The people who know their God

The people who know their God

Scripture: “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:31-35

Observation: Daniel 11 contains very detailed prophecy about the future happenings of the powers surrounding Israel and even concerning the evil King Herod who ruled over Judah and Jerusalem during the birth of Christ. A very detailed account of prophecy fulfilled can be found at this web page:-http://www.herealittletherealittle.net/index.cfm?page_name=Daniel11 In the passage chosen in particular it focuses on the desecration caused by the Selieucid king of the North Antiochus IV who defiled the temple of God by placing an altar of Zeus there and offering a sacrifice of a pig to Zeus. He went on to force all the people in his kingdom to be one people, each giving up their own customs. The Jews were not allowed to circumcise their boys, give sacrifices or observe the Sabbaths. Instead, they were to follow the common religion and practices and Antiochus would praise those who followed his commands. However, many Jews remained faithful to God, and were persecuted even unto death for their faith. Eventually, this led to the Maccabean rebellion which ultimately overthrew the rule of Antiochus. It is interesting that the army of Judas Maccabee, though quite large, only consisted of a minority of faithful men. Until the time of the end of the second period of Jewish sovereignty, there was still persecution of the Jews in other territories by people angered at their success against the Seleucids, and after the death of Judas Maccabee, there was further persecution on the righteous Jews all the way until the appointed time – the time prophesied by Daniel when the Messiah would come.

These events correlate closely with what has been prophesied in Revelation will happen in the end times, when the Anti-Christ will force everyone to follow one religion or be persecuted, even put to death, and just as the Jews continued to be persecuted, Christians too will be persecuted until the 2^nd coming of Christ.

There are a few things we can learn from this passage. Firstly, we see that God is in control of everything. The fact that it was prophesied shows that God knew that all these things would happen and allowed them to happen. He is in control at all times, and will make everything right in the end.

Secondly, we see that the enemy uses flattery to deceive God’s people. Even in the garden of Eden, the serpent used flattery to lure Eve to sin. We must always be on guard against flattery and pride. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Psalms 118:8 Better be right and persecuted than to be praised while doing what is wrong.   

Thirdly, it is written that people who knew their God firmly resisted the evil king. Do we know our God? Unless our faith is real and genuine, and we know our God is real, how can we stand up in the day of tribulation? We need to seek God, and pray that He will be real and active in our lives.

Fourth, the people who were wise and taught many the right ways endured persecution for a time. There are times in life when we may have to face persecution for doing the right thing. We need to remember that it is only for a time. In light of eternity, our sufferings can only be for a moment.

Finally, persecution and suffering has a role in purifying, refining and making us spotless for Christ. In the book of Hebrews, it is written of Jesus “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” Hebrews 5:8-9 Suffering played a role in making Jesus perfect. The same is for us, like gold refined by fire.

Application: Know that no matter what happens God is in control of everything. Be on guard against flattery and promises which tempt us to do evil. Resolve to seek God to really, really know Him. Remember that suffering is only temporary and plays a role in making us purer and better, more and more Christlike.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are in control of everything and You hold all history in Your hands. Guard my heart I pray against flattery and temptation to do evil. I pray, O Lord, that I may really know You more and more, and that You will be so real in my life. Help me be patient in suffering, knowing that it is only temporary, and let it mould me to become more and more like You, Lord Jesus. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.