DANIEL
THE CALENDAR
A. The dates in most Bibles are off by 110 years due to assuming an error in
Scripture rather than finding a reason for the alleged "discrepancy." Most Biblical dating hinges on 1 Ki 6:1 (480 years).
However, the same time frame referred to by Paul (Ac 13:17-22) covers 573 years. This 93 year difference has been dismissed
as error or estimation on Paul’s part when, in fact, it is a Scriptural safeguard against error. The 573 years are according
to the calendar. The 480 years are by God’s reckoning of Israel as a nation. God does not include 93 years during the
period of the Judges when Israel was Lo-Ammi (not my people).
Ac 13:17-22
Judges
Wilderness 40 years
3:8 8 years
Judges 450 years 3:14 18
years
Saul 40 years
4:3 20 years
David 40 years
6:1 7 years
Solomon(1 Ki 6:1) 3 years
13:1 40 years
573 years less 93
years = 480 years
This phenomenon is not uncommon. For example, the 42 generations of Mt 1:17 are by God’s reckoning, not literal.
Many are skipped. Note that Ruth herself is omitted in the book of Ruth 4:17. God does not include every link in the royal
line. He remains true to his order and structure.
Notes: 1.The "four hundred and eightieth
year" referenced in 1Ki 6:1 is the 480th year of the 490 years from the Exodus to the Dedication of the Temple (the subject
of Ch.6). The remaining 10 years include 7 years of construction (1Ki 6:38) and 3 years to complete the furnishing.
2.
Judges 10:7-9 references an additional 18 years that affected only a specific portion of the nation "on the other side
Jordan..." and did not have national impact.
B. There is a gap of 13 years between the reigns of Amaziah and Uzziah which
God ignores. There are 6 years that Athaliah usurped the throne. There is a 1 year gap between Uzziah and Jotham (2 Ki 15:2,27,32)
93 + 13 + 6 + 1 = 113 years of "Not My People"
Specifically: From Eli to Athaliah is off by 93
years
From
Joash to Amaziah is off 99 years
From
Uzziah to Captivity is off by 113 years
The additional 3 years result from numerous fractional years being counted. This error causes us to miss some of God’s
order and sovereignty. For example, this adjustment places David’s anointing at 974 B.C. Exactly 1,000
years before the baptism of Jesus Christ in A.D. 26.
This correction will be necessary to fully appreciate the pinpoint accuracy of Daniel’s prophecies.
DANIEL - THE BOOK
Daniel: God (is my ) Judge - This points to the Book’s position in the Hebrew Canon. Daniel is the Old Testament’s
Revelation/Apocalypse pointing to the future. While Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have an Israelite viewpoint, Daniel is universal.
Structure
- Dan 1:1-6:28 is Historic. ® Dan 7:1-12:13 is Prophetic.
- Dan
2:4-7:28 is in Aramaic. ® Dan 8:1-12:13 is in Hebrew.
The Gentile language (Aramaic/Chaldee) is therefore used for the period of Gentile supremacy relative to Israel. The prophetic
portion leads us to the time when God will "restore again the kingdom of Israel" (Ac 1:6)
Luke is not the only non-Jewish author in the Bible. Chapter 4 of Daniel is written by King Nebuchadnezzar.
Note the reference to Nebuchadnezzar as God’s servant(Jer 27:5-7).
The Book of Daniel is the light of 2 Pe 1:19
The Book of Daniel is not in chronological sequence.
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls silenced hundreds of critics who maintained that the prophecies in Daniel were too
accurate to have been written in advance. Not only did these critics reject God’s omniscience and control, they also
had to ignore the ancient Hebrew language used by Daniel. This language all but disappeared under Babylonian rule and was
replaced by "modern" Hebrew. Note that after the Exile, in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, the common people had forgotten
the language (Neh 8:8).
DANIEL - THE MAN
- Daniel was of the royal seed of Judah (Dan 1:3)
- Daniel was a contemporary of Ezekiel and is mentioned 3 times in the Book of Ezekiel (14:14,20; 28:3)
where Daniel is used as an example of righteousness and wisdom. The Lord refers to him in Mt 24:15 (Mk 13:14)
- Daniel covers the 70 years of Captivity with Daniel being 17 years old at the beginning, 87 years old at the end .
- Daniel is scripturally referred to by his Hebrew name unlike his 3 counterparts (Dan 1:6, 7; 2:49). This is an honor
and sign of respect extended by God to indicate that Daniel, like David, never compromised his faith in God.
- Daniel refers to the writings of Jeremiah (Dan 9:2) as his basis for knowing the Captivity was coming to a close after
70 years.
DANIEL - ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
There are actually 3 periods of 70 years relative to the Book of
Daniel
A. SERVITUDE (496-426 B.C.) Jer 25:1-14 = Begins
in the 4th year of Jehoiakim and closes with the capture of Babylon by Darius the Mede (Astyages)
and the Decree of his son and co-regent Cyrus to rebuild the Temple.
B. CAPTIVITY (489-419 B.C.) 2 Ki 24:8-16 - Begins
with the carrying away to Babylon of Jeconiah in the eighth year of Neuchadnezzar in 489 B.C. When the SERVITUDE
ended in 426 B.C., the CAPTIVITY had lasted 63 years (9 [finality of judgment] x
7 [spiritual completion] ). 7 years later, in 419 B.C.
- Cyrus died. Succeeded by Cambyses.
- Nehemiah appointed governor (Neh 5:14) (Note references are to the king’s age, not the duration of
his reign)
- The wall begun in 454 B.C. is completed in 52 days (Neh 6:15) (52=4[creative works] x 13 [rebellion]) Begun
in 5th month, ended in 7th .
- Marks the end of the 5th of the "seven sevens" of Dan 9:25 (Note: In 9:25, The reference is to build Jerusalem,
not the Temple. This was the subject of Daniel’s prayer 9:16-19)
C.
DESOLATIONS (479-409 b.c.) 2 Ch 36:9-21 - Begins with the third and last
siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 479 B.C. and ends in the second
year of Darius Hystaspis. This is the fulfillment of Lev 26:32-35. Note in Dan 9:2, "understood
by books". This is about the LAND. "A" & "B" are about the PEOPLE. This pattern was set in Gen 3:17,18.
DANIEL
Daniel = God (is my) Judge see Ps 23:1 Jehovah-Roi=The
Lord (Is My) Shepherd
Ch. 1:1 - 3rd
year of Jehoiakim (497 B.C.) Daniel is 16 (born 513 B.C.)
-"came Nebuchadnezzar" - When he started. He was delayed by battle and did not arrive
until the 4th year (Jer 46:1,2)
-The Babylonian Servitude lasted for 70 years (496-426 B.C.)
2 - "part of" - The rest came later (2 Ch 36:7,10). Restored
by Cyrus (Ezra
- 1:5-8) "Shinar" is Babylon
(Gen 11:1,2,9)
- "king" used prophetically. Nebuchadnezzar’s
father, Nabopolassar, was king
until he died in July of
496 B.C.
-"his god" - Marduk, god of wisdom. The king’s
name means "Nebo (god of
learning) protect my frontier."
3 - "enunchs" = palace servants, not necessarily castrated.
-2 Ki 24:10-16 (Note v. 12 "eighth year"
includes time when Nebuchadnezzar
had authority but was not technically
king while his father was alive).
4 - "children" = "Youths". Only the "best were desired
to incorporate into
Babylonian culture. The palace
contained a special school and a huge
library
-"Chaldeans" - Primarily in South Babylonia,
a learned class distinct from the
Babylonians (Jer 22:24,25
Eze 23:22,23)
5 - "three years" - the appointed time for the
process not the actual elapsed time before Chapter 2. Note Dan 2:1
6 - Hananiah = God is gracious
Mishael - Who is God?
Azariah - Helped by God
7 - Name changing is part of the subjection process (Gen 41:45)
(2 Ki 23:34)
8 - Nothing to do with vegetarianism or temperance. The king’s
food would have been prepared with the blood and sacrificed to idols. This would violate Lev 17:10-14 and Ex 34:14,15
"purposed in his heart" - Pr 23:6,7
9 - "tender love" = compassion, empathy
10 - Fear overcomes mercy, but Daniel has not been denied. He does
not assume he has been denied. He does not force the issue. He "shakes the dust off"
and finds better soil.
11-16- "Melzar" is not a proper name. It is Hebrew for the head
steward. Daniel - Goes to the decision-maker. Is unsuccessful but not rejected. He LISTENS to the
objections of the prince of the eunuchs, He ADDRESSES the objections, PRESENTS a proposal to the steward to alleviate the
concerns, and requires only a YES or NO response. He succeeds.
-"10" - the number of perfect order (Things are set right)
17 - "God gave…" He is always the source. Noah was not a
professional
shipbuilder! Ex 31:1-6
"understanding" = "discernment" visions (awake) dreams(sleeping)
18-20 - 1 Jn 4:4 - As with Moses and Esther, God raises up His
people in the midst of the enemy
- "magicians" = Heb. "chartummim" - Those who claimed to repel
evil spirits and demons by incantations and spells.
- "astrologers" Heb. "ashshaphim" - Those who claimed to be prophets
who predicted the future and proclaimed the will of heaven.
21 - 426 B.C. 69 years from this point. Does not mean Daniel did
not live longer than that time.
Ch. 2:1 - 2nd year of Nebuchadnezzar = 5th year of Jehoiakim
(Jer 36:9)
Jer 36 This dream occurred the same year (day?)
as the burning of the roll in Jer 36 when Jehovah was rejected. The king of the Gentile world(Nebuchadnezzar) is informed of his demise.
-"brake from him" = he awoke abruptly
2 - The king calls in his "priesthood"
"sorcerers" = Heb. "mekashsh phim" = wizards
3 - This dreams marks the beginning and duration of Gentile dominion
over Jerusalem. Daniel’s dream and vision (Ch 7) marks the end.
4 - "in Syriack" = Aramaic from here through Chapter 7
5-6 - The king doesn’t remember the details of the dream,
only its impact. He
offers curse or blessing. No other options.
"cut in pieces.." - see 3:29
7-9 - The king warns not to stall for time in the hope that he
may forget about it eventually.
THE DREAM - Connection, Content, Connection
Connection - Jer 36 - Israel must be punished, but mere
fire cannot destroy God’s Word. God’s Word includes His covenant which cannot be violated.
The punishment cannot be permanent (Ex 32:1-14)
Content - Ch 2: 7-9 - The King warns
not to stall for time
10-11- The Chaldeans declare it "Mission Impossible"
12-13 - The king decides to clean house
14-16 - Daniel responds Pr 15:1, 16:32, 2:10-12
17-18 - Daniel gets his prayer warriors (note the name changes
after the burning of the scroll)
Prayer of 19-23
- God supplies wisdom. Daniel gives God glory. Jas 1:5,6
Thanksgiving
Pr 2:6-8
24 - Daniel intercedes for the "wise men"
25 - God moves Arioch’s heart to believe Daniel without question
Important 26 -
Here the Holy Spirit highlights the continued use of the Hebrew
name "Daniel" despite the change for his counterparts.
27-30 - Daniel again gives God the glory and reveals the PURPOSE of the dream God has not forgotten
His covenant; Nebuchadnezzer is His servant; His kingdom is temporary; God is sovereign and the king should
maintain humility.
Connection - Rev 17:10-14 - The dream extends to the millennial
kingdom of
Rev. 20..
The image = 5 kingdoms - Bablyon (Dan 2:37-38), Medo-Persians, Greeks (both v. 39), Romans
(v. 40) from 31 B.C. to 636 A.D. = 666 yrs, Mohammedan (v. 41) from 636-1948 in v. 43 "they" and v. 44 "these kings" the ten
toes = the ten horns/kings of Rev 17:12
Important - The dream references the millennium, NOT the
earthly ministry of Jesus Christ who is the stone of v. 44
This is the first of 3 significant opportunities given to Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge Jehovah’s sovereignty
and humble himself.
Content - Ch 2: 31-33 - The image is
top-heavy and therefore easily toppled.
THE REVELATION OF JEHOVAH Ps 27
2:41 - The fifth kingdom "the feet and
toes". Included by God in His omniscience but hidden from human intellect until revealed by God, the giver of wisdom and the
revealer of secret things.
- The Mohammedan kingdom did not come until 636 A.D. - AFTER the kingdom of Jesus Christ
had been rejected by the Jews (Ac 28:21-29). Something only GOD could know. The Pharisees would have used such knowledge as
proof that Jesus could not be the Messiah. The disciples/apostles would lack enthusiasm by anticipating failure. Jesus Christ
refers to the fifth kingdom in Lk 21:22-24. Note the phrase "trodden down" relative to the "feet and toes" of Dan 2:41-43
46 - The ungodly still worship man before God.
See Gen 10:8-10
47 - Note "a" instead of "the"
48 - "made Daniel a great man" = "exalted Daniel" Pr 3:5-9
49 - As always Daniel thinks of others. "in the gate" = Daniel
became part of the King’s household, as did Joseph.
Ch 3:1 - The image - Not a man.
Height:Breadth = 10'1. Heb-"tzelem" denotes a carving.(20 yrs later) This was an "Asherah",
translated "groves" in the KJV. Mentioned 40 times in the O.T. First in Ex 34:13 They were phallic images
common to all ancient religions and still found today in various forms. Note Eze 16:17 where "of men" = "of the male", Isa
27:9, Mic 5:12-15
The warning of the dream 20 years earlier is forgotten.
2-5 - The King requires worship on command
6 - Failure to comply is a capital offense
7,8 - Forced worship is of flesh, not spirit. It produces works,
not fruit. In this case, it produces envy Gal 5:19-21.
9-12 - Envy comes disguised as righteousness…..
13 - …Wrath and strife are not far behind
14 - "Is it true" = "What do you hope to accomplish?"
15 - The king offers one last chance and asks a question
16 - "are not careful" = "We don’t think this requires a response", i.e. under No
circumstances will we worship your image Ex 20:1-6
17,18 - The three acknowledge God’s sovereignty
19 - The king takes offense. "seven times more" = Maximum
The king of the natural world battles THE KING of the supernatural
world…
20 - …and commands his elite soldiers (2 Sa 23:8-39) to bind …
(Lk 13:10-16)
(1 Jn 4:4)
21 - Bound in clothing to increase the torture
22 - The servants of the natural king are consumed by fire
23 - "fell down" -to pray? Or simply unable to stand by themselves?
24 - The king is amazed and "can’t believe his eyes"
Important 25 - As in 2:47,
it must be "a son of God" and not "the". The significance of Chapter 4 is otherwise diluted and
we must assume some incredible, unexplained revelation being given to Nebuchadnezzar.
26 - Caught up in the moment, the king finally recognizes "the most high God"
(the lowercase is correct, uppercase in Ch 4 is different in Chaldee)
27 - "saw" = "stared at" - The same fire which consumed the soldiers (wood, hay,
stubble) purifies the 3 men (gold, silver, precious stones).
28 - The king’s word is changed (Mk 13:31). Note that he refers to
"their God" as one of many.
29 - Remember the question of v. 15. The king decrees his favorite punishment (2:5) for anyone who does what he did.
30 - Ps 27:1-6
Ch 4 - Written in 454 B.C. at
the end of a 7 year period which began 13 years after Ch 3. This was issued
as a proclamation by the most powerful man on Earth. It is a testimony to the sovereignty of God and is astounding
because God made it a part of His Word, an entire chapter written by a pagan king named for a pagan god. We can only guess
at the impact this proclamation made across the world, but we can be certain that the year it was issued, 454 B.C., is the
same year that King Artaxerxes of Persia issued the decree for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Dan 9:25, Neh 2:1-8). This year
marked the beginning of the countdown to the "cutting off" of the Messiah in 29 A.D. (Dan 9:26)
We will read Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony without notes.
Ch. 5 - THE
HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
BACKGROUND - Sources (Ptolemy, Josephus, Babylonian Inscriptions, Ency. Brittanica)
Chapter 4 ends after 40 years of Nebuchandnezzar’s reign (457 B.C.). He reigned
for 43 years total (454 B.C.). He was succeeded by his son, Amel-marduk (also called Evil-Merodach in Jer 52:31-34). He was
murdered by his brother-in-law in August of 452 B.C. (Nergal-sharezer referred to in Jer 39:3 and Jer 39:13 when he was a
prince). He died and was succeeded by his son Labashi-marduk four years later (448 B.C.). Labashi-marduk was assassinated
the same year by a group led by Nabonidus, who became king in 447 B.C. He regined for eighteen years (until 429 B.C.) when
he retired to Arabia and entrusted the kingdom to his son Belshazzar, who reigned for the final three years (until 426 B.C.).
The inscriptions state that Nabodinus actually went to meet with Cyrus.
Chapter 5 begins in 426 B.C., the last year of the 70 years. Daniel is 87 years old.
Young King Belshazzar is holding a non-stop party which has lasted for half his reign (18 months). The great feast is being
held in a hall which is 60 feet wide and 172 feet long with ornately decorated walls and painted stucco designs. The seven
years of humility imposed by God on Nebuchadnezzar are long forgotten and the city is unguarded. Belshazzar is slain on the
night of the invasion of the 3rd of the month Marchesvan on the Babylonian calendar (Note the number of the
Trinity all over him). His wife died eight days later ( 8 = new beginning). Darius, with his son and co-regent Cyrus diverted
the flow of the Euphrates river and tunnelled into the city under the river bed, entered the city at both ends and fulfilled
the prophecy of Jer 51:36. (We will read Jer 51:28-40). To understand how the river drying up would be unnoticed, note the
references to wine in Dan 5:1-4.
1 - "wine" = Chaldee (chamra), Heb. (chemer) = Strong red wine
normally diluted with water to lessen the effect
2 - "father" = "ancestor" In this case, grandfather (See Jer 27:6,7).
Compare this blasphemy to Dan 4:28-33 (Heb 10:31)
3 - Step 2 of the blasphemy, the drinking from the vessels
4 - Step 3 of the blasphemy, the idolatry (note Dam 3:29)
5 - "same hour" = "at the same time" "candlestick" = "lampstand".
(Note: fingers only. Not an entire hand. The true power is in the fingers. See Lk 11:20, Ps 8:3 Emphasized
by the end of this verse).
6 - "countenance" = "bright looks" see Dan 2:1, 4:5. Note the lack of a "Fear not" in this heavenly presence. Is 13:11
7 - Compare to2:2 "scarlet" = "purple", an expensive, royal color
because of the rarity of the necessary dyes (Ac 16:14)
"third ruler" - Nabodinus was 1st, Belshazzar 2nd
8,9 - 1 Co 2:14
10 - The queen - Nitrocis, mother of Nabodinus, daughter-in-law
of Nebuchandezzar. This is certain because she "came into" the hall and v.2 shows that Belshazzar’s wife/wives was/were
present. She is of sufficient age to be familiar with Daniel. Who but God even sent her into the banquet house?
11 - The queen gives Daniel’s resume and is certain
that he….
12 - "…will know ("he will shew the
interpretation")
13 - The king had obviously never even met Daniel before
14,15 - The frightened, desperate king needs Daniel’s help and tries to make Daniel
feel important NOW, even though the king has never bothered to make contact.
"I have even heard of thee…?" - Just now, or before?
16 - The king again tries to appeal to Daniel’s pride and offers reward.
Note this pattern: Gen 3:4,5
17 - Note Daniel’s response: 1 Jn 2:15-17 Mt 6:1,2
19-21
18,19 - God’s sovereignty. The authority of the Source over all resources.
Note "gave" and compare to Rev 6:2,4,8
"given". God is in control.
20 - Compare to Eze 28:17 Note Pr 16:4-12 and Pr 6:16-19
21 - Pr 3:33-35 Isa 45:22,23
22 - Failure to heed warnings. Failure to remember past lessons = Judgment
see Lk 17:32 (from Gen 19:17,26)
23 - 1 Jn 5:21
24 - "Then" = "As a result" Note: What is written may be READ by anyone.
It can
only be understood through the Holy Spirit.
25 - "MENE" = numbered (repeated for emphasis)
"TEKEL" = weighed
"UPHARSIN" = and divided/broken
"U" = "and"
26-28 - No further interpretation of what Scripture interprets
29 - Belshazzar keeps his promise to Daniel, and holds a ceremony
and issues a proclamation. He has no sense of urgency to repent. (Lk 12:16-21)
30 - Rev 22:12
31 - "Darius" is a title, not a name. This is Astyages (born 488
B.C.). This means that Cyrus, his son and co-regent was 40 (born 466 B.C.). The city was taken in the name of Cyrus by his
general, Gobryas. (Isa 45:1-6)
Note: The 1845 translation of the trilingual inscriptions on the
1,700 ft. tall Rock of Bahistan on the high road from Baghdad to Teheran has the genealogy of the Persian
kings carved 500 ft above the level of the plain, so we know:
ASTYAGES = Darius the Median (Dan 5:31) =Ahasuerus (Est 1:1) = Artaxerxes
(Ez 6:14, Neh 2:1). This is Cyrus "The Persian’s" father.
He married Esther (Est 2:17), making Esther Cyrus’ mother, meaning Cyrus was raised by Esther and
Mordecai. Isa 44:28 makes sense. The Presence of the (Heb. "ha-shegal") "foreign queen" in Neh 2:6 also
makes sense.
Ch. 6:1 - Human leadership changes.
God is still in control. Daniel remains in a position of leadership authority. Compare Gal 1:1
"an hundred and twenty" - Added by the king - 7 in (Esther 1:10) + 120 = 127 (Est 1:1) - A note on the
precise historical accuracy of Scripture.
2 - presidents = ministers safeguarding the assets of the kingdom Cp. Gen 39:1-6
3 - The action
4 - The reaction Cp. Lk 23:1-5 see Mt 5:11 1 Pe 3:13-17
6-9 - Once again, the spirit of the enemy appeals to pride as they butter up the king
see Jas 1:14,15
Note their zeal - "statute" AND "decree" …. "that it not be changed"
10 - Daniel knew of this, he was not fooled or trapped. "toward
Jerusalem" is tradition based on Solomon’s prayer (1 Ki 8:46-53)
11 - Easily done because of the open window of v.10
12,13 - Cp. Dan 3:9-12
14 - The king realizes that he’s been duped, and struggles to find a loophole
15 - The enemy stays in his ear to apply pressure
16 - The king recognizes the need for higher authority and power
17 - Cp. Mt 27:62-66 Note: Despite the Pharisees words, sealing is to keep in.
18 - The king is deeply disturbed by his role in this. Cp. Mt 27:17-19
19 - Cp. Jn 20:1
20 - Although Darius is king, note how he refers to Daniel
21,22 - "shut the lions’ mouths" - God doesn’t just
allow Daniel to survive, He provides a good night’s sleep for the man in the lions’ den. The man in the palace
got no rest. Eph 3:20 Note: "forasmuch"
23 - The decree did not require that Daniel be killed, so he is
released, "because"
24 - Evil is recompensed Ps 7:14-17 Est 7:9-10
(same king)
25-27 - Darius issues a decree/testimony. Cp. Dan 4 Note Jn 4:48
28 - Ps 1:1-3
Ch. 7:1 - It is 429 B.C., 3 years
BEFORE Chapter 5. Daniel is 84 years old. This is the last chapter written in Chaldee because it marks the ends of Gentile
dominion under Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon. In Chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, interpreted by
Daniel, concerned the start and duration of Gentile dominance over Israel. In Chapter 7, Daniel’s dream
and vision, interpreted by the Angel, concerns the end of the Gentile dominance. As always,
since Scripture interprets the dream and vision for us, we may comment, but further interpretation is unnecessary and unwise.
- "first year" - see above
- "dream and vision" - started during sleep, continued after awakening
- "wrote… and told" - written and spoken (v.2)
2 - "four winds" - Rev 7:1 Zec 2:6-9 AND Zec 6:4,5
3 - "four beasts" - These are not the dominions of Ch.2. These exist simultaneously.
4 - This is not, cannot be Babylon which is not included here, Nebuchadnezzar had been dead for 23 years and Babylon had only 2 years remaining.
5,6 - "on one side" = "partially"
7 - "great iron teeth" = "two rows of teeth"
- "the residue" = "the rest" i.e., the other 3 kingdoms which co-existed and did not succeed
one another as in Ch. 2.
- See Rev 13:1-9. The 4th devours the first 3 and combines them
- "ten horns" - Rev 17:12
8 - "little horn" = "a horn of small beginnings"
"speaking great things" - Rev 13:5,6 2 Th 2:3,4
Important 9 - "cast down" = In Eastern
cultures, cushions were placed for seats of judgment. See Ps 9:7 AND Rev 4:2
- "Ancient of Days" = "The Everlasting One" Ps 90:2
- garment, etc - Rev 1:14
- "wheels" - Ez 1:15-20,26-28; 10:1-7
10 - "the judgment" = "The Judge" Rev 20:12
11 - The beast did not cease talking. Rev 19:19-20
12 - The 3 beasts of vv. 4-6
13,14 - Rev 14:14 Ps 8:4-9
15 - This verse makes it ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that this dream/vision is distinct
from Ch. 2. Daniel, the interpreter of Ch. 2, is disturbed and baffled.
16 - Daniel seeks understanding from one of "them" in v.10
17,18 - THE INTERPRETATION Note "shall
arise" which again eliminates Babylon and the Persians which had already "risen". Another Scriptural safeguard. This is the
"ten toes", the unspecified fifth power of Ch 2:41-44.
19-21 - "made war" points us to Rev 13:7
22 - See Rev 21:5-8
23,24 - "ten kings" - Rev 17:12 "he" = "the little horn"
25 - "change times and laws" - The enemy is desperate to write
a "new end" to the Word. "time and times…" = 3 ½ yrs = 42 mos. (Rev 11:2=1260 days(Rev 11:3), but most importantly,
½ of the one week of Dan 9:27
26,27 - As before, each interpretation points to the end. Mt 24:9-31
28 - "in my heart" Cp to Mary Lk 2:18,19
The Book of Daniel now switches to Hebrew, as Gentile dominion
draws to a close.
Ch. 8:1 - "third year…"
- 2 years after Ch. 7. Same year as Ch. 5. Daniel is 87.
2 - "Shushan in the palace" - Shushan was the chief city in Persia,
so Daniel must have left Babylon sometime after Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion. He was employed by Astyages (v. 27). Since
Daniel’s administrative duties required travel, note how God arranged his absence (3:12) and his presence
(5:13).
3 - Interpreted by v.20. The ram was always the symbol of Persia.
Rams were depicted on ancient Persian coins. The kings wore golden ram heads. Astyages is the first horn, Cyrus is the latter.
4 - "became great" = "acted proudly"
5 - "goat" = the symbol of Greece (v.21) "from the west" = the
direction from which the Greeks would conquer, not the location of Greece. "notable horn" = Alexander the Great
6 - Alexander the Great conquered the world in a span of only 13
years.
7 - No deliverer for Persia. Ordained by God to come to its end.
8 - 4 kingdoms - Ptolemy (Egypt, Palestine, Asia Minor)
Cassander (Macedonia, Greece)
Lysimachus (Bithynia, Thrace, Mysia)
Seleucus (Syria, Armenia, E.of Euphrates)
9,10 - The "little horn" of Ch. 7:8. This is completing Rev. 12 which extends through
the entire time of the Bible. "the host…" = "the starry host"
11 - "Prince of the host" = God. The ruler of the angels. The Lord of Hosts. Jehovah Sabbioth. 1st used in 1 Sam 1:3. Occurs 281 times - Commander-in-Chief.
"magnified" = Eze 28:17, 2 Th 2:4 "daily sacrifice" Nu 28:3, 1 Chr 16:40. For our time, the daily sacrifice
is prayer and praise. Note: Schools, Dan 6:7
12-14 - See Rev. 11:1,2 "an host" - a military reference. The truth
of God will be cast down, i.e. what is revealed by God (Revelation).
IMPORTANT "two thousand three hundred days" - We know
that the end of the 2300 coincides with the end of the seventy (seven) weeks. Counting back we arrive 220
days into the start of the seventieth seven. God does not specify an event, BUT it will
be recognized by some (Dan 12:8-10). Since the prophecy is given in "days", it will be of God and signify our final rejection
before judgment (see "full" v. 23).
15,16 - "man" = Heb. "geber" = mighty man = Gabriel; (Mighty Man
of God)
17 - "son of Man" - used only of Ezekiel, Daniel and Jesus Christ
18 - Daniel falls into a deep sleep (2 Co 12:2). When the vision
is over, (v. 27)Daniel is ill (compare to 2 Co 12:7)
19 - "indignation" - the wrath of God
"time appointed…." It is written. Not subject to change.
20 - Astyages and Cyrus
21 - Alexander the Great
22 - The 4 lesser kingdoms (see (7/23/03)
23 - "transgressors" = "rebellions"
"fierce countenance" = mighty presence
"understanding…" = skilled at deception Rev 13:11-14 2 Th 2:9-12
24 - "not by his own power" - Rev 13:2
"destroy" - Rev 6:9-11
25 - "craft" = deceit "by peace" = careless security and prosperity
"Prince of princes" = Messiah
"broken without hand" - 2 Th 2:8
26 - "is true" should be "is truth"
27 - "understood" = "became aware of", i.e. Daniel told no one.
Ch. 9:1 - 426 B.C. Daniel is 87. Astyages (Darius the Median
of 5:31) has pronounced his son, Cyrus, (Darius the son of Ahasuerus), King of Babylon. (Darius = the Restrainer. Ahasuerus
= the Mighty. and Artaxeres = Great King. THESE ARE TITLES, NOT PROPER NAMES!)
"seed of the Medes" - see Gen 25:1,2
2 - "by books: should be "by the books" = Jer 25:11, 29:10 (479-409 B.C.
see
CALENDAR)
3-6 - Daniel prays (through v.19) for "we and "us" Jas 4:10 Lev 26:32-46
7,8 - "confusion of face" = shame Ps 109:29
9-14 - Daniel acknowledges that God’s Word required the punishment.
v.11 - "the curse is poured…." contrast
Mal 3:10
"oath that is written" Deu 28:15-20. 33,41,47-52
v.12 - "evil" = "calamity"
vv.13,14 - 2 Ch 7:13,14
15 - 1 Jn 1:8-10
16,17 - This is the supplication referenced in v.3. Compare to Nu 6:22-27
18,19 - Note the sequence of Daniel’s request
Hear - Forgive -Hearken - Do - Defer Not
v.18 - "we" and "our" indicate that Daniel was praying separately,
but not alone (see 2:17,18)
20 - SPEAKING-PRAYING-CONFESSING-PRESENTING
My sin - My people - My God
21-23 - Gabriel sent to provide clarity. God does not want us to
be confused. We
are to understand, consider and believe.
This is actually the process described by Phil 4:6,7
"evening oblation" = 3 P.M.
24 - "Seventy weeks" is literally "seven sevens" (of years)
"prophecy" should be "prophet"
IMPORTANT "the most Holy" should be "a Holy of Holies" and refers to cleansing the
Sanctuary (see 8:13,14), NOT to a person.
Note that there are SIX things to be accomplished. (# of man)
24- Seventy weeks = "Seventy sevens" = 490 years
7x7 (divine perfection intensified) x 10
(divine order)
- "are
determined" should be "is determined"
- "thy people" = Daniel’s people = Israel
"thy holy city" = "Jerusalem"
THE SIX ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM GOD (connected by "and")
a. "to finish the trangression" = "to put an end to the transgression"
Lit. "the revolt" Dan 8:12,13
b. "to make an end of sins" = "to seal up sin" Heb. "chata"
= acts of sin
(Jas 4:17)
c. "to make reconciliation for iniquity" = "to make atonement for iniquity" Heb. avah = (heart) condition of sin. This is
the difference between sin and iniquity as used in Scripture. "Sin" refers
to what we do when we "stumble" of "fall short". "Iniquity" refers to the condition of our hearts. The Hebrew
word is from a root word meaning to be crooked or bent (Deu 32:5, Ps 125:5, and My 7:13,14)
d. "to bring in everlasting righteousness" = This is the righteousness
of God. "Eternal" is from now on. "Everlasting" means "has always been and will always be." Read
Rev 19:11-13 add Jn 1:1,2
5. "to seal up the vision and prophecy" - "Prophecy" should be
"Prophet." - ALL prophecy will be fulfilled. There will be no more prophets. Prophets,
originally called "seers" resulted from the failure of the Levites (priests). (See 1 Sa 9:9). There were prophets
before there were priests. (Gen 20:7) (Rev 22:18,19
6. "to anoint the most Holy" = "to anoint a Holy of Holies" hence,
a sanctuary, not a person. Referred to in Dan 8:14, Foreshadowed in Jn 2:13-17 The person is "everlasting righteousness" (#4 of the 6)
25 - "know and understand (compare v.23) "understand and consider")
"…the going forth…" = 454 B.C. Referring to the city,
not the Temple. The city was the subject of Daniel’s prayer (vv 16-18). See Neh 2:1-6
- "Messiah the Prince" = A King Priest, i.e. Jesus Christ
- "seven…threescore and two" = 7+ 62 = 69 seven years periods = 483 yrs.
454 B.C. + 483 years = 29 A.D. the year of the crucifixion
- "the street.." - 49 years to the complete restoration of Jerusalem.
-The "seventy sevens" begin here. (9:24-27)
- The "seven sevens" begin here, end at 405 B.C. the completion and dedication of the second Temple (9:25)
- The "threescore and two sevens" (434 yrs) begin in 405 B.C. and end in 29 A.D. the year
of the Crucifixion (9:26)
- The first four of the "seven sevens" ended in 426 B.C., the end of the seventy years of Babylonian
Servitude and the Decree of Cyrus.
THEREFORE, the last seven year period is future. In Dan 9:24, "Seventy weeks are
determined" actually says "Seventy sevens is cut off." The verb is, and must be, singular
because God has separated this block of time, regardless of its division (cp Mt 28:19
where "name" is singular).,There has been no nation of Israel since Christ was
rejected! Just as God disregarded 93 years during the time of Judges, we are currently Lo-Ammi (not My people). The
new Israel will be formed during the last seven years to withstand the "prince" of vv. 26,27 during the last 3 ½ years. The
new Israel is necessary because of the divorce of Jer 3:8. There can be no remarriage (Deut 24:1-4) AND the
bride of Jesus, the King-Priest, must be a virgin (Lev 21:10-15). This new Israel will supply 144,000 of
Rev 7:4, but will not be Israelites based on ethnicity, but by virtue of having put on Christ
(Gal 3:26-29, 1 Pe 2:9,10)
-"Messiah the Prince" = Priest and King, i.e. Jesus Christ
:26 - "after" - immediately after. Decree issued
in Nisan, same month as the
Crucifixion!
(See Neh 2:1-8). (MAXIMUM 2 week difference, if any!)
"but not for Himself" - For nothing He had done (Isa 53:3-12)
"the prince" = the little horn of Dan 8:9-12
"the end" = his end "flood" see Rev 12:13-17
"war" - the war of Rev 13:17
"desolations" - (Mt 24 should begin at 23:37-39)
27 - The False Messiah/The
Antichrist/Satan’s Prophet
- "covenant" - The impostor will establish a "new" covenant with "the"
many." 2 Ti 4:3,4 1 Jn 4:1-3 Rev 13:7,8 connects
to 2 Th 2:9-13
- "one week" - The beginning of the last 7 years (to complete the seventy
sevens of 9:24)
- "midst of the week" - after the first 3 ½ years of the Seven Rev 11:1-4
- "sacrifice and oblation to cease" - No need in the presence of the "Lord."
Rev 21:22 cp. Mt. 9:14,15
Important - "overspreading….desolate" - should be "in
its place will be the
abomination of the desolator"
2 Th 2:3,4 Mt 24:15,16 Mk 13:11-14
- "consummation" - Fulfillment
of 9:24, Eze 28:16-19, Rev 19:20
Ch. 10:1 - 2 years after Ch. 9. 73 years after Daniels’
deportation. It is now 424 B.C. and Daniel is 89. This is the latest date of the Book of Daniel .
2-4 - Daniel is praying and fasting from the 3rd of Nisan through
the 24th, i.e.,even through Passover, 14th-21st.
- "Hiddekel"- The Tigris, see Gen 2:19
5, 6 - Cp. Description to Rev 1:13-17
7-10 - The power of Divine presence Ac 22:6-11 Mt 28:1-4 Dan 5:5,6
11-12 - Daniel’s prayer was heard on the 3rd, answered on
the 24th cp. Jer 42:4-7
see Ps 27:14 Ps 37:7-9
Ps 130:5,6 Hab 2:3
13 - "prince" = "ruler" )Heb. "sar" from which we get Czar, Caesar, Tsar, etc.)here are angelic beings (good, evil) associated with nations. (See Eph
6:12 and Eze 9:1-6). Michael ("Who is like God?") is the angelic ruler for Israel (understand Rev
12:7)
Important - Remove "I". Gabriel left Michael there while he went to Daniel.
Note: the "prince" withstood Gabriel. Michael can handle "the kings" alone.
14,15 - Daniel is overwhelmed by the revelation to come from Gabriel.
16-18 - Cp. Isa 6:1-8 Note Daniel’s humility in v. 17
"strengthened" = Heb. "hazak" strength for endurance
- Another "fear not" cp. Jn 14:27
20,21 - "scripture of truth" - Written by God, not yet transcribed by man. Known
only to Gabriel and Michael at that point. Note - "your prince"
Ch. 11:1 - "Darius the Mede" = Cyrus. Gabriel mentions
that 2 years earlier, i.e., 426 B.C., he had assisted Michael, indicating heightened
spiritual warfare during the events of Chapters 5 and 6 (the handwriting on the wall, lions den, etc.)
2 - Back to the "present" (424 B.C.), to give truth about the future. There would be exactly 4 Persian kings after Cyrus.
3,4 - Alexander the Great - "not to his posterity" = Alexander died at age 34 and his generals
took over. Dan 8:4-8,21,22
Verses 5-20 cover the subsequent kings. At verse 21, the time is still the future.
5 - "king of the south" - Ptolemy Soter (Ptolemy I), son of Lagus,
"king" of Egypt. (Lagus’ title was governor, Ptolemy took the title of king) "one of his princes" = Seleucus I, also
called Nicator ("conqueror"). Over 40 years, Ptolemy seized Egypt, then Jerusalem by deceit. He entered Jerusalem on a Sabbath,
pretending to offer a sacrifice and gained the city with almost no trouble. The Jews were at rest and quiet that day and did
not recognize him as an enemy. He became a cruel ruler and took many of the Jews captive and settled them in Egypt.
Many other Jews voluntarily went to Egypt.
"great dominion" - Ptolemy added Syria to Babylon and Media.
6 - "end of years" = 63 years = 21 years after the reign of Ptolemy
I.
- "king’s daughter of the south = Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II (Philadelphus)
- "king of the north" = Antiochus
Berenice married Antiochus who divorced his wife, Laodice, and disinherited her
son, Seleucus Callinicus.
- "given up" - Berenice was murdered, as well as her son, by Laodice.This murder was avenged by Philadelphus (Berenice’s father).
(Additional Info) - Philadelphus, who married his sister (a common royal practice
in Persia and Egypt), freed all the Jews, redeeming them from their masters at 20 drachmas (10 shekels,
1/3 of the O.T. amount) and concentrated on building a huge library. He realized he had no one who could translate ancient
Hebrew so he sent a letter to Eleazar, the high priest along with lavish gifts for the Temple. Eleazar sent six priests from
each tribe (72). The translation of the O.T. law into Greek was completed in 72 days.
7 - "a branch of her roots" = Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy
III, Evergetes, son of Ptolemy II, Philadelphus (Berenice’s father), who defeated Antiochus
8,9 - Ptolemy III returned artifacts to Egypt which had been seized
by the Persians. Hence, the Egyptians called him Evergetes ("Benefactor")
"more years" = 46 years (4 more than Antiochus)
10 - "his sons" = The sons of Antiochus (Seleucus Callinicus II
and his brother Antiochus III (Antiochus II, not missing, he died in a fall from a horse). It is Antiochus III who is the
"one". "he shall return" - Ptolemy III, who defeated Antiochus III.
11,12 - "king of the south" = Ptolemy III, who, after establishing
dominance, gave himself over to reprobate life (cp. Belshazzar in Ch. 5)
13 - Antiochus III renews the war
14 - "king of the south" = Ptolemy V, Epiphanes, age 12 (Ptolemy
IV, is dead).
"exalt…fall" - Many apostate Jews saw an opportunity for independence, but
unwittingly only helped to strengthen Antiochus (2 Th 2:8-12).
15 - "king of the north" - Antiochus III (the Great) - a type of Antichrist,
defeats Ptolemy V (Epiphanes)
-"neither his chosen people" should be "but his people will flee"
16 - Foreshadowing of v.36 "consumed" = desolated
17 - "and upright…shall he do" = "he will come to equitable terms with
him"(Ptolemy V).
Antiochus makes an alliance with Ptolemy V (Age 12) by giving him his daughter, Cleopatra (age 11) to
marry. (Many political alliances were forged this way and accounted for many, if not most, of Solomon’s 700 wives -
note 1 Ki 7:8). In addition to Cleopatra, Ptolemy also receives Celesyria, Samaria, Judea and Phoenicia as well as a 50-50
split on taxes.
-"not stand" - she would side with her husband (and the Romans, against her father)
Note: Antiochus named his son Seleucus (Soter) as ruler of Asia. Seleucus died 7 years later and his brother, Antiochus Epiphanes, became
king and is most closely identified with the specific activities of the Antichrist. It is this Antiochus
who was defeated by the Maccabees after his relentless oppression of the Jews.
18,19 - "a prince" - the Roman general (Lucius) Scipio defeated
Antiochus III at Magnesia (near Smyrna), and Antiochus withdrew to Syria
20 - (This is Selucus) Sent Heliodorus
to Judea to collect money and to plunder the Temple.
-"neither in anger" = "not with hands" - Seleucus was poisoned.
IMPORTANT - The rest of Chapter 11 closely matches the activities
of Antiochus Epiphanes, BUT it cannot be the fulfillment of the Antichrist as some "scholars" claim. Among
many reasons, from v. 21 this king does not achieve the throne through succession (Epiphanes succeeded his brother) and,
from v.40 this king will be attacked by both the king of the south and the king of the north.
Therefore, he cannot be the king of north, as Epiphanes was.
21 - This section parallels the prophecies of Dan 7-9 "vile" =
despicable
-"to whom....kingdom" = "to whom was not given the dignity of the kingdom"
He will come in "peaceably" (should be "unexpectedly") refers to Dan 8:25, (a time of careless security) as Eze 16:49.
22 - "flood" - the same flood of lies mentioned in Rev 12:15
-"prince" - the false Christ will turn on someone he is in league with.
DANIEL 11:22 "overflown...broken",
literally "swept out...broken in pieces"
This
is a classic Biblical image of a mother eagle "cleaning out" the nest and teaching the young to fly by dropping them and then
swooping down to catch them before they crash. In this case, the eagle is, in fact, a vulture. Many times in Scripture, the
word "eagle" would be more accurately translated "vulture." One can easily be mistaken for the other. The magnificent California
condor, an endangered species, can have a wingspan up to 10 feet. They can reach a cruising speed of 110 mph and soar for
tremendous distances, sometimes flapping their wings only once per hour. They can easily be mistaken for eagles by the UNTRAINED,
UNKNOWLEDGEABLE observer just as the Antichrist will be mistaken for the true Christ. This image clarifies some "difficult"
Scripture in Eze 13:17-23. Note that the references are feminine to support the imagery of the mother eagle.
Eze 13:18 - "pillows to armholes" - Impossible to flap wings
and fly. The literal translation refers to covering God's outstretched hands.
- "kerchiefs upon the head" - To cover the eyes so God's hands cannot be seen.
v.20 - "hunt
the souls to make them fly"- So that they can be "overflown and broken."
23 - "small people" - he will amass power from "the many" of 9:27.
24 - He will use bribery, deceit and treachery
-"even for a time" = 1 year (of the 3 ½ years) cp. Dan 7:25
25, 26 - He will defeat the king of the south, who will be betrayed from within
(Mk 13:12) "great army" = the locusts
of Rev 9:3-11
27 - The two kings will join together for evil
-"yet…." This prophecy extends through
the end.
28 - He now shows his true purpose, to break the covenant
of 9:27
"do exploits" = "accomplish his purpose"
29 - "the former" = vv. 25,26
-"the latter" = vv. 42,43
30 - "ships of Chittim (Cyprus)" indicates some European power
"grieved" = the head wound of Rev 13:3, see Gen 3:15
He now breaks the covenant, as
he had plotted all along.
"have intelligence" = "bonds together"
Important 31 - This marks the middle of
the 7 weeks (3 ½ years) Dan 9:27
"they shall place…" - see 2 Th 2:4 and Mt 24:15-24, 32-35
Rev 13:5-10 Rev 7:1-4 Rev 2:8-11
36 - See Dan 11:3 (Quoted in 2 Th 2:3,4), Dan 8:11,24,25
-"indignation" = God’s indignation (Dan
8:19, Isa 10:23-25
-"determined" = "decreed" - It will happen as it is
written!
37 - Even the traditional idols, fertility gods, etc. will be discarded.
38 - Since he knows that he is not really God,
he will secretly have his own superstitions and worship "the God of fortresses"
39 - Note: This is the true significance of 2 Co 10:4
-"whom…glory" should read "whosoever acknowledges him he will increase
with glory"
40 - This verse locks in the future reference to the Antichrist
and eliminates Antiochus Epiphanes as the fulfillment of these verses.
