36688420 chuck missler notes on the book of daniel

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Supplemental Notes: The Book of Daniel Chapters 1 - 6 Chuck Missler © 1994 Koinonia House Inc.

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Page 1: 36688420 Chuck Missler Notes on the Book of Daniel

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Supplemental Notes:

The Bookof

Daniel

Chapters 1 - 6

Chuck Missler

© 1994 Koinonia House Inc.

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Tape Listing

Tape 1: Chapter 1 - Dare to be a Daniel

Introduction to the Book: background, authentication, etc.

Tape 2: Chapter 2 - Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

The poly-metallic image—an overview of all of Gentile dominion onthe Planet Earth. Daniel and his three friends avoid death penalty andget promoted.

Tape 3: Chapter 3 - Bow or Burn

Nebuchadnezzar’s ego trip; the worship of his image; the fieryfurnace.

Tape 4: Chapter 4 - Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimony

The only chapter in the Bible written by a Gentile king; publishedthroughout the known world.

Tape 5: Chapter 5 - The Fall of Babylon

The “handwriting on the wall” and the fall of Babylon to the Persians.

Tape 6: The Mystery of Babylon

Babylon in Bible prophecy; its ultimate destruction, an update oncurrent events, the “Mystery Babylon” of Revelation.

Tape 7: Chapter 6 - Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

How Daniel avoided the “mark of the beast.”

Tape 8: The Magi

A supplemental study on the background on the “Magi” and their rolein the birth of Jesus Christ.

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Introduction

Why Daniel?

1. One of my favorites: impact on my early years.Discovery: Message System; tightly engineered in theme, structure,details; interdependence. Thus, 66 books, written by 40 authors overthousands of years, yet evidences integrity of design and demon-strates an origin from outside the domain of time. (See our relatedBriefing Packages, The E.T. Scenario, Beyond Time and Space, et al.)

2. One of the few books that describes Gentile history, in advance. Itis as timely as tomorrow’s newspaper.

3. It contains the most amazing passages in the entire Bible.

When Written?

Doesn’t really matter. It’s in the Septuagint translation of the OldTestament (LXX): 285-270 B.C. (Latin: septuaginta, “70.”) 72 eldersof Israel, 6 from each tribe, during the reign of Ptolemy II, Philadel-phus (285-244 B.C.) in Alexandria (Letter of Aristeas). Many NTquotes from LXX; including in the Letter to Hebrews. Thus, inwidespread use three centuries before Christ was born. The math-ematical precision yields undeniable proof of His Deity.

Acts 17:11: Don’t believe anything Chuck Missler tells you. Checkit out for yourself!

Daniel in the Critics Den

No other book is as vindicated by history. Too specific to yield toattempts to discredit it.

Josephus: During Alexander’s conquest of Jerusalem, 332 B.C., PriestJaddua showed him references to himself in Daniel; city spared.

R. Kodewey, 1899-1917: excavations of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace,etc. Banquet hall found, 173' x 56'. (Rebuilt by Saddam Hussein.)Daniel had to be an eyewitness. See Chapter 5.

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Ultimate authentication: Jesus quotes Daniel 3X; “Daniel the Prophet.”

Other Observations: Quoted 3X in Ezekiel (Ezek 14:14, 20; 28:3);classed with Noah, Job, etc. Nothing evil spoken of him. (Only two:Joseph and Daniel: both executives); vs. David, et al.

Foreign words: 15 Persian words; 3 Greek words. Expected fromDaniel’s position. As a teenager, deported; served at court; survivedinto Persian Empire.

Chapters:2-7: in Chaldean (Gentile focus).4: written by a Gentile King!8-12: focus on Israel.

Organization:1-6 Narrative; history.7-12 Visions.

Raised under King Josiah’s revival; good environment; an example.

Sabbath Year concept: Lev 25, 26; 490 years: failed; “owed” God 70:2 Chr 36:21-22. 70 x 7: Four such periods in Israel’s history.

The “Seventy Sevens” of Israel

1) Abraham to the ExodusPromise (Gen 12:4) 75 yearsGal 3:17 + 430

505Ishmael, usurper (Gen 16:16; 21:5) -15 = 490

2) Exodus to the TempleBegun: 1 Kgs 6 - 8 594Completed: 1 Kgs 6:38 + 7

601Servitudes: JudgesMesopotamia 3:8 8Moabites 3:12-14 18Canaanites 4:2,3 20Midianites 6:1 7Ammonites 10:7,8 18Philistines 13:1 40

-111 = 490

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3) The Temple to the Edict of Artaxerxes1 Kgs 8:1-66 1005 B.C.Neh 2:1 445 B.C.

560Babylonian Captivity -70 = 490

4) Artaxerxes to the Second ComingArtaxerxes to the 1st Advent“The Sixty Nine Weeks” (69 x 7) = 483[Church parenthesis] ?The “Seventieth Week” +7 = 490

Isa 39:5-7; Jer 25:8-12; 27:6-8; 29:10.

1st Siege of Nebuchadnezzar: “Servitude of Nation”

Battle of Carchemesh: 606 B.C.; Nebuchadnezzar vs Pharaoh NeccoW bank of Euphrates; Jer 46:1-6. Jehoikim fettered (2 Chr 36:5-8).Jehoikim released as a vassal; Temple plundered (for museum);hostages (Daniel et al.) taken. (Daniel of Royal line? Ch 1:4). Begins“Servitude of the Nation”; 70 years to the day.

2nd Seige of Nebuchadnezzar

Jehoikim ignores Jeremiah’s counsel, rebels. 5 year battle; Jehoikimdies; Jer 22:17-19. Jehiachin (“Jeconiah”) son reigns until siege over.Jer 22:24-30. (Blood curse avoided by Christ’s virgin birth. SeeFootprints of the Messiah.) His son captured; 10,000 captives; 1000skilled artisans; etc. 2 Kgs 24:1-4. His uncle, Zedekiah, installed asvassal. Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesy; but false prophets againprevail. Ego trip leads to:

3rd Siege of Nebuchadnezzar

“Desolations of Jerusalem” 587 B.C.; (also 70 years; but not cotermi-nous with “Servitude.”) Contradictory prophecies: Jer 32:5, 39:7;Ezek 12:13; 2 Kgs 25:6,7. God does not deal in approximations. Cityand Temple destroyed 2 Kgs 24:17-20; 25:1-21.

A Provocative Conjecture

Ezekiel 4:1-8: 430 years of judgment predicted. 430 - 70 yearscaptivity = 360 unaccounted for? Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28:

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Multiply by seven? 360 x 7 = 2520 years. 360 day years: Genesis7:24, 8:3,4, etc.; 42 months; 3 1/2 years; 1260 days; being equivalentin Revelation, etc.

2520 years360

= 907,200 days. 2483 years365

= 906,295 days, + ?

What about leap years?

The Julian year is 11 minutes 10.46 seconds longer than the meansolar year. Therefore the Julian calendar contains 3 leap years toomany every 4 centuries. An error of 11 days occurred as of 1752 A.D.and was corrected by the Gregorian reform, which declared Septem-ber 3 to be September 14, 1752, and reckoning 1700, 1800, and 1900as common years and 2000 as a leap year. Dividing 2483 by 4 = 621,with 18 too many (3 excess every 4 centuries); 11 have already beencorrected for by the Gregorian reform: 18 - 11 = 7; 621 - 7 = 614.

2483 years365

= 906,295 daysplus, for leap years 614 days9 months 270 days21 days 21 days2520 years

360 907,200 days

Don’t confuse the “Servitude of the Nation” with the “Desolations ofJerusalem.” The “Desolations of Jerusalem” was punishment for notyielding to the “servitude”: Jeremiah 27:6, 8, 11; 38:17-21. Cf.Jeremiah 29:10; Daniel 9:2.

Both the “Servitude of the Nation” and the “Desolations of Jerusa-lem” were predicted to last 70 years, but these were also 360-dayyears: 70 years

360 = 25,200 days = 69 years

365 less 2 days.

Servitude of the Nation:

606 B.C. + 69 years = 537 B.C.If July 23, 537 B.C. was the release from the Servitude of the Nation, then -537y 7m 23d

(no “year 0”): 12483y 9m 21d

1948 5 14which is May 14, 1948. It was on this date that David Ben Guriondeclared on international radio, and using Ezekiel as his authority, there-establishment of Israel as the new Jewish homeland.

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Desolations of Jerusalem:

587 B.C. + 69 years = 518 B.C.If August 16, 518 B.C. was the completion of the Desolations ofJerusalem, then -518y 8m 16d

(no “year 0” 1 B.C. to 1 A.D.) 12483y 9m 21d

1967 6 7which is June 7, 1967, when, as a result of the “Six Day War,” Israelregained control of the Old City of Jerusalem for the first time sincethe time of Christ.

Nebuchadnezzar began the period known as the “times of the Gen-tiles.” Cf. Luke 21:24. Jer 25:9; Nebuchadnezzar is “my servant”!Dan 2:21. No king from the line of David has ruled over Israel sincethe Babylonian captivity.

Chapter 1

1] Who gave them into Neb’s hand?Shinar = Babylon (7X).Eunuchs = Officer. Potiphar was “Eunuch”; Master of PalaceServants; Gen 37:36.No blemish; top grade; teachable; 3 yr post-Graduate school. Babylon:sciences; astronomy; 360 degrees; 60 secs/ min; 60 minutes/hour; etc.360-day year. (For more on Stonehenge; Great Pyramid, and thePlanet Mars, see Monuments: Sacred or Profane. For more on theZodiac, the Hebrew Mazzeroth, see Signs in the Heavens.)

Children of Judah

Hebrew names:Daniel; “God is my Judge”Hananiah: “Beloved of the Lord”Mishel: “Who is as God”Azariah: “The Lord is My Help”

Babylonian names:Beltashazzar: “Prince of Bel”Shadrach: “Illumined by the Sun God”Mishech: “Who is like unto the Moon God”Abednego: “Servant of Nego, a shining fire”

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Dare to Be a Daniel

Peer pressure among teenagers; non-kosher kitchen. What wouldYOU do? Nothing? Change everyone? “Purposed in his heart”; ourmost important stewardship.

Officer’s fear was justified. Nebuchadnezzar known to put out eyes(after killing progeny); Jer 39:6,7; make their houses into dung hills;roasted officers over a fire, etc. Jer 29:22.)

12] 10 days: 10 always a test, measurement, testimony. Not “vegetarian”:not violating dietary laws; sacrificed to idols. King’s food. Notprisoner’s ration. Elite corps; His diet; wine, etc. Lev 11:1-47 (44);17:10-14; 1 Cor 8:11-13; Acts 10:12-15. Withdrawal; not confron-tational.

“Knelt about the time of evening oblation.” Temple in ruin 200 milesaway; demonstrates Daniel’s heart. In the most pagan of empires:kept himself blameless before the Lord.

20] Judges give them a “10.” Upstaging just beginning. Competition wasnot trivial.

21] Forecast: Cyrus the Persian. Daniel endured beyond all present.Every episode also prophetic for you and I.

Daniel Chapter 2Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

[Chapter 1 through 2:3: in Hebrew...]

Nebuchadnezzar’s perspective: young successful victor; conqueredthe known world! Old staff inherited. Does he trust them? Calibra-tion test emerges; most famous in history. Job description: “Chaldeans”= title, Advisory leadership.

3] Chapter 2:4 through Chapter 7 is in Aramaic, the Gentile language,not Hebrew.

4] Dissembling ( v. 9): Professional development program explainedmore clearly... Negotiations concluded.

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5] Dissembling: note v. 9.

10] Indeed! Isa 41:21-23.

18] (No committees, task force, or research projects.) The God ofHeaven, vs “gods of heaven”; Prayer: Jer 33:3; Ps 37:5; Phil 4:6-7;Heb 13:15; Jas 1:5; 1 Pet 5:7.

20] Praise (7). Job 12:13-22; Ps 31:15; 41:13; 75:6; 103:1,2; 113:1,2.

22] 1 Cor 2:9-11.

23] Mt 11:25; 7:6.

25] Typical bureaucratic “humility.”

28] Cf Joseph: Gen 40:8; 41:16.

“Latter Days” 14X OT.Messianic Age: Hos 3:5; Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1.Israel: Gen 49:1; Num 24:14; Deut 4:30; 31:29; 2nd Coming: Jer48:47; 49:39; 23:20; 30:24; Magog: Ezek 38:16. NT: Acts 2:17-21;Joel 2:28-32; Last Days: Jn 6:39,40,44,54; 7:37; 11:24; 12:48; 2 Tim3:1; Heb 1:2; Jas 5:3; 2 Pet 3:3; Last Time: 1 Pet 1:5,20; 1 Jn 2:18;Jude 18.

29] Prophetic significance identified.

31] “Times of the Gentiles”; Luke 21:24; Hos 3:4, 5 [vs. “Fullness ofGentiles”: Luke 19:42; until Rom 11:25; James’ summary: Acts15:13-17 (Amos 9:11-12).]

Four Metals: Specific Gravity:

Gold 19.5Silver 10.5Bronze 8.0Iron 5.0Iron + Clay 1.9

38] Extent of rule! by God of Heaven.Babylon = “City of Gold.” Isa 14:4

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39] Fall to Persians. Dan 5:28,31; 6:28; 8:20;70 years fulfilled: 2 Chr 36:20,21.Succeeded by Greece: Dan 8:21; 11:2.

40] 4th Kingdom (Cf. Dan 7:7; 9:26.)

41] Divided into pieces. Divided elements recombine: Dan 2:42-44.

42] Re-collected, but mixed with hasap, clay (brittle pottery fragments)Clay = people: Job 10:9; 13:12; 33:6; Isa 29:16; 45:9; 64:8; Jer 18:4-6; Rom 9:21.

45] Stone cut without Hands: (supernatural) Ex 17:3-6; 33:22; Ps118:22; Isa 8:14; 28:16; Zech 3:9 (Cf. Rev 5:6); Mt 21:43,44; Acts4:11; Rom 9:33; 1 Cor 10:4; 1 Pet 2:4-8.

Broke in pieces: Ps 2:9; 110:5; Rev 2:6-9. All 3: Iraq, Iran, Greecerecent...

Mountain: Isa 2:2; 9:6; Luke 1:32,33; Rev 17:9-11.

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Preview: Daniel Chapter 7Four (only) Beasts

(Detailed in notes for Chapter 7.)

1] Lion with eagle’s wings; a new heart given to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan4).

2] Bear, with three ribs: Babylon, Egypt, Lydia: unsuccessful defensivealliance against Medes & Persians.

3] Leopard with four wings, four heads:

Lysimachus: North: Thrace, Bithynia (Turkey); Ruled from Pergamos;Cassandra: West: Greece, Macedonia; ruled from Pella;Seleucus: East: Syria, Persia, Babylonia, India; Ruled from Antioch;Ptolomey: South: Egypt, Palestine, Arabia; ruled from Alexandria.(Expanded in Daniel 8, 11)

4] iron teeth? Ten horns identified in v. 24. “little horn”; title of theComing World Leader.

[vv. 9-14: The Second Coming of Christ]

17] Only 4 kingdoms. We’re seeing the 4th.

21] He prevailed against them! Cf. Mt 16:18. Church “gap” between vv.23 & 24?

24] Time, times (2) and 1/2= 3 1/2 years; 42 months; 1260 days.

Other References: Dan 9:24-27; Rev 13; 14:9-11;17; 18; Zech 5:5-11. See also The Mystery of Babylon, MidEast Update, The SeventyWeeks of Daniel, An Empire Reborn, and The Sword of Allah, byChuck Missler, Koinonia House.

Chronology:Gold:

606 B.C. Battle of Carchemesh; Nebuchadnezzar establishesBabylonian Empire.

587 B.C. 3rd Siege; Destruction of Jerusalem.

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Silver:

537 B.C. Ugbaru conquers Babylon for Cyrus, establishingPersian Empire. Completes 70 years “Servitude ofNation.”

518 B.C. End of the “Desolations of Jerusalem.”445 B.C. Decree of Artaxerxes to authorizes the wall to be

rebuilt.

Bronze:

332 B.C Battles of Marathon, Alexander the Great conquers thePersian Empire.

Iron, Phase One:

68 B.C. Rome emerges as the largest and most ruthless empirewith Julius Caesar as Emperor.

44 B.C. Julius Caesar assassinated.31 B.C. Battle of Actium establishes Octavius as Caesar

Augustus.64 A.D. Nero begins his persecutions.284 Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianius divides empire

into two. (Two legs, east and west?)

The disintegration begins.

312 Constantine established as Emperor; Christianitydeclared state religion; transfers capital to Byzantium inthe east; dies in 337.

455 Germanic tribes sack Rome.476 Empire breaks into pieces...

[Interval of the Church]

Iron, Phase Two: “mixed with clay”

1951 Treaty of Paris: European Coal and Steel Communityestablished as a multinational entity.

1957 March 25: Treaty of Rome: European EconomicCommunity and European Atomic Energy Communityestablished.

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1958 March 19: European Parliament established.

1959 Belgium, Luxemberg, & Netherlands form a singleBeNeLux group.

1967 July: Commissions of EEC, ECSC, and Euratom, mergeinto “European Community.”

1973 Denmark, Ireland, and United Kingdom join. Greece,Spain, and Portugal also join subsequently.

1991 Six European Free Trade Association nations agree tocombine with the E.C. in 1993.

1993 Maastricht Treaty signed: single foreign policy; singlemilitary; single currency.

European Union

Original 6:

France (Benelux Countries):Germany NetherlandsItaly Belgium

Luxembourg

1973: BritainIrelandDenmark

1981: Greece

1986: SpainPortugal

1991: (German Reunification)

1995: AustriaFinlandSweden

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National Anthem

Beethoven’s Ninth (“Choral”) Symphony, in D minor, Op. 125.Choral stanzas adapted by Beethoven from Shiller’s Ode to Joy:

Freude, Tochter aus ElysiumDeine Zauber binden wieder,

Was die Mode streng getheilt;Alle Menschen werden Brueder,

Wo dein sanfter Fluegel weilt...

In English (Translation by Louis Untermeyer):

Joy, O daughter of Elysium,Thy pure magic frees all others

Held in Custom’s rigid rings;Men throughout the world are brothers

In the haven of thy wings...

For a more complete update on Europe, see An Empire Reborn?

Daniel 3Bow or Burn

18-23 years later? Traditions and children had grown. Rivals’Revenge. [CBS Prime Time TV Special, Ancient Secrets of the BibleII.]

Image

All Gold. 60 x 6 cubits. (What’s a cubit? 18 in.?)[Colossus at Rhoedes = 70 cubits high.]6 = 7 - 1 = number of man. 6th day of Genesis; Goliath measured in6’s; 1 Sam 17:4-7; 6 steps for Solomon’s throne; 6 + 1: Menorah. Inour society: Man is deified: Humanism. Ultimate: Rev 13.

Dura = “enclosed by a wall”; 6 miles SE of Babylon.CBS: (Dr. Wm Shea, Prof OT): 1956, published cuneiform tablets byBritish Museum: revolt in 596 B.C. may have set the stage for thereaffirmation and swearing support of Nebuchadnezzar.

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2] Officials (Aramaic, Greek) princes: Arabian ‘ahashdarpan, Greeksatrap; chief rep. or admn of king; governors, segan, prefect;military; commanders, captains, peha, governor (civil); judges;adargazar, counsellor, arbitrator; treasurers, qedabar, treasurer, coun-sellors, detabar, lawyers; sheriffs, tiptay, magistrates, judge.;

5] [If you follow “heavy metal” music, this “hot” music group gives“Metallica” a whole new meaning! The Christian equivalent wouldbe “Deliverance,” and that is, after all, what happens with Christ in thepicture as the three young men soon discover!]

6] tanup: execution furnace. Enforced state religion: Rev 13:4-15; 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:4; 2 Thess 2:4. CBS: Dr. Ron Charles (designed forOwens Corning Corporation): [His design: two story, 32 ft. high, 20ft in chamber, 12 brick baking chamber. Backdraft killed 7? Coldspots?]

12] Shadrach, “illumined by the Sun God”Hananiah, “Beloved of the Lord”

Meshech, “Who is like unto the Moon God”Mishael, “Who is God”

Abed-nego, Servant of Nego (“Shining Fire”)Azariah, “The Lord is my help”

CBS Special: 5 side clay prism found in Babylon, now on display atthe Istanbul Museum: lists grouped by titles: Ha-nu-nu, Chief of theRoyal Merchants, a variation of Hananiah, or Shadrach; Mushal-e-marduk: (less marduk) = Meshach. Ardi-nabu, Secretary to theCrown Prince; an alternative form of Abed-Nego;

Prohibited in the Torah: Ex 20:4,5; Lev 26:1; Deut 16:22.

14] 2nd chance? They must have been favored.

17] Faithful “remnant”: Isa 1:9; Rom 11:5. Ps 2:5; Rev 7:14.

18] Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mineown ways before Him. Job 13:15 Also, Acts 4:19. “Our God is aconsuming fire” Heb 12:29; Deut 4:24.

19] Seven times?...

25] bar elahin, son of the gods (pl) (Aramaic); Elohim is always plural!

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“Angel” of v. 28. Theophany. Walking around loose!

Furnace: N. Iraq: brick furnaces, size of city block; pitch, sulfur; +bellows. [Since Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace has been rebuilt, hasSaddam Hussein also built one of these?]

26] El Elyon, possessor of Heaven and Earth Nebuchadnezzar’s viewsamplified in Ch.4!

27] [defeats “coldspot” theories] Bindings lost. Blessed loss. Many ofGod’s servants never know the fulness of spiritual liberty till they arecast into the midst of the furnace. Go into the furnace. Christ is in thefurnace with you.

Though the smell of fire had not passed on them, it must have left aglow on their countenances and a glory on their persons which we findnowhere else. Henceforth they are called “the three holy children.”

29] Nebuchadnezzar is mover and shaker.

Prophetic TypesDaniel 3 vs. Revelation 13

Image: Rev 13:11 (14,15) 18; Mt 24:15.

Nebuchadnezzar =? Antichrist?Babel, Nimrod = one religion.One religion = Rev 17; 2 Thess 2:4.

Mark of the Beast? vs. Ezek 9:4?Cf. “seal” of the Holy SpiritCf. barcodes? Microchips inserted?

3 youths: Israel? 144,000? Rev 7, 15:2.

Fiery furnace = Tribulation? Isa 43:1,2; Dan 9.Men destroyed by flames: 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 20:10; 19:20.

Fire: God’sPresence Ex 3:1-4Pathway Ex 13:21Precepts Ex 19:16-18 (cf 20:1-17)

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Punishment Gen 19:23-24; Lev 10:2Power 1 Kgs 18:24Protection Dan 3:25Prophecy 2 Thess 1:6-10; 2 Pet 3:10; Luke 17:29,30

Where’s Daniel?

Absent on affair of state? Istanbul prism: lists three; but no mentionof Daniel! Church? Not mentioned after Rev 4:1.[Other “Type” examples: Gen 22. Where’s Isaac?]

Daniel 4

The Affadavit of a Gentile King! An statutory edict officiallypublished throughout the world. (Issued in 562 B.C., the year herecovered from insanity.) [One of the longest chapters in Daniel.][Cf. the words of Elihu: Job 33:12-17.)

8] Daniel + Belteshazzar: remember, the edict went all over the world...“Master of magicians” = scholars... cf. Ezek 28:3 ref: confirms a 6thcentury Daniel.

Tree of the World

A man: Ps 1:3; 37:35; 52:8; 92:12; Isa 56:3; Jer 17:8.Assyria: Ezek 31:3-18.Mustard “tree” in Mt 13:31-32.Olive tree: Israel; Rom 11:16-24.

2 Kgs 14:9; Ps 1:3; 37:35; 52:8; 92:12; Ezek 17. Ezek 31: Assyrianand Egyptian Pharaoh are compared to cedar of Lebanon.

Transplanted shoot: Ezek 17:22ff; 22:24; stump: Isa 11:1.Immediate application: Nebuchadnezzar.Prophetic: ecumenical outreach of Babylonianism and Gentile powerin the last days and final overthrow. (Seven years of insanity andconfusion!?)

Conversion took place after the 7 years of madness. The tree did notsprout again until after it had been cut down... Acts 15:14-17; “takeout” of them a people for his name... “after this I will return”...

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14] “His” branches...his...his...

15] “times” = “years” 7:25.

17] Councils in heaven: 1 Kgs 22:19-22; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6. Powers thatbe are ordained of God; Rom 13:1.

28] The Dream Fulfilled.

Babylon

Origin: Gen 10:8-10, Nimrod, the first world dictator. Herodotus: 15miles square; 350 ft wall, 87 ft wide (6 chariots abreast!?); 2nd wall,moat; 250 watchtowers, 100 ft above the wall; Tower of Bel (Bab-El)600 ft!? Banquet hall: 56 x 173 ft. The magnificence of Babylon ledto Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall. He still had a major ego problem anda Babylonian inscription has been discovered that highlights this:1

I, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon,I am the son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon.I who erected the Ezida Temple,I who built Procession Street,The Street of the Forgiven Son,The Street of Nebu,And paged it with shimmering stones.Nebu, you the divine minister,Grant me immortality.

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Hanging Gardens of Semiramis = one of the 7 wonders of the ancientworld. (Saddam Hussein has offered prizes if anyone can figure outhow they were irrigated...)

[Has a prophetic destiny at the end of the age. See Chap. 5.]

Pride

God hates it. Prov 6; 1 Cor 4:6,7; Phil 2:3-4; 1 Tim 6:4-10,17; James4:13-17; Prov 16:5; 16:18; 21:24; 26:12; 29:23. [Why? Satan’s fall:Isa 14:4-14] One of the most dangerous things in life is when thingsare going well. Our mistakes are our lessons; our pains and sorrowsare our credentials.

Lycanthropy: (Greek: lykos, “wolf”; anthropos, “Man”)

Mental disorder in which the patient believes he is a wolf or someother animal. Stimulated by the once widespread superstition of asupernatural condition in which men actually assume the physicalform of werewolves or other animals. Linked with belief in animalguardian spirits, vampires, totemism, witches, and werewolves. Folk-lore, fairy tales, and legends of many nations and peoples showevidence of lycanthropic belief. Romans called anyone who wassupposed to have been turned into a wolf by means of magic spells orherbs versipellis (“turnskin”). Widely believed in Europe during theMiddle Ages.2

Boanthropy: an ox... Raymond Harrisons observed a case in Britishmental institution in 1946. Early ‘20s; hospitalized for 5 years; fitteddescription in 4:33. 3

Eusebius references from Abydenus, a Greek historian of 268 B.C.,aspects of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity, being on the roof, and otherdetails.

Josephus attributes to the Babylonian historian Berosus, a Chaldeanpriest of the time of Alexander the Great, a definite referenceconcerning a strange malady suffered by Nebuchadnezzar before hisdeath.4 Berosus learned Greek, opened a school, and had Abydenusas one of his pupils. He wrote 3 books on Chaldean history; fragmentsare preserved in Josephus and Eusebius.

Talmud: care provided by Daniel.

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Prayer of Nabonidus: found in Cave 4 at Qumran: “The words of the prayer that Nabonidus, the king of A[ssyria andBa]bylon, the [great] king, prayed [when he was smitten] with amalignant disease by the decree of the [Most High God] in [the cityof] Tema. I was smitten for seven years and from [men] I was putaway. But when I confessed my sins and my faults, He [God] allowedme (to have) a soothsayer. This was a Jewish [man of the exiles inBabylon. He] explained (it) and wrote (me) to render honor and g[reatglor]y to the name of the [Most High God]...”5

Words in common to both accounts: pitgam, “decree, decision”; gazrayya, “soothsayer, diviner.” (Aramic nbny in Cave 4 = Nabodnidus?(nbnd); confused with nbkd, Nebuchadnezzar.)

34] Restoration... Summary by Daniel: 5:20-21. Saved? A heart givenunto him: 7:4.

37] The last we read of Nebuchadnezzar. After his restoration, he livedabout one year. His son Evil-merodach succeeded him as Babylon’snext ruling monarch; Jer 9:23-24.

Chapter 5: The Fall of Babylon

The Relevance of Babylon

First mention: Genesis 2:14.Mentioned over 300 times in the Bible.Alluded to 3 times in Christ’s genealogy.Presently 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Baghdad.

The Origin of Babylon

The first world dictator: Nimrod (“Rebel”).The classical translation of Genesis 10:9 is misleading: “a mightyhunter in defiance of the Lord.”

Nimrod built the famous Tower of Babel as the centerpiece of hisrebellion against God. (“Bav” = gate; “El” = God. Babel = “Gatewayto the gods”). This was the beginning of the city of Babylon. (Thisziggurat was later rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar as Etemenanki, “thebuilding which is the foundation of heaven and earth.”)

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God disrupted this rebellious coalition through the “confusion oftongues” in Genesis 11. This rebellion against God is still with us.The residuals from Babylon include most of the traditions of idolworship, astrology, and the occult that continue to the present day.The original Biblical significance of the zodiac (or “Mazzeroth”) wascorrupted by the Babylonian religious system and continues in allcultures to this day. (See our Briefing Package, Signs in the Heavens.)

The Battle of the Nine Kings

In Genesis 14 we find Abraham’s dramatic rescue of his nephew Lotin the Battle of the Nine Kings. There were four attacking kings fromsouthern Mesopotamia who defeated five kings of the plain.

The four kings had, for 12 years, been under the leadership ofCherdorlaomer, the King of Elam. It is provocative that in the listwhich introduces these kings in Genesis 14:1, the one mentioned firstis Amraphel, King of Shinar (Babylon), one of the secondary kings atthe time.

First Mention of Jerusalem

Also in Genesis 14, after Abraham’s stunning victory, we encountera mysterious character Melchizedek, King of Salem (Ps 110; Heb 5,7, etc.), a location later to be known as Jerusalem (Ps 76:1,2; 2 Sam18:18).

This begins an antithetical relationship between Jerusalem and Babylonthat climaxes with the destruction of Babylon in the “Day of Lord”(Revelation 16 - 19) and with the presentation of the “New Jerusalem”in Revelation 21.

The Early Years

Assyria rose to power in the second millennium B.C. and emerged asthe dominant power until the rise of the Chaldeans in the seventhcentury B.C. Various early kings appointed governors over the city ofBabylon before the Amorite invasion led to the founding of the firstSemitic dynasty of Babylon under Sumu-abum (1894 B.C.). The sixthking of the line, Hammurabi (1792-1750 B.C.) enlarged the city andmade it a prosperous capital and trading center. Hammurabi and hisson, Samsu-iluna, reigned from 1749 to 1712 B.C. It was during this

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period that the nation Israel was living in Egypt. Soon the south wasin revolt and by the end of his reign, the founder of a new dynasty inthe marshlands in the south, Iliman, controlled Babylonia as far northas Nippur. This new dynasty was known as Sealand, and for over a100 years the Sealanders held an effective political force holding thesouth against the Kassites and others who were eventually to supplantthem on the Babylonian throne. With the capture of the city by theHittites, (1595 B.C.) and then the subsequent occupation by theKassites who ruled for some 400 years.

During the first millennium B.C., Babylon endured as a minor tribalcenter, and as a mere pawn of Assyrian politics.

An Instrument Of Judgment

King Hezekiah’s victory over the Assyrians: Isaiah 36 and 37.Hezekiah falls victim to his pride and takes credit for God’s handi-work. 2 Kings 20:12-18. God announces that He will bring judge-ment upon the nation Israel by having Babylon take them captive asslaves. Isaiah 39.

Jeremiah predicted that the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews was tolast 70 years, and it did. Jeremiah 25:11, 12. Failure to keep theSabbath of the land for 490 years (70 times 7) was the cause for theparticular period of 70 years of captivity (2 Chronicles 36:21). (Cf.“70 times 7” Mt 18:22.)

The Rise of Nebuchadnezzar

In 627 B.C. a governor of the Sealands (modern Kuwait), Nabopolassar,rallied the tribes and broke out from besieged Erech and clearedBabylon from the Assyrians for the last time. Six weeks later thepeople of Babylon invited Nabopolassar to be their king.Nabopolassar’s son, Nebuchadnezzar, used the city as a base fromwhich he marched on many campaigns to Syria and Palestine. He wasdestined to bring in the Chaldean dynasty’s finest hours and Babylon’smost famous period.

The Battle of Carchemish

In 612 B.C. the combined forces of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythiansattacked and destroyed the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. The only

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remaining power of significance was the Egyptians. The BabylonianChronicle records the defeat of Pharaoh Necco and the Egyptians atthe famous battle at Carchemish and the then-known world was underBabylonian rule.

Conquest of Jerusalem

In 606 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar succeeded in his siege of Jerusalem andJehoiakim of Judah became his vassal. Jehoiakim would also revoltthree years later, 2 Kgs 24:1; Dan 1:1,2. Nebuchadnezzar’s firstexpedition was before he ascended to the throne; Nebuchadnezzar’sfirst year was concurrent with Jehoiakim’s fourth year, Jeremiah25:1. This is in agreement with Clinton, Pussey, Anderson (p.229-240.) This initiated a 70-year period known Biblically as the “servi-tude of the nation.”

It was in this first siege that Daniel and his three friends were deportedas teenagers to be educated there and to serve at the Babylonian court.These “hostages” might help assure the continued loyalty of thevassal king in Jerusalem.

Despite Jeremiah’s warnings, Jehoiakim rebelled three years laterafter the Egyptians had beaten the Babylonian army in open battle.Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem a second time, seized Jehoiakim,and appointed a king of his own choice, Zedekiah; 2 Kgs 25:1; Jer39:1; 52:4; Ezek24:1. Babylonian Chronicle, as quoted in D. J.Wiseman, Chronicles of Chaldean Kings (626-556 B.C.) in the BritishMuseum, 1956. The capture of Jehoiachin and his substitution by aBabylonian nominee, Mattaniah-Zedekiah, accords with the Biblicalaccounts of the same events. 2 Kgs 24:10-17; 2 Chr 36:5-10; Jer 37:1.

Skilled craftsmen from Judah were deported to assist the immensebuilding program then current at Babylon, where in Esagalia andother temples the spoils of war were dedicated to be displayed on stateoccasions; 2 Chr 36:7; Dan 5:3. Tablets from the vaulted rooms bythe Ishtar Gate include four listing rations given to “Yau’kin ofJudah.” Five sons of Jehoichin are also mentioned as well as fivecarpenters from Judah, presumably captives from the siege of Jerusa-lem.

Again, despite Jeremiah’s repeated warnings, Zedekiah also rebelled,which led to the third and final siege by Nebuchadnezzar, and thecomplete destruction of Jerusalem. This initiates the period known as

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the “desolations of Jerusalem” that also lasted exactly 70 years. Manycommentators make the mistake of treating the “servitude of thenation” and the “desolations of Jerusalem” as synonyms since theyboth were predicted to be 70 years in duration. The “desolations ofJerusalem” was a punishment for not yielding to the “servitude.”Jeremiah 27:6, 8, 11; 38:17-21; Cf. Jeremiah 29:10, Daniel 9:2.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Successors

Nebuchadnezzar’s death was followed by a steady weakening of theregime. His successor, Amel-Marduk (“Evil-Merodach” of 2 Kings25:27; Jeremiah 52:31), ruled but two years and was replaced in 560B.C. after an army coup by the commander in chief, Neriglissar(Nergal-Sharezer of Jeremiah 39:3), son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar.After frequent absences from active service, he was, in turn, ousted,and his weak son Labashi-Marduk lasted only a few months beforeanother coup d’etat brought Nabonidus to the throne.

Soon after his election, Nabonidus led the army to Palestine andNorthern Arabia, leaving his son Belshazzar as co-regent in Babylon.Nabonidus’ decision to stay in Arabia resulted from his unpopularityat home as much as from his desire to found a settlement there withexiles from Palestine.

In Babylon there had been inflation brought on both by the continuingmilitary expenditure and by the extensive program of public worksbegun by Nebuchadnezzar. This inflation rate amounted to 50%between 560 B.C. and 530 B.C., resulting in widespread famine.

In the last year of Nabonidus, the Babylon Chronicle (British Mu-seum) records that the idols of the cities around Babylon, exceptBorsippa, Kutha, and Sippar, were brought in, an action taken only atthe sign of impending war. This cylinder, one of 4 bearing the sametext found at the four corners of the ziggurat at Ur, is inscribed inBabylonian cuneiform: prayer to the moon-god Sin, to whom theZiggurat is consecrated; mentions “Belshazzar, the son first (born) theoffspring of my heart (body).” Inscriptions designate Daniel as “the3rd Ruler in the kingdom.” (5:29)

The Rise of Cyrus

Cyrus II (“the Great,” 559-530 B.C.) was the founder of the AchaemenidPersian Empire that continued for two centuries until the time of

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Alexander the Great (331 B.C.). Cyrus’ father, Cambyses I (600-559B.C.), was king of Anshan, a region in eastern Elam. His mother wasMandane, a daughter of Astyages, king of Media (585 -550 B.C.)When Cambyses I died in 559 B.C., Cyrus inherited the throne ofAnshan and, after unifying the Persian people, attacked his father-in-law, the weak and corrupt Astyages. The Median general Harpagus,whom Astyages had previously wronged, deserted the king andbrought his army to the side of the young Cyrus. Astyages was sooncaptured and the Persians took the capital city of Ecbatana in 550 B.C.without a battle. (This was also to be the result at Babylon 11 yearslater.)

Cyrus succeeded in welding the Medes and Persians into a unifiednation. Moving swiftly to the west, he absorbed all the Medianterritories as far as the Halys River in Asia Minor. When Croesus, thefabulously wealthy king of Lydia, refused to recognize the sover-eignty of Medo-Persia, Cyrus defeated him in battle and took over hisempire in 546 B.C. Seven years later, he was ready to launch the greatassault against Babylon itself.

Babylon was in no position to resist a Medo-Persian invasion in theyear 539 B.C. During the preceding fourteen years, Nabonidus theking had not so much as visited the capital city, leaving the adminis-tration of the metropolis to his profligate son Belshazzar, to whom healso “entrusted the kingship.” (“Verse Account of Nabonidus,”Pritchard, Ancient Near Eastern Texts, 313.) Nabonidus furtherweakened the empire by incurring the displeasure of the powerfulBabylonian priesthood.

Toward the end of September, the armies of Cyrus, under the ablecommand of Ugbaru, district governor of Gutium, attacked Opis onthe Tigris River and defeated the Babylonians. This gave the Persianscontrol of the vast canal system of Babylon. On October 10, Sipparwas taken without a battle and Nabonidus fled.

Two days later, on October 12, 539 B.C., Ugbaru’s troops were ableto enter Babylon without a battle. Herodotus describes how thePersians diverted the River Euphrates into a canal upriver so that thewater level dropped “to the height of the middle of a man’s thigh,”which thus rendered the flood defenses useless and enabled theinvaders to march through the river bed to enter by night. (Herodotus1.191.)

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The Handwriting on the Wall

The Talmud suggests that the writing was vertical and backwards:(Aramaic, like Hebrew, reads from right to left. We’ve reversed thechart to read backwards for Western readers):

Mene,Mene,Tekel,Peres.

Mene: numbered, reckoned. “God hath numbered thy kingdom andfinished it.” Your number is up.

Tekel: weighed. “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art foundwanting.”

Peres: (rendered “upharsin”: “u” is Aramaic for “and”; “pharsin” isthe plural form of “peres.”) broken, divided. “Thy kingdom isdivided, and given to the Medes and the Persians.” (By implying adifferent vowel, “paras” rather than “peres.” It also becomes a play onwords: paras was the word for Persia.)

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God’s Personal Letter to Cyrus

Cyrus was able to boast that the conquest was almost bloodless withno significant damage to the city. Daniel (who lived at least until thethird year of Cyrus) presented Cyrus with the writings of Isaiah(Josephus, Antiq. XI, i.2) that includes a letter addressed to Cyrus byname, written 150 years earlier: Isaiah 44:27 - 45:7.

The famous Steele of Cyrus: “...without any battle, he entered thetown, sparing any calamity...I returned to sacred cities on the otherside of the Tigris, the sanctuaries of which have been ruins for a longtime...and established for them permanent sanctuaries. I also gath-ered all their former inhabitants and returned to them their habita-tions.”

This cylinder, discovered by Hormuzd Rassam in the 19th century,can presently be seen in the British Museum in London.

The Jews were actually encouraged by Cyrus to return to Jerusalemand to rebuild their temple (2 Chr 36:22; Ezra 1:1-4). Furthermore, hegave them back the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered fromSolomon’s Temple and he contributed financially to the constructionof their second temple. About 50,000 Jews responded to this royalproclamation and returned to Jerusalem under the leadership ofZerubbabel.

A year later, on July 23, 537 B.C., the return of Jewish exiles underZerubbabel got under way just seventy years after the captivity beganjust as Jeremiah had predicted. The foundations of the second Temple

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were laid by the spring of 536 B.C. It was a successor, Artaxerxes I(465 - 423 B.C.) who issued the specific decree concerning therebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. This decree is the trigger for oneof the most remarkable prophecies in the Bible: the famous “SeventySevens” of Daniel 9.

The Decline

The Achaemenids

Cyrus claimed the title “King of Babylon” and made his son Cambysesto act as his viceroy in Babylon in 538 B.C. Things remained peacefuluntil his death in 522 B.C.

In the reign of Darius II (521-486 B.C.) a further return of exiles toJerusalem was allowed. His rule did not go unchallenged and severallocal Babylonians controlled the city for varying periods, usuallytaking the throne-name of “Nebuchadnezzar” to bolster their claims.Thus Nidintu-Bel (“Nebuchadnezzar III”) held sway October-De-cember 522 B.C. Araka (“Nebuchadnezzar IV”) was put to deathNovember 27, 521 B.C.

Darius introduced a rigid royal control with local administrativereforms aimed at curbing corruption and establishing a courier systembetween Babylon and other capitals. He built himself a palace(Apadana), a house for his crown prince, and an arsenal.

In the fourth year of Xerxes (485-465 B.C.) the Babylonians madeanother attempt to gain their independence. Bel-shimanni andShamash-eriba claimed the throne in 482 and this revolt was sup-pressed with much cruelty and damage to Babylon. On his visit in 460B.C., Herodotus reported that the city was virtually intact, however.

Xerxes and his successors (Artaxerxes I - Darius III, 464-332) hadlittle to spare for Babylon amid their lengthy and expensive wars withGreece. Irrigation work was neglected and the diversion of trade tothe main Persian road from Sardis to Susa aided the decline of thecity’s influence.

The Rise of Greece

On October 1, 331 B.C. Alexander (III, “the Great”) was welcomed by

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the Babylonians when he entered the city after his victory over theMedes at Gaugamela. He was acclaimed king and on his return fromthe east nine years later he planned extensive renovations includingthe creation of a port for the city large enough for 1000 warships.Though the site of Esagila was cleared, work ceased on Alexander’sambitious plans at his death in Babylon on June 13, 323 B.C.

The career of Alexander is detailed in Daniel 8. His successors, inDaniel 11.

His four key generals divided it among themselves: Cassander tookover Greece and Macedonia; Lysimachus took Thrace and Bithynia;Seleucus took Syria, Babylonia, and portions all the way to India;Ptolemy took Egypt, Palestine, and Arabia.

The subsequent struggles among his generals did not leave the cityunscathed. Seleucus, who claimed the title of king in 305 B.C. wasacknowledged from 311 when all documents were dated by his “era.”The foundation of a new rival capital city, Selucia, on the River Tigrisexpedited the decline of the ancient metropolis.

The dispersal of Jews from Babylon is reported by Josephus. (Antiq.XVIII, ix 6-9.)

Atrophy and Decay

The city subsequently underwent a gradual decay, even though theruins remained occupied. Documents on clay from a school forpriests in the city continued at least until 100 A.D.

Early in the first century A.D. a colony of merchants from Palmyrabrought brief prosperity, but they left about 75 A.D. (Garner, p 7-8.)

The city was visited by Trajan in 115 A.D. Babylon was first reporteddeserted by Septimus Severus 84 years later.

As recently as the 1800’s the village of Hillah, containing over 10,000inhabitants, stood on the site of ancient Babylon. (Rich, p.157.)

In the late nineteenth century, the German archeologist RobertKoldewey conducted extensive studies at Babylon and the four Arabvillages situated on the site. Babylon had been inhabited for sometime even before his arrival. The great prophecies concerning the city

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of Babylon in Isaiah chapters 13 and 14 and Jeremiah 50 and 51 havenever been fulfilled.

The Destruction of Babylon

The Prophecies of Isaiah

In Isaiah 13 and 14, the destruction of Babylon is predicted. Invigorous terms, Isaiah describes how Babylon will be destroyed andthen will never again be inhabited. This identifies the time of thedestruction as that particular period known as the “Day of The Lord”that is mentioned throughout the scripture and is associated with thefinal day of God’s vengeance. (Joel 2:10; Mal 4:5; Dan 12:1; Mt24:21-22.) When God destroys Babylon, he will destroy all the evilin the world.

Isaiah 13

10] This exact imagery is used in Revelation 6 to describe the judgmentof the Tribulation just before the Second Coming.

11] This startling idea parallels Matthew 24:21-22. We can’t say that theworld’s population has been on the brink of annihilation before.

13] This clearly is yet future.

17] This reference to the Medes is one of the reasons why many haveviewed this as referring to the events of 539 B.C. However, nothingprohibits the Medes from being involved in the future. The Medeswere a people who occupied the mountainous area of northwesternIran and northeastern Iraq, presently occupied by the Kurds today.They have been fighting Turkey, Iran, and Iraq in an attempt toestablish their own independent country of Kurdistan. Hundreds ofKurdish women and children were the victims of Saddam Hussein’spoison gas attacks in 1987 and 1988 and the hatred by the Medes forthe Babylonians runs deep.

19] “The glory of the Babylonians’ pride”: not Rome, nor allegorical:literally, the Chaldeans’ pride. Overthrown like Sodom and Gomorrah,that is, with “fire from heaven.” This has yet to happen to Babylon.

20] After the Fall of Babylon under the Persians, it was inhabited, even byAlexander and subsequently.

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Isaiah 14

1] It is also important to note that this judgment on Babylon will takeplace at a time when Israel is resettled in their own land from manynations. This cannot be applied to the fall of Babylon to the Persians,during which Israel was still in captivity and in exile from the land.

22] Clearly, this is part of God’s climactic scenario as part of the “Day ofthe Lord” and is part of the final scenes at the end of the “SeventiethWeek” of Daniel 9, and that is highlighted in Matthew 24 andRevelation 6 through 19.

The Prophecies of Jeremiah

50:1-3] Does the “nation from the north” refer to Magog or the Russians?

50:4] Again, the spiritual position of Israel is described.

50:9] Again, it appears to be an alliance of many nations that are comingagainst Babylon.

50:10-3] Again, the absence of subsequent habitation marks this event asyet future.

50:15] Again, the period of time is the “Day of Vengeance” of God, a timeof climax described throughout the Scripture and yet future.

50:20] The repeated references to the forgiveness of Israel imply a timethat is after the New Testament period alluded to in Romans 11:25. Itcertainly cannot be applied to Israel at the time of her return from theBabylonian captivity (Zech 12:10; 13:1).

50:40] A repeated comparison to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah,which has never yet happened to Babylon.

50:41, 46] A multinational force, not just the Persians.

51:7] A reading of the language clearly links this with Revelation 17 and18.

51:26] Again, a reference to the non-reuse of remaining materials. WhenRobert Koldewey arrived in Babylon in the late 1800’s, he found

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entire sections of the old city being mined for bricks. (Kodewey,p.168.)

51:45] Again, remarkably similar language as in Revelation 17 and 18.

The destruction of Babylon predicted by both Isaiah and Jeremiah hasnever been fulfilled.

Revelation 17

Notice that the prostitute is not the beast, but rides the beast. Sheinitially exploits the beast, but is eventually destroyed by him. (Rev17:16,17.)

The reference to the “cup” is another link with Jeremiah, et al.

Again, note the distinction between the Woman and the Beast.

Mystery Babylon as a false religious system is here identified with thecity of Rome from the first century until this present hour.

Revelation 18

The destruction of Mystery Babylon continues in Chapter 18, withcommercial as well as religious overtones. Notice that there are threegroups that bemoan her fall: kings, merchants, and those who trade bysea. Notice that here are 28 literal commodities listed: perhaps thisis to prevent us from allegorizing these references (see chart on nextpage).

The clear references to Rome, in both religious and commercialterms, have caused most commentators to identify “Mystery Babylon”as the Roman religious system commingled with the emergingEuropean Community. This allegorical view has overlooked thereemergence of a literal city of Babylon as well.

Babylon Reemerges?

The strange vision in Zecharaiah 5:5-15 suggests that there will be anappropriate time when the commercial and religious power center ofthe Planet Earth will, once again, migrate back to its original site ofthe literal city of Babylon.

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Note that the “ephah” and the “talent” were the standard commercialmeasures of volume and weight, respectively. The two carriers hadthe “wings of a stork” which is an unclean bird. The captive womancalled “wickedness” may be a reference to the harlot of Revelation 17and 18.

“Mystery Babylon”

All forms of occultic practices have had their origins in the originalcity of Babylon. Isaiah chapter 47 brings this out clearly. (See alsoHislop in bibliography.) Tammuz, the son of Nimrod and his queen,Semiramis, was identified with the Babylonian Sun God, and wor-shipped following the winter solstice, about December 22.

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As Babylon was conquered by subsequent empires, this entire reli-gious system was transplanted, first to Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17) andthen to Rome. When Constantine established Christianity as theofficial state religion of Rome, many of the religious traditions andpractices of the earlier pagan worship were adapted and incorporatedinto the resulting system. As the Babylonian religious system wasintegrated with Christian ceremonial observances, many of our tradi-tions surrounding Christmas emerge.

The Babylonian worship of Ishtar, the Golden Egg of Astarte, and thefertility rites of spring give us Easter (“Ishtar,” the mother goddess ofBabylon).

The calendar year-end on October 31, and its associated occulticrituals, gave us our Halloween. Many ancient cultures (Celts, Druids,et al.) observed October 31, the Eve of Samhain, as their year-end.This was related to worship of Baal (Mars) and may have beenstimulated by the perturbation of the orbit of the earth associated withthe planet Mars. See our Briefing Package, The Signs in the Heavens.

Most of what we associate with pagan Rome had its origins in ancientBabylon. It was the appearance of these idolatrous influences that hasevoked the intense criticism of Roman Catholicism by Protestantcommentators over the centuries (Rev. 2:18-19). To equate “MysteryBabylon” with the Papacy, however, may be a myopic oversimplifi-cation It appears more likely that it is an “ecumenical” integration ofall the world’s religions, including the ancient Babylonian occultforms that presently masquerade as the “New Age.”

The Conspiracy Theories

Bab-El, Babylon, Nimrod: Pantheism; Polytheism; Occult; Kabbalah;Gnostics, et al. ZendAvesta; India; Egypt, etc.Knights Templar (Protection for the Crusaders).HQ: Jerusalem, Acra, Cypress.Wealth; Lands. Corruption (at beginning? later?).1100-1300: Satan Worship.Catholics reluctant; ultimately they burn at stake; movement goesunderground.1500s re-emerge: Rosecrucians; Order of the Rose.1600s, 1700s: Secret societies within secret societies.May 1, 1776: “Illuminati”; Adam Weishaupt, Prof of Law, Univ ofEnglestasdt, Bavaria.

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1870: “Merger” with the Freemasons.Open worship of Satan; hidden from rank and file.33 levels of secrecy. ...search their own libraries!

Great Seal of the United States

Designed and accepted in 1782 by Freemasons; influenced by Euro-pean mysticism; put on the dollar bill by Henry A. Wallace, VP underFDR. Wallace fascinated by the occult.

Annuit Coeptis: Announcing the birth of...Novus NewOrdo OrderSeclorum World

Eagle: Egyptian Sun god Amun Ra; Egyptians, Greeks, and Persians:eagle sacred to the sun. Eagle was the Living Symbol of Mendes, arepresentative of the Sun. (Nine tail feathers: Inner Circle of Nine ofthe Illuminati?) 32, 33 wing feathers: 32 degrees of the Scottish Riteof Freemasonry; 33 on the left: the honorary 33rd degree.

All Seeing Eye: The Open Eye of Egypt; Symbol of Osiris; Ubiquityof Masonic Law; Sun God is associated with Lucifer.

Council for Foreign Relations 1921

Dream: One World Government; 3000 members; members must notdivulge meetings; no minutes taken. Control of most senior officialsfor decades?

Spin-offs: Bilderbergers (Castle) - Europe; David Rockefeller; MajorMedia; Tri-Lateral Commission; Europe/Japan/U.S.; One WorldGovernment.Signs? (Satan loves symbols).Crescent Moon: Shriners. Islam, Vatican.(See our Briefing Package, The Sword of Allah.)

Federal Reserve (A private corporation)

Fears of Thomas Jefferson, et al: Control of the currency; thus,explicitly prohibited in The Constitution.

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Not “one” conspiracy (except in the Satanic sense)—many.

[Any preoccupation with other than the Bible seems to open avenuesof corruption of even the most well-intentioned pursuits.]

Babylon Today

Nebuchadnezzar V?

Saddam Hussein was born in 1937 in the village of Tikrit, 100 milesnorth of Baghdad on the Tigris River. (About 800 years earlier,Saladin, the greatest Muslim warrior of the twelfth century, was bornin the same village. It was Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem in 1187 thatresulted in the Third Crusade.)

Saddam Hussein’s exploits on behalf of the Baath Party becamelegend and when they seized control in 1968, Saddam Hussein, at theage of 31, became a leader in Iraq. A few weeks after becomingpresident of Iraq in 1979, he executed some of his closest friends andfellow members of the ruling Baath Party.

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Saddam Hussein has spent almost 20 years—60 million bricks, andmany hundreds of millions of dollars—rebuilding the city of Babylonas a deliberate stratagem to identify himself with the Nebuchadnezzarof old. Part of his strategy is to vigorously build his Babylonianidentity to appeal to the entire Arab world to unite against Israel andthe “infidel West.”

Between 1983 and 1988, Iraq spent $34 billion to outfit and modern-ize Saddam’s army.

Progress to date

Perhaps of greatest interest is the southern palace that includesNebuchadnezzar’s throne room where the famous “handwriting onthe wall” took place in Daniel 5. This very large ceremonial room hasbeen used for various state occasions over the past several years.

A replica of the famed Ishtar Gate, the main Processional Way, theNinmakh Temple, the Ishtar Temple and others are all presently in theprocess of being completed.

The Tower of Babel is being planned as a hotel, with plans forconnecting to a monorail around the city. Also being completed is the4000 seat Greek Theatre (originally established during the reign ofAlexander) as well as other facilities.

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Daniel 6

1] Faith: Lockjaw in the Lion’s Den Heb 11:33Sampson Judg 14:5,6David 1 Sam 17:34-36; Ps 57:4,7; 58:6Benaiah 2 Sam 23:20

Daniel: at least 83 years old; over 60 years in public office; still in aposition of honor.

Darius, the Mede?

1) Cyrus himself? Donald J. Wiseman of the British Museum2) Cambyses, son of Cyrus? Charles Boutfolower3) Gubaru, appointed to rule over Babylon by Cyrus? John

Whitcomb. [See Wood, p.154]

“Darius” may be an honorable title, meaning “holder of the scepter.”Used of five later Persian rulers.

The return of the Jews was made in Cyrus’ 1st year, 538/537 B.C. (2Chr 36:22; Ezra 1:1,2); probably only a few months before the Lion’sDen.

Ezra 1:2-4; 6:3-5:Temple to be rebuilt (Cyrus helped finance).Jews free to go; others to assist financially.Nebuchadnezzar’s booty returned.

(Was it Daniel’s influence and role that influenced Cyrus?)

“Satraps” = “Kingdom Protectors.”

4] No evil recorded of Daniel; Rev 14:1-5; Rev 7:1-4

[Jealousy leads men to attack a colleague who is more competent thanthemselves. A man in the Kingdom of God will prompt the kingdomof this world to drive its members to display a more extreme bitternessin their assault.]

The emerging persecution of the “Religious fundamentalists” and“dangerous religious cultists,” et al.

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(Remember the Waco Massacre! Randy Weaver at Ruby Creek, etc.)

5] Laws of submission Lk 20:25; Rom 13:1; 1 Pet 2:3; Acts 5:29vs.

Law of Persians vs. Law of God

7] Assumed “divinity” of kings derives from ancient legends from Gen6: demigods. Examples: Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Seleucid, andRoman empires. We’ll see it again.

“den” = gob, from Heb. verb gub, to dig: a pit or cistern.

10] Prayer (cf. Ch 2, 6, 9)A habit; Jer 29:1-12

windows habitually open.Solomon: pray toward their land (2 Chr 6:36-39; 1 Kgs8:33,35,38,44,48).David (Ps 5:7; 28:2; also 1 Kgs 8:54; Ezra 9:5).New Testament (Jn 4:21-24).3X/day? (Ps 55:16,17).Knees?

Lord: Lk 22:41Stephen: Acts 7:60Peter: Acts 9:40Paul: at Miletus Acts 20:36 at Tyre Acts 21:5

[Honored for not kneeling in Chap 3; also 1 Kgs 8:54; Ezek 9:5.]

Note: Praise not absent, even with pending danger. Our own countrywas founded by men who knew and believed in the power of prayer.

12] They bugged his apartment.

13] Did he sign? Why did they ask first?

14] Knew Daniel for more than a year... Aramaic word order placesDaniel first in the sentence, the stressed position: “And as for Daniel,he set his mind to deliver him.”

15] Monarchy not absolute. Diodorus Siculus records a similar paradoxwith King Darious III. Also Esther 1:19; 8:8.

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16] “whom you serve continually”: what a witness!

17] Both rings would be needed to remove the stone.

Parallels with Christ:By law to die John 19:7.Stone, sealed Mt 27:62-66.Power of resurrection Phil 3:10.

Also Acts 5:17-22; 12:5-10, 18.

18] Sleepless in the palace...

19] Daniel was not kept from his hour of trial!

22] By faith (Heb 11:33). Secret of safety: the Breastplate of righteous-ness (but whose?)

Angels: Ps 91:11; Heb 1:14; Ps 34:7; Ps 103:20.

24] Kindred also: Ammianus Marcellinus confirms this Persian custom.Dathan, Abiram, Korah: Num 16Mosaic law more lenient: Deut 24:16

Principle of lex talionis:False witnesses: Deut 19:16-21Haman Est 7:9-10

Aramaic, and other early languages, have a singularly strong idiomfor “slander”: “eat the pieces of a man.” (Found in the Assyrian andAmarna letters.)

When Daniel came out the next morning, he was the gainer: The kingapproved him, admired him, loved him. Everybody heard of it; whatawe he must have inspired. The king was not regarded as half as mucha “god” as Daniel. The counselors never troubled him again. Thelions had taken care of them.

25] Satan’s attempt to extinguish the light of the Living God in Babylon:Cf. Rev 12...

Wrath restrained: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: theremainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” Ps 76:10.

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28] 1 Chr 22:13.

Parallels

Faithful remnant: Edward Dennett (1893), A.C. Gaebelein, G.H.Lang, H.A. Ironside, O.B. Greene, P.R. Newell.

Foreshadows a Man of Sin, claiming divine honors, under penalty ofdeath: Rev 7:3,14; 12:13-17; Mt 24:13-14; Mk 13:13.

Regathered the Second time: Isa 11:11; Jer 30:3-7; Isa 13:1-13;43:6,7; Ezek 36:24ff; Lk 21:20,24; Rom 11:25; Zech 13:8,9...

Dan 6:4 Cf. Rev 14:1-5.

“Roaring Lion”: 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Tim 4:17; Rev 13:2.

Daniel did not receive the “mark of the Beast.” Cf. Seal of 144,000 inRev 7, 14.

Lessons

Safety in persecution....!Faithfulness of GodInspiring faith of one consecratedBlessing of obeying God rather than menReward of separationGod is equal to every emergency“Thou shalt prosper, if thou takest heed” 1 Chr 22:13

Magi Traditions

Eastern tradition: 12. Christmas: Jan 6.Western tradition: 3. Epiphany: Jan 6.

3rd century: Kings bearing gifts, Ps 72:10, 68:29.

6th century chronicle, (Exerpia Latina Garbari):

Bithisarea, BalthasarMelichior, MelchiorGathaspa, Gasper

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Bede (673-735): three sons of Noah--Asia, Africa, Europe--Shem,Ham, Japheth.

14th century Armenian tradition:

Balthasar King of ArabiaMelchior King of PersiaGasper King of India

Relics attributed to them discovered in the 4th century; transferredfrom Constantinople to Milan, 5th century; to Cologne by FrederickBarbarossa in 1162 where they remain enshrined.

From Latinized form of Magoi (Herodotus, 1:101); Ancient Greektransliteration of the Persian original (Sing., magus, “magic”). How-ever, “Magicians” (a profession, rather than citizenship or culturallink) are presented in Acts as vile men without standing or morals:Simon Magus in Samaria, Acts 8:9-24: Elymas Magus at Paphos onthe Island of Cyprus associated with Sergius Paulsu the proconsul(Inter. Dict. 3:222).

Persian Cult

Rab-mag, Chief of the Magi. (Untranslated title of Nergal-shar-ezerin Nebuchadnezzar’s court, Jer 39:3,13.) Magi of lesser rank in Dan2:10, 27; 4:7,9; 5:11. Cf. Magi are Median (vs. Chaldean).

Title of Daniel (Dan 4;9; 5:11); His Jewish appointment may have hadrepercussions among the hereditary Median priesthood, leading tothe plot of Daniel 6.

Persian magi credited with profound and extraordinary religiousknowledge. (Babylonian magi often considered imposters.)

Established as the state religion of Persia by Darius the Great, aftersome Magi who were considered to be expert in the interpretation ofdreams had been attached to the Median court. (Oneiromancy, notastrology, is the key skill mentioned by Herodotus, et al. I.107, 120;VII.19.)

It was in this dual capacity, whereby civil and political counsel wasinvested with religious authority, that the Magi became the supremepriestly caste of the empire.

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In the tri-lingual inscription of Bisitun: Darius I (The Great) (550-486B.C.; reigned 522-486); Three languages: Elamite, Akkadian/Babylonian, Old Persian/Aramaic. (Speaks of his speedy and finaltriumph over a revolt of Magi in 522 B.C.)

Not originally followers of Zoroaster (Encyc. Britannica 7:691)

The subsequent syncretistic Magian religion of Archaemenid dayshad much in common with the religion of the Jews: Each had itsmonotheistic concept of one beneficent creator, author of all good,who, in turn, was opposed by a malevolent evil spirit. Each had itshereditary priesthood which became the essential mediator betweenGod and man by virtue of a blood sacrifice. Each depended upon thewisdom of the priesthood in divination (The Urim and Thummim ofthe Levite, the barsoms, small bundles of divining rods); mutuallyheld concepts of clean and unclean forms of life.

Developed into an hereditary priesthood, serving several religions;the priestly caste during Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian periods.

NT Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)

Political Background:

Since the days of Daniel, the fortunes of both the Persian and theJewish nation had been closely intertwined.

Both nations had in their turn fallen under Seleucid domination in thewake of Alexander’s conquests. Subsequently both had regainedtheir independence: the Jews under Maccabean leadership, and thePersians as the dominating ruling group within the Parthian empire.It was at this time that the Magi, in their dual priestly and governmen-tal office, composed the upper house of the council of the Megistanes(“magistrates”?) whose duties included the absolute choice andelection of the king of the realm.

It was, therefore, a group of Persian-Parthian king makers whoentered Jerusalem in the latter days of the reign of Herod. Herod’sreaction was understandably one of fear when one considers thebackground of Roman-Parthian rivalry that prevailed during hislifetime.

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Pompey, the first Roman conqueror of Jerusalem in 63 B.C. hadattacked the Armenian outpost of Parthia. In 55 B.C. Crassus ledRoman legions in sacking Jerusalem and in a subsequent attack onParthia proper. The Romans were decisively defeated at the battle ofCarrhae with the loss of 30,000 troops, including their commander.

The Parthians counterattacked with a token invasion of Armenia,Syria, and Palestine.

Nominal Roman rule was reestablished under Antipater, the father ofHerod, who in his turn retreated before another Parthian invasion in40 B.C.

Mark Antony reestablished Roman sovereignty in 37 B.C., and likeCarssus before him also embarked on a similarly ill-fated Parthianexpedition. His disastrous retreat was followed by another wave ofinvading Parthians which swept all Roman opposition completely outof Palestine (including Herod himself, who fled to Alexandria andthen to Rome).

With Parthian collaboration Jewish sovereignty was restored andJerusalem was fortified with a Jewish garrison.

Herod by this time secured from Augustus Caesar the title of “Kingof the Jews.” However, it was not for three years, including a fivemonths’ siege by Roman troops, that the king was able to occupy hisown capital city. Herod had thus gained the throne of a rebelliousbuffer state which was situated between two mighty contendingempires. At any time his own subjects might conspire in bringing theParthians to their aid.

At the time of the birth of Christ, Herod may have been close to hisfinal illness. Augustus was also aged; and Rome, since the retirementof Tiberius, was without any experienced military commander. Pro-Parthian Armenia was fomenting revolt against Rome (which wassuccessfully accomplished within two years). The time was ripe foranother Parthian invasion of the buffer provinces, except for the factthat Parthia itself was racked by internal dissension.

Phraates IV, the unpopular and aging king, had once been deposedand it was not improbable that the Persian Magi were already involvedin the political maneuvering requisite to choosing his successor. It ispossible that the Magi might have taken advantage of the king’s lack

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of popularity to further their own interests with the establishment ofa new dynasty which could have been implemented if a sufficientlystrong contender could be found.

At this time it was entirely possible that the Messianic prophecies ofthe OT, culminating in the writings of Daniel, one of their ownMagians, was of profound motivating significance. The promise ofdivinely imposed world dominion at the hands of a Jewish monarchwas more than acceptable to them.

(Their own Persian and Medo-Persian history was studded withJewish nobles, ministers, and counselors; and in the great Achaemeniddays some of the kings themselves were apparently of Jewish blood.)

In Jerusalem the sudden appearance of the Magi, probably travelingin force with imaginable oriental pomp, and accompanied by ad-equate calvary escort to insure their safe penetration of Romanterritory, certainly alarmed Herod and the populace of Jerusalem.

It would seem as if these Magi were attempting to perpetrate a borderincident which could bring swift reprisal from Parthian armies. Theirrequest of Herod regarding him who “has been born king of the Jews”(Mt 2:2) was a calculated insult to him who had contrived and bribedhis way into that office.

In the providence of God, the Messianic prophecy of the kingdom wasnot then fulfilled; the Magi “being warned in a dream” (a form ofcommunication most acceptable to them) departed to their owncountry with empty hands.

Within two years Phraataces, the parricide son of Phraates IV, wasduly installed by the Magi as the new ruler of Parthia. Later: Philoof Alexandria, Cicero, and Philo, and others, record that Magi wereattached to senior Roman courts with acknowledged gifts and stand-ing.

Star of Bethlehem?

Balaam’s prophecy in Num 24:17? Num 24:17 and Isa 60:3 notquoted by Matthew. (Note Simon Bar Cocheba, “Son of the Star.”)Conjunctions? Kepler suggested that the conjunction of Jupiter andSaturn in the constellation of Pisces in 7 B.C. (Wrong date: 2 B.C. 4B.C. suggested from an erroneous inference from Josephus.) (See

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Signs in the Heavens for a discussion of the Hebrew Mazzeroth andthe Zodiac.).

* * *Endnotes:

1. Los Angeles Times, Sept. 6, 1990.2. Encyclopedia Britannica, 7:582; 18:912.3. Walvoord. Other examples: D.H. Tuke, Dictionary of Psychological

Medicine, P.5, 752; Dr. D. R. Burrell, American Journal of Insanity,April, 1894, pp. 493-504.

4. Josephus, Contra Apion, I, 20 (Thackery’s translation).5. J.T. Milik, Ten Years of Discovery in t he Wilderness of Judea, pp. 36,

37.

Bibliography

Commentaries on Daniel

Anderson, Sir Robert Anderson, The Coming Prince, Hodder & Stoughton,London, 1895. A classic work on the Seventy Weeks Prophecy ofDaniel 9.

Baldwin, Joyce G., Daniel, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1978.

Barnes, Albert, “Daniel,” 2 Vols. Notes on the Old Testament. Ed. byRobert Frew. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1950

Bloomfield, Arthur E., The End of the Days, Bethany Fellowship, Minne-apolis, Minnesota, 1961.

Charles, Robert H., Apocrypha and Pseudipigrapha of the Old Testamentin English, Vol 2. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1913.

Culver, Robert D., Daniel and the Latter Days, Moody Press, Chicago,1954

DeHaan, Martin R., Daniel the Prophet, Zondervan Publishing House,Grand Rapids, 1947.

Driver, Samuel R., The Book of Daniel, University Press, Cambridge,1900.

Faucsset, A.R., The Book of Daniel, A Critical and Experimental Com-mentary, Vol. IV. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids,Michigan, 1945.

Feinberg, Charles, Premillennialism or Amillennialism? Zondervan Pub-lishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1936.

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Gaebelein, Arno C., The Prophet Daniel, Our Hope Publishers, NewYork, 1911.

Hartman, Louis F., and Di Lella, Alexander A., The Book of Daniel,Doubleday & Company, Garden City, New York, 1977.

Ironside, Henry A., Lectures on Daniel the Prophet, Loizeaux Bros., NewYork, 1920.

Keil, Carl F., The Book of the Prophet Daniel, Biblical Commentary on theOld Testament, translated by M.G. Easton. T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh,1891.

Larkin, Clarence, The Book of Daniel, Clarence Larkin, Philadelphia,1929.

Leupold, Herbert C., Exposition of Daniel, Baker Book House, GrandRapids Michigan, 1969.

McClain, Alva J., Daniel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks, ZondervanPublishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1940.

Newell, Philip R., Daniel: the Man Greatly Beloved and His Prophecies,Moody Press, Chicago, Ill., 1962.

Pentecost, J. Dwight, Things to Come, Dunham Publishing Co., Findlay,Ohio, 1958.

Pritchard, James B., ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the OldTestament, Princeton University Press, Princeton, N. J., 1950.

Pusey, Edward B., Daniel the Prophet, Funk & Wagnalls, New York,1891.

Strauss, Lehman, The Prophecies of Daniel, Loizeaux Bros., NeptuneN.J., 1965.

Walvoord, John F., Daniel, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, MoodyPress, Chicago, Illinois, 1971.

Whitcomb, John C., Jr., Darius the Mede, Wm. B. Eerdmans PublishingCo., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1959.

Wilson, Robert Dick, Studies in the Book of Daniel, Baker Book House,Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1979.

Wiseman, Donad J., The Chronicles of the Chaldean Kings (626-556B.C.), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1956.

Wood, Leon, A Commentary on Daniel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids,Michigan 1973

Young, Edward J., The Prophecy of Daniel, Wm. B. Eerdmans PublishingCo., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1949.

Babylon

Allen, Kenneth W., “The Rebuilding and Destruction of Babylon,”Bibliotheca Sacra, January 1976.

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Dyer, Charles H., The Rise of Babylon, Tyndale House Publishers,Wheaton, Illinois, 1991.

Gordon G. Garner, Curses and Prophecies, Buried History 9 (March1973).

Grayson, A.K., Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles, Texts from Cunei-form Sources, J.J. Augustin Publisher, Locust Valley, N.Y, 1975.

Hislop, Alexander, The Two Babylons, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune NewJersey, 1916.

King, Leonard W., A History of Babylon, From the Foundation of theMonarchy to the Persian Conquest, Ams Press, New York, 1969(Reprinted from the edition of 1915, London.

Koldewey, Robert, The Excavations at Babylon, trans. Agnes S. Johns,Macmillan and Company, London, 1914.

MacQueen, James G., Babylon, Robert Hale, London, 1964.Oates, Joan, Babylon, Thames and Hudson, London, 1979.Pritchard, James B., ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old

Testament, Princeton University Press, Princeton, N. J., 1950.Rich, Claudius J., Babylon and Persepolis, Duncan & Malcolm, London,

1839.Seignobobs, Charles, The World of Babylon, Leon Amiel Publisher, Paris,

1975.Snaith, Norman H., The Jews from Cyrus to Herod, Abingdon Press, New

York.Wiseman, Donad J., The Chronicles of the Chaldean Kings (626-556

B.C.), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1956.

Conspiracy Theory of History

Epperson, A. Ralph, The Unseen Hand, Publius Press, Tucson AZ, 1985.McAlvany, Don A., Toward a New World Order, Western Pacific,

Phoenix AZ, 1992.McManus, John F., The Insiders, The John Birch Society, Appleton, WI,

1992.Morey, Robert, The Truth About Masons, Harvest House, Eugene OR

1993. A well researched, more balanced view of Masonic history.Quigley, Carroll, Tragedy and Hope, McMillan Press, 1972. (Taken out

of print by the Rockefellers.)

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Supplemental Notes:

The Bookof

Daniel

Chapters 7 -12

Chuck Missler

© 1994 Koinonia House Inc.

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Tape Listing - Volume 2

Tape 1: Chapter 7 - The Times of the Gentiles

The four empires which climax Gentile dominion on the Earth.

Tape 2: European Update

An update of the emergent European Suprastate.

Tape 3: Chapter 8 - The Ram and The Goat

The succession of the Persian and Greek Empires and the rise ofAlexander the Great. Foreshadowings of the final World Ruler.

The Seventy Weeks of DanielThe most amazing prophecy in the Bible.

Tape 4: Chapter 9A - The 69 Weeks

The Angel Gabriel predicts the precise day on which Jesus presentedHimself as the “Meshiach Nagid” (The Messiah the King).

Tape 5: Chapter 9B - The 70th Week of Daniel

The mysterious interval between the 69th and 70th “weeks” of Danieland the final seven years of world history.

The Final Vision

Tape 6: Chapter 10 - The Dark Side

The spooky glimpse of the spiritual warfare that lies behind worldevents.

Tape 7: Chapter 11 - Coming Future Kingdoms

The amazing prediction of the conflicts between the Ptolemaic andSeleucid Empires and the emergence of the final World Leader.

Tape 8: Chapter 12 - The Climax of All History

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Daniel 7“Times of the Gentiles”

Begins the Second Division of the Book: Daniel’s Visions.

Chapter:7 1st yr of Balshazzar (after Chapter 4, before 5)8 3rd yr of Balshazzar (before 5)9 1st yr of Darius10-12 [3rd yr of Cyrus?]

The most comprehensive and detailed prophecy of future events to befound anywhere in the Old Testament. Cf. Dan 2, Rev 13, 17.

Daniel 2 (Man’s View): human progress; bright, shiny (emphasizesunity). (Review notes on Chapter 2.)

Daniel 7 (God’s View): voracious beasts (emphasizes diversity).

1] Nabonidus made Belshazzar his co-regent in his 3rd year: 553 B.C.Daniel was about 67 years old. Nebuchadnezzar had died 9 yearsearlier (Daniel 5 occurs 14 years later).

“Sum”: essential summary. (This the first vision given directly toDaniel.)

2] “I saw”: 9X this chapter— “was beholding.”

“Four winds”: Rev 7. Hurt God’s elect during trib? Lord’s rebuke?Eph 2:2? Job 1:19. (Wind: 120 refs: 90 OT, 30 NT.)

“Great Sea”: Mediterranean? Num 34:6-7; Josh 1:4; 9:1; 15:11,12,47;23:4; Ezek 47, 48:28 (all four empires on the coast...)

Symbolic? Isa 8:7-8; 17:12-13; 27:1; 57:20; Jer 6:23; 46:7-9; 47:2;Rev 13:1; 17:1, 15.

4] Lion + eagle: both regal. Winged lion on gates of Babylon (BritishMuseum); Jer 4:7; 48:40; 49:19-22; 50:17, 43-44; Lam 4:19; Ezek17:3,12; Hab 1:8.

Man’s heart: Dan 4?

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5] Bear: less regal; ponderous; ungraceful (Xerxes: 2.5 million men!).

Unbalanced: Cf. Dan 8:3, two horns. One-sided union; Media alreadyswallowed up by Persia by 550 B.C.

Three Ribs: Babylon, Egypt, Lydia defeated (Isa 13:17,18).

6] Lion devours; the bear crushes; the leopard springs upon its prey.

Four heads:Cassander: Greece & MacedoniaLysimachus: Thrace & Bithynia (Asia Minor)Seleucus: Syria, Babylonia (>India)Ptolemy: Egypt, Palestine, Arabia Petrea

Composite of three animals: Hos 13:5-8! Rev 13:2; 1 Sam 17:34-36;Prov 28:15; Jer 5:6; Amos 5:9.

7] Rome: Occupation of Sicily in 241 B.C., victory in the first Punicconflict. Mediterranean becomes a Roman lake by the beginning ofsecond century B.C. Spain conquered first; then Carthage at the battleof Zama in N. Africa, 202 B.C.; Subjugates are north of Italy; they thenmoved east, conquering Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor. Pompeyswept into Jerusalem in 63 B.C. after destroying remnants of theSeleucid Empire (Syria). (Cf. Chapter 11 notes.)

Following decades: Empire controls southern Britain, France, Bel-gium, Switzerland, and Germany west of the Rhine River. Grew forfour centuries, peaking in A.D. 117.

Declined slowly, beginning in the third century; left Britain in A.D.407; Rome sacked by the Visigoths in 410. It was not until A.D. 1453that the last Roman or Byzantine ruler was killed in battle andMohammed II conquered Constantinople.

Cf. v. 24; Rev 17:12. Remains until replaced by Kingdom of Heaven:26, 27.

10 nations: Compare Dan 2:31-35; 40-45; 7:7-8; 19-24; Rev 13:1-2;17:3,7,12-18.

8] “Little Horn”: First mention in Daniel.

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“before”: behehewn, between. “Plucked up by the roots”: agar,uprooted gradually. “Eyes, mouth” = an individual.

“Big Mouth”: v.11; Rev 11:36; 13:5,6. [See list of allusions to theComing World Leader at the end of the notes on Chapter 11.]

Coming of the Son of Man in Glory: Cf. Rev 4,5...

9] Ancient of Days: 3 times in this chapter. Rema, located, placed (not“cast”).

[Thrones, plural. Where are the 24 elders? (Church hidden in OT; Mt13:34,35; Eph 3:5,9.)]

Fire: Ex 3:2; 19:18Consuming fire: Deut 4:24 (Heb 12:29); 9:3.Jesus: 2 Thess 1:8; Ps 18:8; 104:4; 50:3; Ez 1:4; 13:21;Rev 4:5 (note 15:2).Sodom and Gomorrah:, Gen 19:24; Nahab and Abihu,Lev 10:2; Isa 66:15-16.

Fiery Stream: Ez 1, 10:1. Throne: Ex 24:10.

10] Books: Ex 32:32.Isa 65:6 Evil deeds;Mal 3:16, Book of Remembrance;Dan 12:1; Luke 10:20;

[Note: Rev 20:10, 12-15 after millennium? how Rev 10:20? Dan7:10!]

11] Rev 19:19-21.

12] Joel 3:1-2; Mt 25:31-46; Rev 1:13; Mk 14:61. Continue for a season:survive in another form in the kingdom that replaces them.

Absorbed by Rome:Greece in 146 B.C.;Lysimachus’ kingdom, 133 B.C.;Seleucus’ in 64 B.C.;Ptolemy’s, Egypt in 31 B.C.

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Reappear in recent times:Greece reappears in 1830;Egypt in 1922;Turkey (Lysimachus andpart of Seleucus’) in 1924;

The rest of Seleucus’ kingdom(s):Afghanistan, 1921;Iran, 1925;Lebanon, 1930;Jordan, 1946;Pakistan, 1947;Israel, 1948.

“Son of Man” only OT use for Christ (Chapter 3?)

Son receives the Father’s gift: Ps 2:6-9; will rule over all nations: Ps72:11; Rev 19:15-16 (cf. 7:9-12; Rev 4,5; Isa 6:1-3; Ez 1:4-28; 10:1-14).

Clouds:

OT: Ex 13:21; 19:9; 24:16; 34:5; Lev 16:2; 1 Kgs 8:10-11;Ps 18:11,12; 78:14; 97:2-4; Isa 19:1; Jer 4:13; Ezek 10:4; Nah 1:3.

NT: Mt 17:5; 24:30; Lk 21:27; Acts 1:9,11; Mk 14:61,62;Mt 26:64; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 1:7; 14:14.

14] Kingdom: Dan 2:44,45; Isa 9:6; 11:3-5; Mic 4:1-7; 5:2-5; Zech14:9,16,17; Mt 24,25; Mk 14:61,62; Lk 1:32,33; 2 Thess 2:6-10; Rev19, 20:1-4.

God’s purpose: Eph 1:10; Phil 2:10,11; 1 Cor 15:27-28.

15] “Body”: nidneh, sheath. “Troubled”: behal, alarm.

17] Melech, malku: king, kingdom.

18] Saints: qaddishin, “Holy Ones” (7X). OT: Mt 27:52,53; Ex 19:6. NT:1 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1, etc. Tribulation: Rev 13:7; see v. 21.

20] That “mouth” again...

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21] War with saints, 2/3 fall: Zech 13:8,9. Jerusalem falls: Zech 14:1,2.Prevail, overcome? (also Rev 13:7; 11:3; 12:6; 13:5) vs. Mt 16:18;Rev 2, 3 (1 Jn 5:5!).

The Coming World Leader

24] “out of” this kingdom: Arise (“1 hour”: Rev 17:12); “another” (11th)after them...diverse from the others...

25] [Big Mouth again...] “Against”: le’tsad, “at the side of”: (2 Thess2:4). Change the Law (singular) Gen 1:4; 17:21; 18:14. The“Roman” Empire will cease to exist when the Little Horn is judged.

Time, times, the dividing of time: Dan 7:25 (Dan 4:16, 23, 25)[times = a dual, later lost in Aramaic]1

3½ years Dan 12:742 months Rev 11:2; 13:51260 days Rev 11:3; Dan 12:6½ “week” Dan 9:27

27] Everlasting kingdom: Deut 28:1-44; Isa 65:17-25; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev5:10; 20:6.

28] (First sentence: Angel finishes; began in v. 23.) Daniel: “Color meshocked.” [Text changes from Aramaic back to Hebrew. Distin-guishes the two major programs of God in the OT.]

Daniel 8The Ram and the Goat

Now the text reverts back to Hebrew: “Third section” = Israel. Twoyears after vision of Dan 7; 12 years before Belshazzar’s feast inChapter 5.

1] Third year: 51 B.C.

At Shushan in the palace: Susa, 150 miles north of head of PersianGulf, midway between Ecbatgana and Persepolio; later main resi-dence of Persian kings. Susa served as the capital of Elamites inantiquity. Famous palace begun by Darius I and later enlarged. Codeof Hammurabi found there in 1901.

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230 miles east of Babylon. Daniel projected to a town little known atthat time, destined to be capital of Persian empire, home of Esther, cityof Nehemiah, Neh 1:1; Est 1:2, 5; 2:3, 5.

“Awake?” Many opinions. Josephus believes he was actually there.Also Keil, Rosenmuller, Bertholdt. Others: in a vision? Montgom-ery, Syriac, Vulgate, John Calvin. Cf. Ezekiel 8:3; 40:1ff to Jerusa-lem; Rev 17:3, John in the wilderness.

3] Two horns, unequal. W-N-S. v. 20: Medo-Persia. One empire, nottwo.

Keil: Guardian spirit of Persian kingdom in the form of a ram withclean feet, sharp-pointed horns; The Persian king, at the head of hisarmy, wore the head of ram instead of the diadem. (AmmianusMarcellinus, fourth century historian.)

Zodiac: Persia = Aries, the Ram; Greece = Capricorn, the goat (L.caper, goat; cornu, horn.) Shared with Syria from Seleucid monar-chy.

5] “buck of the goats”: v.21 First king: Alexander the Great. One-horned goat was a symbol for the ancient Macedonians.

Alexander crossed the Hellespont with 35,000 troops, first met anddefeated the Persians at the Granicus River in Asia Minor in May 334B.C. 1½ years later, the battle at Issus near the NE tip of MediterraneanSea, Nov 333 B.C.; Finally broken at Gaugamela (Arbella) nearNineveh in Oct 331 B.C.

8] Great horn broken: Died at 32, dissipated life, drunken debauch, atBabylon (11 years after leaving home country).

Empire took 22 years to divide. Cassander: Macedonia and Greece.Lysimacus: Thrace, Bithynia, most of Asia Minor: Phrygia, Lydia,Mysia. Seleucus: Syria, lands to the east, including Babylonia toIndia; declined during Seleucus II, beginning 246 B.C.; converted toa Roman province by Pompey in 64 B.C. Ptolemy: Egypt, Cyrene,Coele-Syria, Arabia Petraea, southern parts of Asia Minor. (A fifthcontender: Antigonus, soon defeated, 301 B.C.)

9] Little Horn. S: Egypt;

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E: Medo-Persia, Armenia;Pleasant Land: Dan 11:16,41,45; Jer 3:19; Ezek 20:6,15; Mal 3:12.

Antiochus Epiphanes, 8th King of the Syrian dynasty, 175-164 B.C.(1 Macc 1:10; 6:16); infamous brother of Cleopatra. Ascended thethrone following the murder of his brother, the former king, SeleucusPhilopator. The son of Seleucus, Demetrius, the rightful heir to thethrone still lived but was held as hostage in Rome. Antiochussucceeded in obtaining the throne largely through flattery and bribery(11:21). Not even rightful heir; once crowned, assumed “Epiphanes,”“Illustrious.” (See also notes on Chapter 11.)

‘Erets hatstsebi (“glorious land”) taken from the Ptolemies in a seriesof battles between Antiochus III, the father, and Ptolemy V in 202-198 B.C.

10] Host: people of God (Gen 15:5; 22:17; Dan 12:3; Mt 13:43).

11] Desolation of Sanctuary: the “Abomination of Desolation.” (Contro-versies begin here...11-14; 20-26.) Stopped morning and eveningsacrifices.

“Daily sacrifices”: tamid, applies to the daily offerings (Cf. Ex29:38ff; Num 28:3ff).

“And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the citiesof Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, toforbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in thesanctuary, to profane Sabbaths and feasts, to defile the sanctuary andthe priests, to build altars in sacred precincts and shrines for idols, tosacrifice swine and unclean animals, and to leave their sons uncircum-cised. They were to make themselves abominable by everythingunclean and profane, so that they should forget the law and change allthe ordinances. And whoever does not obey the command of the kingshall die.”

1 Maccabees 1:44-49(cf. Dan 9:27)

“one saint speaking” = “awesome numberer”?

14] “2,300 days?” Year-day? Seventh Day Adventists: 1884, 2ndComing? 24-hour days?

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171 B.C., Onias III (Sept 6?), the legitimate high priest murdered;pseudo-priest assumed power. Onias III had been removed fromoffice and replaced by his wicked brother, Jason, who had bribedAntiochus for the position. In 172 B.C. another brother, Menelaus,succeeded in replacing Jason by promising a larger bribe. In 171,Menelaus murdered the good Onias III who had rebuked him forgiving away and selling many of the gold utensils of the Temple. 2Macc 4:7-50. (Actual desecration, Dec 25, 167 B.C. re: John 10:22,coins found with title “Epiphanes.”)

164 B.C.: Death of Antiochus. [Not precise day.] 6y 3m 20dEvening-Mornings (‘ereb boker) = (1150 days)? (110 days short of3½ years.)

17] “Gabriel”: First mention in the Bible of an Angel by name. Gaber,man; El, God (Dan 9:21; Lk 1:19, 26).

“Michael,” Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev 12:7.

18] Deep Sleep: aroused (cf. Ezek 1:28-2:2). [“Out of body” view fromBabylon?]

Indignation (also Dan 11:36): God’s anger against Israel.v.17, 19: time of end? Cf. Dan 9:27; 11:35ff.

Is the Little Horn of 7 = Little Horn of 8? = Willful King ofChapter 11? Not identical, except as types: one of the 4th; other oneof the 3rd, empires. The third kingdom not Rome.

8:15-17: A dual fulfillment? Scofield, Louis T. Talbot, WilliamKelly, Nathaniel West, Joseph A. Seiss. [Temple always destroyed on9th of Av, Tisha B’av...]

King of Javan (melek yawan) = Greece (Gen 10:2,4; Isa 66:19; Ezek27:13).

23-25]1) He is to appear in the later times of Israel’s history, 8:23;

2) Through alliance with other nations, he achieves worldwideinfluence, 8:24;

3) A peace program helps his rise to power, 8:25;

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4) Extremely intelligent and persuasive, 8:23;

5) Characterized by Satanic control, 8:24;

6) Great adversary against Israel and the prince of princes, 8:24-25;

7) A direct judgment from God terminates his rule (“TerminatorIII”), 8:25;

He will appear in the later time of their kingdom: when transgressorsare come to the full (?); forcing punishment (Israel themselves); Gen15:16; Mt 23:32; 1 Thess 2:16; Cf. Gen 15:13-16;

As the days of Noah: Gen 6:5-13.

Cf. “We will not have this man to reign over us”: Lk 19:14.

Interprets dark sentences (1 Kgs 10:1).

Broken without hand: Antiochus died of a foul disease.

Different character than Little Horn of Daniel 7?Roman, not Greek!King of the North = Syria; Dan 11:6-15?Assyrian of Micah 5:5-6?Or will the Antichrist come out of Syria?

23] Absorbed by Rome: See current summary on page 54.

26] “Preserve”: shut up.

27] Immediate resumption of duties: was Daniel in Babylon all the time?[Still worked for Belshazzar? Or Nabonidus?]

time of the end 17latter time...appointed... 19latter time 23Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14: 200 years after!...

Indignation? Deut 29:24-28; adultery of unprincipled woman: Ezek16:32; Hosea 1-4...Amos 9:8.

Strange work, Isa 28:21; Dan 9:24.

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Daniel 9The Seventy Weeks

The Most Amazing Passage in the Bible!

Authentication

LXX Background: Daniel was part of the Old Testament which wastranslated into Greek 285 - 270 B.C. Although Daniel is one of themost authenticated books of the Bible, this serves to easily establishits existence long before the events it predicts.

Matthew 24 - The Confidential Briefing: Four disciples came toJesus for a confidential prophecy briefing on His Second Coming:Matthew 24 & 25; Mark 13 & 14, and Luke 21 & 22. Jesus highlightedthis very passage as the key to prophecy in Matthew 24:15.

Responsible to understand. Note Jewishness: “Pray that your flightbe not on the Sabbath Day.”

[Daniel 9: Time, 538 B.C. Feast of Chapter 5 between Chapters 8 &9.]

1] Darius: Uncle of Cyrus? [Same as Chapter 6?]“...was made”: passive.

[Review Daniel presenting Isaiah 44, 45 to Cyrus.] Here he wasreading Jeremiah’s prophecy.

2] Daniel took it literally! [Jer 25:11,12; 29:10] 67 of 70 years hadpassed...

YHWH: 7X in this chapter only.

3] Prayer (for that which was certain?): Daniel is, again, our example:in the Word and in Prayer! (Prayers: Ezra 9; Nehemiah 9?)

Fasting: Mt 9:14,15; Acts 13:2,3; 14:23; 1 Cor 7:5; 2 Cor 6:5; 11:27.

5] “We have sinned...”: (Only two in OT of which no evil spoken of...Joseph and Daniel.)

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11] National destiny determined by their behavior (2 Chr 7:14)!

16] Focus: Jerusalem.

17-19] Note the increasing tempo of the verbs of action...

20] “The Interrupted Prayer of the OT” (2/3 of chapter).

21] “man”: ish, servant.

Gabriel: Always on a mission of Messianic announcement.

“Beginning”: Dan 8:15-16.

23] “Beloved”: Abraham, disciples: “friends” => prophecy.Daniel, John: “beloved” => apocalyptic details.

The Seventy Weeks

24] shabu’im = sevens, “week.” (Gen 29:26-28; Lev 25, 26.)hatak, determined, reckoned.

Scope (Verse 24)

1) The focus of the passage is on the Jews, not the Church or theGentile world.

2) The six major items listed have yet to be completed.

to finish the transgressions;to make an end of sins;to make reconciliation for iniquity;to bring in everlasting righteousness;to seal up (close authority of) the vision;to anoint the godesh gadashim, the Holy of Holies.

Unfulfilled in 2000 years (therefore, are not contiguous!).

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The Structure of the Passage

24] The Scope of the entire passage.

25] The 69 Weeks.

26] The Interval Between the 69th & 70th Week . The key to understand-ing this passage is to realize that the 70 “Weeks” are not all contigu-ous. (At least 40 years +...)

27] The 70th Week.

Background: Sabbatical Years

Note: focus of entire prophecy is Israel, not the Gentile world (Daniel9:24).

Seventy “Sevens” imply weeks of years (Gen 29:27, et al.).

Sabbath for the land ordained: Lev. 25:1-22; 26:33-35; Deut 15; Ex23:10, 11. Failure to keep the sabbath of the land was basis for 70years captivity: 2 Chr 36:19-21.

The 69 Weeks (Verse 25)

360-Day Years (Background): All ancient calendars were based ona 360-day calendar: Assyrians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Hebrews,Persians, Greeks, Phoenicians, Chinese, Mayans, Hindus, Cartha-ginians, Etruscans, Teutons, etc.

All these calendars were based on a 360-day year; typically, twelve30-day months. (In ancient Chaldea, their calendar was based on a360-day year and it is from this Babylonian tradition that we have 360degrees in a circle, 60 minutes to an hour, 60 seconds in each minute.)

All Calendars Change in 701 B.C?

In 701 B.C., all calendars appear to have been reorganized. NumaPompilius, the second King of Rome, reorganized the original calen-dar of 360 days per year, by adding 5 days per year. King Hezekiah,Numa’s contemporary, reorganized his Jewish calendar by adding amonth each Jewish leap year (on a cycle of 7 every 19 years).

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(A fascinating conjecture as to the cause of this calendar change isdetailed in Signs in the Heavens, a Briefing Package exploring thepossible orbital antics of the Planet Mars.)

The Biblical Calendar uses 360-day years (Gen 7:24; 8:3,4, etc. InRevelation, 42 months = 3 1/2 years = 1260 days, etc.). We areindebted to Sir Robert Anderson’s milestone work for this insight.

The Trigger: (terminus ad quo)

The Decrees to “Rebuild Jerusalem”?1) Cyrus, 537 B.C., Ezra 1:2-4;2) Darius, Ezra 6:1-5, 8, 12;3) Artaxerxes, 458 B.C,. Ezra 7:11-26;4) Artaxerxes, 445 B.C., Neh 2:5-8, 17, 18.

(1) (2) & (3) were to build the Temple. Only the last one (4) was torebuild the city, the walls, etc. Note: rehob, “street”; haruts, moat,fortification.

Why “7 + 62”? Time to build the city? Time to close the OT canon?Time between testaments?

The Target (terminus ad quem)

The Meshiach Nagid: “The Messiah the King.” The prediction isto the presentation of the Messiah the King (“Nagid” is first used ofKing Saul).

On several occasions in the New Testament when they attempted totake Jesus as a King, He invariably declined, “Mine hour is not yetcome.” (Jn 6:15; 7:30, 44; etc.) Then one day, He arranges it.

The Triumphal Entry: All four Gospels, Mt 21:1-9; Mk 11:1-10;Lk 19:29-39; Jn 12:12-16. Nisan 10: “take to everyone a lamb.” Jesusdeliberately arranges to fulfill Zech 9:9. This is the only day Heallows them to proclaim Him King (Luke 19:38).

The Pharisees assure our noticing the significance! Hallel Psalm: Ps118:26. Jesus held them accountable to recognize this day. (Luke19:41-44).

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This was the 10th of Nisan, prior to the Passover on the 14th of Nisan,32 A.D.: (Luke 3:1: Tiberius appointed, 14 A.D.; 15th year = 29 A.D.;4th Passover, 32 A.D. (April 6). See the chart on next page.

[Other examples of Precision: Gen 8:4, Noah’s new beginning, 7thmonth, 17th day. (Exodus 12:2: Nisan becomes 1st month). Jesusresurrected on anniversary of the “New Beginning” under Noah!]

Interval (Verse 26)

26] After the 69th, before the 70th:

Karat, execution; death penalty (Lev 7:20; Ps 37:9; Prov 2:22).“Not for Himself”: nothingness: rejection, substitution.“Flood”: diaspora.

Titus Vespasian: 38 years later; (not 3½!).

An interval, or gap, clearly required by v. 26: events described areafter the 69th and prior to the 70th week: Messiah “cut off” (karat =executed); Sanctuary destroyed, etc.

38 years are included with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.1900 years have transpired so far.

Interval also implied: Dan 9:26; Isa 61:1,2 (re: Lk 4:18-20); Rev12:5,6. Also: Isa 54:7; Hos 3:4,5; Amos 9:10,11; (Acts 15:13-18);Micah 5:2,3; Zech 9:9,10; Luke 1:31,32; 21:24.

Interval defined: Luke 19:42 until Rom 11:25. This interval is theperiod of the Church, an era kept secret in OT: Mt 13:34,35; Eph 3:5,9.

“Israel” is never used of the Church (73X). [Gal 6:16 misunderstood,by ignoring the kai in the Greek which clearly distinguishes the twogroups.] Heresy: Romans 9-11.

It seems that the Lord deals with Israel and the Church mutuallyexclusively. [The example of a Chess Clock...]

The Church: (Our need: Ecclesiology, not Eschatology!) Born atPentecost: Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:13; Acts 1:5, 11:15-16. Prerequisites—Atonement: Mt 16:18, 21; Resurrection: Eph 1:20-23; Ascension:Eph 4:7-11 (Spiritual gifts only after ascension).

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Mystery Character:Body Concept: Eph 3:3-5,9Indwelling every believer: Col 1:26-27Bride of Christ: Eph 5:22-32Rapture: 1 Cor 15:50-58

One “New Man”: Eph 2:15(Cf. Rev 12:5...)

Distinguished: 1 Cor 10:32

70th Week (verse 27)

“Midst of the week” - The most documented period of time in theBible. Time, times, the dividing of time (Dan 7:25; 4:16, 23, 25).

[Times = a dual, later lost in Aramaic]2

3½ years Dan 12:742 months Rev 11:2; 13:51260 days Rev 11:3; Dan 12:6½ “week” Dan 9:27

Which “Prince”? Antecedent: “The Prince that shall come...”

After death of Nero, General Galba was recalled to become Emperor.A conspiracy had him assassinated. After Galba, Ortho was madeemperor; he was unfit and committed suicide. After revolution andpolitical instability, the general-in-command of the Roman-Israeliexpedition was recalled to restore order and become Emperor: Gen-eral Vespasian, father of Captain Titus who remained general incharge of the siege. Just a few days before the final assault onJerusalem, Vespasian was crowned Emperor of the Roman Empire,making Titus a prince.

The Covenant Enforced with “The Many” - “The many” is an idiomfor Israel. This is the “Covenant with Hell,” Isa 28:15; Zech 11:15-17etc.

The Abomination of Desolation

Historical precedent: 167 B.C., Antiochus IV (“Epiphanes”) des-

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ecrated the Temple, erecting a pagan idol in the Holy of Holies;incited the Maccabbean Revolt, which succeeded in rededicating theTemple. This is still commemorated at Hanukkah. (Authenticated bythe Holy Spirit: John 10:22.)

The sacrifices and oblations cease; 2 Thess 2:4. These require aTemple previously consecrated in Jerusalem. (Preparations havebegun!)

The Great Tribulation

This “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” climaxes in the “Day of the Lord”: Isa61:2; Zech 12, 14; Rev 19:19; et al. (Note that this is 3 1/2 years, not7, as is so often assumed.)

Revelation 6 through 19 is essentially an elaboration of the eventsduring the “70th Week” of Daniel 9.

Historical Review

The issue of Imminence (80 anti-Nicene references, 325 A.D.). Uponconversion of Constantine: Edict of Toleration made Christian Churchofficial state religion in A.D. 325. Premillennial view of Christ becameunpopular with Roman leadership.

Allegorical methods adopted by third century theologian Origen;Augustine adopted the amillennial view; it becomes the dominantview of the Roman Catholic Church. Many of the Protestant reform-ers failed to adequately challenge these views from the medievalChurch. A literal interpretation was favored by Irenaeus, Sir IsaacNewton, et al.

The perception of the “gap” of Dan 9:26 appears in the Epistle ofBarnabas, A.D. 100 and other early writings.

[Did not begin with Emmanuael Lacunza (Ben Ezra), 1812; EdwardIrving, 1816; Margaret McDonald, 1830; or J.N. Darby (1820).]

Other early writers: Irenaeus, Against Heresies; Hippolytus, a dis-ciple of Irenaeus, (second century) (Ante Nicene Fathers, Vol v.p.182.); Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho.

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Later writers: Peter Jurieu, 1687, Approaching Deliverance of theChurch, (courtesy of Grant Jeffrey); Philip Doddridge’s Commentaryon the New Testament, 1738; Dr. John Gill’s Commentary on the NewTestament, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 1748; James Macknight’s Com-mentary on the Apostolical Epistles, 1763; Thomas Scott’s Commen-tary on the Holy Bible, 1792.

Timing of the Rapture (Greek, harpazo, Latin, rapturo)

1) 70th Week is defined by the enforcement of a covenant with theComing World Leader (Dan 9:27).

2) The Leader cannot enforce the covenant until after he appears inpower.

3) He cannot even appear until after the Restrainer (the Holy Spiritas He indwells the Church) is removed: 2 Thess 2:7-9.

4) Therefore, the rapture of the Church precedes (by an indetermi-nate amount) the entire 70th Week, not just the Great Tribulation.

Is the “70th Week” Near?

Israel Now Regathered as a Nation: On May 14, 1948, Israel wasre-established exactly as the Bible predicted. On June 6, 1967, Israelregained control of Biblical Jerusalem, the “Old City.”

Temple Being Rebuilt: This is explicitly predicted three times in theNew Testament (Mt 24:15; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 11:1, 2.) This Templeis a prerequisite for the desecration described by Daniel and Jesus asthe “Abomination of Desolation.” After 1900 years a Temple is nowbeing prepared to be built in Jerusalem.

Babylon Being Rebuilt: Isaiah 13 & 14, Jeremiah 50 & 51, andRevelation 17 & 18, describe the destruction of the city of Babylon asa climactic event at the end of the “70th Week.” Although Babylonwas conquered by the Persians, it was never destroyed in the mannerthat the Bible has detailed. (Saddam Hussein has spent over 20 yearsrebuilding the city of Babylon on its traditional site.)

European Suprastate Emerging: The confederation of almost 30European countries is setting the stage for the very scenarios pre-dicted in Daniel 2 and 7.

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Russia and the Islamic Invasion Imminent: Russia (“Magog” ofEzekiel 38 & 39) and the Moslem republics of Iran and those ofCentral Asia (which this passage has detailed) now appear to besetting the stage for the very events that Ezekiel so clearly described.The apparent use of nuclear weapons in Ezekiel 39 is also descriptiveof current technology. It is our view that this battle could happen atany time, and would thus set up the need for the famous “peace treaty”of the Biblical scenario.

The “Seventy Sevens” of Israel

1) Abraham to the Exodus

Promise (Gen 12:4) 75 yearsGal 3:17 +430

505Ishmael, (Gen 16:16;21:5) -15

490 years

2) Exodus to the Temple

Begun: 1 Kgs 6 - 8 594Completed: 1 Kgs 6:38; + 7

601Servitudes: Judges

Mesopotamia 3:8 8Moabites 3:12-14 18Canaanites 4:2,3 20Midianites 6:1 7Ammonites 10:7,8 18Philistines 13:1 40

-111 490 years

3) The Temple to the Edict of Artaxerxes

1 Kgs 8:1-66 1005 B.C.Neh 2:1 445 B.C.

560Babylonian Captivity -70

490 years

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4) Artaxerxes to the Second Coming

Artaxerxes to the 1st Advent“The Sixty Nine Weeks” 483[Church interval] ?The Seventieth Week” +7

490 years

Daniel 10The Dark Side

Chapter 10 = a prelude and introduction to three chapters: 10-12. Aspooky glimpse of the Invisible World, and the Invisible War inhyperspace. [See our briefing package, Beyond Perception, for areview of the current implications of quantum physics.]

“Angel” = angelos, military messenger. A unique form of createdbeing; not preexistent, but with formidable capabilities.

1] Dan 1:21, “unto the first year of King Cyrus”; official public career;“third year” out of public life. [Cf. John on Patmos.]

Two years after “return” (2 Chr 36:23,32; Ezra 1:1-3) vs. Ezek2:64,65, Neh 7:62. Only 49,697 return (“first yr”). Daniel still there?(Retired? ill? over 80 years old.)

2] “First month”: Nisan, (Abib, Ex 23:15). He completes his fasting onthe 24th. He started on the 3rd of Nisan.

The month of Nisan:1-2, Feast of Rejoicing: New Year (1 Sam 20:18,19,34).10, Presentation of lamb(s).14, Passover.15-21, Feast of Unleavened Bread.Daniel was not on an “absolute” fast (healthy); Lord commands. Whowas visitor? “Sent...”

7] (What scared them?) Cf. Saul on the Damascus Road: others heard,unintelligibly.

8] “Corruption”: awareness of his lack of holiness; Cf. Isa 6.

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9] “Deep sleep”: Cf. Adam in Genesis 2.

12] From the 1st day (3 wks before).

13] But... (withstood for 21 days!) Blocked by a lineman...

Warfare: withheld; conflict.

“Prince of the Kingdom of Persia”(?) Prince: Cf. Michael, a chief“prince” (Eph 6:11,12). [Role of fasting?]

Michael: Dan 10:13, 21; Dan 12:1; Jude 9; Rev 12:7. Strength: Ex4:10-12; Isa 6:6,7.

20] Now I will return... (Michael holding him off?) Prince of Greece?

Angels

Heb 13:2 (men) entertained unawares: Gen 18; Judg 13Created beings: Eph 1:20-21; Col 1:16Saw world created: Job 38:4-10Bodies: 1 Cor 15:38-40, 44; Luke

20:27-36 (Acts 23:8)

Ministry of angels:Lord: Birth Lk 2:8-14

Temptation Mt 4:1-11(note ownership of world!)Transfiguration Mt 17:1-8Resurrection Lk 22:39-46Ascension Acts 1:10-11Return Mt 13:39; 24:31

Guardian? Mt 18:10Slay 185,000! 2 Kgs 19:35; Isa 37:36Desire to learn: Job 1; 2 Chr 18

Satan: His angels cast out (Rev 12:9; 12:4) “stars” (1/3); Isa 14:12-17;Five “I will’s” [pride!] Ezek 28:11-18; Numero Uno; “sum,” epitome;“thou has been in Eden”?

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Demons

OT: Lev 17:7; Deut 32:17; 2 Chr 11:15; Ps 106:36-37; Isa 13:21;34:14. NT: Mt 12:45,43; Mk 1:23-27; Lk 4:33; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 16:14;1 Cor 10:20-21.

Books: Ex 32:32; Ps 139:15,16; Ps 69:22-28. All living; erased whenunrepentant.

Book of Life: Rev 13:8; 21:27.Book of Remembrance: Mal 3:16!Records: Ez 9:2, 11.

Who? Rev 1:13-16 Lord? vs. 13!? Ezek 1:13,14.Lord strengthened 2X; Mt 4:11; Lk 22:43.

7-8] Acts 9:3-7 (John 13:25,29?) [Lehman Strauss: First Book, Yes; 10yrs later, No]

Loners: Abraham Gen 13:14-18; 18Jacob Gen 32:24Joshua Josh 5:13-15Elijah 1 Kgs 17:1-7Ezekiel Ezek 1:1-28Paul Gal 1:11-17

Eph 6:10-1; (chained to Roman soldier? or Isa 52:7, 59:17).

Rom 8:38-39: Principalities (8X); = governments. Satan: Prince (ofthis world) 3X: Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11. [Luke 4:5 ownership!] Prince(of devils) 2X: Mt 9:34; 12:24.

Michael: Jude 9? 1 Thess 4:16! Why was body needed? (Mt 17? Rev11?)

Don’t be fearful (Rev 21:8!). Greater is He that is in you...Isa 24:21: Punish the “high ones.” Romans 8:28-39 (“check that itis still there”).

3 Unclean Spirits (out of mouths) Rev 16:13-14Mouth: David Ps 51:15; Jer 1:3-9;

Isa 6:5-7

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18] Strengthen (3X?): Gethsemane (Mt 26:39-44; Mk 14:35-41); Angel(Lk 22:39-44).

20] Medo-Persians continue 200 years after vision. [Time domain = ?]Acts 1:8?

Three altogether?11-15] Another Angel?18-21] Ch 12:5 Another.. (2) Ch 12:6 “Man”

To Consider

1) Suppose Daniel had stopped fasting after 20 days?2) Is there a “Prince of the Power of the U.S.”?

You have an opportunity to “be a Daniel.” You can undertake aspiritual mission on behalf of the U.S. Jonah & Nineveh: 40 days until“ground zero.”

Chapter 11Coming Future Kingdoms

Chapter 11 chronicles 150 years of warfare between the Ptolemiesand the Seleucids. (Verses 2-20 has past. Verses 36-45 are clearlyfuture. Verses 21-35 apparently has elements of both.)

1] The angel (of Chapter 10) announces three kings: Cyrus, Cambyses,and Darius Hystapes (Smerdis).3 (He helped establish Darius as kingin the first year of his reign.)

2] The fourth king, Xerxes, would instigate trouble with the Greeks(486-465 B.C.) (He appears to be Ahasureus of Ezra 4:6, Esther 1:1-12.) He instituted tax reforms, became very powerful, trained over 2million warriors for 4 years, built special barges, and attacked Greecein 480 B.C. He crossed the Hellespont in 7 days. This attack laid thebasis for the vendetta that Alexander exploited later.

3] The rise of the Greeks, under Alexander the Great, was detailed inChapter 8.

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4] Alexander died without a qualified heir. His half brother, PhilipArrhidaeus, was mentally defective. His two sons (illegitimateHercules, by Basina, the daughter of Darius, and Young Alexander,posthumously by Roxana) were murdered within 13 years after theirfather’s death. After 22 years of fighting, Alexander’s four generalsdivided up the Empire (as detailed in the notes on Chapter 7).

5] Ptolemy I Soter taking Egypt and Seleucus Nicator taking Syria ledto 150 years of warfare, and the repeated trampling through Israel.Chapter 11 chronicles this warfare between the “King of the South”(Egypt) and the “King of the North” (Syria) that continued until Romemarched east and the conquests of Pompey established Roman ruleover the area.

The continued attempts by Bible critics to “late date” this passage isa testimony to its accuracy.

Ptolemy Soter I Soter (323-285 B.C.) was one of Alexander’s wisestand most capable generals and grew very powerful, but now PtolemyII Philadelphus (285-245 B.C.) grew even more powerful. It was underPtolemy II’s rule that the great library was established at Alexandriaand the translation of the Old Testament into Greek (the “Septuagint”translation) was commissioned. The famed mathematician Euclidtaught geometry in Ptolemy’s court.

Ptolemy I captured Jerusalem in 321 B.C. on the Sabbath day withoutresistance.4 However, in 316 B.C. Israel was lost to Ptolemy’s rival,Antigonus. After the Battle of Gaza in 312 B.C., Ptolemy reclaimedit. Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 B.C.), who cooperated with Ptolemy,made himself the master of Babylon and established the SeleucidEmpire, ruling from Antioch.

6] “end of years” = after a lapse of several years (2 Chr 18:2; Dan11:8,13). A political marriage was arranged between Antiochus IITheos (262-246 B.C.) and Ptolemy II Philadelphus’s daughter, Bernice.Antiochus was required to divorce his own wife, Laodiceia, tofacilitate this arrangement. Bernice was unable to prevail against herrival Laodiceia who poisoned Antiochus, murdered Bernice, and sether elder son, Seleucus II Callinicus, on the throne (246 - 226 B.C.).[Note: this occurs after the Septuagint translation of the OT (285-270B.C.), which included the book of Daniel!]

7] Ptolemy III Euergetes (245-221 B.C.), the brother of murdered Bernice,

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invaded Syria, seized the port of Antioch, and overran Seleucus’empire as far as Babylon.

8] His spoils for Egypt included 4000 talents of gold, 40,000 talents ofsilver, and 2500 idols.5 These included some carried from Egypt byCambyses 280 years earlier. He continued more years than his rival:24 years vs. 20.

9] After 2 years Seleucus reorganized and marched south against Egypt,got clobbered, and returned to Antioch with only a small remnant ofhis army.

10] The sons of Seleucus II were Seleucus III Ceraunus (226-223 B.C.),who was murdered during a campaign in Asia Minor, and AntiochusIII (“The Great”) (223-187 B.C.) who recovered the fortress ofSeleucia, the province of Coele-Syria, Tyre, and then resumed the warwith Egypt.6

In 312 B.C. a large Egyptian army, led by Ptolemy IV Philopator (221-203 B.C.), marched through Judea until it was met in Lebanon byAntiochus who routed it and captured many Judean cities both westand east of the Jordan.

Initially, the army of Ptolemy IV was larger than that of Antiochus III.In the spring of 219 B.C., at the battle at Raphia (20 miles south ofGaza), Antiochus commanded 60,000 men and Ptolemy, 70,000.Antiochus was defeated with a loss of 10,000 infantry and 300cavalry. Ptolemy, indolent and dissolute, signed a peace treaty withAntiochus III.

Ptolemy IV celebrated his victory by a tour of the eastern Mediterra-nean provinces including Jerusalem. He was prevented from enteringthe Holy of Holies by paralysis. Returning to Egypt, he took out hischagrin and humiliation by persecuting the Egyptian Jews.

13] After the death of Ptolemy IV, his son, four years old, succeeded himas Ptolemy V Epiphanes (203-181 B.C.). Twelve years after the Battleof Raphia, Antiochus III set out with a greater army than before for theconquest of Egyptian territory.

14] The many that stood up against the King of the South includedAntiochus and his ally, Philip of Macedon, as well as risings amongthe vassals of Egypt. In 200 B.C., an Egyptian mercenary named

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Scopas attempted to wrest Judea from Antiochus. After a temporarysuccess, he was defeated by 100,000 troops at Sidon in 198 B.C. Nonewere able to stand against Antiochus III (“The Great”).

16] (“The glorious land” is Judea, cf. Dan 8:9; Jer. 3:19.)

17] In 197 B.C., Antiochus III set out with a fleet to attack Cilicia, Lycia,and Caria, which were under Egyptian control. However, he encoun-tered a disastrous defeat by an upstart power rising on the banks of theTiber: Rome.

Antiochus’ daughter, Cleopatra, was given in a political marriage toPtolemy (arranged in 197, consummated in 193 B.C., the groom being10 years old) along with Coele-Syria, Phoenicia, and Judea as dowry,and in the hopes that he could eventually annex Egypt. He wasdisappointed, however, as she became a devoted wife instead andsided with Egypt (and her new ally, Rome).

In 196 B.C., Antiochus had turned toward the west in Greece, AsiaMinor, and crossed the Hellespont to seize part of Thrace. It wasHannibal, the Carthaginian general, who encouraged Antiochus III tofight with the Romans. In 191 B.C., Antiochus was defeated by theRomans at Thermopylae. In 190 B.C. his army of 80,000 suffered anignominious defeat in a decisive battle near Smyrna where the Romancommander, Lucius Scipio, forced him to renounce all claims inEurope and Asia Minor.7 He had to surrender all territory west of theTaurus Mountains and pay a heavy tribute of 15,000 talents (over 30million dollars). He was ruined.

19] He took it all out on the northeastern part of his kingdom, plunderingthe temples in his realm.

20] Seleucus IV Philopater (187-175 B.C.) succeeded Antiochus III,giving his son Demetrius as a hostage in the place of his brotherAntiochus, and to meet heavy Roman tribute, oppressed Israel throughtaxation.8 After 12 years of rule, he is murdered by his treasurer,Heliodorous, who hoped to take over but is out-intrigued by AntiochusIV (“Epiphanes”)175-164 B.C.

21] Legitimate candidates might have included Demetrius, the son of theSeleucus IV, held as a hostage in Rome, or the younger son, alsonamed Antiochus, who was still a baby in Syria. Antiochus IV wasthe brother of Seleucus IV, who had also been a hostage for his father

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in Rome for 14 years. Just prior to the murder of his brother byHeliodorus, he had been recalled to Antioch. His brother died beforehe reached the capital, and with the help of the king of Pergamum, andposing as the guardian of young Antiochus who was in Syria,Antiochus IV, with numerous intrigues, gained the throne.

22] “Prince of the covenant” refers to the murder of Onias III, the HighPriest in 171 B.C.9

23] Unlike his fathers, Antiochus IV robbed the richest places of thecountry under his control. He attacked his enemies when they leastexpected it. There was a power contest between Antiochus’ twonephews, Ptolemy VI Philometer (181-145 B.C.) and Ptolemy VIIEuergetes (Physicon) for control of Egypt.

25] After the death of his mother, Cleopatra, Ptolemy IV Philometerreceived bad advice regarding Antiochus IV who swept over hisarmy. When Antiochus conquered Ptolemy Philopater, theAlexandrians brought his brother Ptolemy Physcon to the Egyptianthrone.

27] Antiochus took Philometer under his protection. As uncle andnephew, they eat together at one table and, with lies, discussed policywith one another.

28] Antiochus returned from his first Egyptian campaign with greatriches and turned his attention to despoiling the Temple in Jerusa-lem.10

29] In his second campaign against Egypt, Antiochus was less successfuland failed to take Alexandria. Furthermore, he encountered theRoman navy.

30] Chittim, or Kittim, is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls as a generalreference to the people of the Mediterranean, Cyprus in particular.The Roman fleet of Caius Popillius Laenas sailed from Cyprus toEgypt after a stunning Roman victory over Perseus of Macedon nearPydna, south of Thessalonica.11 The intimidation of the Romanscaused Antiochus to return in humiliation to Syria and, looking forsomeone to take it out on, he then focused on oppressing the Jews.

31] The famed “abomination of desolation” now takes place.12 (Twocenturies later Jesus predicted this would occur again in the future. It

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requires the Temple, the preparations for which have begun.)

32] The opposition led to the Maccabean revolt, and the ultimate re-dedication of the Temple (celebrated to this day at Hanukkah) and theperiod of the Hasmoneans.

[In verses 1-35, approximately 135 prophetic statements have beencounted. This is an impressive introduction to the section whichfollows.]

The remainder of the chapter, verses 36 - 45, has yielded a number ofdiverse views. Some have attempted to restrict the passage to thehistorical Antiochus IV, and while his meglamania lends itself to suchviews, the language seems to go far beyond that. The “Willful King”has been identified by Ibn-Ezra with Constantine the Great; Rashi andCalvin understood him to represent the Roman Empire; Jerome,Theodoret, Luther, J.N. Darby and most “Pre-trib” scholars see himas the Antichrist.

The similarity to other prophetic passages are striking: 2 Thess 2, etc.

He Will Be:

An intellectual genius: Dan 7:20; 8:23; Ezek 28:3An persuasive orator: Dan 7:20; Rev 13:2A shrewd political manipulator: Dan 11:21A successful commercial genius:

Dan 8:25; Rev 13:17; Ps 52:7; Dan 11:38, 43; Ezek 28:4,5A forceful military leader:

Dan 8:24; Rev 6:2; Rev 13:4; Isa 4:16A powerful organizer: Rev 13:1,2; 17:17A unifying religious guru: 2 Thess 2:4 (“Allah”?); Rev 13:3, 14, 15See also: Psa 10, 52, 55; Isa 10,11,13,14; Jer 49-51; Zech 5; Rev 18.

Jew or Gentile?

Some believe this leader will be a Jew: Ezek 21:25-27; Ezek 28:2-10(of the circumcision); Dan 11:36,37; Jn 5:43 (allos, not heteros: thus,a Jew, not a Gentile); received by Israel, Jn 5:43; Ps 55.

Some believe he will be a Gentile: Roman Prince, etc. [Remember,there are two players in Rev 13.]

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The Leader will be the Son of Satan: Gen 3:15; Isa 27:1; Ezek 28:12-19; Rev 13. (Other allusions to this Coming World Leader are in thelist below.)

Verses 40-45 seem to outline the “Armageddon Scenario” of the finalconflict climaxing in Rev. 16, 19, etc. Chapter 12 continues, with aclear description of the Tribulation period.

Allusions to the Antichrist

Old Testament: (33)

Adversary Ps 74:8-10; Isa 59:19; Lam 4:11,12; Amos 3:11Assyrian Isa 10:5,12Belial Nahum 1:15Bloody and Deceitful Man Ps 5:6Branch of the Terrible Ones Isa 25:5; (Cf. Isa 14:19)Chief Prince Ex 38:2Crooked Serpent Job 26:13; Isa 27:1Cruel One Jer 30:14,23Destroyer of the Gentiles Jer 4:7Enemy Ps 55:3; Jer 30:14, 23Evil Man Ps 140:1Head over many countries Ps 110:6Head of Northern Army Joel 2:20Idol Shepherd Zech 11:16, 17King of Princes Hos 8:10King of Babylon Isa 14:11-20; (Cf. 30:31-33)Little Horn Dan 7:8-11, 21-26; 8:9-12, 23-25Man of the Earth Ps 10:18Merchant, with balances of deceit Hos 12:7Mighty Man Ps 52:1Nail Isa 22:25Prince that shall come Dan 9:26Prince of Tyre Ezek 28:2-10Profane Wicked Prince of Israel Ezek 21:25-27Proud Man Hab 2:5Rod of God’s anger Isa 10:5Seed of the Serpent Gen 3:15Son of the Morning Isa 14:12Spoiler, Destroyer Isa 16:4,5Vile Person Dan 11:21

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Violent Man Ps 140:1, 10, 11Wicked, Wicked One Ps 9:17; 10:2,4; Isa 11:4; Jer 30:14, 23Wilful King Dan 11:36

New Testament: (13)

Angel of the Bottomless Pit Rev 9:11Antichrist, Pseudo-Christ 1 Jn 2:22Beast Rev 11:7; 13False Prophet Rev 13Father of the lie Jn 8:44; 2 Thess 2:11Lawless One 2 Thess 2:8Man of Sin 2 Thess 2:3One come in his own name Jn 5:43Prince of Darkness 1 Thess 5Son of Perdition 2 Thess 2:3Star Rev 8:10; 9:1Unclean Spirit Mt 12:43Vine of the earth Rev 14:18

Judas Reincarnated?

(Some believe he is Judas Iscariot reincarnated: Ps 55:11-14; Death& Hell: Isa 28:18, Rev 6:8; Mt 12:41-43; Jn 17:12; Jn 6:7; 2 Thess 2:3;Acts 1:25, with Rev 11:7.) He emerges out of the Abousso, Rev 11:7

Nomenclature Issues

“Pre/Mid/Post-Tribulation” Views:

MillenniumBegins

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Daniel 12The Climax of All History

Closes Section Three of the book: Chapters 10-12.

(Remember: Chapter 12 is in Hebrew—Israel is the focus.) Refers toDaniel’s people, not the Church (Dan 9:16, 19, 24, 24; 10:14; 12:1).

Summary: 11:36 - 12:3

1) A world ruler.2) A world religion.3) A world war.4) A time of tribulation for Israel.5) Deliverance for the people of God at the end of the tribulation.6) Resurrection and judgment.7) Reward of the righteous.

1] “At that time” (3X) What time? (Dan 9:27).

be, “during” = continuation.

Michael (“your prince”) = the angel who oversees Israel. Mentioned4X in Scripture. Who is he always battling? Satan (Rev 12:7-9). Note“dignity”: Jude 9; Cf. Dan 10:13-21.

Satan is a created being... vs. “Christ & Satan.”

vs. traditions: Milton, Dante, Goethe, et al. Where does he rule? notHell: here! We’re on his turf. Paradox: ignoring vs. over-reaction...

“Time of Trouble”

Jesus quotes (Mt 24:21; Mk 13:19(!); Rev 7:14).

“Time of Jacob’s trouble”: Deut 4:30; Jer 30:7; Joel 2:2; Zech 13:8(parallel to Dan 11:40-45); Cf. Ex 9:18, 24).

Israel to “pass under the rod” Ezek 20:34-38;“Furnace of affliction” Ezek 22:18-22;Only 1/3 spared Zech 13:8,9

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Woman of Rev 12 (Satan cast out: Rev 12:10.) No longer able toaccuse.

Thy people (2X) shall be delivered...”: Dan 7:18, 27; Zech 12:10;13:8-9; Jer 30:7,11; Rev 12:6-7. (This is the Hebrew portion of thebook.) Also, Isa 14:12-17; Job 1:6; 2:1-7; Zech 3:1-5; cf. Ruth,“threshing floor scene” in Chapter 3.

[Visit Yad Vashem; “Never Again” = futile...]

Abomination of Desolation: (“seen” throughout Judea?) Mt 24:15;Dan 12:11.

Rapture: Only the Church?

“Written in the book” Ex 32:32, 33; Ps 69:28; Lk 10:20Rev 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27

Not all prepared Ezek 20:33-38Israel “unblinded” Rom 11:25

Blotted out? Ex 32:31-33; Ps 69:28; (cf. Rev 3:5; overcomers in 1John 5:5). [Distinctive: not all “saints” or “elect” are the same.]

2] Elect? (Mt 24:22); 144,000 (Rev 7:4); Saved (Rom 11:26). “Israel,Mine Elect” (Isa 45:4); Isa 11:11; 27:12-13; Jer 30:7; Ezek 37:21-28;Hos 3:4-5; Amos 9:11-15.

NT “God’s Elect”: Rom 8:33; Col 3:12. [John the Baptist: Mt11:11,12.]

“Spiritual resurrection”? Dead in sins (Eph 2:1; 4:18); quickened bythe Word of God (Rom 10:17; Heb 4:12); passed from death to life (Jn5:24; Eph 2:5-6).

“National resurrection”? Isa 26:12-19; Jer 16:14-15; Ezek 20:33-44;37:1-28 (Gaebelein, Kelly, Ironside: national, not bodily(?); to sup-port OT at rapture).

Second Resurrection? Eph 4:8-10; 1 Pet 3:18-20; Mt 27:52-53;Isa 61:1,2; 2 Cor 5:1-8; Rev 20:5,6;

“Many”: but not “all.”

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Abraham Gen 22:5; Heb 11:19Job Job 19:25-26Isaiah Isa 26:19(!)Hosea Hos 13:14of Christ Ps 16:9-10

There seems to be no passage in Scripture which teaches that the OTsaints will be raised at the time the church is raptured; before the finaltribulation.

Hebrew sharply separates two classes of resurrection:

“And many from among the sleepers of the dust of the earth shallawake; these shall be unto everlasting life; but those, the rest of thesleepers, those who do not awake at this time, shall be unto shame andeverlasting contempt.”

(Tregelles, Culber, Seiss, Nathaniel West)Rev 20:5, 12-13

Shame, contempt: olam (everlasting) modifies both. An eternal statefor the wicked!

“First Resurrection” is a class, not an event: Christ, the firstfruits ofthem that slept; the rapture; and the two witnesses are all in the “first”resurrection.

3] This is the first occurrence of “everlasting life” in the OT? Ps 16:10;49:15; Isa 25:8; 26:19; Hos 13:14; Heb 11:17,18; cf. Dan 11:33.

Jewish “teachers”: Dan 11:33-35; Rev 7:4-8; 11:2-12.

“brightness of the expanse”: Zachar, to be brilliant.

“lights”: Mt 5:14-16; Jn 5:35; Eph 5:8; 2 Cor 4:6; 1 Cor 15:41-42.

4] “Revealed” in last days; primary application to “the time of the end.”

The Book of Revelation is not sealed. Rev 22:10; 1:3

[If Knowledge doubles each decade? then, 50% of all “knowledge”has been added these past 10 years!?]

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Hebrew hadda’at, “the knowledge,” i.e. this prophecy. Link with v.3(vs. Amos 8:12). Israel’s blindness to be relieved (Rom 11:25).

Sealing: made secure; preserved; until end (11:35,40).

“to/fro” = search: 2 Chr 16:9; Jer 5:1; 49:3; Amos 8:12; Zech 4:10.(Daniel was now over 80 years old.)

5] Jesus is “man” in linen? Two others were probably angels.Two witnesses: Deut 19:15; 31:28; 2 Cor 13:1.

Oath: Gen 14:22; Deut 32:40; Rev 10:5-7.

7] 3 1/2 years (Dan 7:25; 12:7; Rev 11:2; 13:5); 1260 days; 42 months;mid-week...

8] Daniel did not understand. (Theory of inspiration!?)

9] “Go” (mental attitude): Words sealed.

10] Wicked will not understand (1 Cor 2:14; 21 Thess 2:11; Rev 22:11,12).

11] 30 days between 1260 and 1290 unrevealed. Tamid, regular ceremo-nies (8:11; 11:21). Zeus/Jupiter Olympus; 2300 were literal.

12] 45 days: judgments? Ezek 20:34-38; Mt 25:31-46Start of Millennium? Borders of Gen 15:18?

So closes the most comprehensive prophetic revelation in the OT.

* * *

Notes:

1. Walvoord, p. 176, note 83.2. ibid3. Herodotus III. 89-97.4. Josephus, Antiquities XII. i. 1.5. Polybius, Histories V. 38.6. Polybius, Histories, II. 71.7. Appian, Roman History: The Syrian Wars, XI. i. 5; XI. vii. 38.8. 2 Maccabees 3:1-12, 24-31.9. 2 Maccabees 4:30-35.

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10. 1 Maccabees 4:30-35.11. Livy’s Annales, XLIV. 37.12. 2 Maccabees 5:11-18; 6:1-11. Josephus, Antiquities, XII. ii. 6.

Supplemental Bibliography

Eastman, Mark, and Smith, Chuck, The Search for Messiah, The Word forToday, Costa Mesa, CA, 1993.

Faulstich, E.W., History, Harmony & Daniel, Chronology Books, Spen-cer IA, 1988.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G., Israelology, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA,1989.

Jeffrey, Grant R., Messiah, Frontier Research Publications, Toronto,Ontario, 1991.

Missler, Chuck, Expositional Commentary on Revelation, 4 Volumes,Koinonia House, 1993.

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About The Cover Design

The “Front” cover:

The Greek border: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and theending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come,the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).” The center design element symbol-izes the Word of God Incarnate, illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

The “Back” cover: (the “front” to the Jewish reader)

The Hebrew border: “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and withall thy soul, and with all thy might (from the Sh’ma, Deut 6:4-5).”

The center design represents the Burning Bush, made up of Hebrewletters which proclaim “the Eternal One cannot lie.”

The Spine:

The spine includes a Menorah from the Old Testament, a MaranathaDove suggesting the New Testament, and the Koinonia House logoat the base.

Koinonia HouseP.O. Box D

Coeur d’Alene Idaho83816-0347

1-800-KHOUSE-1www.khouse.org

ISBN 1-880532-09-3