The Story of the Calendar
There is a wonderful story and history behind the two calendars that are in existence today. They are called Biblical lunar Calendar and Gregorian solar calendar. The Biblical lunar calendar is in use by the Jewish people where as Gregorian solar calendar is used by all others. If we look into some of the beginning pages of the Old Testament we can find the wonderful plan of God in arranging day, nights and the timings. According to His plan, a day would start with sunset and ends with sunset. This one rotation of the earth is called by people as one day. And the time planned for one rotations 24 hours. By looking into this plan, we can understand the real intention of God. His plan was that man must work hard for six days and the seventh day he must take rest as God Himself took rest after He created everything in six days.
In this manner seven sunsets have become seven days and finally called week and a little more than four weeks 28.53 days became a month in Bible lunar calendar. So in each week the seventh day was called the day of rest unto the Lord. It must be a day without any hard work and it is clearly pointed out in the scripture also. The Jewish people used to recognize the day of rest with the presence of the Moon in the sky. So, the appearance of the Moon in the sky was symbolized as the day of Sabbath Jews used to deserve. But some problems had arisen when additional days were to be added into the calendar which are like holy, or somedays are set aside unto the Lord such as the days of feasts, to God Himself. God added seven feasts or festivals in addition to what Israelites had already. According to Biblical history, the logical system is based on the lunar calendar. This calendar system has changed dramatically over the last two Millennia and those changes directly affected any type of observance of the ancient Biblical holy days and the Biblical lunar calendar today.
In 45 B.C., the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar instituted a new improved calendar which was secular one. The new system of the New calendar introduced by the emperor was not based on the rotation of the earth; which determined day and night and lunar orbit around the earth which determined months and seasons, but upon the rotations of the earth, and the orbit of the earth around the sun precise secular years. The solar dating system was known as the Julian calendar. This new calendar also made some errors, as they themselves prepared calendars with 304 days,
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM 355 days and with 366.25 days. Apart from this, they were calendars with 10 months only, odd number of days. This happened due to the superstitious living and using of the day.
Even Julius Caesar made a number of corrections in the previous calendars before he introduced his new calendar. In the corrections, he added another 80 days for his calendar, in the year 45 B.C. But due to some reason that year was called the year of confusion. The Julian calendar was the outcome of some of the previous one’s which were modified. And in this calendar, there are 365.25 days and it was accepted by many as the most accurate one. Yet there was something to be corrected in that Julian calendar. So this was recognized by many with 12 months and 365.25 days. The modified calendar had only 10 months and the 2 months were added in its modification. The two months to the Julian calendar were added in the beginning but not at the end. Because of the change of order, the month September (septem which means seven) has become ninth month in the order of months. Likewise the month October (octo which means eight) became tenth month. Then November (novem which means ninth) was changed into eleventh month. Finally December (decem which means tenth) was changed to twelfth month.
In addition to these changes pagan names were given to the days of the week later. According to history while reading ancient history, we came across various pagan cultures, their religious way of life, and their worshipping of different gods and goddesses. In those olden days, the most worshipped one was the “Sun God” and the prominent worshipper was king Nimrod. We can study about him in the Bible in the book of Genesis 10th chapter. He even built a very big tower called the tower of “Babel” to reach the Sun to worship. It was believed by the heathens later that after his death, he merged himself with the sun. this blind belief and the process of worship continued for a long time and finally effected the Julian calendar. In 325 A.D Constantine became the emperor of the eastern part of Roman empire otherwise known as Byzantine empire with Constantinople as its capital. Though all the Roman rulers were pagans, Constantine alone with his mother Helena embraced Christianity and did a lot of things for the spreading of Christianity. As a ruler and Christian believer, he made some changes in the “Council of Nicaea”. He separated some Biblical holidays celebrations from Biblical lunar calendar.
The Jewish people followed the same Biblical lunar calendar. Though the Biblical holidays were arranged on the basis of lunar calendar, some
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM changes had taken place from year to year in the Julian solar calendar. The Nicaea council also planned to set right the correct the date of resurrection of Jesus. Accordingly the day of resurrection was put on the first day of the week on the Julian solar calendar. And that day was called by the paganism as the “Day of the Sun” Constantine also agreed with the suggestion of the council and decreed the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the “Day of the Sun”. And that day of the sun was further changed to “Easter Sunday”. This wonderful change was appealed and forwarded by the Nicaea council in the form of letter to the church in Alexandria with the following contents.
We further proclaim to you the good news of the agreement, concerning the holy Easter. (Easter is a pagan term) that crept into the churches which has caused a lot of understanding of the passover and the relationship with Christ’scrucifiction and resurrection) that this particular event has through your prayers been rightly settled so that all our brethren in the east (Christians in Asia Minor) who formerly followed the custom of the Jews (the lunar calendar timing and celebration of the passover) are hence forth, to celebrate the said most sacred feast of Easter at the same time, with the Romans (Christians in Europe and yourselves and all those who have observed Easter from the beginning.)
In the case of these people who have been already following the Julian solar calendar, this proclamation would certainly have immediate effect of permanent disconnection of God’s spring feasts. Actually, God had introduced seven feasts or festivals at the foot of mount Sinai when the Israelites were on their way from Egypt to their promised land Canaan. Among these seven feasts the first four feasts were called spring feasts. They were passover, unleavened bread, first fruit and Pentecost. They were further compared and called as the crucifiction of Jesus as passover, the body of Jesus in the grave for three days as the unleavened bread, the resurrection of Jesus as the first feast and Christ’s sending of the holy spirit to Pentecost. These four festivals were supposed to be celebrated during the first coming of Jesus Christ.
The other three feasts that God introduced to the Israelites were – the feast of Trumpets, the feast of you Kippur and the feast of Tabernacle. The fifth feast of Trumpets is supposed to be celebrated when Jesus comes on clouds for the second time. The sixth feast of Yon Kippur is to be celebrated for the atonement of the people through judgement and the seventh festival the feast of Tabernacle is to be celebrated in memory of their post wilderness
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The first four festivals were called the spring feasts, but now-a-days they were completely ignored by Jews. The next three festivals would come during fall season, which are more concerned to our eternal life. Eventually, after about 1200 years of the declaration of the “Nicaea Council” and due to some minor errors, in the Julian calendar another new calendar with more accurate amendments, the lunar calendar was implemented in February 1582. It was introduced by a decree from Pope Gregory VIII. This revised new calendar was known as Gregorian solar calendar. And this calendar is used today by government officials, business people and the Media across the globe.
Now let us look into the origin of the names of the days of the week. The fact is each language group has its own set of names for each day of the week. If we refer history in this connection, we can understand how all these names came into existence. And it is possible only through referring to the origin and roots of the names of each day. For instance the names of the words we are using today in English had their origin in old English. The modern English had developed as a result of the ancient invasions in Britain. At that time the language spoken was Celtic formed by three Germanic groups, the Angels, Saxons and jutes during the 5th century A.D. The Angels called their territory as Angle land, which eventually became England. By looking at the names of the days, of the week, today in English we can easily understand the influence of those invading tribes, their pagan gods and worship.
The word Sunday was from Summonday, which means Sun’s day. This is for the maintaining of pagan relationship and worship of the Sunna. Monday was from Monanday, means Moon’s day. This is personified in the goddess Mani. Tuesday is from Tiwes day, which is named in horror of Tiw the one handed worse God of war. Wednesday, this is from wodens day, it means wodans day (it is also odens day for the Northern Germanic people). According to ancient history, “Oden” was considered to be a leader of souls. Thursday is from punor’s day. This day is dedicated to the God of “thunder” who was powerful in his ancient hammer, wielding Norse, God is known in the modern English as “Thor”. Friday is from “Frigeday” which means, Ferig’s day, Frige was for the Norse, Venuswas for the Romans the goddess of beauty, love and pleasure. The present venus was called “Frige” star by the Norse. Saturday is from “Seternes day” which means Saturn’s day. Surprizingly, this is the only day of the week that kept its Roman roots in the English name. So, in the olden days the people of the other nations followed
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM the same names of the days of the week of Greeks and Romans along with their culture. Their worship was dedicated to the Sun, Moon, Stars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. We have to remember one important point, whether those names of the days of the week and similar to them appear in the Bible. They were really the invention of pagans. They put the names of their favourite gods and goddesses and other unique events were linked to those heavenly bodies. With a reference to the situation, let us look into the two calendars, the recently modified Gentile. Gregorian solar calendar, and the original Biblical lunar calendar which is like putting a squire pig into a round hole. These two calendars can never be put together for a purpose. It is no doubt a complicated issue, to explain about both of them; but still it is necessary.
In order to explain this complicated issue, we must be aware, whether we are referring to solar or lunar calendar, while we are giving the details of that affairs we have to observe carefully whether the first day of the month in solar calendars, and the first new Moon on the lunar calendar both fall on the same day. This is another complicated question to answer. If you look at your Gregorian solar calendar, in your house, you find the number in the first block of the first row. In the same way, we have to give a name to each day of the week in the secular calendar. In that arrangement we can find the first day, of the week is known in English as Sunday, which begins at midnight of the previous month and each month will end at midnight with 28 days or 29 days or with 30 days or with 31 days.
When we think about Bible lunar calendar, the first day of the month begins not at midnight like in Gregorian solar calendar, but at the sunset of the previous day at the lightening of the silver of the New Moon. To explain this further, the Gregorian solar calendar, would point out, the first day of the month begins when the last day of the month ends at midnight. The end of the last day of the month is the beginning of the next month. For instance, if the previous month ends in Wednesday midnight, immediately Thursday begins in the Gregorian calendar with the new date also. But regarding Biblical lunar calendar, it is observed that the first day of the month always falls on the first day of the week. The reason, that the first day of the month is always determined by the sighting of the first silver of the New Moon. The remaining parts of the month is based upon that one sighting.
On whichever day the New Moon is sighted by the people that day automatically becomes the first day of the New Month. With one sincere observation people are able to understand that the New Moon, Sabbath and
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM the Gentile Sunday in the Gregorian calendar one would occur approximately on the same day. Let all of us understand this sensitive point and enlighten others on this topic. So, in both Gregorian solar calendar and Biblical lunar calendar, the Sabbath would start at sunset, the day prior to the Gentile Sunday which starts at midnight. Anyway the resetting of the lunar month with the appearance of the New Moon would occur on any day of the Gentile week. That is the say, if the New Month would be seen, by the people on Thursday (For example) on the Gregorian calendar or Biblical calendar, would resist itself to return to the first row and first block on the solar calendar which is Sunday.
Another strange thing is the Biblical lunar calendar does not have the names to the days of the month (like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc). So, in the place of the name of the day the people used numbers only in the month, therefore, resetting is not a problem to the lunar calendar. But to the Gregorian solar calendar, the names and numbers are assigned to the days,. This process for some people became a serious problem, why because we have to jump at the end of the month from Monday to Thursday like that and back to Sunday again and start the month over by losing the natural sequence of days in the seven day week.
The outcome of our thorough testing and understanding of the first lunar and the second solar calendars, the first day begins appropriately the same day. According to the Bible, the New Moon, Sabbath, observers do not work after Sunset and that Sunset must be the Sunset of Saturday night on the solar calendar and it would continue to sunset on Sunday. And also we see today many business shops remain open even on Sundays. The New Moon observers would not be in a position to close their business shops the night before (Sunday night) and also they would not be in a position to open their shops on Sundays mornings because they were not supposed to work.
If you happened to be a Gentile employ or employer, and observe regularly, the Biblical lunar calendar, it would go well before Saturday sunset night. The reason is people would not do any work once the New Moon, Sabbath officially begins at Sunset. In view of this, they have to prepare everything in advance and remain at home, before the Sabbath actually begins at Sunset. If they were to be Gentiles, planning to do some business with Jewish establishment on Saturday before their New Moon Sabbath begins, they should confirm themselves that they were there before two or three
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM O clock in the afternoon. If not, they have to close their business on that particular day.
Once again, according to Biblical lunar calendar, or Sabbath day of rest, would begin at sunset of the beginning of the seventh day of the week. On the Gregorian solar calendar, if the day happened to be Friday evening and for Gentiles that day could be full working day and for those people who observe the Biblical lunar calendar their day of work ends just a few hours before the Gentiles day of work ends. So, they would be at home when the sunset occurs. For majority of Gentiles, Saturday is the day of good business and Sunday is considered the day of rest. Apart from the day of rest, for some of the Gentiles, it is also a day of worship. For example, the Biblical lunar calendar is free to work on Sunday. Since, his day of rest ended the day before (Saturday) at sunset. As a matter of fact, many business people in Israel open their shops after sunset at the end of their Sabbath day (Saturday night) because there would be still good number of hours, to continue their business activities, until the people close their doors of the houses for sleep. For any close observer, before the sunset, the streets appear like ghost town, because of no movement of the people. But after the sunset, all the streets will be flooded to see such scene, he would come to a conclusion that some important celebration must be going on at centers of streets. The shops will be full of people.
The conflict between Biblical lunar calendar, and Gregorian solar calendar would continue forever, because each Friday night Sabbath and the Gentile, week collide at the end of each week. So, according to our continuous observation, collisions would take place each Friday at sunset on the sixth, thirteenth, twentieth and twenty seventh days of the lunar month; why because each seventh day starts at sunset and begins with new Sabbath. After examining the functioning of these two calendars, the Biblical lunar calendar and the Gregorian solar calendar can never function together. We have to remember that lunar month consists of 29.53 days. The New Moon begins as a Waning crescent and then crescent, becoming still larger in the sky. Finally, the Moon would become beyond half, full, no longer a crescent and that is known to be (wacing Gibbons). Eventually, the Moon is seen as a full orb or full Moon in the sky. Then the visible part of the Moon becomes smaller. it reverses the appearance and seen as “Waning Gibbons”and then waning crescent. And finally on the twenty eighth day the Moon becomes almost invisible.
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With the assurance of the next New Moon can be visible at sunset, roughly two days in advance, that is 28 days (29.53 - 1.53 = 28 days). For the observers of Gregorian calendar, the New Moon will be sighted on Monday evening the thirteenth day of the month. Just at that particular time, (that is Monday evening in the solar calendar) the Biblical lunar calendar would revert back to the beginning of the month because the New Moon has just been spotted. The month would reset to the New Moon Sabbath and also to the first day of the month. This information will give us an idea that the Sabbath (the twenty eighth day) is observed just two days back. Now the conflict between the two calendars can be set right. The Biblical lunar calendar observer takes the New Moon Sabbath day of rest, on is new first day of the month, but it falls on Monday Sunset. Then to the observer of Gregorian calendar Monday is regular working day. So, the observer of Gregorian solar calendar will take rest on Sunday and go to regular work on Monday. This would coincide with the lunar day Sabbath of lunar calendar for the observer. These observers take their seventh day Sabbath that begins on Saturday sunset (leaving the work eagerly Saturday afternoon) and return to work on Sunday at sunset or Monday morning according to Gregorian solar calendar, observers. This process would continue for four weeks and then the next New Moon Sabbath would come again. This is no doubt a complicated issue in every month when it begins.
The fact is God invented time. He being sovereign authority over all creation knew man would reject Him. This is the reason why He put the Ten Commandments for the humanity to follow strictly and remain obedient to Him. He foresaw men would invent new calendars with some modifications God also knew that man would not remember the correct timings of the spring season and fall feasts, which are not concerned to our eternal life. He knew men would not remember their Sabbath days. The main purpose of creating Sabbath rest and holidays was to keep Israelites to remember their creator and God always and something special to His chosen people (Israelites). But they could not do according to the plan of God especially the observation of Sabbath, because of pagan influence.
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER - 12
Final Vision of Daniel
The chapters 10 to 12 from the book of Daniel contain his final vision. This is called the fourth and final and also the longest vision of Daniel. And this vision leads to the end of the prophetic book of Daniels. As a matter of fact, the 10th chapter points to the background of the vision. It makes us to understand how the real story of the vision is going to be in the 11thand 12th chapters. As already pointed out, the verse 1 from 10th chapter, sets the readers and believers the time for understanding the vision as mentioned in the following lines.”In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel whose name was called Belteshazzar, and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long and he understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.”
The time and year mentioned in this context is 536 B.C. And at that time prophet Daniel was about 85 years old. That year was more important because king Cyrus of Persia had already conquered Babylon and granted freedom to exiled Israelites who were taken as captives 70 years ago. They were freed to return to their homeland Jerusalem (Israel). Actually the captivity began by king Nebuchadnezzar in 606 B.C. and it was prophesized by Jeremiah that the captives would remain in exile for seventy years in Babylon. What he said in his prophecy is quite clear in the following lines - “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years; And it shall come to pass when seventy years are accomplished that I will punish the King of Babylon and that nation saith the Lord, for their inequity and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.” (Jeremiah 25.11 – 12)
Then in chapter 10 and verse 2 Daniel said “I Daniel was mourning three full weeks, what must have made him to mourn for weeks together? We can take it for granted that the vision he was going to have caused consternation. Then such pathetic situation was not happy news for this people Israelites Daniel was also much disheartened by the information. He could not eat or drink properly during those three weeks. The terrific vision that he was going to face must have perturbed his mind completely. And the prophet went three weeks back in time before the vision. Then in the four and twentieth day of the first month Daniel happened to go and stand by the side of the river, which was called “Hiddekel’ which is another ancient name of the river “Tigris”.
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Another most interesting point at this time was that Daniel was still in Babylon though all his people returned to Jerusalem due to the mercy of King Cyrus. What made him so. There were two reasons for this. The first reason at that time Daniel was already made prime minister of Babylonian empire and in such conditions he must have thought it not possible to leave the place so early until some other arrangements were made.
The second reason must be he had already reached the age of 85 years. That old age must have prompted him not to travel such a long distance of 800 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem. So while Daniel was standing by the side of the river Tigris, he witnessed an amazing sight, which he explained in the following lines - “Then I lifted up mine eyes and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen whose loins were girded with fine gold of uphaz; His body also was like the beryl and his face as the appearance of lighting and his eyes as lamps of fire and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” (Daniel 10.5 – 6)
The above mentioned passage, suggests that prophet Daniel witnessed an unusual appearance of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. It seems versus 5 and 6 are reference to as a “theophany” a pre-incarnate (before He took on flesh and blood) appearance of Christ as the Old Testament. “Angel of the Lord”. Inspite of that the later part of 10th chapter, the angel is restrained for twenty one days by a fallen angel, and needed the help of an archangel Michael to come and protect him. This arch-angel Michael has special relationship with Israel. As a result of that relationship, he has to play a very crucial role in chapter 12 of Daniel. But there is not a grain of truth in this saying that this angelic being was no other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Here, the verse 7 is really more fascinating Daniel spoke, “I Daniel alone saw, the vision for the men that were with me, saw not the vision, but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they all fled to hide themselves”. The face is clear that Daniel saw the vision and the men with him did not. Yet they fled to hide themselves expecting some danger. We can also presume that some spiritual being must have entered into the lives of those mortal beings and caused them terribly afraid of the situation and finally made them to flee to hide themselves from such fascinating incident where as Daniel could not run from that scene perhaps he had no enough strength to run like others due to his age. Keeping this fact in mind, it is said in the 8 verse “Therefore, I was left alone and saw this great vision but there remained no
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM strength in me”. That is to say he lost all his strength and power at that moment to take any step further. And what he spoke in versus 9 and 10? “Yet heard I the voice, of his words and when I heard the voice of his words then was I in a deep sleep on my face and my face towards the ground. And behold an hand touched me which Act me up on my knees and upon the palms of my hands.”
It is said in these lines that Daniel’s face was on the ground. It means either he was fainted or in the condition of trance. We cannot come to a haste conclusion whether the angel who touched Daniel is the same Angelic being responsible for him to faint in the first place or it is some other being whoever might be responsible for that we are made to take it as the most spectacular scene. The key person for all this is prophet Daniel a man of 85 years of age, who did not have enough strength to stand confidentially. The best thing he was forced to do at that critical time was quiring on his hands and the knees.
According to verse 11 the angel that helped Daniel in keeping his feet in condition told him that he was most beloved he could understand the words the angel spoke to Daniel. And when the angel said these words Daniel stood upright trembling. Let us look into the wonderful phrase used in praise of Daniel’s 9.23, where Gabriel Angel addressed Daniel; thou art greatly “beloved”. It is really an extraordinary compliment about Daniel by the creator of heaven and earth. I believe no other person in the Bible received such a wonderful compliment from the Almighty God. And all of us also must believe that there is no such great commentary on the life of the believer like Daniel. The above said complimentary words appear to have strengthened Daniel to rise on his hands and knees and stand straight. Even then, he did that with great fear and humbleness in the savior.
The angel still continued his speech. He said unto Daniel, Fear not Daniel for from the first day thou didn’t set thine heart, to understand and to chastin thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. In other words, from the time Daniel began to pray his words were heard in heaven and God sent an angel immediately to earth to deliver a message to Daniel. Even there was a problem of delay in delivering the message of God by the angel. He explained the reason for his delay in the verse 13. “But the prince of the Kingdom of Persia, withstood me for one and twenty days, but no one of the chief princes Michael came to help me, and I remained there with the Kings of Persia”.
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The phrase, “the prince of the Kingdom of Persia” refers to a fallen angelic who had influence in the kingdom of Persia. It was the same being who tried to prevent the angel from communicating the message to God to Daniel. This particular scene gives to all believers a great insight into the unseen spiritual world and brings to the minds of all the valuable words of Apostle Paul. “For we wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6.12) This passage is in the form of a letter addressed to Ephesians. It speaks about the spheres of angelic and demonic activity. It is fact that there are some angels and demons who assigned to control certain nations and governments. There has been a continuous conflict happening throughout history, and in this context we are giving a glance of it.
The angel who was prevented by some demonic powers in Persia to give the message of God to Daniel said that, a more powerful celestial being the arch angel Michael had to come to rescue him because he had no enough strength and power to defeat the demonic forces. The fact is that the demonic forces were unnecessarily interfering with his mission. And finally, after three weeks Michael and the messenger angel could have the advantage over “the prince of the Kingdom of Persia”. The messenger angel was freed at last to reach Daniel and communicate to him the message of vision. Then the angel told Daniel, “Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days for yet the vision is for many days.” (Daniel 10.14)
As a matter of fact, the angel had come to deliver the message to Daniel in connection with the future of his people Israelites. Then what must be the contents of the message sent by the God? We can see about the “future” of Israelites in chapter 11 of Daniel. The message tells about the near future, the next few hundred years which include the control of Egypt, Syria and wicked ruler Antiochus Epiphanes and very far off and finally the implications of end times. At that time Daniel was writing about the gentile rulers. He started with the Babylonian empire which was mentioned in the 2nd chapter. That ancient Babylonian empire was now called modern Iraq. The entire rule was continued with the Medo-persian, which was called modern Iran. The next kingdom was Grecian empire, which was called later Syria, and the fourth one was Roman empire which was later called modern Turkey. Actually it was called the eastern part of Roman empire and Constantine was the emperor. He made Constantinople as his capital, which later became
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM is the end of the beastly empire. In the view of Israel, these beastly empires reached their elimination in chapter 2 and verse 3, 4 as and when the kingdom of Antichrist will give way to stone cut out without hands(Jesus Christ) which smote the image upon its feet, which were made of iron and clay and broke into innumerable pieces. The gentile rule and times ultimately give way to the Millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ, which will be ruled by Him a thousand years.
Before the angel spoke, Daniel had spoken in the following way. He said, “And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face towards the ground and I became dumb (speechless).” (Daniel 10.15). This is really another terrifying incident, in the case of mortal beings, when they come across angelic beings. But Daniel with his gift of knowledge could succeed in learning about the spiritual battle that waged due to him. In this context let us study the below lines.”And behold one like tho similitude of The sons of men touched my lips the I opened my mouth and spoke, and said unto him that stood before me, o my Lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my Lord, talk with this my Lord for as for me, straight away there remained no strength in me neither is there breath left in me.”
This time it was doubted whether the angelic being was the same or the most spectacular being that already appeared in versus 5 and 6. Any way the lips of Daniel were touched only enough to say that he had no strength to stand and talk with the angel that brought message from God. At this stage, we must remember the physical appearance of Daniel and his age. “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man and strengthened me.” (Daniel 10.15). This time the angelic being that appeared was no other than the angel of verse 5 and 6.
What is significance of the message?. The angel began his message by sharing with Daniels words of comfort. “O man, greatly beloved fear not, peace be unto thee, be strong yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened and said Let my Lord speak for thou had strengthened me.” (Daniel 10.19). Daniel was reminded again how much he was loved by God and added not to be afraid. The angelic being though terrific in appearance esteemed Daniel greatly and told him that he had come on good purpose. These words of the angel comforted Daniel very much and he replied that he was ready to hear the message and the angel said – “Knowest thou wherefore, I came unto thee and now will I return to fight with the
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM prince of Persia, and when I am gone forth to the prince of Grecia shall come; But I will show thee, that which is noted in the scripture of truth and there is none, that holdeth with me in these things but Michael your prince.” (Daniel 10.20 – 21)
According to these words Michael seemed to have taken the responsibility of fighting with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. But he did not defeat the prince. The reason was he waited for the return of the angel of the message, who could come only after communicating the message to Daniel. With the return of the messenger angel only the battle would continue. The angel told Daniel that the Medo – Persian kingdom would be defeated and replaced by the Grecian empire, which was also the symbol of demonic power as “the prince of Grecia”. The angel also mentioned about the “Scripture of Truth” (Daniel 10.21). This can be conveniently translated as “The book of Truth”.
Then what is that book of Truth?. One theologian by name John F. Walvord in his commentary on Daniel; “The key to prophetic Revolution” called this book God’s record of Truth in general and the Bible is one expression of truth. In the meantime the angel returned to the Arch angel Michael and fought with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. The angel also referred to Michael as “your Prince”. The reference “Your” is nothing but Daniel was also an Israelite and Michael had special relationship with Israel. The story continued in the 11th chapter and verse 1 that the messenger angel and Arch angel Michael supported each other at the time of spiritual warfare with the starting of Daniel’s chapter 11.1. It was called the intertestamental period. It was about 400 years between the books of Prophet Malachi and apostle Mathew and the two most important powers during that period were the Persian and Grecian empires.
And chapter 11 would give the full details of the conflict between the regions of Syria, and Egypt in the Grecian empire and its effect upon Israel. The 2 verse indicated about three more kings in Persia and the fourth one would be richer than all others, and with his strength and riches he was able to stir others against the reign of Grecia. The four Persian kings mentioned in the authorized book of Daniel were, Cambyses the son of Cyrus, who reigned from 530 B.C. to 522 B.C. pseudo- Smerdis, who ruled just for one year, Darius 1 Hystospes, reigned between 521 and 485 B.C. and Xerxes (husband of Esther). He fought many wars against Greece, which was a ruling power during the time of the reign of Xerxes. As mentioned in the history the son of
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM Xerxes by name, Artaxerxes also ruled between 465 and 424 B.C; Daniel did not give much importance to him, but focused more on Grecian empire.
Daniel spoke about Alexander the Great, the mighty king with his great dominion and who conquered many countries. But due to his sudden death his Kingdom was broken into four parts. This king took about 11 years to conquer Persian empire. He died suddenly at the age of 32 or 33 only without any legitimate heir to his vast kingdom. Then the great empire was divided among four generals and it was further called North and South. Then all referenced to “the South” indicate Egypt and all references to North indicate Syria. And most of this chapter 11 dealt with the conflict between the Ptolemies of Egypt (the south) and Seleucids of Syria (the north). Ptolemies 1 Soies was the king of Egypt.
The king of Egypt died in 285 B.C. and his son Ptolemies 11 Pheladelphus ruled between 285 B.C and 246 B.C. In Syria, the first king Seleucids was murdered in 281 B.C and his son Antiochus 1 Soter succeeded him. He was succeeded by the grandson of Seleucids Antiochus 11 Those, who ruled until 246 B.C, As we see so far Ptolemy 11 and Antiochus 11 were dead enemies. Still they came into an alliance in 250 B.C. This alliance was confirmed when Ptolemy 11 gave his daughter, Berenice in marriage to Antiochus 11. But this marriage did not continue for a long time, because Laodice, wife of Antiochus 11 became ruthless and killed Berenice. She also poisoned Antiochus 11 and killed him. After his death, she made her son Seleucus Callinecus as king in 246 B.C. and he ruled until 227 B.C.
The power mongerism between the two countries (Egypt and Syria) caused some treacherous activities over Israel. The contents of the chapter 11 of the book of Daniel were really fascinating. But the liberal Bible critics did not accept the inspirational sayings of Daniel by feeling that he did not have such profound prophetic knowledge of what was to come in future. So they attributed the authorship of his book to someone during second century B.C. Even then the creator of heaven and earth, knew the future and He revealed some of it to His beloved prophet Daniel. Among the rulers of Syria, Antiochus Epiphanes was considered the most important. He ruled from 223 B.C to 187 B.C. Then his son seleucus II philopator reigned from 187 to 175. He raised more taxes and even demanded wealthy people to pay tributes to Rome. Surprisingly he was poisoned and killed by his treasurer Hellodorus.
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The verses 21 and 22 clearly described Antiochus IV Epiphanes the son of Antiochus III the great. He ruled only twelve years, yet top priority was given to him among those who preceded him and also more “ink” was spent for him in scripture. It is said, Antiochus Epiphanes came to the throne through flatteries, or intrigue. Another thing he did was he deposed the high priest omias III. It is said in the 23 verse that after the league was made with him, he worked deceitfully to establish himself strong. In verse 24 to 27 the attacks of Antiochus were clearly pointed out and by his attacks against Egypt he acquired more wealth and prophet Daniel said in this regard – “Yea they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him and his army shall overflow and many shall fall down slain; And both these kings hearts shall be to do mischief and they speak lies at one table but it shall not prosper for yet, the end shall be at the time appointed.”
The two parties, the Victorious and the defeated sat together for peacemaking but unable to come to compromise. The two kings Antiochus and Ptolemy speak lies only at the table. Antiochus after his wonderful victory over Egypt turned back to Syria and happened to pass through Israel “Then shall he return into his land, with great riches and his heart shall be against the holy covenant and he shall do exploits and return to his own land (Daniel
11.28)”. This is what happened in the year 171 B.C. after Antiochus Epiphanes came to power in 175 B.C. He was actually very friendly with Israel but after four years of his rule he felt it necessary to break off his friendship with Israel. Though he got victory over Egypt, controlling of it was far from reality. He got more riches, but he had no political control over his rivals in the south.
In 168 B.C. Antiochus again declared war on Egypt and went through Israel. But he could not win the war this time because the ships of chittim entered the field against him. So to say, the Romans came to know the power of Antiochus that he would certainly become victorious over Egypt sent their army to Egypt against him. So for Antiochus it became impossible to win the war. He became frustrated and submitted himself to the demands of Rome and returned to his place through Israel. Perhaps on the way, it so happened that a pig was killed at the altar of the Temple of God in Jerusalem and paraded into the Temple with the statue of Zeus his heathen god which had the head of his own likeness. He put the Temple in desolation and abomination and defiled it. He further declared that no faithful Jew should enter the Temple.
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM
So, the sacrificial system and the rituals of Mosaic law were ceased to continue and the Temple remained in desolation. Antiochus did this intentionally to keep Israel in his grip and secure the buffer as needed between Egypt and Syria. What kind of steps Antiochus had taken were really demonic and heinous. He cleverly sent his military general Apollonius with an army of 22,000 soldiers into Jerusalem under the guise of establishing peace. Then on the Sabbath day, the general launched an attack against the unsuspecting people of Jerusalem. They killed many men and took many women and children as slaves into Syria. In addition to that the soldiers plundered and burnt the city.
Anyway Antiochus followed this method by abominating the Holy Temple of God. And he also prevented Jews from following the religious practices. These religious practices included undergoing circumcision observing holidays and festivals. Then what is said in verse 32? “And such as do wickedly against the covenant, shall he corrupt by flattering but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits”. The first part of the saying is about the Jews who were not particular about their religions but embrace Helenistic philosophy and their life style would be totally heathen. Such people naturally support Antiochus and Greek way of life. But those people who knew their God is very strong were called observant Jews. They would certainly love their God and obey His word.
Then who were called exploits in this context. They were called the Maccabees, who did Guerilla type war against Syrians and fought courageously for three years between 168 and 165 B.C. They did not sleep until they pushed back Antiochus and his people from the holy land. They cleansed the land and the Temple from the heathen presence, and sanctified it. At last the Temple was rededicated to the observance of Mosaic Law. This function was commemorated in the holiday of Hanukkah, which is refered in the New Testament as the feast of Dedication. Then what we see in verse 33? “And they that understand among the people, shall instruct many yet they shall fall by the sword and by flame by captivity and by spoil many days”.
Inspite of the heroism of the Maccabees many Jews, who sincerely stood against the abomination of Antiochus were mercilessly put to death. To kill the obedient Jewish people Antiochus followed various methods. Some of them were killed by sword. Some were by burning. Some more through captivity and many more last everything they possessed as their own. The revenge, Antiochus took against the people of God was very swift and very
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM violent. Though the pagan Antiochus gave such barbaric treatment to the loyal Jews, they advised many to remain firm in their faith towards God. They were not perturbed by any amount of threat by Antiochus to their lives. Their devotion was continued with more vigour as an encouragement to many in the country. They made it a principle to worship their Yaheweh was far better than submitting themselves to heathen Antiochus. They decided even to die for the righteous cause.
Finally verses 34 and 35 gave us the information about the end of the vision of Daniel which was dealt with Antiochus Epiphanes. “Now when they shall fall, they shall beholpen (helped) with a little help but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them and to purge and to make them while even to the time of the end because it is yet for a time appointed.”
It is said that those who “Cleave” to Flatteries are called unfaithful and unobservant Jews and the other were faithful and they would be martyred. Then those who survived would be made pure by testing their faith. They would be refined at the time of trial under the pressure of evil forces. This period had to be considered the time of persecution. No doubt it would be painful but short lived. It was like the overcome of Syrians by Maccabees. Finally Antiochus died all of a sudden with unexpected and incurable disease in 164 B.C.
Antiochus Epiphanes was clearly depicted as the fore runner of Anti- Christ. Just as Antiochus declared war against Jews in his time in the same way the Anti – Christ will wage war against Jewish people at the end of this age of human history. Just as Antiochus polluted the Temple with abomination and desolation in Jerusalem, in the same way the Anti – Christ will work in the foot prints of Antiochus and destroy the temple that is going to be built in Jerusalem at the end of the age. Just as Antiochus killed many Jews who did not accept the worship of the heathen gods and other service conditions, the Anti – Christ also follow them to implement. The Antiochus tried to glorify himself by comparing himself to the God of universe. So he called himself “Epiphanes” which means “the Manifestation of God”. In the same way the Anti – Christ will exalt himself and magnify himself abou all gods and shall speak strange things about the God of gods. (Daniel 11.36)
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER - 13