Daniel
11 reminds me of my doodles in school. I discovered that I could
draw stick-figures in the corner of many pages in a textbook and then
by flipping the pages rapidly, the figures would have the appearance
of being animated. I’m sure I did that on more than one my fat
history books. In today’s chapter, God flips through the pages of
history by telling Daniel what will happen. Much like my textbooks,
we fast forward through the kingdoms of some of the most powerful and
wealthy leaders the world has known; Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Xerxes,
Artaxerxes, Alexander
the Great, Ptolemy… and the list goes on.
Some kings we know, and some
names we barely recognize, though in their time, they were greatly
feared. It seems that from God’s perspective, they were mere
stick-figures that appear and then go with the flip of a page.
“Three more kings will arise in
Persia, and then a fourth… far richer than all the others… Then a
mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he
pleases… his empire will be broken up“.
One leader rises and another takes his place, “his
power will
not last… she will not retain her power… raise a large army, but
it will be defeated“. We see
a human tendency that comes with power, “will
be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will
not remain triumphant“. I
believe that God certainly uses good and bad kings to accomplish His
goals, but He also uses regular folks doing regular jobs that honor
Him in word and deed. Perhaps God see you as Accountant The Great?
The
Chapter continues the foretelling of the history of the world about
new invaders with “power to
destroy… overthrow the kingdom… but will stumble and fall, to be
seen no more“. All begin with
splendor, but “In a few years,
however, he will be destroyed“.
There is another human tendency noted, most nations fall “when
its people feel secure” as
many promise to “distribute
plunder, loot and wealth among his followers“.
And the same animations continue to repeats themselves, “Those
who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him“.
Be careful if you are looking for security from kings.
Perhaps
the saddest commentary of our political world today is included; “The
two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table
and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still
come at the appointed time“.
There is one figure that will come that is not like the others, “His
armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple… Then they will
set up the abomination that causes desolation… He will exalt and
magnify himself… and will say unheard-of things against the God of
gods“. We read the people of
God “will firmly resist him“.
This appears to be the final ruler, sometimes called the Antichrist.
He is a man that Satan will use to deceive many. “He
will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones… and will
greatly honor those who
acknowledge him“. Many will
believe he is the messiah, but he will oppose the Jews and the
remaining people of God. He will have total control over commerce
“so that they could not buy or
sell unless they had the mark”
(Revelation 13:17). He will lead to the final battle called
Armageddon. The chapter closes with, “he
will come to his end, and no one will help him“.
Friend, I have looked at the end of the book of His Story. Christ
will return a second time, this time as the Lion of Judah, “I
saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose
rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages
war” (Revelation19:11). Are
you ready?