Lesson for August 24, 2022
The Book of Daniel
Chapter 12
Verses 1-13
“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.3 And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.4 But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase. 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”7 And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.8 But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.10 Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.12 Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days!13 But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
“Now at that time” refers to the last half of the Tribulation when the Antichrist rules with an “iron fist.” We believe the Antichrist will be a Jew. Daniel 11:37, “He shall regard neither the God (Hebrew: “Elohim”) of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god (not even a pagan god)for he shall exalt himself above them all.” “Elohim” can be singular or plural. We believe it is singular referring to God, not gods.
The archangel, Michael, will again be called upon to protect and deliver Israel during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation, called the Great Tribulation. At the end of this 3 ½ years, Jesus suddenly appears with His army at the Second Coming to avenge believers martyred during the Tribulation and to destroy His enemies.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:21-27, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
At the Second Coming, Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives according to Zechariah 14:1-4. The Second Coming will be characterized by:
- Lightning – Matthew 24:27
- Christ will be seen by all – Revelation 1:7
- Christ will travel at great speeds – Revelation 22:7, 12
- The Second Coming disturbs and frightens unbelievers – Revelation 6:15-17
- The Second Coming is characterized by the storms of coming judgment and annihilation of the invading armies – Revelation 19:17-18
- The Second Coming includes the judgment of the Antichrist, the False Prophet and unbelievers – Revelation 19:17-21
- The Second Coming includes the judgment of Satan – Revelation 20:1-3.
- The baptism of fire removes all unbelievers from the earth at the Second Coming – Revelation 19:20-21
According to Matthew 24:37-41, at the Second Coming the world will be like it was in the days of Noah. People were indulging in the pleasures of life and mocking God and His servant Noah and ignoring the message of coming judgment and were destroyed by the Flood. When Jesus returns to earth with His army, He will defeat Satan and his followers (unbelievers) at the battle of Armageddonand unbelievers will be cast into Hades to await judgment at the Great White Throne. (Revelation 20:11-15)
Armageddon is the war that will begin when Jesus Christ comes back to defeat the armies of His enemies. (Exodus 14:14; Joshua 5:13-6:2; Isaiah 37:36; Ezekiel 38:16) Revelation 16:13-16 describes the reason for the gathering of the nations in the land of Israel – the battle of Armageddon. Armageddon is a Hebrew word meaning “mount of slaughter.” This is the final battle of the Tribulation. Demons come from everywhere – the mouth of the dragon (Satan), the mouth of the beast (Anti-Christ) and the mouth of the false prophet (religious leader). These demons are the ones who work miracles designed to deceive people, and they go into the world to indwell those who will do battle against the Lord. Believers who are alive at this time of the Tribulation are told to be watchful and be ready for the Second Coming of Christ.
The Second Coming will be the final victory of Jesus Christ over Satan and the fallen angels. The bride of Christ (the Church) will return with Christ. (I Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 19:6-8) Satan will be locked up for 1000 years. (Revelation 20:1-3)
The Second Coming will introduce the Millennium. Satan and demons will be removed from earth. (Revelation 20:1-3) Evangelism will continue on the earth. Israel will be restored as a client nation to God. (Isaiah 5:26-30; Zechariah 2:28-29) All the unconditional covenants to Israel will be fulfilled. (Daniel 9:24) The nations of the world will enjoy universal peace. (Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:4) There will be universal prosperity. (Psalm 72:16)
Under the rulership of Jesus Christ and the royal family, there will be perfect world government. (Isaiah 11:1-2; Zechariah 14:9) There will be perfect administration of justice. (Isaiah 11:3-5; Psalm 72:12-14) Nature will change radically as creation will be released from the curse placed on it by God (Genesis3:17-19; Isaiah 11:6-9, 65:25) The Gog and Magog revolution will be started by Satan after he is released from prison at the end of the Millennium, and he will lead unbelievers on the earth in a revolt against Jesus Christ and they will ultimately be destroyed. (Revelation 20:7-10)