Couple of weeks ago Brother Chris asked me to write an article reflecting on the current situation in the Middle East from the biblical perspective. Immediately I turned to Daniel 11 for insights, and as I worked on it, I've done some changes to my old Commentary on Daniel 11 which you can find under the Commentary section. It was tempting for me just to jump to the last part of it, to 11:40 and on that deals directly with the Christian-Muslim relationships in the last days. But I figured that without a proper overview of the previous section (Dan 11: 22 - 11:39) all the talks about the final section of Daniel 11 would look rather artificial. So, I ended up with completely redoing my entire commentary on Daniel 11. The old commentary was written in a matter of few hours, in response to some challenge. This time, however, I spent several days, and was able to give much more interesting details than in the previous version. Those interested in Daniel's prophecies might find many interesting insights in this new commentary - I just replaced my old commentary with the new one (It's under Commentary, Daniel, Daniel 11).
Now, I've been considering, what part of this commentary should be on my article about the Muslim world at the end time prophecies. Naturally, the end time events in Daniel 11 start with verse 40. After some hesitance, I decided to limit myself with Dan 11: 40-45. However, I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in a long history of Muslim-Christian relationship read my commentary on Dan 11:22-45). Here is only the last portion of it.
DANIEL 11:40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through." (NKJV)
From this moment on we are dealing with the time of the end. According to the book of Daniel the time of the end starts after the end of the prophetic time period of 1260 years dominated by papacy. Time of the end signifies, thus, a transition of power from the papacy to the Beast coming from the Earth (Rev 13:11). I'm dealing with those issues in my other articles, so I don't want to repeat myself.
A we are talking of the time of the end, we should understand that while the king of the South remains the same (the Muslim world didn't change that much, neither it lost any of its power (see my commentary on Dan 11:22-39)), the king of the North now is the United States of America, that revives an image of the beast "who was wounded by the sword and lived" (13:15). Dan 11:40 pictures the political and military conflict between the Muslim South and "Christian" North. It implies the provoking politics of the king of the South, attacking the king of the North, and a furious reaction on behalf of the king of the North who is well equipped military and "shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through." In the light of the current political events this scenario does not already sound unreal. Political terminology reflects this reality as the confrontation is now presented between the North and South, and not West and East, as it's recently been.
DANIEL 11:41 "He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon." (NKJV)
The Glorious Land is certainly the term Bible reserves for Jerusalem and Palestine. The recent straightening of the Islamic position in the Middle East and in Africa arises may concerns on behalf of the Jewish community of the state of Israel, that was implanted in the Middle East in 1948. As the tension between the Jewish and Muslim communities grows, there's more and more certainty that the United States will not stay aside as this conflict breaks open. Ps 122:6 teaches us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem," and it remains our responsibility even at these days. However, one should be blind not to see what is going on in the Middle East, and feel as the political temperature rises to a boiling point.
Edom is a historical region of the Southern Levant located south of Judea and the Dead Sea. The Moabites were likely settling in the Transjordanian highlands. Ammon was an ancient nation located east of the Jordan River, Gilead, and the Dead Sea, in present-day Jordan. The significance of the mentioning of those nations in the latter day prophecy is not clear, since those events are in the future. However, in the light of the current negotiations about the Palestinian state, it seems possible that those countries will avoid invasions as they've been recognized by the king of the North as the legitimate Palestinian state.
DANIEL 11:42 "He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape." (NKJV)
It is interesting that although Egypt has long since lost its prominence, the end time prophecies bring it up again - as a victim to the king of North. What makes the interpretational transition from more symbolic to more literal possible is the fact that Egypt in the last days is presented as the part of the kingdom of the South - or largely a Muslim nation. The most recent events in Egypt reveal that Egypt is indeed becoming a Muslim nation.
DANIEL 11:43 "He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels." (NKJV)
The riches of the modern day Egypt are not so much measured in silver and gold, but in the abundance of its historical treasures. The king of the North from the Medieval period was greatly attracted to those as they constituted part of his religious system. It is clear that papal successor shares its values, and wouldn't mind to get a hold on the legendary and mysterious treasures and secrets of the Ancient Egypt. Other African countries are on its agenda as well.
DANIEL 11:44 "But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many." (NKJV)
From this text it follows that the king of the North never gains an ultimate power. The first part of the verse talks about some counterpart of it in the east. It is possible that the reference to the east in modern political terminology means Russia and China. Although the Bible doesn't mention an open conflict between those and the king of the North, it is obvious that the eastern powers are not happy with the military expansion of the king of the North. This is what one would certainly expect from Russia and China.
Also, the news from the north - from home - are mentioned. It looks like the king of the North is losing support of its own people. It is not clear, if the king of the North comes again both east and north upon receiving those news. But his fury is now against everyone, including his own people.
DANIEL 11:45 "And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him." (NKJV)
Coming to the Glorious land as a liberator, the king of the North reveals his true intentions - to plant there his tents and palace. For some reason possession of this land is of a great importance to him. Since we are talking about the very end of the days, it is possible that this determination to posses Jerusalem stems both from political and religious agenda of the king of the North aiming to control the world.
To conclude, let’s read the verse that should really belong to chapter 11.
DANIEL 12:1 "At that time [uva'et] Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. (NKJV)
Dan 12:1 uses the Hebrew phrase uva'et, which is translated "at that time." When used in prophetic writings, this phrase always denotes the time of the appearance of Messiah to save Israel (Jer. 33:15; 50:4, 20; Joel 3:1; Zep. 3:20). We see that there is no gap here – we’ve been already introduced in the prophecy to the “time of the end.” Here it goes! Just remember one thing: Israel now is not a little geographical dot of the world map. Israel in the last days includes "every one who is found written in the book" - in other words God's remnant people from all over the world. Those are the events we are looking forward to see soon!
Written by Oleg.
Psalm 114…Wednesday November 23rd, 2011
‘Twas God who delivered Israel from Egypt
We can celebrate God’s great work in our life as well
When Israel came out of Egypt
Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion
TREMBLE, O EARTH, AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
Psalm 114
When God gave the law at Mount Sinai, the mountain trembled in God’s presence.
Even with our great technology, the seas, rivers and mountains still present us with formidable challenges
But to God, who controls nature, they are as nothing.
When observing the power of an ocean wave or the majesty of a mountain peak, think of God’s greatness and glory, which are far more awesome than the natural wonders you can see.
To tremble at God’s presence means to recognize God’s complete power and authority and our frailty by comparison
God gives a revelation and we choose to so believe and thus enter in to so appropriate that which He alone can bring to pass.
The obstacles of the day need not hinder when we choose to focus on Christ and appropriate the benefits of His presence.
BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART AND CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD
Romans 10:10
If we are to be a temple of the Lord’s presence as so revealed in scripture we must step forth and so absorb of the awesome benefits of His love that would touch every aspect of our being
JESUS IS STILL IN THE BUSINESS OF SETTING HIS PEOPLE FREE IF WE WOULD ONLY BELIEVE GIVING HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO
Study by Charlotte…2011