Practice Perseverance – Daniel 11:36-12:13
11 (36) The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the indignation has been accomplished, for what has been determined will take place. (37) He will show no reverence for the gods of his fathers, nor will he have a natural desire for women, nor will he reverence any god; for he will magnify himself above all things. (38) Instead of them, he will honor the god of fortresses; a god whom his fathers did not know he will honor with gold and silver and priceless jewels and all sorts of treasures. (39) He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god, and he will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rule over many people and will distribute lands as a reward.
(40) At the end of time the king of the South will contend against him; and the king of the North will come against him like a whirlwind—with chariots and horsemen and many ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. (41) He will even invade the Glorious Land, and many shall perish. But Edom, Moab and the head of the children of Ammon will be spared from his hand. (42) He will extend his power over all the nations; the land of Egypt will not escape. (43) He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the riches of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians will be in submission to him. (44) But reports out of the east and out of the north will alarm him. So he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. (45) He will pitch his royal tents between the Sea and beside the Glorious Holy Mountain; but he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.
12 At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will stand up. There will be a time of trouble such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—shall be delivered. (2) Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the heavens; and those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever and ever. (4) But you, Daniel, preserve the words and seal the book, safeguarding it until the time of the end. Many will diligently study it, and the understanding of these things will increase.
(5) Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two other men, one on the near bank of the river and one on the far bank of the river. (6) One of them asked the man dressed in linen who was standing above the waters of the river, How long will it be before these wonders are fulfilled? (7) The man clothed in linen, who was standing above the waters of the river, lifted up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, It shall be for a time, times, and half a time. When they have finished breaking into pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be accomplished. (8) I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, My lord, what will be the outcome of all these things? (9) But he said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are preserved and sealed until the time of the end. (10) Many will be purified and be made white and be refined. But the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. (11) From the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. (12) Blessed is the one who waits and comes to the end of the one thousand three hundred and thirty five days. (13) But go your way until the end comes; for you shall rest and shall rise again to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the age.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
