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Prophecy 5 & Epilogue – Wars Between the North & South

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Wars Between the North & South – Daniel 10:1-12:13

Beginning Point in Time: 538 B.C.
Ending Point in Time: Second Coming of Jesus

Summary:
This vision contains two stories. The first story describes a series of battles that conclude with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and the second story describes a battle that concludes with the destruction of the world at the Second Coming. Two stories are told in this vision because there are important parallels between them.

Using repetition and enlargement, the second story amplifies the appearing of the horn described in Daniel 8. Remember the horn in Daniel 8 appears out of nowhere. We will discover in Prophecies 8 and 11 that Lucifer will be released from the Abyss (spirit realm). He will physically appear and establish a worldwide kingdom on Earth. To do this, he must destroy the religions and governments of the world. Jesus will permit the devil to do this for a minimum of two reasons. First, Jesus wants the universe to witness the nature of government that any sinner would establish if given the opportunity and absolute power to acomplish it. Second, Jesus enables the devil to destroy the religions and governments of Earth so that religious heritage and patriotism will not hinder any person from accepting salvation. In other words, when Satan is allowed to abolish patriotism and religious heritage, he will eliminate the two cherished refuges of all mankind. Suddenly, each person will find himself in a very difficult “no-man’s land.” Each wicked person will have to rethink the basis for his rebellion against the gospel of Christ. Whom will he now worship and obey – the visible despot who gloriously masquerades as God or the unseen Creator of Heaven and Earth that dwells in Heaven?

Introduction:
The last vision in the book of Daniel is important to two groups of Christians. The first group lived around A.D. 70 and the second group will live at the time of the end. This vision contains two stories because both groups of Christians face the same dilemma, that is, both groups are caught in the middle; trapped between hostile forces.

During the final days of Christ’s ministry on Earth, Jesus directed His followers to the first part of this vision because it foretold the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem.[1] Vespesian set siege to Jerusalem in A.D. 66 and the siege was temporarily lifted in A.D. 68 when Nero committed suicide. Vespesian returned to Rome and became the next Caesar. Later, Vespasian’s son, Titus, resumed the siege of Jerusalem. It has been said that no Christians remained in Jerusalem when Titus resumed the siege in April, A.D. 70. If this is true, it would be the result of early Christians understanding the first segment of this prophecy because once the siege was set, no one escaped. Titus and his army totally destroyed the city and the temple in September.

The second part of this vision begins with Daniel 11:36. The King of the North is Lucifer. He will physically appear during the fifth trumpet and will be successful until the time of wrath (the Great Tribulation) is completed.[2] Lucifer will conquer the world and destroy everyone who stands in his way. God has given this information to the final generation because He does not want His people to give up or lose faith in Him. During the Great Tribulation, God will permit the forces of evil to kill most of His saints. This is not as horrible as it may sound because God will give His people the grace and strength to die a martyr’s death when grace is needed. Even more, sleeping in Christ while the remainder of the Great Tribulation plays out will be a merciful release from suffering and deprivation.

When Lucifer physically appears, he will masquerade as Almighty God, demand an end to religious and political diversity, and order that a one world theocracy be established. He will demand, “There cannot be any religious or political diversity when God lives among men!” Many people on Earth will resist the devil’s attempt to establish his theocracy because they do not want to obey him. The devil and his forces (represented in the second portion of this prophecy as the King of the North) will destroy the opposition[3] (represented in this prophecy as the King of the South). God’s saints will be trapped in the middle of this war because, like the opposition, they will refuse to worship the devil, but for different reasons.

Even though the first portion of this vision has been fulfilled, it is good to study it and understand it. The first story reveals a salient fact: God overrules. He manages the nations of the world. He sets up kings and takes them down when their cup of sin is filled. As you follow the back and forth wars described in the first segment of this prophecy, remember that Israel was trapped in the middle of what must have seemed like endless fighting.


The Sequence:


Daniel 10:1

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.{1} When Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, the Medes took control of the province of Babylon. Even though I was about 85 years of age, King Darius appointed me to serve in his court as an advisor. Like myself, the king was an elderly man and he died shortly after God rescued me from the lion’s den. After he died, the province of Babylon was given over to Cyrus, king of Persia. During Cyrus’ third year as king over Babylon, I received another vision. I knew the message was true because it came from God, but even so, it made me sick. I was shown a great war that seemed to have no end. Two great opponents struggled for supremacy and power, but there was no apparent winner.


Daniel 10:2-3

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.{2} After watching the vision, I was depressed for three weeks because I suspected that my people would likely squander the seventy weeks of grace extended to them. I wondered about my people because Gabriel had said that wars and desolations were decreed upon Jerusalem until the end of the world.[4] I did not want to believe that my people would violate God’s covenant again, but I knew that my people had a long history of rebellion. Many times, we had refused to honor the God of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As a result, God used King Nebuchadnezzar to drive us out of the Beautiful Land.[5]
{3} I petitioned the Most High God for an understanding of this vision, hoping that my worries were misdirected. To show God my sincerity and desire for understanding, I did not eat delicious food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no cologne until the three weeks were over.


Discussion


Daniel 10:4-6

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.{4} On the twenty-fourth day of Nisan, I received a follow-up vision. In this vision, I was standing on the bank of the Tigris.
{5} I looked up and saw a glorious man dressed in brilliant linen, wearing a belt of finest gold around his waist.
{6} His body was as bright as the Sun shining on polished gold, His face was brilliant like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, His arms and legs like gleaming polished bronze, and His voice sounded like the roar of a great multitude because it could be heard for miles around.


Daniel 10:7-12

And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.{7} I was the only one who saw Him; the men with me did not see the glorious man, but when the vision began they were terrified and fled for safety.
{8} I was left alone, gazing at this glorious being, my body had no strength and my face turned deathly pale.
{9} Then I heard Him speak, and as I listened, I fell unconscious falling face first into the dirt.
{10} An angel touched me and helped me get up on my hands and knees. I was trembling and had no strength.
{11} The angel reassured me saying, “Daniel, you are highly esteemed; carefully consider the words I am about to speak to you. Stand up, for Michael/Jesus, the brilliant man you just saw, has sent me.” After the angel said this, my strength returned enough to stand up, even though I was trembling and shaking.
{12} Then the angel continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the day you received the vision about the great war and began humbling yourself with fasting and prayer for understanding, God heard your words, and He sent me to you.


Daniel 10:13-14

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.{13} “But, the prince of this world, the devil, thwarted my efforts for the past twenty-one days. Warlords from Judea have been trying to turn the heart of Cyrus against your people. The squatters around Jerusalem do not want your people to rebuild Jerusalem or the temple. As the devil was strongly urging Cyrus to stop the rebuilding process, Michael/Jesus, the Archangel, the glorious man you saw in the sky above the river, came to my aid.
{14} Now that Michael has overcome Lucifer, rebuilding will continue.
[6] So listen carefully, for I have come to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision reveals what will happen during and after the seventy weeks. . . .”




 

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