Sabbath: From North and South to the Beautiful Land
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Dan. 11:1-45; Dan. 8:3-8, Dan. 8:20-22; Isa. 46:9-10; Dan. 8:9, Dan. 8:23; Matt. 27:33-50.
Memory Text: “And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time” (Daniel 11:35, NKJV).
As we begin this challenging chapter, a few points should be made at the outset. First, Daniel chapter 11 stands in parallel overall with the previous prophetic outlines in Daniel. As in chapters 2, 7, 8, and 9, the prophetic message extends from the days of the prophet until the end of time. Second, a succession of world powers emerges, powers that often oppress God’s people. Third, each prophetic outline climaxes with a happy ending. In Daniel 2, the stone obliterates the statue; in Daniel 7, the Son of Man receives the kingdom; and in Daniel 8 and 9, the heavenly sanctuary is cleansed through the work of the Messiah.
Chapter 11 follows three basic points. First, it begins with the Persian kings and discusses their fates and the time of the end, when the king of the north attacks the holy mountain of God. Second, a succession of battles between the king of the north and that of the south and how they affect God’s people is described. Third, it concludes with a happy ending as the king of the North faces his demise by the “glorious holy mountain” (Dan. 11:45). Such a positive conclusion signals the end of evil and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 21.
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Much of what is discussed in this week's lesson, I have already commented on a couple of weeks ago so I will provide a link back to that comment here:
https://ssnet.org/blog/sunday-four-animals/
I have seen some folk get bogged down in the interpretation of detail here to the extent that they lose sight of the big picture. In essence. Daniel is given a picture of a continued conflict that is going to affect the people who have pledged allegiance to God. The lesson that is appropriate to us today is that the conflict is still with us and our goal should be to maintain our relationship with God.
Ships often have what is called a drogue anchor. This is a sort of sea parachute that they put in the water to ensure that in rough weather the bow always faces the oncoming waves. If the ship meets the waves with the right attitude it will typically be safer than if the waves hit the ship side on or at an angle. Daniel provides a drogue anchor for God's people.
Indeed. Our prayer should be to ask the Lord to help us to maintain our relationship with Him, because by ourselves we will fail miserably.
Chapter 11 is the climax of the explanation of Gabriel on the details of the 2,300-day vision (Chazon) of Daniel 8:14.
It required Daniel to be divinely strengthened to even hear it, and gain some form of understanding, though he was told to seal it, and what about us? We need the unction of the Holy Spirit to make head or tail of this 'angel speech'.
Is it important to understand it? Absolutely. Don't we live in the time of the end, marked by 1798? The prophecy would be understood beyond this time, for it is meant for us.
This is especially so because we are told in Spirit of Prophecy that some of the historical events that took place in chapter 11 would be repeated. Let me quote:
"The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that “shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.” [Verses 31–36, quoted.]
Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. LET ALL READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PROPHECIES OF THIS BOOK [emphasis mine], for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of: [Daniel 12:1–4, quoted.]" Manuscript Releases [Nos. 1000–1080, 1983–1984]. (1993). (Vol. 13, p. 394). Ellen G. White Estate.
Why would there be a dual fulfillment of a portion of Daniel 11 - specifically 30-39? Because Papacy has dual rulership separated by a period of the deadly wound. Rev 13:3. This repitition of vs 30-39 is found in vs 40-45.
Additionally, in this chapter, we get the Prince of the Covenant's (Jesus Christ) first coming (11:22) and the second coming of Christ. (12:1).
The chapter essentially has "RIVAL" factions of NORTH and SOUTH:
North: Mentioned in vs 6,7,9, 11 - indirectly, 13,15 then vs 23-28 (indirectly), then vs 44 and 45.
South: vs 5,6,9,11,14 and 15; then 17 indirectly, then 25 then 29 and 40.
Another great point to note is that since Daniel 11 spans a long period of time, when it changes from Old Testament times to New Testament times, the kingdoms mentioned are no longer local and literal but SPIRITUAL and GLOBAL. This is a concept Paul used in Romans 2:28.
I pray again that the Holy Spirit will give us an understanding of this critical chapter for out times.
This principle of repeating is due to the nature of this controversy began by Satan, which was first manifested on earth in the killing of Abel by his brother Cain. This has been and will be repeated until Jesus comes to bring an end to sin. New names and faces change only the players, while certain powers/positions will continue by the same principles that control them. The conflict has always been between "Michael and his angels" against "the dragon and his angels". (We are all "angels"/messengers/witnesses of either Michael or the dragon, and choose again each day whom we serve.)
We cannot study Daniel alone and arrive upon an accurate conclusion. The Revelation shares the same conflict with similar symbols and imagery, and the events depicted are the same that Daniel describes in his 4 visions(ch 2, 7, 8/9, 10-12) which show this controversy from his day forward. The Revelation rewinds to the beginning of this controversy(Rev 12), and moves forward to the final events, adding more details to those given in Daniel, and together we find a clear, multi-dimensional view. This is very similar to the various elevations(views) given in a shop/mechanical drawing for anything to be made by someone else, such as a building. A single view on a blueprint would be inadequate to completely understand the designer's intentions, therefore multiple views are shown so there are no questions remaining. Prophecy has been given to us in the same manner, with various views that enhance one another, giving us a complete understanding. 4 views by Daniel, and 4 views by John, whereby we are given a complete understanding IF we are "wise" "servants" of God(See Daniel 12:10 and Rev 1:1,3), which are the keys to understanding these prophecies.
We have been given the blueprint and the key for understanding it, and need not be confused at all.
As for the repeating of the events in Daniel 11, this is due to the fact that the purpose/aims of the king of the north has never changed, because the dragon who gives this power its "seat and great authority" has never changed(see GC, chapter 35). The dragon is in control of his "angels".
God's people(Michael and his "angels") have been given every advantage, and by God's grace will gain the victory over the Beast through faith in the Lamb of God, washing their robes and making them white in His blood. The wise servants of God will at last stand on Mt Zion(Rev 14:1; 15:2,3, their experience BEFORE Jesus returns), and the king of the North "shall come to his end, and none shall help him"(Dan 11:45).
Only the wise will understand, only servants are sealed(Dan 12:10, Rev 7:3).
There are rich details to be understood in Daniel 11. In the last 6 verses we will find the mark of the beast, the loud cry, the falling of the plagues, and the final death decree against God's people by the fitting description of a great battle that involves the whole world(don't get confused by the symbols!).
Amen indeed.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 outlines Solomon's observation that "what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again..." Even secular society acknowledges that history merely repeats itself.
What if key prophecies were presented by God to humanity in a manner that is able to accommodate the observed reality by Solomon that there are recurring patterns within humanity across history. The Kingdom of Darkness only has a finite array of approaches (steal, kill, destroy, deceive, accuse, seduce, coerce, devour etc - John 10:10, John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9,10)that it uses and reuses time and time again.
What if prophecy is designed to accommodate the multiplicity of times that a pattern/dynamic is repeated - like it does in Matthew 24. This would mean that key prophecies would have relatively 'lesser' fulfilments that ultimately culminate in a 'greatest' fulfilment - recurring battles within the Great Controversy that both constitute and ultimately culminate in the finalisation of the war of the Great Controversy.
I would propose that such a view means that prophecy needs a certain amount of elasticity to accommodate the slight variance of details but ultimate core similarity of key dynamics. And I would further propose that this echoes Maurice's restated point above - the risk of missing the big picture point due to overinterpreting and therefore misinterpreting certain details beyond their intended interpretation.
Life within the reality of our world is incredibly more complex than science has been able to capture. Let alone the vastly greater complexity when considering the wider Cosmic reality 'big picture' that incorporates the unseen realms of the angelic hosts (good and evil) engaged in the Great Controversy. Would it not make sense that God would provide us with prophecy that reflects this complexity?
Perhaps the difficulty we seem to experience with interpreting prophecy is because we have been assuming it is only referring to a single event rather than multiple occurrences of what is essentially a relatively 'singular' theme?