Daniel 10 - "The Rise Of The AntiChrist"

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Daniel 10, Daniel 11, and Daniel 12 are three consecutive chapters in the book of Daniel in the Bible. These chapters are highly prophetic in nature and provide us with fascinating insight into what is to come in the end times. They are also highly symbolic and can be difficult to interpret. In this devotional, we’ll take a closer look at these three chapters and explore their significance.

In Daniel 10, we find the story of Daniel's vision of a great war that is yet to come. In the vision, he sees a man dressed in linen with a face like lightning and eyes like flaming torches. The man tells Daniel that he has been sent to him because of his prayers and to show him what will happen in the future. The vision continues with a description of a great war that will take place between the kings of the north and the south. The king of the south will be victorious, and this will lead to a time of relative peace.

Here are three key inspirational points we can glean from Daniel 10:

1. Persistent Prayer - In Daniel 10:2-3, we read about how Daniel, despite his status as a revered prophet, humbly fasted and prayed for three weeks in order to seek the understanding of a vision he had received. His persistent prayer highlights the value of persistent prayer in our own lives. Rather than giving up or growing discouraged, we can follow Daniel's example and continue to seek God through prayer.

2. Supernatural Encounters - In Daniel 10:4-6, we read about how Daniel encountered a powerful angel who he describes as having the appearance of a man, but having an incredible appearance . As he describes this angel, his appearance is so foreign to human beings that Daniel literally feels like he’s going to pass out!  Imagine, if you will, seeing right before you an angel whose face appears as though lightning is flashing from it, whose appearance is beyond belief. Though this encounter may be way beyond our own experiences, it is a reminder to us that God can and does work in supernatural ways, and through His mighty angels.

3. Spiritual Warfare - In Daniel 10:12-14, we read about how Daniel's persistent prayer had been hindered by spiritual opposition. It’s kind of hard to believe, but in this chapter we see spiritual forces at work in “heavenly places”, just as we read about in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” This particular angel describes how he was hindered by the demonic angel prince over the country of Persia for 21 days. It took Michael, one of the archangels, to come and rescue him so that he could deliver God’s  message to Daniel. As you can see, angels rank in power. Some are far more powerful than others.

In Daniel 11, we find a detailed account of the events that will take place in the not-too-distant future. Daniel is shown the rise of the Persian Empire, followed by the Greek Empire under the leadership of Alexander the Great. We then see the division of the Greek Empire and the rise of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires. The chapter also describes the rise of a great king who will dominate the region and lead many to fall away from God. This king will come to an end at the appointed time, and a new king will take his place.

The chapter presents a detailed historical account of the conflicts and power struggles between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires, providing insights into the political and military events that took place in the ancient Near East during that time. At the same time, the chapter also points forward to future events, revealing how the rivalry between the two kingdoms will eventually lead to a great conflict between a king of the South and a king of the North. While there are different interpretations on the exact identities of these two kings, most scholars agree that they represent larger geopolitical powers that will be involved in a major conflict in the end times. Overall, the message of Daniel 11 is that even in the midst of great human conflict and struggle for power, there is a divine plan and purpose at work. This chapter reminds us that we can trust in God's sovereign will and that even the most complex and confusing events of history are subject to his control. It also encourages us to remain faithful to God even in the midst of great political upheaval and turmoil, knowing that he is always with us, guiding and protecting us.

Finally, in Daniel 12, we find a prophecy of the end times. Daniel is shown the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment. This chapter describes the great persecution that will take place during this time, and the many who will be martyred for their faith. We also see the rise of the Antichrist, who will rule for a time before being defeated at the hands of the God's faithful people.

The message of Daniel 12 is one of hope and victory. This chapter continues the vision that began in Daniel 10 and conveys the final stage of the end-time events. The chapter begins with the prophecy of a time of great distress, also known as the Great Tribulation, that will come upon the earth. But this time will also signal the deliverance of all of God’s people whose names are written in the book of life. They will be delivered from the distress and will live forever with God. Then the prophecy speaks about the resurrection of the dead. Both the righteous and the wicked will rise, and each will receive their final reward. The righteous will be rewarded with eternal life, but the wicked will be punished with eternal destruction. The message that comes through in Daniel 12 is that even though there will be times of great difficulty and persecution, ultimately God will triumph. His people will be delivered, and there will be a time of great reward for the righteous. Those who put their faith in God will be victorious, even in times when it may seem as though evil is prevailing. This message of hope and victory should inspire believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even when the going gets tough. They can trust that in the end, God will come through for them and that they will receive their reward. As it says in Daniel 12:3, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” This can be a great comfort to believers in times of struggle or persecution, knowing that their faithfulness will be rewarded, and that they will shine like stars in eternity.