Thurs.’s Devo - The End of Daniel’s Vision

Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4 Antiochus Epiphanes was the seventh head of the 10-horned beast in Revelation 3:1-8. He was also the beast of Armageddon in Revelation 16:13,16, and 19:19. He identified himself as Jupiter Olympius. He worshipped the god of fortresses which was the worship of Jupiter Capitolinus, whose worship he imported from Rome. He introduced the worship of saints as protectors and erected a temple for the saint Mahazzim in Antioch. *** The war between the king of the south (Egypt) and the king of the north (Syria) found Judah sandwiched between them. Antiochus conquered Egypt with Judah’s help. He set up his military operations in Judah. He was a madman and the final Anti-christ of his day. *** On his way back to Syria, he stopped at Jerusalem and killed 50,000 and took another 40,000 as slaves. He entered the sanctuary blaspheming God. He stole the gold and silver vessels and sacrificed a pig on the altar. He sprinkled pig broth throughout the Temple, guided by the High Priest Menelaus. *** On his final visit to Jerusalem, he decreed with punishment of death that all should conform to Greek religion and constructed the temple to Jupiter Olympius, who he claimed to be. He wanted to make his religion the world religion and have everyone worship him. But, there was a remnant, the Maccabees who kept the truth of God and were sorely persecuted and taken advantage of. They refused to battle on the Sabbath so their enemies chose that day to fight them. They would have to run into caves to stay safe. Some of them were buried alive in this horrific persecution that lasted three years. In Chapter 12, Michael, the protector of God’s people stood up to rescue God’s people. It would be a time of great anguish on the earth. I have to believe that this must be talking about when Jesus died because people did rise out of their graves and walk the streets of Jerusalem. Daniel was instructed to seal this part until the time of the end. We can only speculate as to what it means. *** Daniel asked the two men who had shown him all this how long until these event would end and how it would all end. *** They told him that from the time the daily sacrifice was stoped and the temple defiled it would be 1,290 days. But the at the end of 1,335 days there would be a blessing. It was 1,290 days from the time Antiochus offered the pig on the altar till Judas Maccabeus restored the worship of God. It was 1,335 days from the time Antiochus offered the pig till he died. Blessed were those who made it till then. *** Daniel was told that he would “rest” until that time, then rise to receive his inheritance. *** In First John, he gives us the test of a New Testament prophet. It is not that his prophecy comes true, like the Old Testament prophets. It was if he professed that Jesus came in a real body to earth. That was the test that he was genuine. If he didn’t he had the spirit of Anti-christ. *** Because we believe Jesus came in the flesh, we have won over the people who don’t believe Jesus came in the flesh. The spirit that lives in us is greater than the spirit of the world. The spirit of truth comes from God. The spirit of deception comes from the world. *** Love is the greatest proof of God on the earth. Love is God and comes from God. It is what differentiates us from the world. Love pours out of us because God is in us. Our love will mature as we grow in the Lord. Love makes us not fear death or judgment. We are perfected in God’s love. God’s love enables us to love others. *** Lord, may we submit to your love and allow it to flow. May we grow in love for you and others.