As a preface to this revised article that was first written last year, some additional thoughts must be included. It is becoming clearer and clearer that there are both natural as well as spiritual meanings to prophecy in the Old Testament. The natural has to do with Israel, the grandson of Abraham, and his arch enemies--Ishmael, Esau and other descendants of Abraham. The spiritual has to do with Abraham's spiritual Seed, Jesus the Son of God--the promised Messiah.
In this 21st century can be found innumerable prophecy experts, with each one being correct in his interpretation of bible prophecy. Books have been written, movies made, and every avenue possible used to promote these experts' spin on what God spoke for His people. He did not have His prophets record His words so that in this century, and last, mere mortals could take and twist those words so as to make themselves appear as being prophetic. With the plethora of experts out there, are there even two that agree? How can they all be accurate?
So what makes this article, with the title "Daniel - Unsealed," any different from all the other guesstimates by prophecy experts who would be deemed more worthy than this writer?
It is my belief that as you read here you will become as excited as I at what the Lord has brought to my attention. Over the past few years He has been opening up truths that I did not yet fully comprehend, although it had become obvious that the meaning of those scriptural events and people were of monumental importance in the end time scheme of things. A recent visitor to ekklesia4him.net sent an email, recommending the works of some others to whom the Lord has revealed amazing things in Daniel and Revelation as well as other books of the bible that relate to the end times.
In reading this article it would be best to lay aside all preconceived beliefs regarding the book of Daniel, and ask the Lord to shed His light on what is shared herein about where we are in the end times.
Merging revealed truths
It is extremely difficult to put into words the joy and peace that have come, simply in seeing from a different perspective the prophecies that, to this point, have been portrayed as solely futuristic by the vast majority of prophecy experts. It seems almost that I have been embraced by bible times, and that a large number of prophecies are no longer completely mysterious.
In order to do justice to this whole topic one would have to write a very large book. So, since that is not possible at this time, I will reference the accounts by others whose works have served to complete the picture the Lord had begun to show me. Each reader is encouraged to read through the full article, and then check the references given at the bottom of the page.
In reference to the book of Revelation, Sir Isaac Newton rightly observes, "For it is a part of this prophecy, that it should not be understood before the last age of the world; and therefore it makes for the credit of the prophecy that it is not yet understood. The folly of interpreters has been to foretell times and things by this prophecy, as if God designed to make them prophets. By this rashness they have not only exposed themselves, but brought the prophecy also into contempt. The design of God was much otherwise. He gave this, and the prophecies of the Old Testament, not to gratify men's curiosities by enabling them to foreknow things, but that, after that they were fulfilled, they might be interpreted by the event; and His own providence, not the interpreter's, be then manifested thereby to the world."
Daniel's sealed book
Daniel's twelfth chapter is now very clear. Daniel was told to "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: . . ." What is the "time of the end" and what was done with the sealed book? Of two men Daniel saw, one asked the other (a man clothed in white linen), "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" And the answer is found here:
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; [2500 years][1] and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (Daniel 12:7)
Desiring to understand more, Daniel said to the one in white linen, "O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."
Who will open the sealed book? Keep reading; the bible tells us who it is.
The One in white linen continued: "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.[2] Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. [3] But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." (Daniel 12:8b-13)
The seals opened
While looking at numerous pages of my notes, I wondered how to write the opening paragraphs, and then bring together the information in a readable fashion. Being at a complete loss as to how it would all come together, I said, "Lord, help me." Rather than receiving what I thought would be inspiration for what to write, He clearly spoke something I had never before heard and was certainly not expecting. The following will explain what He said:
In Revelation chapter 4, John is taken up in the spirit and shown "things which must be hereafter." The things he saw must have been beyond any possible descriptive word. There was worship like nothing John would have ever witnessed before, with verse eleven containing the words, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." The fifth chapter begins with, "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?' And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon." John was greatly moved to weeping at the prospect that no person could open the book. (In view of that, why do we have so many mere men of flesh who attempt to interpret prophecy of such magnitude as this?) An answer soon came to John: "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
The words the Lord had spoken to me were: "Jesus the Lamb of God is worthy to open the sealed prophecy of Daniel." I was elated! And what a wonderful peace filled my being, as the clarity of this truth sank into my spirit. Now I understood the reason for the title "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Jesus opened the seals, to reveal one by one what was inside, and John was instructed to record what he saw.
In Daniel's time the prophecy was yet future, including that of the coming Messiah. But when Jesus the Lamb revealed to John what was in the sealed book, it showed the fulfillment of things already begun--not some two thousand years later. The world in John's day did not include the Americas and other western nations. The things Daniel prophesied would appear mainly to relate to his own people the Jews. That would be the natural aspect, visible to the eyes of natural man. But the spiritual aspect is of utmost importance because it relates to the soul of man, whether he is seen as "Jew" or "Gentile." With both the natural and spiritual aspects, the story unfolds in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Abomination of desolation - the natural aspect
In Daniel 12:11 can be found the time frame for the setting up of the abomination of desolation. It is 1290 days (years) from the ending of the daily sacrifice.[4] The daily sacrifice was taken away in 583 BC, as referenced in [4]. Daniel was alive during that time, so he knew when it had already been taken away. [Note: The Hebrew word for the translators' "shall be taken away," does not show that it is future. It is defined, simply, "to turn off (literally or figuratively)." Also translated beheaded in 2 Samuel 4:7.]
If one were to count 1290 years forward from 583 BC, taking into account the Zero year ambiguity, the date lands on 688 AD. What happened at that time? That is the time of the founding of the Muslim Dome of the Rock which was built on the temple mount--the footstool of God, and the place where the Ark of the Covenant once stood. What could be more abominable than an Islamic mosque, built on this hallowed ground? Inside the Dome of the Rock can be found the inscription, "God forbid that He should have a son." This is utter denial of Jesus Christ AND God the Father.
In photographs of Jerusalem can be seen the golden dome of that blasphemous structure. It is Islam's way of making their presence known as a reminder of their power over the people of God. In Luke 21:24 Jesus said, "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Jesus knew that a few centuries after His death and resurrection would be the beginning of the things His own people would endure--not two thousand years after. Moslems controlled Jerusalem for 1278.34 years! (42 months of day/years)[5]. And in 1967 A.D., Jerusalem was freed of Gentile control. Now, today, there is pressure being put on them to relinquish that which God ordained. What kind of battle could there be in the offing?
In First Chronicles can be found the words, "Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: but God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. (1 Chronicles 28:2-3) David, the man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), was not allowed to build on the temple mount. Yet an even more murderous people took it upon themselves to desecrate that place with a Christ-denying inscription within their own monument to Muhammad, their prophet.
By this we see that it has long been understood the natural aspect of just what it was that Daniel was referring to. Yet, today, we have throngs of wannabe prophets telling us that some tyrant called "Antichrist" will one day in the future be that abomination of desolation. How many other things has tradition told us about antichrist that are also erroneous?
Even though the mainstream media fail to report everything the Muslim, with their Islamic religion are doing around the world, it does not alter the fact that it is far greater in scope than most can conceive. There is a wealth of historical information on the web sites that are referenced throughout this article. You will learn more if you follow the links and read the indisputable facts of Islam's role, as well as where we are in bible prophecy at this time. Here is a quote from one reference: "The world is racing headlong toward the greatest tragedy in human history. Today there are 1.5 billion people[6]--1/4 of mankind--that have been indoctrinated into Islam."[7]
How could all this have happened? To find the answer we must look back to an earlier time, and consider . . .
Ishmael and Esau
In a December 2008 article, we covered the background and influence of a son and grandson of Abraham's; namely, Ishmael and Esau the son of Isaac.[8] Ishmael was the son according to the flesh, and Isaac was Abraham's son according to the promise given to Abraham. God had made an earlier promise to him, saying, ". . . I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3) It was through his promised son Isaac and grandson Jacob, later called Israel, that the families of the earth would be blessed. Although a promise of blessing, posterity-wise, was made to Abraham's seed according to the flesh, it was the spiritual Seed that would be the Blessing of all blessings. As Paul said, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." (Galatians 3:16).
Ever since Satan was cast down from his former place in the angelic realm, he has been out to get those who would come to Christ, both Jew and Gentile. We see every day the manifestation of his working through the enemies of Israel. And those same enemies hate any and all who name the Name of Christ. Horrible persecution is rampant around the world, and has been ever since the birth of the ekklesia of God. After His death and resurrection, the earliest followers of Jesus Christ experienced persecution, as can be read in records of that time. Toward the end of the first century, John wrote, "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 1:9) How can some justify telling the millions who have experienced horrible tribulation, that The Tribulation Period is yet to come, or has just recently begun? The 7-yr tribulation was contrived by man, taken from a misinterpretation of "forty-two months."
David knew the inherent danger in the descendants of Ishmael, Esau and their associates, when he prayed:
Keep not your silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, your enemies make a tumult: and they that hate you have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: the tabernacles of Edom [Esau], and the Ishmaelites; of Moab [an incestuous son of Lot], and the Hagarenes [of Arabia]; Gebal [a descendant of Esau], and Ammon [an incestuous son of Lot], and Amalek [a descendant of Esau]; the Philistines [a.k.a. 'Palestine'] with the inhabitants of Tyre [a place in Palestine]; Assur [Assyrians] also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah. Psalm 83:1-8.
The LORD God made a covenant with Abraham immediately after he had been willing to offer his son Isaac on an altar of sacrifice. This is what He promised Abraham:
That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice. ~ Gen 22:17-18 (Emphases added).The Hebrew word for possess is defined as "to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place)." We know from history that Israel did possess their land in 1967, by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place. After the miraculous outcome of the war of 1967, do we think God will allow that enemy to take back Israel's God-ordained land?
Flesh against the Spirit
The apostle Paul had a profound understanding of the battle being waged by the descendants of Ishmael and Esau against Israel--as well as the relevance in the gospel message of flesh against the Spirit. "But we, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as then the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so it is also now." (Galatians 4:28-29 EMTV).
Read this wonderful passage of Paul's, when he wrote to those at Ephesus, saying how that through Christ Jesus a way was made for both Jew and Gentile to come to Him and receive Life:
Wherefore remember, that aforetime ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision [Jews], in the flesh, made by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the twain one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22).
From the beginning of time the Creator's plan was that man would live as a spiritual being, relying upon Him as the Source of Life. But we know what happened in the Garden of Eden, how man was reduced to a creature of mortal flesh, resulting in the need for a Redeemer to come and reconcile man back to God. It is easier to grasp the meaning in the use of self when speaking of man in rebellion against God. But the use of the word "flesh" can be found throughout the bible, as was shown in Calling Forth the Remnant by Way of the Cross[9].
In Revelation 19:10 can be found the statement, "for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Or, to consider the Greek definitions, one might say, "The evidence given of Jesus is the vital principle of prophecy." It is all about Him! Without understanding flesh, and the need for it to be destroyed, none of these things will make sense. Flesh against Spirit has always been the inherent battle in man. Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh to judge sin in the flesh--His flesh, although He was Himself without sin. He died that we might have life, but we must go the way of the Cross and surrender self and flesh to the crucifying and resurrection power of His Spirit.
The battle of Islam against the natural Jews and followers of Christ Jesus, is the visible and very real battle between Abraham's offspring according to the flesh and his offspring born after the Spirit. But the biggest battle is the one waged in the temple of God--in man--and the outcome will reveal whether the man of sin [self] or the Lord Jesus Christ reigns.
Millennial Reign?
The book of Revelation is written in figurative language, so to take the phrase "a thousand years" as a literal millennium[10] would be to stray from the spirit of that prophetic book. Let's consider the popular belief of a literal millennial reign, and weigh it against the truth of the majesty and greatness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Paul said to those at Corinth, "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) And to the Thessalonians Paul said, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
It is at the last trumpet that all is changed. To be in the presence of Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, it is imperative that we be changed from our mortal bodies. No flesh can survive the presence of Jesus. If His presence in us changes us into His image, no mortal man, who has not surrendered to Him, will live. He cannot be contained in the same dimension where man exists--He is no longer in the form of man. He is timeless, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, the almighty God.
There can be no habitation on this present earth after the catching away of the Lord's own. Hear the words of John: "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." (Revelation 10:5-7).
John then speaks of seeing the future fulfillment of the previous verse. "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 11:15). How can there be any further kingdom on earth, when all kingdoms will then be His--for ever and ever?
Even though history shows that many of the things in the Revelation of Jesus Christ have come to pass, there are still events, both spiritual and natural, that must yet occur. We do not know all things, as indicated in these words in John's record: "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." (Revelation 10:4). Whatever it was that the thunders uttered, it is known by Almighty God, and we will know when the time is right--His time, not ours.
A few words in closing
Tradition has produced innumerable beliefs, especially regarding the "end times." Each prophecy expert is certain of his position and interpretation of scripture. The followers of those experts are equally certain, having come to accept their teachings. And when something that opposes those beliefs is introduced, it is foreign, whether to the expert or his followers--probably both. Pride most often stands in the way of considering one could be wrong. But the Lord requires of us, that we seek Him and receive the truth that only the Holy Spirit can quicken. Those prophecy experts who have invested much in their ministry that is based on firmly held beliefs stand to lose the most, in the natural. To admit error, and the misleading of followers is nigh unto impossible, but, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6b). Let us seek the Lord with humble hearts and listen to the voice of the Spirit of truth who will never lead us astray. We can rely on Him. After all, it is Jesus who matters--not us. He is coming very soon!
The following references provide a lot of material that will give proof positive of the timelines and background information of which Daniel prophesied and Jesus revealed to John. There are also links to relevant material as well as videos of testimonies from former Muslims who came to Jesus Christ. It is my fervent prayer that you will be blessed immeasurably by the things you will discover.
(Two other believers and I did a study, using one very large PDF of charts and historical data. Although it was wonderful to learn about Daniel's prophecies that way, we were very disappointed at the author's inserting his odd interpretation of, for one, several words in a passage in Revelation of the destruction of flesh at the return of Jesus Christ. That particular PDF is not referenced below, but if you happen upon it I wanted to include this as a disclaimer).
[1.] - Time, times and half a time
[2.] - 1290 days
[3.] - 1335 days
[4.] - Prophetic timeline
[5.] - Day-year principle
and. . .
- "42 months" explained
[6.] - Islam by country
[7.] - About Islam
[8.] - About Ishmael and Esau
[9.] - Calling Forth The Remnant
[10.] - "Millennial reign"
More links to information on Islam and the end times:
- Former Muslim terrorist explains "666"
- http://www.fishhouseministries.com/pdf/An-End-Time-Myth.pdf
- http://www.fishhouseministries.com/pdf/AntichristMyth.pdf
- http://www.fishhouseministries.com/pdf/IslamReviewed.pdf
- http://www.beholdthebeast.com/women_in_islam.htm
- http://www.beholdthebeast.com/man_of_sin.htm#temple_of_god
- http://www.bibleplaces.com/domeofrock.htm
- http://www.answering-islam.org/Testimonies/index.html
- http://www.ekklesia4him.net/discerning_simple_truth.html
- Another testimony of a Muslim coming to Jesus Christ
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