Does the book of Daniel’s prophecies fit into the
rest of the Bible, secular history, and the world yet to be?

The following is a shortened overview of the Old Testament leading up to and past the time of Daniel. It will provide evidence to the Bible doubter that Bible history (Daniel) and world history are on the same timeline. One might say “in the same river”. This commentary series may serve as a type of personal Old Testament Bible guide. The Book of Daniel marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah. Memorizing such events could be daunting. Knowing where to find the answer is the smartest approach. Included will be some clarifications of the background of the Book of Daniel. Doing so will be equal to the required undergraduate levels of Bible studies. Do not be alarmed. There are no written tests:>)

Periods of Old Testament History:

The first verse in the Bible reveals that…

…“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” [Genesis 1:1 NASB]

We do not know exactly when creation took place. There may be time gaps between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. An additional possibility of a time gap is when God designated day and night (V5). The way we currently understand the laws of Physics, including the Theory of General Relativity, secular and evangelical scientists are certain that the universe (time, space, and matter) has a beginning point. We (they) have not always existed. The book of Genesis reveals that God created the universe “In the beginning…” This we label as the Pre-Abrahamic period of Old Testament History; prehistoric per secularists. One could also identify it as pre-Noah history. This is not God’s beginning, but the beginning of time, space, and matter. Pre-Noah time is mistakenly not identified for what it is…Prehistoric.

In the Pre-Abrahamic/Noah period, the book of Genesis describes:

1.  From where man, woman, and marriage came.
2. It explains from where sin and death came.
3. It details the first murder.
4. It describes a time when God destroyed the earth by a great flood.
5. It outlines from where the nations and the diversity of races and languages that we have on the earth came. NOTE: It is not our goal at the present time to go into detail on any of these events. This Old Testament overview will help the reader gain a tangible understanding of where, and how the book of Daniel fits into the Old and New Testament including End Time.

God begins tracing his “chosen” people beginning with Abraham. God sets Abraham’s descendants apart as chosen. Interestingly, Abraham is from whom three different major religions trace their origins: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both Jews and most Arabs genetically come from Abraham. There is one Arabic *exception most do not realize. Abraham left (called out of) his country, Ur in Babylon (modern-day Iraq), and followed God’s directions to a new territory, Canaan. This is where modern-day Israel, southern Jordan, and Palestine are located. 400 years come between Noah and Abraham (Genesis 11:10-32). 

*The Arab exception…Genesis 10:20-25. Peleg and Joktan were brothers, sons of *Eber. They went their own individual way as adults. There is no recorded conflict between them as brothers. Not like Esau and Jacob or

*Eber is from where the identity name Hebrew originates. God’s chosen came through Peleg, one of two sons of Eber. Eber was the great-grandson of Noah’s son Shem. Abraham came from the lineage of Shem (son of Noah). However, so did some of the worse people born into this world also have DNA of Shem.

Genesis chapter 10 is the family of nations. One might enjoy and gain greatly by examining this chapter. Arabs? Abraham is a tenth-generation descendant of Noah. This is about 400 years. Abraham is a fourth-generation grandson of Peleg. God named people called Israel I the task of being The Light (Matthew 5:13-16; Isaiah 49:6) for the world on the hillside. Jesus was born through the line of Abraham. Israel failed at their calling.

Joktan, one of two sons of Eber, had thirteen sons…see PS: These sons became known for what is understood today in the Middle East as the first and only Pure Arabs. The mixture of Ishmael and Esau’s offspring are by definition “dirty Arabs.” The only people today possibly considered in the line of Pure Arabs are the people native to Yemen. Any Arab mix of bloodlines outside of the sons and direct descendants of Joktan are mixed or dirty Arabs.

PS: This is a fascinating study in and of itself. Perhaps we will offer some insights into this connection that goes all the way back to Eber: Joktan and Peleg. One insight is the name Arab. From where did it originate? There is an Arab tradition that Joktan was the progenitor of all the true (13) tribes of Southern Arabia with original homesteads in what today we call Yemen. Joktan has been identified with Qahtān (Arabic: قحطان), the ancestral figure of Qahtanites, in traditional Arab genealogy. The names Qahtan and Joktan are interchangeable. To help understand, the letter “J” did not originate until the mid-1500s AD.

CAUTION: Be diligent with what one reads from Wikipedia. This resource is known to bend the truth or leave out important details or question its own explanations. We have researched what is valid in the previous PS.

Abraham had two sons; Ishmael, from whom some of the (dirty or mixed DNA) Arabs trace their lineage, and Isaac, from whom Israel and the Jews trace their DNA lineage. Isaac had two sons, Jacob, and Esau. Esau took a third wife from the lineage of Ishmael, a son of Abraham and Hagar. He wanted to please his father Abraham after marrying *outside his own people twice. However, Esau’s choice of a wife born of Ishmael and an Egyptian was not what Abraham had wished. This adds to the division between Arabs and Israelis. Both descended from Abraham, so both claim the blessing of Abraham. Think about this…Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn, not Isaac. Isaac had four wives. We have limited knowledge of their heritage. Their DNA connecting line does not go back to any other than the 12 sons who are descended from Isaac. However, there is the mitochondrial DNA of the wives of the 12 offspring called the Tribes of Israel.

*Esau’s three wives are given more context and background by the rabbis than in the Torah. Esau’s first two wives, Adah and Judith, are described as adulterous and idolatrous. Adah (also called Basemath) is linked with harlotry, as her name is linked with jewelry and perfume. Judith (also called Ohlibamah) is similarly linked by her name to idolatry and is also described as adulterous. However, the rabbis disagree as to the nature of Esau’s third wife, Mahalat. Again through the interpretation of her name, the rabbis link her both to Esau’s repentance and alternatively to his fall further into evil.

Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel, had twelve sons – the twelve tribes of Israel are the descendants of these twelve sons. However, one MUST NOTE, we know little about these sons’ wives. The book of Genesis ends up with Jacob, his twelve sons, one daughter, the wives of his sons, and their kids all moving to Egypt to avoid starving from the famine in the lands of Canaan… the lands originally settled and promised to Abraham as the Promised Lands.

Aha moment insight: Isaac was old and felt he was about to die when Jacob stole the blessing from his older twin brother Esau (Genesis 27). Their father Isaac actually had over forty years of life left! Perhaps this says something about what happens when we lose one of our senses and the depression that follows. *Isaac felt he was about to die, but feelings do not necessarily mean that something terminal is about to happen. Jacob left his homeland a single man in his 70s owning nothing. He feared his brother Esau. He returned with two wives, two concubines that will give him 12 sons, and immense wealth.

Note: Esau had vowed to kill Jacob when their father died. Isaac thought he was at death’s doorstep. He was wrong. He still had over twenty years to live in the vicinity of his father Isaac.

The offspring of Israel (Jacob) spent over 400 years in Egypt; eventually becoming slaves to the Egyptians. Why? The Israelite population had become almost as large as that of the native Egyptians. The book of Exodus takes up Israel’s 12 tribe history near the end of this long period of living in Egypt. Four books of the Bible – Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – cover mostly the wilderness wandering of the Israelites. The entire Old Testament is about a nation, Israel. The new Testament is about individual relationships with Jesus.

During this time, God used Moses to liberate the Israelis from their oppression in Egypt. Also, during their time wandering in the Wilderness, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws for the eventual Nation of Israel. This new nation of wandering Israel had yet to conquer the lands of Canaan. That didn’t happen until after the twelve tribes had left Egypt, ceased wandering in the wilderness, and prepared to cross the Jordan River.

After God gives the Ten Commandments and the other laws, Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan. When they return, ten of the spies out of fear give a bad report, refusing to begin conquering the Promised land. They complain to Moses and to God. A land of plenty but filled with giants. God punishes Israel by making them continue living in the desert wilderness. The Egypt and the Israelite Exodus period begin about *1446 BC. None of the Exodus Israelis who left Egypt, other than Joshua and Caleb and those under the age of 20, lived to enter the Promised Lands. It was the sons and daughters who crossed the Jordan River and confronted the people of Jericho.

*Here is a dating issue with which one must deal. After the 12 Tribes take the lands promised to them, they are each independent, a confederacy of Tribes, and ruled by judges of Israel. After a period of Tribal independence, judges, 15 in all, were appointed one at a time to bring unity to the Promised Land of the Tribes of Israel. Caleb’s younger brother’s son Othniel was the first judge over Israel. 320 to 350 years pass until the final Israeli judge Samuel anoints Saul as king. This ended the judgeship of Israel. He was anointed around 1050 BC. He rules for about 40 years. So does King David, as would King Solomon. 40 years each. Now calculated the dates. One should mathematically end up around 940 BC. 937 BC is when the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms in. The dates in history fit!

Part 2 next week…

Ahamoment: The lead to this ahamoment is an article written by someone who knows DNA cause and effect. He tries, and to some degree explains this phenomenon. Read this article keeping in mind a quote from him: “We do know, or highly suspect, the genetic makeup for a person to have a dominant left hand can be traced back to a group of ambidextrous people in the ancient Middle East.” Now read his article. We will explain how this “Middle East” factor is Bible-based. He doesn’t say that but we will since his research concludes that lefties came from “a group of ambidextrous people (originating) in the Middle East. [Article emphasis mine]

Dan Robitzski – a neuroscientist-turned-journalist; New York University: (Then the Biblical given reason for left-handedness)

“Steak knives, scissors, writing desks, and power tools: If you bring any of these things up around someone and they cringe, they either have a bizarre story to tell or they’re just left-handed, and, like 12 percent of the population, live in a world that’s not designed for them.

But handedness goes deeper than how you like to hold a pen. A dive into the genetics of handedness reveals that southpaws have quite a few other things in common, as well. But before that, it’s important to understand where handedness comes from.

Where Does Handedness Come From?

It used to be thought that lefties came to be as a result of a mother being stressed during pregnancy, but a more scientifically valid explanation has traced handedness to specific genes. Geneticists debated for years over whether the genes responsible for handedness were spread throughout our DNA or whether it was just one gene; there seemed to be no clear pattern. We do know, or highly suspect, the genetic makeup for a person to have a dominant left hand can be traced back to a group of ambidextrous people in the ancient Middle East. Most likely they married right-handed mates leading to children who might be right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous.

Now, it seems to be accepted that one gene does most of the work.

But even so, it’s still difficult to predict whether a child will be right or left-handed. Because we receive genetic information from both parents, there is a chance it could go either way, even if mom and pop are both lefties themselves. If both parents are ambidextrous, their offspring will follow suit.

People who have but one variant of the gene in question will always be born right-handed. The other less common variant is up to chance, so babies with the “random” gene will still have a 50-50 chance of being a righty anyway. This is why most people end up right-handed and some sets of identical twins have opposite dominant hands.

What Do We Know About Lefty Genetics?

It seems like that handedness gene or at least others that are closely associated with it is responsible for quite a lot. For example, lefties have been shown to have higher rates of diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease.

Most studies on handedness and potential health risks only show that there’s a link between the two, not any direct cause-and-effect relationship. But even if the exact cause of these diseases remains unknown, you definitely can’t blame it on the struggle with right-handed silverware.

What Does a Lefty’s Brain Look Like?

Many of the notable differences between the brains of righties and lefties remain undiscovered, as lefties are often left out of neuroscientific research because those exact differences can come across as noise in a given study’s data. Despite a 2014 plea to start studying lefties more extensively, little progress has been made. Meanwhile, we know all about how to create mutant left-handed plants. How’s that for scientific priorities?

But we do know some things. Notably, the brains of lefties tend to use broader swaths of the cortex for different tasks. While righties use just one of their brain’s hemispheres to remember specific events or process language, these brain functions are spread out across both hemispheres in lefties.

This may make left-handed people more resilient to strokes or other conditions that damage specific brain regions. If a righty has the small part of their brain responsible for language taken out by a stroke, then that’s that. But because lefties use more of their brain for these tasks, it’s like they have a built-in backup. This widespread brain activation may make southpaws more susceptible to conditions like ADHD and schizophrenia, in which unregulated, heightened activity across multiple regions of the brain causes problems.

That’s still a big improvement from previous theories that left-handed people had shorter lifespans linked to increased emotional problems during childhood. But these theories have never found a foothold, getting debunked time and again.

It’s Not Always About Biology

Some of the differences between righties and lefties are more sociological than biological. For example, lefties are commonly cited as better fighters. Scientific attempts to correlate left-handedness with a violent predisposition have always fallen short, and it seems like the advantage comes from an element of surprise since lefties are a perpetual minority. This is why lefties are commonly seen as advantaged in head-to-head or combat sports like boxing, tennis, and fencing.

While the science trickles in, it’s important to remember that many of these neurological differences between righties and lefties are minimal, and for the most part, you won’t see too much of a difference between people, unless you count some awkwardness when you go for a handshake, or maybe a bumped elbow or two at the dinner table.”

Following is the ahabiblemoment Bible explanation for Left-handedness:

The Bible gives us the DNA answer to the above article. Mr. Robitzski tries to connect left-handedness with social influence, genetics, environmental conditions, DNA, and mother mitochondrial. Dan Robitzski points out that research has traced left-handedness to a single group of people in the Middle East. He essentially, probably in ignorance, identifies the Biblical explanation. He fails, however, to identify this single group of Middle Easterners. We can identify this “group” of people by using scripture. Yes, the Bible agrees with science that the “group of people” originated in the near Middle East.

For background, click on and read (1 Chronicles 12:2; Judges 3:15–21). There are only three places in scripture that mention people being or using their left hand. Another place is Judges 20:16.

The ahamoment: all incidences in the three scriptures involve a direct connection to the Tribe of Benjamin. Let’s explain the process.

For the truly inquisitive mind, consider Judges chapters 19-21. The short of it…Benjaminites of ancient history are specifically identified as ambidextrous. When the Bible says something, there is a practical reason for so doing. We often miss why a word, statement, or name is listed when other times the bible uses pronouns.

So, how did we get lefties? Judges 19:1 begins the reasoning behind the real cause and effect…”there was a certain Levite staying in the remote mountains of Ephraim. He took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.” After several days of delayed departures from the house of the concubine’s father, they set out but failed to reach their destination by nightfall. As was the custom of that day in Israel, a traveler would sit in the town square. This indicated a need for overnight lodging. The Levi and his concubine did this in a Benjaminite town called Gibeah. Judges 19:22 forward explains that “perverted men” beat on the door of the man who was lodging the travelers. “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!”

Their demand was rejected by the Levites housing host. Eventually, through constant harassment, these perverted men got their hands on the concubine. She was found dead at the door of the guest house the next morning. To shorten this briefing, the Levi priest, in anger and grief, made this travesty known to all the other Tribes of Israel. When the other 11 tribes aligned themselves against the Benjaminites, they refused to give up the names of the violators or turn over the evil men who raped and killed the concubine. The other 11 Tribes sent military forces against their brother Tribe of Benjamin to force justice. Battles ensued. After initial Benjaminite victories on the battlefield, the population of the Tribe of Benjamin in battle with the other 11 Tribes of Israel, was reduced to almost elimination. (Judges 20)

In after-the-fact remorse, the 11 Tribes of Israel/Jacob gave their daughters to the Benjaminites. Here is where the evidence of where lefties of this world originated. The other 11 Tribes, all but the Benjaminites, were right-handed. This was a basic truth of the global population at that time in history. The resulting children of their ambidextrous Benjaminites with right-handed wives from the eleven other Tribes were children being left-handed, right-handed, or ambidextrous. By probability, DNA, and genetic factors, this gave the world its Left-handed populations. If one checks the ancient stone chiseled reliefs regardless of their location, they all show that the world was right-handed. This situation in Judges shows a practical common-sense reason there are left-handed, right-handed, and ambidextrous people in this world today. It points to another world truth factor of the Bible that science proves but refuses to give credit to it origination.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

From Dan 11:36 on, there is quite a diversity of opinions…
   a. Some believe Antiochus Epiphanes (IV) is still the subject of Daniel’s prophecy
   b. Others suggest that a Roman emperor is being described
   c. Still others believe it also refers to someone yet to come [Antichrist? Very probable.]

JIV: This is part of the watershed prophecy of the short-term ruler (Antiochus Epiphanes) and a parallel End Time (antichrist); the parallel end time (watershed) prophecy begins at verse 11:21, not verse 36 as some try to date it. Insiders’ comment: Note how closely the name Antiochus and Antichrist are pronounced

If this (c) is correct, the kings referred to from this point on are symbolic and refer to leaders we do not yet know, are in power today, in 2023, or very soon will be. It also means from this point forward in Daniel, the territories mentioned are symbolic whereas the territories and rulers in 11:1-35 are actuality and now history, but, prophetic to Daniel’s pen and parchment paper as it was written BEFORE any of it played out for history.

Daniel continued to chapter 11 conclusions

36 “The king (including the anti-Christ of the future?) will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He [including the antichrist of the end time?] will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god [Satan?] and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. *He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.

#5 of 5 *There are so many parallels between this time in history (Daniel’s prophetic vision including End Time) it would take a separate article to draw the parallels.

 40 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land [Israel]. Many countries will fall, but [the territories of…] Edom, Moab, and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his [antichrist’s] hand [Land of southern Jordan today, 2023]. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites [Nubians/Ethiopians] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he [Satan included at the end of the Tribulation?] will come to his end, and no one will help him.

This is where Daniel swings into full end-time future parallel prophecy; a prophecy yet to be completed in 2023 or beyond, beginning around verse 36. Some suggest beginning in Daniel 11:22 through the end of the chapter. The historical accuracy of verses 11:1-36 makes many historians and mediocre bible followers want to suggest that this portion of Daniel was written AFTER the fact. If true, Daniel 11:1-36 was inserted in the text of the Book of Daniel hundreds of years after this history/prophecy was complete. Daniel was deceased. In turn, to suggest this means the prophecy was not futuristic, but history after-the-fact denying the inspiration of scripture and prophecy.

The underlying doubt of such a rather naïve suggestion is that verses 36 to the end of this chapter are part of history but cannot be connected to any historical events. This is before-the-fact. Such scripture revisionists are not real bible believers and don’t want to admit that Daniel’s prophecies came from his own hand as inspired by God; totally prophetic. They want the bible to be good, but not THAT GOOD. End Time prophecy already coming true includes those who play church but are singing from the wrong songbook. They sing from the hymnal or words on a screen without considering the words being sung.

Thank you for taking the time to read this for yourself. It took many weeks of research to find the correct secular and historical names with events to fit the passages between verses 1 and 36/37. If there is an error, it is unintentional. We might suggest that this translation is about as close to actuality as we will get. That is until God sends his Son to rapture the Church that Jesus already redeemed. We suspect we won’t care at that time. Praise God and pray for His quick return.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
originally written 2-25-2012/11-11-2013
revised 2023

Daniel 11:11-33 (Names given to the pronouns used by Daniel; 4 of 5)

Daniel 11:11 ¹¹ “Then the king of the South [Ptolemy IV Philopator; son of Ptolemy lll] will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North [Antiochus the Great] who will raise a large army, but he [Antiochus the Great] will be defeated. ¹² When the army is carried off, the king of the South [Ptolemy IV Philopator] will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. ¹³ For the king of the North [Antiochus III the Great] will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

¹⁴ “In those times many [An alliance of Syria, Philip of Macedonia/Greece, and many Jews] will rise against the king of the South [Egypt i.e., Ptolemy IV Philopator]. Those who are violent among your people [The Jewish Maccabean family and Zealot Jews of the defunct Kingdom of Judah] will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. ¹⁵ Then the king of the North [Antiochus III the Great] will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. ¹⁶ The invader [Antiochus III the Great] will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land [Israel of old. This is symbolic of the antichrist yet to come. This is before and including the 7-year Tribulation to set himself up in the Temple of Jerusalem] and will have the power to destroy it.

¹⁷ He [Antiochus the Great] will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom [Syrian Empire] and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him [King of Egypt] a daughter [Cleopatra I, born in 204 B.C.] in marriage [political alliances were often sealed by marriage between enemies] to overthrow the kingdom [Egypt], but his planswill not succeed or help him [Cleopatra I takes the side of her husband in Egypt]. ¹⁸ Then he will turn his attention to the coast lands [Romans who have yet to become a major power] and will take many of them, but a commander [Scipio Asiaticus, a Roman general] will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him. ¹⁹ After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall [died], to be seen no more. [The Cleopatra of Egyptian fame, born in 69 B.C., came from this same family line. She eventually married Julius Caesar but had a love affair with Mark Anthony. She had one son with Julius Caesar, and three sons with Mark Anthony]

[At this point in Daniel 11, the angel of the Lord in speaking to Daniel begins to focus on Syria; King Seleucid Philopator, and his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This shift begins the parallel prophecy of the antichrist’s actions and end time]

 ²⁰ “His [Antiochus the Great] successor [Seleucid Philopator; his eldest son Antiochus] will send out a tax collector [to tax the peoples in the lands of Israel] to maintain the [his personal] royal splendor. However, in a few years, he will be destroyed, not in anger or battle. [He was poisoned. Some believe it was by his younger brother, Mithradates soon to be renamed Antiochus the IV Epiphanes. He assumed the throne upon his brother’s untimely poisoning death]

²¹ “He [Seleucid Philopator] will be succeeded by a contemptible person [Antiochus IV Epiphanes “the Illustrious” using his own words; his original name was Mithridates] who has not been given the honor of royalty [natural succession to the throne; held in contempt by those around him]. He will invade the kingdom [Syrian Empire; his own country] when its people feel secure, and he [Antiochus Epiphanes; Life span; 215 B.C. to 164 B.C.] will seize it through intrigue. ²² Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it [Ptolemy VI Philometer, son of Cleopatra I] and a prince of the covenant [Unknow but possibly a keeper of The Law of Moses; I believe this to be High Priest Jason or Onias III] will be destroyed. ²³ After agreeing with him [Egypt and the Province of Israel], he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. ²⁴ When the richest provinces [those areas supposedly protected by Rome as the 7-year peace treaty will do in the end time] feel secure, he [Epiphanes] will invade them and will achieve what neither his father nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot, and wealth among his followers [close associates who support him]. He will plot the overthrow of *fortresses—but only for a time;

JIV AHA MOMENT: Here is the origin of the statement drawing a line (circle) in the sand. Antiochus Epiphanes invades Egypt, his pharaoh nephew, Ptolemy Philometer, son of Cleopatra. He is threatened by Rome. Withdraw his troops or be considered at war with Rome. The Roman emissary demanded an answer from (Antiochus Epiphanes) before stepping out of the circle drawn in the sand. Antiochus Epiphanes agreed, retreated, and took his anger out on Jerusalem slaughtering about 80,000 Jews and disgracing the Temple while retreating to Syria.

²⁵ “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South [Egypt]. The king of the South [Ptolemy VI Philometer Physcon] will wage war [against Epiphanes of Syria] with a large and very powerful army, but he [Ptolemy VI Philometer Physcon] will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him [his own people and Satraps of Egypt plotted against him including native Egyptians i.e., Nubians, desiring to replace their ‘GREEK’ Pharaoh with an Egyptian Pharaoh]. ²⁶ Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. ²⁷ The two kings [Ptolemy VI Philometer Physcon and Antiochus Epiphanes], with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail because an end will still come at the appointed time. [What end might this be stated as an appointed time? This is probably a dual prophecy that includes the end, as appointed, of End Time Tribulation).  ²⁸ The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant [The Law of Moses being honored in former Israeli territories after being expelled from Egypt by Roman threats of war if he didn’t stand down]. He will take action [with great anger] against it [Israeli territory – Jews of the Tribe of Judah primarily in and around Jerusalem] and then return to his own country. ²⁹ “At the appointed time he [Epiphanes of Syria] will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. ³⁰ Ships of the western coast lands [Rome] will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury a second time against the holy covenant [Law of Moses and the Jews in the old Kingdom of Judah current Israel?]. He will return and show favor to those [false and self-centered priests of Judaism; those who preach a false religion rejecting traditional Judaism] who forsake the holy covenant. [NOTE that Daniel’s focus has shifted toward Israel and their survival]

³¹ “His armed forces will rise to desecrate the temple fortress [Jerusalem] and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. ³² With flattery he will corrupt those (Jews) who have violated the covenant, but the people [True and Orthodox Jews of Jerusalem – the beginning of the Maccabeus revolt; 167 B.C. to 69 B.C.] who [Maccabee family of a father and five sons] know their God will firmly resist him. [after 175 B.C. and just before 167 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria plundered the Temple, captured Jerusalem once again, offered pig sacrifices on the altar of God, and forbid circumcision, Sabbath worship, and possession of the Law of Moses; manuscripts. He died in 164 B.C.E.]; 3 ½ years after he began the abomination and desecration of the Temple. This is the same sequence of events as the antichrist’s (Satan himself) demise for setting himself up in the Temple. He is shackled and then confined to the Abyss for 1,000 years).

³³ “Those [Jews of Jerusalem; 2 Maccabees 5:11–14] who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they [followers of the High Priest. Menelaus was High Priest in Jerusalem from 171 BC to about 161 BC. He was the successor of Jason, the brother of Onias III.] will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. ³⁴ When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere [to the Laws of Moses] will join them. ³⁵ Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end [JIV: This could be a reference to the 144,000 discussed in Revelations 14:3,4] for it will still come at the appointed time.

 Daniel 11:1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, the first king referred to, [the angel Michael] took my stand to support and protect him.)

NOTE: Ever wonder WHY he took a stand to protect Darius the Mede? Darius is the conquering king who released the Ju-deans (Judeans) from Babylon by order of the Persian King Cyrus.

The King of the North (antichrist) and the South (possibly Muslim dominated)

 2 “Now then, I [the angel Michael] tell you [Daniel] the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. [Cambyses, Smerdis, Darius the Great, Xerxes (aka Ahasuerus; His wife was Queen Esther of the Bible book Esther]. When [Xerxes] he has gained power through his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece [Xerxes invaded Greece with land troops and a navy. Successful at first, he had to return to Babylon to put down a revolt there. He left behind a commander who lost the war with Macedonia-Greece but left great anger in the hearts of the Greeks]. 3 Then a mighty king [Alexander the Great invades Persia in retaliation for what Xerxes, aka Ahasuerus of Persia, had done to Greece many years prior; Artaxerxes the V was in power in Persia when Alexander conquered this empire killing its royalty] will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he please. 

4 After he has deceased [Alexander the Great of Greece dies in Babylon], his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it [Alexander’s Empire] have the power he [Alexander the Great] exercised because his empire will be uprooted and given to others. [Alexander’s Greek Empire, the major portions of it, were eventually divided between four of his primary generals; Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus Nicator- who began the Seleucid (Syrian) empire, and General Cassander who took control of Greece proper. He was challenged by General Antigonus. General Lysimachus took control of Thracia between Greece and Turkey. Initially it was divided 7 ways. 

5 “The king of the South [Ptolemy I in Egypt] will become strong, but one of his former commanders [Seleucus I Nicator; “seven of Alexander’s generals were fighting each other for Alexander the Great's conquered territory”] will become even stronger than he and will rule his [Seleucus I Nicator - Syrian empire, later known as the King of the North] own kingdom with great power (history tells us that Seleucus became strong and took some of the Middle East including Syria from General Antigonus). 6 Several years later, they (Egypt and Syria) will become allies. The daughter [Berenice] of the king of the South [Ptolemy Philadelphius] will go to the king of the North [Antiochus II] to ally, but she will not retain her power [two years after the marriage-alliance Ptolemy Philadelphius of Egypt dies], and he [Antiochus] and his power will not last. In those days she [Berenice] will be betrayed, together with her royal escort, her father, and the one who supported her. [Laodice, the first wife of Antiochus retaliated by first murdering him, then Berenice, her children, and all of her attendants were put to the sword]

7 “One from her [Berenice’s] family line [her Emperor brother Ptolemy Euregetes in Egypt] will rise to take her place. He [Ptolemy Euregetes] will attack the forces of the king of the North [to avenge his sister Berenice. He attacks Seleucus II Callinicus of Syria] and enters his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He [Ptolemy Euregete] of Egypt, [Berenice’s brother] will also seize their [Syrian], gods, their metal images, and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt [the Southern Kingdom]. For some years he will leave the king of the North [Syria] alone. 9 Then the king of the North [Seleucus II] will invade the realm of the king of the South [Egypt] but will retreat to his own country [Syria]. 10 His sons [Seleucus III and Antiochus the Great of Syria; 223 B.C.] will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible *flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress. [They have limited success regaining former territory lost earlier by Seleucus II; recaptures the area of ancient Israel from Ptolemy lll of Egypt, Berenice’s brother].

*This is intended verbiage by Daniel or a very interesting coincidence. During the Tribulation, Satan will also attempt to flood the refuge area where those of Israel flee for protection during End Time tribulation aka: Jacob's Trouble. Satan will also have very limited success for vengeance as the Bible tells us God opens the earth and swallows the flood waters intended to destroy Israelis [Revelation 12:15]. 

I. Daniel’s Dedication, 1:1-21

A. Daniel’s Circumstances, 1:1-7
B. Daniel’s Dedication, 1:8-16
C. Daniel’s Rise to Favor, 1:17-21

II. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: The Great Image, 2:1-49

A. The Dream Received by Nebuchadnezzar, 2:1-6
B. The Dream Revealed to Daniel, 2:7-23
C. The Dream Recited and Interpreted to Nebuchadnezzar, 2:24-45
D. The Promotion of Daniel, 2:46-49

III. The Fiery Furnace: A Lesson in Faith, 3:1-30

A. The Test of Faith, 3:1-12
B. The Demonstration of Faith, 3:13-18
C. The Vindication of Faith, 3:19-30

IV. Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of the Great Tree, 4:1-37

A. AHA: This Vision is either narrated by or written by Nebuchadnezzar, 4:1-18 [Daniel 4:4]
B. The Vision Interpreted by Daniel, 4:19-27
C. The Vision Fulfilled by God, 4:28-37

V. Belshazzar’s Feast, 5:1-31

A. Belshazzar’s Contribution to the Feast: Unrestrained Sensualism, 5:1-4
B. God’s Contribution to the Feast: Handwriting on the Wall, 5:5-6
C. Daniel’s Contribution to the Feast: Announcement of Doom, 5:7-29
D. Darius the Mede’s Contribution to the Feast: Destruction of Babylon, 5:30-31

VI. Daniel in the Lions’ Den, 6:1-28

A. The Position of Daniel, 6:1-3
B. The Plot Against Daniel, 6:4-9
C. The Prayer of Daniel, 6:10-11
D. The Prosecution of Daniel, 6:12-17
E. The Protection of Daniel, 6:18-28

VII. Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts and the Ancient of Days, 7:1-28

A. Historical Data, 7:1-3
B. The Vision and the Interpretation, 7:4-15
C. The interpretation 7:16-28

 VIII. Daniel’s Vision of the Ram, Goat, and Little Horn, 8:1-27

A. The Vision, 8:1-14
B. The Interpretation, 8:15-27

1. The ram, 8:15-20
2. The goat, 8:21-22
3. The little horn, 8:23-25
4. The effect on Daniel, 8:26-27

IX. Daniel’s Prophecy of Seventy Weeks of 7 Years each, 9:1-27; i.e. the 70 weeks of 7’s prophecies.
Daniel 9:1-27

A. Historical Data, 9:1-2
B. Daniel’s Prayer, 9:3-19
C. The Prophecy, 9:20-27

X. Daniel’s Prophetic Panoramic view, 10:1- 12:13

A. Daniel’s Vision, 10:1-9
B. Daniel’s Strengthening, 10:10-11:1
C. Prophecies Concerning the Nations, 11:2-45

1. Persia, 11:2
2. Greece, 11:3-4
3. Egypt and Syria, 11:5-20
4. Antiochus Epiphanes, 11:21-35 (nicknamed Epiphmanes means the insane). This is where Daniel’s prophecies begin to parallel End Time Tribulation. They will be be different characters and places but parallel events.
5. Antiochus’s actions parallel those of the End Time Antichrist, 11:36-45

D. Prophecies Concerning Israel; Daniel 12:1-13

JIV Note: per previous comments, the covenants for Israel and the covenants for the New Testament church follow parallel lines but are not all in-common. Quick example: Israel is promised the “Promised Land;” physical property in the Middle East. The church is promised a rapture and Heavenly property.

Ephesians 6:12, 13 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to [take a] stand." (Emphasis mine)

Discussion: The Book of Daniel discusses the battles between angels, angelic forces, and the necessity to be prepared for great deception and attacks of the prince of darkness. This Old Testament example gives us a better understanding of why Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God; not to fight fellow mankind, but to resist the devil and his fallen legions in spiritual warfare. [review Daniel 10 for these examples].

This discussion between the angel Michael and Daniel begins in Daniel 10:14 where he tells Daniel… “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.” [They are talking about Israel and the chosen people, not the church. The “latter days” are the Tribulation i.e., End Time]. Note that the angel specifies your people while talking to Daniel. This is about Israel, not the church of believers.

READER NOTE: We begin a four-part series commentary identifying Daniel’s chapter 11 pronouns by giving or identifying the (NOUNS) persons, places, and things he prophecies. We do this by researching the secular history that parallels the same time periods of his chapter 11 prophecies. The reader can now read the scripture and then see the who’s who. This first article covers background for a better understanding of the time and events of Judah’s Babylonian captivity.

Introduction to Daniel

There is as much prophecy in the book of Daniel as there is controversy over its prophecies. Recall that Daniel was one of the first from the Kingdom of Judah to be removed from Judah by Nebuchadnezzar then taken to Babylon. He was a cohort of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of the fiery furnace fame; Daniel 1-3. Their Hebraic names were Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה), Mishael (מִישָׁאֵל) and Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה) in the same order as I just mentioned.

AHA: Following, we play a bit with Bible Code name meanings. Please be reminded: Hananiah (Shadrach) means “God who is gracious”; Mishael (Meshach) means “Who is like God”; and Azariah (Abednego) means “God is our help, or God has helped”. BONUS: Daniel means “God is my judge.”  Reading these four meanings together reveals a New Testament message: God is gracious; who can be like God; God is my help/salvation; God is my judge. This is what the New Testament is all about, but announced in the Book of Daniel.

Just as contrasting as interesting are their Babylonian name meanings: Shadrach means “command of Aku”, Aku being the name of the Babylonian god of the moon; Meshach means “who is what Aku is?“ Abednego means “servant of Nebo,” the Babylonian god of wisdom.

While studying the Book of Daniel, we should also note that the name Babylon is used within prophecy often but does not always mean the geographic location. Just as often the use of the name Babylon is symbolic or analogous to events characteristic of end-time prophecies. One cannot look at the Book of Daniel without including some references to Revelations and a few other helping or supportive scriptures. This commentary will be Daniel’s near-future article and the parallel to End Time Tribulation prophecy.

In a broad sense, the Book of Daniel prophecies can be defined under four categories:

1. Prophecies of things in the distant future (End Time)
2. Prophecies of imminent events soon to happen
3. Prophecies of intermediary or mid-time events
4. Words of support and encouragement in the faith

There are only 12 chapters in the Book of Daniel unless one includes Susannah (c13) & Bel and the Dragon (c14). The Book of Daniel is relevant to current events at the time of Daniel; prophecies of things to shortly happen with a look into the near future, and our modern times all in one book of the Bible.

It will be our honor, and one of our greatest challenges, to translate Daniel 11 by inserting the actual historical character names and places instead of the generic place/descriptive names found in this scripture. In fact, there is reasonable thought that since these prophecies have dual times, places, and people, this is why Daniel used pronouns. Chapter 11 is probably the most controversial in this great Old Testament book. The contentiousness of chapter 11 is not so much over what it contains, but its pinpoint accuracy. It is so accurate, some theologians and wise guys insist it had to be written by others “after the fact”, then inserted into the Book of Daniel.

[JIV] Unfortunately, some Christians have difficulty understanding that our sovereign Lord is the Aleph–Tav; knowing the beginning and the end; God himself is the Alpha–Omega.

One will find a general overview outline of the Book of Daniel on the next page(s) and following article commentary. Then a by-name, place, and event translation of unnamed persons, places, and things in Daniel 11. If there is an error on our behalf when inserting names and place identities, as mentioned in chapter 11, we accept full responsibility. One can only be more confident if s/he looks things up for him or herself. If God or Jesus says it… don’t question it.

Historical background:
It helps when one can put an event or series of events into perspective within other historical events of secular history. Remember that the bible does not need to prove itself according to history. History needs to portray itself against the bible.

1. King Pekah of the Northern Kingdom of Israel along with his ally King Rezin of Aram, threatened Judah and the capital city of Jerusalem. Ahaz, the king of Judah, called upon King Pul [aka Tiglath-Pileser III] of Assyria to intervene. King Pul of Assyria consequently defeated the Kingdom of Israel; executed King Rezin of Aram (AKA: Damascus).
   1. Assyria was a Semitic nation, off spring of Shem, but not Israeli.
   NOTE: Shem also fathered the Israelis (Genesis 11:10-32)
2. Assyrians were offspring of Shem’s (a son of Noah) sons Elam and Asshur: Genesis 10:22, Ezra 4:9
3. During this time, Damascus, often called Aram, was not yet the capital of Syria. It was an independent and large city-state with its own king.
4. Assyrians attacked the Kingdom of Israel (ten northern tribes) initially dispersing the east Jordan tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in 732 B.C. [2 Kings 16:9]
5. 720 B.C.: Assyria invades the remaining tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel including a few cities within the northern borders of the Kingdom of Judah. All captives are exiled to unsettled lands of the middle east, toward east Europe, and north of the Caucus Mountains. NOTE: This is an amazing historical study.
   Look up Khazar Empire. Secularists will not identify this ancient empire as Hebrew. Why do we know the Khazar Empire was the dispersed people of the Kingdom of Israel. Judaism was their chosen religion. a few of their kings had names like Obadiah, Hezekiah, Manasseh I & II, Isaac, Zebulon, Aaron I & II, Benjamin, Joseph…does the reader need more convincing?
6. Daniel is a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men lived in the southern Kingdom of Judah.
7. Daniel lived during the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, father and (grand)son kings of Babylon, and the Medo-Persian ruler Cyrus (King Darius the Mede).
8. He lived in Babylon during the entire 70-year captivity and a few years beyond.
9. Daniel never left Babylon. He continued in the service of their Persian conquerors.
10. Sequence of nations:
    • Israel was a nation under kings Saul, David, and Solomon. During their reigns, Israel co-existed with Assyria for some 120 years
      1. Israel divided: the Kingdom of Israel to the north [ten tribes] and the Kingdom of Judah to the south with 2 tribes plus stragglers from the northern kingdom who were faithful to Judaism and worship in Jerusalem.The ten tribes to the north are eventually dispersed; first by Tiglath-Pileser III [sometimes called King Pul], then Shalmaneser V, and finally by Sargon II; each a king of Assyria. This was around 740 B.C.E. to around 720 [?] B.C.E. The Kingdom of Judah continued to exist for another 120 plus years; until about 606 B.C.E. Babylon rebels against and overthrows Assyria; 637 B.C.E. to around 612 B.C.E.
      1. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades the Kingdom of Judah and begins a series of dispersions bringing Judean Jews, including Daniel, to Babylon. [Daniel 1:1-4]
         1. 605 B.C.; 597 B.C.; 586 B.C. [three periods of dispersion of Judah]
11. Daniel becomes an advisor and dream interpreter for Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel 2:1-49]
12. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face the fire and furnace [Daniel 3:1-30]
13. Nebuchadnezzar goes insane and eats grass with the wild animals of his kingdom [Daniel 4:1-37]. As Daniel was #2 in that kingdom at the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s mental lapse, it is conceivable he ruled Babylon thus protecting the insanity of Nebuchadnezzar.
    AHAMOMENT: Daniel chapter 4 was narrated or written by King Nebuchadnezzar himself. Read Daniel 4:1,2 (especially verse 4) to better understand. It appears that at this time in history, Nebuchadnezzar has accepted Daniel’s God as his own God.
14. Daniel interprets for *Belshazzar the writing on the wall from the finger of God [Daniel 5:1-31]
    1. *Belshazzar was the son or the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. He was overthrown by Medo-Persians (King Cyrus of Persia and General Darius the Mede). As Daniel had wasrned Belshazzar, he died the night of his overthrow
    1. King Cyrus, the first Persian ruler over Babylon, signs a decree releasing all Israeli captives within his newly conquered empire; [538 B.C. – Ezra 1:2-4; also 6:2-5]
       1. Cyrus was King of all Persia. In alliance with the Medes, Babylon fell. The lead General of the invading forces, a Mede named Darius, temporarily ruled Babylon.
15. Daniel and the Lions’ den under the Medo-Persian ruler of Babylon, King Darius [Daniel 6:1-28]
16. The prophetic future according to the dreams of Daniel
    1. The 4 beasts [Daniel 7:1-28] Daniel’s dream of the goat and the ram [Daniel 8:1-28] Daniels 70 week or years dream [Daniel 9:1-27]
17. Daniel views the future and end times (aha articles: “Are We There Yet”?) [Daniel 10:1 – 12:13]

Part 1 of 5 articles

I. Daniel’s Dedication, 1:1-21

A. Daniel’s Circumstances, 1:1-7
B. Daniel’s Dedication, 1:8-16
C. Daniel’s Rise to Favor, 1:17-21

II. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: The Great Image, 2:1-49

A. The Dream Received by Nebuchadnezzar, 2:1-6
B. The Dream Revealed to Daniel, 2:7-23
C. The Dream Recited and Interpreted to Nebuchadnezzar, 2:24-45
D. The Promotion of Daniel, 2:46-49

III. The Fiery Furnace: A Lesson in Faith, 3:1-30

A. The Test of Faith, 3:1-12
B. The Demonstration of Faith, 3:13-18
C. The Vindication of Faith, 3:19-30

IV. Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of the Great Tree, 4:1-37

A. AHA: This Vision is either narrated by or written by Nebuchadnezzar, 4:1-18 [Daniel 4:4]
B. The Vision Interpreted by Daniel, 4:19-27
C. The Vision Fulfilled by God, 4:28-37

V. Belshazzar’s Feast, 5:1-31

A. Belshazzar’s Contribution to the Feast: Unrestrained Sensualism, 5:1-4
B. God’s Contribution to the Feast: Handwriting on the Wall, 5:5-6
C. Daniel’s Contribution to the Feast: Announcement of Doom, 5:7-29
D. Darius the Mede’s Contribution to the Feast: Destruction of Babylon, 5:30-31

VI. Daniel in the Lions’ Den, 6:1-28

A. The Position of Daniel, 6:1-3
B. The Plot Against Daniel, 6:4-9
C. The Prayer of Daniel, 6:10-11
D. The Prosecution of Daniel, 6:12-17
E. The Protection of Daniel, 6:18-28

VII. Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts and the Ancient of Days, 7:1-28

A. Historical Data, 7:1-3
B. The Vision and the Interpretation, 7:4-15
C. The interpretation 7:16-28

 VIII. Daniel’s Vision of the Ram, Goat, and Little Horn, 8:1-27

A. The Vision, 8:1-14
B. The Interpretation, 8:15-27

1. The ram, 8:15-20
2. The goat, 8:21-22
3. The little horn, 8:23-25
4. The effect on Daniel, 8:26-27

IX. Daniel’s Prophecy of Seventy Weeks of 7 Years each, 9:1-27; i.e. the 70 7’s prophecies.
Daniel 9:1-27

A. Historical Data, 9:1-2
B. Daniel’s Prayer, 9:3-19
C. The Prophecy, 9:20-27

X. Daniel’s Prophetic Panoramic view, 10:1- 12:13

A. Daniel’s Vision, 10:1-9
B. Daniel’s Strengthening, 10:10-11:1
C. Prophecies Concerning the Nations, 11:2-45

Daniel 11 will be our next focus. Names will be inserted for the pronouns Daniel uses. Historical secular names will be given to Daniel 11 scripture like “The KING of the north [?]; “a king even greater than [?]”

1. Persia, 11:2
2. Greece, 11:3-4
3. Egypt and Syria, 11:5-20
4. Antiochus Epiphanes, 11:21-35 (nicknamed Epiphmanes which means the insane)
5. Antiochus’s actions parallel those of the End Time Antichrist, 11:36-45

D. Prophecies Concerning Israel; Daniel 12:1-13

JIV Note: per previous comments, the covenants for Israel and the covenants for the New Testament church follow parallel lines but are not all in-common. Quick example: Israel is promised the “Promised Land;” physical property in the Middle East. The church is promised a rapture and Heavenly property.

Ephesians 6:12, 13 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to [take a] stand." (Emphasis mine)

Discussion: The Book of Daniel discusses the battles between angels, angelic forces, and the necessity to be prepared for great deception and attacks of the prince of darkness. This Old Testament example gives us a better understanding of why Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God; not to fight fellow mankind, but to resist the devil and his fallen legions in spiritual warfare. [review Daniel 10 for these examples].

This prophetic discussion between the angel Michael and Daniel begins in Daniel 10:14 where he tells Daniel… “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.” [They are talking about Israel and the chosen people, not the church. The “latter days” are the Tribulation i.e., End Time]

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023 (February)

In the previous 27 articles on End Time issues, we have touched upon several items of End Time consequences and rewards. There remains an abundance of END TIME information we have not covered in this series but is available in scripture. The question remains, why worry or fret about a 7-year Tribulation that believers will either miss or to some degree be protected from its scourges up to the 3 1/2 mark? One might assume that during the 3 1/2 years of the Two Witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:1-14, people (particularly Jews) will become believers and receive the Mark of Christ mentioned in the Bible. To think this is speculation. Some things were sealed up according to the Book of Daniel and Revelation.

Perhaps thousands will become believers from the witness of these two witnesses found in Revelation 11:1-14 [cf. Acts 2:17-21 & Joel 2:30-32]. This could also be one of the catalysts for the antichrist (Satan) to try and destroy the Tribulation believers beginning 3 1/2 years into the Tribulation. His anger or desperation against God’s creation will likely become even greater when what he thinks he has killed (the two Jerusalem witnesses) return to life 3 ½ days of being dead on a street in Jerusalem, then they rise, fully recovered, are taken up to the heavens in full view of Satan’s followers.

A confusion causing theologian disagreements is the placement of and who receives the mark of the beast or the mark of Christ. There are multiple times this is mentioned in scripture. The forehead is pronounced. When one looks into the eyes of another, the forehead is in clear view. Any mark on it is difficult to “not see”. Catholicism practices an ash or charcoal mark applied to the forehead. The 144,000 (12,000 from each Tribe of Israel minus the Tribe of Dan) are characterized by having the seal of God on their foreheads, according to Revelation 7:3; 14:1.

Something very significant is in the wording of Ezekiel 9:4: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” Note well, this passage of scripture identifies Jerusalem, not the church. Why? Because believers have already been redeemed and raptured.

AHAMOMENT: During our research for this article, we ran across Mark 1:1. Now one can know that the first gospel was not the Book of Matthew, but the Book of Mark. Why? Because it says so. Why study such things as end time if the Rapture has already occurred? Look at 1 Peter 3:15.

In Ezekiel’s vision, we read that the saved are marked. This does not necessarily mean on the forehead, but they are marked. In Revelation 3:5 we find a mark being a “robe of white” with his or her name written in the Book of life. This is a “mark” of one’s faithful devotion to Jesus as Messiah. One who wears the armor of God (Ephesians 6) reveals their mark to the world. John 13:35 finds Jesus instructing how others will recognize a Christian believer.

One can find many references as to being or how to be recognized as “marked for Christ”. However, being marked with the seal of Christ means being marked on the forehead in the end time Tribulation, not identified by the clothes one might wear. This is a rebellious world that refuses to be told what to do. These people are the ones, besides the descendants of Israel (we call them Jews today), that Satan deceives and hates for refusing his mark. They refuse to bow a knee to him or his statue.

One who calls him or herself a believer during the Tribulation may be comfortable volunteering for public events or being kind to others, but will be nervous about sharing one’s faith, the consequence that has a price tag for not grasping Matthew 12:2.

We conclude this overview series with a section of scripture that is seldom preached or explained. It is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-17. There is a well written article that addresses the questions raised in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 & 7. Let’s conclude by doing a verse-by-verse review of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12. Understanding this passage is a personal giant step forward in one’s grasp of the end time.

⁶ And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) in his own [appointed] time.

(Commentary) There is debate as to who this restrainer is. Because Paul does not identify him (it?) we might conclude that the Thessalonians already know about the restrainer. What is being restrained? Satan’s ruthless being, his antichrist status, and the false prophet. Being so, he could be on earth today but yet to be revealed.

⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.

(Commentary) The world does not accept the deity or even the existence of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Remember that the New Testament is an appeal to all individuals within this world. This is the mystery of lawlessness. How can a rational person NOT accept this fact? The Apostle Paul points out that a restrained Satan by the Holy Spirit has an end. When the restrainer is removed from the earth, what next? (ans) The restrainer is removed so the lawless one (Satan) can be revealed.

⁸ And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing and second advent.

(Commentary) Scriptures tell us that antichrist’s identity is revealed for who and what he is at the mid-point of the Tribulation [Revelation 13]. This happens when the promise of 7-years of peace in Israel is revoked by antichrist. Satan will then set himself up on the throne within the rebuilt Temple of Israel. He will declare himself as the god. The image made of him will be given the power to speak and will condemn to death all who refuse to worship Satan/antichrist. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

⁹ The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels—[all of them] lying wonders…

(Commentary) Even the supposed death of the Antichrist [Revelation 11:7-9] is just that…supposed. This is the course of the deep deception of end time.

¹⁰ And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome (accept) the Truth but refused to love it (so) that they might be saved.

¹¹ Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error, and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,…

(Commentary) …Romans 10:17 may have something to do with verse 11 of 2 Thessalonians. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. What could cause a greater delusion than there no longer being any hearing of the Word of God during End Time? Instead, the false faith given by hearing the words of Satan (antichrist) is all they hear. Recall that the two Jerusalem witnesses will have left earth by this time. We must not forget that the two witnesses and the 144,000 are witnesses of God.

¹² In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] take pleasure in unrighteousness.

(Commentary) Verse 12…explains Romans 10:17. “that all may be judged who do not believe” is self-evident. Man will still have a personal choice to accept Christ or not, but the other possible restrainer, the Word of God, is no longer being preached. Might this be true of many churches today where their emphasis is upon social and political issues, musical talent, dinners, church activities, and great speeches, but not a word is mentioned of the need for faith and salvation?

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

PS: We at ahabiblemoments.com believe the restrainer to be the most obvious…the Holy Spirit. Once he is removed the one who is convincing sinners of a need for Jesus to gain salvation is no longer present. Mankind will now be on personal recognizance. That of itself is not much of a shield against the influence of Satan. Possible? Yes. Likely? No.

PSS: Do not lose thought that this 7-year end time is also the 70^th week of Daniel’s 70-7’s prophecy. As Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave him a vision of Israel’s future. No mention is made of the church [Daniel 9:24,25].

PSSS: One should also recall Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue Dream. The feet of this statue (End Time Tribulation) will be a mixture of iron and clay…these elements make it weak [Daniel 2]. One should note that such a mix does not hold together meaning the antichrist’s end time rule will also NOT hold together from the start of it.

Here are three stand alone verses about End Time in Jerusalem to which one might not but should pay much attention. This is a passage that reflects all the past, present, and future wrapped into it. Jesus laments Jerusalem. Why? He knows what this city in Judah/Israel was, is, and will be shortly before the end of current events of today and the world as we now know it. It is a lament about how Israeli secular and religious leaders have been, and continue to be. This passage includes their history and future attitudes ever since their appointment as God’s chosen people. The lament explains why Israel had problems before and will continue to struggle with national enemies until the end of the 7-year Tribulation.

Backing up a few verses one finds the primary issue in this chapter. Jesus in verses 37-39 is, in a sense, comparison of how a good intending parent has a vested interest in their children. After many attempts to give guidance to their children, the kids still walk off in the wrong direction. Just as do these parents, Jesus laments Jerusalem with a similar “sigh” of a parent or woe of parents. Five times in this chapter we read that Jesus addresses his chosen with woe to you. He supplements these five “woes” by calling Israeli leaders “fools and blind.”

We won’t expand on it here, But Jeremiah 3:14 states…”Return, faithless people [Israel] ,” declares the LORD, “for I am your husband“.

Look at verses 25 and 28. How similar this is to both the modern-day Godly and seemingly Godly churches. This is not the church building itself that addresses those within it who religiously attend church and activity events. They have particular and notable ways of conduct that make them appear godly, but they are only being religious. So often their conduct and appearances change according to which crowd they are trying to mimic. At times, verse 28…“even so you outwardly appear righteous to men…” includes dependable pew dwellers who don’t even try to appear righteous when outside of their church setting. Last week’s article covered “The Book and the books” mentioned in Revelation 20. There are no deeds or thoughts a person can commit that will not be found recorded in The Books.

Be careful. God defines sin as sin. To him and broadly speaking, all sins are equal to God in that all sins are by definition “unrighteous” and “imperfect.” Man tries to self-protect by identifying sins as having different levels of wrong. We do this in justice systems, but different systems cannot agree on the punishment levels of wrong. One often tries to make his or her sin less punitive. In God’s eyes, a sin is a sin (reference James 2:10). This by itself should prove that mankind makes his own rules of wrongs, rights, and consequential punishments. God created man and only HE can set the boundaries of right and wrong.

In 2014 Billy Graham stated… It is always difficult and dangerous to attempt to list sins according to their degree of seriousness. In one sense, all sins are equal in that they all separate us from God. The Bible’s statement, “For the wages of sin (singular tense) is death …” It matters not the magnitude of the sin. (Romans 6:23), applies to all sin, whether in thought, word, or deed. NOTE: Billy Graham died four years later in 2018.

 Since today’s reference is but three verses, we write them out. The reader will find commentary inserted within these verses. The verse is in italisized and the commentary is weaved into each of the three verses in black.

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [repeated twice for the reason of absolute emphasis. This is the same emphasis as when a verse starts with “verily, verily”] the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I [God] wanted to gather your children [this is the “her” in those who are sent to “her”] together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! [Again, this shows that God allows free will]

Matthew 23:38 See! Your house [both Jerusalem and the Promised Lands] is left to you desolate; [desolate to those who were originally given this land by God to be a nation of light onto other nations and peoples]

Matthew 23:39 “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more until you say, ‘BLESSED is HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’ “

You shall see me no more…This is the time between when this verse is stated and the end of End Time i.e., Tribulation. Israel will find itself so surrounded and overwhelmed by enemy forces, even the irrational mind will concede that there is no way out. This is also one reason the timid, but antisemitic will willingly and eagerly join the nations aligned against Israel. They want to have part of both the anticipated victory and the plunder. People blindly and by choice join the forces against ISRAEL. Just like fans at a sporting event join the cheering of the fans around them. Not one of them did anything to help win but all wish to share in the glory. Tin comparison, it is similar to when a team’s lead seems insurmountable. Somehow in the last moments of the game, they lose. This will be true of Jerusalem at the ending of the 7-year Tribulation. The odds against their very survival will seem like it is a given.

 Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

PS; The United States is not mentioned in scripture by name. To Include them requires speculation, something we at ahabiblemoments hesitate to do unless we preface the statement with a JIV (Jim’s Introspective View). The following is one of those JIV moments but given thought and consideration. United States is a leading country. It is rapidly going down a path of self-destruction. We will not list the abundance of poor decisions being made as a nation with all of these cancel culture idioms. People are being deceived by lies, half-truths, misleading speeches, social media, main line news casters, church pulpits that offer false religious statements but stress social positions, ignorant or empty Bible lesson content, political hacks and those who fail to follow the laws and constitution they were sworn to protect. All of this and more is what scripture means by kingdom against kingdom.

Perhaps the reason the United States is not mentioned in scripture is because the word “united” no longer applies.