Daniel 11:29-32 (NKJV) 29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
(We had a guest speaker this week at Living Word. She is a dear friend of mine and my wife’s, Pastor Joy Collins from the Detroit area in Michigan. Here are some thoughts on what she shared with us.)
The language in this scripture is prophetic and so a little difficult to understand at times. It is referring to a time in the future that Daniel the Prophet sees in the spirit. Many times the Old Testament prophetic writings have meanings for both their day and our day as well. In this case, we see Daniel use the term “abomination of desolation” which the New Testament applies to the antichrist of the last days. As I read this, I can certainly see how this scripture applies to our time.
Daniel is talking about a series of kings and rulers that will attack the “Kingdom of the South.” We might assume he is talking about Israel but I think we can see ourselves in this as well. Whatever else this prophecy is pointing to it is certain that Daniel sees a subtle evil that attacks the righteous. In verse 29, the Prophet says that this evil ruler will, “go toward the south” but it shall not be like the former or the latter.” Something about this attack of evil against the righteousness will be different.
I turned 60 years old this year. I have served the Lord since I was 14 and been in fulltime ministry since I was 24. I have seen many moves of both good and evil in the land, but it seems to me that the attack that is coming against the righteousness is different from at any other time in my life. It seems to me that the forces who would like to minimize the church and her influence have gained greater traction today than in the past. It seems that the degree of animosity against the righteous has increased. There has always been opposition to the church but this time just seems different to me.
This verse points out a few things that I think could apply to us. First, we read that this leader “raged against the Holy Covenant” and showed regard for those who did not show regard to the covenant. The prophet said that this caused “damage.
I do not think there has been a time in my life when less regard has been given to the Word of God than today. We especially see that the standards of morality set forth in the covenant of God are not just rejected but ridiculed and even reviled. The current homosexual agenda is at the spearhead of this trend.
It is difficult to watch TV or a movie without the thought that to be opposed to homosexuality is backward and evil. All those who oppose the acceptance of this lifestyle are portrayed as mean spirited. It is not mean spirited to believe that the bible is the word of God. Indeed, those who know Jesus know that to love the sinner is far more our mandate than to hate the sin.
Homosexuality is only one example of how the attitudes toward the church have grown more and more vitriolic. We are told to stay out of politics, entertainment and most other arenas. Higher education seems to make it their goal to attack especially Christianity as backward and intolerant. However, our mandate is to go into all the world and preach the gospel. From my perspective, it does much greater damage to society when we do not regard the Holy Covenant than when we do. This is not the perspective of much of our culture today. Daniel could be speaking to us!
Next Daniel speaks of the defiling of the “Sanctuary Fortress.” I do not see how this can mean anything but the church. In the New Testament, it speaks of the “Abomination of Desolations” actually going into the Holy of Holies in the Temple of God. The idea is that this abominable leader will try to take the place of God himself. Many things are trying to take the place of God in today’s church.
We see social action, professionalism in music and corporate structure replacing the preaching of the Gospel and the anointing in many churches today. All of these things have their place but they must not replace the power of the Word of God or the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Some churches take the tact that we must not be too extreme in worship or we will make visitors from the world uncomfortable. I tell our church that if we are comfortable praising and worshiping the Lord, people coming in will be as well. Even if they are not, I want people to know that the Lord was in the house even if they do not understand.
Look at the words of David in answer to the criticism of his worldly wife.
2 Samuel 6:21-22 (NKJV) 21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. 22 And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”
The anointing of the Lord was more important to David than the acceptance of the world or even his own dignity. I believe we need to feel the same way.
Finally, we see that one of the things that was taken away were the “daily sacrifices.” If we allow the world to rob us of the “daily sacrifices of the Christian life, we will never see the move of God many have been praying for. It is not the spectacular that changes the world. It is the everyday living of our Christian life that really matters. If the devil can take that from us, we have already lost. If he cannot we cannot lose.
More tomorrow.
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