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Appendix Two
A brief exposition of Daniel. 10v1 to 12v13
The Last Three Chapters of Daniel Contain a Single Revelation.
Each of the first nine chapters of Daniel deals with a single incident, subject matter or revelation, and so the chapter breaks are helpful. The chapter breaks in the last three chapters of Daniel are less helpful, for they are one revelation, the final revelation of God to Daniel; even though the angel departs in Dan.9v21., he returns to give the rest of the revelation.
This vision was given in the third year of Cyrus.
We read in Daniel nine that this vision occurred two years after Daniel had mourned and prayed after he had realised that the 70 years of captivity that Jeremiah prophesied in Jer.25v8-12., was over. Dan.9v2. From Ezra.1v1-4., we find that it was 2 years since Cyrus had made the decree permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem, only 49,697 availed themselves of the opportunity, the rest settled down in Babylon. Ezra.2v64,65. Neh.7v66. The lack of desire of the Jews to return to the land that God had promised them, and the opposition in the land by Rehum and Shimshai, gave Daniel great distress. He would not anoint himself, and cut himself off from all luxury, refraining from “pleasant bread,” and gave himself to prayer, mourning and self-denial. Dan.10v3. Is.66v2. Amos.6v6,7. This sadness, concern, self-denial and broken-hearted prayer over other people's needs, is a mark of true love and spirituality. Lk.14v26-33.
Darius the Mede.
Darius the Mede was appointed ruler of Babylon by Cyrus immediately after Babylon was taken by the Persians and Belshazzar was killed in October of B.C. 539. He must not be confused with the later Persian king Darius Hystapes, who reigned B.C. 521 to 486, and was an absolute monarch. We read in Dan.5v31., that “Darius the Mede RECEIVED the kingdom,” not “took the kingdom” as the Authorised Version states. From Dan.9v1., we find that Darius was “MADE king over the realm of the Chaldeans;” Cyrus put Darius in charge of Babylonia, while he ruled and supervised the whole of his empire. Darius was the son of Ahasuerus of the seed of the Medes. Dan.5v28,30,31. 6v1,28. 9v1. 11v1. Darius honoured the God of Daniel, and Daniel stood by Darius to strengthen him. At the fall of Babylon, Darius the Mede was 62 years old. Dan.5v31. It seems that Darius was Gubaru, (Gobryas), for the radical Arabic letters can be a translation of Darius and can mean “king, compellor, or restrainer.” Persian kings appointed Medes as well as Persians to satrapies and command of armies. Gubaru is not to be confused with Ugbaru, the governor of Gutium, who was the general under Cyrus who conquered Babylon, and who, according to the Nabonidus Chronicle, died three weeks later.
Daniel never calls Darius the Mede, king of Media, or king of Persia, he is just called “king,” for governors of provinces and cities were often called king. Darius had 120 satrapies under him. Gubaru is often mentioned in cuneiform documents during the fourteen years following Babylon's capture, as “Governor of Babylon and the Region Beyond the River,” that is, the entire Fertile Crescent; the vast area of Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine and Babylonia. Darius ruled Babylon far better than his profligate successor, Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, who though a good general and administrator, was a drunkard and given over to unbridled passion. Daniel was the prayer warrior and spiritual giant that stood behind Darius, and also helped Darius in every practical way. Paul tells us that when loving hearts pray, world rulers are affected. 1Tim.2v1-8.
The vision came just after the Passover.
The vision came to Daniel “in the four and twentieth day of the first month,” this was just after the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month Abib, later called Nisan; Ex.23v15. Neh.2v1.; and just after the feast of unleavened bread, from the 15th. to the 21st., of Abib. The memorial of Passover would further fuel Daniel's desire for the deliverance of his people. The vision came unexpectedly, as Daniel was by the river “Hiddekel,” not the Euphrates, but the Tigris. Gen.2v14. The angel is not named, Daniel recognised Gabriel in Dan.9v29., so it seems that this was not Gabriel, but another of the seven “watchers and holy ones,” the seven mighty archangels who stand before God. Dan.4v17,23. Zech.4v10. Rev.5v6. 8v2. Though the angel was not seen by the others who were with Daniel, they felt his awesome presence and quaked with fear and fled. Even Daniel was utterly overcome by the glory of the angelic presence, and had to be told not to fear, and had to be supernaturally strengthened in order even to speak. It is lovely to see that Daniel was greatly beloved by the angelic messenger, as well as by the Lord who sent him.
THE ANGELIC MESSENGER FROM GOD.
The angel had been hindered for 3 Weeks by the evil Prince of Persia.
In Dan.9v29., Daniel says that Gabriel looked like a man, and, like most angels, did not appear to have wings. Here in Dan.10v5., Daniel again says the person looked like a man, but he is a glorious angelic being, who states that he has been “sent” to Daniel, but had been hindered by the evil angelic principality over Persia. Dan.10v11-14. One of God's angels killed 185,000 of the Assyrian army in one night. 2Kings.19v35. Is.37v36. It is difficult for us, as human beings, to conceive or grasp the weapons or huge energies expended in these three weeks of angelic spiritual conflict, or to comprehend the suffering and conflicts that good angels endure on our behalf. In Dan.10v21., the angel said that there was none that stood with him against the evil angelic princes of Persia and Greece except Michael, the angelic prince who guards Israel. This brings many questions to the mind. Where were the angelic hosts that Jacob saw at Bethel and Peniel, and also encompassed Elisha? Gen.28v12. 32v1,2,24-30. It appears that we shall have to wait till we arrive in glory for the answer.
The three week delay in answer to prayer through the opposition of these evil angels, shows not only the strength of their opposition, it also reveals the painful conflicts that good angels endure on our behalf, and the victories that they win for us by their love for us and their commitment to us. It is moving to see how the angel gently, compassionately and lovingly touched Daniel to minister life and strength to him. Dan.8v18. 9v21. 10v9-19. Isaiah had his lips purified to speak for God by divine power. Is.6v5-13. Jeremiah also was enabled to speak by the touching of his lips by the Lord. Jer.1v4-10. May our dear Lord touch our lips, and strengthen us to tell His truth.
Paul tells us in Eph.6v12,13., that these evil princes, “tas archas,” dominate and give authority to the evil spiritual powers, “tas exousias,” under them; and that these evil principalities and powers are the real world rulers, and are not to be confused with the less powerful evil spirits that possess people. Eph.2v1,2. God allows these evil spirits some measure of liberty of action in order to reveal what evil is like, but God puts severe restraints upon them and their activities, and He rules over all. 2Thes.2v7. Job.1v8-12. 2v5,6. Dan.4v17,25. The angel tells Daniel that he is leaving him to fight with Michael against the evil angelic prince over Persia, and his companion the evil angel over Greece. He promises to return and reveal to Daniel “that which is recorded in the book of truth.” Dan.10v20,21.
"The Writing, or Book, of Truth." Dan.10v1,21. 11v2.
Daniel affirms in Dan.10v1., that the revelation he received was true. Zechariah found out that the words of Gabriel could be totally relied upon. Lk.1v18-20. After 3 weeks of prayer, mourning, and fasting, the angel came to Daniel and said, in Dan.10v21., “I will declare unto thee, that which is inscribed in the writing (or book) of truth.” This statement proves that there are heavenly prophetic writings and books as well as earthly ones. God wrote the Law upon rock with His finger. Exod.31v18. Moses confirmed the fact that there are books in Heaven, when he referred to, “Your book, which You have written,” and the Lord refers to it as “My book,” in Exod.32v32,33.. This is obviously, “The book of life,” which is spoken of in Phil.4v3. Rev.3v5. 13v8. 17v8. 20v12,15. 21v27. and 22v19; in which are recorded the names of the redeemed children of God. These names can be removed by wilful sin and apostasy. Ex.32v33. There are also books which record all the acts, thoughts, motivations, and intents of heart of all men and women. Rev.2v23. 20v12,13. Heb.4v12,13. 1Cor.3v10-17. 2Cor.5v15.
The angelic hosts are instructed in the prophetic purposes of God by “the writing of truth.” This does not mean that God's will is irresistible, for God's foreknowledge does not imply automatic irresistible foreordination; divine covenants and blessings can be revoked because of wilful sin, and divine judgements can be cancelled because of repentance. Num.14v34. Ezek.18v1-32. 33v11-20. God, who is truth and reality, has written heavenly books full of truth, and has revealed His heart as well as His mind in His divine purposes. God's books are full of His love, and manifest His astonishing continual dedicated sacrificial care of His creation. His power and wisdom brings these loving purposes to pass.
The Purpose of the Angel's Coming. Dan.10v14.
The key phrase to the proper understanding of the angel's revelation is given in his words in Dan.10v14., “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” These chapters expand on the revelations given in the prophecy of the seventy weeks; God, as in Daniel chapters two, seven, eight and nine. concentrates on events leading up to the end of this age, when His enemies will be made his footstool; an event He is greatly looking forward to. Heb.10v13.
THE AMAZING ACCURACY OF THE ANGEL'S PROPHECIES.
THE ANGEL REVEALS THE NEXT FOUR PERSIAN KINGS. Dan.11v1,2.
Calvin thought these were, 1. Cyrus. 2. Cambyses. 3. Darius Hystapes. 4. Xerxes. This, however, cannot be correct, for Cyrus cannot be included, as the angel told Daniel that four kings were yet to arise and stand for Persia. So the correct list must read: 1. Cambyses. 2. Pseudo Smerdis. 3. Darius Hystapes. 4. Xerxes. More less significant Persian kings followed Xerxes, but the four Persian kings that the angel concentrates our attention upon, had epochal dealing with the Jews.
CAMBYSES. The son of Cyrus (the Ahasuerus of Ezra.4v6.) B.C. 530 to 522.
When Cyrus was killed in a war campaign of the North East frontier, Cambyses came to the throne. From the inscription on the Behistun Stone recorded by Darius 1st, otherwise known as Darius the Great, or Darius Hystapes; and from the accounts of Herodotus and others, we learn, with some variations, that Cambyses, in order to secure his right to the throne, had his brother Bardiya, (called Smerdis by Herodotus), secretly murdered. It seems that Cambyses was the “Artaxerxes,” of Ezra.4v5-23., who upheld the objections of the enemies of the Jews, and imposed a ban on the building of the Temple. Haggai.1v4. Cambyses lived a drunken and profligate life, and enabled Satan to control him, and use him to oppose and hinder the work of God. The Temple building was hindered until the second year of the reign of Darius Hystapes. Ezra.4v24.
Cambyses invaded Egypt in B.C. 525 to subdue the revolt from his authority by Psammetichus 3rd., whose life he had previously spared. Cambyses defeated the Egyptian army at the battle of Pelusium, and the revolt was crushed with Great harshness; Psammetichus was executed and many temples were destroyed. Cambyses took the throne of Egypt as the first king of its 27th dynasty, taking the Egyptian royal name, titles and costumes, to obtain the Egyptian's favour, and organised Egypt as a satrapy of the Persian Empire. However, he failed to conquer Carthage, Ethiopia, and the oasis of Ammon in the Egyptians desert.
GAUMATA, THE PSEUDO SMERDIS. B.C. 522.
While Cambyses was returning from Egypt in 522 B.C., a Magian named Gaumata, inspired by his brother Magi Patizithes, usurped the throne, claiming that he was Bardiya, also called Smerdis, the brother who Cambyses had killed, and he gained a great deal of support from the eastern provinces. Cambyses died near Carmel in Palestine, many think by suicide, because of the bad news, others think that it was possibly by sickness, the details are not clear; he left no heir. Darius Hystapes overcame and executed the rebels and took the throne.
DARIUS 1ST. ALSO KNOWN AS DARIUS HYSTAPES, OR DARIUS THE GREAT. B.C. 521-486.
Darius Hystapes was a Persian officer of the same Archaemenian family as Cyrus by a collateral royal line; within a few months he had subdued the revolt throughout the Persian Empire, by violent means. Within two months Darius had killed Gaumata, the Pseudo Smerdis. The Median rebel Fravartish (Phraortes), was put on public exhibition after having his nose, ears and tongue cut off, and his eyes gouged out, and then finally impaled. Within two years Darius had defeated nine kings in nineteen battles, and had secured his throne and had consolidated the empire.
In B.C. 520, the foundation of the Temple was laid. Haggai.2v18. The Persian governor of Western Euphrates, Tattenai, challenged the right of the Jews to rebuild their Temple, after they had been encouraged to build by Haggai and Zechariah. Ezra.5v1-3. The Jews appealed to Darius, and stated that Cyrus had given Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel) a written decree to build the Temple. The work on the Temple continued while this decree was searched for in the library at Ecbatana. Ezra.6v2. Darius, recognising in some measure Jehovah's person and power, then made his own decree and commanded Tattenai to provide financial aid to build the Temple from the income from the tribute from the western provinces. Ezra.6v6-12. With this material aid, and prophetic spiritual encouragement from Zechariah and Haggai (Zech.7v1 to 8v23.), in the fourth year of Darius, B.C. 518, the Temple was rapidly rebuilt and finished in the sixth year of Darius, in either February or March of 516 or 515 B.C. Ezra.6v15.
The haste of Tattenai to obey the decree of Darius is explained by the execution of 3,000 of the leading citizens of Babylon about a year before this decree. Many Babylonians had followed a usurper, who claimed the title of Nebuchadnezzar 4th., and took over Babylon. It took a long siege to recapture Babylon; the crucifixion of 3,000 of its leading citizens served as a terrifying warning to submit to and obey Darius. Ezra.6v11-13. The opponents of the Jews knew that their death was just as sure and certain if they disobeyed the decree of Darius to aid in the rebuilding of the Temple.
XERXES.
Xerxes was the fourth king the angel mentioned in Dan.11v2., he obtained and lost great wealth through warfare. Xerxes, like many politicians, pursued wealth and power without any regard for people, he left an unenviable reputation for cruelty. Many expositors think that Xerxes was the husband of Esther. If this is true, Ester was a very brave woman to take on such a husband for the sake of the people of God. She deserves, and will probably get, a medal for valour. According to some evidence it seems that Xerxes was co-Rex with Darius from B.C. 498 to 486, when Darius put him in charge of Babylon, he was sole Rex from B.C. 485 to 474. See my notes on Xerxes in the evidence on the date of the start of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus.
Xerxes went on to “stir up all against the realm of Grecia,” Dan.11v2., he spent four years gathering and training an army of over two million soldiers made up of contingents from almost fifty nations; then in B.C. 480 he invaded Greece. It took seven days and nights for his army to pass over the Hellespont on a double bridge made by boats. The Greeks withstood Xerxes in the famous battle at the straits of Thermopylae, but after victory there, Xerxes marched South and captured Athens. Themistocles had foreseen the danger from Persia and had increased the Athenian navy from 70 to 200 ships, and, still in 480 B.C., this fleet defeated the great fleet of Xerxes at the battle of Salamis. The insecure and capricious reaction of Xerxes to this defeat cost him dear; he put the admiral of the fleet to death, and this caused the remainder of his fleet to desert him. The brilliant foresight, strategy and leadership of Themistocles had altered the whole course of the war and Xerxes was finally defeated at the battle of Plataea around B.C. 479 to 478. After this battle many of his soldiers joined the Athenians, and attacked the empire of Xerxes. (The history of Herodotus finished at the siege of Lesbos in B.C. 478, Diodorus).
Themistocles became a national hero, but he offended the Spartans and they tried him and sentenced him to death in his absence, he fled to the Persians, who allowed him to live in style at Magnesia until his death, not long after visiting the court of Artaxerxes Longimanus. This flight of Themistocles to the court of Artaxerxes Longimanus is confirmed by Thucydides, who lived just after these events in Athens, the same town where Themistocles had lived. Charon of Lampsacus also confirms these events, he was alive at the time and still writing history even though he was an old man, having been born in 554 B.C. according to Suidas. Xerxes was murdered in B.C. 474, and was succeeded by his son, Artaxerxes Longimanus.
THE ANGEL REVEALS THE EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
The angel moves on to speak of Alexander the Great, who reigned from B.C. 336 until his early death in 323. The angel omits mentioning Artaxerxes Longimanus, and several other Persian kings, and mentions the rise to power of Alexander the Great, who with a much smaller army, defeated Darius 3rd., at Granicus in B.C. 334; and at the decisive battle of Codomannus in November of B.C. 333, and the Persian empire came to an end at the battle of Arbela in B.C. 331.
THE ANGEL THEN GIVES A DETAILED PROPHECY ABOUT EVEN MORE DISTANT FUTURE HISTORY.
The amazing accuracy of the prophecies that were given to Daniel has caused major problems for those who do not believe in prophecy, they say it must have been written after the events took place. These unbelieving critics have falsely said that the book of Daniel was written between B.C. 167 and 160. The internal evidence of the book of Daniel is against their conclusions, and Ezekiel further disproves their unbelief, when he testifies that Daniel was a real person who lived in his time. Ezek.14v14,20. This is a prophecy from God's “Scripture of truth,” and its accuracy is due to the fact that this Scripture, like all of the Scripture, is “breathed out by God,” the God who reveals the future BEFORE it comes to pass. Dan.10v21. 11v1. 2Tim.3v15,16. Rom.3v2. Is.41v21,22,26. 43v9,10. 45v21. The accuracy of the prophecies of the major historical events between various kings of Syria and Egypt is beyond question. The prophecy goes at verse 21 to give another detailed revelation of the evil career of Antiochus Epiphanes. The accuracy of these prophecies was a great comfort to the people of God, when these events took place. They knew that God held their future in His hands and would bring them and their nation through, and deal with this evil man.
THE EXPOSITION OF DAN.11v5-45.
Two alternative expositions.
Some, like B. W. Newton in his “The Prospects of the Ten Kingdoms,” and Pember in “The Great Prophecies of the Centuries Concerning Israel and the Gentiles,” and others, state that Dan.11v5-33., is a detailed prophecy of the conflicts between Syria and Egypt from the division of Alexander's empire to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria. Then they say that in verses 34 and 35, the prophecy speaks of the time of the end, and reveals the final Antichrist. Others say that the details concerning the Antichrist start at Dan.11v36..
Dr. S. P. Tregelles in his exposition of the book of Daniel, gives the viewpoint that at Dan.11v5., the prophecy goes from the Grecian empire to the last days of this age, and that verses 5 to 20 reveal the political events that will lead up to the revelation of the Antichrist, and verses 21 to 46 reveal his evil career.
Both of these different views agree as to the meaning and fulfilment of the prophecies concerning Persia and Greece immediately after the time of Daniel and the return from the captivity. Both of these views also agree that Dan.11v34-45. speaks of the final Antichrist, and v35 of events continuing, “even to the TIME OF THE END: for it is yet for THE TIME APPOINTED.” We also note that Dan.12v1. states that, “And at that time,” which shows that at least the latter part of Daniel eleven is speaking of events concerning the final Antichrist. Jesus puts “the abomination of desolation” of Dan.12v11. into the time just prior to His return. Mt.24v14,15,29-31. Does “the abomination of desolation” of Dan.11v31. refer to Antiochus Epiphanes or the end time? or does it anticipate both events? Is the “covenant” and “holy covenant” mentioned in Dan.11v30-32., the treaty or covenant that Antichrist makes with Israel? If we have an open mind and heart we will know all the necessary facts, and need not fear.
The emphasis upon the Syrian Seleucid empire and Antiochus Epiphanes in Daniel eight and eleven, strongly indicates that Syria has a leading and important part to play in the last day events, and the rise of the Antichrist. The Antichrist comes out of the seventh and eighth head of the beast, Syria was the fourth heads of the beast, and Rome was the sixth. Rev.17v9-12.
THE REVELATION OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION IN Daniel 12.
The warning of the future holocaust for the world and Israel.
The angel reveals that the great tribulation will start when Michael “stands up;” this is the future expulsion of Satan and his angels out of the heavenly places by Michael and his angels at the start of the great tribulation, which is also described in Rev.12v7-12.. Jesus also quoted this prophecy of Daniel, when He warned us about the great tribulation in Mt.24v21,29., the angel in Dan.12v6,7., warns that this tribulation will last for 3½ years. Daniel was told twice that the words of the prophecy were to be “closed up and sealed until the time of the end.” Dan.12v4,9. The Holy Spirit comes to illuminate the Church and explain these prophecies at the time of the end.
"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."Dan.12v4.
The angel prophesies of an increase of travel and knowledge in the last days. What did he mean? Some have suggested that the prophecy in Dan.12v4. of people running to and fro and knowledge increasing was a prophecy of the increase of travel and knowledge that we see in the world today, and give this as a proof that we are in the last days, and there may be some truth in this. However, as this statement is made in the same verse as the instruction to seal the prophecy until the last days, it has a specific reference to the knowledge of prophetic truth that was revealed to Daniel. This has been fulfilled in two ways in our day.
The excited diligent examination of prophetic truth.
There has been an excited and diligent perusal of prophecy in these last days by many Christians and Christian leaders. Many Christian expositors, some who lived long before our day, have stated that this would be a sign of the last days.
C.F. Keil says that in Dan.12v4., “many shall run to and fro,” is used of going to and fro through a land in order to seek out or search, to go about spying, and is used in Zech.4v10., of the eyes of God; and states that it has the meaning “to search through, to examine, a book; not merely to “read industriously” (Hitzig, Ewald), but thoroughly to search into it (Gesenius).”
Other translators confirm this viewpoint, and say that “knowledge shall be increased,” refers to the knowledge of prophecy in the last days. Darby translates this statement, “Many shall diligently investigate, and knowledge shall increase.” Leupold states, “Many shall diligently peruse it, and knowledge shall increase.” Tregelles suggests it means, “Many shall scrutinise the book from end to end.” Fausset writes, “Many shall scrutinise it, running through every page.”
The eager travelling to seek and find truth.
Many Christians have undertaken extensive travelling to find the answers regarding the interpretation of prophetic truth.
Bishop C. Wordsworth wrote on Dan12v4., over 120 years ago, in his 1871 edition:
“Many shall run to and fro: Rather, many shall diligently seek after and eagerly peruse the words of this prophecy. The Hebrew word 'shut' here used, signifies to traverse the sea, as merchantmen do in ships, in order to visit distant lands, and find merchandise there. Cp. Zech.4v10., “The eyes of the Lord which run to and fro.” 2Chron.16v9.; and Amos.8v12., “They shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord.” The consequence of this running to and fro is here expressed, 'knowledge shall be increased' in the 'latter days.' The world may boast of its own knowledge; but true knowledge can only be increased by diligent and eager perusal of God's Holy Word, especially of the prophetical Scriptures, in the latter days.” End of quote.
In Dan.12v3., we are told, “And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” These are the words Jesus uses in Mt.13v43., “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Our Lord in His prophetic discourse to His apostles, says in Mt.24v45-47., “Who then is a faithful and WISE servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? v46. Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. v47. Verily I say unto you, that He shall make him ruler over all His goods.” It is vital to know prophetic truth in these days, lack of a correct knowledge of prophetic truth can lead to apostasy. Mt.24v48-51. See also Lk.12v42-48.. Some people and preachers feel that prophetic truth is the hobbyhorse of fanatics; our Lord took the very opposite viewpoint, He made it quite clear that the knowledge of prophetic truth is essential for survival in the last days. “Those who are wise” and tell the truth about these last days and illuminate and protect the Church with prophetic truth will receive our Lord's “Well done,” and shine as the stars for ever. Dan.12v3. Mt.24v44-46. 25v1,14,21-23.
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