At That Time Shall Michael Stand Up

These words which form our heading open the 12th chapter of Daniel's prophecy. This chapter is a continuation of the prophetic survey given to Daniel in the whole of chapter eleven. It introduces Michael who is described as `the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people'. Michael who is also called Michael the Archangel (Jude v.9), is also mentioned in chapter 10 v.21 of Daniel as being involved in controlling the activities of a king of Persia. This activity was carried out with another angel who was probably Gabriel. It is evident that these angels are able to influence world leaders and others in order to fulfil the purpose of God.

The Time for Action

The time when Michael was to stand up is stated to be when `he shall come to his end and none shall help him'. (Ch.11 v.45) The individual described in this extract is none other than the King of the North referred to in v.40. The context of the intervening verses enabled us to identify this power as the Turkish Empire; this power came to its end during World War 1, 1917. Its end came about because Turkey had sided with Germany. British troops advanced into Palestine where the Turks had based their main army. In the ensuing battle British troops led by General Allenby took Jerusalem on December 9th 1917. The war soon came to an end with the removal of the desolating Turks from the Holy Lane.

General Allenby dismounted his horse and in respect walked into the Holy City of Jerusalem

The Wandering Jews

We have to remember that the Jews, for a long time, were a people without a land. They wished for a country that would welcome them, millions of them, because they were all refugees. There are therefore good reasons why Michael should stand up for the Jewish people at this time of need and opportunity.

Dr. Chaim Weizmann

Dr. Chaim Weizmann

This Russian Jew was a brilliant chemist; he discovered a better way of making acetone, vital to the production of explosives. For this practical contribution to the war effort he was asked by Lord Balfour, the spokesman for the British Government, what he would appreciate as a reward. In reply he asked for Palestine for his people. On November 2nd 1917, before Britain had been given the Palestine Mandate, Lord Balfour wrote the now famous `Balfour Declaration' in the form of a letter to Lord Rothschild, a former Zionist leader.

The Balfour Declaration

Lord Balfour

"His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any country."

There can be no doubt that Chaim Weizmann and his Jewish friends would have been very pleased with this declaration which was so sympathetic to the idea of establishing a national home for the Jews in Palestine. It would now be possible for Jewish colonists to buy land from willing Arab owners which at that time in Southern Israel and the areas around Tel Aviv was nothing but sand dunes and scrub.

The purchase of any land in Palestine would have been impossible when the Turks dominated the land. Similarly, it was not possible to drain the swamps that were prevalent in the North. This would enable the reclamation of valuable fertile land suitable for growing crops of all kinds.

The British Mandate

In the post war allocation of spheres of influence over the conquered territories of the deflated Turkish Empire, the League of Nations proceeded to appoint Britain as the Mandatory power for Palestine in 1920. At San Remo Conference, 52 nations endorsed Britain's endorsement.

In the framing of the Balfour Declaration and in the appointment of Great Britain as the mandatory power we can see the influence of Michael over the members of the British Government and the National Leaders in the League of Nations in guiding and furthering the affairs of God's people.

It was quite wonderful to observe how three angels of God could and did control the course of history to allow the Jews to return to the land of their fathers and, in spite of much opposition, to come with singing unto Zion.

Bro. Ralph Green, (Torquay, UK)