 |  |
God's creation. However, for a fuller discussion of Dan. 10: 21 the reader is referred to
the article entitled "The Limitations of Scripture" in Volume III.102 (2:/iii.142).
The opening verse of chapter 11: must be read with the preceding chapter and not
with chapter 11: The new revelation, and that which the messenger of God came to give
Daniel, commences with the words of 11: 2, "and now will I shew thee the truth,
Behold . . . . ."
With the preparation of heart given to Daniel he could endure the terrific unveiling of
wickedness that was to usher in the end. No earthly power will ever be permitted either
utterly to crush Israel or fully to restore Israel. Not only is Israel especially the care of
the Lord Himself, but angelic ministry has been their portion all the time they have been
in favour. Daniel and his believing people would be comforted as they looked back over
the past. Not all the might of Pharaoh could save his firstborn; neither could the boastful
Assyrian host save themselves from the destruction that came from the Angel of the
Lord. Jericho's walls fell flat without the aid of battering ram or soldier, and the Red Sea
stood as a wall at the word of the Lord. It is perfectly fitting that the grand sequel to
Daniel, viz., the book of the Revelation, should be filled with angelic powers, some for
and some against the Lord and His people.
At this point we leave the examination of this important section of the prophecy, and
hope to take up the study of Dan. 11: armed with the knowledge that it pertains to
Daniels' "people", and deals with the "latter days".
#15.
Egypt, Syria, and the man of sin (11:).
pp. 103 - 110
We now approach what is perhaps the most difficult and intricate chapter in prophecy,
viz., Dan. 11: One of the chief elements of difficulty is due to the blending together of
type and antitype and of history and prophecy. The problem is to determine the point at
which the division occurs, to find the verse at which we may say, Here history ceases and
prophecy begins. Chapter 11: contains a number of sections which we set out below for
the clearer understanding of our problem:--
(1)
2-4.
Persian and Greek kings, ending in the "mighty king",
Alexander the Great.
(2)
5-9.
The division of Alexander's empire among his generals. The
introduction of two kings named the "king of the north" and
the "king of the south".
(3)
10-20. The alternating histories and policies of these kings of the north
and south.
(4)
21-45. The vile person and the willful king.
The antichrist and the beast.
The little horn of Dan. 8: 9.