"But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."  Daniel 12:4. These words in the last chapter of Daniel are most relevant, for we are now living in the days referred to. During many, many centuries Daniel has been a book ‘concealed’ and ‘sealed up’. Now, in these last days, may the Lord be gracious to us that the full light of the Spirit may be given us that we may see, may understand, and may respond to what He alone can reveal.

Chapter 1

Verses 1 to 4. In 606 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and captured it. He took some of the temple vessels to Babylon and put them in the treasury of his god Bel (literally Baal). At the same time he directed his chief official, Ashpenaz, to select some of the finest young men of Israel from among the noble and royal families. They were to be handsome in appearance, discerning and highly intelligent. The word in Hebrew for ‘youths’ strongly suggests that Daniel and those chosen with him were adolescents – likely aged around 15 at the time of their selection. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that these young men be taught ‘the literature and language of the Chaldeans.’

Verses 5 to 7. It is evident that Nebuchadnezzar desired to be surrounded by those who were learned and wise in the things of this world, yet he himself was yet to learn about true wisdom. Towards the end of his life his words extolling God as recorded in Daniel 5:37 are full of appreciation and conviction concerning the truth, justice and righteousness of God.

Here we note that those undergoing three years of training were supplied with the best of food from the king’s table and that, following three years of instruction, they were to be taken into his personal service. Only the very best would be good enough for Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel’s and his three companions’ names were changed by Nebuchadnezzar to reflect the names of his idols: Daniel, Belteshazzar, from the idol Bel; Hananiah, Shadrach, from Rak the sun-god; Mishael, Meshach, from Shak the earth god; and Azariah, Abed-Nego, from Nego the fire-god.

Verses 8 to 16. Verse 8 sets the scene for the greatness of the person and life of Daniel. His act of faith and courage and that of his three companions is a wonderful testimony. ‘But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank’. Why did Daniel and his three friends not want to partake of the king’s choice food?

From earliest times the nations (in what we now call the Middle East) had been worshipping idols and offering a portion of their meat and their wine to their idols before partaking of it. For Daniel and his companions to partake of such food and drink would have compromised their testimony to Jehovah, the one true God. Daniel respectfully explained the matter with Ashpenaz and ‘God granted Daniel favour and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials’. Reference Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

An arrangement was made that Daniel and his friends would receive a vegetable diet for ten days. After this test period their appearance was observed to be healthier than the other young men who had been eating the king’s choice food, so Ashpenaz arranged for them to receive a permanent vegetable diet.

Verses 17 to 20. Throughout their three years of training God gave these four youths knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; and Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. The proof of their outstanding abilities and knowledge was displayed when they were presented before Nebuchadnezzar the king. The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service. As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm. At this time Daniel and his companions were almost certainly less than twenty years of age.

Verse 21. It is as though Almighty God, within His great eternal purpose, set the span of Daniel’s life at this point to continue until the decree of Cyrus, the Persian king, to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Daniel appears to have lived at least two years beyond this date of 536 B.C.

Chapter 2

Verse 1.  ‘Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him’.In chapter 1 verse 17 we read ‘and Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams’. God had prepared His faithful servant Daniel for what was about to happen.

Verses 2 to 11. [N.B. From Chapter 2 verse 4 to the end of Chapter 7 the text of Daniel is in Aramaic.] The king gathered together his many advisors who represented a wide range of worldly wisdom. Even if they had been told the dream it is doubtful whether they could have come up with an interpretation. We recall that the wise men of Egypt, after being informed of Pharaoh’s two dreams, could not provide an interpretation. It was to Joseph that God revealed the true interpretation of Pharoah’s dreams that enabled countless people to survive seven terrible years of famine – including Joseph himself and the whole family of Jacob his father.

The Chaldeans spoke up. They informed the king "there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh." In this they were right of course, except that those they termed gods would have been as impotent to declare the dream as were these magicians and conjurors.

Verses 12 to 16. In his fury at the failure of his counsellors to recall for him his dream, the king ordered Arioch, his bodyguard, to round up all the wise men of Babylon and put them to death. Although Daniel and his friends had not been included among those called to advise the king they were not excluded from Nebuchadnezzar’s edict. But Daniel persuaded Arioch to bring him before the king, from whom he requested time.

Verses 17 to 23. Daniel called upon his three companions that they might together beseech the Lord to disclose the dream and to provide a revelation of its meaning. We note that his friends are referred to here by their Hebrew names. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel’s expression of thanks to God contained in verses 20 to 23 is so eloquent. It reads like the words of David the psalmist. What a man of God was Daniel! As we read and re-read his prayer our heart is also full of praise.

Verses 24 to 30. Daniel went in to Arioch…and spoke to him as follows:  "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king's presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king." How pleased and relieved must Arioch have been to present Daniel before King Nebuchadnezzar with the answer to the king’s desperate need to recall his dream and to know its interpretation? How pleased also are we, at the end of times, to know the content of this defining dream and to be assured of its ultimate impending fulfilment.

No man can know this dream. "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days." What a testimony to this pagan potentate! To God alone be the glory for every word that He gives us to speak on His behalf! Daniel now unveiled both the dream and its interpretation. Daniel made plain that the purpose of the revelation was that the king would understand the thoughts of his mind. This dream was no ordinary dream. This dream was given to Nebuchadnezzar by God and to all generations, including ours also.

Verses 31 to 35. Daniel’s description of the great statue which Nebuchadnezzar saw in front of him is precise in every detail down to the ’feet partly of iron and partly of clay’.

So awesome was the sight that, in his dream, Nebuchadnezzar continued looking, until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. Note that the stone cut out by no visible means struck the image on the feet. This caused the whole image, from the feet upwards to the head of gold, to become like dust, and it was blown away in the wind with not a trace left of it. ‘But the stone….became a great mountain that filled the whole earth’.

Note the certainty of Daniel in presenting the details of this extraordinary dream, yet his respectful manner towards this powerful monarch. We reference Romans 13:1 ‘Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God’.

May the Lord who reveals secrets make perfectly clear His message given through dreams and visions to those who humbly wait upon Him in simple trust.

Verses 36 to 45. Israel had departed from the Lord. They had rejected Him as sovereign over them when they chose for themselves a king. They had turned to other gods and worshipped idols. Now, until the end of time, they would be the tail and not the head. (Ref. Deuteronomy 28). Throughout the rest of history they would be subject to gentile powers. ‘Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

During the reign of King David, God had given Israel all the territory He had promised so long before to Abraham. David had gathered the materials for the temple – a permanent dwelling place for God among His people. His son Solomon had built the temple and the glory of God had filled it on the day of its dedication. Yet the blessing that God had poured out upon His servant David began to diminish in the later stages of the reign of his son Solomon. Soon after Solomon’s death, Judah and Israel broke apart. Eventually Israel, through its descent into idolatry, was taken into captivity by Assyria. Now, more than a century later, following a similar departure from the living God, Judah and Jerusalem have been subjugated, the temple has been destroyed and the people are ruled over by the greatest gentile power of the time – Babylon.

Verse 37 "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory....Thou art the head of gold’’ says Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar as he ends his God-given interpretation of the first part of the image.

Daniel passes quickly over the three kingdoms that would follow, which would rule over Judah and Jerusalem and would keep them in subjection. ‘Its breast and its arms of silver’ – Media-Persia. ‘Its belly and its thighs of bronze’ – Greece. Its legs ‘as strong as iron’ – Rome. Rome was the world power in the time of our Lord Jesus. It was the Roman governor Pilate whose authority was called upon to crucify Jesus.

From shortly after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus the Jews were dispersed among the nations and had no country they could call their own. It is significant that almost 1,900 years later, in 1948, the nation of Israel was re-born by order of The United Nations. The Jewish nation now has an established place on this earth, yet Jerusalem remains a divided city. We cannot yet say that Jerusalem has ceased to be ‘trampled by Gentiles’.

Whenever we encounter something in the word of God that is mysterious we must resist every inclination to speculate. In the earlier words of Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar ‘there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries’.

Verses  41 to 43. Let us next examine the matter of the feet and toes of the great image. And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of [baked] clay [of the potter] and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it some of the firmness and strength of iron, just as you saw the iron mixed with miry [earthen] clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of [baked] clay [of the potter], so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle and broken. And as you saw the iron mixed with miry and earthen clay, so they shall mingle themselves in the seed of men [in marriage bonds]; but they will not hold together [for two such elements or ideologies can never harmonize], even as iron does not mingle itself with clay. Amplified Version.

Firstly we note that the feet and the toes are mentioned. So this part of the image which is of iron mixed with miry (earthen) clay issues out into ten parts (the toes). But the emphasis of the whole is upon its divisive character, its lack of adhesion and its partly strong and partly brittle and broken nature.

Then there is additional description in verse 43. And as you saw the iron mixed with miry and earthen clay, so they shall mingle themselves in the seed of men [in marriage bonds]; but they will not hold together [for two such elements or ideologies can never harmonize], even as iron does not mingle itself with clay.

A marriage bond is the God ordained union of a man and a woman. We recall the words of Jesus “Have you never read that He Who made them from the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united firmly (joined inseparably) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (separate)”. Matthew 19:4-6 Amplified Version.

In our time two distinct circumstances are evident; firstly the widespread loosening and breakdown of the marriage bond and secondly the shared authority of male and female in society. Remember that this image represents earthly authority which has been declining over the course of history. In regard to this we should read two passages of Scripture, yet with a gentle spirit and a humble approach as the will and ordinance of God.

1 Timothy 2:12,13 I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men….For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Corinthians 11:3, 7-10. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ… For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

So what can we say with any certainty. The absolute authority that was centred in Nebuchadnezzar became under the Medes and Persians a joint authority. Alexander the Great who represented Greek authority died at 33 years of age and four of his generals were given charge of each of four parts of the Greek empire. Although Rome was ruled by Caesars, the slogan of the Romans was ‘Senatus Populus Que Romanus’ - the Senate and the Roman people. Senators were elected as in the British House of Lords. They acted as a decision making body.

This last aspect of Gentile authority is splintered and broken. How this describes the world and the society in which we live, not simply at the top of affairs, but in every aspect of life right down to the home. What this means exactly is not clear as yet. No doubt the Holy Spirit will make this plain to us in God’s good time.

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these [final ten] kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break and crush and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever. (Amplified Version) We will defer discussion on the matter of these ten kings until we come to them later in examining Daniel’s vision described in chapter 7.

What or who then is the stone cut out without hands which strikes the image on the feet and which causes it to shatter into such tiny particles that the wind carries them away? Surely it is not a created object. It must be divine.  Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." This stone is none other than our mighty Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Yet we cannot leave it just like that, for is Christ not the Head and is not His body the church? This stone that is cut out without hands is the full Christ – Christ and those who are His at His coming. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. The full authority of God is expressed through Christ and shared with those who have a part in the first resurrection. This is the essence and substance of the mountain that fills the whole earth.

We are living in, or very close to, the days of the feet of the great image. Very soon the stone cut out without hands will do away with and replace forever man’s authority and "The kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." Hallelujah!

He who had been told by Daniel "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory, fell on his face and did homage to Daniel who had been the mouthpiece and vessel through which that message had been given. Although he was unaware of it at the time, Nebuchadnezzar was in reality bowing before the God of Heaven. God’s beloved servant Daniel was made ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

And Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the king's court.

Chapter 3

Verses 1 to 7. During his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream Daniel had informed him ‘’Thou art the head of gold’’. He had also told him "After you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you…" Now it seems that Nebuchadnezzar was not prepared to think beyond his part in that image; thus he created a golden image of himself. This image was very much out of proportion, being about ninety feet high but only nine feet wide. What a picture of human pride – exaggeratedly high but of little real substance.

However, far more significant than the size of the image and its disproportionate height was that it was an idol. Nebuchadnezzar desired that all people must worship him. He gathered together all his many officials and the people of all nations within his realm and organized a huge pageant.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed: "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. "But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire." Who would dare to disobey such an order? Everyone present bowed their faces to the ground before the great image.

Verses 8 to 12. The absence of certain Jews from the gathering was noted by the Chaldeans. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were not there. We recall that, at the request of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had appointed these three men to be ‘over the administration of the province of Babylon’, which placed them above these Chaldeans. "These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."

Here we may pause to recall the words of Jesus "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5:11-12. Also "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." John 15:18-19.

Verses 13 to 18. Nebuchadnezzar in his fury gave an ultimatum to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. Worship or die. As Daniel was later to face death in a lions’ den so now his three friends were to face death in a fiery furnace which had been heated seven times.

Their answer was faithful to God and respectful to the king. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter." If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. " But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Verses 19 to 25. Nebuchadnezzar chose selected warriors from his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and to cast them into the fiery furnace. All of these warriors perished yet God’s three faithful ones fell bound into the middle of the furnace.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king." He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"

Adam had enjoyed the company of this One in the Garden of Eden. Surely He was one of the three who visited Abraham (the other two went on to Sodom). Joshua encountered Him before Jericho. None other than Jesus was walking in that great fire with the three companions. What a glory to Him, what an honour for them, and what a testimony to King Nebuchadnezzar. Yes! Nebuchadnezzar was privileged to see the pre-incarnate Jesus. Surely this must be one of the great moments in the whole of the Bible. It should be of huge encouragement to us as we face trials that our Lord brings to us in order that we may be transformed into His own likeness.

We are reminded of Hebrews 12:1-2  ’….let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’. The Lord Jesus saw right through and beyond the cross and the shame He was to suffer unto the joy that lay on the other side of it all. Likewise we must take up our cross and follow Him fully, that whatever we may suffer for His name’s sake will qualify us to receive His 'Well done, good and faithful servant….Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Matthew 25:21.

Verses 26 to 30. Nebuchadnezzar approached the entrance to the furnace and ‘spoke, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here."’ Nebuchadnezzar’s use of the term ‘Most High God’ indicates that the One he had seen walking among them was far above all he knew to be gods. What a different tone in his voice. Anger has turned to deep respect for that divine being and for they also as His servants. The God of Israel had answered the deep faith of the three who had placed their absolute trust in Him. ‘Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire’.

‘And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them’. If our God could keep these faithful ones from any harm in this intensely hot fire surely there are no circumstances we will have to face through which our Lord Jesus will not fail to preserve us also. ‘For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"’ Hebrews 13:5-6

The king’s edict concerning what would happen to anyone who spoke ‘anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego’  seems to show that little had changed in his heart, but this was now the second severe lesson God was teaching this great man. He ends his statement ‘….because there is no other God who can deliver like this."’

‘Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon’.

Chapter 4

Verses 1 to 3. We have here a chapter that is unique in the whole of the Bible. It describes the last phase of the life on earth of a very powerful Gentile ruler. At his end Nebuchadnezzar came to know in a deep way the God of the Hebrews – Yahweh; Almighty God; God and Father of all who have faith in Him. Israel had departed from the Living God and had been taken captive to Assyria. More than a century later Judah had departed from the Living God and had been taken captive to Babylon by this very King. Now, in the providence of God and  due to the faithfulness of His servants Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, King Nebuchadnezzar extols ‘the Most High God….How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation’.

Verses 4 to 16. Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream had embraced the whole of history, from his time until the abolition of human dynasties and the setting up of the eternal reign of the Lord Jesus – King of kings and Lord of lords - over the whole earth. This second dream was wholly personal; it concerned himself.

‘I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me’. The king’s dream frightened him and it broke into his enjoyment of life in his palace. Something dark and unwelcome was about to take place. His wise men were of no avail so he called upon Daniel for ‘(in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him’. King Nebuchadnezzar had no doubt that the interpretation of his dream will be given to Daniel for ‘in him is the Spirit of the Holy God’.

Since the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream of the great image a deep mutual respect developed between King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel and the dialogue between them was now that of two friends. Note Daniel’s dismay recorded in verse 19 "My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!"

The dream described the mightiness that God had bestowed on Nebuchadnezzar – A tree in the midst of the earth, And its height was great.

His influence and provision for the wellbeing of those within his vast realm is described as the fruit and attributes of the huge tree. Its leaves were lovely, Its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, And all flesh was fed from it.

The dream continued….there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. He cried aloud and said thus: 'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it, And the birds from its branches. Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, Bound with a band of iron and bronze, In the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, And let him graze with the beasts On the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, Let him be given the heart of a beast, And let seven times pass over him.

For the third time Almighty God was about to deal with the arrogance and pride of this powerful monarch – for his very great good.

Verses 17 and 18. The watcher, a holy one, informed Nebuchadnezzar that this edict was certain and that the reason for what was going to take place was so that not only he, the King, but all people might know ‘That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.'

Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation….for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you."

Verses 19 to 27. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11. Daniel went step by step through the events which must soon affect Nebuchadnezzar. He ended by saying "Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Verses 28 to 33. Just a year later Nebuchadnezzar gazed out upon Babylon and proudly congratulated himself for its splendour. All the predicted events of the dream came upon him just as Daniel had told him.

Verses 34 to 37. The praise and worship of Nebuchadnezzar at the beginning of chapter 4, joined with these last statements of his, are surely Scripture. May the words from Psalms 50 verse 23 be a fitting way to remember this great king, King Nebuchadnezzar - "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."

Chapter 5

From available records the history of Belshazzar is confused and difficult to piece together. It seems most likely that his mother, Nitrocris, was the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar and that he, Belshazzar, was co-regent with his father Nabonidus who was on a long military campaign far from Babylon. However, we shall at this point let this matter rest and press on to the facts presented in Daniel chapter 5.

Verses 1 to 4. The foolishness and worthlessness of Belshazzar’s character is revealed in these verses. Not only was the king holding a big party together with his wives and concubines but he was using the gold and silver vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar from the temple in Jerusalem from which to drink and to get drunk. With them he was exalting gods who are no gods. What a picture we have here of the debauchery continually prevalent in this world.

Verses 5 to 9. At the height of this revelry ‘the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.’ His knees knocked together and his whole body shook with fear.

The astrologers, Chaldeans and the soothsayers were quickly assembled but they could make nothing of the writing on the wall.

Verses 10 to 12. Then the wife of Belshazzar spoke to him with great respect concerning Daniel. "There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father — your father the king — made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation."

Verses 13 to 29. With great solemnity and strictness Daniel delivered God’s verdict upon this unworthy monarch. He reminded him of what he, Belshazzar, already knew of the dealings of God in respect of his father King Nebuchadnezzar. Then he continued ‘you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified’.

Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. "And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN."

"MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;" This word was repeated twice to emphasize that this edict of God was certain. There was no changing it.

"TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;" This was God’s personal verdict upon Belshazzar and his blasphemous behaviour.

"PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." (Note that Peres is just another form of the word Upharsin).

By the king’s command ‘they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom’. For one night, as it turned out, Daniel was to be third ruler because Nabonidus was King and Belshazzar was co-ruler.

Verses 30 and 31. ‘That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old’.

Footnote to Chapter 5. Quite soon now, over our present world, it seems that the Lord will write His MENE, MENE,TEKEL upon the edifice of our civilization. This will usher in the tribulation period which will lead to the iron rule of the Beast – the embodiment of Satan – and the great tribulation. Let us therefore heed the words of our dear Lord Jesus - "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36.

Chapter 6

Verses 1 to 3. In the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar envy and jealousy on the part of officialdom had led to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego being cast into the furnace of fire. Now in the reign of Darius the Mede the officials appointed by the King are envious and jealous of the highest position in his realm given by Darius to Daniel.

Verses 4 to 9. ‘Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution’. 2 Timothy 3:12. It was so in those far off days and it is the same now. These officials chosen by King Darius could find no fault in Daniel because he was faithful. However, they knew full well that Daniel would not worship any god except Jehovah so they conspired together and sent a delegation to speak with the King.

In the kingdom of Media Persia whenever an order or an edict had been signed by the hand of the king it could not be revoked. Any penalty for disobedience must be carried out. So these men of evil intent persuaded King Darius that no petition should be made by anyone within his realm except to him for a period of thirty days; if petition was made to anyone else then the one who had disobeyed the command would ‘be cast into the den of lions’. King Darius signed the decree.

Verses 10 to 13. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel was well aware of the prophecies of Jeremiah concerning the return to Jerusalem of his people after seventy years of captivity in Babylon. (Ref. Jeremiah 29:10,11). His heart yearned for this merciful return. The loss of Jerusalem was heavy. The loss of the temple was heavier. The loss of the Shekinah presence of the Lord of Hosts was above all most terrible. (Ref. Psalm 132:13,14).

Now, more than 2,500 years later, may we who love the Lord Jesus reflect upon the fact that we may invite Him to make His home in the temple of our heart and so live every moment in His divine presence. What a joy! What a privilege! What a reality! (Ref. Hebrew 10:19,20).

The evil-hearted brood of those who had persuaded Darius to make and sign the edict went before him to ensure the sentence must be carried out.

Verses 14 to 17. ‘And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him’. We note that the king was displeased with himself. He personally took the blame for this state of affairs. Daniel’s faithful testimony had already impacted and changed the heart of Darius, thus his words to Daniel. "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." Daniel’s faith was to be severely put to the test that night as the large stone sealed the mouth of the den.

Verses 18 to 23. Whether Daniel slept in the midst of the lions or not we do not know. We do know that King Darius spent a sleepless night and was at the lion’s den at the break of day. We read, ‘when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."

Nebuchadnezzar had referred to the Son of God who walked in the midst of the fire as ‘His angel’. Here Daniel uses the same Aramaic word for ‘His angel’ who ‘shut the lions’ mouths’. Strong’s number 4398. Just as the pre-incarnate Jesus had walked in the midst of the fiery furnace with Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah so He now went into the lions’ den with His servant Daniel. Wherever Jesus is He is Lord, nothing of Satan can manifest itself. Thus the lions were completely peaceful – just as they will be when Jesus establishes His kingdom on earth and ‘the lion lies down with the lamb’.

It seems that the Lord and Daniel spent the night together until ‘Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God’. (Ref. Romans 8:17)Just as God had intervened in the hour of trial of His servants Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, so now He had ‘sent His angel and shut the lion’s mouths’. In whatever trials we may face for His name’s sake, surely He will also face it and take us through it that His glory may be upon us also. (Ref. Romans 8:17)

‘Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God’.

Verses 24 to 28. By order of the king, those who had plotted against Daniel perished in the lion’s den together with their families.

‘Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions’. As with King Nebuchadnezzar, King Darius gives forth a wonderful expression of faith and worship.

Again we are reminded in verse 28 that God had determined that Daniel should continue and prosper until the reign of King Cyrus the Persian. (Ref. Daniel 1:21).

Chapter 7

God’s great eternal purpose and plan flows inexorably from eternity past to eternity future. Throughout all of history God has revealed, as He will, significant messages to and through His prophets. These messages have been unfolded and made plain only by and through the blessed Person of the Holy Spirit in God’s chosen time.

As we seek to understand Daniel’s dream described for us in chapter 7, we must glance back to the dream and revelation that Nebuchadnezzar was given (chapter 2) and also consider carefully the visions given to the apostle John as recorded in Revelation chapter 13, 17 and 19.

Chapter 7 describes a dream given to Daniel by God which at first sight appears to parallel and build upon Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image. Yet in fact Daniel’s dream in its entirety almost certainly belongs only to the period of the feet and toes of that great image. The four beasts arise out of the great sea (the Mediterranean) close in time with one another, not over a long period of history. All four arise during the time of the feet; the feet that are described as partly of iron and partly of miry clay.

All the dreams and visions mentioned above are especially important to the days in which we are now living and point to events about to take place. We are fast approaching the time of the end before the return in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We recall again the words spoken to Daniel "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." Daniel 12:4. The words of this book of Daniel will be unsealed only as the Holy Spirit reveals their message to us.

Only in complete dependence on the Holy Spirit may we approach the unknown and unrevealed in Scripture. All our human reasoning and imagination must be subordinated to the readiness of the Lord to reveal His mysteries. ‘For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away’. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10.

Verses 1 to 7. Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. We recall the storm with its terrible variable winds that occurred for a period of fourteen nights when Paul was on his way to Rome. Acts 27:9-44. Verse 7 indicates that the times in which this dream applies will be dark and turbulent; the seven years of the tribulation and great tribulation.

Out of this Mediterranean Sea Daniel observed four beasts arising one after another, their description is awesome and disturbing, especially the description of the fourth beast. Without going into great detail we may note that the first was like a lion….the second like a bear….another like a leopard. The fourth was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

Revelation 13:1-2 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon (Satan) gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. These three carnivores are mentioned in reverse order to their first appearance out of the great sea in Daniel’s dream.

Surely, by the time of the prophecy of Revelation 13, the fourth beast of Daniel 7 has acquired the characteristics of the first three beasts. He, the fourth beast, has taken away their power and has assumed absolute authority over them. Note that this fourth beast has ten horns which are ten kings just as the toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream are ten kings.

Verse 8. Now we come to the one who wields the power of the fourth beast; the little horn ‘before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words’.

Although we do not yet know what or who are the ten horns, we may assume that the three that ‘were plucked out by the roots’ are the first three beasts – ‘the first was like a lion….the second like a bear….another like a leopard’. This is all quite mysterious. Only by the unveiling of this mystery by the Holy Spirit, and as He will, will we know what all this has in store for this world in the end times.

From Daniel 2, then to Daniel 7 and on to Revelation 13 we are seeing a gradual unfolding and enlargement of what God is about to do. The feet and toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s image become the four beasts of Daniel’s dream. The four beasts merge together into the composite beast of the Apostle John’s revelation. Out of this beast emerges a little horn that rules them all. This little horn has ‘eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words’. This little horn is the beast. The ‘beast’ is the little horn. He is none other than the Antichrist, of whom more will be said later.

Verses 9 to 11. "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated….A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. The whole heavenly host is gathered ’…thrones were put in place….The court was seated, and the books were opened’. In this vast assembly the one who is under consideration and judgment is the little horn, the Antichrist.

I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame". Judgment has been made; the verdict has been given; the sentence has been carried out.

Verses 11 to 14. Verses 13 and 14 are quite remarkable. What an amazing revelation contained in a vision given 2,500 years ago to the prophet Daniel. "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed."

The Antichrist has been removed to make way for the Son of Man who is, who was and who forever will be the Son of the Living God. Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Verses 15 to 18 Daniel is very disturbed by this dream and speaks to one of the heavenly ones that he may know the meaning of his dream. He is told that the four beasts are four kings who will arise, ‘But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'  The meaning of the word ‘saints’ here in Aramaic is the same as the meaning of ‘saints’ (hagios) in Greek in the New Testament; literally ‘Holy ones’. It is noteworthy that so complete was the work performed by the Lord Jesus on the cross that the perfection of all who have believed unto salvation, as implied by the word ‘saints’, is used for the word ‘Holy’ in Holy Spirit. This condition of perfection in Christ must be accomplished in reality by the work of transformation in absolute surrender to the will of God. Whatever is not transformed during our earthly life must be dealt with in the life hereafter. To be ‘saved’ is more than a decision, it is a process whose accomplishment is dependent on the degree of our willingness to commit ourselves wholly to the Lord and, like Caleb, to follow Him fullyim fullHHHH. Reference the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25.

Verses 19 to 26. The last beast, a fourth, is of special interest to us at this time for it will shortly make its presence known upon the world’s stage. Out from this beast will come ten horns which are ten kings and from among them will emerge a ‘little horn’ who is the ‘man of sin’, ‘the Antichrist’. He will uproot three of the ten horns. As we shall see this being will be given by Satan ‘his power, his throne, and great authority’. Revelation 13:2

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High….persecute the saints….and shall intend to change times and law….the saints shall be given into his hand for three and a half years. (The period of the great tribulation). 'But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever.

Verses 27 and 28. In verse 27 we are reminded of Revelation 11:15 ‘Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."

Again we read that Daniel’s thoughts greatly troubled him, "but he kept the matter in his heart."

Chapter 8

We shall be paying very little attention to this chapter because it contains an account of a vision with an interpretation that has been fulfilled long ago. It predicts in considerable detail the conquest of the Media Persian Empire by Greece. The great general Alexander conquered all that had once been conquered and occupied by Media Persia from southern Italy in the west, south into Egypt and stretching right across eastward into the North West portion of India.

The speed with which Alexander moved in his conquests and his remarkable organization of his campaigns have earned him the place of the most brilliant army general of all time.

From verse 9 the vision appears to have two applications, one which is past and has been fulfilled long ago and the other which is yet to be. This second thread starts with the reference to the ‘little horn’ which, as we have already discussed, refers to the Antichrist. It will be our intention to study the ‘man of sin’, the Antichrist, the ‘little horn’ in our covering of 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

For the moment we shall simply say that a king of Greco-Syria named Antiochus Epiphanes IV who reigned from BC175 till his death in BC164 ruled over and oppressed the Jewish nation. In BC 167 he placed an image of Zeus in the temple and sacrificed swine’s flesh on the altar of sacrifice. Thus he profaned the house of God. This blasphemous act will in the time of the end be repeated by the Antichrist who shall place an image of himself in the holy place. The Lord Jesus looked forward to this future event in issuing this warning. "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." Matthew 24:15-16.

The vision recorded in this chapter was so dreadful in its nature and portent that ‘Daniel fainted and was afterwards sick for days’.

Chapter 9

Verses 1 to 15. Most of this chapter is devoted to a prayer that Daniel offered to the Lord; a prayer of confession, and supplication. Surely it is one of the most moving examples of prayer in the whole of the Scriptures. It is a very strong reminder for those who perceive the impoverished state of the church, particularly in the Western world, of our role to be intercessors. For the most part the church today is divided, worldly and complacent.

What prompted Daniel’s prayer was the prophecy of Jeremiah in chapter 29:10-11. ‘For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’.

Daniel the prophet is as upright and steadfast a man as any in the whole Bible yet he identifies himself with the fallen and apostate majority of the people of Judah and Israel amongst whom he is a fellow captive ‘….we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments’.

Long before, during their journey in the desert, Moses had warned the people not to depart from the Lord and fall into disobedience. Ref. Leviticus 26:13-39. Now Daniel recalls these warnings as he realizes that both Israel and Judah have departed from the Living God and that it is He who has brought upon them these calamities.

Verses 16 to 19. Daniel’s prayer now turns from confession to supplication. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

Verses 20 to 27. As Daniel concluded his prayer Gabriel came alongside him to give him the insight to understand. This archangel had first come to him between the banks of the Ulai river at the time of the revelation of the four beasts. Apart from Gabriel’s visits to Daniel we only hear of this archangel again on two occasions; the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist and the announcement to Mary that she was to give birth to Jesus.

‘At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision’. My! To be beloved by God; there can be no higher standing for mortal man than that.

Now we come to the prophecy of the ‘Seventy Weeks’. No greater work has yet been written concerning this prophecy than that written by Sir Robert Anderson, published in 1894. Sir Robert was Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard – arguably the most famous detective agency in the world at that time. So great is the investigative skill of this deeply spiritual man that the outline of his interpretation will be covered in a brief but informative manner here.

"Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy." Sir Robert Anderson demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt that each week of seven days stands for seven years. Thus the period of this prophesy covers seventy times seven of years, or 490 years in total.

"Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks." …. after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off. This initial period of seven weeks and sixty two weeks will be 49 years and 434 years for a total of 483 years.  We have no exact date of when the command to restore and build Jerusalem went forth, nor the date of the crucifixion of our dear Lord Jesus but we do know that what Gabriel, the messenger of God, gave to Daniel at that time is an exact to the day period of time from the edict going forth until the death on the cross of the ‘Prince of Life’ for the destruction of all the works of the evil one, Satan, and to make ‘all things new’. Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

The angel Gabriel informed Daniel that the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem will be ‘in troublesome times’ which, as we read the account of Nehemiah they certainly were. Many attempts were made by their enemies to deter or prevent the Jews from completing the wall, yet it was done.

Who is there who can know in full what was accomplished through the death of Jesus? Yet we do know that it was ‘not for Himself’. Romans 11:33-12:1 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" 'Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

The remainder of chapter 9 brings us abruptly to the last seven years of tribulation before the Lord Jesus comes to rule forever as Lord of lords and King of kings.  ‘And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined’.

From the ‘And’ in the middle of verse 26 and including verse 27 we are again dealing with the Antichrist. May the Lord unfold this at greater length in our studies in 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Then he (Antichrist) shall confirm a covenant with many for one week…

Chapter 10

Verses 2 and 3 precede verse 1 chronologically. During a period of fully three weeks Daniel was saddened and he neglected himself. Later in this chapter, in verse 13, the reason for this time of mourning and inner turmoil is disclosed. At this point Daniel was by now around 90 years old and, according to the timetable of Jeremiah’s prophecy, the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity was about to be completed.

Verses 1 and 4 provide the year and the date when this vision and message were given to Daniel and where exactly he received them. ‘In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia…. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month…. I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris….’

For those who read this chapter and have the amazing account contained therein unveiled to them by the Holy Spirit, this must forever remain a treasured experience.

Verses 5 to 9. How similar was the vision of this awesome being Whom Daniel saw to that of the risen Lord seen by the apostle John many hundreds of years later whilst on the Isle called Patmos.

Revelation 1:13 ….clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. Daniel 10:5 ….clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!

• Revelation 1:15 His voice as the sound of many waters. Daniel 10:6 ….the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
• Revelation 1:16 His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Daniel 10:6 ….his face like the appearance of lightning.
• Revelation 1:14 His eyes like a flame of fire. Daniel 10:6 ….his eyes like torches of fire.
• Revelation 1:15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace. Daniel 10:6 ….feet like burnished bronze in colour.
• Revelation 1:17 I fell at His feet as dead. Daniel 10:9 I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Can we doubt that this awesome heavenly being was indeed the One who had walked with Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah in the fiery furnace? Here however He was in appearance like the post-ascension Jesus whom John saw, as recorded in Revelation Chapter 1.

Verses 10 to 15. Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Surely the hand that touched Daniel was that of ‘He who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’. Revelation 1:8. As with Daniel, when John fell at the feet of the ascended and glorified Jesus we read that ‘He placed His right hand on me….’ Then The Lord repeated the tribute of His messenger Gabriel “O Daniel, man greatly beloved….”

Verse 12 refers back to Daniel’s prayer and supplication on behalf of his people in the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede. The Lord assures Daniel that ‘’from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words’’. What a lesson and encouragement we may take from this concerning the power and importance of intercessory prayer.

Verse 14. "Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future." How extraordinary that we who read these words today are living in these ‘days yet future’. How urgent it is that those who truly love the Lord Jesus meet around His feet that they may be given understanding of happenings to come.

Verse 15. When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. For a second time, beloved Daniel was overcome with awe in the presence of this Mighty One.

Verses 16 to 18. What unfolds next is yet another remarkable event, for the One who had appeared to Daniel in such glory and majesty now appears to Him as a ‘son of man’. ‘And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips….’ This, surely, was a pre-incarnation revelation to Daniel of Jesus as ‘the Son of Man’. We are reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:8 ‘and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also’. Was this appearing to Daniel the first sighting, ‘as to one untimely born’ of the Lord Jesus in His incarnate being? Surely this little Book of Daniel exceeds any other writings of the Old Testament in its revelation of the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. It seems that, right now as we approach the end of this present age, the Book of Daniel is being unveiled as it has never been before.

‘….then I opened my mouth and spoke’ The Lord touched Daniel’s lips that he might speak to Him. "O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. "For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me."  Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. Daniel is by now a very old servant of the Lord. We are reminded of the promise of Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. NKJV. The touch of He who is ‘full of grace and truth’ was then, as it is now, a touch of assurance that all was well.

Verse 19. He said, "O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." Have any more gracious words ever been spoken by the Lord to any mortal man? With his failing strength renewed, Daniel was now able to receive the remainder of the message of the Lord.

Verse 20 and 21. Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you?" By showing Himself as ‘one with human appearance’ was this Mighty One, the Lord, indeed revealing to Daniel that He would be coming to earth, incarnated as the seed of the woman that He might bruise the serpent’s head?

But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come.” It appears that Satan, within the jurisdiction over this world which was given him in the beginning by God, had appointed mighty fallen angels to oversee the affairs of kingdoms. During the 21 days of Daniel’s distress Jesus, the Lord, had been withstood by this Prince of Persia. The prince of Persia is prominent here because the Jewish people were, at this time, captives under the authority of Persia. The next great world power that would have authority over the Jewish nation would be the Greeks, so the prince of Greece was ‘about to come’. Both these princes in their time were opposing the will of God for His own people.

The will of God was being carried out by the Persian King Cyrus in accordance with the prophecy of Jeremiah. Was this fallen angel, the Prince of Persia, interfering with God’s plan? We cannot know. However after giving sanction to the return of the Jews to their land, only a very small remnant under Ezra returned; some 50,000 or so.

"However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth…." God had a plan for His people which He was unveiling to Daniel. Satan’s delegated authorities, the two princes, were opposing God’s plan.

Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince. God’s archangel, Michael, His mighty warrior prince, carried God’s authority to stand in behalf of the Jewish people and nation. These words ‘stands firmly’ remind us of the passage of Scripture in Ephesians 6:11-17 in which we are exhorted to ‘take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm’. Michael ‘stands firmly’ with the Lord against all the forces of Hell, on behalf of the Jewish nation. It is important to note that the Lord does not directly act against Satan. Michael is God’s agent to deal with Satan.

For the third and very significant time Daniel was assured by the Lord Himself that he was greatly beloved. "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened." Then the Lord departed from Daniel to undertake His mission concerning the Prince of Persia and to ready Himself to deal with the Prince of Greece.

Chapter 11

We shall be paying very little attention to the vision described in this chapter because it contains an account of a series of events that have been fulfilled long ago. However, as in chapter 8 some of the characters and happenings that are foretold have a secondary and very significant application.

Much of this chapter refers to the ongoing battles that would in the future be fought between Syria and Egypt with Israel as the corridor and battle zone. Antiochus Epiphanes VI, as king of Greco-Syria, is again a central figure within the events that are prophesied to take place. Antiochus has long since passed into history. His evil life is but a foul memory to the Jews and those who study the Scriptures.

However, the vision also points ahead a further 2,200 years or so after Antiochus to a ‘man of sin’ whose influence will dominate the whole world and usher in the great tribulation. He will be in the likeness of Antiochus but greatly magnified in evil character and wicked deeds. This latter one will be the Antichrist who shall emerge onto the world stage at the end time and become the greatest human monster this world has ever known.

It is to this dreadful personage that verses 36 to 39 have special reference and because we are so close in time to these end time events we shall discuss these verses now. We may refer to them again in connection with our coming study in 1 & 2 Thessalonians but, for now, we shall examine just the main points.

Verses 36 to 39 in total describe the character of the Antichrist:

• the king shall do according to his own will:
• he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god,
• he shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods
• he shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.
• he shall honour a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honour with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.
• he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory;
• he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.

Remember that it will be Satan who will have just been cast out of the heavens who will give this ‘Beast’ ‘his power, his throne, and great authority’. Ref. Revelation 13:2.

Chapter 12

Verse 1. "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation…." The first half of this important verse is expanded upon in depth in Revelation 12:7-9. And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him….

Verse 1 and 2. ‘And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt’ The judgment that will decide those who will awake to everlasting life or to everlasting contempt will be based upon whether their names are written in the book. We recall the words of the Lord Jesus to his disciples…."do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven ." Luke 10:20.

Verse 3. ‘Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever’. What a wonderful promise to those believing Jews who will rise to everlasting life.

Verse 4. "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." This is an enormously important verse in that it tells us exactly where we are today in terms of the visions we have read about and studied in this small Book of Daniel, yet with immense significance to the days in which we are living.

The book itself has been subject to more speculation than almost any other in our Bible. Men’s minds have endlessly analysed its meaning. Only One knows its purpose, content and relevance within His eternal purpose and will. At His feet, those who desire in humility to sit, may be given understanding just as that amazing saint of God was given so long ago. In these end times the Lord has unsealed this book. May we heed its message and, as His utterly devoted to Him ones, prepare the way for His soon return.

The Amplified Version is helpful to a fuller understanding of the second part of verse 5.[Then] many shall run to and fro and search anxiously [through the Book], and knowledge [of God's purposes as revealed by His prophets] shall be increased and become great. That at the end time many shall seek to know God’s purposes and to gain knowledge of what has been revealed by His prophets is undoubtedly evident. God has unsealed this book. However the straightforward translation from the Hebrew carries a strong and unmistakable message.

….many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Never in the history of mankind upon this earth has this statement been more evident. Never have so many moved across the face of this earth and in the skies as they are now. We are told that more than 5,000 planes are in the sky above the United States all the time, constantly. The increase in available knowledge (not wisdom, not insight, not understanding) year by year has been exponential. Huge advances in technology and communication have seen to that.

Verses 5 to 7. Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river," How long shall the fulfilment of these wonders be?"

At this point in the narrative how significant it is that the pre-incarnation Christ (the Messiah) should come into Daniel’s view again. This One, our Lord Jesus, raised his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. In the face of this shall we not receive and heed the words of this book?

In answer to the question," How long shall the fulfilment of these wonders be?" came the answer that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. This time given is a year, plus two years and a half year; namely three and a half years of 360 days each, or 1,260 days – the period of the great tribulation, the time of Jacob’s trouble. Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.

Verses 8 to 13. And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Surely this Book of Daniel is being opened up to us in a remarkable way at this time. Can we doubt the connection between this fact and the times in which we are now living?

‘Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand’. In Revelation 19:7-8 we read ‘And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints’. Surely those who shall be purified, made white, and refined comprise the wife of the Lamb.

Daniel asked one more question "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?" The simple response was "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." And "But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days." Now here we are – at the end. May the Lord be gracious to us that we may be among those who are ‘purified, made white, and refined’ and numbered among ‘the wise’ who ‘shall understand’.

Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians were almost certainly the first letters he wrote to any of the churches. Yet today they seem to be the subject of study less often than almost all the other of Paul’s letters. Perhaps this is because there is no strong warning for correction of belief or practice, as for instance in regard to the Galatians. Maybe it is due to the emphasis upon end time prophecy and the person of the Antichrist. Yet it is for this very reason that these two letters are receiving our attention at this time because we appear to be on the brink of the tribulation period.

We shall bring together many of the references to the Antichrist in Daniel with those in 2 Thessalonians, as well as information found in other Scriptures. Almost certainly the Antichrist is alive today, waiting for his time to be launched onto the world’s stage.

Chapter 1

We note in verse 1 that ‘the church of the Thessalonians’ is ‘in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ from both of whom Paul offers ‘Grace to you and peace’. We may already have knowledge that we are positionally in Christ, but have we ever imagined that two or three gathered in His name, our assembly of believers, and indeed all the believers of all the ages are all together ‘in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’? Surely this is the Kingdom of Heaven. Whenever we gather together we must gather as an expression of the kingdom. How then can we run our assemblies in a state of division and under human control? How can we ask God’s blessing upon what one or more in authority have decided to do? Who is in charge – God or man?

All true worship, co-joined with the Father and the Son is made possible by and in the Holy Spirit. All true worship is offered in spirit and in truth (John 4:23,24) and in love and in unity (John 13:34,35) by those who know they can offer no worship of any value without Him (John 15:5). There will be no titles, only functions. Apostle is a function, prophet is a function, evangelist is a function and pastor/teacher is a function. In such real worship there are only four titles – Father, Son, Holy Spirit and brother (yes the female members are brothers too). We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Verses 2 to 4. ‘We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers’. Although there were multitudes that had believed yet Paul could be sure that all would receive his letter. If Paul sent a letter today to the church in the town or city where you live, who would he send it to?

How significant that this church which was composed largely of Gentiles who had been Jewish proselytes should embrace the reality of worship in the Father and the Son so quickly. From verses 3 and 4 it is evident that their assembly life and their daily life as the local testimony of Jesus, the identifiable church of Thessalonica, were being very fully and wondrously practiced. Oh! That we may heed this example and please our Father’s heart by leaving all the sham and all the human imagination and become the testimony of Jesus on this earth today! ‘’Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!’’

Verses 5 to 7. As we read these next two verses we understand the secret of their rapid progress in Christ. ‘our gospel not in word only, but in power, in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, you became followers of us and of the Lord, received in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, you became examples to all….’. In order to become examples to all we must be willing to suffer affliction for His sake. Philippians 1:29 ‘For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake….’

Verses 8 to 10. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth….in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. Ref. Romans 8:1-2 There is no word of caution just whole hearted commendation for this assembly.

These verses are an amazing tribute to a thriving community of believers who had ‘turned to God from idols’. They left their idols behind to practice the real church life. We need to ask ourselves ‘’How many idols do we have hidden within our fractured Christian communities?’’

These dear ones were eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus from heaven. They had truly escaped ‘from the wrath to come’. Now, so long after, we are so close in time to the outpouring of this coming wrath. Are we individually, and as companies of His people, getting ourselves ready for His glorious appearing?

Chapter 2

Verses 1 to 4. After Paul and Silas had been unlawfully beaten and imprisoned in Philippi during their third apostolic journey they came to Thessalonica where they ran into severe opposition from the Jews. Paul says in verse 2 ‘we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict’. Paul goes on to say ‘we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts’. Whenever we speak a word given to us by the Lord, we must speak as though speaking to Him first and never to please men. ‘For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ’.2 Corinthians 2:17.

Verses 5 to 10. In these next few verses Paul reminds the believers of how he, Silas and Timothy had cared for them and behaved towards them when they originally came to preach the gospel to them, ‘we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us’.

Verses 11 to 13. The key verse is verse 13. ‘For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe’. We are reminded of the words of Paul to the church in Corinth ‘’I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase’’. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7. Those to whom Paul preached in Thessalonica had welcomed his message as the word of God and it had been working very effectively in their individual and corporate life. Paul is clearly encouraged by their progress in love and in faith.

Verses 14 to 16. Paul again commends these believers because they have imitated ‘the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus’ and, like them, they have been ready to suffer persecution from the Jewish community and have remained steadfast.

Verses 17 to 20. This chapter ends with a question posed by Paul on behalf of Silas, Timothy and himself ‘For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Their joint answer expresses the divine love that fills their hearts for these precious believers. ‘Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy’. In all the work that the Lord Jesus calls us to do shall we not care for those whom He brings to us as He has also cared for us?

Chapter 3

Verses 1 to 5. ‘Therefore, when we could no longer endure it….’ These first few verses of chapter 3 clearly reveal that Paul and his companions had undergone much suffering. In Philippi Paul and Silas had each received thirty nine strokes with rods. Then they proclaimed the gospel in Thessalonica and ‘some of them (Jews) were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas’. But the Jews who rejected Paul’s message stirred up a mob against Paul. ‘Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea’. Acts 17:10.

After significant success in bringing many to faith in Berea, the same Jewish opponents from Thessalonica came to Berea. Because Paul’s life was in great danger, the believers urged Paul to proceed to Athens, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. The hostility and hatred suffered by the apostle Paul can scarcely be imagined.

Silas and Timothy later joined Paul in Corinth. Later still Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church. About Timothy he tells them, he is ‘our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith’. We must not imagine that Silas and Timothy, and later Timothy, were lecturing and giving instructions about how to ‘do church’. No doubt the Lord often gave each one special messages for the brethren when they were all gathered together. The Lord Jesus had told Peter and His other disciples long before, ‘I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’.  Matthew 16:18. Now that the Holy Spirit had been given to every believer He, as sovereign Lord, would gather and build believers together in all localities into the perfect body of Christ. Had we attended those meetings we would have been utterly astonished how different was their worship from virtually all the meetings of the Lord’s people we have ever attended. 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? ‘Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification’(building up). Even though freedom under the sole control and Lordship of the Holy Spirit may take some courage and exercise of restraint on the part of some, yet this is the only way to satisfy the Father and the Son. See article ‘Meeting As Ekklesia’.

Verses 6 to 10. Paul had been concerned that the faith of the believers in Thessalonica may have been shaken because of the severe persecution, so he is most encouraged by the excellent report received from Timothy on his return. How his Spirit anointed words resonate to us now down the many centuries. ‘….therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?’

We are reminded of some other words of Paul which apply here. ‘For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel’. 1 Corinthians 4:15

Verses 11 to 13. This chapter ends with an earnest prayer that Paul offers on behalf of these believers who are so precious to him. His prayer closes with his deep heart’s desire for them, and  which we who love Jesus must make our prayer too. ‘….that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints’. We can let Him do His perfect work in us or we can prevent Him from doing so. This is the choice facing each and every believer in Jesus.

Chapter 4

Verses 1 to 8. The word ‘finally’ seems to indicate that Paul is coming to the end of His letter. However he is being borne along by the Holy Spirit to write and what is flowing forth from him is Scripture. The apostle Peter makes it clear in 1Peter 3:15,16 that Paul’s letters are Scripture; something we now take for granted.

In these next few verses are exhortations and some cautions concerning how individual believers and the assembly should live a holy life. ‘For this is the will of God, your sanctification’. Sanctification is transformation into the absolutely holy likeness of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is a process performed in us by the Holy Spirit as we surrender ourselves wholly to God. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God’. Matthew 5:8.

‘….abstain from sexual immorality’, commands Paul. We may assume from Paul’s words that sexually immoral behavior was at that time a significant issue. Surely in this present age this is the situation too. Hebrews 13:4 expresses God’s clear instruction regarding sexual intimacy, ‘Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge’.

Verses 9 to 12.  Surely love is the ultimate evidence of God’s transforming work in our lives. We do not by nature love others, even those of our own family. Whatever love we express from ourselves falls short when those we say we love treat us unkindly or disrespectfully. ‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’. Romans 5:8

Where then does this love come from that even permits us to love those who may hate us or treat us with contempt? ‘….the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us’. Romans 5:5. What a wonderful example of this love was demonstrated by Stephen when he was being stoned. He was about to die.  ‘Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep’. Acts 7:60.

Verses 13 to 18. Now Paul turns to a subject which is central to the importance of this letter to the Thessalonian church and which is of special importance to us now at the end of this age; the return of the Lord Jesus for His own. For these new ones in Christ the Apostle Paul’s words must have been very uplifting and assuring. This is the glorious hope of all who love Jesus; that He will return and take us forever home with Him to be with Him and to enjoy him forever and He us.

The Thessalonian believers were concerned about the future of those among them who had ‘fallen asleep’ (died). He informs them that if the ones he is writing to are remaining on the earth when the Lord returns He will bring those ones who have died with Him so that they all together will be forever with the Lord.

At the centre of what Paul has to say is this small phrase ‘we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord…’ When the Lord comes in the clouds it will be at the end of the great tribulation. Life as we have known it on earth will have run its course. Those who are alive in Christ and remain on the earth at that time will be the final ones to be caught away to be forever with the Lord.

Paul encouragingly ends ‘Therefore comfort one another with these words’.

Chapter 5

Verses 1 to 3.

‘For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. Before the great day of the coming of the Lord there will be a period known as the tribulation and it is that time that these dread words refer. Labour pains come suddenly without warning. So will be the destruction that shall come upon the unbelieving world.

Verses 4 to 7. ‘But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day’. For us who believe nothing is more important right now than to heed the words of Jesus ‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’.

Many who say they believe in the Lord are asleep spiritually. Such ones seem quite complacent and uncaring about how they live. May we pray most earnestly that the Lord will keep us on the alert and making the most of our time on earth.

Verses 8 to 11.

‘But let us who are of the day be sober….’ To be sober means to be calm, moderate and unbiased. These are not the characteristics of the flesh/self but are fruits of the Spirit.

Regarding the breastplate and helmet we should  study the fuller account of the whole armour of God in Ephesians 6:11-17. Many think of this as being the protection of the individual yet it is, in realty, the armour which is upon the Head and which covers the whole body of Christ. As we remain properly related to the Head and stand together with all others in Christ then, and only then, can we know the full protection from all the wiles and attacks of the enemy, Satan.

‘….whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him’. Through all our moments on this earth we need to have the consciousness of the Lord’s presence with us as His people and of our constant part in the life and function of His body. ‘Therefore comfort each other and edify (build up) one another, just as you also are doing’.

Verses 12 to 15. Who are the ones ‘who labor among you’? Surely they are ones who are gifts to the body of Christ, not those with titles. Ephesians 4:11-13. ‘And He Himself gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love’. There are the greater gifts and there are the joints of supply; the latter are those mature ones who are examples to the flock who nurture, feed and encourage the less mature. But we must take note of the very vital last contribution, ‘the effective working by which every part does its share’. Just as every part of the human body must perform its natural function, so must every member of the body of Christ be permitted and actively encouraged to function effectively according to the gift God has made it to the whole body. Ref. 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27.

Verses 16 to 22. There follows a unique list of exhortations to this assembly of God’s people who have made such good progress to become the living testimony of God in Thessalonica.

• Rejoice always. Ref. John 15:9-11
• pray without ceasing. Prayer is joining Jesus in beseeching Him for what He wants – not what we want
• in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Accept all He sends as from Him
• Do not quench the Spirit. Listen to His speaking. Don’t turn away from what He is directing you to do
• Do not despise prophecies. Prophecy is the direct message of God to His own through whomever He will
• Test all things; hold fast what is good. Don’t act until God’s will becomes clear. Follow the inner ‘peace’
• Abstain from every form of evil. Whenever we are in doubt about anything – don’t.

Verses 23. ‘Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely’. We have just mentioned that when we are in doubt whether something is right in the eyes of God we must follow the inner peace. If the peace of God within us is disturbed we must not act. By always following the peace, God will surely sanctify us. He will make us ‘holy as He is Holy’.

‘may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’. This is the only instance in the whole of Scripture in which the three parts of man are identified together – spirit, soul and body. Many Scriptures describe these three parts of man but this would be a study on its own. Here we shall describe each one in reverse order to that just mentioned.

• The body. Adam was made in the image of Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15. His body was incorruptible. It was a perfect body. When Adam sinned the body became subject to disease and death. But when Jesus returns ‘Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality’.
• The soul. This has three aspects; the mind that thinks and reasons; the emotions which feel love, peace, joy and hatred, confusion and grief; the will that chooses and decides.
• The spirit. This is a part of man which is given by God and returns to God at the time of death. The spirit is not given to other creatures – just to man who is in the image of God. We, alone among God’s creatures may have fellowship with Him and be joined to Him and collectively become His body and His bride. At the instant of our being born again the Holy Spirit enters our human spirit. John 3:6. And we receive Him as a down payment. Ephesians 1:14.

It is the purpose of God that each one who believes in Jesus unto salvation shall be a finished work of God when He calls them home or returns for them. Thus will our whole spirit, soul and body will be preserved blameless. That is God’s full intention which He will accomplish if we are fully surrendered to Him and walking with Him wherever He shall lead us. ‘He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it’.

Verses 24 to 28. We sometimes fail to pray for those who are strong in faith, but we all need to be borne up in prayer. Paul exhorts these Thessalonians m to greet each other with a holy kiss; a kiss of shared love in Christ. He commands that his letter be read to all the believers and he finishes this first letter with a benediction. ‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen’.

My Hidden Paragraph Here 

Verses 3 and 4. In his first letter Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for their spiritual progress. It is now evident that through much affliction they have further advanced in their faith and love. In their fervent unity they have become a glowing testimony to the Lord Jesus not only locally but indeed far and wide.

Verses 5 to 12. Paul looked ahead to the time ‘when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ’. Ref. 2 Peter 3:10. In the meanwhile he encouraged them to press on to be counted worthy – ‘worthy of the kingdom of God’ (verse 5) and ‘worthy of this calling’. (verse 11). To be worthy is to come fully up to the standard of that which they are already a part. In Matthew 25 we find the parable of the ten virgins. Al ten were believers who had fallen asleep (died). Five were wise and five were foolish. The five wise virgins were found to be worthy at the coming of the Bridegroom and they went into the wedding feast. What made them worthy? They had paid the full price for the transforming oil of the Holy Spirit. They were finished works in Christ Jesus. The Brideegroom recognized the five wise virgins because they had been transformed into His image.

Chapter 2

Verses 1 to 6. Paul now returned to the topic that this assembly had inquired about – the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and matters concerning His return. First he assures them that this greatest of all events has not yet occurred. Then he presses on to inform them of what must happen first.

‘….the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God’. This ‘man of sin….the son of perdition’ will be none other than the Antichrist who will cause an image of himself to be placed in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Concerning this event Jesus told his disciples "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel  the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

We are already in the ‘perilous times’ that the apostle Paul speaks of in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ‘But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…’. During the ‘last days’ this man of sin will step out onto the world stage. He will not become evident until the tribulation period of 7 years; during the first 3 ½ years of which he will become all powerful and all the world will know of him. (See ‘Studies in the Book of Daniel’ concerning chapters 7, 8, 11 and ‘The Manchild’)

Verses 7 to 12. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. Who is ‘he who now restrains’ and ‘will do so until he is taken out of the way’? Surely this is the male child (Ref. Revelation 12: 1-12.) Immediately following his birth, this male child is caught up ‘to God and to His throne’.

In the beginning God had given the man, Adam, authority over all living things. Among the living things were the creeping things, including the serpent, Satan. Adam had failed. Now the authority given to the man at the beginning is fully being expressed through the male child - 'they overcame him’ - Satan. Thus Michael and his angels have the standing to prevail against the great red dragon (the Devil, Satan) and his angels. He, the accuser of the brethren, is thrown down out of heaven to be embodied in the Beast. The Beast is ‘the lawless one….whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness’.

The Antichrist beguiles the world with a ‘strong delusion, that they should believe the lie’. The lie is the strong delusion that Antichrist is the miracle-working savior who must be worshipped. Thus he is the human embodiment of the enemy of God and in direct opposition to the Lord Jesus. The people of the world in those latter days deliberately choose to follow this lawless one ‘that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness’.

Verses 13 to 17. Having shown the ultimate fate of those who take pleasure in unrighteousness Paul focused his attention back to the state of the believers in Thessalonica whom he is writing to – ‘But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord….’ The latter part of verse 13 and verse 14 are a wonderful expression of what these faithful ones have entered into. What a contrast with the fate of the ungodly in the previous verses.

Paul closes with some wondrous words of prayer in which he includes himself, Silvanus and Timothy together with them. Never must we forget that the church of the living God is in unbreakable unity, then and now. Anything less than a visible real unity among believers is a disgrace to Christ and a denial of that which was accomplished when Jesus cried out on the cross ‘’It is finished’’.

Chapter 3

Verses 1 to 5. Paul then requested specific prayer, on behalf of himself and his companions, for the swift spread of the gospel and for their deliverance ‘from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith’. He could be referring to the Jews who had been opposing his message even more than the unbelievers. That is often the case today. Often those who are at the forefront of spreading the timely word that comes from the Lord are most bitterly challenged and persecuted by those who profess and call themselves Christians.

‘The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one’. When we are opposed by others may we always remember the evil being who lies behind all these efforts, it is not man but the evil one – Satan. It is he whom God has called us to overcome in His name. By simply standing against all his wiles and deceptions we are fulfilling God’s will concerning us. Remember Revelation 12:11 ‘they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death’.

Verses 6 to 12. We must withdraw from all in our assembly who live a disorderly life; that is those who willfully choose to do so. Some who come to faith in the Lord Jesus do so from very unfavourable family or life circumstances. With these ones we must be gentle and exercise ‘the patience of Christ’. The Holy Spirit will do the transforming work in all who commit themselves to the Lord and who are supported in the love of God by their fellow believers.

Verses 13 to 15 ‘….And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother’. We recall the occasion referred to in 1 Corinthians when a brother had taken his father’s wife and was willfully living in a state of sinfulness. That man was put out of the assembly for a while. In 2 Corinthians Paul exhorts the assembly to welcome this man back into fellowship and to nurture and care for him.

How much judgment and ostracism can be seen among believers in our day with no attempt to welcome back some whose real situations have been poorly understood and on whom the blessing of God now clearly rests.

Verses 16 to 18. ‘Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all….The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen’. As Paul signs his letter in the usual way he left them with a blessing that warms our hearts all these centuries later. May the testimony of our lives be a benediction to others of our common faith in love, unity and encouragement, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all who may read these notes. Amen.

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