SoiKosum

(Daniel 12:10) In what way will intense persecution in the End Times lead to many being “purified, made spotless, and refined”? In what ways is the Church in our day in such need of this? How do you think we can prepare ourselves for this time? The intense persecution will weed out the wheat from the chaff. The true believers will also suffer the intense persecution but because their faith and hope are built on the strong foundation of Christ, they will not waver or sink but instead they will come out of the terrible times a stronger believer. While believers will continue to grow and mature and begin to walk in paths of righteousness, the unbelievers will also continue on in their sin as if nothing has changed. Looking at the "lawlessness" that many of the Churches are engaged in today, the persecution is what may be required to wake up the body of Christ and to return to their first love - our Lord Jesus. To prepare, we must repent of our sins and focus on Christ our Saviour and Redeemer.

(Daniel 12:5-7). How long will intense persecution last during the final tribulation? What will happen to God’s people during this? Why do you think this difficult time is revealed to us people who don’t like bad news? Intense persecution will probably last about three and a half years. During this time, the people of God will be oppressed by the great tribulation and come under intense persecution. This difficult time is revealed to us so that we may prepare ourselves for the persecution and get ourselves right with God. The revelation is also to help us to rid ourselves of sin and clothe ourselves with the robe of righteousness. As John the Baptist made the call - repent for the kingdom of God is near. Amen!

(Daniel 12:3) What is the end of those who are wise and influential for God? What is their reward? How does God use your influence currently to advance his Kingdom? What would need to change so that you might have greater influence for Christ? John 5:28-29 mentions that "A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out and those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. The wise and influential in God's work will shine brightly.

(Daniel 12:2) What do we learn about resurrection? How does this compare with New Testament teaching? What is the future of the righteous who are raised? Why do you think the unjust will be raised also? Daniel sees a double resurrection -- not only of the righteous, but also of the wicked, just as Jesus does (John 5:28-29). There will be a final resurrection to eternal life and to eternal condemnation. The righteous are referred to as "those who are wise" as in 11:33, 35. They will shine with God's glory eternally. And they will be a powerful influence on others who will turn to God.

(Daniel 12:1) What will happen during the great distress of God’s people? In what ways does this time seem to conform to the “great tribulation” spoken of in the New Testament? The "time of great distress" mentioned in Daniel 12:1 can also be referenced in Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20 when Jesus spoke of the "great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now" and also in Revelation 7:14 "who have come out of the great tribulation". During this time there will be a great persecution of God's people but this persecution will be limited and will end with Christ's deliverance.

(Daniel 11:36-45) What do we learn about the character of this Antichrist figure? What seems to be his prime motivations? What does he have to do with the land of Israel? The Antichrist figure will blaspheme the one true God exalt himself above God, and will give himself to war and the acquisition of wealth. He will invade many countries, including Israel. The Antichrist is also described by Paul as the man of lawlessness. His prime motivation is to do what he pleases and oppress God's people. History, which Daniel saw glimpses of, and as seen by other prophets, is moving towards a final battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, and it will take place in Israel, at or near the holy city of Jerusalem.

Q4. (Daniel 11) What does this rehearsal of prophecy and history teach you about the world rulers and geopolitics of our own time? How does the “big picture” inform us about the events of our day? Do you believe that God knows and cares about the details of your country’s struggles and future? Are you praying for your country’s leaders? In my opinion, it teaches us that history will repeat itself. Rulers and countries will war against each other because of greed and ego. Nevertheless, God is in control! Hallelujah! Luk 12:6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?fn And not one of them is forgotten before God. Luk 12:7 "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." God cares about us and knows the trials and tribulations that we are facing. As a result He also knows about our country's struggles. Therefore He is raising up a generation who will bear the burden of interceding for their country and leaders. Our leaders are subject to the normal human failings. But they are also subject to the influence of country-level demonic forces that aren't immediately obvious. Spiritual warfare is happening right this moment. What are we doing about it?

Q3. (Daniel 11) What is your general impression of Daniel’s vision after reading the prophetic words matched by their historical fulfillment? What other Biblical prophecies can you think of that have been fulfilled so precisely? What does this teach you about God? My general impression about Daniel's vision is that God knows precisely what will happen and when it will happen. The reason such visions are released to the prophets is so that they can earn the people about what is to come and to prepare for it - either by turning back to God and praying for God to have mercy and compassion. Some events will still take place as it fulfills God's plan. However God's people can pray for God's mercy and grace to be granted so that they can be strengthened for what is to come. Other prophecies that have been fulfilled are the coming of our Lord Jesus, His death and His resurrection. This account teaches us to number our days, to be aware of our mortality and to make a difference in this world while we can.

Q2. (Daniel 10:12-13) Why wasn’t the angel messenger able to bring his message in a timely manner? Who resisted him? Who helped him? What does this teach us about prayer? About spiritual warfare? In answer to Daniel's prayer, God had despatched an angel to him. However, the angel was met by the prince of Persia (a demonic spirit) who engaged the angel in battle. Michael had to rescue the angel and extricate him from the battle. This affirms God's promise that He hears us and will answer us. However, many times God's angelic messengers are delayed by the demonic forces. Prayers also 'strengthens' the resolve of the angels to reach us with God's answer. Spiritual warfare is very real although it cannot be perceived with the naked eye. However, it manifests itself when we seem to wait for a long time for God to answer our prayers or when everything we do just does not seem to go smoothly. Of course not every bad thing can be attributed to spiritual warfare. Some are just due to the choices that we make. Hence the need to pray for discernment.

Q1. (Daniel 10: 3, 7-11, 15-17) Daniel is old, but why does the vision affect him so greatly? What is the physical effect on him? What is the mental and spiritual effect on him? Why is spiritual “work” so taxing on us? As a result of the vision, Daniel became weak, turned pale and felt helpless. He could not speak and could not stand. He could not even lift up his head. He admitted to the angel that he was overcomed by anguish. Spiritual work is often very taxing eg Jacob wrestled with God and Paul describes intercessory prayer as struggling. This is because when we come before God, His holiness is overwhelming and an all-consuming fire. Compared to God, our righteousness are like filthy rags. Being a prophet who acts as God's mouthpiece, the visions are so overwhelming and the burden must be so great that Daniel is not only emotionally drained but physically exhausted.

Why do you think Daniel’s visions and prophecies have been an encouragement to Christians throughout the centuries when they are undergoing severe persecution? Daniel 9: 26 - 27 foresee war, destruction, desolation, and persecution. However, in the end, the destroyer will be destroyed. We must prepare ourselves to endure over a considerable period of time. Daniel's vision has often been an encouragement to saints undergoing persecution. He knows the pain of the persecution his people endure. Persecution will not last forever. The Redeemer will end it all with his Second Coming. God will deliver his people. Jesus Christ our Lord will reign forever and ever. Amen!

(Daniel 9:24-27) Why do you think there are so many interpretations of Daniel’s vision of the Seventy Sevens? What is your interpretation of the various key parts of the vision? There are four major interpretations of the Seventy Sevens: 1. Literal time periods with Antiochus Epiphanes as the end-point 2. Symbolic time periods with the first century AD as the end-point 3. Literal time periods with Christ's Second Coming as the end-point 4. Symbolic time periods with Christ's Second Coming as the end-point Why? It is because we are looking back into the past and trying to decipher the events that happened and what each writer (or God) actually meant. Each "interpreter" would see things from his/her perspective and which is largely shaped by their upbringing, experience, education and intellectual capability. From this point of view, there is no right or wrong. God (and history) will be our judge. Generally, I am agreeable with the following: Numbers. Our interpretation of the numbers and years do not fit. While the difference due to precision is only one issue, I believe there is a missing piece that has not been discovered (or revealed to us) yet. Anointed One. I believe that "the anointed one" in both verses 25 and 26 refers to Jesus the Messiah. Antichrist. I believe that the antichrist has not revealed himself yet. The End. It is also clear to me that this refers to judgment by the Ancient of Days and his Christ, the Son of Man, when Christ returns, the believers are raised, and the final judgment takes place.

(Daniel 9:24-27) Why do you think people fight with each other over the interpretation of difficult Bible passages? According to Romans 14:1-5, what should be our attitude towards those who disagree with us on the non-essentials of the faith? We fight over the interpretation of difficult Bible passages because of our "holier than thou" attitude. Each of us think that we are the only one who hears from God and has been given the gift of wisdom. This has everything to do with pride and arrogance rather than wisdom and understanding. The different interpretations occur because of our different perspectives which is shaped by our upbringing, experience and intellectual (and perhaps maybe even spiritual) discernment. Do not despise or judge one another. (Romans 14:3) In the end, all of us "... shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12). Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (Romans 14:19)

(Daniel 9:24) In what ways can we find in Jesus the fulfillment of the six tasks found in verse 24? 1. To finish transgression 2. To put an end to sin "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) 3. To atone for wickedness Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) 4. To bring in everlasting righteousness Our righteousness does not depend on us, but on Jesus who justifies us, that is, declares us righteous. "By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11) 5. To seal up the vision and prophecy To authenticate by accomplishing all that God had revealed to Jeremiah, the focus of Daniel's prayer of intercession 6. To anoint the most holy Anointing of the Anointed One, Jesus the Messiah, who will accomplish God's work (Matthew 12:6)

(Daniel 9:15-19) What was Daniel’s essential prayer? What are the various grounds of Daniel’s appeal? How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? Daniel's essential prayer was for God to turn away His anger and wrath from Jerusalem, His city, His holy hill and to look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. The various grounds of appeal were: 1. God's precedent. God delivering Israel from Egypt provides a precedent for delivering them from Babylon. 2. God's glory. Just as God's glory was known through the deliverance from Egypt, so the deliverance from Babylon will bring Him glory. 3. God's righteousness. Deliverance of God's people shows God's righteousness as an act of mercy . 4. God's personal identification with Jerusalem. God has identified Himself with Jerusalem, the City of God ("your city") and the temple mount ("your holy hill"). While Israel's sins have brought scorn to Jerusalem and Israel and to God, by association deliverance will erase that scorn. 5. Worship in God's temple ("your desolate sanctuary") will be filled with worshippers again. 6. God's personal identification with Jerusalem (again). Daniel reminds God that the desolate city "bears your Name". 7. God's mercy. Daniel's appeal is not on the basis of Israel's righteousness, which has been destroyed by sin and rebellion. He appeals solely on the basis of God's known character of mercy. God did hear and answer Daniel's prayer both by the personal messenger of the Angel Gabriel (9:20-21) and historical events that unfolded. While Daniel probably did not return to Jerusalem, others did. The book of Ezra records the amazing decree of Cyrus that freed the Israelites to return from exile (Ezra 1:24). The new Persian rulers wanted the prayers of their conquered peoples, and so cooperated with the return and rebuilding process.