The Certainty of the Second Coming, Part 4
May 20, 2022

Daniel 1 — The Context of Daniel

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. —Matthew 24:34

Daniel’s generation and his parents’ generation were inspired by King Josiah’s radical repentance and turning to God (2 Chronicles 34:1-5). During Josiah’s reign much of Israel renewed their commitment to God in a mighty way.

In Daniel 1 Babylon invaded Israel and as a result Daniel and other teenage boys were taken captive to serve the king of Babylon. Daniel and his friends committed themselves to serve and obey God even under a pagan and demonic government. Daniel’s lifestyle of prayer and obedience into his eighties gives picture of a future generation staying faithful to God in the reign of the Antichrist.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank…—Daniel 1:8

The book of Daniel is sometimes referred to as the Old Testament book of Revelation because of so much content in Daniel focusing on the future generation of the Lord’s return or the “last days”
(Daniel 2:28; 8:11,17,19,23; 10:14).

Daniel 2 - God’s Conflict with the Nations

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed… —Psalms 2:1-2

In Daniel 2 God is revealing Satan’s strategy to work through governments (kingdoms) to resist and destroy the works and plans of God. God shows His certain victory at the end of the age over one final Antichrist government.

And in the days of these kings (end times) the God of heaven (Jesus) will set up a kingdom (on earth) which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. —Daniel 2:44

Daniel 3 – Satan & Antichrist Demand Worship

Read Isaiah 14:12-14.

Antichrist

…the man of sin (Antichrist) is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. —2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
All who dwell on the earth will worship him (Antichrist), whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. —Revelation 13:8

Just like in Daniel 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego displayed unwavering boldness and confidence as they refused to worship the golden statue and didn’t fear the fiery furnace so too will the Church refuse to bow and worship the Antichrist.

“There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up…let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” —Daniel 3:12,18
And they (Church) overcame him (Antichrist) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. —Revelation 12:11