Daniel 11 (7)

Introduction
Daniel 11 and Matthew 24 have much in common. Both are forward-looking. Both envision times of tribulation and trial. Both are intended to warn and encourage the people of God not to lose faith. And both reveal aspects of the good and perfect – albeit sometimes troubling – will of our sovereign God.

Read Matthew 24.

Read and Meditate on Daniel 11.

Think it through.
1.  We have seen that these visions were a heavy burden for Daniel to bear. He did not understand them completely – any more than we understand Matthew 24 or the book of Revelation completely – but he understood them enough. For Daniel, it was important to write these visions down so that those who were returning to Jerusalem would know what to expect. Of all the visions Daniel has received thus far, Daniel 11 is the most focused and fearful, especially since it impinges so directly on the “Glorious Land.” But Daniel 7.13-27 is the most important of these visions. Why was this message so important for the Jews returning to Jerusalem? Why is it so important for us? How does the message of Daniel 7 relate to Matthew 24? To the book of Revelation?

2.  Except for a very small remnant, the people of Israel after Daniel’s day were not able to stay focused on the promise of God’s Kingdom. They were not able to rest their hope in the coming of the Messiah. And they became entangled in all manner of political jockeying and jostling in an effort to secure the best overall conditions for themselves. Why was this not what God wanted for His people? Why is it not what He wants for us today? What can we learn from Daniel and from Israel’s history about how to keep from becoming entangled like this?

Meditate
“Daniel implies, ‘From the first year of the reign of Darius, who overthrew the Chaldeans and delivered me from the hand of my enemies to the extent of his ability … I for my part stood before God, and I besought God’s mercy on him, in view of the man’s love for me, in order that either he or his kingdom might be strengthened and confirmed. And since I persevered in my prayer, I was answered by God and given to understand the following information.’” Jerome (347-420AD)

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdomsof our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11.15

Lord Jesus, may Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! Help me seek Your Kingdom daily, and rest in Your Word and Spirit so that…

Pray Psalm 9.1-20.
Only as we seek the Lord can we expect Him to arise and lead us further into His Kingdom and glory. Let Psalm 9 give you an overall outlook on the world, and help you to keep focused on the Kingdom of our Lord.

Psalm 9.1-20 (Diademata: Crown Him with Many Crowns)
I will give thanks, O Lord, with all my heart to You!
I’ll tell the wonders of Your Word, so many and so true!
With joy to You I cry; Your glory I will raise; 
Your matchless Name, O Lord on High, will I forever praise!

Backwards my foes shall fall before Your holy face.  
You rescue all who on You call by Your all-glorious grace.
The nations lie in ruins; the wicked are no more; 
Our enemies have come to doom in wrath and judgment sore.

Lord, You forever reign in judgment on Your throne.
The world in bitter wrath and pain Your righteousness will own. 
All those who know Your Name, though in this life oppressed, 
You shelter from the storms of shame and keep them ever blessed.

Praise then the Lord of Zion; declare His deeds abroad!
Praise Judah’s mighty saving Lion, the ever-blessèd God!
Whose blood has washed us clean, Who hears our plaintive cries, 
Who good to us has ever been and lifts us to the skies!

Lift up your voice in praise before glad Zion’s gate!
Rejoice in Jesus’ saving ways; His glory celebrate!
The nations fail and fall, condemned by their own hands; 
The Lord Who showed Himself to all o’er them in judgment stands.

All who forget the Lord shall perish evermore.
Condemned by His blessed holy Word, their punishment is sure.
The poor and troubled rest in God’s all-loving care; 
While fear of Him, Whose Name is blessed, grips nations everywhere.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press).