Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:35 "And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed."

them of understanding shall... The suffering that the faithful endured served to refine and purify them. This time of persecution was of short duration.

Even to the time of... This verse emphasizes the fact that the main purpose of the vision was to show what would befall Israel in the last days (Dan. 10:14).

It had previously been revealed to Daniel that the temple would be desecrated for 1,150 days (Dan.8:14; see Dan. 8:23-25). Here Daniel was assured that this persecution would run its course and then be lifted, for its end will still come at the appointed time.

This has jumped to the time of the end. Those who are tried here are speaking of the Christians. "White" indicates righteousness.

I Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

In this life, we have tribulation as we read in the next verse.

Acts 14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

The word "purge" means examine, select, or cleanse. It, also, means to make pure. Jesus is coming back for a bride [church} that is without spot or wrinkle. Our prayer should be, "Oh Lord, purge me and make me white as snow".