Last Sunday Message

SHINE LIKE THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER

Daniel 11: 36 - 12: 13

28 Apr 2024

Questionnaire

SHINE LIKE THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER

Daniel 11:36-12:13

Key Verses: 12:2-3

“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

1. Read 11:36-45. What does the king of the north honor and how does he deceive people? (36-39) How strong is his power? (40-45a) What is his end? (45b; refer to Daniel 8:25) What characteristics of the antichrist and his final destiny, who resembles Satan, can you find in these verses?

2. Read 12:1-3. Who protects the people of God in the end times and why do they need protection? (1a; refer to Matthew 24:21-22) Who will be saved and how? (1b, 2a) What will happen to those whose names are not written in the book of life? (2b; compare to John 5:28-29) Who will shine like the stars for ever and ever? (3)

3. Read verses 4-7. What must Daniel do with what he hears? (4a) What does it mean that many will go here and there to increase knowledge? (4b) To whom did one of the two angels ask a question regarding the duration of the time of the end? (5-7a) What was his answer? (7b; compare to Daniel 7:25)

4. Read verses 8-10. When Daniel asked about the final outcome, what was he told to do? (8-9a) What would happen to the people of faith? (10a) What would happen to the wicked? (10b)

5. Read verses 11-13. What trials come upon God’s people in the time of the end, and which ones are blessed? (11-12) What is the last thing Daniel must do? (13a) What is his hope? (13b) After learning many things about the end times, what should we do?

Attachment:

Daniel 11(36)-12(13).que.docx

Message

SHINE LIKE THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER

(Daniel 11:36-12:13)

Have you ever seen the bright stars in the dark night? I cannot forget the moment when I saw the bright stars at the top of a high mountain. The stars looked so clear, bright, and big, as if I could have touched them with my fingers. They were so beautiful, like precious jewelry. I believe everybody likes stars. Even children sing, ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.’ The English lyrics have five stanzas. I also like the third stanza: ‘Then the traveler in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so.’ The third stanza reminds me of a star that had guided the Magi from the east to travel their pilgrimage and worship the baby Jesus. Today’s passage is the last part of the Book of Daniel and is talking about stars. God teaches Daniel about who truly are like stars. As we complete the studies of the Book of Daniel, may God bless us to accept God’s teachings and direction in our lives for eternal glory and honor!

I. Those who are wise (11:36-12:4)

Some scholars consider 11:36-45 to be about Antiochus IV Epiphanes, mentioned in the passage of the past week. He was a prototype of the Antichrist, who resembles Satan and will fiercely oppose God and His holy people in the end times. Others think this part is a prophecy about the Roman Empire. Many modern-day commentators consider this part to be talking about the Antichrist. If we consider the main figure in 36-45 as the Antichrist, the prophecy shifts to the end times, mainly the 70th seven mentioned in 9:27. Look at verse 36: “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.” The king here refers to the Antichrist. He is unboundedly proud and does as he pleases. He exalts and deifies himself while blaspheming God and claiming he is greater than all gods. He will be successful in spreading his influence around the world, both politically and religiously (Revelation 13:7-8). However, the duration of his rule has been determined by God until the time of God’s judgment.

Look at verses 38-39. “Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.” The Antichrist will promote military power, and with his political and religious influence, he will accumulate vast wealth. Most importantly, his power source will be the unknown god, Satan. He will not hesitate to use military force to expand his dominion, appointing those who submit to his authority as rulers and redistributing land.

The events in verses 40-45 are considered to occur at the time of the end, which is the second half of the 70th ‘seven’ years. The kings of the South and the North will engage in war with the Antichrist. When the Antichrist hears of this invasion, he will move his army from Europe into the Middle East, sweeping through many countries like a flood (40). He will swiftly advance into the land of Israel, the Beautiful Land (41). His initial strike will be against Egypt and her Arab allies, including the Libyans and Cushites (42-43a). On this occasion, the Antichrist will not conquer the territory of Edom, Moab, and Ammon (41), which are now part of the present kingdom of Jordan, but he will gain control over many other countries.

Look at verses 44-45. “But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.” Then the Antichrist will hear alarming reports from the east and north. Enraged, he will set out to destroy many of the invaders. Subsequently, he will occupy Israel and pitch his royal tents between the seas, specifically between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, likely in Jerusalem, the beautiful holy mountain. The Antichrist will masquerade as Christ, establishing a one-world government with himself as ruler and a one-world religion in which he is worshipped as god.

However, his end will come, and there will be none to help him (45b). God will strike him down for his pride. This marks the end of the Antichrist. Throughout history, world powers and figures resembling the Antichrist have sought to expand their power and act according to their desires, but their greed and pride have ultimately led to their downfall. Similarly, God will surely bring an end to the Antichrist and his kingdom at the time of judgment and Jesus’ Second Coming.

Look at 12:1. “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” Here, ‘at that time’ and ‘a time of distress’ refer to the end times, when the Antichrist rules over the world and persecutes the Church. Great suffering, known as the Great Tribulation, awaits God’s people. This description of the future aligns with the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:1-2, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

In the Great Tribulation, Satan will attempt to exterminate every descendant of Abraham. However, we need not be discouraged during this time of tribulation, for God's intervention will be present. He will send the angel Michael to protect us. God is always with His people, demonstrating His mighty power. Romans 8:31 and 35 affirm, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” We need not fear tribulation because God is there to protect us.

Let's revisit verse 1b: “...But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” In the midst of unbearable distress and suffering, God’s people can rejoice, knowing that our names are inscribed in the book (Luke 10:20). Here, “the book” refers to “the Book of Life” kept in the kingdom of God. Revelation 20:12 states, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” Our lives do not end with death; we will be judged before God based on our deeds. Those who persevere in faith until the end, amidst any tribulation, will find their names written in the Lord's Book of Life. They will be saved and welcomed into the glory of the kingdom of God.

In verse 2, God further elaborates on the events following the end of the Great Tribulation, when Jesus returns. Verse 2 states, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” Just as there are two distinct lifestyles in this world between the citizens of the world and God’s kingdom, the final destinies of their lives will be vastly different. Believers will be resurrected with glorious bodies to receive everlasting life and positions of honor in God’s kingdom. Conversely, the unbelieving dead will be resurrected to face everlasting contempt and torment. Jesus confirms this prophecy in John 5:28-29, saying, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”

Verse 3 vividly describes the future glory of God’s people: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” The truly wise are those who live by faith in God and lead many to righteousness. On the contrary, it is a wicked scheme to deceive and harm large numbers of people for one's own greed, as exemplified by figures such as Antiochus IV Epiphanes or the Antichrist who is prophesied to come. There are many such ‘antichrists’ in the world today, luring people with promises of easy wealth or false paradises. However, they and their followers will face eternal torment, while those who speak the word of truth and wisdom will shine like the brightness of the heavens. Those who preach the Gospel of the Cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, leading many to righteousness, will shine like the stars forever and ever.

In this world, people often admire stars—movie stars, sports stars, military stars, and so on—and aspire to follow them or become stars themselves. However, these are not the true stars. True stars are those who are wise and lead many to righteousness. In the Book of Daniel, Daniel and his friends exemplify true stars. They loved the Lord God so deeply that they never compromised with injustice. They bravely faced the fiery furnace and the dreaded lion's den to uphold the word of truth. By their steadfast faith, they led King Nebuchadnezzar to righteousness and proclaimed God to the Gentiles. They lived with martyrdom and resurrection faith, and God made them shine forever like the stars. Even today, many honor their faith by naming their children Daniel. My son’s name is Daniel.

Truly, the greatest Star is our Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 22:16 declares, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Through His self-denial, suffering, and death on the Cross, Jesus forgave our sins and brought us salvation. His resurrection proved Him to be the Son of God, and His life of suffering and death is truly deserving of honor and glory. God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him a name above every name (Philippians 2:9).

While living a sacrificial life of faith and following in Jesus’ footsteps in the world, God’s people may be viewed as foolish or losers by society. Renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions and living self-controlled and godly lives in the present age, may seem outdated to many. Indifference to Bible study is widespread, and ignorance and stubbornness abound. Inviting people to Bible study and leading them to the truth may require endless effort and labor. Turning people from the errors of their ways and helping to save their souls from death demand great patience and sacrifice. Yet, in God’s eyes, such people are exceedingly wise. They are seen as true stars, heroes, and heroines in God’s history. They are heavenly princes and princesses destined to inherit the glorious kingdom and shine like stars forever and ever. We believe that our roles as shepherds and Bible teachers, leading perishing souls to the right path with the word of truth, are the stars of heaven that shine eternally. May God bless each of us, strengthening us to maintain a clear identity, take pride in our calling, and live the life of a Bible teacher to the end, while awaiting our blessed hope in heaven!

When Daniel heard about the end times, the angel instructed him, “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge” (12:4). Here, ‘roll up and seal the words of the scroll’ does not imply keeping the prophecy hidden, but rather signifies preserving its integrity and importance. These words of prophecy are so precious that they should be safeguarded and passed on to future generations. We must hold the secret of the word of God in our hearts and share it with those who thirst for truth and seek to increase their knowledge from it.

Ⅱ. Go your way to the end (12:5-13)

Let's look at verse 5. “Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.” Daniel describes seeing two angels, one on each side of the river. One of the angels asked the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” The man clothed in linen, understood to be Jesus, responded by pointing to God and swearing “…It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”

This reference to ‘a time, times, and half a time’ initially applied to the three and a half years of persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, resulting in many martyrs (Daniel 7:25). However, in the broader context, it refers to the period of the Great Tribulation preceding Christ's return. During this time, the persecution by the Antichrist will subject God’s holy people to severe trials. Though it may seem on the surface that believers are defeated and their power broken, it is not defeat; rather, it is a refining process where impurities are removed.

In verse 10, The Lord prophesies, “Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” This verse underscores how extreme tribulation can lead to spiritual purification and growth. While the wicked may become even more fixed in their ways during adverse circumstances, for God’s holy people, brokenness is not a sign of failure but rather a means for revival and strength.

Let’s turn to verses 8 and 9: “I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, ‘My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?’ He replied, ‘Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.’” Daniel expresses his desire to understand the ultimate outcome of the end times. However, instead of providing further details, the Lord instructs him, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.” This response indicates that Daniel should continue being faithful and remaining focused on his mission until the end. Similarly, we may have many questions about the future of world events or our personal lives, but the Lord’s instruction remains the same: “Go your way till the end” (verse 13a). We are called to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel, follow the path of Jesus' Cross, and faithfully teach the word of God, regardless of the circumstances.

Let's read together verses 11,12: “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” These verses indicate that when the persecution of the Antichrist reaches its peak, he will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination in the temple. The duration of these events could span either 1,290 days or 1,335 days plus an additional 45 days. While there are various interpretations of these numbers, what is most important is the blessing bestowed upon those who patiently endure the Great Tribulation. The persecution will not last indefinitely; God will ultimately strike down the Antichrist and destroy him. Those who faithfully endure until that time will be rewarded by God.

In verse 13, the Lord gives Daniel his final direction: “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” From his youth, Daniel resolved to remain faithful to God in the land of his captivity. God chose him as His servant to reveal significant future events, using Daniel to showcase His glory to the Gentiles. Throughout his lifetime, Daniel advised his captors with God’s wisdom, guiding them to know the God of heaven and to care for people according to God’s will. He remained assured of God's sovereignty over all things, including the kings of the world, and of God's absolute faithfulness and protection for those who love Him. Daniel was certain that while the kingdoms of the world would perish, God's kingdom is eternal.

As Daniel was likely in his eighties, his departure from the world was imminent, yet even at this moment, God desired Daniel to remain faithful to the end, assuring him of his bodily resurrection and inheritance in the eternal kingdom. Daniel's life had shone like a star in a dark world, and he would shine like the stars in heaven forevermore. Likewise, we will one day come to the end of our earthly lives, but we will be resurrected in glorious form to share in the glory of the Lord when He returns.

The book of Daniel concludes with the theme of resurrection and the hope of heaven. God does not promise unconditional success or prosperity to those who live by faith; rather, there will be many tribulations and trials. Yet, even these trials are blessings, for they are used to purify and refine us, leading to a greater reward in heaven. Therefore, those who endure tribulation and continue in the path of faith to the end are considered wise. Those who teach others the Word of God in the midst of difficulties and guide them back to the right path shine forever like the stars.

May we always remember Jesus’ promise, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” (Revelation 2:10b). May God strengthen us to press on toward the goal, to win the prize for which He has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)! May God bless us to complete our holy pilgrimage to the end by holding onto our glorious hope! May we be among those who shine like the stars forever in the kingdom of heaven!