Visions of Warfare, Prophecy, and the End of Days
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 18
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 262 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Daniel. The final chapters of Daniel bring a sweeping revelation of spiritual warfare, angelic encounters, and prophetic visions that unveil the destiny of nations and God’s people. Daniel receives insight into heavenly battles influencing earthly kingdoms, detailed prophecies about future rulers, and a vision of the end times. These chapters highlight God’s sovereignty over history, the conflict between good and evil, and the promise of resurrection and eternal life for the faithful. They remind believers that while trials and persecution will intensify, God’s kingdom and His people will ultimately triumph.
Daniel 10
In Daniel 10, Daniel mourns and fasts for three weeks, seeking understanding from God. He receives a vision of a glorious man clothed in linen, with a face like lightning and eyes like fire, widely understood to be either Christ pre-incarnate or an angelic messenger. Daniel is overwhelmed with fear and falls into weakness, but the messenger strengthens him with words of encouragement. The angel reveals that his arrival was delayed by spiritual opposition, specifically the “prince of Persia,” until Michael, the archangel, came to assist. This chapter unveils the reality of spiritual warfare, showing that heavenly battles directly affect earthly kingdoms. God’s character is displayed as One who hears the prayers of His servants and provides strength for them to endure.
Daniel 11
Daniel 11 delivers a highly detailed prophecy of coming conflicts between the kings of the North and the South, describing centuries of warfare that align with historical events between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires. The prophecy culminates in a description of a contemptible ruler—often identified with Antiochus IV Epiphanes—who exalts himself against God, desecrates the temple, and persecutes the faithful. Yet, those who know their God are said to stand firm and take action, demonstrating faith amid tribulation. The chapter shifts toward the end times, describing a final king who will magnify himself above all gods and engage in global conflict before meeting his end. Through this prophecy, God reveals His sovereign control over history and the assurance that even the mightiest rulers cannot escape His judgment.
Daniel 12
In Daniel 12, the vision concludes with a promise of ultimate deliverance for God’s people. Michael, the great prince, will arise during a time of unparalleled distress, yet all who are found written in the book will be saved. This chapter presents one of the clearest Old Testament references to the resurrection, declaring that some will rise to everlasting life and others to everlasting shame. Daniel is told that the words of the prophecy are sealed until the end, and the time of fulfillment will be marked by testing and purification for the righteous. The angel gives time markers (1,290 days and 1,335 days), emphasizing God’s set plan, though the full meaning remains mysterious. The chapter closes with a personal assurance to Daniel that he will rest and rise to receive his inheritance at the end of days.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Daniel comes from the Hebrew Dāniyyēl , which means “God is my Judge.”
Dan = “judge”
El = “God”The name reflects the central theme of the book: that no matter what earthly kings decree, the true Judge and Ruler is God Almighty.
Purpose of the Book:
The Book of Daniel was written to:
Encourage faithfulness among God’s people during exile by showing how God rules over kingdoms and delivers His servants.
Demonstrate God’s sovereignty over history, kings, and nations.
Point to the coming Kingdom of God through prophecies of the Messiah and end times.
It bridges history and prophecy, showing that God’s people can remain faithful under oppression, and that God’s kingdom will ultimately triumph over human kingdoms.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
Traditional View: The prophet Daniel himself wrote the book during the Babylonian and Persian exiles (6th century BC).
Biblical Support:
The book is written largely in the first person (e.g., Daniel 7:15, “I, Daniel, was troubled…”).
Ezekiel twice refers to Daniel as a real, righteous, and wise man (Ezekiel 14:14, 14:20; Ezekiel 28:3).
Jesus affirms Daniel as the prophet and author when He refers to the “abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14).
Historical Sources:
Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 11) affirms Daniel’s authorship and influence in Babylon and Persia.
Early Jewish writings such as the Septuagint (LXX) and Dead Sea Scrolls include Daniel as part of Scripture, supporting its authenticity.
Critical Scholarship (alternate view): Some modern scholars argue Daniel was written later (2nd century BC, during the Maccabean revolt), citing the accuracy of prophecies as evidence of “history written as prophecy.” However, this view conflicts with early Jewish tradition and Jesus’ words.
Key People:
Daniel – The central prophet, known for wisdom, visions, and faithfulness to God.
Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), Azariah (Abednego) – Daniel’s friends who remained faithful and were delivered from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon, who experienced pride, humbling, and a remarkable acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.
Belshazzar – Babylonian king who saw the “writing on the wall” before the fall of Babylon (Daniel 5).
Darius the Mede – King who reluctantly cast Daniel into the lions’ den, later honoring Daniel’s God (Daniel 6).
Gabriel – The angel who interprets visions and brings revelations (Daniel 8–9).
Michael the Archangel – Described as a protector of God’s people (Daniel 10, 12).
The Son of Man – A prophetic figure in Daniel 7:13–14, understood as a Messianic prophecy pointing to Christ.
Conclusion
The Book of Daniel presents God as the ultimate sovereign Judge who rules over human kingdoms and destinies. Through narratives of faith (Daniel and his friends) and apocalyptic visions (future kingdoms and the coming Messiah), Daniel teaches that:
God protects His faithful people even in exile.
Human prideful kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s kingdom is everlasting.
History is moving toward the triumph of the Kingdom of God through the Messiah.
It is both a book of encouragement for believers facing trials and a book of prophecy revealing God’s plan for the future.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Daniel 10
God’s character in Daniel 10 is revealed as attentive, compassionate, and powerful. He hears Daniel’s prayers and responds, though the vision also uncovers the reality of spiritual warfare that can delay the messenger. God does not abandon Daniel in his weakness but strengthens him with encouragement and reassurance through the heavenly messenger. This shows that God is near to His people in their struggles and provides them with the strength they need to endure.
In this chapter, Daniel calls upon Adonai (Lord, Master), recognizing God’s supreme authority. The vision also highlights the role of Michael, the archangel, who serves under God’s command in the heavenly conflict, showing God as Commander of angelic hosts. The lesson is that while unseen battles take place in the spiritual realm, God is sovereign over them and ensures His people are not left without help or strength.
Daniel 11
In Daniel 11, God’s character is revealed as sovereign over history and omniscient. The detailed prophecy about future kings and wars shows that He not only knows the future but has ordained it according to His purpose. While earthly rulers act with arrogance, God demonstrates that their power is temporary, and their end is certain. He equips His faithful people to endure persecution with the promise that those who know Him will stand firm.
This chapter does not mention specific Hebrew names of God but reveals Him as the all-knowing and sovereign Lord of history. The lesson is that no matter how chaotic or violent the world may seem, God is fully in control and His purposes will prevail. For us, it is a reminder that faith in God anchors us when human kingdoms rise and fall.
Daniel 12
In Daniel 12, God’s character is revealed as Deliverer, Judge, and Rewarder. He promises that His people will be delivered in the time of great distress, showing His faithfulness to those whose names are written in His book. God also reveals His justice by declaring that there will be a resurrection, with some rising to everlasting life and others to everlasting shame. His assurance to Daniel of rest and inheritance shows His care for His faithful servants.
This chapter does not directly use specific Hebrew names of God, but His character as the Living God is evident in His promise of resurrection and eternal reward. The lesson is that God’s plan extends beyond history into eternity, and those who remain faithful will receive everlasting life. For us, this calls us to live with hope and perseverance, knowing that God’s justice and salvation will have the final word.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does God show Himself as the revealer of mysteries in His communication with Daniel?
In what ways do these chapters display God’s sovereignty over history and kingdoms?
How does God demonstrate His care for His people in giving Daniel visions of the future?
What do these chapters reveal about God’s eternal nature compared to the temporary rule of earthly kings?
How is God shown as the God of deliverance and resurrection in Daniel 12?
How does God’s power over spiritual forces (Daniel 10) highlight His supremacy?
What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
Questions About Themes:
What does the angelic conflict in Daniel 10 teach about the unseen spiritual battle?
How does Daniel 11 reveal the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms under God’s plan?
What theme of perseverance and endurance is emphasized in the prophecy?
How does the prophecy of the “time of the end” in Daniel 12 connect with God’s ultimate justice?
How does the promise of resurrection in Daniel 12 shape the theme of eternal hope?
What role does prayer and humility play in Daniel’s experience of receiving revelation?
How does the theme of God’s sovereignty over history challenge our trust in earthly powers?
Reflective Application Questions:
How does Daniel’s example of prayer and fasting in Daniel 10 encourage your own prayer life?
In what ways can you remain faithful when God reveals difficult or troubling truths?
How can you live with hope knowing that God controls the course of history?
How does the spiritual warfare in Daniel 10 remind you to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6)?
How does the promise of resurrection in Daniel 12 encourage you to endure hardships today?
What adjustments in your daily life would help you trust God more with your future?
How can you encourage others to remain steadfast in faith when the world seems unstable?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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