Why study Daniel?. Some have been opposed to studying from the Old Testament.

Why study Daniel?

Some have been opposed to studying from the Old Testament.

Some have been opposed to studying from the Old Testament.◦Their reasoning has been that since we

live under the New Testament, not the Old Testament, we really don’t need to spend much time in the Old Testament.

Some have been opposed to studying from the Old Testament.◦Their reasoning has been that since we

live under the New Testament, not the Old Testament, we really don’t need to spend much time in the Old Testament.

◦But, there are many solid reasons for studying the Old Testament & Daniel.

The Book of Daniel is the Word of God.

The Book of Daniel is the Word of God.◦Because it is the Word of God, Daniel

originated with God, not with man.


originated with God, not with man. 2 Tm 3:16.


originated with God, not with man. 2 Tm 3:16. 2 Pt 1:20-21.


originated with God, not with man. 2 Tm 3:16. 2 Pt 1:20-21.

◦Because this book originated with God, doesn’t it deserve our attention?

The Book of Daniel points to Jesus.

The Book of Daniel points to Jesus.◦Jesus saw the OT as pointing to him.


Jn 5:39.


Jn 5:39. Lk 24:44.


Jn 5:39. Lk 24:44.

◦Jesus is also the culmination of the Old Testament.


Jn 5:39. Lk 24:44.

◦Jesus is also the culmination of the Old Testament. Mt 5:17-18.


Jn 5:39. Lk 24:44.

◦Jesus is also the culmination of the Old Testament. Mt 5:17-18. Rom 10:4.

The Book of Daniel tells us much about Jesus.

The Book of Daniel tells us much about Jesus.◦Dan 2:44.

The Book of Daniel tells us much about Jesus.◦Dan 2:44.◦Dan 7:13-14.


It is likely from this passage that Jesus applies the title “Son of Man” to himself.



It is clear that “Son of Man” is far more than a simply declaration of Jesus’ humanity; it also declares his deity.



It is clear that “Son of Man” is far more than a simply declaration of Jesus’ humanity; it also declares his deity. Mt 24:30-31.



It is clear that “Son of Man” is far more than a simply declaration of Jesus’ humanity; it also declares his deity. Mt 24:30-31. Mt 26:64.




Caiaphas believed such a statement was blasphemous (Mt 26:65).




Caiaphas believed such a statement was blasphemous (Mt 26:65).

The Sanhedrin condemned Jesus to die (Mt 26:66-68).

The Book of Daniel provides comfort to the Christian.

The Book of Daniel provides comfort to the Christian.◦God is presented as the One who reigns

over all.


over all. Dan 2:20-21.


over all. Dan 2:20-21. Dan 6:21.

Daniel provides the clearest OT teaching on the resurrection of the dead.

Daniel provides the clearest OT teaching on the resurrection of the dead.◦Prior to the time of Daniel—except for a

few sporadic statements to the contrary—death was viewed as a dark, shadowy realm (e.g., Job 14:14; Ps 88:10-12; Ps 115:17).

Daniel provides the clearest OT teaching on the resurrection of the dead.◦Prior to the time of Daniel—except for a

few sporadic statements to the contrary—death was viewed as a dark, shadowy realm (e.g., Job 14:14; Ps 88:10-12; Ps 115:17).

◦Yet, Daniel says unambiguously that the dead shall be resurrected (Dan 12:2).

The Book of Daniel increases our faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures.

The Book of Daniel increases our faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures.◦Daniel informs us much about Antiochus

IV Epiphanes (450-500 years before Antiochus).



◦References from Daniel: 9:27.



◦References from Daniel: 9:27. 11:31.

Before we discuss Antiochus in detail, let’s think about how Jesus uses these texts.

Before we discuss Antiochus in detail, let’s think about how Jesus uses these texts.◦Jesus applies these prophecies to the

destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70: Mt 24:15-16.



◦There are at least 2 explanation for how Jesus applies this to the destruction of Jerusalem & how it applies to Antiochus.



◦There are at least 2 explanation for how Jesus applies this to the destruction of Jerusalem & how it applies to Antiochus. It may be that this prophecy has two

fulfillments (e.g., Hos 11:1-2).

However, I tend to think that Jesus referenced Dan 12:11.

However, I tend to think that Jesus referenced Dan 12:11.◦The destruction of Jerusalem would be the

final “abomination of desolation.”

However, I tend to think that Jesus referenced Dan 12:11.◦The destruction of Jerusalem would be the

final “abomination of desolation.”◦Never again would burnt offerings be

made in Jerusalem.

Prophecies of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Prophecies of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

11:21-39.

Notice what this passage declares: ◦Armies shall be utterly swept away before

him. ◦He shall stir up his heart & power against

the king of the south. ◦His army shall be swept away by the king

of the south. ◦He shall be set against the holy covenant.◦Ships of Kittim shall come against him,

he shall become afraid & withdraw. ◦He shall profane the temple & the

fortress, and he shall take away the regular burnt offering.

◦He shall exalt himself above every god & speak astonishing things against the God of gods.

Fulfillment:

Fulfillment:◦Antiochus IV took the name “Epiphanes,”

which means “Manifest One.”


which means “Manifest One.”◦He paid off important people to get the

throne.



throne.◦He plundered part of Egypt’s richest

territory (Judea was part of Egypt at this time). He divided the spoil among his soldiers.



throne.◦He plundered part of Egypt’s richest

territory (Judea was part of Egypt at this time). He divided the spoil among his soldiers.

◦When he came back from Egypt, he stopped in Palestine & found an insurrection in place.

The book of 1 Macabees tells of this events.

The book of 1 Macabees tells of this events.◦1 Macabees is part of the apocrypha & is NOT inspired.

The book of 1 Macabees tells of this events.◦1 Macabees is part of the apocrypha & is NOT inspired.

◦However, the book is HISTORICAL, was written during (or shortly after) the reign of Antiochus, & provides much information about his reign.

“Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms. Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, and made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death. Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof. And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, and entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were

“before the temple, all which he pulled off. He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found. And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly. Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were; so that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness, the land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion” (1 Macc 1:16-28).

When Antiochus found this insurrection,◦He dealt ruthlessly with the Jews.◦He killed 80,000 people & plundered the

Temple.

When Antiochus found this insurrection,◦He dealt ruthlessly with the Jews.◦He killed 80,000 people & plundered the

Temple.◦The Jews started a full-fledged revolt

known as the Maccabean Revolt.

In 168 BC, Antiochus again invaded Egypt, but he was soundly defeated.

In 168 BC, Antiochus again invaded Egypt, but he was soundly defeated.◦When Antiochus arrived on the outskirts

of Alexandria, a Roman commander handed him a letter from the Roman Senate telling Antiochus to leave Egypt at once or risk war with Rome.



◦The commander then drew a circle in the sand & told Antiochus to decide what he would do before he stepped out of the circle (the expression “line in the sand” comes from this episode).



◦The commander then drew a circle in the sand & told Antiochus to decide what he would do before he stepped out of the circle (the expression “line in the sand” comes from this episode).

◦Antiochus wisely chose to leave Egypt.

The next year, Antiochus again turned his attention to Palestine.

The next year, Antiochus again turned his attention to Palestine.◦He sent his chief tax collector to

Jerusalem who began to kill people on the Sabbath.

The next year, Antiochus again turned his attention to Palestine.◦He sent his chief tax collector to

Jerusalem who began to kill people on the Sabbath.

◦He also began to reward those who followed Hellenistic customs.

In 167, Antiochus’ forces came to stop the Jewish religion.

In 167, Antiochus’ forces came to stop the Jewish religion.◦They stopped the Jewish sacrifices,

offering swine on the altar instead.

In 167, Antiochus’ forces came to stop the Jewish religion.◦They stopped the Jewish sacrifices,

offering swine on the altar instead.◦They set up an idol to Zeus in the Temple.

The prophecies concerning Antiochus are so exact that many liberal “scholars” say that Daniel had to be written after these events.

The Book also speaks of Alexander the Great.

The Book also speaks of Alexander the Great.◦11:3-4.

The Book also speaks of Alexander the Great.◦11:3-4.◦Alexander died in 323 BC & his kingdom

was divided between four of his generals.

Josephus says that when Alexander arrived in Jerusalem, the Book of Daniel was shown to him & he identified himself in the prophecies.

Josephus says that when Alexander arrived in Jerusalem, the Book of Daniel was shown to him & he identified himself in the prophecies.◦“And when the Book of Daniel was

showed him wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended. And . . . he was then glad” (Antiquities of the Jews, 11.8.5).

Josephus says that when Alexander arrived in Jerusalem, the Book of Daniel was shown to him & he identified himself in the prophecies.◦“And when the Book of Daniel was

showed him wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended. And . . . he was then glad” (Antiquities of the Jews, 11.8.5).

◦While that episode is likely not true, it shows that Alexander was viewed as the fulfillment of this prophecies for ages.

Why study Daniel?. Some have been opposed to studying from the Old Testament.

Documents

Transcript of Why study Daniel?. Some have been opposed to studying from the Old Testament.