Daniel 10: Heavenly Beings

Daniel 10: Heavenly Beings

• Setting
• The last 3 chapters of Daniel tell of the last vision that Daniel had.   Chapter 10 is an introduction into this vision and this chapter talks about the spiritual realm.    This spiritual realm explains the battle taking place between God’s angels and Satan’s angels.
• In the 1st year of Cyrus, Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews (50,000) back to Jerusalem.   (Ezra 5:1-5)
• Daniel receives this vision during the 3rd year of King Cyrus, around 537 BC.   Daniel was now 85 years old and he had been held captive for over 70 years in Babylon.    Daniel is found mourning and in prayer for his people after their release 3 years ago.   
• Overview
• Daniel was praying for wisdom to understand his previous visions.    His prayer and fasting had lasted 3 weeks before he received an answer to his prayer.  
• Daniel had mourned during these 3 weeks.   He had fasted and he had anointed himself with oil during this time.   
• The phrase ‘the time appointed was long’ can be translated to ‘and of great conflict’ or ‘and it concerned a great war’.
• The History of Israel under the Babylonians.
• In 605 BC, the first Jewish captives were taken into captivity into Babylon, which included Daniel and his 3 friends.
• The first captives returned 70 years later in 536 BC.
• The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonian army.   The 2nd Temple was rebuilt 70 years later as its dedication and completion was in 515 BC.   The work on the Temple was stopped in 536 BC and resumed in 520 BC.

• It took 2 years to get the Temple Foundation started.   There was an edict to stop all reconstruction work and this word must have reached Daniel as well.   (Ezra 4:17-22).
• God is never late in accomplishing His will and our times are in God’s hands.   (Psalm 31:14-16).
• Breakdown of the Verses.
• verses 10: 1 - 3      A Concerned Prophet
• Daniel had fasted and prayed for 3 weeks.   He had also used ointments during this time as he was seeking the face of God.
• It is likely he had heard reports that his people, the Jews, and the tabernacle had arrived safely in Jerusalem.  He also had likely heard of the suffering the remnant had endured while in the ruined city.
• There are 2 probable explanations for Daniel’s prayer.
• Daniel was praying that the temple would be restored in 70 years.   (Jeremiah 25:11-12, Jeremiah 29:10-14)
• Daniel may have wanted to understand more about the visions and prophecies and he longed for God to reveal more truth about Israel’s future.
• verses 10:4-9, 14      An Awesome Vision
• 3 days after Daniel’s fasting and prayer, he stood along the Tigris River and he saw a great vision.
• During the First Month of the Year, the Jews would celebrate the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of the First Fruits.   (Leviticus 23:1-14)
• The Passover represented the Jews being freed from Egypt.   The Jews were now being permitted to leave Babylon for the homeland, Israel.
• Daniel sees a man wearing a linen garment with a golden girdle, having a body like chrysolite (or topaz), with a face like lightning, his eyes flaming like torches, his arms and feet gleaming like polished brass, and his voice sounding like a great thunder.   This man had come unannounced.   Another man who was with Daniel did not see this awesome sight but he could feel the terror and hid himself.    Daniel then falls into a deep sleep.
• Who was this person?   Was it the pre-incarnate image of Jesus Christ, the angel Gabriel, or another angel?    (Revelation 1:12-16, Daniel 10:10-15, Daniel 7:9-14).

• Christophany or Theophany - An appearance of Christ in the Old Testament.
• The pre-incarnate Jesus Christ appeared to Abraham as a traveler, he had wrestled with Jacob, and he had also appeared to Joshua as the Captain of the Army.  (Genesis 18:1-10, Genesis 32:22-32, Joshua 5:13-15).
• The pre-incarnate Jesus Christ appeared to Isaiah as the King of the Throne.   (Isaiah 6:1-5)
• Jesus Christ had also appeared to the Apostle Paul as the glorified High Priest in Revelation.   Like John, Daniel was also given a great vision of the future.   (Matthew 5:8)
• verses 10:10-21      An Invisible War.
• It is thought that the glorious man did disappear and that an angel touched Daniel while he was on the ground.   This would be the 3rd time Daniel was touched by an angel.   This angel enables Daniel to lift himself up to his hands and knees.   The angel then speaks to Daniel and he was given strength to stand.
• This is the 2nd time that Daniel is referred to as “dearly beloved”.
• The angel reveals to Daniel there is an invisible war taking place in the heavenlies between the forces of evil and the forces of God.
• Notice that the angel was detained by the King of Persia.  This evil angel, the spiritual King of Persia, was assigned to this area to see that the living King of Persia did what Satan wanted him to do.   Michael the Archangel had to assist Gabriel to win this battle.
• When Satan fell from Heaven (rebelled against God), some angels also fell with Satan as well.  These evil angels oppose Jesus Christ and they obey Satan.   (Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:7-12, Matthew 25:41).
• It appears there are specific evil angels assigned to various nations.      (Ephesians 6:12)
• Satan does have an army.   (Revelation 12:7, Matthew 25:41, Ephesians 6:12).
• The returning Jews were facing Satan’s evil powers that were using officials to oppose them while rebuilding Jerusalem.   (Ezra 4:1-6).
• God directs his army of angels.   (2 Kings 6:17).
• After Daniel realized God’s future plan for Israel, he once again fainted.   Daniel realizes he is involved in a Spiritual conflict as revealed by the Angel.   Daniel never realized this spiritual conflict until it was revealed to him.   Daniel also realizes God is using Angel’s to answer his prayers.
• Prayer is one of our strongest spiritual weapons.   When we neglect prayer, we can become weak and feel defeated.   Peter Deyneka, a Slavic missionary stated ‘Much prayer, much power.   No prayer, no power.’
• The Angel again restores Daniel strength and tells Daniel to ‘fear not’.   The Angel also says ‘Peace.   Be strong now, be strong.’   Daniel needed this encouragement to hear the Angel’s message.
• The Angel made it clear to Daniel that the war was not over.
• The Angel said he would be returning to Michael to aid in his battle against the Princes of Persia and Greece.
• King Cyrus had shown a great kindness to the Jews by allowing the Jews to return to their land, a plan which Satan had opposed.
• God also had plans for Greece which Satan had also opposed.
• Conclusion
• Satan wants to be like the most High God, but Satan has been defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ.   (Ephesians 1:15-23, Colossians 2:13-15, Revelation 12:11)
• We can now claim victory by faith.   The believer's response is put on the whole armor of God against Satan and his evil angels.      (Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
• Satan has been judged at the cross, his judgment has never been administered.   At the end of times, this judgment will be carried out.
• We, like Daniel, have been called ‘dearly beloved’.      (Ephesians 1:4-7, John 17:20-26)
• We are not to worship the angels.   (Colossians 2:18-19, Revelation 19:10, Revelation 22:8-9)
• Jesus taught his disciples that Satan could be defeated through prayer and fasting.   (Matthew 17:14-21).
• Jesus took serious the demonic forces, and we should do the same as well.   (I Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 11:3)
• A key trap or misconception Satan uses is to get people to believe he does not exist.
• We should pray for God’s will to happen.   (I Timothy 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
• We should consider the destiny of nations through history that transpired because of God’s will in Babylon.
• Has our lack of victory been caused by our lack of prayer?

Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer and the 70 weeks

Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer and the 70 weeks

• Setting
• This chapter was written during the reign of King Darius of Medo-Persia, the same king who is mentioned in Chapter 6 where we learned of Daniel being placed in the Lion’s Den.   
• King Darius was the Medo-Persian king who captured Babylon by overtaking King Belteshazzar.
• This chapter was written between 539 BC and 538 BC.
• Daniel is reflecting upon the 70 years mentioned by the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.   The 70 year period would begin in 606 BC.   (Jeremiah 25:11-14).
• Jeremiah was the last prophet to call to God’s people to repent before their exile to Babylon.
• A ‘Week’ in Hebrew refers to a period 7 periods, which would equal 7 years.   The Hebrew calendar was also based upon 360 days.
• The Israelites were held captive for 70 years as a punishment for how they treated the land, which was sacred in God’s eyes.  They were to plant and harvest for 6 years and then let the fields rest the 7th year.  After the 7th cycle, the year of Jubilee was declared.  Here the slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and the mercies of God would be manifested. (Leviticus 25:8-13)   Approximately 490 years had passed since God’s decree, which would equal 70 Sabbath years.   (2 Chronicles 36:15-21).
• Overview
• This chapter is a prayer of supplication and confession for the nation of Israel from the prophet Daniel.   The Israelites had disobeyed God and they refused to listen to God’s warning as well.   God is forgiving but there are also consequences for sin.
• Attributes of the nation of Israel - Shameful, rebellious, and unfaithful.
• Attributes of God - Covenant keeping, merciful, and forgiving.
• Breakdown of the Verses.
• verse 9:1-2 - Daniel Learns Insight through God’s plan.
• The exiles of the Jews in Babylon was no accident. It was planned by God just as God would allow them to return back to their land.
• Daniel had taken the scrolls written by Jeremiah to Babylon with his exile.   
• Daniel came to God, pleading for mercy and forgiveness.   (Leviticus 26:40-42)
• Daniel pleaded with God to bring about the promised return of his people to their promised land.   The prophet Jeremiah had written that God would not allow his captives to return to their land for 70 years.   Daniel realized this 70 year period was coming to an end.   (Jeremiah 25:11-12, Jeremiah 29:10)
• Daniel had revealed his future plans for Israel and the events of Babylon to Daniel.
• verse 9:3-19 - Daniels Intercession, Praying for God’s Mercy.
• Daniel devoted himself to the word of God and prayer during his exile in Babylon.   Daniel was humbled by the word of God and he also sought God when his life was threatened.
• Prayer was a vital part of Daniel’s life as he prayed 3 times a day, during this prayer he wore sackcloth and ashes, he fasted, and he prepared his heart.   This prayer included praise to God as well as confession.   Daniel used the word ‘we’ to show that all Israel had sinned.   Daniel also acknowledges the glory of God.
• Verses 9:20-27 - Daniel’s Instruction and Discovery of God’s Time Table.
• Daniel was interrupted by the Angel Gabriel during his prayer, who had come to explain what God had planned for the temple, Jerusalem, and the Jewish people.
• ‘Fly swiftly’ refers to angels having wings and they fly from place to place.   Angels are spirits and do not have a physical body.   They can take on a temporary human form.   (Psalm 104:4, Hebrews 1:7, Isaiah 6:2, Ezekiel 1:6-11)
• The Hebrew word ‘week’ means ‘sevens’, so Gabriel was speaking about 70 periods of 7 years, or 490 years in total.
• Daniel prayed the Jewish people would be forgiven for their sins against the LORD, Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and the temple to be restored.  These were the matters that Gabriel was going to discuss with Daniel.
• During these 490 years, God was going to accomplish 6 specific purposes for the Jewish people.   The first 3 deal with sin and the last 3 deal with righteousness.

• verse 9:24 - Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection have fulfilled the first 3 items mentioned: finishing of transgression, putting an end to sin, and the atonement for wickedness.   The last 3 will be fulfilled upon Christ’s newly established kingdom: everlasting righteousness, to seal up Daniel’s vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy One.   (Revelation 5:9, John 11:44-52, I John 2:2, Isaiah 53:8, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Isaiah 4:2-6)
• Israel’s sins would be forgiven.
• The city of Jerusalem was rebuilt.
• The temple and its ministry were restored.
• The 490 years is broken up into 3 different periods of 49 years, 434 years, and finally 7 years.
• verse 9:25 - King Artaxerxes issued the decree to rebuild the walls and streets of Jerusalem.   Nehemiah is authorized to return to lead the people back to return to Jerusalem.   (Nehemiah 2:5-8).   
• Using calculations from Sir Robert Anderson, this decree would have been made on March 14, 445 BC.
• Seven ‘sevens’ (49 years) and Sixty-two ‘sevens’ (434 years) refers to a period of 69 ‘sevens’.
• The first 7 weeks refers to the complete restoration of Israel and the next 62 weeks refer to the coming of the Messiah.
• 69 weeks * 7 years/week * 360 days/year = 173880 days.

• This calculation puts the date to Palm Sunday (April 6th, 32 AD) when Jesus rode through Jerusalem on a Donkey and was declared the Messiah.
• verse 9:26 - The ‘Anointed One’ means ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew and ‘Christ’ in Greek.   
• Jesus was upset the Jewish people did not recognize his coming.   According to Daniel they should had been able to calculate this date.   It appears the Wise Men (Magi) came from the East to look for the King of the Jews based upon Daniel’s prophecy.   Daniel was a Wise Men (Magi) under King Nebuchadnezzar.
• The Messiah or Anointed One was rejected and killed by his own people.  His perfect eternal kingdom has yet to come and will come at the end of times.   
• Daniel mentions ‘the Anointed One will be cut off, but not for himself’ refers to this rejection by the Jewish people and his crucifixion on the cross to pay for the price of sin for all nations.
• This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.  The Jewish people were then scattered among the nations.
• verse 9:27 - This focuses on the 70th week of Daniel and there are 3 different views on the fulfillment of this verse.
• The prophecy was fulfilled in the past with the desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes around 168 - 167 BC.   (Daniel 11:3)
• The prophecy was fulfilled in the past at the destruction of the temple by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD when 1 million Jews were killed.
• The prophecy is to be fulfilled in the future by the AntiChrist and the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ which occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation period at the end times.   (Matthew 24:15)
• This period of time begins once the AntiChrist signs a covenant with Israel.   This person will be a key political person from one of the nations of Europe.  During this period of 7 years, the covenant will be broken after 3-½ years and the temple will be seized with the image of the beast being placed in the temple.
• Jesus Christ will return to defeat Satan and the AntiChrist at the end of this 7 year period, which is referred to as the Tribulation period.   Jesus will return to establish his kingdom here upon Earth.
• The Angel Gabriel does not explain the period between the 69th and 70th ‘seven’.  This is the period of the Church, which is the great mystery of the New Testament.   (Ephesians 3:1-13)
• We are currently living in this period of the Church.
• Conclusion
• The Israelites did not obey the commands of the Prophets, but instead listened to the teachings of the False Prophets.   The Church of today should heed the words of the Prophets.   (2 Peter 1: 19-21).
• In Daniel’s prayer for the nation of Israel he confessed his own sin, using the pronoun ‘we’ throughout.   In times of trouble it is easy to blame others and excuse our own actions.   If any Israelite was righteous, it was Daniel.   Yet he confessed his sinfulness and the need for God’s forgiveness.   Instead of looking toward others to blame, first look inside and confess our sins to God.
• Daniel knew how to pray.  As he prayed, he also fasted, confessed his sins, and he pleaded that God would reveal his will.  He prayed with complete surrender to God with a complete openness to what God was saying to him.   When we pray, do we speak openly with God?
• Do not let your past disobedience keep you from returning to God.  He is waiting for you and he wants you to return.
• Daniel begged for God’s mercy, not God’s help.  He knew his people deserved God’s punishment and wrath.  God sends help not because we deserve it, but because he wants to show us his great mercy.
• We should also be in fervent prayer and pray frequently.   (James 5:16)
• The 3 hardest words to say are ‘I have sinned’.   
• Confession means to ‘admit guilt’.

Daniel 8: The Second Vision of Daniel

Daniel 8: The Second Vision of Daniel

• Setting
• This vision occurs 2 years after Daniel’s vision in Chapter 7 with Daniel being between 60 and 70 years old.   It was written in the 3rd year of reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon.   Daniel was in Susa during this vision, which is in modern day Iran.   
• Susa (or Shushan) is located 200 miles southeast of Babylon.   Susa was the eventual capital of the Persian Empire during Cyrus’s reign.   It is also mentioned in the Books of Esther and Nehemiah.   (Esther 1:2, Nehemiah 1:1).

• The River Ulai was probably a canal that flowed through the city.
• King Xerxes reigned in Susa with Queen Esther.
• This vision was given 14 years before it occurred and takes place between Chapters 4 and 5 of Daniel.
• This chapter returns to being written in Hebrew as it concerns the future of the Nation of Israel.
• A Horn is used frequently in the Bible to symbolize strength.
• The Goat was the official symbol of Greece.
• Aegean translates to ‘Goat’.
• The Ram was the official symbol and emblem of the Medo-Persians.
• Overview
• The Ram with 2 Horns represents the coalition formed by the Medes and Persian Empires.   The larger horn or 2nd horn represents the Persian Empire, which was more dominating the Medes.
• The Goat from the West represents the nation of Greece.
• The first Greek colony was said to be established by an Oracle that sent a Goat for a guide to build a city.   This city was called Aegea, which means ‘Goat City’.   It was on the shores of what became known as the Aegean Sea.
• ORACLE:   a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak
• The Large Horn that first appears and then was broken off represents Alexander the Great, who at the height of his career dies at around 33 years old.
• Alexander the Great was tutored by Aristotle and considered to be a bookworm.  His father was Philip the Macedonian, who was a great military leader during his time.   His mother convinced Alexander that he was a ‘god’ after his father died, the son of Achilles and Hercules.   
• Greece had conquered the whole world in 12 years without losing a battle.
• Even though Alexander considered himself to be great, he was a ‘tool’ used by God to fulfill prophecy.
• Alexander had died from drunkenness and depression.
• The 4 horns that grow up in place of the broken horn represent the 4 Generals who served under Alexander the Great.  They each received a part of the Grecian Empire after Alexander’s death.
• The small horn that grows from one of the 4 horns represents Antiochus IV Epiphanies, who was from the lineage of Seleucus (8th in line).  This horn started small but grew to great power in the South, East, and in Israel.   This smaller horn sets itself up as the ‘Prince of Host’ (or God).  The daily sacrifices are stopped and ‘Truth’ is thrown to the ground.  He also desecrates the alar in the Temple and attempts to destroy all of the Jews.
• Epiphanies translates to ‘God manifest’ or ‘Little God’.
• The Maccabean army rebels against Antiochus and recaptures the Temple Mount.   Judas Maccabeus cleanses and rededicates the Sanctuary in the Temple.
• The 2300 evenings and mornings corresponds to the time period from 168 BC until 165 BC.   The beginning of this period begins when Antiochus IV Epiphanies desecrates the altar by sacrificing a pig on it until the time when the Temple is rededicated Judas Maccabeus.
• There were 2 daily sacrifices in the Temple, with only 1 sacrifice being offered on the Sabbath.
• Breakdown of the Verses.
• This Chapter introduces 5 people who move across the stage of History.
• Daniel the Prophet      (verses 8:1-2, 15-19, 26-27).
• Daniel had to ask an Angel for the interpretation of the meaning of the Ram and Goat he saw in his vision.   This angel was Gabriel.

• Gabriel means “Man of God”
• Michael is another Angel that is mentioned in the Bible.  His name means ‘Who is like God’.  Michael was used to announce the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.
• When Gabriel approached Daniel, he became afraid, he also fell faint, and then he went into a deep sleep   Gabriel refers to Daniel as ‘son of man’ to symbolize his weakness and human nature.
• The Angel Gabriel gives Daniel an explanation of the vision he sees which refer to the later days of Jewish history.
• Verse 19 mentions the events seen concern the appointed time of the end.
• Verse 26 refers to the events of the distant future, the vision of the morning and evenings.
• ‘Indignation’ refers to God’s displeasure with his people Israel and the times of suffering for Israel would endure before the coming of the end and the establishment of a new Kingdom.
• Daniel becomes ill after this vision.   He was troubled because he did not understand ‘the King of Countenance’ and ‘the Little Horn’ and how they fit into the prophetic scheme of Israel.
• Daniel was instructed to seal up the vision by the Angel Gabriel.
• Cyrus the King of Persia      (verses 8:3-4, 20)
• Cyrus was chosen by God and he conquered Babylon centuries afterwards the prophecy of Isaiah.   (Isaiah 41:2 and 25, Isaiah 44:28-45:4).
• Cyrus moved westward to first conquer Libya, Egypt, Asia Minor, and then parts of India.   He then attacked and defeated Babylon.
• Cyrus was noted for being kind to his captives.
• Cyrus permitted the Jews to return back to their homeland.   (Isaiah 44:28, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-3).
• Cyrus also permitted the Jews to take back the Sacred Vessels back to Israel.   
• Cyrus was also called righteous by Isaiah.   (Isaiah 41:2, Isaiah 41:25)
• Isaiah called him the ‘LORD’s anointed’.   (Isaiah 45:1).
• His conquests were portrayed as a man walking on mortar or soft clay to represent others could not resist him.
• Alexander the Great      (verses 8:5-8, 21-22).
• In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Greece was depicted as the thighs of brass.   In Daniel’s vision of Chapter 7, he is seen as the swift leopard with 4 heads.  In this vision in Chapter 8 he is seen as an angry goat that runs so swiftly that his feet do not touch the grass.
• Alexander’s Empire extended far beyond the boundaries of Cyrus.
• God had a purpose in Alexander the Great and it was accomplished.   Alexander the Great stopped the Oriental Influence that had threatened the Western World.   The Greek culture and language helped to bring peoples together and Greek also became the official language of the New Testament.
• Alexander was also noted for being kind to his captives.   100,000 of his soldiers married Eastern woman in one mass wedding.
• The Roman Empire completed what the Greek Empire started, and the Romans prepared the world for the coming of Jesus Christ.
• The Roman Empire built roads for the world to travel upon.   The Roman Empire also ruled the world with an iron fist.   The Roman Empire also offered peace and an opportunity to experience security.   This contributed to the Christian message being spread throughout the Roman Empire.
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes     (verses 8:9-14)
• He was the ruler of Syria from 175 BC until 163 BC.   He is known as one of the cruelest tyrants in history.   He claimed to be a ‘Revelation of the gods’ (Epiphanes).   Coins were minted with his image and contained the word ‘Theos’ (or God).
• His desire was to turn the Jews into good Greeks.   He replaced the Jewish High priest Onias with Jason, a patron of the Greeks.   He pronounced and edict in Jerusalem that there would only be 1 religion and it would not be a Jewish religion.   He prohibited them from celebrating the Sabbath, circumcision, and the Levitical dietary laws.   The Jewish altar was replaced with the altar of Zeus and a pig was sacrificed upon it.   Any Jew possessing the Law of Moses was slain and the Torah was burned.   This brought forth the rise of the Maccabeus who purified the Altar in 165 BC.   Antiochus died in 163 BC.
• Judas Maccabeus, also known as Judas the Hammer cleanses the Temple in 8 days with one cruse of oil for all the Temple Lights.  This cruse of oil should have been insufficient to keep the lamps lit as required.   The lights were required to burn for 8 days for the Temple purification.  This resulted in the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah.
• Antiochus killed 800,000 Jews and sold 400,00 into slavery.   (Read page 165 from ‘The Handwriting on the Wall’.
• Antiochus started out small but he gradually accumulated great power during his reign.   He is to be a fore shadow to what the AntiChrist will do in the end of times.
• The AntiChrist      (verses 8:23-27)
• The End Times is referred to as the Tribulation Period in the Book of Revelation.  The Old Testament also refers to this time as ‘the time of Jacob’s trouble’ and ‘the day of the LORD’.
• There are many parallels between the AntiChrist and Antiochus.
• Both begin modestly and increase in power.
• Both blaspheme God with the words they speak.
• Both persecute the Jewish people.
• Both claim to be a god and they both desecrate the Jewish Temple.
• Both impose their own religion upon the people.
• Both are opposed by a remnant of people who believe in the LORD.
• Both are influenced by Satan and both are great deceivers.
• Both appear to succeed and both seem to be invincible.
• Both will be defeated.
• Jesus is referred to as the ‘Prince of Peace’, ‘God of Gods’, and ‘the King of Kings’.
• The AntiChrist opposes Jesus and seeks to replace him.
• Jesus throws the AntiChrist into the Lake of Fire at the End of Times.
• The AntiChrist will appear when corruption is at an all-time high, all restraints of the world will be lifted, evil will appear to be rampant, society will be disintegrated, and nothing will be sacred.   This person will appear to have all the right answers to the world’s problems.   The world will be willing to do anything to prosper.   (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
• Conclusion
• We are in a spiritual battle.   (Ephesians 6:12).
• A New Testament Prophecy by the Apostle Paul.   (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
• How do we respond to the future events of the World?   Are we as troubled as Daniel?   Do we take comfort instead in the fact that God shall triumph and Good shall prevail over Evil?   God has given a glimpse of the future and he also has given us a hope as well.   We should be motivated to see a lost world which is falling into the lap of Satan.    What can we do to change this picture?