Daniel chapter 12, verses 3-13. Notes I used to lead Bible Study

Those who have insight will shine

I have so many thoughts running through my head on this subject. Let's break it down in simple terms. Why do some of us get what is going on around us, while others, still espousing the same old worn out rhetoric, say, we have been looking for Christ for over 2500 years and he hasn't come back, so stop talking about His soon return. My own pastor told me that prophetic teaching about end times are peripherals and apparently we shouldn't waste any time on teaching about what is coming. Others, just will not get understand, they don't want to. And yet, there are those words - "Those who have insight will shine.

What did Daniel learn?

Daniel 12:3 NASB "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Is God being selective about whom he allows to understand, or is it that he only accepts the wise? I don't believe either is the case, but he certainly knew who would demonstrate the desire to understand and not call the tumult going on around us which is so definitely aligned with scripture, mere peripherals, and not worthy of our time.

The book of Daniel is considered an apocalyptic book due to the imagery; imagery that would make no sense, in some cases, for thousands of years.

There is, however, a massive clue that we should never lose sight of, and that is the fact that Daniel was meant for a Jewish understanding, as is the Revelation written by John. The major impact seen in Daniel has to do with a region heavily influenced by the Persian and Assyrian empires, and how the descendants of those people are to be the major players in the end times. Sure, there are others wishing to play a role; we see them under the guise of the beast of Babylon; but know this, their end will come. Keep in mind, that without Ishmael and the descendants of Noah, there would be no other players in this end game.

• “Those who have insight..”

The phrase, those who have is the Greek word sakal and means to act wisely. "To act wisely" has many implications. 

The word insight is also the word sakal; having been declared twice, therefore implies a special emphasis or importance to the Jewish mind. Alternate words are comprehend, consider, and discern.

One might say that those who have insight and instruct will shine brightly, or, Those who are prudent or behave themselves wisely, will comprehend.

• “ those who lead the many to righteousness”

The word lead can be read as: lead to righteousness. We do that through the act of appropriate teaching. Sadly, I find appropriate teaching to be rare anymore.

The prophet Micah spoke of teaching.

Micah 4:1-2 NASB And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. 2) Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

The KJV of Daniel 12:3 substantiates this idea of teaching,

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

It matters not which translation you use, the theme is the same.

The“they” we see in the KJV are the learned in the ways of God; those wise in the word; the skillful in or with the word, OR, it could merely be the obedient that will turn many to righteousness. Effectively, this will be the Jews.

• “and they that turn many to righteousness”

The problem is that God wanted this from Israel the entire time.

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that Israel's teachers did not listen to God and therefore Israel turned their backs on Him.

Jeremiah 23:21-22 NASB "I did not send these prophets, But they ran. I did not speak to them, But they prophesied. 22) "But if they had stood in My council, Then they would have announced My words to My people, And would have turned them back from their evil way And from the evil of their deeds.

But the day is coming when Israel will take the teaching lead God longed for.

Zechariah 8:23 AMPC+ Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men out of all languages of the nations shall take hold of the robe of him who is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

Common sense and scripture tell you that these are Jews who are doing the teaching.

2 Corinthians 3:16 KJV Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. ("It" referenced here is the nation of Israel.)

And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth

Isaiah 25:7-8 NASB And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, Even the veil which is stretched over all nations. 8) He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

Note that these “turn many to righteousness..” This should be markedly easier as God lifts the veil off of, not only Israel but the nations as well.

What time frame are we talking about?

My immediate response was the Millennial reign, however, I have come to understand that that is incorrect. Daniel 11:33-35 NASB gives us a bit more insight when it says, "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.

Daniel 11:33-35 parallels Daniel 12:10, but we will get into that momentarily.

Since dying during the Millennial reign for the follower of Messiah is a non-issue, why would Daniel 11:35 play a role in our thinking? It shouldn't, therefore, this refining and purging are happening during the time of wrath, and that is exactly the purpose of the seven years.

Why is this even an issue?

Because we do not believe that God has his hand in everything, whether good or evil; it's an issue because we can't handle that an uncountable number continue to come to Him, and, it is an issue because shows mercy to uncountable numbers by the methods he chooses, calling all those who come His own.

Daniel 12:4 KJV But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Daniel is told to shut up the words, and seal the book; why?

Daniel 8:25-26 KJV And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26) And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

The words that Daniel received applied to the distant future and would make no sense until those nations arose; nations whose national emblems, in many cases, match the apocalyptic imagery Daniel saw. And, there is the introduction of a demonically driven killing machine, passing itself off as a religious ideology, unlike all others would arise in 640 AD called Islam.

As I sat in church one recent Sunday morning, I had a thought triggered by the Pastor's excursion into the book of Colossians chapter one; the point, spelled out in the first chapter, is our hope defined in our relationship with the Father.

The angel Michael tells Daniel to go on his way for the prophecy/mystery/understanding has been sealed until the end of time. What then is, or was the end of time?

Since Daniel had previously been told that there would be seventy weeks of years until the Messiah would come as expected, and, we know that the 69^th week has come and gone, could we then say, that the end has come?

What if we added Joel 2 into the mix?

The prophet Joel tells us that in the last days that God will pour out His spirit on all flesh. Since Peter, on the day of Pentecost, declared this prophecy (at least this aspect) fulfilled, and, we have had momentary glimpses of His spirit being poured out, then are we in the last days?

The Apostle Paul writing to the church in Colossae, said, in chapter 1:26, that the mystery is now revealed to His saints. I get it, there is always a context and it seems to apply to the riches of glory now made known and available to the Gentiles. But, aren't the riches of glory the hope that we long for?

Sure, much of our hope applies to our life in and with the Father, but, doesn't having an understanding of how we get there and what the path that leads to eternity looks like, play a role in understanding this hope? 
How do you hope for something you don't understand? Good question, but that theme alone played a major role in lives of our fathers. An example:

Hebrews 11:8 NASB By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

But we have a road map to help us with our understanding, don't we?

Unlike Daniel and all the saints who passed on before say 1948, we who are in Christ have the road-map (prophecy.)

Matthew 24:32 NASB "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;”

This is Israel being talked about and the process began when Israel became a nation in 1948. If I apply this thinking to the book of Daniel, virtually every chapter is an aspect of that road map. The disciples had asked specific questions and one of them was, what would be the signs indicating His return. The “parable” of the fig tree was an aspect of Jesus' answer.

Allow me to add that, we are not in the dark and as disciples ourselves, it is given to us to know. We have no excuses. You can find these references in Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:11, and Mark 4:11-12.

Daniel 12:9 KJV And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Apparently, God did not wish for this information to be understood until the end. Considering that some of us are finally getting an understanding, then perhaps we are here.

If I could use only one clue it would be the fig tree.

Matthew 24:32-34 NASB "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33) so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34) "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

• • many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."
    Whether this means people will be able to move around quickly in airplanes, or it applies to those who pursue varied sources of knowledge, I am not sure.
    
    

    knowledge. An alternate reading suggests "calamities" or "wickedness" shall be increased, a reading supported by the LXX. The difference arises from the very slight difference between the Hebrew letters for "d" and "r," daleth and resh, which are often confused, in Hebrew a change from hadda’ath to hara’oth, as discussed in the CB margin. If the alternative readings "apostatize" and "wickedness" are correct, this passage becomes strikingly similar to the New Testament prophecies of Paul (**2Th_2:3; **2Th_2:7, 1Ti_4:1, 2Ti_3:1-5), "except there come a falling away first" (2Th_2:3) and "And then shall that Wicked be revealed" (2Th_2:8). The Ultimate Cross-Reference Treasury

    
    
    While I am not able to see where this idea of calamities or wickedness comes from, I do see this subtlety in the Strong's concordance.
    
    

    dah'-ath From H3045; knowledge: - cunning, [ig-] norantly, know(-ledge), [un-] awares (wittingly).

    
    
    The idea of an ignorant cunning or knowledge unawares is disturbing, to say the least. The prophet Amos, it seems, upholds this idea when he says, they will go, … but they will not find it (this knowledge.)

Amos 8:11-12 NASB "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. 12) "People will stagger from sea to sea And from the north even to the east; They will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, But they will not find it.

The annoying aspect of this is that many will say Amen to the passage, refusing to hear the negative side of its connotations, and continue to preach falsely: the character of God; fail to demonstrate His nature; refuse to show people His never ending mercy, and befuddling the truth by valuing tradition rather than the Word of God.

Daniel 12:5-6 CJB “Then I, Dani'el, looked; and I saw in front of me two others, one on this bank of the river and the other on its other bank. 6) One of them asked the man dressed in linen who was above the water of the river, "How long will these wonders last?"

• “the man dressed in linen who was above the water of the river”

This is the same description that we saw in Daniel 10:5.

Daniel 10:5 AMPC+ I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz.

The question asked was, “How long will these wonders last?”

Wonders is the Hebrew word pele and can also mean extraordinary things. Except for Lamentations 1:9, this term always appears in the context of God's words or deeds. It is used of God's actions among His people

Daniel 12:7 AMPC+ And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right and his left hand toward the heavens and swore by Him Who lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half a time [or three and one-half years]; and when they have made an end of shattering and crushing the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

The short answer is three and one-half years.

What does this time period apply to? “when they have made an end of shattering and crushing the power of the holy people”

“They” are the followers of the Antichrist. The specific time involved is the last period of time 1260 into the seven years of God's wrath.

What do “they” do? Crush and shatter the power of the holy people. (The Jews)

The Word Study Dictionary explains the word power this way, “Literally, it implies the hand of a human being and occasionally the wrist. Metaphorically, it signifies strength or power.

What is it, an all inclusive destruction, or merely a handful?

Deuteronomy 32:36 NASB "For the LORD will vindicate His people, And will have compassion on His servants When He sees that their strength is gone, And there is none remaining, bond or free.

Daniel 12:8-9 NASB As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?" 9) He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.

What events would Michael be talking about, especially since the things Daniel has been shown cover a vast expanse of time?

The context has more to do with Daniel 12:6,7.

Daniel 12:6-7 NASB And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be until the end of these wonders?" 7) I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.

Daniel asks, once again, for understanding, but the answer is disappointing, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.”

Daniel receives just a little more information.

Daniel 12:10 NASB "Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.

• “ Many will be purged, purified and refined”

Purged is the Hebrew bārûr: A verb signifying to purify, or select.

I can see where those who struggle with the concept of predestination could struggle with this also. How do you know if you have been excluded from knowledge unless you try?

Again, I need to remind you that this is applicable to the time of judgment coming upon the world.

If that is exclusively the case, then what about what Peter wrote to the early church?

1 Peter 1:6-7 NASB In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7) so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

I will just say that the church is under a mandate to endure tribulations, which are an ongoing process of our life in Christ. I believe this happens because we are in Him, and therefore the target of the enemies attempts at the destruction of God.

Continuing on with Daniel 12:10 -

Purified - laben; a prim. root; to be white: - become white.

Revelation 3:18 NASB I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

And refined ṣārap̱: A verb meaning to refine, to test. This word describes the purifying process of a refiner, who heats metal, takes away the dross, and is left with a pure substance.

Being refined is a concept that the believer should be familiar with.

Job 7:17-18 NASB "What is man that You magnify him, And that You are concerned about him, 18) That You examine him every morning And try him every moment?

And in the Revelation we find this:

Revelation 3:10 NASB 'Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

• “ but the wicked will act wickedly..”

Wicked rāšā‛: An adjective meaning wicked, guilty, in the wrong, criminal, transgressor.

Will act wickedly rāša‛: A verb meaning to be in the wrong, to be guilty, to be wicked, to do wickedly, to condemn.

So, the wicked or guilty will continue to be guilty. Why is that?

• Because the time of purification is still active (the reference is still within the seven-years.) That means that Satan and a sin nature are still permeating people.

• And, people still have the right to choose how they will act.

Haven't we come to understand that God is merciful and does not want any to perish? True enough, but God also does all these things without subverting anyone's will, or freedom of choice.

• “ but those who have insight will understand”

Jesus told his own disciples that “it had been granted to them to understand the parables.” I desired to understand, always have, and finally, understanding came. Does this mean I have insight? Apparently, one promotes and works with the other.

Daniel 12:11 NASB "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

We understand that this will take place 1,290 days into the time of wrath and judgment. Since we now know that there are 1,290 days more, then those who are enduring the time of wrath still have at least 1,290 more days. A full seven years. But wait.

Daniel 12:12 NASB "How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!

There are an additional 45 days added on to the end of the time of wrath. We have no direct explanation of this 45 days, however, there is a variable and that would be when Christ comes back, touches down on the Mount Of Olives, wages war with those who would fight against Him, and sets up the Millennial kingdom.

It seems as if God could do all these things with a breath, but apparently not in this case.

Daniel 12:13 NASB "But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age."

Once again Daniel is told to go his way. Perhaps this is another way of telling him to live out his life as none of this applies to him.

While the Jewish mind has no concept of the church or it's snatching away, Daniel is told that he will enter into rest and rise again for his allotted portion at the end of the age. This aspect is the synopsis for the hope that we long for.

When in the chronology of time does Daniel arise?

Daniel Chapter 11, The king of the North sets his heart to break his covenant. Verses 28-33.

Two things I need to tell you.

1. I am not as dry as these bible study notes might convey. I cannot tolerate sitting in some boring service, therefore, I refuse to be boring. I am animated; wave my hands around as I explain God's word, and I make unusual faces to emphasize what I believe to be God's frustration at the world. (While God may well get frustrated, He has no expectation of our performance, therefore, we are not held to some unreachable moral standard - Christ has redeemed us from the law. As followers of Christ, we have merely accepted the life He granted us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.)

Sinners, as the religious crowd likes to call them, are simply those outside of an intimate relationship with the Father, and yet, they are just as forgiven as the believer. What then is the difference? Relationship.

Well now, wait a minute. One might say, I sit with those prune faces (that includes me) in church, and their faces show no life - this life in Christ of which we speak. I get that and here is why I think this is a common problem. Church leadership teaches sin. On the whole, we focus on how to backslide, or, we preach some convicting sermon on the evils of drink. This teaching can be a problem as we walk away more adept in the knowledge of sin than of who we are in Christ. Sin, on the other hand, is nothing more than missing the bulls-eye of a target. Now suppose that target is a very long way off; how difficult is it to hit a bulls-eye that seems no bigger than a dime. Everything we do and have interactions with is analogous to having the wind move you, or some distraction that pulls you off target. Having shot in competitive archery, some 40+ years ago, I completely understand the number of things that can make you miss the bulls-eye that now looks like an American dime at this distance. I realize this seems like I am being simplistic, but I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I have sat through sin teachings for years.

2. I have, over the last few years, come to understand what Islam teaches. I understand that many believe that the Mahdi is coming. It is easy to get wrapped up in the hatred such disturbed beliefs seem to deserve. Our difficulty, as followers of Christ, is to stay focused and not hate. On the optimistic side, many Muslims are coming to the Lord because they are having dreams in which Jesus shows up. The most recent I heard is that Jesus stands at the end of a bridge and bids them to come. Peculiar how they recognize Jesus having never seen Him; but then, how many of us have ever seen Him. The point of this is that one of the grandsons, asked me today, what country would I like to visit? I thought about for a couple of seconds, and told him, that if you had asked me that same question two or three years ago, my answer would have been Paris - for the beauty and romance; Italy - because its charm and cuisine; Spain - to take in the pageantry. There were so many places that ran through my mind, that because of pictures and travel logs, I have longed to go there. But, because of immigrants, looting, raping and pillaging the streets of virtually all of these cities, I would no longer feel safe there. Sadly, I espoused this information, out loud, to my young grandson as we walked up to the front of the warehouse store. My wife immediately admonished me to watch what I say. I did not consider that I was probably creating a fear in the boy as well, but thought about the possibility of a physical altercation I might have, as many Muslims shop there.

No, I have never had a problem like many of you are experiencing, but our turn, here in America, will come. I used to prophesy this to the church about ten years ago. For doing so I was effectively kicked out.

Only a fool would look at the changes America has experienced and not see the looting, raping and pillaging, many of you are experiencing coming to America. The bottom line is that I have to fight against the prejudices I so easily fall into.

One of the things that I hear in my spirit, frequently, is Jesus response to the disciples as they asked Him, do you want us to call down fire on them? Depending on the preacher, you can get several types explanations for the rebuke Jesus gave them. I believe His come back was filled with wisdom and correction, for He said in Luke 9:54-56 NASB .. "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."...

I do not write this to tell you how to deal with the violence many of you are surrounded with on a daily basis. I am telling you, that we, as followers of Christ, live in grace. If you try to perform some act of violence like I am aware of on my wife, I will react. I would love it if God gave me the green light to call fire down on those who are acting out, but He doesn't.

Will a time in which He does grant the green light come? Absolutely, and it is right after the rapture of the church. Sadly, the church and grace will be gone, but the day of the prophet of the highest God will be back in force. Elijah called fire down on two separate groups of one hundred troops. Look this up 1Kings chapter one.

With that exposure to the inner struggles I have, I return to the commentary at hand.

Antiochus returns in glory and victory and sets his heart to break his Jewish covenant and plunder Palestine.

Daniel 11:28 CJB Then the king of the north will return to his own land with great wealth; with his heart set against the holy covenant, he will take action and then return home.

• That is, Antiochus, with the spoils of Egypt, and the gifts and presents he had received there; so the author of the first book of Maccabees says, [John Gill]

“set against the holy covenant.” Roman, Greek and Jewish sources differ with regards to the details at this point. There is no question that on his return from Egypt, Antiochus raided the temple treasury, most likely to secure additional funds for his continuing military activities. The sources disagree about whether this incident took place after the First Egyptian War (September 169) or after the Second. IVPBBC

And his heart shall be against the holy covenant; not the covenant he had made with Ptolemy, which was a fraudulent one; but the covenant between God and the Jews; whereby they became a distinct and peculiar people, having a religion, laws, and ordinances, different from all others; for which reason they were hated by other nations, and particularly by Antiochus; and his heart was the more enraged against them at this time, for the following reason; a false rumor being spread in Judea that Antiochus was dead, Jason took the opportunity to recover the office of high priest from his brother Menelaus; and, with a thousand men, took the city of Jerusalem, drove his brother into the castle, and slew many he took for his enemies. Antiochus, hearing of this, concluded the whole nation of the Jews had revolted from him; and therefore took Judea in his way from Egypt, in order to suppress this rebellion; in the Apocrypha: John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Antiochus leads a second expedition into Egypt but is turned back by a mandate from Rome in league with Cyprus. He then turns against the Jews and many apostate Jews help him to pollute the temple altar and doing away with Jewish sacrifices.

Daniel 11:29 AMPC+ At the time appointed [God's own time] he shall return and come into the South, but it shall not be successful as were the former invasions [of Egypt].

Second Egyptian War, 168. In the spring of 168, Antiochus again had to besiege Memphis, and he did so successfully, taking control of lower Egypt. As he again prepared to lay siege against a weakened Alexandria, he actually had himself crowned king of Egypt. But there was a difference this time. Egypt had appealed to Rome for help, and their ships arrived as he approached Alexandria. Roman consul Gaius Popillius Laenas met him by the walls of Alexandria and commanded Antiochus to leave Egypt. When Antiochus replied that he had to consult with his advisers, the Roman consul drew a circle in the dirt around the king and insisted that he give his answer before stepping out of the circle. A humiliated Antiochus conceded to Roman authority and straggled toward home looking for a way to vent his misery. This was probably in July 168. IVPBBC

Daniel 11:30 CJB because ships from Kittim will come against him so that his courage will fail him. Then, in retreat, he will take furious action against the holy covenant, again showing favor to those who abandon the holy covenant.

• “because ships from Kittim will come against him”

– this is modern day Cyprus

Why Kittim? The island country of Cyprus is small, split between the Greeks and the Turks, and it is a known point for the trafficking of drugs and female sex slaves. Why then would it be a modern source of trouble? Perhaps a quick dip into Biblical genealogy can give us a clue.

Genesis 10:1-4 NET. This is the account of Noah's sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3) The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4) The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, and the Dodanim.

Balaam, when pushed by Balak the son of Zippor - The comparison of Numbers 22:4 with Numbers 21:26 suggests that Balak was not the hereditary king but a Midianite and that a change of dynasty had taken place.

Balaam the son of Beor was from the first a worshipper in some sort of the true God; and had learned some elements of pure and true religion in his home in the Far East, the cradle of the ancestors of Israel. But though prophesying, doubtless even before the ambassadors of Balak came to him, in the name of the true God, yet prophecy was still to him as before a mere business, not a religion.

Numbers 24:23-25 NET. Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive when God does this! 24) Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever." 25) Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way.

• Regardless of the insignificance of Kittim/Cyprus, or the national allegiance, God has spoken prophetically that destruction will come upon Eber and Asshur will be afflicted, all launched from the shores of Kittim.
• “so that his courage will fail him.”

Your courage failing you is not so tangible and has more of an internal effect. The word used here – כאה kâ'âh - means, properly, to become faint-hearted; to be frightened; to be dejected, sad, humbled, Job_30:8; Eze_13:22; Psa_109:16. The meaning here is, that he became dispirited, dejected, cast down, and abandoned his purpose.

Because God and the prophetic, operates on a principle of pattern, then it is highly probable that we can expect this pattern once again. We may be looking Antiochus Epiphanies at the moment, but that will not be his name in the future.

• “Then, in retreat, he will take furious action against the holy covenant, again showing favor to those who abandon the holy covenant.”

For a second time (cf. Dan_11:28) Antiochus took out his frustration on the Jews, the city of Jerusalem, and their temple. He vented his fury against the holy covenant, the entire Mosaic system (cf. Dan_11:28), favoring any renegade Jews who turned to help him (cf. Dan_11:32). He desecrated the temple and abolished the daily sacrifice.

Antiochus sent his general Apollonius with 22,000 soldiers into Jerusalem on what was purported to be a peace mission. But they attacked Jerusalem on the Sabbath, killed many people, took many women and children as slaves, and plundered and burned the city.

Daniel 11:31 CJB Armed forces will come at his order and profane the sanctuary and fortress. They will abolish the daily burnt offering and set up the abomination that causes desolation.

• desecration of the sanctuary.

According to the book of Maccabees, an individual named Geron was sent by Antiochus to dismantle Jewish religious practice. It is possible that the Syrian military contingent, seeking accommodation for their own worship practice, was partially responsible for some of the changes described in the temple. In December 167 a systematic program of instituting Greek religious practices at the expense of Jewish ones began in earnest. The sacrificial system and the Sabbath and festival observances were halted. Worship sites were set up around the country and circumcision was forbidden. The temple was consecrated to Zeus and became a center of polytheism and prostitution. IVPBBC

• the abomination of desolation.

In seeking to exterminate Judaism and to Hellenize the Jews, Antiochus IV forbade the Jews to follow their religious practices (including their festivals and circumcision) and commanded that copies of the Law be burned. Then he set up the abomination that causes desolation. In this culminating act, he erected on December 16, 167 b.c. an altar to Zeus on the altar of burnt offering outside the temple, and had a pig offered on the altar. The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Daniel 11:32 NET. Then with smooth words, he will defile those who have rejected the covenant. But the people who are loyal to their God will act valiantly.

• “Then with smooth words, he will defile those who have rejected the covenant.”

2 Chronicles 24:17 NET. 17) After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah visited the king and declared their loyalty to him. The king listened to their advice.

The IVPBBC tells us, “There were many Jews who favored the Hellenization process and therefore, if promised personal benefit, would gladly side with the new policies. Foremost among these was Menelaus, the high priest, who was totally dependent on Antiochus for his lucrative office.”

We are trying to get a handle on what it is to be defiled, especially after rejecting the covenant. To begin with let's look at alternate words:

• pervert; seduce;
• deceitfully dissemble;
• those who violate the covenant;
• those who have already abandoned their religion;
• act wickedly toward the covenant

So, as you can see it is a broad spectrum of dispassionate acts.

those who act H7561 wickedly H7561 - rasha/raw-shah' - A primitive root; to be (causatively do or declare) wrong; by implication to disturb, violate: - condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked (-ly, -ness).

The Word Study Dictionary tells us, "In the simple stem, this verb means to be or to become guilty, to act wickedly."

• “But the people who are loyal to their God will act valiantly.”

There is only one God, but to the Jew it is Jehovah. So, what does loyalty look like?

If Antiochus IV is a precursor of future events, then it is safe to say that at this point in time Jesus will not have returned and Israel will be under siege. Daniel 11:31 are one of those indicators.

Isaiah 65:12 CEV Your luck will end! I will see to it that you are slaughtered with swords. You refused to answer when I called out; you paid no attention to my instructions. Instead, you did what I hated, knowing it was wrong.

We are told that 2/3 of Israel will be killed or destroyed by invaders. What is not clear to us is how they will defend themselves, nor how well.

Ezekiel 5:12 CEV A third of you will die here in Jerusalem from disease or starvation. Another third will be killed in war. And I will scatter the last third of you in every direction, then track you down and kill you.

Zechariah 13:8 CEV Nowhere in the land will more than a third of them be left alive.

In trying to find comparable words that might give you a secondary witness it is difficult at best. There is, however, this from the Prophet Joel.

Note the events and the timing, as they are deep in the middle of the tumult that we call the Great Tribulation. Joel describes a scenario where many are calling upon the name of the Lord. This act, whether confident or not, causes them to be delivered. The prophetic word also tells us that there will those that escape. There will be survivors.

Joel 2:30-32 NASB "I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. 31) "The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 32) "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

Daniel 11:33 AMPC+ And they who are wise and understanding among the people shall instruct many and make them understand, though some [of them and their followers] shall fall by the sword and flame, by captivity and plunder, for many days.

• “And they who are wise and understanding among the people shall instruct many and make them understand,”

Here it is not the professionally trained theologians and clergy, but the ordinary people of God, Jews. While the commentary may presume that it will be “those believers taught in the word who understand doctrine, who will be used to instruct,” the problem is you can't find a believer like that.

The church is doing a terrible job of creating wise and those with understanding. Ask yourself this question, where will they learn, as they will be pressed for time and for their lives?

Another aspect of scripture tells us that God will lift the veil from Israel's eyes, and, in so doing they will come to a knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah. In other words, they will come to a wise understanding, and then, direct, and encourage the faith of others and the weaker believers during the time of tribulation and persecution.

Here is where logic comes into play. When the church tells you that we cannot or do not do that anymore – that is to walk in the power of the spirit, then who will tell them?

As the time we are dealing with is “the great tribulation” then we should also know that there are two witnesses, sent from God, who stand in the streets of Jerusalem. These two preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and they walk in the mind bending power of the prophets. Since they are most likely Enoch and Elijah, they already have experience doing just that. I have suggested on many occasions that those who are left should follow their example.

• “yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days.”

Great, you, while stuck here in the “great Tribulation”, are having amazing success. But there is no one to hang the neon signs that call people to your great faith rally. Why is that? Because, as Islam calls us the people of the book are seen as infidels worthy of only one thing, death.

There really is no way around this as those who are beheaded for the gospel's sake are in the uncountable numbers.

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