The King's Conquering Gospel - Revelation 12:13-14:20

Revelation 12:10-12 "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.'

Revelation 14:6 "And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people."

Introduction:

Christmas' Revealed King in Revelation is none other than Jesus Christ.  As we are entering into this Christmas season, we know that at the center of the celebration is the Conquering Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel points us to Christ's first advent (or coming) as well as His second advent (or coming). 

 The entirety of Revelation 12:10-14:20 begins and ends with reference to the Gospel, which gives us the main theme for today's post: The King's Conquering Gospel.  The good news in these chapters is that Jesus Christ came to conquer sin for the sake of the Gospel in His first coming and he will conquer Satan's plots through the Gospel in His second coming.

In today's post we want to focus particular attention on the King's Conquering Gospel as it is unfolded in various scriptures and in Revelation 12:10-14:20. The two main points we will use in understanding the King's Conquering Gospel are these:

1. Christ came to conquer sin. Matthew 1:23; 2:1-7; 4:17; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 27:37; 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:18-20.

2. Christ is coming to conquer Satan's plots. Revelation 12:10-14:20

When we think about the King's Conquering Gospel as focusing attention on Christmas' revealed King in Revelation, we can first of all note that...

1. Christ came to conquer sin. Matthew 1:23; 2:1-7; 4:17; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 27:37; 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:18-20.

What is meant by the word "Gospel" in the Bible? The Gospel's message is "goodnews". The Gospel's main focus is Jesus Christ. The Gospel's main work is to save sinners. The Gospel's main goal is God's glory. Over 100 times do we find mention of the word "gospel" in the New Testament, as well as other passages which speak of it. Whenever we talk about the Gospel, we include Who Jesus is and what He came to do in His first coming, as well as what He will do in His second coming.1  A quick sketch of the first, middle and last mentions of the word "Gospel" proves instructive in demonstrating this dual focus of the Gospel.2 

So what had Jesus Christ came to do in his first coming? Among other things, to conquer sin. Matthew 1:21 has the angel explaining to Joseph: "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 2:2 reveals that Christ in His incarnation, even as a two year-old toddler, was considered by the wise men worthy of worship. Matthew 4:17 records Jesus starting His public ministry with His conquering Gospel: "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As Jesus healed diseases, preached the scriptures and related to people, all was setting the stage for what He would do on the cross. 

Hebrews 2:14  & 1 John 3:8 both explain how Jesus came to set us free from sin by destroying the Devil's works.  Jesus' goal in coming as most loved babe in swaddling clothes was to go to the cross as a hated, common criminal.  In Matthew 27:37 we read of how He conquered, and the words placed above his head: "And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

So how do we know that what Jesus did in His first coming succeeded? The King's Conquering Gospel is explained most clearly in 1 Peter 3:18 - "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit". So in understanding the King's conquering Gospel, we noted that Jesus Christ came the first time to conquer sin.  But now notice a second truth concerning the King's conquering Gospel....

2. Christ is coming to conquer Satan's plots. Revelation 12:10-14:20

As we turn our attention now to Revelation 12:10-14:20, we can take note of the following events witnessed by John that reveal how Jesus Christ will conquer Satan's plots by the Gospel.  Following the grand announcement from heaven concerning Satan's future final expulsion from heaven, we read in Revelation 12:12 "For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” What follows concerns Satan's 3 rebellious plots followed by Jesus Christ's defeat of those plots by the Gospel.  

a. Satan's main plots to be defeated by Jesus. Revelation 12:13-13:18

-Plot #1 Satan's future attack on Israel. 12:13-17
In the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period (=1260 days Rev. 11:3-4; =Times, Times and half a time Rev. 12:14) Satan will be exclusively on earth, attempting to wipe out Israel and thwart God's plan to save and redeem Israel.  Of course Satan will fail in his first plot, since ultimately all Israel will be saved as the Spirit gives them grace to look in faith upon the One whom they pierced. (Romans 11:25-26; Zechariah 12:10) Thus Satan will have to resort to plots #2 and #3.

-Plot #2 Satan's front man - Anti-Christ. 13:1-10
We see John explaining the following about this ultimate rebel against Jesus Christ:
*Satanically energized. Revelation 13:1-4
*Seeks to blaspheme God, His name, His people. Rev 13:6-10
*Schemes with a secondary figure, the second beast for false prophet in deceiving the world. Revelation 13:11-14
*Strategy is to rule the world politically, economically. Revelation 13:15-18

W.A Criswell writes concerning this Anti-Christ or "first beast rising out of the sea" of Revelation 13:1-10 - "I think the figure means that the first one arises out of social chaos and revolution. In the turmoil, strife and raging conflict of races and nations and economic orders, this great final tyrant rises to preside over the might and strength of the whole earth."3


-Plot #3 Satan's false prophet. 13:11-18
Following on the heels of plot #2, Satan will launch his third enigmatic figure - the false prophet.  Anti-Christ will be Satan's front man, mainly operating more so in the political and economic sphere.  Criswell notes that this second Beast will arise out of the earth, out of an established civil order.4  Clearly by the mid-point of the tribulation the Anti-Christ will have achieved the peace sought out by the world's inhabitants. The false prophet will be raised up by Satan to provide the spiritual power and persuasion to dupe the unbelieving world into worshiping the first beast or the anti-Christ. 

b. Jesus Christ will defeat Satan's main plots through the Gospel. Revelation 14:1-20

-Jesus will defend Israel, thus defeating plot #1 through the Gospel. Revelation 7:1-9; 14:1-5

-Jesus will defeat Satan's second plot, Anti-Christ, through the Gospel. Revelation 14:6-7; 19:19-20

-Jesus will defeat Satan's third plot, the false prophet, through the Gospel. Revelation 14:8-13; 19:19-20

The amazing characteristic about Revelation 12:10-14:20 is in how it begins and ends with reference to the Gospel.  Revelation 12:10-12 predicts what will be the announcement from heaven of the goodnews.  The saints of God who will be born-again and martyred in the tribulation (as well as what could be said about church age saints who are martyred today) will be noted as having overcome by the "blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony". The blood of the Lamb refers to what Christ came to do in His first coming: conquer sin.  

We then come near to the end of Revelation 14 in 14:6 where we read of the angel announcing the Eternal Gospel.  This is the Gospel's final swan song, the final time that the good news will ever be heard on planet earth.  Sadly for those in the latter half of the tribulation who would not repent, it will be too late. Despite what clearly is an outmatching of Satan, the anti-Christ and the false prophet by Jesus Christ at His second coming, the unbelievers left will refuse to repent. 

Closing thoughts
John MacArthur notes concerning Revelation 13-14 "Rather, it stands as a warning to the unbelieving world. It challenges believers to lead careful, watchful, godly lives (cf. 1 Pet. 4:7; 2 Pet. 3:11).5  May you and I this Christmas season proclaiming the King's Conquering Gospel that Christ came to conquer sin and that Christ is coming again to conquer Satan's plots. 

Endnotes:
1. The two ordinances Jesus gave to his church to depict the Gospel: believer's baptism and the Lord's supper, emphasize both comings. In baptism I'm publicly recognizing what God did by His Spirit in calling me to prior saving faith that partakes of the power of His resurrection, the first first fruits of things to come (James 1:18) while relying on what Christ has done in His cross and resurrection. (Romans 6:4-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17) In the Lord's Supper I'm reminded in a joyful celebratory covenant meal of what Christ accomplished on the cross in His first coming while doing so until He returns. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

2. The first mention of the word "gospel" in the New Testament is found in Matthew 4:17 where Jesus begins preaching the "Gospel of the Kingdom".  The middle mention of the Gospel, the Gospel of salvation, is found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 where clearly Jesus' accomplished work in His first coming is in view - (died, buried, raised according to the scriptures).  In Revelation 14:6-12 we see the final mention of the word Gospel (the Eternal Gospel)  and the combined testimony of various angels in the latter half of the tribulation period alluding to or referring to both Christ's finished work and soon return.

3. W.A Criswell. Expository Sermons on Revelation - Volume 4. Zondervan. 1966. Page 114. Undoubtedly Criswell is referring to the 1st 3 1/2 years of the whole seven year tribulation wherein the Anti-Christ makes a peace-pact with Israel in Daniel 9:26b-27a. The world will be looking for one ruler to bring order and peace to the middle east, and the Anti-Christ will be the man they will follow.

4. W.A Criswell. Expository Sermons on Revelation - Volume 4. Zondervan. 1966. Page 114. 

5. John MacArthur. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Revelation 12-22. Moody Press. 2000. Page 65

Attempting to Fit together Revelation 1-3; 4-11 & 12-14

Revelation 12:10-12 "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 12 For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”'

Introduction:

I thought in today's post we would attempt to allign the two visionary sequences given to the Apostle John in Revelation 1-3 and 4-11 to the third visionary sequence of Revelation 12-14. Whenever we study the book of Revelation, we can understand it as a series of seven visionary sequences that each begin with a scene in heaven, followed by an unfolding of what is decreed here on earth. In considering the three mentioned sequences above, we can note the following themes associated with each one:

1. How Jesus relates to His church. 1-3
2. How Jesus will conquer the world. 4-11
3. How Jesus will destroy Satan's plots. 12-14

Yesterday's post featured an introduction to Revelation 12-14.  Rather than rehearsing that introduction, I refer the reader by link to yesterday's post for review so as to get right into the main point of today's post (http://pastormahlon.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-kings-cradle-cross-crown.html ). 

Today's aim is to focus particular attention on seeing how these three visionary sections line up with one another, with some insights from a few other passages of scripture.  My prayer is that this post will aid the reader in walking their way through these sections of the Book of Revelation.

Lining up the three visionary sequences 

of Revelation 1-3; 4-11; 12-14

with some other scriptures

As you look at the chart below, please note how different parts are color coded.  The reader can also observe how the events fit in relationship and sequence to one another.  I will provide a quick guide that describes the colors being used, with particular emphasis upon the Old Testament background passages that relate to the New Testament passages.  The post will then end with the actual chart that attempts to connect relevant New Testament passages to what we see occurring in the book of Revelation.  My hope is that you will find this information both edifying and informative to your own study of the book of Revelation.

A. Explanation of colors used in the chart at the end of this post  

1. Red ink signifies the first visionary sequence of Revelation 1-3. We could advocate Revelation 1-3 covering this current age that we can call the church age. 

2. Blue ink refers to the first 3 1/2 years of the final seven year period of time at the end of this age called "the tribulation period". Other passages that refer to this final seven period call it by other descriptions: Deuteronomy 4:26-31 (time of distress); Deuteronomy 30:1-3 (a period designated to prepare Israel for restoration); Jeremiah 30:4-11 (called time of Jacob's trouble); Ezekiel 20:33-38 (time of Israel's purification); Daniel 9:26b-27a (Daniel's seventieth week) and Matthew 24:15-20 (the whole period will follow the pattern of Jerusalem's past destruction in 70 A.D)

3. Purple ink refers to the latter half of the seven year tribulation period, last 3 1/2 years.  More prophetic scripture focuses on this particular portion of the tribulation period than the first half.  Jesus for example designates this second half of the tribulation by the term "great tribulation" in Matthew 24:21. Other scriptures which focus on the second half of the tribulation period, designating it by other titles are: Daniel 9:27b, 12:7; Revelation 11:2,3; 12:4 (specify the time by different phrases, all equaling 3 1/2 years); Daniel 12:1; Zechariah 14:1-4; Matthew 24:21-25:30; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-12; Revelation 6-19 (specify the character of that final 3 1/2 year period). 

B. Chart depicting the relationship between the first (Revelation 1-3), second (Revelation 4-11) and third (Revelation 12-14) visionary sequences in Revelation

Jesus Christ's relationship to his church

Revelation 1-3 The Church Age: 1st century to Falling Away

Ephesus - Laodicea. 7 literal churches, representing every church 

throughout church history, in every place, or even types or traits 

witnessed in each church of every place of every age

                                                                                                      Tribulation / / Great

                                                                                                                           Tribulation 

                                                                                                       3 1/2 yrs      3 1/2 yrs

                                                                                                       Daniel 9:26  Dan 9:27

                                                                                                       Matt 24:15-  Mt 24:21-

                                                                                                       20                25:46                                                                                                                                     1 Th 5:1-11    

                                                                                                       2 Thessalon. 2:2-12                                                                                             

                                                                                                        How Jesus will                                                                                                                           conquer 

                                                                                                         the world. 4-11

                                                                                                         -The tribulation period

                                                                                                         6:1-7:17; 8:6-11:19

                                                                                                         -Answered prayer

                                                                                                         8:1-5

                                                                                                         -His word

                                                                                                         10:1-11:19

                                                                                                                         How Jesus                                                                                                                              will destroy

                                                                                                                         Satan's plots

                                                                                                                         12-14

                                                                                                                         -Aggression

                                                                                                                        against Israel

                                                                                                                         12:1-17

                                                                                                                         -Anti-Christ/

                                                                                                                         Beast. 

                                                                                                                         13:1-14:13

                                                                                                                      -Armies of                                                                                                                                  men

                                                                                                                        14:14-20

        

The King's Cradle, Cross & Crown

Revelation 12:10-12 "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 12 For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”'

Introduction to Revelation 12-14:

In our study of Revelation in times past, we have understood how the Book was written by John under Divine inspiration in a seven-fold pattern or sequence of visions.1  

Thus far we have considered Revelation 1-3 and 4-11 under the following headings:

1. How Jesus relates to His church (1-3)
2. How Jesus will conquer the world (4-11)

As we come to this third major visionary sequence of the book (12-14), the main theme could very well be: How Jesus will destroy Satan's plots. Revelation 12 functions as the headline chapter for the section, with chapters 13-14 serving as the outcomes of the activities in Revelation 12. Undoubtedly there are key characters discussed in Revelation 12, as well as four major diabolical plots that will be soundly defeated by Jesus Christ at the tail end of the tribulation period when He returns.

First of all we can note six key figures or groups introduced in Revelation 12: The Great Woman (12:1-2); The Dragon or Satan (12:3-4, 7-9, 12-13, 16-17); The Son (12:5,10-11); God (12:5-6, 17) and Michael the Archangel (12:7). Then secondly we can take note of the four diabolical plots that will be defeated by Jesus Christ: Aggression against Israel (12); Anti-Christ (13:1-10); Arch false prophet 13:11-19 & Armies raised up to fight Jesus (14:17-20; also 16:16 and 19:11,21)

Certainly our study of Revelation 12-14 will add further detail to what has been seen already in Revelation 6-11, being that both sections focus primarily on the same period of time, the future tribulation period (or even more specifically, the final 3 1/2 years of that period).

Zeroing in specifically on Revelation 12 - The King's Cradle, Cross & Crown
As we think on the above sketch of Revelation 12-14, I would like us to take that theme of Jesus' destruction of Satan's plots as a way of considering what he had come to do in His first advent or coming. In today's post we will focus specifically on Revelation 12 in how it relates what Jesus did in His first coming to what He will do in His second coming. We will use the following three-fold outline to navigate our way through Revelation 12 as we prepare our hearts to enter into this Christmas season, focusing on the King of Kings in the Book of Revelation:

1. The King's Cradle. Revelation 12:1-4
2. The King's Cross. Revelation 12:5
3. The King's Crown. Revelation 12:6-17
How the King's Cradle, Cross & Crown relate in Revelation 12.
How God used Israel through the Old Testament to lead up to the King's Cradle
Revelation 12 details the history and career of Israel, Satan and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The History and Career of Old Testament Israel
Israel was used by God to bring about the point in history where the Savior would be born (i.e the cradle), as well as having to endure the persecution of the Evil One throughout the Old Testament.  As Galatians 4:4 reminds us: "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law." Thus Revelation 12:1-2 gives us a summary of Israel's part in God's plan to bring about the King's cradle.2

So what does John first see? He sees a woman clothed in the sun. The woman in question represents Israel from the days of her beginnings in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all the way up to the days of Jesus' birth. Steve Gregg in his commentary notes: The support for this identification of the woman is found in the description of her as being clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars (v. 1). This has obvious reference back to Joseph's dream in Genesis 37:9, in which the sun and moon and twelve stars (eleven plus Joseph) represented the family of Jacob, the people of Israel."3  So the career of Israel throughout the Old Testament is presented in Revelation 12:1-2.  

The History and Career of Satan in the Old Testament However John sees another sign appear, and the same general period of Old Testament history is presented yet again, only this time with reference to a second major character - Satan, in Revelation 12:3-4. Satan's career began in heaven when he was initially cast out for leading a rebellion against God, as alluded to in passages such as Ezekiel 28:11-19. Throughout his Old Testament career, Satan had waged war, beginning with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), as well as Israel in her wanderings, believers like Job (Job 1-2) and David (1 Chronicles 21:1) and even launching accusations against priests (Zechariah 3:1-5).  His dragon like character here in Revelation 12:3-4 is extensively documented in the Bible in passages such as Isaiah 27:1; Ezekiel 29:3; Revelation 13:2, 16:13, 20:1.4  

How Old Testament History led up to the incarnation of the SonThus far John has been shown two key figures that we meet in Revelation 12: the woman (Israel) and the dragon (Satan).  Now John sees a third key figure in Revelation 12:4b-5a ...."And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child...".  Who is this male child? It seems pretty clear that Old Testament history, with its conflict between Israel and Satan led up to the incarnation and virgin birth of Jesus Christ. As the New Geneva Study Bible notes: The Old Testament saints are in view. Mary the mother of Jesus is included in this group, but only as an outstanding member of the whole."5

Truly this sweeping portrayal of Old Testament history serves to lead the reader up to the first major Divinely ordained event of the King's cradle.6 We have thus beheld the King's Cradle, however the cradle was ordained by God to lead to a second major ordained event alluded to in Revelation 12:5...

The King's Cross
The cradle of the Son served to point to the chief purpose of His first coming - the cross, whereby He would destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8), rise from the dead and be caught up into heaven as stated in Revelation 12:5. Now why are we calling this section of the post "the King's cross' when the cross is not explicitly mentioned in Revelation 12:5? Undoubtedly the passage is connecting Christ's first coming (his birth to ascension) to what He will do in His second coming (rule the nations).

Often when the New Testament authors are summing up a portion of Jesus' life, they may very well focus on one or two main points without mentioning all the details. (compare 1 Timothy 3:15-16 and Titus 2:11-15) It must be understood that without the cross, the purpose of Christ's incarnation and birth would not be understood, nor would He have the grounds for returning back to earth for a second time. When one reads back to Revelation 5:9, the link between the cross and second coming is established: "And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."

It must be recalled that in the accounts of Jesus birth and childhood, the shadow of the cross so-to-speak was ever present. Simeon, upon seeing the Christ-child said to Mary in Luke 2:35 "and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." That prediction of course came true when she stood at the cross and experienced the sorrow of seeing Jesus crucified and hearing him say "woman, behold your son" and to John "behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27) John depicts Jesus Christ ascended in heaven, awaiting to return to earth in Revelation 12:5. Truly the cradle in history had to precede the cross, which in turn meant that the cross was necessary for their to be a crown.
The King's Crown
Then of course the remainder of Revelation 12:6-17 thrusts the reader forward into the future latter-half of the tribulation period wherein Satan is waging war against Israel and ultimately Jesus Christ. Dr. John Walvoord, quoting C.A Coates, gives this insightful observation about Satan's activity beginning here in Revelation 12 and extending into Revelation 13-14: "Coates observes that Satan is seen in three characterizations in opposition to Christ. As accuser of the brethren, he is in opposition to Christ as priest; as the one who brings forth the first beast, he is in opposition to Christ as King; as bringing forth the second beast, the false prophet. he is opposed to Christ as prophet."7 

The war that Satan will wage in the latter half of the tribulation period will begin with Satan attempting a final coup in heaven, only to be thwarted by Michael the Archangel. (Revelation 12:7-9) This failed effort will lead to Satan's permanent and final expulsion from heaven. This expulsion will correspond to the middle of the tribulation period and will set up the efforts of Satan to push his man the anti-Christ into the full limelight of his diabolical schemes later on in Revelation 13.

The statement of the loud voice in 12:10-12 about the kingdom and authority of Jesus Christ makes what Christ will do in defeating the Anti-Christ and Satan's forces at His second coming a forgone conclusion. The crown of the King is within view, with only 3 1/2 years remaining of the tribulation period until the King comes from heaven to earth.

The final section of Revelation 12:13-17 serves to explain the anger Satan will have in his aggression against Israel. His diabolical plot to destroy Israel in history and Jesus in His incarnation/virgin birth failed (12:1-5), and so will his plot to try to destroy Israel in the future tribulation period. (12:6-17) It is that sequence of attacks and failed plots, as well as his final expulsion from heaven that will set off a chain of events lasting through Revelation 13-14. The cradle led to the cross, which in turn led to the crown. The prediction of King Jesus' defeat of Satan and his plots serve to proving yet again that Jesus Christ is King of Kings. (especially note Revelation 19)

Endnotes:
1. http://pastormahlon.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-seven-fold-outline-of-book-of.html

2. John of course is very fond of the word "sign" in Revelation 12-19, using the word to mark off portions of the various visions being shown to him. (Revelation 12:1,3; 13:13,14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20)  

3. Steve Gregg. Revelation Four Views - A Parallel Commentary. Nelson. 1997. Page 254.

4. In Jewish thought that was popular in the time between the Old and New Testament, God was believed to had set a time in which He would end history with an epic battle against Leviathan, a battle which of course God will decisively win.

5. The New Geneva Study Bible. Note on Revelation 12:1. Thomas Nelson. 1995. 

6. The passages we use in the Christmas season to understand the event of Christ's birth and incarnation (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 2:8-50; Philippians 2:5-11) & His Kingship even as a toddler who was worshipped by the wisemen two years following His birth (Matthew 2:1-12) are certainly appropriate cross references for shedding light on the significance of what John is seeing in Revelation 12:1-4. 

7. John Walvoord. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - A Commentary. Moody. 1966. Page 191

The theme of endurance & healthy faith in Daniel & 3 John

Daniel 12:13 "But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

3 John 11 "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God."

Some thoughts on the book of Daniel in general and Daniel 11-12 in particular

As we close out our time in the Book of Daniel today, we need to make a general observation about the book and then say something specific about Daniel 11-12. First, the Book of Daniel functions as a padlock, meaning that at the end God through an angel tells Daniel that the vision is sealed and must wait and appointed time. When read in concert with the Book of Revelation, the message and contents of the book open up, being that Revelation functions as a perfect key to unlock Daniel. 

With regards to some specific observations about Daniel 11-12, we are seeing the most detailed prophecy of God's Word. 

1. Daniel 11:1-2 begins by predicting four Persian Kings that would follow Darius that history defines as being from Cambyses (529-522 b.c) all the way to Xerxes I who ruled Persia in the days of Queen Esther in 480 b.c. Remember Daniel was writing this portion of his prophecy in along 515 b.c. 

2. As you do down through Daniel 11:3-45, prediction is made concerning the Greek Empire that would be led by Alexander the Great in 333 A.D and that would divide into four parts given to each of his generals following his death. Those four divided kingdoms in their detail and description of leadership are remarkably detailed and completely accurate as they lead you to an evil king in Daniel 11:29-35. 

This evil King would be known in history as Antiochus Epiphanes who ransacked the temple in Jerusalem in 168 b.c but was overturned by a group of Jews called the Maccabees. The Jewish holiday known as Hanukkah commemorates that event. God through Daniel then uses the predicted events of history as patterns for what will be a prediction of the Anti-Christ in Daniel 11:36-45. 

3. When will the Anti-Christ arise? Daniel 12 gives the timing of his rise, as well as God's faithfulness to preserve the Jewish remnant who will had believed upon Jesus the Messiah in the event of His second coming. 

4. Daniel 12 closes with reference to the resurrection of the righteous at the beginning of His earthly reign and then that of the wicked dead which, in comparison to other scriptures, will occur at the end of Christ's millennial or 1,000 year reign in Revelation 20. 

How the Book of Daniel aims to encourage the believer in the present to endure with prophecies of things to come

Daniel's book closes with an encouragement, much like his intent at the beginning of Daniel 11. The encouragement is for Daniel and those of like precious faith to endure to the end. 

The Book of 3 John is all about cultivating a healthy Christian faith that will endure to the end

When you turn to 3 John, the theme has to do with having a healthy Christian faith. 

1. We see the encouragement to healthy Christian faith (3 John 1-8)

2. We see warnings about unhealthy faith (3 John 9-10) 

3. Then we see a final section on the importance of having a good testimony (3 John 11-15). 

Conclusion

As Daniel and John's writing teach us, through the grace of God and His word, we can endure to the end and have this promise that He Who begins a good work in us will bring it unto completion unto the day of Christ.

The Christian walk of faith in Daniel 9-10 & 2 John

Daniel 9:24-27 24 “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, tofinish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision andprophecy and to anoint the most holy place. 25 So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

How a major Bible prophecy strengthened Daniel in His walk with the Lord

Daniel 9 is perhaps the most incredible chapter in the book of Daniel, being that it contains the most amazing and sweeping prophecy in the Bible: Daniel 9:23-27 is the golden gateway to the remainder of Daniel's prophecies that will speak of history up until Christ's return. For seventy years Daniel had been living in Babylon, as was by now in his mid-eighties by the time he composed Daniel 9. 

The chapter begins with him reading the words of the inspired book of Jeremiah. Having read the promises of the captivity lasting for seventy years in Jeremiah 29:10-14, Daniel's eyes and faith must have widened, for in his way of reckoning, only two to three years would remain until God's discipline of the Jews was finished. The prayer that flows from Daniel's heart in Daniel 9:1-22, as well as the strengthening ministry of angel Gabriel makes this chapter gleam even more. 

Daniel 9:23-27 predicts a 490 year period of time prescribed for the Jews by God that will begin as soon as they return and re-construction of their then damaged temple begins. We know from reading the historical books of Ezra and Nehemiah that such a project was undertaken. Daniel's prophecy also predicts the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem, again an event that was completed in 396 b.c right after the closing of the Old Testament canon. Then the third major event predicted at the end of Daniel deals with the coming and crucifixion of Jesus, which in the timing of Daniel 9:23-27 was to occur 483 years after the decree to build the temple in Jerusalem had been made. From that decree to rebuild on March 14, 445 b.c until Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to present Himself as Israel's King in April 6, 33 A.D is exactly the 483 years that Daniel predicted. 

The remaining seven years of Daniel's "seventy weeks" has yet to occur in a period of unprecedented judgment on this world called "The Tribulation Period". Daniel 10 teaches the believer about the comfort of Bible prophecy in how we see the Person of Christ (10:1-9); Provisions of grace (10:10-17) and the Promises of scripture (10:18-21). 

What 2 John has to explain about the Christian walk

The Book of 2 John is all about explaining the Christian walk in regards to: The power of the Christian walk (2 John 1-6) and defense of the Christian walk (2 John 7-13). Knowing about the important truths of the Christian walk will aid any Christian in dealing with the great triumphs and often difficult circumstances that attend the Christian life. 

How the Books of Daniel and 2 John can be used together to better understand the Christian walk of faith

Remarkably, when you read Daniel and John's writings together, you are seeing two men who had been walking with God for about the same period of time (Daniel 70 years, John 60 or so years) and who were about the same physical age when they wrote their books (Daniel 85; John at least 85 at the time of 2 John). May you and I walk with the Lord and realize that it is always worth it!