Daniel 11

Daniel encouraged Darius the Mede verse 1

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede – even I

stood to confirm and to strengthen him

Persia shall have four more rulers verse 2

AND now will I show you the TRUTH

BEHOLD there shall stand up yet three kings of Persia

and the fourth shall be far richer than they all

and by his strength through his riches he shall stir

up all against the realm of Grecia

Territory of Alexander the Great divided four ways verse 3- 4

AND a mighty king shall stand up that shall rule with great dominion

and do according to his will

AND when he shall stand up – his kingdom shall be broken

and it shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven

and not to his posterity

nor according to his dominion which he ruled

for his kingdom shall be plucked up

even for others beside those

King of the South = Ptolemy – Egypt verse 5

AND the king of the south shall be strong – and one of his princes

and he shall be strong above him – and have dominion

his dominion shall be a great dominion

King of the North = Seleucid – Syria – alliance verse 6- 8

AND in the end of years they shall join themselves together

for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the

king of the north to make an agreement

BUT she shall not retain the power of the arm

neither shall he stand – nor his arm

but she be given up – and they that brought her

and he that begat her

and he that strengthened her in these times

BUT out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate

which shall come with an army

and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north

and shall deal against them – and shall prevail

and shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods

with their princes

with their precious vessels of silver and gold

and he shall continue more years

than the king of the north

War between north and south verse 9- 10

SO the king of the north shall come into his kingdom

and shall return into his own land

BUT his sons shall be stirred up

and shall assemble a multitude of great forces

and one shall certainly come

and overflow – and pass through

THEN shall he return – and be stirred up – even to his fortress

Egypt defeats Syria verse 11- 12

AND the king of the south shall be moved with choler

and shall come forth and fight with him

even with the king of the north

and he shall set forth a great multitude

BUT the multitude shall be given into his hand

and when he hath taken away the multitude

his heart shall be lifted up

and he shall cast down many ten thousands

BUT he shall not be strengthened by it

Victory of Syria over Egypt verse 13- 15

FOR the king of the north shall return

and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former

and shall certainly come after certain years with a

great army and with much riches

AND in those times there shall many stand up

against the king of the south

ALSO the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves

to establish the vision

BUT they shall fall

SO the king of the north shall come – and cast up a mount

and take the most fenced cities

and the arms of the south shall not withstand

neither his chosen people

neither shall there be any strength to withstand

Marriage alliance proposed between two kingdoms verse 16- 17

BUT he that comes against him shall do according to his own will

and none shall stand before him

and he shall stand in the glorious land (Israel)

which by his hand shall be consumed

HE shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom

and upright ones with him

THUS shall he do – and he shall give him the daughter of women

corrupting her

BUT she shall not stand on his side neither be for him

Syria defeated by Greece verse 18- 19

AFTER this shall he turn his face unto the isles

and shall take many

BUT a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered

by him to cease

without his own reproach

he shall cause it to turn upon him

THEN he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land

BUT he shall stumble and fall – and not be found

Rome wanted tribute verse 20

THEN shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes

in the glory of the kingdom

BUT within few days he shall be destroyed

neither in anger – nor in battle

Antiochus comes to Jerusalem verse 21- 24

AND in his estate shall stand up a vile person

to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom

BUT he shall come in peaceably

and obtain the kingdom by flatteries

And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him

and shall be broken – yea – also the prince of the covenant

AND after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully

for he shall come up – and shall become strong

with a small people

he shall enter peaceably even upon

the fattest places of the province

and he shall do that which his father have not done

nor his fathers’ fathers

he shall scatter among them the prey

spoil – riches

YEA – he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds

even for a time

Antiochus defeats Egyptian army verse 25- 27

And he shall stir up his power and his courage

against the king of the south with a great army

And the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very

great and mighty army

BUT he shall not stand

FOR they shall forecast devices against him

YEA – they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him

and his army shall overflow – and many shall fall down slain

AND both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief

and they shall speak lies at one table

BUT it shall not prosper

FOR yet the end shall be at the time appointed

Antiochus desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem verse 28

THEN he shall return into his land with great riches

and his heart shall be against the holy covenant

and he shall do exploits – and return to his own land

Egypt receives from Rome to defeat Antiochus verse 29- 30

AT THE TIME APPOINTED he shall return

and come toward the south

BUT it shall not be as the former

or as the latter

FOR the ships of Chittim s

hall come against him

THEREFORE he shall be grieved

and return – and have indignation

against the holy covenant

so shall he do

He shall even return

and have intelligence with them

that forsake the holy covenant

Antiochus pollutes Temple and stops worship verse 31- 32

AND arms shall stand on his part

and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength

and shall take away the daily sacrifice

and they shall place the abomination

that makes desolate

AND such as do wickedly against the covenant

shall he corrupt by flatteries

BUT the people that do know their God shall be strong

and do exploits

Maccabean revolt verse 33- 35

AND they that understand among the people shall instruct many

YET they shall fall by the sword – flame – captivity – spoil

many days

NOW when they shall fall – they shall be helped with a little help

BUT many shall cleave to them with flatteries

AND some of them of understanding shall fall – to try them

and to purge

and to make them white – even to the time of the end

BECAUSE it is yet for a time appointed

Little horn of future described (Antichrist) verse 36- 39

AND the king shall do according to his will

and he shall exalt himself

and magnify himself above every god

and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods

and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished

for that that is determined shall be done

Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers

nor the desire of women

nor regard any god – for he shall magnify himself above all

BUT in his estate shall he honor the god of forces

and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with

gold – silver – precious stones – pleasant things

THUS shall he do in the most strongholds

with a strange god [Satan]

whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory

and he shall cause them to rule over many

and shall divide the land for gain

Little horn will defeat Egypt verse 40- 43

AND at the time of the end shall the king of the south

push at him

And the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind

with chariots – horsemen – many ships

and he shall enter into the countries

and shall overflow and pass over

He shall enter also into the glorious land

and many countries shall be overthrown

BUT these shall escape out of his hand – even Edom – Moab

and the chief of the children of Ammon

He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries

and the land of Egypt shall not escape

BUT he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver

and over all the precious things of Egypt

and the Libyans and the Ethiopians

shall be at his steps

Defeat of the little horn verse 44- 45

BUT tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him

THEREFORE he shall go forth with great fury to destroy

and utterly to make away many

AND he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace

between the seas in the glorious holy mountain

YET he shall come to his end – and none shall help him

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 27 And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall beat the time appointed. (4150 “time appointed” [mow‘ed] means season, appointed place, meeting, fixed day, space of time, or unit of time.)

DEVOTION: In the book of Ecclesiastes we find that there is a time for everything under the sun. God has a plan and is working HIS plan.

The LORD sits outside of time. HE is eternal. HE knows the beginning from the end. HE knows nothing about being fixed in time. HE knows that we are fixed in time. There is a time for us to be born and a time for us to die. Those who are followers of the LORD Jesus Christ will spend eternity with HIM. Those who reject Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.

This chapter is a chapter of history. Daniel had a vision of the near future after his death. There were other visions that informed him concerning the future kingdoms after Babylon. He knew about Persia, Greece and Rome. These three kingdoms are described more fully in this chapter to give us an introduction to a future time when the children of Israel were going to be living with the coming of the Antichrist.

Each kingdom has their appointed fixed day in power. This chapter shows us that all rulers seem to give into a power struggle to be supreme. They want to be looked upon as gods. They will never be the God of the universe.

Those who want more power will use any method to gain it. Here we find that they speak lies to get more power. They do mischief to gain more power but it is to no avail. The one who puts leaders in place also takes them down. HE is the only one with true power. HE is the creator of this world.

CHALLENGE: Realize that the LORD continues to repeat HIMSELF through the prophets to inform us that HE has a appointed season for everything in HIS plan. HE is never taken by surprise. HE knows history before the foundation of the world

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.(2514 “flatteries” [chalaqqah] means smoothness of tongue, fine promises, or a kind of speech which is an illegitimate form of praise.)

DEVOTION: An angel is giving Daniel what is recorded in the Scripture of truth. Many think that Daniel could not have written this chapter because it happened after he was dead. The LORD knows the future and relayed it to him. One more proof that the LORD is Sovereign in not only the past but also the future. HE knows the beginning from the end.

Daniel is given an insight into the future battles that are going to affect the land of Israel. There is the coming kingdom of Greece that will be divided after the death of Alexander the Great into four kingdoms. The two kingdoms emphasized here are the Ptolemies and Seleucids kingdoms. They were in control of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. The Ptolemies controlled Egypt, which was the southern kingdom. The Seleucids controlled Syria and Mesopotamia, which are the northern kingdoms. These were the two kingdoms fighting with one another for power until the Roman Empire came along.

There are going to be rulers that will make promises to the children of Israel but not going to keep them. There are going to be times when rulers use their smoothness of tongue to get everyone to think that they are bringing peace but are really just waiting for an opportunity to break any promise they make. The last part of the chapter deals with the time appointed in the future when the Antichrist was going to be promising those who were willing to not live under the covenant of God that he would reward them with many precious things. This is going to happen during the seventieth week of Daniel. It is the Tribulation time period of the book of Revelation.

This use of smoothness of tongue happens in churches today as well. There are people who say that they are going to support the church but don’t. There are people who say they are going to serve in the church but don’t. There are people who say the sermon is great but they really don’t believe it. There are people who are just spreading the Word for their own personal gain. There are people who deny the Word of God who will trick those who think they are following the LORD into doing things that are against the Word of God.

We find that it is easy to lie to one another. We find it easy to say one thing and do another. That is not what the LORD wants in HIS people. HE wants them to be truthful to one another. HE is truthful to Daniel. Are we being truthful to our pastors, missionaries and fellow believers? When we say we are going to support them – do we? When we say we are going to pray for them – do we? Only each one of us can answer that question for ourselves. God wants us to be honest with one another.

CHALLENGE: Watch your speech patterns. Power is not gained by lies. Honesty of tongue is important to those who are followers of the LORD.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 36“The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god…. (NLT)

Those in positions of leadership need to be very careful regarding their attitude. There are teachers who think they are all it and a piece of cheese. They think they are always right. They think that there is no power greater them themselves.

We will have people who come into our lives who think that they are better than you. They will tell you so. They will act like you are dumb. They will give you a hard time about giving your option on things.

Watch out for those types of people. You should not follow their example. We are here as believers to help one another. This means that we treat each other nice. It means that we believe that there is a God who gives us instruction through HIS Word the Bible.

Remember there is only one True God. HE records HIS truths in the Word of God called the Bible. HIS claims are true.

Anyone who claims they are always right is not telling the truth. These claims are false. Obey your parents. Obey proper teachers. Obey the LORD first.

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: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. (NKJV) (2782 “determined” [charats] means to fit, to be decide with authority, decide, to bring to a point, decree, or to be alert.)

DEVOTION: As a believer we are not to use the LORD’S name in vain. We are not to use HIS name in anything or anywhere except in worship. Too often we see the world’s example of the use of the name of God and follow them instead of the Word of God.

Blasphemies are sins. If we use God’s name in vain we are sinning. We are setting a bad example for others. We are belittling the God we say that we worship and love.

It might cause some others to like us more because we use the same language as they do but in the end it only hurts you and your testimony for the LORD. If you are a parent your children are listening to every word you say and will want to say it too. This is cause each generation to follow your example of sin.

Watch what comes out of your mouth. It should only be words of praise when the LORD’S name is mentioned.

If this has been a habit in your present or past please correct it before it causes you more harm than it has caused already.

God is going to judge this king in the future and HIS judgment will cast this king into everlasting punishment.

CHALLENGE: Exalt only the LORD in your life and HE will honor your statements.

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: 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (1431 “magnify” [gadal] means to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth, become great, to be greatly valued, become important, boast of oneself, or to do great things)

DEVOTION: Here we have a selfish and willful person who is a good orator and who will arrogantly exalt himself. He has his own religion which does not include the God of the Bible. He will be defeated when the LORD returns with HIS army but in the mean time he will exalt himself above all.

There are many times in history that we find individuals who are like this one but not as great as this one. He will be defeated by the LORD Jesus Christ when HE returns at the end of the Tribulation time period.

Too often even today we find individuals who think that they are greater than God. They think that they are in control but find out that the LORD is still on the throne.

We have to remember that whatever is happening in our lifetime is not during this time period. We are living in evil times but they will be worse during this time period. We should be witnessing to all those we love before we see this time period coming.

Too often believers think they have plenty of time to witness to those we love but our time is short even now.

Many today are not regarding the God of the Old Testament or the New Testament. They think they can live as they please and there with be no consequences. The Bible tells us different.

CHALLENGE: Are we witnessing to the ones we love even now? The time period for the return of the LORD is not known but we can see the signs coming together in our world. Even if we don’t live until the end times, we have to be witness right now to those we love.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Sanctuary verse 31

Daily sacrifices verse 31

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural) verse 32, 36

God of gods verse 36

God of his fathers verse 37

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Darius the Mede verse 1

Kings of Persia verse 2

Realm of Grecia verse 2
Mighty king (Alexander) verse 3

Division of Greek kingdom – four winds verse 4

King of the south verse 5, 9-15, 25, 40

King of the north verse 6- 8, 11, 13, 15 , 40

Egypt verse 8, 42, 43

Vile person – obtain kingdom by flatteries verse 21

Prince of the covenant verse 22- 31

against holy covenant

pollute the sanctuary of strength

take away daily sacrifice

place the abomination that makes desolate

do wickedly against the covenant

Ships of Chittim verse 30

Edom verse 41

Moab verse 41

Children of Ammon verse 41

Libyans verse 43

Ethiopians verse 43

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

False gods verse 8, 38, 39

Heart lifted up verse 12

Robbers verse 14

Corrupting verse 17

Vile person verse 21

Flatteries verse 21, 34

Work deceitfully verse 23

Do mischief verse 27

Speak lies verse 27

Forsake the holy covenant verse 30

Pollute the sanctuary verse 31

Take away the daily sacrifices verse 31

Abomination of desolation verse 31

Wickedly verse 32

Corrupt by flatteries verse 32, 34

Exalt self above all gods verse 36, 37

Magnify self verse 36, 37

Speak against God verse 36

Indignation shall be accomplished verse 36

Not regard any god verse 37

Magnify above all verse 37

Worship strange gods verse 39

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Truth verse 2

Covenant verse 28, 30, 32

People that do know their God shall be strong verse 32

Strength verse 32

Understanding verse 33, 35

Instruct verse 33

Tried verse 35

Purged verse 35

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Glorious land verse 16, 41

People that do know their God shall be

Strong and do exploits verse 32

Those that understand among the people shall

instruct many – shall fall by sword verse 33

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

End at the time appointed verse 27

Time of the end verse 35, 40

Time appointed verse 35

Indignation be accomplished verse 36

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QUOTES regarding passage

11:36 Variations of the expression “do as he pleases” are used of God in 4:35, Persia in 8:4, Alexander the Great in 11:3, and Antiochus III in 11:16. A similar expression, “It prospered in everything it did,” was used of Antiochus IV in 8:12. Because of his personal charisma, intelligence, evil character, and political power, Antichrist will arrogantly believe that he can function sufficiently well without God. The passage seems to indicate that Antichrist will be an atheist (cf. 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:6), although he evidently will use religion to gain his position of power (cf. Rev 17). Baldwin declares: “So thoroughgoing is his egotism that he has no option but to be an atheist.”

“Unheard-of things” is a translation of the Hebrew niplāʾôt (from pālāʾ, “be surpassing, extraordinary”; noun, peleʾ, “wonder”), which denotes “astonishing, shocking, or unbelievable things.” Antichrist will spew out shockingly blasphemous words against Christ (cf. 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:5–6).

The phrase “the time of wrath” is a translation of one Hebrew word, zaʿam, a term that usually denotes the wrath of God (cf. Isa 10:25; 26:20; 30:27; Mal 1:4), and that is the meaning here. God’s wrath will be poured out upon Antichrist and the whole sinful world in the last days during the tribulation period (cf. 12:1; Matt 24:21–22, 29–31; Rev 6–19). When that period is over, this tyrant’s activities will cease. Though Antichrist will be judged, he himself is part of God’s judgment upon the wicked (cf. 2 Thess 2:12), for those who reject the truth will believe his lies and follow him to their doom (cf. Rev 16:13–16). When the evil leader has accomplished his purpose, judgment will fall upon him (cf. 7:11, 26; 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 19:20). Even Antichrist’s activities and the tribulation are permitted by the sovereign God to accomplish his purposes. (Miller, S. R. (1994). Daniel (Vol. 18, pp. 306–307). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

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11:36. This coming king will be independent of any authority apart from himself (he will do as he pleases). Midway during his seven-year reign he will exercise the political power given him by the 10 kings who will have elected him (Rev. 17:12–13). He will also take to himself absolute power in the religious realm, magnifying himself above all gods and defying and speaking blasphemously against the God of gods.“He opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, and even sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thes. 2:4). “He will speak against the Most High” (Dan. 7:25). The world will be persuaded to worship him as god by the miracles the false prophet will perform in his name (Rev. 13:11–15). He will succeed in spreading his influence around the world, both politically and religiously (Rev. 13:7–8).

The duration of this king’s rule has been determined by God. He will be successful as the world ruler during the time of wrath, the three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation, but at the end of that period the judgment determined by God will be meted out to him (cf. Dan. 7:11, 26; 9:27; Rev. 19:19–20). (Pentecost, J. D. (1985). Daniel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1371). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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11:36 Then. This word points to the future “end time” mentioned in v. 35. Verses 36–45 discuss the career of the final Antichrist in the last 7 years before Christ’s millennial kingdom. This willful king is the final Antichrist (see notes on 7:8, 11,12, 25; 9:27; cf. Rev 13:4–7). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Da 11:36). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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After the battle of Ipsus, which took place in B. C. 301, his dominions were parceled out, as we have already seen in chapters seven and eight, among four of his generals. From this point on, our chapter occupies us only with the dominions and the doings of two of them and their successors, namely; Ptolemy Lagus, ruler of Egypt; and Seleucas, Satrap of Syria. Thus the great world-empire that Alexander had established at such a tremendous cost was broken into warring fragments, none of which ever again attained the splendor or power of his kingdom.

From verse five to thirty-five we have the wars of the Seleucidæ and the Ptolemies for about two centuries. These rulers are called respectively the King of the North and the King of the South—the directions having to do of course with the land of Palestine, which in God’s eye is the centre of the earth. “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance” (Deut. 32:8, 9). (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed.) (195). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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The King of the South mentioned in verse five was Ptolemy Lagus. The expression “one of his princes” may either refer to the fact that Ptolemy was one of Alexander’s princes, or, as others judge more likely, that Seleucas Nicator was in the beginning, subject to Ptolemy, who was strong above him, and had the greatest dominion of the four into which the empire had been divided. But upon the death of Lagus, when Ptolemy Soter succeeded him, conditions were reversed. The dominion of Seleucas was enlarged by the annexation of Babylon, Media, and the surrounding nations. He threw off his allegiance to Egypt, and ruled independently. Naturally, this brought about a state of warfare and enmity between the two kingdoms; but, as we read in verse six, “in the end of years they shall join themselves together.” This was in the reign of Nicator’s grandson, Antiochus Theos. In his days a treaty of peace was arranged with Ptolemy Philadelphus, which was confirmed by the king’s daughter of the South, Berenice, being given in marriage to Antiochus, who divorced his own wife Laodice for this purpose. But God had declared that she “shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.” All this was fulfilled as predicted. Laodice managed to stir up her friends against the king; and as a result Berenice and all her attendants were put to death. Antiochus then reinstated his divorced queen, who shortly afterwards poisoned him and had her son Seleucas Callinicus crowned in his stead. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed.) (196–197). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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Upon the succession of his son Ptolemy Epiphanes, a mere child, to the throne, Antiochus the Great formed an alliance with Philip the Third of Macedon, and sought also to rally the Jews to his standard. The faithful among them refused to serve in his army, but the apostates, called in verse fourteen, “the robbers of thy people,” readily entered into covenant with him and proved a very great help on a number of occasions. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed.) (199). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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From the twenty-first verse to the end of the thirty-fifth, we have before us the fearful monster who has well been called the “Antichrist of the Old Testament,” because of his unfailing enmity to the people and worship of Jehovah. He is the same as the one of whom we have already studied in the eighth chapter—the infamous and blasphemous “Little Horn” that sprang out of one of the four horns upon the head of the Grecian goat. His name is execrated to this day by all Jews in every land. He was called by his fawning courtiers Antiochus Epiphanes, that is, the splendid or magnificent; but some wag of his day changed one letter of his name and called him Antiochus Epimanes, that is, the mad man; because of his wild pranks and almost insane follies and brutalities. He was stirred with such hatred against the Jews and their religion, that there was no atrocity too great for this wretched king to perpetrate. He is well described as a vile person, who came in peaceably, and obtained the kingdom by flatteries. At the beginning, he made a league both with the Jews and with Ptolemy Philometer, but proved false to each, as God had declared he would (vers. 22 to 24). “The prince of the covenant” in Israel was, I judge, a title given here to the high priest. It is a notorious fact that Epiphanes degraded the office to the last degree, selling the high priesthood to the vilest man to be found among the apostate part of the people.

In accordance with verse twenty-five, he “stirred up his power and his courage against the King of the South with a great army;” and the King of the South, Philometer, came against him to battle “with a very great and mighty army,” but he was unable to stand because of devices forecasted against him, namely, through the treachery of his own sons and household servants who betrayed him to Antiochus, thus fulfilling verse twenty-six; “Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain.” Professing great magnanimity, Antiochus proposed a truce, and the two kings met “at one table.” There they made promises which they never intended to keep, thus “speaking lies” (ver. 27).

Angered by the exultation of the Jews who had heard that he had been slain in Egypt, Antiochus marched his armies against Jerusalem, which he caused to pass through all the horrors of a siege and sack, sparing neither age, sex, nor condition. In their desperation the Jews appealed to the Romans, who had before interfered on behalf of the Grecians, and requested their assistance in what was to them a life and death struggle for their religion and their liberty. Marching against the Maccabees, Antiochus was met by Popilius Loenus and the other Roman envoys at the head of an army. Popilius demanded that Antiochus at once cease his interference with the Jews, and bind himself to accept the decree of the Roman senate, keep the peace, and acknowledge Rome’s authority. Epiphanes asked for time to consider the terms proposed for his acceptance. But Popilius with his sword or staff at once drew a circle around Antiochus and demanded that he decide before he stepped out of the ring. Having no alternative, he submitted, evidently with no intention of keeping the pledges he made. The “ships of Chittim,” of verse 30, refer doubtless to the Roman galleys sent in response to the pitiful plea of the Jews. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed.) (201–204). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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Between verses 35 and 36 there is an interval of many centuries. The history of the Kings of the North and South is now closed, and another dreadful character, of whom Antiochus Epiphanes was merely a forerunner, or type, is at once introduced; the wilful king, the great personal Antichrist of the last days. Of him our next lecture will treat. (Ironside, H. A. (1953). Lectures on Daniel the Prophet (2d ed.) (205). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)

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FROM MY READING:

2 Kings 25
God judges Judah by allowing Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jerusalem.
INSIGHT

Judah has a total of 20 kings after Solomon. Only eight of them give moral and spiritual leadership. And as the king goes, so goes the nation. As a result, God has to bring judgment on Israel. The ghastly succession of horrors promised for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28–and reiterated to Solomon in 1 Kings 9—begins to unfold. “I will cast (Israel) out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples” (1 Kings 9:7). Nebuchadnezzar besieges and captures Jerusalem, transports her main people to Babylonia, robs her treasury, and violates worship in the temple. Sin has a terrible price. (Quiet Walk)

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DAILY HOPE

Today’s Scripture

Genesis 1-3

As we begin the New Year I want to wish you and your family a great beginning to 2022! A new year is a time when we seek to put the past behind us and expectantly look to the future with anticipation and hope. As believers, we are excited about the possibilities that God has in store for us and what His plans are for each one of His followers.

The best way we can know the plans He has for us, is to know His word and seek to be obedient to His established directions. This can only be done as we read and meditate upon the scriptures. Reading the Bible is essential for our growth, maturity, and effectiveness as a disciple of Jesus Christ. In stating this, I would like to invite you to read with me through the scriptures chronologically. I will provide Monday through Friday reading plans.

Establishing these 4 points will assist you to be successful in your reading.

1) Create a plan. Make a daily appointment with God and maintain it until it becomes a habit and a priority in your life.

2) Prioritize a specific time. It will take 20-30 minutes each day to accomplish the reading and meditation.

3) Find a quiet place; free from interruptions.

4) You may desire to have a journal to take notes.

Begin your reading by prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to speak through His written word. Read the passage and consider what God may be personally speaking to you about and how that applies to your life?

In today’s reading, God reveals to us His plan for creation and the work that He did to bring this creation into existence! As you read, note the way God’s handiwork is described, emphasized and the manner it is presented. Perhaps you can also detect how creation is presented differently in the first two chapters. Lastly, see how subtle temptation was used to bring sin into the world. Conclude by asking yourself how we are tempted and what subtle elements do we need to be mindful of in our life.

Pick a version of Scripture that you enjoy reading or have wanted to read or read/ listen using apps such as Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com) and enjoy your journey through the Scripture this year. My prayer is that all of us will benefit and grow in our likeness of the Savior!

With an Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller

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THE REAL REASONS FOR REVIVAL: OUTSIDERS

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Exodus 33:16

The third reason Moses gives for revival is his concern about the heathen who are outside: “For wherein shall it be known here [in the wilderness, where we are] that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”

We have considered the three motives in praying for revival. For the name and the honor and glory of God and for the sake of the church that is His. Yes, and then for the sake of those people who are outside, who are scoffing, mocking, jeering, laughing, and ridiculing. “Oh, God,” say His people one after another, “arise and silence them. Do something so that we may be able to say to them, ‘Be still, keep silent, give up.’”

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). That is the prayer of the people of God. They have their eye on those who are outside. Moses is praying for these people, that they may be stopped short and apprehended and may develop an interest in which God is leading them and is directing them. This should make us ask, therefore, whether we are concerned at all about these people who are outside. It is a terrible state for the church to be in when she merely consists of a collection of very nice and respectable people who have no concern for the world.

A Thought to Ponder: It is a terrible state for the church to be in when she has no concern for the world. (From Revival, pp. 193-194, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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Created by Christ

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 3:9)
In the context of this verse, Paul is testifying concerning his divine call to preach the gospel, especially proclaiming God’s great plan to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
In support of this revolutionary concept, Paul refers to the great fact of creation. All men, and indeed “all things,” had been created by one God. Furthermore, it was by the Lord Jesus Christ that God had created all things. Before the revelation of this mystery, the Gentiles had been “without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). The phrase “without God” (Greek atheos, from which we get the word “atheist”) is used only this once in the New Testament, and it indicates plainly the barrenness of all pagan religions. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
Thus, by Jesus Christ all things were created, and by Jesus Christ “all things” will be gathered “together in one” in the “dispensation of the fullness of times” (Ephesians 1:10). This is all part of the same “mystery of his will,” according to the preceding verse, Ephesians 1:9. In the last chapter, Paul again refers to this now-revealed “mystery” when he urges the Ephesians to pray that he might be able to “make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
Thus, the “gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13), which we like Paul are commanded to make known, is the glorious news that Jesus Christ is both Creator and Consummator of all things, and that by His work of salvation all who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles, receive eternal salvation. “All things were created by him,” and He has shed His blood “to reconcile all things unto himself” (Colossians 1:16, 20).

(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

—Ephesians 5:33

Husbands and wives have been given biblical responsibilities that complete rather than compete. When embraced, these lead to greater trust, peace, and security in marriage. When resisted, the relationship can become tense and confused.

The biblical concept of the husband assuming responsibility for leadership in marriage and the wife supporting his leadership is sometimes difficult to accept and even harder to fulfill. But it is important to recognize that this is God’s design, not a grab for power. Think of it as a dance rather than a boxing match. You both are needed, you both have equal value, and you both succeed when you each play your part.

(Moments with You Couples Devotional)

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There’s no such thing as a bitter person who keeps the bitterness to himself. (p. 114)

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Jealousy, envy, and territorialism always plot the downfall of others. (p. 116)

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Joseph refused to allow his past to be the prism through which he would view his life. (p. 123)

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Do you live with more memories than you do dreams? Is it possible that because of what happened to you everything is colored and blurred, without focus? Does that root of bitterness spring up, and you refuse to forget and your refuse to trust God for your future? (p. 123)

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Joseph chose to live in the future and not in the past. (p. 123)

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If all that you can see is the Devil in your injustice or abuse, you will never be free from the power of your past. You must see God too – you must see Him as permitting the evil and intending to sue the evil for some higher end. We can only move beyond our past when we can embrace it as part of a plan. (p. 127)

(WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WRONGED by Erwin W. Lutzer)

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We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.