Trivia question.  What film featured the artificial intelligence HAL 9000?  2001 - A Space Odyssey.  How many of you have seen the movie?  You guys have some very interesting tastes in movies.

I remember watching 2001 when it first came out - back in 1968.  And dreaming about what it would be like to live in the year 2001 - taking Pam Am to this space station in orbit - visiting our colony on the moon.  What an incredible world to live in.

The reality is just a tad different.  Isn’t it?  There are some similarities -  my PC is more intelligent than I am.  But overall the real 2001 - or 2006 - is very different from the one Arthur C. Clarke imagined.

Last Sunday we looked at Daniel chapter 10.  We saw Daniel in mourning for his people.  God’s people were being released from exile in Babylon - given the opportunity to return and rebuild the homeland - Jerusalem - the Temple.  God was opening up to His people great future potential blessing.  Yet, God’s people were discouraged by the opposition and distracted by the wealth of Babylon.  Discouraged and distracted they were turning away from trusting God.

Looking into the future Daniel was in prayer - in mourning - crying out to God - because the future of his people was uncertain - even disastrous.  What will happen to my people?  What does the future hold for them?

Do you ever ask yourself questions like that?  America today is very different from the one we all grew up in.  True?  What will the future be like for my kids?  Or grandkids?  For me?  How can I prepare them for what’s coming?  How will I be able to face what may come?

Daniel 11:1:  In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be an encouragement and a protection for him.

Verse 1 is a flashback to chapter 10 - what we looked at last Sunday.  It’s the end of what the angel was telling Daniel about the reality of the unseen spiritual world which exists along with the world we see - about the spiritual battle going on - Satan and his hoards in rebellion against God.  Does this sound kind of familiar?  That was only last Sunday.

The angel who’s talking to Daniel - says that - during that battle - he went to be an encouragement and protection to the Chief Angel Michael - to fight alongside Michael.  The first year of Darius the Mede was 539 BC - which is a way of telling us that he’s been locked in this particular battle for four years. 

Behind the movements of history - the future of Daniel’s people - or each of us - behind the movements of history is a spiritual battle that effects all of us here.  What we’re going to look at in chapter 11 is a vision of the future that was given to Daniel - that ties those two realities - spiritual and physical - ties those two realities together - and gives us guidance on how to face the future.

If you’re not there already - please turn with me to Daniel 11 - starting at verse 2.  We’re going to look at 44 verses this morning.  This is one of those “Please keep your hands and arms inside room 10 until the sermon comes to a complete stop” kind of sermons.  What we’re going to look at here is a whole lot of history - a lot of detail - kings and kingdoms - movements of history.

To help us with all that, on the back of your sermon notes you’ll find a scorecard - also labeled:  “The Historical Fulfillment of Daniel 11:2-12:3.”  This is like the World Cup.  How many penalty shots will it take for France to beat Italy?  The scorecard will hopefully help us to keep track the important parts of all this history. 

Open your Bible - keep your scorecard in front of you - we’re going to look at this vision - make some comments as we go along - then come back and share 5 courage building truths of how we can face the future.  Hold on!!!

Daniel 11:2:  And now I - “I” is the angel fighting the battle - talking with Daniel - and now I will tell you the truth.  Behold, three more kings are going to arise in Persia.  Then a fourth will gain far more riches than all of them; as soon as he becomes strong through his riches, he will arouse the whole empire against the realm of Greece.  And a mighty king will arise, and he will rule with great authority and do as he pleases.  But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded, for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them.

Looking at history - and you’ll see this on your scorecard in the first row to the right of verse 2 - there were three kings that followed Cyrus.  Cyrus was the king when Daniel received this vision.  The first to follow Cyrus was Cambysus - Cyrus’ son.  Then Guatama - who had Cyrus’ youngest son murdered and tried to pass himself off as Cyrus’ son.  Then Darius I.  Then - fourth - Xerxes - who was - according to the historians - fabulously wealthy - just like it says here in verse 2 - and who kept attacking Greece - until Greece finally retaliated.

The mighty king in verse 3 -  historically is Alexander the Great.  Who - verse 4 - dies and his kingdom is divided among his four generals - not one of which was a descendant.

Verse 5:  Then the king of the South will grow strong, along with one of his princes who will gain ascendancy over him and obtain dominion; his domain will be a great dominion indeed.  After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement.  But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power, but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who sired her as well as he who supported her in those times.  But one of the descendants of her line will arise in his place, and he will come against their army and enter the fortress of the king of the North, and he will deal with them and display great strength.  Also their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold he will take into captivity to Egypt, and he on his part will refrain from attacking the king of the North for some years.  Then the latter will enter the realm of the king of the South, but will return to his own land.

Geographically - think Egypt.  That’s south.  The original king of the south is Ptolemy - one of Alexander’s four generals who took over the empire when Alexander died - founded a dynasty in the south - down in Egypt.  The king of the north is a reference to the area around Syria and off towards India.  An area ruled by Seleucus - another of Alexander’s generals - and his descendants - not necessarily one particular king.

Its helpful to grab that.  When you see south - think Egypt.  North - think Syria.  South is who?  Egypt.  North is who?  Syria.  These are like soccer teams.  Go Egypt!!!  Go Syria!!!!  Bitter rivals.  Over the years each team is represented by different kings - different players.

You’ll also see on your scorecard - next to verse 6 - that Ptolemy II - representing the south - which is where?  Egypt - gave his daughter - Berenice - to Antiochus II - representing the north - where?  Syria - in a political marriage.  At one point there was a peaceful political alliance between the two - which didn’t last long.  After Ptolemy died, Antiochus took back his former wife, Laodiceia - who feared Berenice - so she got her son to murder Berenice.  Which is what these verses are talking about - daughters and arrangements and not retaining power.

Verse 10:  His sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress.  The king of the South will be enraged and go forth and fight with the king of the North.  Then the latter will raise a great multitude, but that multitude will be given into the hand of the former.  When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail.  For the king of the North will again raise a greater multitude than the former, and after an interval of some years he will press on with a great army and much equipment. 

You’ll see this on your scorecard.  South verses North.  North verses South.  Huge armies.  Thousands of people dieing.  Movements in history. 

Verse 14:  Now in those times many will rise up against the king of the South; the violent ones among your people will also lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they will fall down.  Then the king of the North will come, cast up a siege ramp and capture a well-fortified city; and the forces of the South will not stand their ground, not even their choicest troops, for there will be no strength to make a stand.  But he who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to withstand him; he will also stay for a time in the Beautiful Land - meaning Palestine - with destruction in his hand.  He will set his face to come with the power of his whole kingdom, bringing with him a proposal of peace which he will put into effect; he will also give him the daughter of women to ruin it.  But she will not take a stand for him or be on his side.  Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many.  But a commander will put a stop to his scorn against him; moreover, he will repay him for his scorn.  So he will turn his face toward the fortress of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be found no more.

Over a period of about 130 years Egypt - king of the where?  south - and Syria - king of the where?  north - go back and forth fighting battles - with poor Israel trapped in between on the invasion route.

Syria comes through and all the tourist stands are selling “I LOVE SYRIA” bumper stickers for their chariots.  Egypt comes through and all the tourist stands have “I LOVE EGYPT” bumper stickers.  Can you imagine this?  “My son conquered Syria and all I got was this lousy “T” shirt.”

Israel becomes the battlefield between these two powerful armies - ransacked - ravaged - decimated.   Jerusalem is captured numerous times by one side or the other.  Slowly Israel is ground down to nothing.

Verse 20:  Then - that’s a summary statement - after all that has happened  to God’s people - discouraged and distracted - who instead of reaching out for God’s blessing chose not to trust Him - after all that has happened - then this happens - then in his place one will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger nor in battle.  In his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue.  The overflowing forces will be flooded away before him and shattered, and also the prince of the covenant.  After an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people.  In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time.  He will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him.  Those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain.  As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time.  Then he will return to his land with much plunder; but his heart will be set against he holy covenant, and he will take action and then return to his own land.

Verse 21 tells us - that after all that has happened to God’s people - then there will come a king “on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred.”  From the north - Syria - the Seleucus line of kings.  Moving through history - when this “then” happens - next in line for the throne after Seleucus IV would have been Demetrius I.  But when Seleucus IV died, Demetrius was being held hostage in Rome - so they gave the throne to his uncle Antiochus IV - Epiphanes.

Do you remember where we saw Antiochus IV Epiphanes before?  Chapter 8 - the little horn - same evil dude.  Described here as despicable - a liar who schemes and plots - who kept the throne by buying off or killing anyone who wouldn’t bow down to him.

Verse 29:  At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before.  For ships of Kittim will come against him;

Antiochus had invaded Egypt before and was pretty successful - carrying off a ton of wealth.  But this last time - here in verse 29 - Egypt appeals to Rome for help.  The Roman Senate sent a general named Popilius - and a whole Roman legion - which arrived in Roman galleys - referred to here as “Ships of Kittim.”  Popilius surrounded Antiochus and forced him to withdraw from Egypt.

Verse 30:  Therefore - because of the defeat - therefore he will be disheartened and will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action; so he will come back and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.  Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice.  And they will set up the abomination of desolation.

Antiochus - his ego bruised - defeated by Egypt and Rome - enters Jerusalem - looking for someone to blame - enters Jerusalem with a hatred for God and a hatred for God’s people.  He tries to destroy the scrolls of Scripture.  He butchers God’s people - kills children - crucifies 100,000 people who refused to worship his false gods.  Fries them alive in oil.  Dismembers them.  Laughs at their agony. 

Antiochus defies the high priests - enters the Temple - builds a pagan altar in the Temple and offers a pig as a sacrifice.  He rips down the curtain to the holy of holies in the Temple - takes the blood from the pig and sprinkles it around the sanctuary - defiling the whole place.  Then he erects a statue of Zeus in the Temple and proclaims Zeus to be God and Yahweh to be foolish.

Verse 32:  By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.  Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by the sword and flame, by captivity and plunder for many days.  Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy.  Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time. 

There were a number of Jewish leaders who gave their allegiance to Antiochus - who acted wickedly toward the covenant - turning their back on God in order to serve Antiochus.  But history records that a rebel group - gorilla warriors - sons of the priest Mattathias led a revolt.  These were the Maccabees - Jewish patriots who knew God - who displayed strength - who took action - who - verse 33 - gave understanding to the many through a sincere desire to obey God’s law - to live Godly lives - to call their nation back to trusting in God.  Eventually they captured Jerusalem - cleansed the temple - restored the Jewish offerings.   Which they celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev, 164 BC.  Sound familiar?  That was the first Hanukkah.   

Through-out the revolution - verse 34 - they received very little help from their compatriots.  Eventually they were overcome.  They fell by the sword - were led captive - tortured - martyred serving God.

Notice the last part of verse 35:  “until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.”  Those words “the end time” are there to clue us in that all that we’ve seen take place isn’t all that will take place.  The final fulfillment of all this “is still to come at the appointed time.”

Prophecy is often like looking over the tops of mountains - Daniel is seeing the peaks of the mountains.  He’s seeing the slope leading up to the peak of the Maccebees.  Beyond is another peak - the end times.  Between the Maccabees and the end time is a valley - what Daniel doesn’t see.  We’re living in a valley folks.

Verse 36:  Then - when?  At the end time still to come - then the king - the king who appears at the end time - then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done.  He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.  But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.  He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.

Notice four things.

First:  This king blasphemes God.  We’ve seen this in previous chapters - that’s a mark of the coming anti-Christ.

Second:  He’s going to prosper “until the indignation is finished.”  Indignation is another way of saying tribulation - or what we saw as the 70th week of Daniel - yet to come.  Horrible unprecedented evil stuff.  This king is going to have power like no one has had power before - and he is going to use it against God and God’s people.

Third:  “He will honor a god of fortresses.”  He’s going to have great military power backing him up.  Costly weapons.  All the latest toys.  Unquestioned power.

Fourth:  He’s going to be in league with a foreign god and parcel out land for a price.  There’s a possibility, indicated here, that somehow he will be able to buy peace between Arabs - and their god - and the Jews - at least for a time. 

Verse 40:  At the end time - there’s that phrase again - at the end time the king of the South - where?  Egypt - will collide with him, and the king of the North - where?  Syria - will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through.  He will also enter the Beautiful Land - Palestine - and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand; Edom, Moab, and the foremost of the sons of Ammon.  Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape.  But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold an silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels.  But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many.  He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

Notice a couple of things.

First - What we’re looking at is the final conflict - “at the end time.”  After this there is no more.  Think Armageddon.  And its all here - a good portion of it - the combatants - the movements - even the history leading up to it.

Second:  Notice, the more things change the more they what? stay the same.   Egypt and Syria are involved in the mother of all wars.  With the world domination of the anti-Christ - the whole world gets sucked into a battle focused on - concentrated in - the Beautiful Land - Palestine.  Ever heard that before?  2,500 years after Daniel - does all that seem like something that could happen in the near future?

Let me share with you share 5 courage building truths of how we can face the future.

First:  God’s word is trustworthy.  Say that with me, “God’s word is trustworthy.”

Do you feel just a tad overwhelmed by all this?  If you do then you’re getting the point.  This should overwhelm us.  Share this with the person next to you.  “Its okay to be overwhelmed.”

Think about this.  What God shared with Daniel - all that we’ve been looking at - here in chapter 11 - and through-out this book - even the details we skimmed over - all that God shared with Daniel about future history up to the “end time” part - it all  came true.  Every last bit of it.  500 plus years of future history.  Every king.  Every marriage.  Every alliance.  Every assassination.  Every battle.  Every major movement of armies.  Every prediction fulfilled with 100% accuracy.  That is an overwhelming reality to take in.

All that should overwhelmingly convince us that God knows what He’s talking about.  We’ve seen this before - God is in control of the events of human history - past - present - future.  He is sovereign.  His word is trustworthy.

Hear this:  Since God’s word is 100% trustworthy in the past - it is 100% trustworthy in the future - even today.

Prophetic vision is not given to frighten us.  But to keep us from being discouraged or distracted with all that is going to come up around us.  Especially as this world slides away from God - towards humanism - man as god - towards a society and mindset that makes very real the possibility of a world controlling anti-Christ king and all the evil that will be unleashed.  Prophetic vision should keep us from being distracted by all the wealth and toys and lifestyle of the society we live in. 

We’re tempted to allow discouragement to take over.  Just quit fighting against the increasing tide of crud we live in.  There is a temptation to allow ourselves - like those who kissed up to Antiochus - to look the other way - to go along with what’s expedient rather than what’s right.  All over the world - especially in this country - the church is caving in to Satan.

Creation verse godless evolution - who’s right?  God - or human science?    God!  Marriage?  One man and one women?  Or whatever?  Who’s right?  God?  Or human lust?  God!  Divorce - homosexuality - abortion - euthanasia - free sex - whatever the issue - how do we live in this brave new world that’s coming?  That’s here.  The answers are in God’s word.  100% trustworthy.

Second:  This is future history.  Say that together.  “This is future history.”  What God says will happen will happen. 

Working to share God’s love with others is important.  Working to improve the lives of others - to relieve suffering and end disease is significant and vital work.  Peace is a worthy goal.  But, ultimately where God says history is going is where history is going.

It is so easy for us to get wrapped up in issues - and politics - and concerns - and priorities that we think are so vital and important - that ultimately will never provide the ultimate answers - ultimately will never resolve the deeper issues of life.

Knowing the future should give focus to our priorities in the present.

Third:  The real battle is spiritual.  Say that together.  “The real battle is spiritual.”  Behind every movement in history - we’re reminded by the angel - there is a battle being fought which ultimately involves Satan and his demons rebelling against God.

The spiritual battle requires spiritual weapons.  Prayer is vital.  Sin weakens us for the battle - weakens the Body of Christ.  We need to stay pure - obedient - surrendered to God.  How are we suppose to fight using spiritual weapons?  If you don’t know you better find out.

Fourth:  Eternity is the bottom line.  Try that together.  “Eternity is the bottom line.”

Ultimately it doesn’t really matter what our standard of living is - or how greatly we suffer or are persecuted - or whether we attended church 43.7 Sundays per year.  What matters to God - what should matter to us - is people.  People who desperately need to know Him.  With all the building and programs and ministries we can have as a church - with all the things that we involve ourselves with - as a church - as individuals - the bottom line is a measurement of how many people are being led to salvation in Jesus Christ. 

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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright© 1960,1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.