Daniel 11-12

The king who exalts himself...

The "one who looked like a man" continues his discussion with Daniel regarding events that will unfold over time. The culmination of these events is seen in the rise of the king of the north, (ch 11: 25-45.)

1. As you read through the first section of Chapter 11, what are some of your thoughts?

-Do you feel these events have already happened? If so, what nations may have represented some of the kingdoms that are noted? (For instance, was China the kingdom from the North? Was it the former U.S.S.R.? Was it the kingdom of Alexander the Great? The Third Reich?)

-Do you feel that these events are yet to come? 

2. In either case, it appears that the king of the North has or will invade the South, vs 29. His armed forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. In the New Testament, Jesus references this leader and indicates that he will erect an "abomination that causes desolation," (Matthew 24:15)

-What is desolation?

-What can anyone do that would desolate God's Temple?

3. Despite the strength of this king, "those who are wise" will instruct many and as a result will be persecuted.

-Who are the wise?

-What will be their instruction for those that will listen?

4.  The king will exalt himself. He will say blasphemous things against the One, True God. Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonian church identified this man as the "man of lawlessness," (2 Thes 2: 1-13.)

-What would compel this king to exalt Himself above God?

-What will the period of lawlessness look like that he will usher in?

-Will this be the Anti-christ? Has this world seen many men of "lawlessness?" How are we to know when this king will rise?

-If in due time, the king's control will run out, does it matter if we know when he will first show up?

After a time of great anguish, bodies that were dead and buried will rise up- some will go to everlasting life and some will go to everlasting contempt, (12:1-3.) These are the first verses of the last chapter of Daniel.

-What should our response be to the book of Daniel?

-Should we be spending time defining who, what, where or when- or- should we orient our lives to something more purposeful as a follower of Christ?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Daniel 11-12