June 22: TRANSITIONS
He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. Daniel 11:41
As we seek to learn of God’s unchanging character, we are given a view of His sovereign hand over the affairs of men. The Omniscient One sees the full layout of human history ahead of time. He can see around every corner. The “heads up” that we are given is a wonderful aid to anyone seeking to please Him. His knowledge of the future protects freedom of choice for individuals. The things revealed (Deuteronomy 29:29) can guide us in making right choices, if only we will heed His message. This is where hope is found!
He [God] changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:21-22
The king of the North came to symbolize fallen Christianity under the heavy influence of the antichrist who—knowingly or unknowingly—is himself yielded to Satan's influence (see Isaiah 14:13-14). In our opening verse, He (the king of the north) is shown to enter the Glorious Land. This term was earlier equated to the promised land of the people of Israel (Daniel 8:9). It would be flowing with milk and honey—that is, economically blessed. Also, a place where God’s people could worship Him in spirit and truth.
Revelation 12 gives us a picture of the transition of God’s faithful people—likened to a beautiful woman—from the OT Jewish believers to NT faithful Christians (see Revelation 12:1-2). We also see Satan working through earthly powers to kill the Messiah as soon as he was born (v.4; see also Matthew 2:16). His perfect life, death, and resurrection are presented (v.5). When the Dark Ages set in, His church was persecuted and fled into the wilderness (v.6) areas around Europe. Persecution continued (v.14) and God’s people eventually found refuge in America. The earth helped the woman… (v.16).
There was a transition of God’s faithful from literal Israel to spiritual Israel (Romans 2:29; Galatians 3:29). Daniel’s chapter 11 progresses through history from the days of Medo-Persia to our time. Our opening verse is set in the time of the end which began in 1798 and continues to our day. The Glorious Land has proven to be a blessed land indeed. Despite its flaws, it is recognized the world over as the greatest nation in the history of planet earth. It was the sovereign hand of God that opened this land, known as a haven of refuge for those suffering persecution. Revelation 13:11 tells us of the lamblike principles of its beginning. The two horns like a lamb, notably without crowns, represent civil liberty and religious liberty. Another verse in Revelation 13 connects with today’s opening verse from Daniel.
And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Revelation 13:12