Daniel Study - Lesson 42

Review:

- In our passage in Dan 11:40-45  Israel is still in this covenant relationship with the King of the Western empire, RRE, they feel secure, their borders protected by this great power.

- Major changes on the horizon.

 

 

- In vs:44 Rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him;

 

 

"Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him."  Dan. 11:45

 

 

The A/C will exploit this utter defeat of King of the North, to his advantage to sling shot himself into the position of world ruler.

 

 

What we're looking at today is a time in history in which these events are not far from us.  All the preparations are made.

 

 

DANIEL CHAPTER 12  GOD'S FINAL DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL

 

 Intro:  The chapter break should really be after vs:4;  1-4 goes with ch:11

 

  - At this point he will feel confident in his position so that he  thinks that the treaty made with Israel (and others) is of no further use to him and he breaks it.

 

  - This marks the beginning of the "time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer 30:7)

 

  - This also marks the point when he will shut down Israel's worship in the rebuilt temple, and will desecrate the temple by placing an "idol" of himself in it to be worshiped by all.

 

12:1  The Great Tribulation 

-  "at that time" tells us that the events recorded here are also taking place in that period of time just prior to the return of Christ.

- It is Michael's responsibility to protect Israel will come to their defense in this time of great suffering and persecution.

 

- In Rev 12:7-12 great battle in heaven between Michael and the dragon, his operatives,

 

- "and their will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time;"

 

- So there will be a rescue of the remnant of Israel at the time of Christ's return.

 

12:2  Resurrection detailed

 

1.  It is a physical resurrection.

 

 

- Should note that this is part of what Scripture teaches as the first resurrection.

 

- the first resurrection is for believers only!   1 Cor 15:23 

 

- The order of the first resurrection:

#1  First order of resurrection is Christ.  (first fruit)

#2  C/A Saints at the Parousia, rapture, end of C/A. 1 Ths 4

#3  OT saints (here) Dan 12:2, 13  specifically is addressed to Jewish believers only;  Gentile believers are not excluded  Rev 20:4

#4  Millennial saints at the end of the Millennium. 1 Cor 15:53

 

2. This resurrection here is specific, not general, and applies to Israel only. (whole context is addressed to Israel only)

 

3. This resurrection is selective,  many but not all. Only believers.

 

4. Resurrection of the unbelievers!  (2nd resurrection)  "but the others (who are also asleep) to disgrace and everlasting contempt."

- This speaks of the resurrection of all those who have died as unbelievers,  resurrected to face judgment at Great White Throne  (Rev 20:12-14) 

- Its a judgment of works; did they measure up to  the righteousness demanded by God?  They can't, no human merit or ability ever can!

 

5. There is a time gap here between the resurrection to life and the resurrection to disgrace/contempt.  1000 years   Rev 20:4-5a

 

12:3 Reward of the Righteous 

 

- Rewards are the awards given based upon one's faithfulness as a believer. Result of what one does with the word in their life.

 

- This is emphasized by the word for "insight"  lkV  speaks of  intelligent thinking;  the process of thinking through a complex sequence of thoughts to arrive at a wise dealing with a situation.

 

- This speaks of those believers in the Great Tribulation who will have enough insight into truth to reject the lies of the A/C and to oppose him, first in believing in Christ for salvation, and then during great personal pressure and persecution to be faithful to the word.

 

- The first and greatest reward is that of a resurrection body!

- "And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven,..."

 

 

- "and those who lead the many to righteousness, (salvation) like the stars forever and ever."   has eternal impact!

 

 

This concludes this last and great panoramic prophecy (10:1-12:3) which extended from the M/P empire down thru the Greek empire, into the time of Antiochus Epiphanies;  then it leaped over the centuries to the time of the end, giving us some insight into the Tribulation period; and ultimately leading to the Promised restoration of Israel;  the return of Christ.