Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 2

The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:2 "And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than [they] all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia."




And now... Gabriel says he will now show Daniel the truth.

There shall stand... The 17th and last prophecy in Daniel (Daniel 11:2-12:13; 11:2-34 have been fulfilled;11:35-12:13 are yet to be fulfilled).

Yet three kings... These Persian kings are speaking of those who reigned after Babylon was taken by Cyrus.

1. Cyrus reigned 2 years after Astyages or Darius the Mede had taken to Babylon in 538 B.C. and reigned 9 years ( Dan.10:1).

2. Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, reigned 7 years over Persia, 527-520 B.C.

3. Darius I reigned 35 years, 520-485 B.C. He was the first king of Persia to invade Greece, but was defeated at the battle of Marathon 490 B.C.

the fourth shall... 4. Xerxes I, called Ahasuerus in Esther reigned 21 years, 485-464 B.C. He was the Persian king that stirred up all against the realm of Grecia, fulfilling Dan. 11:2. He also was defeated by the Greeks in 480-479 B.C.

Darius had conquered Thrace as far west as the Strymon river and added it to the Persian Empire. This brought the Greeks and Persians face to face in a death struggle, and a crises in history. Persia had completely adopted oriental culture. She represented the fullest possible growth of the ancient civilization of Egypt and Babylon. She was rooted deeply in the traditions of the past and was unable to produce a better civilization.

The Greeks, on the other hand, were a fresh and youthful people. They were giving the world new ideas of literature, art, and individual rights in self-government. If the Persians had conquered, the progress of the world would have been set back many centuries. When the two powers started to fight it was a war which could only end in the destruction of one type of civilization or the other, the Western or Eastern. The struggle was not continuous, but broke out again and again over a period of 150 years.

During this time the Greeks were developing in unity and culture. By 337 B.C. they were united in one nation under Philip of Macedon. In 336 B.C. Alexander the Great came to the throne. His northern Greek subjects rebelled. He soon crushed the rebels and was recognized as head of all Greek forces for a war against Persia which Philip had been making preparation for. In 13 years Alexander the Great had conquered the whole Persian Empire and the Greeks had become the masters of the known world.

Kings of Persia After Xerxes:

1. Artaxerxes I (surnamed "The longarmed") reigned 40 years, 464-424 B.C.

2. Xerxes II reigned only 1 year, 423 B.C.

3. Darius II reigned 19 years, 423-404 B.C.

4. Artaxerxes II reigned 46 years, 404-358 B.C.

5. Artaxerxes III reigned 20 years, 358-338 B.C.

6. Darius III reigned 8 years 338-330 B.C.

This is the king that was defeated by Alexander the Great whose empire succeeded the Medo-Persian Empire as the 5th world empire oppressing Israel in the times of the Gentiles, and the 3rd world empire of Dan. 2:37-45; 7:3-8; 8:3-8, 8:20-21.

The Details of Israel’s History Under the Second and Third Empires 

History under Persia: 

The angel informed Daniel that the present leadership in the Persian Empire would be succeeded by four rulers. The first was Cambyses, Cyrus’ son, who came to the throne in 530 b.c. He was followed by Pseudo-Smerdis, who reigned a short period in 522 b.c. He was succeeded by Darius I Hystaspes who ruled from 521 to 486 b.c. He in turn was succeeded by Xerxes, known in the Book of Esther as Ahasuerus, who ruled from 485 to 465 b.c. Xerxes was the most powerful, influential, and wealthy of the four. During his reign he fought wars against Greece.

Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 14

Heirs with Christ

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14

Scripture does not teach us that we are led through subjective, mental impressions or promptings to provide direction in making life’s decisions. Instead God’s Spirit objectively leads His children sometimes through the orchestration of circumstances by:

1. Illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds;

2. Sanctification, divinely enabling us to obey Scripture.

When a person experiences the Spirit’s leading in those ways, he gains assurance that God has adopted him into His family.

That Spirit within us makes us God’s children.

Gal. 3:26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

Paul then continued his explanation. Those who are led (pres. tense, “are being led”) by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Many Bible students see no difference between the word translated “sons” in Rom. 8:14 and the word translated “children” in Rom. 8:16. However, in Rom. 8:16 the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence attests the believer’s birth relationship to God (tekna, “children,” is lit., “born ones”). But in Rom. 8:14 the Holy Spirit’s control and direction attests the believer’s privileges in God’s family as a “son” (huios means a child mature enough to take on adult family privileges and responsibilities). A son in God’s family is led by God’s Spirit.

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs.1

 

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:1 "Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, [even] I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him."

Also I in... This is the beginning of the things that Daniel was told to understand in the vision. Some believe this was actually Cyrus, instead of Darius. For our study here, it makes no difference who was the king. We are looking at the spiritual side of these lessons, not the technical.

I, stood to confirm... The messenger of 10:10 continues to speak of assisting Michael, even as Michael had strengthened him (in the battle with demons in 10:21), confirming Darius in his purpose of kindness to Israel in decreeing their return.

This prophecy sweeps all the way from the history of spiritual conflict in Israel (11:2-35), to the tribulation (verses 36-42), when Michael aids in fully delivering Israel (12:1). The detail of this history is so minute and accurate so to be confirmed by history. The prophecy actually looks ahead from Daniel to the final Antichrist.

The next section vs. 2-35, unfolds the near fulfillment of the Persian kingdom and the reign of Greece through Antiochus Epiphanes.

Review:

The messenger then stated that when he returned to fight against the prince of Persia (cf. “the prince of the Persian kingdom,” Dan. 10:13), the prince of Greece would come.

Proceed:

These princes, as stated earlier (see Dan. 11:11-14), were demons, Satan’s representatives assigned to nations to oppose godly forces. Persia and Greece were two major nations discussed in detail in Dan. 11:1-45 (Persia, Dan. 11:2-4; Greece, Dan. 11:5-35).

The messenger was about to tell Daniel God’s plans for Israel under Persia and Greece (Dan. 11:2-35) and later in the Tribulation (Dan. 11:36-45) and the Millennium (Dan. 12:1-4).

Review:

The messenger told Daniel he was supported by Michael in his struggle with demons (cf. Dan. 10:13).

Proceed:

Michael is your (Daniel’s) prince in the sense that he has a special relationship to Israel (cf. Dan. 12:1), Daniel’s people. When Darius the Mede (Dan. 11:1; see Dan. 6:1; cf. Dan. 9:1) began his rule over Babylon, the messenger supported Darius in some way. Or if him refers to Michael then the thought is that the messenger supported Michael in return for Michael supporting the messenger.

Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 13

 

Heirs with Christ

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom 8:13

For if ye... Here again, we see the warfare that goes on within each of us. Our spirit wants to do the things of God and our flesh lusts for the things of the flesh and the world. If we choose to let the Spirit of God rule our life, and in so doing “kill the flesh” we shall live for all of eternity in heaven with Jesus. If we choose to follow the ways of the world, it brings eternal damnation and total separation from God.

Paul’s instruction is what to do in the struggle with sin in this verse, then destroys several false views of how believers are made holy:

1. That in a crisis moment we are immediately made perfect;

2. That we must “let God” take over while we remain idle;

3. That some turning point decision will propel us to a higher level of holiness.

Instead Paul tells us that the Spirit provides us with the energy and power to continually and gradually be killing our sins, a process never completed in this life.

The means the Spirit uses to accomplish this process is our faithful obedience to the simple commands of Scripture.

The reason is that a sinful manner of life results in death. This does not suggest that a believer who sins will face eternal death in hell; instead, it means he will not enjoy his spiritual life. He will seem like an unsaved person (1Cor. 3:1-4) and will be unable to enjoy the indwelling presence of the Spirit. You will die is literally, “you are about to die,” or “you are at the point of dying.”

On the other hand, if by the Spirit you put to death (pres. tense, “are putting to death”) the misdeeds of the body, you will live. A few Greek manuscripts have “flesh” instead of “body.” But the body is the vehicle by which one’s sin-nature expresses itself (cf. Rom. 6:6, 6:13). Only by the Holy Spirit’s power can a believer put to death the sins of his former life (cf. Eph. 4:22-31; Col. 3:5-9). This is what Paul referred to when he said “count yourselves dead to sin” (Rom. 6:11).

Daniel Chapter 10 Vs. 21

Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:21 "But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince."



But I will... What is the Book of truth? It is “God’s record of truth in general, of which the Bible is one expression.” This refers to the revelation of the war between Medo-Persia and Greece already recorded in Scripture (Dan. 2:39; 7:5-6; 8:3-8, 8:20-25)

The messenger was about to tell Daniel God’s plans for Israel under Persia and Greece (Dan. 11:2-35) and later in the Tribulation (Dan. 11:36-45) and the Millennium (Dan. 12:1-4).

noted in the... This refers to the revelation of the war between Medo-Persia and Greece already recorded in Scripture (Dan. 2:39; 7:5-6; 8:3-8, 8:20-25).

none that holdeth... The messenger (Gabriel) told Daniel he was supported by Michael in his struggle with demons (cf. Dan. 10:13). Michael is your (Daniel’s) prince in the sense that he has a special relationship to Israel (cf. Dan. 12:1), Daniel’s people. Michael, the prince of Israel, is the only one who is standing by me in my war on the prince of Persia, that he might be overcome and the prince of Grecia be permitted to come (Dan. 10:20-21).

Here Gabriel explains to Daniel that two years previous to this revelation he had stood with Michael to confirm and to strengthen him when it was his responsibility to overthrow the the prince of Babylon so that the prince of Persia might come (Dan. 11:1). Now, Michael was standing by Gabriel to help him overthrow the prince of Persia so that the prince of Grecia might come (Dan. 10:20-21). God has to defeat the satanic rulers of certain kingdoms before the succeeding one can come to fulfill His prophetic Word. He has already predicted the rise and fall of world empires in the times of the Gentiles, so to fulfill His Word He must wage war against satanic forces who constantly seek to hinder such fulfillment (Dan. 2:38-45; 7:3-12, 7:19-27; 8:20-25).

Michael is the Archangel associated with the one we call Jesus. The one speaking here to Daniel is Gabriel. The visions of the 11th and 12th chapter are revealed to the mind and spirit of Daniel.

Scripture of truth... God’s plan of certain and true designs for men and nations, which He can reveal according to His discretion. The angel with Michael intended to handle the demons of Persia and Greece. This actually forms the heavenly basis for the earthly unfolding of history in 11:2-35.




What is the Book of truth? It was probably “God’s record of truth in general, of which the Bible is one expression” (John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p. 250). The messenger was about to tell Daniel God’s plans for Israel under Persia and Greece (Dan. 11:2-35) and later in the Tribulation (Dan. 11:36-45) and the Millennium (Dan. 12:1-4).

The messenger told Daniel he was supported by Michael in his struggle with demons (cf. Dan. 10:13). Michael is your (Daniel’s) prince in the sense that he has a special relationship to Israel (cf. Dan. 12:1), Daniel’s people. When Darius the Mede (Dan. 11:1; see Dan. 6:1; cf. Dan. 9:1) began his rule over Babylon, the messenger supported Darius in some way. Or if him refers to Michael then the thought is that the messenger supported Michael in return for Michael supporting the messenger.

Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 12

 

Heirs with Christ

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. Rom 8:12

Therefore, brethren, we... So then, we owe the flesh nothing. It has no more control of our lives. We must not live in the sins of the flesh or we shall die. But if we will put to death the practices of the flesh by the Spirit, we shall live (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10).

Flesh and Spirit Life Contrasted

The Fleshly Life:	The Spiritual Life:
1. Minds things of flesh	minds things of Spirit (Rom. 8:5)
2. Carnally minded	spiritually minded
3. Spiritually dead	alive (Rom. 8:6)
4. Enmity to God	no enmity (Rom. 8:7)
5. Not subject to God	subject to God
6. Cannot be subject	can be subjected
7. Cannot please God	can please God (Rom. 8:8)
8. Not in the Spirit	in the Spirit
9. Not Christ’s	is Christ’s (Rom. 8:9)
10. Body alive to sin	dead to sin
11. Spirit dead to God	alive to God
12. No Christ	Christ in life (Rom. 8:10)
13. Sinful life	righteous life
14. No Holy Spirit	Spirit indwelling
15. No physical quickening	a physical quickening
16. Debtor to flesh	not a debtor (Rom. 8:12)
17. No help from Spirit	help from Spirit (Rom. 8:13)
18. The end is death	the end is life

Our old flesh died with Christ and the life we now enjoy is a new divinely given life that is the life of Christ Himself. We have been removed from the unregenerate self’s presence and control, so we should not follow the remaining memories of its old sinful ways as if we were still under its evil influence.

Therefore we are debtors, not to the flesh which is our old selves, but to the Spirit of Christ as we saw in verse 9.

You see we do not owe our bodies anything. The flesh is our enemy. If we obey the lust of the flesh, we are living in sin. We must overcome the flesh and put it in subjection to the spirit.

Paul drew a conclusion and made an application from his previous discussion. Therefore… we have an obligation. Each believer’s responsibility is a positive one — to live each day in the control and power of the Holy Spirit. But first Paul expressed this truth negatively — not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. Each Christian is to refuse to follow the inclinations and desires of his sin nature. He is to deny the efforts of that nature to impose its lifestyle on him (cf. Tit. 2:12).

Daniel Chapter 10 Vs. 20

Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:20 "Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come." 

Then said he... Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? Question 14. Next, Dan. 12:6.

now will I... When I leave you I will have another fight with the prince of Persia (the satanic ruler of Persia). These princes, as stated earlier were demons, Satan’s representatives assigned to nations to oppose godly forces. Persia and Greece are two major nations discussed in detail in Dan. 11:1-45 (Persia, Dan. 11:2-4; Greece, Dan. 11:5-35).

This is simply the continuation of the war of Dan. 10:13-14.

when I am… The prince of Grecia is the satanic ruler prince of the Grecian Empire that caused Alexander the Great to be so successful in 13 years as to destroy the Medo-Persian Empire completely. This prince of Grecia is the spirit now confined to the abyss who will come out in the last days and cause the human Antichrist to revive the old Grecian Empire, so that they all can oppose Jesus Christ at Armageddon.

It is God who fights the battles for all of His children. The Persians were in control, when Daniel had this vision.

“The prince of Persia” is an evil angel contesting for the kingdom of Greece and soon after the Grecians had control.

God sets kingdoms up, and pulls them down. Both the Persians and the Greeks will be fallen, when God gets ready for their fall. There is warfare in the Spirit world, as well.

Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]."