Bible Study: Daniel Chapter 12 updated

Daniel 12: 1-13 HCSB
1 At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse [of the heavens], and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 "But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase." 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other. 6 One said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long until the end of these extraordinary things?" 7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half [a time]. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed. 8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?" 9 He said, "Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. 11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days. 13 But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days."

     This chapter lend even more credence to the books of Macabees. There is a revolt against Antiocus which leads to a viscous response on his part.  The reference to sleepers awakening does not seem to be a reference to an earthly resurrection, but rather to an afterlife judgement. The Historical events and revolt  take place over a 3 1/2 year period, which explains time a time and a half a time. The time of the end does not seem to mean end of the world, but the end of this age before the coming of the Messiah.  The profanation of the temple by Antiochus in the month Ijar of the year 145 B.C., till the restoration of the worship by Judas Maccabeus on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month 148 B.C., comes to exactly 1290 days; forty-five days more elapsed before Antiochus' death in the month Shebat of 148 B.C., totaling 1335 days. Verse thirteen refers to Daniel living out the rest of his life, dying and then standing before the Judgement seat of God.
     It is important here that I discuss the Idea of double prophecy. Double prophecy is a common idea in biblical study that prophecies sometimes have two meanings, first applying to the prophets specific situation and a second application to a further off future event. The prophecies of Isaiah are a good example, there are a few that apply to situations in his time in Israel, and also apply to the coming of the Messiah. Some theologians, especially those who are dispensationalist or who focus heavily on end times prophecy think this final prophecy in Daniel is a double prophecy, as well as the prophecy of the four animals in chapter 7, and the Anti-Christ referred to in the book of revelations. Though there are some similarities between the two books, especially chapter 7 and the prophecies in revelation, I am very hesitant to apply the idea of double prophecy here.The only argument that I can see for this possibly being double prophecy is Jesus reference to The Abomination of Desolation as something that had not yet happened, when the events the prophcy refers to had happened 200 years before. The rest of the details of the prophecy do not seem to apply though, so I personally think that Jesus was referencing Daniel as the future Abomination of Desolation being similar to what was prophesied by Daniel, and there are three historical events that would potential match it, the sacking of Jerusalem and burning the temple in 70 A.D., The roman emperor building a temple to Jupiter on the site of the destroyed temple in 132 A.D., or the Muslim invaders building on the temple sight in the early fifth century.

Bible Study: Daniel Chapter 11 updated again!

Between traveling, busy days at work, and a computer crash, and asmatic bronchitis, I have not been able to post in a week.
Sorry about that, back to our regularly scheduled Bible readings.

Daniel 11:1-4 HCSB
1 In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to strengthen and protect him. 2 Now I will tell you the truth. "Three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth will be far richer than the others. By the power he gains through his riches, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a warrior king will arise; he will rule a vast realm and do whatever he wants. 4 But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and divided to the four winds of heaven, but not to his descendants; it will not be the same kingdom that he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and will go to others besides them.

    This is the continuation of the vision from chapter 10, and its explanation. We know that Daruis acknowledges God early in his reign after Daniels encounter in the lions den. The three king referred to are Ahasuerus (the king in the book of Esther),Artaxerxes, and Darius Hystaspes. The fourth king is Xerxes. The warrior king is Alexander the great. At this point the prophecy is similar to Daniels other prophecies.

Daniel 11: 5-17 HCSB
5 "The king of the South will grow powerful, but one of his commanders will grow more powerful and will rule a kingdom greater than his. 6 After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to seal the agreement. She will not retain power, and his strength will not endure. She will be given up, together with her entourage, her father, and the one who supported her during those times. 7 In the place of the king of the South, one from her family will rise up, come against the army, and enter the fortress of the king of the North. He will take action against them and triumph. 8 He will take even their gods captive to Egypt, with their metal images and their precious articles of silver and gold. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North, 9 who will enter the kingdom of the king of the South and then return to his own land. 10 "His sons will mobilize for war and assemble a large number of armed forces. They will advance, sweeping through like a flood,and will again wage war as far as his fortress. 11 Infuriated, the king of the South will march out to fight with the king of the North, who will raise a great multitude, but the multitude will be handed over to his enemy. 12 When the multitude is carried off, he will become arrogant and cause tens of thousands to fall, but he will not triumph. 13 The king of the North will again raise a multitude larger than the first. After some years he will advance with a great army and many supplies. 14 "In those times many will rise up against the king of the South. Violent ones among your own people will assert themselves to fulfill a vision, but they will fail. 15 Then the king of the North will come, build up an assault ramp, and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the South will not stand; even their select troops will not be able to resist. 16 The king of the North who comes against him will do whatever he wants, and no one can oppose him. He will establish himself in the beautiful landwith total destruction in his hand. 17 He will resolve to come with the force of his whole kingdom and will reach an agreement with him. He will give him a daughter in marriage to destroy it, but she will not stand with him or support him.

     The king of the south is Ptomely, who takes Egypt after Alexanders death. The commander is Selucius, who begins as one of Ptoelys generals, but rises to take over Syria. They forge a alliance, and then Ptomely forges an alliance through marriage of his daughter Berenice to Antiochus, ruler of Greece, who renounces his previous wife to take Berenice. The alliance fails due to the death of Ptomely. when he dies, Antiochus takes back his old wife Laodice, who then poisons him, and has Bernice and her family put to death before putting her own son, Seleucus Nicator, on the throne. Ptomely ii, the son of the first Ptomely, attacks Greece in retaliation. Years later, the sons of Seleucus Nicator, Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus the Great, will attack Egypt. Antiochus will be victorious and will become the leader after his brothers death. Years later, Antiochus will attack Egypt again, and this time takes some more of the kingdom, including Judea (the Beautiful Land). Antiochus tries to win the Kingdom  by giving his daughter Cleopatra to Ptomley in marrige in hopes he will be defeated in battle and she will inherit the kingdom,  but she sides with her husband and betrays her father.

Daniel 11: 18-28 HCSB
18 Then he will turn his attention to the coasts and islands and capture many. But a commander will put an end to his taunting; instead, he will turn his taunts against him. 19 He will turn his attention back to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble, fall, and be no more. 20 "In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collector for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger or in battle. 21 "In his place a despised person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peaceand seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 A flood of forces will be swept away before him; they will be shattered, as well as the covenant prince. 23 After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with a small nation. 24 During a time of peace, he will come into the richest parts of the province and do what his fathers and predecessors never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will make plans against fortified cities, but only for a time. 25 "With a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will prepare for battle with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not succeed, because plots will be made against him. 26 Those who eat his provisions will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain. 27 The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time. 28 The king of the North will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant; he will take action, then return to his own land.

     Antiochus also captures the Agean sea area and it's islands before being stopped by the Roman General Lucius Scipio Asiaticus, the commander referred to in verse 18. Defeated by Rome, he returns to his kingdom and is killed in a rebellion. He is replaced by his son Seleucus Philopater, who rules for only a few years,( Daniel list this as a few days in the vision, just as 7 year periods are listed as weeks in the previous vision in chapter 9.) but gains no new territory, only collecting taxes from his fathers conquered lands. He is poisoned by a rival in a bid for the throne, but it is taken by his brother Antiochus Epiphanes who is not much liked, but uses the turmoil of the situation to take the kingdom. He then invades Egypt and defeats his  cousin Ptolemy Philometer, the son of Ptomley and Cleopatra and rightful heir to the kingdom. He makes an alliance with the defeated prince and then betrays him, taking away the kingdom with only a small force. He then plunders the land, including Judea, where he has a particular hatred for the Jewish priesthood. Ptomely rises up against him again, but is defeated by treachery. verse 27 refers to the 2 kings warring with each other, in verse 28, Antiochus persecutes the Jewish people in juead and his own lands.

Daniel 11: 29-45 HCSB
29 "At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first. 30 Ships of Kittimwill come against him, and being intimidated, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant. 31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. 33 Those who are wise among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will die by sword and flame, and be captured and plundered for a time. 34 When defeated, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely. 35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. 36 "Then the king will do whatever he wants. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, because what has been decreed will be accomplished. 37 He will not show regard for the gods of his fathers, the god longed for by women, or for any other god, because he will magnify himself above all. 38 Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses-a god his fathers did not know-with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches. 39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with [the help of] a foreign god. He will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing land as a reward. 40 "At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites. 42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. 43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.

     Antiochus second campain against Egypt is not as sucessful, do to the intervention of the Roman fleet from Chittum (Kittimwill). Antiochus takes his frustration about being stopped by Rome out on the City of Jerusalem. Verses 30 through 44 seem to cover the events of the book of Macabees in the Apocrypha, which though not considered Scripture by Protestants and Evangelicals is consrdered to be historically accurate. Jesus makes refernce to the Abomataion of Desolation in Mark 13, though he does not seem to be speaking of this same event, for he refers to it as something that has not yet hapened. There are three other events which happen in Jerusalem after Jesus death which are similar to this event which he may be refering to, using the name as a historical allusion.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel Chapter 10

Daniel 10: 1-9 HCSB
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. 3 I didn't eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn't put any oil [on my body] until the three weeks were over. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid. 8 I was left alone, looking at this great vision. No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale,and I was powerless. 9 I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

     Daniel is counting time based on when each ruler assumes dominion over Babylon. Daruis and Cyrus are co-rulers of the Medo-Persian kingdom with Cyrus being the more dominant one. Darius takes Babylon with his forces while Cyrus is taking other territories with his own army, and then assumes rulership over the whole kingdom along with Cyrus the next year, so the third year of Cyrus would be the fourth year of Darius, which is three years after chapter 9 was written, and two years after the Jewish captives have been released. 
Daniel is no longer a member of the kings court, as stated in Daniel 1:21.
     Daniel has been given another prophecy about the future from God. in each of the previous two visions Gabriel the angel has been on hand for Daniel to discuss it with and to comfort Daniel. This time there has been angel to comfort him, and Daniel is greatly troubled for the people of Israel.. He is fasting and praying, and has stopped bathing (they anointed themselves with perfume and oils for cleaning in that culture, just as we use soap and shampoo). He is with other people on the river bank when the visitor appears. Only Daniel truly sees what is happening, the others simply feel the presence of a terrifying power. This being is clearly not Gabriel, nor does Daniel refer to him as an angel, as he has supernatural messengers in the previous visions. The linen he is wearing represents the priesthood, and the gold authority. Lightning and flame represent power and judgement, as does the bronze and voice of the multitude. this is very similar to how God is portrayed in the visions of Isaiah and Ezekiel, and how Jesus is portrayed in Revelations. I believe that this is a Theophany, this individual is the Pre-incarnate Christ himself.

Daniel 10: 10-21
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man treasured [by God]. Understand the words that I'm saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you." After he said this to me, I stood trembling. 12 "Don't be afraid, Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days." 15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, "My lord, because of the vision, I am overwhelmed and powerless. 17 How can someone like me, your servant, speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me." 18 Then the one with human likeness touched me again and strengthened me. 19 He said, "Don't be afraid, you who are treasured [by God]. Peace to you; be very strong!" As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." 20 He said, "Do you know why I've come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. 21 No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael, your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth.

     The person who wakes Daniel here does not seem to be the same being who appeard on the river bank, Most commentators assume that this is Gabriel, because he is the one who explained the other visions,though Daniel does not say who he is talking to here, though it appears to be someone he is familiar with, and not as terrified of as the one who appeared at the river. There has been some sort of major battle between Gabriel, Michael the Archangel, and the demon who controls Persia which has delayed Gabriel's arrival. This is one of the cases where I wish things the bible sometimes mentions in passing were spoken of in a lot greater detail. 
     In verse 16, apparently the first being is still here, for Daniel speaks of him differently than he does Gabriel, and continues the conversation with both of them. It is unclear whether it is Christ or Gabriel who continues the conversation in verse 20-21, though it is probably Gabriel due to the reference to the battle and revealing the prophecy, which has been Gabriel's job so far. "Courage enough" is one translation of the phrase in Hebrew, though "Strong enough" may be a better one.  The prince of  Persia is appearently very powerful, possibly even Lucifer himself.  From here Gabriel explains the prophecy Daniel has received in chapters 11 and 12. 

Daily Bible Reading : Daniel Chapter 9

Daniel 9: 1-19 HCSB
1 In the first year of Darius, who was the son of Ahasuerus, was a Mede by birth, and was ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans- 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be 70. 3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: Ah, Lord-the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commandments- 5 we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. 6 We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land. 7 Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but this day public shame belongs to us: the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel-those who are near and those who are far, in all the countries where You have dispersed them because of the disloyalty they have shown toward You. 8 Lord, public shame belongs to us, our kings, our leaders, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9 Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against Him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following His instructions that He set before us through His servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has broken Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You. The promised cursewritten in the law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against Him. 12 He has carried out His words that He spoke against us and against our rulers by bringing on us so great a disaster that nothing like what has been done to Jerusalem has ever been done under all of heaven. 13 Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not appeased the Lord our God by turning from our injustice and paying attention to Your truth. 14 So the Lord kept the disaster in mind and brought it on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all He has done. But we have not obeyed Him. 15 Now, Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made Your name [renowned] as it is this day, we have sinned, we have acted wickedly. 16 Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, may Your anger and wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the injustices of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become an object of ridicule to all those around us. 17 Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of Your servant. Show Your favor to Your desolate sanctuary for the Lord's sake. 18 Listen, my God, and hear. Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city called by Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You based on our righteous acts, but based on Your abundant compassion. 19 Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for Your own sake, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.

     Nebuchadnezzar Destroyed Jerusalem and took the people captive in 606 B.C.  Darius takes Babylon in 538 B.C. and releases the Jewish captives in  536 B.C., exactly 70 years, just as Jeremiah prophesied in Jeremiah 25: 11-12, 29: 10, 30: 18, 31: 38 before the Babylonian captivity. Daniel writes this the year before the captives are released. Daniel is eagerly looking forward to the fulfillment of the prophecy and is beseeching the Lord to fulfill it while asking for forgiveness on behalf of the people of Israel. He acknowledges the transgression and humbly asks for the Lord's mercy on behalf of the people.

Daniel 9: 20-27 HCSB
20 While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before Yahweh my God concerning the holy mountain of my God- 21 while I was praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the first vision, came to me in my extreme weariness, about the time of the evening offering. 22 He gave me this explanation: "Daniel, I've come now to give you understanding. 23 At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured [by God]. So consider the message and understand the vision: 24 Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city- to bring the rebellion to an end, to put a stop to sin, to wipe away injustice, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. 25 Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. 26 After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. 27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator

     The "seventy weeks"  of Israel are not actually  7 day weeks , but weeks of years, the phrase in the Hebrew is "seventy sevens" or 490 years. In verse 25 The 7 weeks (49 years)  refers to the rebuilding of  Jerusalem and the Temple and the 62 weeks (434 years) are from that time till the Messiah will be cut off. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah record the beginning of these events. The Seventy Sevens period does not begin at the time Daniel wrote this in 537 B.C., But when Ezra receives commission from Artaxerxes King of Persia to return with the final captives and rebuild the nation of Israel, 83 years after Daniels prophecy. Seven years into the reign of Ezra the King of Persia gives permission to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, which takes 49 years.
     These periods end with the "cutting off of the Messiah". From 457 B.C. to 33 A.D. is 490 years. The numbers also match from seven weeks (49 years) and 62 weeks (434 years) which 483 years total starting with the rebuilding of Jerusalem in 450 B..C. So Daniel, who according to the text wrote this prophecy in 537 B.C., and which even the most Liberal secular scholar believes could have been written no later than 160 B.C. due to the findings in the dead sea scrolls, predicts the death of the Jesus down to the exact year. This is the power of God.  The people of the prince destroying the city and sanctuary refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. Prince is used in daniel to signify a supernatural ruler, which is why the Messiah is refered to as a prince. The people of the coming prince refers to a demonic force behind the power of Rome. The reference to the covenant of a week in verse 27 is partially unclear. The Him  would be the Messiah, ceasing the sacrifices in the middle of the week matches with the rending of the Temple curtain after 3 years of ministry. The end of the 7 years most probably represents the shift in focus from witnessing primarily to the Jews to witnessing to the Gentiles, which begins in the book of Acts. The NASB translate the last sentence as

"and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."

     Most Literal translations translate the text in this same fashion, which I think makes the meaning a little clearer. Some  scholars think that this a reference to the Antichrist at the end times, but I am not so certain., Daniel also speaks of the Abomination of Desolation in Chapters 11 and 12, so we will look at it in greater detail there. Jesus also references the Abomination of Desolation as something that has not yet happened in Mark Chapter 13.

Daily Bible Study: Daniel Chapter 8

     This is the first appearance of the angel Gabriel in the bible, who is one of only two angels angels who are mentioned by name, the other being the archangel Michael. He explains the prophecy in detail, which matches the history of the region for the next four hundred years. The extreme accuracy of these prophecies has caused most secular scholars to claim that book of Daniel was actually written just after the events of Anitiochus reign. This, however, still does not explain the prophecies of the fourth kingdom, which match up to Roman history. Fragments of the book found with the dead sea scrolls pre-date Antiochus reign, and were already considered cannon by the Qumran community who hid the dead sea scrolls, which make this late date of writing impossible.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel Chapter 7

Daniel 7: 1-8 HCSB
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account. 2 Daniel said, "In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea. 3 Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 "The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind. 5 "Suddenly, another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up! Gorge yourself on flesh.' 6 "While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule. 7 "While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns. 8 "While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man's, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly.

     For research into the interpretation of the rest of Daniel I will be consulting several well know biblical commentaries, including Matthew Henry, the Jamison-Faucette-Brown Commentaries, Adam Coffman's commentary. and other sources.
     In Daniels dream, just as in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2, is a representation of the four Kingdoms that would come before God sets up his final kingdom. The first beast represents Babylon. Babylon is also referred to as a lion in  prophecy in Jeremiah 4: 7. The eagles wings represent the speed at which Babylon becomes a world power, and then looses its ability to continue conquests as the Medes and Persians begin to rise and when Nebuchadnezzar looses his mind.. This is also referred to in prophecy in Jeremiah 4: 13, Isaiah 46: 11, Lamentations 4:19, Habakkuk 1:6, and Jeremiah 48: 40. Being lifted like a man and being given a human mind refers to God's restoring of Nebuchadnezzars mind and how this affected his kingdom. since Daniel received this dream during the rule of Belshazzar, these are all events that had already happened, the rest of the prophecy deals with things that had not yet happened at that point.
     The second beast, the bear, represents the Medo-Persian empire, known for its power and brutality. Isaiah 13 also refers to the rise of this empire and their defeat of the Babylonians. Raise up on one side in Hebrew is "raised one dominion" which would be a reference to the combining of the two kingdoms. The three ribs are Babylon, Lydia and Egypt, , the three kingdoms it subdued. devour much flesh means that God has granted them the ability to overtake the region.
    The third beast, the leopard, represents the Macedonian-Greek empire of Alexander the great, who defeats the Persians and becomes the next world power. once again wings represent speed of conquest twice as fast as the Babylonians. After the death of Alexander, the kingdom is co-ruled by four rulers who each control a different province, Greece, Bythia, Egypt, and Syria, hence the four heads. on the statement "Given the authority to rule", It is actually recorded by the ancient historian Josephus that Alexander had great respect for the Jewish priests and had seen a vision of their God promising him success in battle.
     The fourth beast represents Rome more powerful and brutal than all the others, hence the iron teeth and crushing. Rome was divided into ten provinces, which matches with the ten toes from chapter 2. As to the meaning of the little horn there is a great deal of debate. Different commentators and scholars name this as possibly many different people, from Roman Cesar's to later historical figures such as various popes and even Napoleon Bonaparte, this part of the prophecy is also also associated with Revelation 13 any many think is referencing a coming Antichrist. I personally think that this is a reference to events during the Roman empire, due to the way the narrative has flowed thus far, chronologically from kingdom to kingdom, and the little horn is still represented as a part of the Roman empire.

Daniel 7: 9-14 HCSB
9 "As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 11 "I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time. 13 I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. 14 He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

     We are now introduced to the heavenly perspective of the vision as God appears on his throne. The little horn is destroyed by God, and the four beasts are judged, and then "one like the son of man" arrives, which symbolises Christ, who is given authority and power over the nations. There is some debate among scholars and commentators as to whether this is a reference to the first or second coming of Christ. I personally think it is a reference to his first coming and the establishing of his earthly kingdom in the heart of believers due the chronological nature of the vision to this point.

Daniel 7: 15-28 HCSB
15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me. 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: 17 'These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.' 19 "Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. 20 [I also wanted to know] about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell-the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. 21 As I was watching, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them 22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom. 23 "This is what he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24 The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. 25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever. 27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.' 28 "This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.

     Daniel approaches what is apparently an angel within the vision for the meaning of what he has seen. Each beast represents a kingdom, but Daniel is most interested in the fourth one. Based on the description given here, it my personal opinion that the little horn represents at least one if not several of the more oppressive Roman rulers just after the death of Christ, when both Jewish and Christain believers endured extreme persecution. Christianity spread despite persecution, to the point where it eventually took over as the dominant faith of the empire near it's end with the rule of emperor Constantine.