Bible Devotion

Day 1

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 6:1–28

(1) Presumably, Darius (the Mede) must have subsequently been told of the writing on the wall, and also of who Daniel was and what he did. By this time, Daniel would be in his eighties or at least late seventies. However, Daniel still held a very important position, based not only on his exceptional past, but also on his continued  distinguishing and “exceptional qualities”. From the description in vv. 1-5,

a. Can you list what constituted his “exceptional qualities”?

b. Which of these qualities do you admire most?

c. Why?

(2) There were 120 satraps and 3 administrators. Why did these leaders pick on Daniel?

(3) How does 1 Peter 4:4 speak to Daniel’s situation?

(4) Did you have any similar encounter like that of Daniel?

(5) What further insight does v. 13 provide about their dislike about Daniel?

(6) What was the plan drawn up by these leaders to trap Daniel? Why would the king even entertain such an absurd idea which only lasted for 30 days?

(7) I believe Daniel would have been praying or conversing with God all the time, but to kneel down and pray (i.e. to cut out a specific time to pray) meant that he had developed a habit of praying three times a day:

a. Why would he set aside three times a day to pray, given his busy schedule as such an important official of the royal court? Do you think it was merely a ritual to him? Why or why not?

b. How would you compare your prayer-life to his?

c. How should you emulate him?

(8) Given the trap and that he was well aware of it:

a. What options were open to Daniel?

b. Which option did he choose?

c. Why?

(9) As Daniel was being thrown into the lions’ den, the king said to him, “May your God whom you serve continually rescue you”.

a. Was the king being sincere? Why or why not? (See vv. 14, 18 ,19, 20.)

b. What impact might the life of Daniel have on the king?

c. What impact does your life have on the people around you?

(10) How did God rescue Daniel and what reason did he give for God’s rescue?

(11) What was the fate of Daniel’s accusers?

(12) From the subsequent decree issued by the king, can you tell what he had learned about the God of Daniel?

(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Marketplace Impact

“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” (Dan. 6:3)

Daniel was certainly a remarkable man. While we know him as a prophet, we sometimes forget that he was a full-time politician for the most part of his adult life.

It is also remarkable that as a politician, he did not only survive through successive changes of rulers but empires as well. In fact, not only did he survive, but he excelled throughout his career. The Bible attributes his success to his “exceptional qualities”. I believe the life of Daniel is a great encouragement to all Christians who seek to bear witness to the gospel in the marketplace.

1. Distinguished Intelligence:

The fact that he was chosen as a youth to be trained in the language and literature of the Babylonians bears witness to his intelligence and his potential (1:4).

2. Diligence:

While intelligence is a gift from God, Daniel did not rely only on his smartness, but he also demonstrated his diligence in learning and in the disposal of his duties to the point that no fault could be found in his “government affairs”. (6:4)

3. Life without compromise:

Even at his young age, he had learned to live a life of non-compromise. Fame, fortune and worldly success were not his goals. He understood that true success does not depend on what one achieved, but on what one becomes in the process. He was determined to live a life of purity before God, not to be defiled in any shape or form. (1:8)

4. A man of prayer:

The ultimate secret to his success in the marketplace lies in his relationship with God. In the “lion’s den” incident of chapter six, he has shown us that he had developed, as a lifestyle, a habit of drawing close to God through prayer — three times a day. We have to understand that as one of the most senior officials in the kingdom of Media-Persia, he had to be a very busy man. Cutting out time, three times a day, to kneel and pray, was not easy for him. He had to do it intentionally and he had to make it a priority. In later chapters, we also learn that fasting, praying and reading of scriptures indeed were marks of his life.

We all desire to make a difference for the Lord in our lives, and Daniel through his example has pointed us to the right path.

Day 2

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 7:1–28

As a devotional study, we will not concern ourselves too much with all the debates regarding the identification of the world powers depicted by the beasts, but the dream obviously portrays human kingdoms and contrasts them to the Kingdom of Heaven that will finally come and destroy all human dominions; they also appear to be an elaboration of the dream of the statue interpreted by Daniel in chapter 2. (See Note 1 below and a table which sets, side by side, the main contents of the two dreams.)

7:2-14 is the vision

7:15-27 is the interpretation

(1) Let’s begin our study with the summary of the interpretation of the vision given by “one of those standing there” (likely referring to angels) (v.16) :

a. What do the four beasts represent according to v. 17?

b. How does it aid our understanding of the use of “four winds of heaven churning up the great sea” in v. 2?

c. What is the final outcome of the vision according to v.18? In particular, instead of human kings who rule, who will receive this eternal kingdom? What does “receive” mean?

*********************************

Let’s consider the four beasts, i.e. kingdoms that arise, which lead until the end of human dominion on this earth (See Note 2.)

(2) Most commentators believe that the first beast, in fact, refers to Nebuchadnezzar:

a. How were Nebuchadnezzar’s wings being torn off by God in chapter 4?

b. How appropriate was the description that he was given a “heart of a man” after being humbled by God?

(3) In what way does this vision of a second beast being a bear echo the second kingdom seen in the dream of chapter two? (By the way, the raising of one side, obviously higher than the other side, seems to fit perfectly the divided kingdom under the Medo-Persian Kingdom in which Persia was the more dominant of the two.)

(4) What features are being ascribed to the third beast and what does “given the authority to rule” (v.6b) signify? (Note that its four heads appear to jive with the four-fold Greek Empire after the death of Alexander of the Great prophesied in 8:8, 22.)

(5) However, Daniel was most eager to learn more about the 4th beast:

a. How different is this beast from the others in terms of power and ruthlessness according to v. 7, v. 19 and v. 23?

b. What do the 10 horns represent? (v. 24)

c. The little horn that uproots the other three horns appears not to be part of the original ten horns. This little horn which is more imposing than the rest has eyes of a man and mouth that speaks boastfully:

  1. What might “eyes of a man” mean (in contrast with the heart of a man that the first beast has)?
  2. How boastful will this little horn be according to v. 25? What does it mean?
  3. What will this little horn do to the "saints”? Will the saints suffer in its hand? If so, for how long? (vv. 21, 25)
  4. What will be the end of this little horn? (v. 11)
  5. What will follow the end of this little horn?
  6. Based on these events given in the vision, do you think the prophecy concerning this little horn leading the fourth kingdom and then is thrown in the fire (vv. 10 &11), has already taken place? Why or why not?

(6) In this vision, we are given one of the clearest pictures of the consummation of the heavenly kingdom in the Old Testament:

a. Why are thrones being set up?

b. How is God, the Ancient of Days, being described?

c. What might be the books that are opened before Him? (See Rev. 20:11-14.)

d. Who is this Son of Man in v. 13?

e. How will He come? (See Mk. 13:26, Matt. 24:30; 26:64, Acts 1:11, Rev. 1:7.)

f. How will He be worshipped? (See Rev. 7:9-12.)

g. How is His kingdom being described?

h. What will happen to you and me, the saints?

(7) Even (or perhaps, especially) after the interpretation given by the angel, Daniel was deeply troubled and his face even turned pale. Why?

(8) Are you troubled with the reading of this prophecy? Why or why not?

(9) What do you think is the reason that God has chosen to reveal to Daniel this vision?

(10) What do you think is the reason that God has chosen to reveal to us this vision?

(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note 1: It might be helpful to set the two dreams (of chapters 2 and 7) side by side below:

Chapter 2:
Four Parts of the Statue

Chapter 7:
Four Beasts

The Golden Head (as Daniel explains, it is that of Babylon)

Lion like creature with eagle wings – wings torn, but stood like a human with a human heart

The Silver chest and arms — likely Media-Persia

Bear like creature – raised on one side

(i.e. two sided but unequal)

The Bronze belly and thigh — likely Greece

Leopard like creature with four bird wings

The Iron legs — likely Rome with its Eastern and Western Empires

Creature unlike the others — crushed, devoured and trampled victims

The feet and toes of mixed iron and clay: this is the less certain part which could depict the diversified rulers and dynasties that governed the Roman Empire or the various world powers

Same creature with ten horns; one little horn came up and uprooted 3 existing horns, with eyes of a man and a boastful mouth

Rock, not cut out by human hands, which sets up the kingdom that will never end

Son of Man given authority and everlasting dominion

Note 2: The words, “shall rise” in v.17 tend to exclude Babylon as a kingdom represented by the first beast. However, I find this explanation by some scholars helpful in that

“The future [tense], shall rise, is rather…for the purpose of declaring that the vision represents, the development of the world power as a whole, as it would unfold itself in four successive phases; whereupon the angel so summarily interprets the vision to the prophet, that, dating from the time of their origin, he points out the first world-kingdom as arising along with the rest, notwithstanding that it had already come into existence, and only its last stages were in the future” (quoted from various sources by K & D, 648-9).

Meditative Reflection
Reigning with Christ

“But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.” (Dan. 7:18 )

It is true that the Bible teaches humility and that Christ has come in gentleness and humbleness. As a result, time and again, we are told not to judge our brothers and sisters. However, when it comes to the final reign of Christ, we are told that we will reign with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12).

It will not just be the martyrs who will reign with Him (Rev. 20:4), for they certainly will, but “all those who have part in the first resurrection…they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).

This vision in Daniel 7 affirms this truth as Daniel sees the thrones (plural) being set in place and the Son of Man coming in the clouds, given authority, glory and sovereign power, and whose dominion is described as an everlasting dominion (Dan. 7:13-14).

Then repeatedly in the same vision, this everlasting kingdom is to be received by the saints of the Most High (Dan. 7:18, 22, 25 and 27). However, the emphasis in this vision is that the kingdom so received by the saints is an everlasting kingdom: “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever” (Dan. 7:18).

Yes, we are totally unworthy of it. But as saints who have been sanctified by the blood of our Savior and Lord, we will, indeed, reign with Christ. And as a result, the Apostle Paul also tells us that, together with Christ, we shall judge the (unbelieving) world and even the (fallen) angels (1 Co. 6:2-3).

The implication in 1 Corinthians is that we should not therefore take our brothers and sisters to secular courts, but settle our disputes within the church. And yet another implication of this glorious hope of ours is that we should not have a defeated mentality as we face opposition, ridicule and even martyrdom in this world. It is because we know in Christ, we do have the last word, and the last laugh!

Day 3

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 8:1–27

Again, as a devotional study, we will not bother too much with the debates surrounding the identity of each of the animals in this vision. However, the angel has made clear the meaning of a good part of the vision already,  and that it covers the period from the Medo-Persian empire onwards to the “distant future” (v.26). See chart below.

8:1-14 : The Vision

8:15-26: The Interpretation

(1) Let’s consider this vision by first looking at what the angel, Gabriel, says about what it encompasses.

The vision concerns:

a. “the time of the end” (8:17)

b. “what will happen, later in the time of wrath” (8:19a)

c. "the appointed time of the end” (8:19b)

What do you understand as the “time of the end”, given the reading of the visions of chapters 2 and 7?

What do you understand as the time of wrath? (The wrath of God against the nations is a common theme in the Old Testament. There are so many references to it. Here is only a sample: Ps. 110:4-7; Isa. 63:3, 6; Zeph. 1:15, 18. But the best interpretation is given in Revelation — see 6:17; 11:18; 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19 and 19:15).

(2) What might be the reason that Daniel was taken to the future capital of Persia, Susa to be shown this particular vision?

(3) Let’s consider the first animal which is a ram with two horns. The angel explains that it represents Media and Persia (8:20):

a. However, when did Daniel see this vision?

b. Do you understand why so many liberal scholars (and these days, Evangelical scholars included) have sought to date this book to the 2nd century B.C. and claim that it is likely written by someone purported to be Daniel?

(4) How strong was the first animal, the ram? How would he be destroyed by the second animal, the one-horn goat?

(5) How then can one explain why as strong as the ram was, it could be so destroyed?

(6) The prominent horn of the goat (which the angel specifies as Greece), is recognized by all scholars as Alexander the Great who “over a period of four years between 334 and 331 B.C…demolished the Persian empire and established an empire of his own, extending from Europe to India” (Goldingay, Daniel, 209).
However, he suddenly died of illness in 323 B.C. at the young age of 32. How does Alexander’s life fit into the vision in 8:5-8?

(7) After the death of Alexander at such a young age, there was no apparent successor and through a series of power struggles by the generals, the empire was effectively divided into four: Lysimachus (Thrace and Bithynia); Cassander (Macedonia and Greece); Seleucus (Syria, Babylonia and the eastern countries, as far as India) and Ptolemy (Egypt, Palestine and Arabia Petrea) — these are well attested by world history. How does this phase of history fit into the vision in 8:8 and 22?

(8) The main focus of this vision appears to be tied to the rise and fall of the little horn that follows. See chart in Note 2 below (and today’s meditative reflection article).

a. Why did Daniel feel appalled by the vision?

b. Given the vision of the little horn, what kind of picture is being depicted about “the time of the end”?

c. If you have read the Scripture passages about the wrath of God cited above, how would you prepare yourself to face the end time?

(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note 1: It might be helpful to set the two visions (of chapters 7 and 8) side by side below:

Chapter 7: Four Beasts

Chapter 8: The Ram and the Goat

Lion like creature with eagle wings – wings torn, but stood like a human with a human heart— Babylonian Empire


Bear like creature – raised on one side- (i.e. two sided but unequal)— Media and Persia

Ram with two horns — charging west, north and south — Media and Persia

Leopard like creature with four bird wings — Greece

Goat with prominent horn from the west — Alexander the Great, but replaced by four prominent horns

Creature unlike the others — crushed, devoured and trampled victims


Same creature with ten horns; one little horn came up and uprooted 3 existing horns, with eyes of a man and a boastful mouth

Out of one came a small horn but grew in power to south, east & Beautiful Land — challenged starry host, set itself up as great as Prince of Host — daily sacrifice and saints given over to him for 2,300 (days?)

Son of Man given authority and everlasting dominion

Little horn destroyed not by human power

Note 2: Since the little horn appears to be the focus of this vision, the following chart puts the vision and its interpretation by the angel side by side:


The Vision

Angel’s (partial) Explanation

Timing

Grew from four horns of goat, from small to strong

When rebels have become completely wicked

Who is he

From one of the four horns

A stern-faced king, master of intrigue

Coming to power


Not by his own power

His power

To south, to East, to Beautiful Land (i.e. Jerusalem)

Reached host of heavens

Threw and trampled some starry host to ground

Astounding devastation & success in whatever he does

Destroys mighty men & “holy people”

His deeds concerning God and His people

Set itself as great as the Prince of host

Took away daily sacrifice

Brought low the sanctuary (temple)

Host of saints and daily sacrifice given over to him

Threw truth to the ground

Takes his stand against the Prince of princes

Considers himself superior

Destroys many who feel secure

Causes deceit to prosper

Fate


Destroyed not by human power

Length of time

From its rise or from the stopping of daily sacrifice (not sure) to re-consecration of sanctuary = 2,300 evenings and mornings

It concerns the “distant future”

Meditative Reflection
Predictive Prophecy

“Out of one of them came another horn, which started small…It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from Him and the place of His sanctuary was brought low.” (Dan. 8:9, 11)

Scholars in general identify this little horn as Antiochus Epiphanes (Antiochus IV) in that

a. He came from the Seleucid empire being the son of King Antiochus III, but he was not as a legitimate heir (therefore small and insignificant);

b. He seized the throne by tricking King Eumenes II of Pergamum to help him;

c. In 167 B.C., he returned from his campaign in Egypt and attacked the rebelling Jews in Jerusalem, killing many of them — “a massacre of young and old…women and children…virgins and infants. In the space of three days, 80,000 were lost…” (II Maccabees 5:11-14)

d. Siding with Hellenized Jews, he outlawed Jewish religious rites and traditions, including Sabbath, circumcision and sacrifices to Yahweh;

e. He desecrated the sanctuary by instituting the worship of Zeus, the Greek god, and rumored to have offered pigs on the altar;

f. He died of a disease in 164 B.C.

As much as the vision does point to Antiochus IV, he is only “a type for the duration of the oppression of the last enemy of the church of the Lord at the end of the days” (K&D, 696) in that

- Antiochus was not really that powerful;

- He did desecrate the temple and cause the daily sacrifices to cease, but he never claimed himself as God. Instead, he ordered the Jews to worship the Greek god, Zeus;

- However, no matter how one interprets the 2,300 evenings and mornings (many try to divide this by half to come up with 1150 days) , or counts the period mentioned by the angel (from the rise of Antiochus or his stopping of the sacrifices to the restoration by the Maccabees), one cannot match the 1,150 or 2,300 days;

- And his death does not lead to “the end” or the “time of wrath” on which Revelation elaborates at the end of 1st century A.D.; and

- The angel ends his interpretation referring particularly to the portion of the vision concerning the “evenings and mornings” as “the distant future”.

I am afraid, the effort to date the Book of Daniel to 2nd century B.C. and to manipulate the historical events surrounding Antiochus IV to fit all the prophecies spoken of the little horn is based on unbelief regarding predictive prophecy — i.e. that the Word of God can accurately predict future events to their minute details.

Day 4

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 9:1–19

Since Daniel emphasized that this King Darius was a Mede by descent, he was most likely referring to Darius the Mede who took over the Babylonian kingdom in 5:31. The important point to note is that Daniel was moved to pray before the issue of the edict by the Persian King Cyrus for the return of the Jews to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.

(1) Why did the reading of the book of Jeremiah move Daniel to pray? (See Jer. 25:11 and 29:10, and consider the political situation indicated during the 1st year of Darius the Mede.)

(2) Have you ever been moved to pray by the reading of the Word of God?

(3) As he was moved to pray, we read that he did more than just pray. What else did he do and why?

(4) Vv. 4-6: Confession

a. As much as his prayer began with confession, it was prefaced by adoration: Why? How did he describe God?

b. What specific sins did he confess on behalf of his people?

(5) Vv. 7-11a: Their present plight

a. In drawing God’s attention to their present demise, what is the word being repeated by Daniel to highlight their plight?

b. Did he blame God for their shame?

c. On what basis did he find hope according to v.9?

(6) Vv. 11b-14: Judgment already written in the Law

a. Why were they without excuse?

b. How serious was God’s judgment? Was it really that serious?

c. Daniel said God did not hesitate with His judgment. Was it true? Why would Daniel say that?

(7) Vv. 15-16: Basis of Petition (I)

a. What particular thing(s) did Daniel draw God’s attention to in order to urge God to turn away from His anger?

b. Why would he ask God to do so in keeping with “all” His righteous acts?

(8) Vv. 17-19: Basis of Petition (II)

a. What particular thing(s) did Daniel draw God’s attention to in order to urge God to hear his prayer?

b. Why did Daniel dare to pray with such urgency?

c. Have you ever prayed like Daniel before?

d. Do you think God would be moved by his prayer? Why or why not?

(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Thy Kingdom Come!

“In the first year of Darius…I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him…” (Dan. 9:2-3)

No one really knows who this Darius the Mede was, but based on the fact that he was the one who took over the Belshazzar’s reign and that Daniel put his reign before that of Cyrus (6:28), he obviously pre-dated Cyrus. In other words, since it was in the first year of Darius that Daniel read the Book of Jeremiah and understood the promise for the return of God’s people from exile in 70 years, Cyrus had yet to give the edict for the return of God’s people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezr. 1:1-3).

The fall of Babylon, in itself, was a very earth-moving event in history at the time. Daniel, with the various visions given to him, understood that God’s hand was behind such a significant power shift, from the Babylonians to the Medes and the Persians. But he saw this not just a shift in world power, but part of God’s timetable for his people.

In a way, he recognized what the Apostle Paul would make plain a few hundred years later, that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, to those who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Therefore, upon the reading of the promises by God in the Book of Jeremiah,

“This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years” (Jer. 25:11)

and “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place” (Jer. 29:10)

he was moved to pray, because Babylon was no more. It was time for God to honor His promise. It was time for God to act!

This reminds me of Simeon and Anna who, like Daniel, were looking forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise. Their praying and waiting paid off, as they were privileged to see with their own eyes “the consolation of Israel” (Lk. 2:25) and for Simeon (and likely Anna too) to hold the Savior in his arms. (Lk. 2:28).

It has been more than 2½ millennia from the time of Daniel and more than 2 millennia from the birth of Christ. Today as we read the prophecies of Daniel and as we look at the constant shifts in world powers, may we be reminded that all these are pointing to the final consummation of our redemption, and may we, like Daniel, like Simeon, like Anna, be moved to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

Day 5

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 9:20–27

(1) While he was praying, most likely in Babylon, why would he refer to the time of the “evening sacrifice”?

(2) What does the “swift flight” of Gabriel depict?

(3) Why was Daniel “highly esteemed”?

(4) Have you ever experienced God’s swift answer to your prayer? When was that?

(5) Instead of addressing the seventy years promised in the book of Jeremiah, Gabriel introduced him to a different set of prophetic time-table, that of the “seventy sevens”:

a. For whom is the time-table set?

b. Multiple purposes are being set for this time-table which include:

  1. To finish (or to seal up) transgression
  2. To put an end to sin
  3. To atone for wickedness
  4. To bring in everlasting righteousness
  5. To seal up (same word as used with "transgression" above) vision and prophecy, and
  6. To anoint the Most Holy Place (or the Most Holy One)

Given all the above, what does this time-table point to?

(6) While many modern commentators tend to shy away from identifying this prophecy with the return of Christ (as if they were afraid to be branded fundamentalists), the purposes laid down by the angel clearly points to the end time. However, any attempt to manipulate the prophesied time to fit into one’s bias concerning the end-time is not wise either.

From vv. 25-27:

a. List those items that by now we know for a fact that have taken place (which at least includes the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem—likely referring to Cyrus’s decree of 538 B.C., the coming of the Anointed One—i.e. the Messiah, and His death)

b. List those predictions that will yet to come to pass (note that the "seventy sevens" may refer to weeks or some periods of time, or years).

c. What are the events that mark “the end”? (Note: Jesus clearly refers to Daniel’s words of “abomination that causes desolation” in Matt. 24:15. Therefore it is helpful to read Matt. 24:1-31 as Jesus gives greater details about the end.)

(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
The Seventy Sevens

“Seventy sevens (weeks) are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy.” (Dan. 9:24)

Whether one believes in predictive prophecy or not, the vision that Gabriel reveals to Daniel during his time of prayer definitely refers to the end time when God establishes His reign through the Messiah. The purposes given by the angel make it absolutely clear — whether it is to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness or to bring in everlasting righteousness — it points to the finished work of Christ on the cross.

However, the consummation of His work of redemption still awaits His coming again upon which all visions and prophecies will find their fulfillment (which is the meaning of the infinitive, to seal up).

And the anointing of the Most Holy points to the enthronement upon His receiving “authority, glory, and sovereign power” envisioned in 7:14.

I really cannot see that the appearance and death of Antiochus IV has much to do with this final defeat of all world powers and the reception of this heavenly, everlasting kingdom by Christ and the saints.

As to the meaning of the “seventy sevens”, I side with many conservative interpreters to understand it as “years”, but I do not wish to “force” its interpretation to fit any of the known periods of history.

However, it is true that if we take the time of the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (9:25) as the year of the return of Nehemiah to the city to begin the rebuilding work (which was 445 B.C.) and the cutting of the Anointed One as the death of Jesus (which was 31/33 A.D.**), and take into consideration the difference between the lunar year (which the seventy sevens appear to apply) and the solar year (which world history dating is based on), you will find that it does jive with the 483 years denoted by the seven plus sixty-two “sevens”*.

In any case, a specified time-table is certainly meant, and it does point to a time not fully fulfilled by the rise and death of Antioch IV.

*[69 x 7 x 360] is very close to [(445 + 31) x 365]

**In general, it is believed that the actual year of the birth of Christ should be 1 or 2 B.C.

Day 6

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 10:1–21

The last three chapters deal with the vision given to Daniel concerning the affliction of his people on the part of the rulers of the world, until the consummation of the Kingdom of God.

(1) The timing of this vision is important.

a. Can you recall what happened in the first year of Cyrus (Ezr. 1)?

b. What happened to the project of the rebuilding of the temple by the 3rd year of Cyrus’ reign?

c. As an important figure both in the empire and among his own people, would Daniel be aware of the stalling of the project?

(2) What might be the reason for his mourning, especially fasting for three weeks? (It is true that the first month being Nisan coincides with the celebration of the Passover.)

(3) Who might this “man” be according to the glorious description ascribed to him and the fact that Daniel’s companion had to flee and he himself laid prostrate on the ground? (See Rev. 1:13-15 and the reaction of John.)

(4) What was the vision about according to v. 14?

(5) Why was it given to him in particular?

(6) According to v. 13, what actually happened during the time Daniel was fasting and praying?

(7) This vision gives us a glimpse of the spiritual warfare waged behind the earthly powers that work against God, His plan and His people:

a. Can you recall from your reading of Ezra and Nehemiah, what were the forces that sought to stop the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem?

b. How did God use the various Persian kings to come to the aid of the people? (Ezr. 1:1-4; 6:3-12; 7:11-26; Neh. 2:9)

c. What can you learn about the spiritual warfare that takes place behind the struggles of world powers on earth?

(8) The “Book of Truth” appears to be a book about the history of the world. What is its implication on human history in that the book has already been written by God?

(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Spiritual Warfare

“But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.” (Dan. 10:13)

The final vision of Daniel was given to him as a response to the prayer of Daniel. This is how it was explained to him,

“Daniel, since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourselves before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to them” (Dan. 10:12).

This should give us great encouragement to know our prayers are not beating the air, but rather are heard in heaven.

But there is another dimension that is being revealed about prayers and that is when Daniel mourned, prayed and fasted for three weeks, there was a spiritual warfare being waged in the heavenly realm, because the one who spoke to Daniel (likely our Lord Jesus based on the description of His appearance in vv. 4-6 and the response of the companions of Daniel in v. 7) revealed to him that, “But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.” (10:13)

This reminds us of the words of the Apostle Paul,

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)

This is why, in urging us to put on the full armor of God, the Apostle Paul ends with these words,

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Eph. 6:18).

While much of prayer is still a mystery to us, we should understand that our prayers are actually heard in heaven, and through prayers, we are participating in a spiritual warfare waged against the “rulers…authorities…powers…and…spiritual forces…of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Day 7

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 11:1–45

The vision continues with a very short mention of the Persian empires and the divided empires after Alexander the Great—all these serve as transition to the main character “the king of the North” who desecrated the temple of God and put a stop to the worship of Yahweh. However, unlike modern scholars, Luther, Calvin and Jerome not only viewed him as a type of the Anti-Christ, but considered the final portion of the vision (i.e. 11:36-45) as prophecies directly about the Anti-Christ that have yet to be fulfilled. It is a very long vision, but the portion before v. 36 has been so accurately fulfilled to the point that many scholars refuse to believe that it is prophetic, but rather as history written afterwards. However, we believe that the Scripture is the revealed Word of God and there is no reason to doubt that God can and has revealed future historical events as written in His “Book of Truth” (10:21). May I suggest that as you read slowly each stage of the world's history as predicted, reflect on the amazing accuracy of the vision:

(1) Vv. 2-4: Rise and Fall of Persian kings and Alexander the Great

a. Why would the angel stress that he is telling the truth (v. 2)? How does it answer those who consider this as history written afterwards?

b. The four Persian kings after Cyrus would be

  • Cambyses (530-522)
  • Darius I (522-485)
  • Xerxes (486-465) and
  • Artaxerxes (465-424);
  • with Xerxes the one who invaded Greece.

c. The mighty king that follows is Alexander the Great upon whose death the empire is divided into four. The two kings that are most relevant to this vision are the king of the South (Ptolemy of Egypt) and the king of the North (Seleucus of Syria).

(2) Vv. 5-6: Rise of the King of the South (Ptolemy of Egypt)

a. Ptolemy allowed the fleeing Seleucus I to take refuge as one of his generals and later helped him retake his empire and became “the largest of the post-Alexander empires".

b. Ptolemy II (about 100 year later) married his daughter Berenice to Antiochus II only to be killed by Antiochus’ former wife

c. Notice how accurate these prophecies are!

(3) Vv. 7-10: Ptolemy III & Seleucus II,

a. Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III, rose to power and avenged his sister’s death and gained control of much of Syria.

b. Seleucus II succeeded Antiochus II, and was succeeded by Seleucus III and Antiochus III in the North (223-187). The latter recaptured much of the lost territory.

(4) Vv. 11-13: Ptolemy IV

a. Ptolemy IV engaged Antiochus III in war with a huge army — 70,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry and 73 elephants - and killed over 14,000 men of Antiochus III (Polybius, Histories, 5.79)

b. Again, this prophecy is amazingly detailed and accurate.

(5) Vv. 14-19: Turmoil in Southern Kingdom

a. Within the Jewish community, it was a period of power struggles between the pro-Egypt (Hellenistic) Jews and the anti-Egypt (conservative) Jews.

b. Antiochus III regained his power in the next 14 years while Ptolemy III passed on and was succeeded by Ptolemy IV and V.

c. Antiochus III gave his daughter, Cleopatra, to Ptolemy V, hoping to solidify this powerful power but to no avail as Cleopatra stayed loyal to her husband and encouraged him to ally with Rome instead. (Note: this is Cleopatra I, not the famous Cleopatra IV of 69-30 B.C.)

d. Antiochus III attempted to invade Roman territories but failed and became a vassal of Rome. He was assassinated in 187 B.C.

e. Again, such prophecies are amazingly detailed and accurate.

(6) Vv. 20-24: Rise of the Infamous Antiochus IV

a. Seleucus IV succeeded Antiochus III but died in 175 B.C. and was succeeded by Antiochus IV, his younger brother.

b. Under the guise of protecting the young son of Seleucus IV, Antiochus seized the throne with the help of King of Pergamum.

c. He dealt deceitfully with the “covenant people” — although supported only by a small group of Hellenistic Jews, he basically abandoned the Law of Moses which was practiced as the local law in Judea from the time of Artaxerxes and affirmed even by Antiochus III, and made Jerusalem a Hellenistic city-state.

(7) Vv. 25-27: Dealing with Egypt

a. The Egyptian army that sought to recapture Palestine was defeated by Antiochus IV in 170 B.C. and he entered Egypt and captured Ptolemy VI.

b. Ptolemy VII was crowned king in the captured Ptolemy VI’s place which led to the alliance of Antiochus IV with his captive to help the latter regain his throne.

(8) VV. 28-35: Desecration of the Holy City

a. However, the two Ptolemy kings reconciled and Antiochus IV’s attempt to invade Egypt was intercepted by a delegation from Rome and was ordered off the Egyptian territory — a turning point in history which marked the beginning of Roman dominion in the Hellenistic empire.

b. Conservative Jews heard a rumor of Antiochus’ death and started a rebellion only to be brutally put down. Then followed the cessation of daily sacrifice and all practices of Mosaic Law and the desecration of the temple by the worship of Zeus, the Greek god, inside it.

(9) Vv. 36-45: The prophecies about Anti-Christ

a. Modern scholars try to fit these prophecies also in the history of Antiochus IV, but the fact is he never exalted himself above every god — he worshipped Zeus, which was not unknown to his ancestor.

b. “But regarding the expedition not only are historians silent, but the supposition of such a thing stands in irreconcilable contradiction to the historical facts regarding the last undertaking of Antiochus” (K&D, 806)

c. Given the above, carefully consider this coming Anti-Christ:

  1. His arrogance (vv. 36-39)
  2. His military power (vv. 40-43), and
  3. His end.

(10) What is the main message of to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Amazing Prophecies

“Now then, I tell you the truth.” (Dan. 11:2)

The more I read the prophecies of Daniel 11 in detail and compare them to world history, the more I have come to understand why so many scholars refuse to believe that they are predictive prophecies and why so many Evangelical scholars hesitate to endorse them as true prophecies foretold hundreds years beforehand. It is because they are so detailed and accurately fulfilled:

- Can you imagine the marrying by Ptolemy II of his daughter, Berenice, to Antiochus II as being foretold, and it included that this attempted alliance failed? (Dan. 11:6)

- Again, another politically arranged marriage is foretold of Antiochus III, giving his daughter, Cleopatra I to Ptolemy V, and again it was not successful (Dan. 11:17);

- Then, the vision foretold of a huge army raised by the king of North in 11:13. In fact, Antioch III mustered 62,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry and 102 elephants only to be matched by a similarly huge army of Ptolemy (see question (4) in Scriptural Reflection above);

- The details concerning the deceitful rise of Antiochus IV and his oppression of the covenant people and the cessation of sacrifice in the temple are equally detailed and amazing.

I am sure, the angel from the Lord knew that the contents of this vision would be very hard to accept by unbelieving scholars, but I am not sure if the equally skeptical views of many of the modern Evangelical are necessarily a surprise to him. Perhaps, they are not; as a result, he prefaced the revelation of this vision with these words, “Now then, I tell you the truth” (Dan. 11:2).

If we do not believe that these are prophetic words spoken before any of these historical events ever happened, we are calling the angel a liar. More importantly, how can we call the Scriptures the revealed Word of God?!

I believe, instead of greeting the fulfillment of these prophecies with skepticism, we should fall on our knees and worship.

Day 8

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Daniel 12:1–13

This brings us to the  conclusion of the vision from chapter 10 to chapter 12 which was given in response to Daniel’s 3 weeks of fasting and praying, which he likely did for his people:

(1) As much as many critical commentaries tend to consider the first two verses as fulfilled in the time of the Maccabees and the severe Syrian oppression (circa 167 B.C.), how would you refute such a claim in light of the clear wordings of these two verses?

(2) How does Revelation 20:11-15 help in our interpretation of these two verses? (See also Jesus’ own words in Matt. 24:21.)

(3) Who are the wise mentioned in v. 3? (Refer to Matt. 25:1-13.) Who else are being mentioned as shining brightly as the sun? (See also Matt. 13:43.)

(4) V. 4 is a verse that lends itself to many interpretations, but Keil and Delitzsch’s version is preferred in that "to close up and seal (the words of the  scroll)" means to “guard tightly" lest it is misinterpreted. But given the angelic announcement in v. 9, it perhaps is best understood as a command to Daniel not to seek further understanding (“Go your way”), and allow the prophetic events to unfold by themselves when the time comes. But the fact has been that many have sought and studied the prophecies of the end-time throughout the ages. Martyn Lloyd-Jones sarcastically said that if one wanted to draw a crowd to increase the church attendance, preach about the end-time. Why is that the case? Is it good or bad?

(5) As much as the meaning of “a time, times and half a time” and the subsequent 1,290 days and 1,335 is subject to many interpretations, let’s at least consider:

a. Why did one of the messengers ask, “How long will it be?”(v.6)

b. Why would the reply include a very specific number of days?

(6) Based on the reply given in vv. 9-10, what, in essence, was Daniel’s question?

(7) How does Revelation 22:10-11 aid in our understanding of this reply to Daniel?

(8) What is the last word of the book of Daniel? What is this final message? How important is it (especially to you)?

Meditative Reflection
Our Allotted Inheritance

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (Dan. 12:13 )

It is said that the Book of Daniel is one of the most studied books in the Bible. However, I am afraid many have studied it with an obsession about the Endtime, i.e. mainly for the sake of satisfying their curiosity. To a certain extent, Daniel probably found it fascinating too. But his main concern was obviously the fate of his people and the city of God. In any case, instead of amplifying on the vision, the angel told him go his way and rest — meaning not be too anxious about the Endtime which is firmly in God’s hand, but rest in the assurance that he will receive his allotted inheritance.

Allow me to elaborate on inheritance which, by definition, is a gift, something that you now possess, passed on to you most likely by your parents.

In the Old Testament, inheritance often refers to the Promised Land, the land that the people of God were to inherit from the Lord, meaning it was not their land, but would now be given to them by God.

But the Promised Land ultimately is a sign pointing to a greater inheritance that God has meant for His people to possess, and this is revealed through the fact that the Levites would not share in any of the allotment in the Promised Land:

“The LORD said to Aaron, ‘You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.’” (Num. 18:20)

This charge to Aaron is extended to all Levites in 18:24.

As Hebrews 11 tells us that the men and women of faith in the Old Testament did understand this truth, thus they all lived as aliens and strangers on earth, and did not cling to their earthly dreams and possessions, but looked forward to the heavenly city where their true inheritance lies.

We have to admit that we seldom think of our heavenly inheritance, but put our hopes more on the spiritual promises on this life — praying more for things, even spiritual things of this life. This is why one of Paul’s greatest prayers for the church was that

“...the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:18)

What is that glorious inheritance? Summing up from various New Testament’s references, Francis Foulkes says,

“that is, its essential quality as life in God for ever.” (TNTC, Ephesians, 70)

I have to confess that I, too, need the enlightening of the eyes of my heart, so that I may know the riches of His glorious inheritance which is mine.

But how?

Albert Edward Day suggests that this is by “intimate fellowship with Him” which will enable us to gain “conscious communion with His greatness and love and holiness.” But he adds also that, “Sometimes events will do it.” By events, he means crises. But those who long to know the riches of His glorious inheritance would pray somewhat like Moses that, “Lord, by hook or by crook, show me Your glory.”

(By the way, hook or crook refers to the staff of a shepherd.)

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