2008-03-16 - Daniel

Conclusion of Chapter 11 and Beginning of Chapter 12 ~ Installment 94

Verses 40-45: And to this end, substantial amounts of wealth are spent on expanding his power base. And in response to this, war breaks out through out the Middle East. During this period, the nations north and south of Israel come up against Antichrist. So war sweeps throughout the land, with the armies flowing back and forth. He will bring destruction, but in the final analysis he will lose. He will fall. The time of Antichrist's rule is the Tribulation. The Archangel Michael arrives, and just as each nation has its own demon, striving to influence for Satan, so it appears that Michael is given special responsibility for the Jewish people. Through the auspices of God, the saints of Israel will be saved. And the basis by which they will be saved is the same by which we are saved: the work of Christ on the cross.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." ... "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son" (Isaiah 53:5; Zechariah 12:10).

Chapter 12, Verses 12:1-3: The vision concludes with the message of the resurrection. There will one day be a bodily resurrection of not only the righteous, but also of the wicked - the righteous to an eternity with God, and the lost to an eternity of separation and punishment.

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned" (John 5:28-29).

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

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http://www.cfdevotionals.org

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