said, your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him (Matt. 6:8).
Whenever there seems to be a delay in answer to prayer, there is reason for the delay. When it is right to do it, God can answer prayer immediately.

A. Prayer is always answered in one of 3 ways:
1. YES.
2. NO.
3. LATER.

Sometimes God answers prayer even before we pray. It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear (Isaiah 65:24).

Being caused to fly swiftly:
This is one of the few places in the Bible where we are told that angels fly. Gabriel came quickly because there is no great distance between heaven and earth.

The time of the evening offering:
This was a special time of day, when Moses offered the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:6) and when Jesus was crucified (Matt. 27:45).

As a young man in Jerusalem, Daniel often saw the smoke rising from the temple at the time of the evening sacrifice.

I have now come forth to give you skill to understand:
Notice that In his prayer, Daniel didn’t ask for understanding. His prayer demonstrated that his heart was close to God’s heart, so as a friend, God revealed many things to Daniel (Jn 15:15).

Daniel studied the passage in Jeremiah, but still didn’t understand much. In this case, understanding came more through prayer.
Spurgeon said..........
“All students of the word will tell you that when the hammers of learning and biblical criticism have failed to break open a flinty text, oftentimes prayer has done it, and nuggets of gold have been found concealed therein. To every student of the word of God who would become a well-instructed scribe we would say, with all the means which you employ, with all your searchings of the commentaries, with all your diggings into the original, with all your researches among learned divines, mingle much fervent prayer.”

Trapp Commentaries state......
“Luther affirmeth that he oft got more spiritual light by some… ardent prayer than ever he could do by the reading of many books, or by the most accurate meditation thereupon.”

For you are greatly beloved:
Both Daniel and the Apostle John were noted for their love-relationship with God. Both Daniel and John were also noted for receiving amazing prophetic messages.

Daniel had just considered a set of “sevens” upon the nation of Israel – the 70 years of promised captivity prophesied by Jeremiah.
It was as if God said through Gabriel, “Now I will show you some ‘sevens’ that will really amaze you.”

The number SEVEN (7) in the Scriptures represent COMPLETNESS.

Daniel illustrated the principle that when we seek God diligently, we often receive even more than we ask for.

May I say here that when we pray for rain, it is a good idea to have an umbrella handy!!!
 
Daniel 9:24-27...........
24 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. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks 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. 27 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, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

Now, may I say to you that right here is the *****KEY***** to the prophetic Word of God. If you get this wrong, it will mess up your whole understanding of the LAST DAYS!
Now, please understand, I am not a prophet! I am not an expert! I encourage you, if you are following along, please do some work on your own. Study, search out the teaching I am giving you and prove them.

Seventy weeks are determined:
There is almost universal agreement among Bible scholars and commentators that this refers to seventy sets of seven years, or weeks of years.
SEVENTY WEEKS literally means = "70 Sevens".
The Hebrew word for "SEVEN" is SHABUA which again literally means = a unit of measure.
It would be the same as the English word DOZEN = TWELVE.

The SEVEVY YEARS (70) years again goes back to the time that Israel did not keep the Sabbath. (2 Chronicles 36:21).

So then, the whole 70 weeks is a period of time that comes out to be 70 x 7 for a total of 490 years.............

1 Week = 7 Years
70 Weeks = 490 Years
70 Weeks divided into 3 periods
7 Weeks -- 62 Weeks -- 1 Week

NOTICE CAREFULLY if you are a "Preterist"-----"For your people and for your holy city":
The seventy weeks were focused upon Daniel’s people (the Jews) and his holy city (Jerusalem).
Unless the church has become Israel, it is not in view here. Talbot Commentaries calls the seventy weeks “God’s calendar for Israel” in the sense that it does not focus on the Gentiles or the church.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TIME FRAME?????????

To finish the transgression:
This says that transgression itself will be finished. Taken literally, this means establishing an entirely new order on earth, with an end to man’s rebellion against God.

“The culmination of appointed years will witness the conclusion of man’s ‘transgression’ or ‘rebellion’ against God – a development most naturally entered into with the establishment of an entirely new order on earth. This seems to require nothing less than the inauguration of the kingdom of God on earth.” (Archer)

To make an end of sins:
Taking these words at face value, this means not only the end of the guilt of sin, but an end of sin itself. It means to “seal up” or to “restrain” sins. This looks to a new, redeemed world.

To make reconciliation for iniquity:
Man’s iniquity must be reconciled to God’s justice and holiness. This work was clearly accomplished at the cross.

To bring in everlasting righteousness:
One might take this in an individual sense, but there have always been righteous individuals. Taking the statement at face value, this means a new order of society brought in by the Messiah.

To seal up vision and prophecy:
This speaks of both the ending and fulfillment of prophecy, concluding the final stage of human history and culminating with the reign of the Son of God.

To anoint the most holy:
Taken at its simple, literal meaning, this refers to a place, not a person. There is a most holy place – the most holy place of the temple – that will be anointed and blessed.

Taken as a whole, Gabriel made a remarkable announcement to Daniel. He told him that each of these amazing things would happen within the period of seventy weeks.

Looking back in history, we can only say these things are already fulfilled if we ignore their plain, literal meaning and give them a spiritualized meaning that replaces their plain meaning. Some believe that these promises were fulfilled generally in the spread of the Gospel over the centuries, but this belief neglects the plain and simple meaning of these words.

Verse # (25) The course and dividing of the seventy weeks.​


From the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem:
Here Gabriel revealed to Daniel the starting point for the seventy-weeks prophecy. There was a command to restore and build Jerusalem in history that started this specific period of time.

The Bible presents a possible decree that might fulfill this description:

Artaxerxes made a decree giving Nehemiah permission, safe passage and supplies to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the walls in 445 B.C. in Nehemiah 2:1-8.

There were FOUR decrees in the Bible on this issue but the only command to restore and build Jerusalem is the one in 445 BC.
The others each focused on the temple, not on the street or on the wall.

Until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks:
Gabriel’s message to Daniel was simple and striking. 483 years – that is, 69 units of seven years – would pass from the time of the command recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-8 until the appearance of Messiah the Prince.

Some say the 483 years were completed at the time of Jesus’ birth (5 or 4 B.C.). There is little chronological support for this date.

Some say the 483 years were completed at His baptism, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (if dated at A.D. 26). This is possible if one begins with the earlier decree of Artaxerxes, and figures with our present measurement for years (365.25 days to a year) instead of the ancient measurement of years (360 days to a year).

Some say the 483 years were completed at the triumphal entry of Jesus (if dated at A.D. 32).
Sir Robert Anderson’s significant work The Coming Prince followed this argument in great detail. Anderson, using a 360-day year (which Israel used in Daniel’s day), calculated 173,880 days from the decree to the triumphal entry, fulfilling the prophecy to the day.
“It is customary for the Jews to have twelve months of 360 days each and then to insert a thirteenth month occasionally when necessary to correct the calendar.” (Dr. John Walvoord)

The year A.D. 33 (based on Luke 3:1) for Jesus’ death is controversial But recent attempts have made some case for the date:
Source: “A recent article attempts to give credence to the date cf. R.E. Showers, Grace Journal, XI (Winter, 1970), pp. 30ff.
The evidence presented is worthy of notice.” (Wood)

“No one today is able dogmatically to declare that Sir Robert Anderson’s computations are impossible.” (Walvoord)

Some say the 483 years were completed at the exact time of the crucifixion. This is a minority opinion. Most who find the date near this time also see it belonging to the Triumphal Entry, which happened seven days before the crucifixion.

Until Messiah the Prince:
Taking Anderson’s calculations as reliable, we see a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. A Gentile king made a decree and 483 years later to the day, Jesus presented Himself as Messiah the Prince to Israel.

Note......483 Years at 360 days per year = 173,880 days.
So, Daniel is saying that after 173,880 days, the Messiah would be CUT OFF!

Luke 19:41-44 tells us that this was Israels day of decision, however as a nation they choose to 'CUT OFF THEIR MESSIAH'.
This "CUTTING OFF" was the offical rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Messiah.

Real history and calculations from the British Royal Observatory and Greenwich Conn. Time, confirm that from March 14, 445 BC to April 6, 33 AD is exactly 173, 880 days or 483 years. TO THE DAY!

In my mind a Prince is a good step lower than a king. In the Hebrew vocabulary, “Prince” has more the idea of “strong, mighty ruler” than “son of a king and heir to the throne.”

There was only one occasion in our Lord’s earthly ministry on which He is depicted as presenting Himself openly as Zion’s King, the so-called ‘Triumphal Entry,’ recorded in each one of the Gospels and fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 118:26.

1. On that day, Jesus deliberately arranged the event to present Himself as Messiah (Mark 11:1-10).
2. On that day, Jesus welcomed praise (Luke 19:38-40) instead of quieting it (Lk. 5:14 and 8:56).
3. On that day, Jesus made special reference to the importance of that day (Lk. 19:41-42).

This prophecy is so specifically fulfilled that it has been known as the most amazing prophecy in all of the Bible!

The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times:
This indicates that the rebuilding of the streets and wall of Jerusalem would happen in the first seven weeks mentioned. Then would follow another 62 weeks of years until the coming of Messiah the Prince.

The seventy weeks are divided into three parts:
1. Seven weeks – 49 years, until the city and its walls are rebuilt.
2. 69 weeks (7 plus 62), 483 years from the decree, until Messiah the Prince appears.
3. A final 70th week to complete the prophecy.

4. (26) What happens after the first sixty-nine weeks.​

“And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined."

After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off:
The Biblical term cut off is sometimes used to describe execution (see Genesis 9:11 and Exodus 31:14). Gabriel told Daniel that the Messiah will be cut off for the sake of others, not for Himself.

“Able chronologists have shown that the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ occurred immediately after the expiration of 483 prophetic years, of 360 days each, from the time of Artaxerxes’ order.” (Ironside)

Strangely, many LIBERAL and able commentators simply ignore these numbers. “The numbers are symbolic and not arithmetical.” (Baldwin)

Cut off :
is a poignant description of Jesus’ earthly life up to and including the cross.
“Born in another man’s stable, cradled in another man’s manger with nowhere to lay his head during his life on earth, and buried in another man’s tomb after dying on a cursed cross, the Christ of God and the Friend of the friendless was indeed cut off and had nothing.” (Heslop)

Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary:
After the Messiah was cut off, Jerusalem and her temple would be destroyed again by an overwhelming army (with a flood).
Most all Bible scholars and commentators agree that this was fulfilled in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

The people of the prince who is to come shall destroy:
The destroying army is made up of the people of the prince who is to come. This coming prince is described more in Daniel 9:27.

​

 
Daniel 9:27........................

The events of the seventieth week.​

"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”

Again, we come to a very important *********KEY******** to understanding the Word of God. DO MOT MISS THIS.

"He" shall confirm a covenant:
The “he” Gabriel described is the prince who is to come mentioned in the previous verse. If we know that the prince’s people destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, then we know this coming prince has his ancestral roots in the soil of the ancient Roman Empire so this is NOT THE MESSIAH!
This "HE" is the Anti-Christ!

Therefore, the prince who is to come will in some way be an heir to the Romans, even as the final world government is an heir to the Roman Empire seen in Daniel 7.

"He" shall confirm a covenant with many for one week:
The coming prince will make a covenant (Peach Treaty) with Israel for the final unit of seven years, completing the seventy weeks prophesied for the Jewish people and Jerusalem or SEVEN YEARS (7).

Covenant with many:
The word many here is a specific reference to Israel, not a general reference to a group. The ancient Hebrew says, “covenant with the many.”

With this covenant Israel will embrace the Antichrist as a political messiah, if not the literal Messiah is the view of the "lost" world.
Jesus predicted this in Jn. 5:43:.........
" I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive."

Taking the description of what would be accomplished in the 70 Weeks from Dan. 9:24, we know that the 70 Weeks are not yet complete.
Yet the events promised in the first 69 weeks are fulfilled, indicated that there is a lengthy “pause” in the 70 Weeks, between the 69th week and the 70th week.

This my dear friends is where we live today and most Bible scholars call it the CHURCH AGE. Many also refer to it as the AGE OF GRACE.

The 70th week will begin when the coming prince shall confirm a covenant with the Jewish people. These gaps or pauses in prophecy may seem strange to us, but they are common. Comparing all Scripture shows another significant pause or gap in prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah.

iv. We can think of it in this way: God appointed 490 years of special focus on Israel in His redemptive plan. The years were paused by Israel’s rejection of Jesus. Now there is no special focus on Israel in God’s redemptive plan because this is the time of the church. God’s focus will return to Israel when the church is taken away (at the rapture) and the last seven years of man’s rule on this earth begin.

“The 70th week will begin when the Jewish people are restored in unbelief to their land and city; and among them will be found a faithful remnant, owning their sin, and seeking Jehovah’s face.”
Source: (Henry Ironside writing in 1911)

Israel was restored to the Promised land on May 14th, 1948.

When you see a WAR going on, and then there is SEVEN YEAR Peace Treaty signed with Israel and some kind of Confederation of Nations, LOOK UP! You see, for there to be a Peace Treaty, there is uselly a WAR going on!

In the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering:
The coming prince will break the covenant with Israel in the middle of the seven years, the final week (period of seven years).

The Book of Revelation sees this seven year period with both its halves as yet future. The middle of the week and the end of sacrifice had not yet happened in 90 A.D. when John wrote the Revelation.

On the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate:
The ending of sacrifice will come with abominations, followed by tremendous desolation.

Abominations translates an ancient Hebrew word (shiqquwts) that is connected to horrific idolatry.
The idea is that the coming prince breaks the covenant and brings an end to sacrifice and offering by desecrating the holy place of the temple with a horrific idolatry.

Jesus called this the abomination of desolation in Matt. 24:15 and indicated that it would be a pivotal sign in the Great Tribulation. Paul referred to the idolatry of the coming prince in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

Until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate:
This breaking of the covenant and abomination of desolation has a promised consummation. Before the 70th week is completed, each of the things described in Dan. 9:24 will be accomplished and everlasting righteousness will reign.
 
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