As we
conclude our summary review of Daniel’s prophesies we move forward now to the
twelfth chapter of Daniel. The context of the chapter remains centered on the
period of the tribulation. We read at verse seven in part: “…it shall be for a time, times and an half (3 ½ years): and when he
(the son of perdition---Antichrist) shall
have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things
shall be finished.” (verse seven in part). These are the words of the “man clothed in linen” (verse 6) which
is none other than the Lord seen by Daniel in this prophetic vision. His
identity can be confirmed at chapter ten and verse four and compared both by
appearance and action at Revelation 10:`1-6 which is a confirming passage. (two
witnesses affirm it-Daniel and John). With this context in view let us go back
to the first verse. We will be comparing Daniel twelve with Revelation twelve.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up,
the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall
be a time of trouble,(compare the words of Jesus at Matthew 24:21-22-great
tribulation) such as never was since
there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be
delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.(Daniel 12:1)
The angel Michael is introduced to as an active participant effectively and
necessarily involved in this intense warfare and this time of trouble. In order to gain understanding
of what is transpiring with Michael standing up for thy people we must go to
the twelfth chapter of Revelation. We
read first at verse seven the following: “And
there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: a
and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not: neither was there
place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was
cast unto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”(Rev.12:7-9).
Now
that Michael and his angels have been introduced into this scene at the
consummation of the age we will add for greet emphasis the reality of an
intense and consequential spiritual warfare so significant that it results in
the Devil and his angels being cast out of heaven after ages of access for
accusation and condemnation of those who would seek to embrace the truth in
Christ. The critical agent of victory in this spiritual war is the “man child”.
And so who might that be? It is not Jesus Christ as dispensationalists would
claim.
“And his tail drew the third part of the
stars of heaven (the Lord’s people) and cast them to the earth and which was ready to be delivered the dragon stood
before the woman (the church), for to
devour her child as soon as it was
born.” (vs.4) “And she brought forth a man child which was to rule all nations
with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.”
(verse 5) “And the woman (the church) fled
into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should
feed her here a thousand two hundred and three score days.” (verse 7) . In
explanation of this text we see that a faithful remnant of the Lord’s people is
birthed from the church and who because of their purity and faithfulness are
caught up to the throne of God. There is a twofold precedent for this action
of the Lord—Enoch and Elijah. They are godly and pure and as such are an
instrument of Christ to cast the Devil out of haven with the assistance of
Michael and his army. These people answer in kind to the church at Philadelphia
(brotherly love) “I know thy works,
behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man shall shut it: for thou
hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and has not denied my name.” (Rev.3:8).
“Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I will keep thee from the hour of tribulation, which shall come upon the
entire world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.(verse 10).
So
we see a faithful and purified people (identified as the “man child”) birthed
out from among the church which will be caught to the throne. Because God has
found a people who are truly conformed to the image of his dear Son, they then become
his instrument holding the spiritual ground for casting Satan form his presence
in heaven to the earth. “And they
overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony: and they loved not their lives unto the death;”.” (verse 11).
Because of his great wrath he makes war with the saints in a time of
unprecedented persecution and martyrdom. (3 ½ years of tribulation) This was confirmed
by the quote of Daniel 12:1 and repeated in the words of the man clothed in
linen (Christ) where we read his words at Daniel 12:7 “…and when he shall have accomplished
to have scattered the power of the holy people, all these things shall be
finished as set forth in th verse above as well as the context of Rev. 11:1-12. (Compare Daniel 11:35).
The
time frame is confined again at the end of the chapter both for the abomination
of desolation and the duration of tribulation. “And from the time that the daily (sacrifice -not in the original text) shall be taken away, (has
nothing to do with animal sacrifice) and
the abomination of desolation set up, shall be a thousand two hundred and
ninety days." (Daniel 12:12). We
have explained the abomination of desolation in great detail in posting number
five on my blogsite. I repeat it has
nothing to do with ritual or animal sacrifice as dispensationalists affirm.
So
without going into great detail in the book of Revelation this study provides
us with an overview and the significant points contained in Daniel’s prophesies. A much greater understanding can be reached
by obtaining my book These Prophets and
the Revelation where we go deeply unto the Revelation.
This obviously does not conform to the conventional wisdom of the day, i.e.,a pretribulational rapture of the entire church, a seven year tribulation
which is only focused on Jewish Israel, the fact that the body of the church as
a whole will endure the tribulation which lasts three and one-half years, and
many other details of the word of God. If you have been taught these things you
have been deceived and especially if you have accepted them. My writings are
tor he sole purpose of attempting to educate God’s people in the truth. I make
no apology for their content for they have been diligently searched out and are
always supported by Scripture.
David Lance
Dean Visit my website and blogs:
authordavidlancedean.com
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