Heavenly Living in Hostage Times Daniel 10 Continued, Daniel 11

Daniel 10:20-Daniel 11:28

Prayer

Message

We are in a study portion of Daniel dealing with future events.

Most complicated, most comprehensive prophesy-spans 370 years.

We study the final vision that spans three chapters. Last week we studied the intro into the vision and verse 20 begins the drill down of the details of the message.

Firstly, what does such prophecy accomplish?

-Knowing that a great salvation is coming can be very encouraging in the midst of present circumstances and situations. Knowing something is better to come keeps us in the fight. Amen.

Daniel knew the 70 years were up and I imagine like most of us, 70 years was long enough and he began to be impatient. He wanted understanding.

We studied last week that the beginning of seeking understanding is to reach out to God with regularity. 21 days fasting, 3 days of faith, 24 day, revealing the future.

Daniel 10:18–19 NKJV

18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

Dearly beloved, a time with the Lord puts wind in our sails.

Sunday was that type of day for me. I thought our overall services were so spirit filled and so uplifting. Daniel received peace and strength.

This is where we left off last week.

Daniel 10:20–11:4 NKJV

20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. 1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.) 2 And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.

As we get into the meat of this message from the angel tonight, I want us to understand that if we do not cooperate, things can turn out differently for us.

How do you know that?

Look with me:

Daniel 10:13–14 “13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.””

Let’s assume this is the angel Gabriel working in the life of Daniel.

The angel reveals that He was warring with the king of Persia as it relates to a direction or choices or leading in his life. Michael is working as well on behalf of the Lord in the Prince of Persia’s life. We can only assume that the Prince of Persia was not cooperative in being influenced.

What is this fight about? Why in the future plans are only Persia and Greece mentioned? Why were there not details of other regions, countries, etc. ?

These countries were trying to wipe out God’s covenant people.

Listen to me dearly beloved, how do you read the newspaper?

Someone want to answer. Certain articles interest me and I read them thoroughly, others I read the headline or the first paragraph will give me a synopsis.

What am I saying God reads the spiritual paper of his children when they come up in the daily reporting to Him, He chimes in on our affairs.

Daniel 10:20 “20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.”

Daniel ((4) Daniel Strengthened to Understand the Vision (10:15–11:1))

Parenthetically the angel announced that soon he must “return to fight against the prince of Persia,” a battle that would continue for two centuries of Persian rule (539–331 B.C.). This struggle involved all of the decisions and relationships pertaining to the Jews during the Persian period (e.g., the reconstruction of the temple, deliverance for the Jews during the time of Esther, permission for Ezra and Nehemiah to return, and their subsequent construction of the city). Of course, even in the Old Testament period the scope of God’s activities reached beyond the affairs of the Jews.

This small section is another evidence that God is always at work on behalf of His people. Realize right this moment that God is engaged in some spiritual battle for this church. There are forces against and forces for that are working for the good of His people here at Mt. Zion. And so holds true for you, your family and those that love the Lord.

This small excerpt helps us understand that there are wars waged in the heavenlies on our behalf.

Our focus focus tonight is to realize that in spite of our choices, God is working His plans in us and through us.

That’s where I want us to place our focus tonight as we make application to this message that Daniel receives from the angel.

Providence vs. Free Will

In other words, God has a plan for us and He providentially knows what He is going to do in us despite poor choices, wrong choices, or simply choices opposite His initial plan. Interesting thought.

Let’s think about it a little more in detail.

The angel shares a very detailed plan about the various princes and the choices they make and how they will pan out. What happens if someone does not conform to that plan? Does God override our freewill to make His choices come to past? Do we become puppets to what He is working to accomplish and do in us?

Romans 7:23 “23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

Spiritual War

2 Corinthians 10:3 “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 “4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

We are guided by the Spirit of Truth & the Scripture of Truth.

When war broke out in heaven and Michael & his angels prevailed and Satan was cast to the earth, that war continues and we are the benefactor of that great conflict.

Revelation 12:7–8 “7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.”

Revelation 12:17 “17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Genesis 3:15 “15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.””

All of these details to mention that we see from our text tonight an affirmation that there is a war in the heavenlies as we war down here in our individual lives. The Lord does not make us robots, but the Lord does work in our lives by the Holy Spirit to direct our path.

When we refer to these princes of both Persia and Greece, Daniel is not specifically speaking of a earthly prince, but a prince of the spiritual realm. Specifically, he is speaking of Satan and his demons that are warring against what God is at work to accomplish.

Chapter 11 is a continuation of the spiritual conflict, the evil spirits at work during the rise of the Greek empire. Angelic influence would be needed especially during the rise of Antiochus IV.

V. 21 the book of truth-God’s plan for Israel and the world. God is unfolding the history of the world before it happens. The only reason Michael is mentioned is because all that would be needed was Michael.

Remember something important with the Lord. There is a song, He’s an on time God. The other important note about God is that what He provides will be enough. 2 Fish and 5 Barley loaves were enough.

The vision is nothing new, but more developed than in Daniel 7.

We learn tonight that there are unseen spiritual forces. It is evident that angels are real, both good and bad angels (demons) influence the affairs of our lives.

Daniel thru Malachi The Framework for the Vision (10:1–11:1)

The angel is preparing to return and reengage in spiritual warfare, but first he wants to share with Daniel what is written in the Book of Truth (10:20–21). The messenger angel and the angel Michael stand opposed to the evil in the land, both in Persia and Greece

Sovereign God ultimately controls everything and has the ability to limit evil that occurs.

Tonight is a history lesson before it happens.

“The Scripture of Truth”-History, God’s story is recorded in His Book, the Bible.

11:1-Daniel was working on the side of Michael & Gabriel in the life of Darius to confirm and strengthen Darius.

The median age in this room tonight is probably an easy 60 years of age. The exceptions would be Garrett and Amy. Do you realize one of the greatest influences you have in this life is the life of a cheerleader.

Acts 4:36 “36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,”

Acts 11:22–23 “22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.”

Interestingly, Daniel knew the future for Darius, yet he encouraged.

Tell me how bad news helps. We have the good news, the gospel news. The gospel news is what offers hope and encouragement.

Daniel 11:1–4 “1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.) 2 And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.”

God orchestrates the events of the world with the end motive of purifying Israel and all of His followers. Sometimes that repentance and reconciliation comes through punishment, purging, and persecution.

God uses the nations to bid His wars and to bring attention to His people.

Do not for one minute believe that God has used tenuous climates between Russia, China, and N. Korea cause awakening of His people.

Furthermore, do not believe for one moment that Netanyahu’s overzealous vindictiveness or revengeful attitude is not recognized by God when He chooses to act without regards to innocent collateral damage. There will be a price to pay for such actions. God uses events of this nature to arrest His people. Do not believe that God uses terrorist in the lives of the Russian attack when Russia becomes overzealous in territoriality against Ukraine and simply abuses powers. Listen, God is warring a spiritual war in the face of these types of power swings.

Daniel 9:24 reminds us that God allows evil to happen for only limited time intervals.

Daniel 9:24 “24 “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.”

4 Kings shall rule in Persia, the 4th creating conflict against Greece.

Three leaders who follow Darius

Cambyses (530-522 BC)

Smerdis (522 BC)

Darius I (522-486 BC)

4th Persian King Xerxes I (486-465 BC)

Strong King-empire and wealth grow to large proportions. He attempts to attack Greece, but fails miserably. The antagonistic climate calls for Persia to fall to Greece a century later.

11:3 -11:4

Fits Alexander the Great precisely. His family is assassinated shortly after his death. Rule goes to four generals.

“Four winds of heaven.”

Segments the large region into four segments.

2 of 4 regions become prominent

Syria (Kingdom to the North)-Northern King Seleucus I

Egypt King of the South-Ptolemy I

The kings begin as allies. Seleucus spends time with Ptolemy in Egypt while avoiding conflict with another power in the North, settling in Babylon.

Tension begin in middle ground-Palestine over these two powers.

Tensions continue in their ancestry until a marriage reunites the kingdoms.

Daniel 11:5–19 NKJV

5 “Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion. 6 And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times. 7 But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail. 8 And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North. 9 “Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land. 10 However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife. 11 “And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy. 12 When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail. 13 For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment. 14 “Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall fall. 15 So the king of the North shall come and build a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist. 16 But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power. 17 “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, or be for him. 18 After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

Daniel thru Malachi The Vision Unfolds (11:2–35)

Ptolemy II (the successor of Ptolemy I) offers his daughter Berenice to Antiochus II Theos (the grandson of Seleucus). Antiochus agrees to the marriage, although he has to divorce his first wife, Laodice, to do so. Laodice had a son with him (Seleucus II). Antiochus and Berenice then have a son who appears to be next in line for the throne. In time, Antiochus reconciles with Laodice, which proves to be a mistake. She evidently doesn’t like seeing another woman’s son being groomed for leadership because she poisons Antiochus, Berenice, and their son. Laodice then occupies the throne until her son, Seleucus II, is ready to rule.

Daniel thru Malachi The Vision Unfolds (11:2–35)

Daniel’s descriptions in 11:9–19 are pretty much self-explanatory, except for the names that are later provided for the participants. Laodice’s son rules for twenty years before he dies and is replaced by his two sons, Seleucus III and Antiochus III. During the war described in 11:10, Seleucus III is murdered, leaving Antiochus III as sole leader of the northern kingdom. In the next battle that ensues, Antiochus assembles 62,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry, and 102 elephants. He sends his army to Egypt, where they confront an opposing force of 70,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and 73 elephants. The Egyptian army of Ptolemy IV Philopator is victorious, enacting a wholesale execution of the north and taking much land (including Palestine). Fifteen years later, Antiochus assembles an even larger army and begins to reacquire much of the territory he had lost (again, including Palestine). He presses on until he has gained control of Egypt. But for many years, the balance of power continues to go back and forth between the two nations.

Daniel thru Malachi The Vision Unfolds (11:2–35)

The king of the north in Daniel 11:14–19 is still Antiochus III. The marriage of his daughter (Cleopatra I) to the king of the south (Ptolemy V) doesn’t work as anticipated. Antiochus was hoping to win Ptolemy’s favor. Instead, his daughter sides with her new husband rather than her father.

Daniel thru Malachi The Vision Unfolds (11:2–35)

This may sound like a complicated ancient history lesson. However, the details are important in demonstrating how accurate and succinct Daniel’s account is, who recorded his prophecies two to four hundred years prior to the occurrence of the events.

Daniel thru Malachi The Vision Unfolds (11:2–35)

One of the most notable opponents to the aggression of Antiochus IV Epiphanes is a man named Judas Maccabeus, who stands for God. He forms an army of dedicated fighters. They are unable to rid their land of Greek influence, but they do regain the temple.

What do you take away from such a history lesson?

There is a spiritual war taking place behind the scenes of life. God is at work to accomplish His will in us. Just as there are forces waging against us, there are forces waging for us.

3 more kings will arise in Persia and they did