The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  3cThen I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

  4And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O dLord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,

  5e“we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.

  6f“Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.

  7“O Lord, grighteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.

  8“O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.

  9h“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.

  10“We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.

  11“Yes, iall Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the jLaw of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.

  12“And He has kconfirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; lfor under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.

  13m“As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; nyet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.

  14“Therefore the LORD has okept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for pthe LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.

  15“And now, O Lord our God, qwho brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself ra name, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly!

  16“O Lord, saccording to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, tYour holy mountain; because for our sins, uand for the iniquities of our fathers, vJerusalem and Your people ware a reproach to all those around us.

  17“Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, xand yfor the Lord’s sake 1cause Your face to shine on 2Your sanctuary, zwhich is desolate.

  18a“O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes band see our desolations, and the city cwhich is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

  19“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

  The Seventy-Weeks Prophecy

  20Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,

  21yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man dGabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, 3being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.

  22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.

  23“At the beginning of your supplications the 4command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly ebeloved; therefore fconsider the matter, and understand the vision:

  24“Seventy 5weeks are determined

  For your people and for your holy city,

  To finish the transgression,

  6 To make an end of sins,

  g To make reconciliation for iniquity,

  h To bring in everlasting righteousness,

  To seal up vision and prophecy,

  i And to anoint 7the Most Holy.

  25“Know therefore and understand,

  That from the going forth of the command

  To restore and build Jerusalem

  Until jMessiah kthe Prince,

  There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;

  The 8street shall be built again, and the 9wall,

  Even in troublesome times.

  26“And after the sixty-two weeks

  l Messiah shall 10be cut off, mbut not for Himself;

  And nthe people of the prince who is to come

  o Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.

  The end of it shall be with a flood,

  And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

  27Then he shall confirm pa 11covenant with qmany for one week;

  But in the middle of the week

  He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,

  r Even until the consummation, which is determined,

  Is poured out on the 12desolate.”

  Daniel 10

  Vision of the Glorious Man

  1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose aname was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, 1but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

  2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.

  3I ate no 2pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

  4Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the 3Tigris,

  5I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in blinen, whose waist was cgirded with gold of Uphaz!

  6His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, dand the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

  7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

  8Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my 4vigor was turned to 5frailty in me, and I retained no strength.

  9Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

  Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece

  10eSuddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

  11And he said to me, “O Daniel, fman greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

  12Then he said to me, g“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, hyour words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

  13i“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, jMichael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

  14“Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people kin the latter days, lfor the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

  15When he had spoken such words to me, mI 6turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

  16And suddenly, none having the likeness of the 7sons of men otouched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision pmy sorrows have 8overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.

  17“For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains
in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

  18Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.

  19qAnd he said, “O man greatly beloved, rfear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

  20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight swith the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.

  21“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, texcept Michael your prince.

  Daniel 11

  Warring Kings of North and South

  1“Also ain the first year of bDarius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)

  2“And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.

  3“Then ca mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and ddo according to his will.

  4“And when he has arisen, ehis kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity fnor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.

  Warring Kings of North and South

  5“Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion.

  6“And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her 1authority, and neither he nor his 2authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.

  7“But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail.

  8“And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their 3princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.

  9“Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.

  10“However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come gand overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return hto his fortress and stir up strife.

  11“And the king of the South shall be imoved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the jmultitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy.

  12“When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be 4lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.

  13“For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.

  14“Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, 5violent men of your people shall exalt themselves 6in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall kfall.

  15“So the king of the North shall come and lbuild a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the 7forces of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist.

  16“But he who comes against him mshall do according to his own will, and nno one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his 8power.

  17“He shall also oset his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and 9upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, por be for him.

  18“After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him.

  19“Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall qstumble and fall, rand not be found.

  20“There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.

  21“And in his place sshall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

  22“With the 10force of a tflood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, uand also the prince of the covenant.

  23“And after the league is made with him vhe shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.

  24“He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, 11spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.

  25“He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him.

  26“Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall 12be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.

  27“Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the wappointed time.

  28“While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land.

  The Northern King’s Blasphemies

  29“At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.

  30x“For ships from 13Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.

  31“And 14forces shall be mustered by him, yand they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.

  32“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall 15corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

  33“And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.

  34“Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by 16intrigue.

  35“And some of those of understanding shall fall, zto refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.

  36“Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall aexalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.

  37“He shall regard neither the 17God of his fathers nor the desire of women, bnor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.

  38“But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.

  39“Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for 18gain.

  The Northern King’s Conquests

  40“At the ctime of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him dlike a whirlwind, with chariots, ehorsemen, and with many ships; and he shall ent
er the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.

  41“He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: fEdom, Moab, and the 19prominent people of Ammon.

  42“He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of gEgypt shall not escape.

  43“He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow hat his heels.

  44“But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.

  45“And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and ithe glorious holy mountain; jyet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.

  Daniel 12

  Prophecy of the End Time

  1“At that time Michael shall stand up,

  The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;

  a 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 bshall be delivered,

  Every one who is found cwritten in the book.

  2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

  d Some to everlasting life,

  Some to shame eand everlasting 1contempt.

  3Those who are wise shall fshine

  Like the brightness of the firmament,

  g And those who turn many to righteousness

  h Like the stars forever and ever.

  4“But you, Daniel, ishut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall jrun to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

  5Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that kriverbank.

  6And one said to the man clothed in llinen, who was above the waters of the river, m“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”

  7Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he nheld up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him owho lives forever, pthat it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; qand when the power of rthe holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.