This may surprise many but it may be the very thing that
we are seeing in these days, "Progressive
Prophecy". It seems to answer many other
questions we are asking. gerlinda
Getting back to Daniel we read some more information. In
Daniel 12: 1 “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of
your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as
never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And
at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who
is found written in the book.
The twelfth chapter of Daniel opens with this bold
assertion: “And at that time shall Michael stand up.” It is
extremely important to understand when these events will
occur. That will become conspicuous later in this article.
The expression “and at that time” in Daniel 12:1 is a
reference to the starting point of the Great Tribulation
which commences at the midpoint of Daniel’s seventieth week.
Evidence for that assessment is based on the following
salient facts:
First, the angelic messenger said to 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” (Dan.
10:14). And Daniel is specifically told that these events
will occur “at the time of the end” (Dan. 11:40). “The
latter days” and “the time of the end” are terms for the end
of the age, not some earlier time in history.
Second, the immediate context (Dan. 11:36-45) describes
the activity of Antichrist at the end of the age, including
his making Jerusalem his headquarters. The angel said, “And
he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the
seas in the glorious holy mountain [Jerusalem]; yet he shall
come to his end, and none shall help him” (Dan. 11:45). The
Lord, in referring specifically to Daniel’s prophecy, places
the Great Tribulation at the midpoint of Daniel’s seventieth
week (Mt. 24:15, 21).
Third, Daniel refers to a three-and-one-half-year time
period when the events described would occur (Dan. 12:7).
This same time frame is mentioned in the Book of Revelation
in connection with events that will occur at the end of the
age (Rev. 11:3; 12:6; 13:5). The angelic messenger
said to Daniel, “And at that time shall Michael stand up.”
The Michael in view is, of course, the angel Michael. In the
same discourse he had been spoken of as “Michael, one of the
chief princes” (Dan. 10:13); and again, in reference to
Daniel and his people, as “Michael your prince” (Dan.
10:21). In the Book of Jude he is referred to as “Michael
the archangel” (Jude 9). And it is undoubtedly Michael who
is called the archangel in his association with the Lord at
His second coming (1 Th. 4:16).
No other angelic being - not even Gabriel - is designated
an archangel in Scripture. It may well be that Michael the
archangel is the most exultant and powerful being ever
created by God. Even Satan will be defeated by him in a war
that will take place in heaven (Rev. 12:7-10). Therefore,
when Michael is brought into clear focus in the prophetic
Scriptures, careful attention should be given to the role he
fulfills.
Daniel was told that at the beginning of the Great
Tribulation Michael would “stand up.” But
what is meant by “stand up”? Major prophetic portions of
Scripture like 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 12 and 13
are greatly impacted by the answer given. The overwhelming
majority of commentators suggest that “stand up” means that
Michael, in “standing up,” will come to Israel’s defence. It
is usually understood that the one against whom this defence
will be made is the Antichrist, who oppresses Israel during
the Great Tribulation.
A highly respected prophetic scholar commenting on Daniel
12:1 states the view this way: “In their distress, the
children of Israel are especially aided by Michael, the
archangel (Jude 9). As the head of the holy angels, Michael
is given the special responsibility of protecting the
children of Israel” (See Daniel: The Key to Prophetic
Revelation by John Walvoord, p. 283). According to
this widely held view then, to “stand up” means that Michael
will come to Israel’s defence while she is experiencing the
Great Tribulation.
With respect for those who champion this position, I
nonetheless strongly suggest that the text is teaching
precisely the exact opposite. Michael does not
“stand up” to help Daniel’s people during the Great
Tribulation. He “stands still” or “desists” from his
normal role as defender of Israel, thus permitting the
Great Tribulation to occur.
In other words, the Great Tribulation is not the cause
for Michael to come to Israel’s defence. Rather, it is
because he desists from defending her that the Great
Tribulation occurs.
The expression “stand up” is the translation of the
Hebrew word amad. Amad simply means to “stand.”
It does not mean to “stand up,” and it does not mean to
“stand still.” It simply means to “stand.” If a man seated
and inactive were said to amad, he would “stand up.”
However, if a man already standing and active were said to
amad, he would “stand still,” or desist, in his activity.
Daniel had just been told by the angel who was sharing this
prophetic vision with him that Michael was actively involved
in the defence of Daniel’s people. The angel said to Daniel,
“But the prince [a fallen angel] of the kingdom of Persia
withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of
the chief princes, came to help me” (Dan. 10:13). Michael
was actively engaged in helping Israel. And once again the
angel said to Daniel, “But I will shew 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”
(Dan. 10:21).
What does the word “holdeth” (Hebrew, chazaq) mean?
According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,
holdeth can mean “to bind” or “restrain.” That means, in
context, that the archangel Michael already had a hindering
or restraining ministry against the forces of Satan on
Israel’s behalf. So when it is said that Michael will
“stand,” it means he will “stand still,” “desist,” or
“cease” from defending Israel.
This, of course, would be in dramatic contrast to Michael’s
normal activity described in the words “which standeth [a
present, continuous action] for the children of thy people”
(Dan. 12:1). In other words, just prior to the Great
Tribulation the archangel Michael will cease or desist from
what was his historically ongoing responsibility of
defending Israel.
It would make little sense to tell Daniel that Michael
was defending his people in Chapter 12 when he had already
clearly told him that fact, not once but twice, in Daniel,
Chapter 10.
Rashi, one of Israel’s greatest teachers, and a man whose
Hebrew scholarship is unexcelled, understood “stand up”
(Hebrew, amad) to literally mean “stand still” in Daniel
12:1. He wrote: “The Holy One [a Jewish designation for
God], Blessed be He, said to Michael, ‘You are
silent? You do not defend my children.’”
Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible says
that amad means “to stand, stand still or fast.”
And Strong’s Concordance cites one of the root meanings of
amad as “cease,” and one of its definitions as “stand
still.” A biblical illustration of amad meaning “to be still
or desist is, “they…stood still [desisted], and answered no
more” (Job 32:16).
The Book of Revelation describes a war that will take
place in heaven. The main combatants of the conflict are the
archangel Michael and Satan. The time can be clearly
identified as the midpoint of Daniel’s seventieth week when
the time of trouble (Great Tribulation) is to begin. The
account is recorded this way: “And there was war in heaven:
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon [identified
as Satan]; and the dragon fought and his [fallen] angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in
heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole
world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were
cast out with him” (Rev. 12:7-9).
It is at this precise point, when cast out of heaven and
no longer restrained by Michael, that it is said of Satan:
“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he
persecuted the woman [Israel] which brought forth the man
child [Christ]” (Rev. 12:13). He could do so unhindered
because Michael, at that time, had ceased his restraining
ministry.
In the very next chapter, Satan - cast out of heaven to
the earth and no longer restrained by Michael - will empower
his progeny, the Antichrist, for precisely three and
one-half years. The Bible records that event this way:
“And they [the unsaved world] worshipped the dragon [Satan]
which gave power unto the beast [Antichrist]: and they
worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?
who is able to make war with him? [The answer to the
rhetorical question, “Who is able to make war with him?” is,
“No one,” because the archangel Michael has ceased his
restraining work.] And there was given unto him a mouth
speaking great [wicked] things and blasphemies; and power
was given unto him to continue forty and two months [three
and one-half years]” (Rev. 13:4-5). At the return of Christ,
Antichrist will be thrown into the abyss forever (Rev. 19),
and Satan will be bound for a thousand years.
The question may be raised, Why would Michael, whose normal
activity was to restrain satanic attacks against Israel,
cease his restraining work? The Word of God gives specific
reason for the cessation of the restrainers’ work at
precisely that point in time. Since Israel refused
God’s truth and rejected her true Christ, God will send on
them strong delusion so that they will believe the lie. The
lie in view is that Antichrist is the Messiah and Deliverer.
Paul put it this way: “They received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe
[the] lie, that they all might be [judged] who believed not
the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Th.
2:10-12). The strong delusion comes from God. It is
His purifying judgment on Israel. That is why Michael will
no longer hinder or hold down the wicked one. My people have
rejected the Son of God for two thousand years. And not only
so, but they have severely and unjustly persecuted those
from among their own flock who have seen in Jesus the one of
whom Moses and the prophets of Israel wrote. Their God, in
what can only be described as “holy love,” will give them an
unhindered dose of Antichrist. As a result - on their backs,
cut off, with no human deliverance possible - they will at
last look up, and they will see - in the altogether lovely
face of Jesus - their long-rejected Messiah.
This observation provides perfect logic for the view that
on this occasion and for this purpose Michael will “stand
still” - he will abstain, he will not fight for Israel. When
Michael ceases to defend Israel, “the time of Jacob’s
troubles” or the “Great Tribulation” will commence.
Daniel wrote of Michael, the restrainer, this way: “And
at that time shall Michael stand up [literally, stand
still or desist from helping Israel], the great prince
which standeth [whose normal and continued ministry had
been to help Israel]” (Dan. 12:1); and Paul wrote of the
restrainer this way: “He who now letteth [restrains] will
let [continue his normal restraining ministry], until he
be taken out of the way [ceases his normal ministry of
restraining]” (2 Th. 2:7). The parallel between the two is
conspicuous.
The apostle Paul clearly had Daniel 12:1 in mind when he
wrote 2 Thessalonians 2:7. The clear and compelling allusion
to Daniel 12 would indicate that the restrainer is the
archangel Michael.1
Daniel was told, “And at that time [the midpoint of Daniel’s
seventieth week] shall Michael stand up [cease or desist
from defending Israel], the great prince which standeth for
the children of thy people [whose normal activity had been
to defend them]: and [as a direct result of Michael’s lack
of restraint] there shall be a time of trouble, such as
never was since there was a nation even to that same time”
(Dan. 12:1).
The “time of trouble” to which the angel refers is
elsewhere called “the time of Jacob’s [Israel’s] troubles.”
Jeremiah describes that period of time this way: “Alas! for
that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the
time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it”
(Jer. 30:7).
The Lord Jesus Christ, in speaking of the same time frame
and same event, called it “the Great Tribulation.” He
warned, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was
not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor
ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened
[”amputated” or lessened in duration], there should no flesh
[in context, believing flesh] be saved [i.e., delivered]:
but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Mt.
24:21-22).
Daniel is then told that, “at that time thy people shall
be delivered.” “That time” has already been identified as
the Great Tribulation which commences at the midpoint of
Daniel’s seventieth week. Exactly how long the Great
Tribulation will last we are not told. But we are told by
the Lord that it will be “cut short” or “amputated” (Mt.
24:21-22). It is less than three and one-half years in
duration and corresponds to the fifth seal of Revelation
6:9-11. (This is what we showed you in last weeks News
Letter. The Fifth seal, which is the martyrdom of the Saints
takes place at the beginning of the Tribulation which is at
Passover. This is why Satan has all the Israelites brought
back to the land, so he can kill them.) t is clear
that the seventieth week of Daniel is not shortened - it is
“determined” (Dan. 9:24); and the last three and one-half
years is not shortened - its duration is referred to
repeatedly (Rev. 11:3; 12:6; 13:5). What is shortened is the
Great Tribulation.
The sixth seal depicts cosmic disturbance (Rev.
6:12-17). It immediately follows the Great Tribulation and
is the prelude to “the Day of the Lord” when the righteous
will be delivered and the judgment of the wicked will
commence.
The angelic messenger, however, is careful to note that
not all will be delivered. There is a clear caveat. He
qualifies his statement concerning deliverance by
restricting it to “every one that shall be found written in
the book” (Dan. 12:1). “The book” is evidently a reference
to the “book of life” (Mal. 3:16-17; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:12;
Rev. 21:27).
It is important to note the repeated theme of
“deliverance” out of the Great Tribulation.
Jeremiah wrote: “Alas! for that day is great, so that none
is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he
shall be saved [delivered] out of it” (Jer. 30:7 - italics
added).
Daniel was told, “There shall be a time of trouble…and at
that time thy people shall be delivered” (Dan. 12:1 -
italics added). The Lord taught: “Immediately after
the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and
the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall
from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:
and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they
shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a
great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his
elect [for deliverance] from the four winds, from one end of
heaven to the other” (Mt. 24:29-31 - italics added).
John testified that: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great
multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands;…And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,
What [better, “Who”] are these which are arrayed in white
robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou
knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of
great tribulation [deliverance], and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev.
7:9; 13-14 - italics added).
Ezekiel, Daniel, the Lord, and John each stated that
deliverance follows the Great Tribulation.
The angelic messenger concludes his lengthy message to
Daniel with these words: “And they that be wise shall shine
as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many
to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan.
12:3). The Hebrew word for wise is sâkal. It
means to be circumspect, to possess understanding. In
context, it is speaking of understanding in the last days,
of understanding what is going on when Antichrist steps onto
the stage of history. Of such men and women it is said that
they “shall shine as the brightness of the firmament” - that
is, they will shine like the visible expanse of the
sky. However, understanding requires action. And so
the angel promises, “And they that turn many to
righteousness [will shine] as the stars for ever and ever.”
This was taken from
http://www.zionshope.org/ZH_zionsfire.aspx
gerlinda