Hello Beautiful People!
Its amazing to see so many of you on board with the #DanielChallenge! Even those that haven’t done the previous Bible Challenges ( #EstherChallenge , #RuthChallenge, #JamesChallenge and #LWChallenge.) we welcome you! For those that still don’t know what it is, don’t worry!
The Daniel Challenge is a 12 day challenge, where we read the 12 chapters in the book of Daniel in the Bible! It is not just about reading, I would love for us to share our understanding of what we have read with each other, so as you read, feel free to hashtag #DanielChallenge if you have twitter. In addition, please email biblechallenge@outlook.com with your notes for each chapter, or a summary and I will put it up on this blog page! The book of Daniel really focuses on our character and identity, especially in the area of being CONSISTENT and LOYAL which I believe is so key in really getting the most out of our Christian walk and abiding in God’s will for us! Some points I haven’t touched on in my summary are covered in everyone else’s contributions, OR I have purposely left out to encourage you guys to touch on! 🙂
Day Nine- Chapters 10-12
Thank God for the visions and dreams given in the book of Daniel! As part of the #DanielChallenge, this is now our third and final encounter with the prophetic chapters of Daniel. We saw that in Chapter 6, that the episode of the Lion’s Den was parallel to the scenes leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus (See video for explanation). So there has been a lot of foreshadowing and chronological history in the previous chapters (1-6), now we are getting into the prophesies (7-12).
Disclaimer // Guidelines for interpretation
Interpretations of Daniel’s prophecies differ widely. Liberals reject all prophecies, because they require a sovereign God and a miraculous revelation of future events AND despite conservative, evangelical theologians believe the prophecies in Daniel are true, their interpretations differ greatly. Whether liberal or conservative, our conclusions largely develop from our assumptions and the product of our interpretation. For this reason, I wish to state the foundational assumptions and principles for when we read this chapter and subsequent prophetic chapters.
- The Book of Daniel is a part of the Holy Scriptures, and is inspired by God, accurate, and trustworthy.
- The prophecies of Daniel must be understood in relationship to and in light of the other prophecies of Daniel.
- These prophecies must be understood in light of their historical background as provided in Daniel.
- Prophecies not completely fulfilled cannot be fully understood until after their fulfilment. At least the final portion of chapter 7 has not been fulfilled. Even those portions which some believe have been fulfilled, peoples understanding differ about how they have been fulfilled.
- Above all, the prophecy in this chapter means precisely what God says it means in this text, nothing more and nothing less. We should not spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to fill in the blanks God has left. Our attention should be given to what is clearly and emphatically said. In our passage, Daniel asks for and receives an explanation. What God determined to reveal to Daniel should be enough for us.
Words from @LeaderOpe on Chapter 10-12 << He did an awesome job at explaining these chapters!
Daniel 10
This particular chapter speaks on the end times, in fact what will happen within the Nation of Israel and the surrounding countries. Daniel in this chapter, we see the spiritual forces and wickedness withstanding the prayer of Daniel for 21 days until Michael the archangel came and delivered the answer. Daniel 10:12-13. Being consistent in Prayer is the access point to the mysteries of God, a hunger for change and transformation within his Nation was a priority. I believe praying for your Nation wholeheartedly will release a force of darkness to withstand and hinder the answer from coming. Every nation has a spiritual or demonic agenda the prince of Persia is latter called the King of Persia, Bible scholars believe that this was Satan hindering the answer from coming.
We also notice that Daniel see’s the ‘Glorious Man’ (which I’ll say is Christ because the descriptions are so clear!) verses 4 – 6. The ‘Glorious Man’ describes Daniel to be the ‘Man greatly beloved’ which is the aim of every believer in Christ to be the one person who is the heartbeat of God and is dare to God’s heart. The Glorious Man said this twice to reassure Daniel that He [Christ or God] is with Him and to encourage Him. The Glorious Man was so glorious that Daniel sank in the ground and fear came upon him because of the image…. This is calling us to a level or a realm of Glory, Splendour and Majesty of our God and King. The end of the chapter is the beginning of Chapter 11 which links to the end time prophecies concerning Greece, Syrian, and Egypt, Persians and the rise and fall of the King of the North who opposes the people of Israel.
Chapter 11
This chapter is the prophecy of what is going to happen to the 4 Kings that rule within the surroundings of Israel and the tribulation Israel will face as the King of North will be like an pre-incarnate of the Anti-Christ. I don’t want to go into history but I’ll show you a link that will help with understanding on the overall book of Daniel.
In this chapter we see how the Persian – Greek conflict will end by a mightier King who divides the nation which is Alexander the Great. History has it that after his death 3 generals under him divided the nation because he invaded and conquered Egypt, Greece, Syria and Lebanon. Then we see Antiochus IV Epiphanes who was an avid militant oppose against the Jews in the Land of Israel. History has it that the book of Daniel was written during his reign although in the bible he is referred to as the ‘little horn.’ He was bold and fearless, I would say Dangerous [Daniel 8:9 – 12, 23 – 25] these descriptions in Chapter 11:21 are war and battle like description.
This is also a picture of what the anti – Christ will do because verses 30 – 32 show the abomination of what he will do. This now gives the children of God the charge to stand for God. Remain steadfast and unmovable because there is a reward for every opposition fought [verses 32 – 35]. The last part of chapter 11 is just a picture of what happens in the book of Revelation the spirit of the anti – Christ emerging and taking charge wickedly and forcefully.
Chapter 12
This is the finality and the summary of the prophecies. The strange thing is the angel tells Daniel to shut up or keep quiet that some of the things, which Daniel did not understand. These things were not to be understood by Daniel but to show how sovereign God is in the times and seasons of humanity. However, there were rewards for those who turn many to righteousness after the battle is won [verse 12:1-3]. Also that verse speaks of a lot of things about troubles and tribulation, the rapture and judgement. Some who sleep in the dust shall awake, some to life and others to shame – damnation. [John 5:28 – 29] This part got me because if you are not living right in the things of God; shame is your portion but for those who were steadfast withstood the challenge and didn’t compromise they receive the reward of eternal life. The book also stood for the book of life…Revelation 20:11-15. Live Right Now, Surrender to God and Die Daily to the appetites of the flesh.
Verse 4 is crucial because the instruction given by the angel was to ‘seal the books and shut them up’. They way I interpreted this was that God keep the secret things of this world away and reveals them in the due time and season. Hint: it said ‘knowledge shall increase’, meaning that people will become more eager to know what will happen, the end of the world, the judgement etc. Question which we still ask and some we have no clue expect God who knows all things.
Also we see how Daniel asks the angel how long will the troubles and tribulation last and the answer was 3 and half year – 1, 290 days BUT blessed is he who waits and comes to the 1335 day. Verses 10 and 13 are comforting word to reassuring Daniel that the end of those who serve me and stand strong for God will be rest and that only the wise shall understand.
Blessings.
Ope Fadiya @LeaderOpe
