When Daniel speaks of "the holy people" he is referring to the olive tree, to God's elect, to those who are of Christ; not to the physical nation of Israel.

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:25)

The saints (holy ones) of the last days, the days of Antichrist, are those who are in Christ whether they are physical Jews or Gentiles. Redemption is by promise, not by natural birth.

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:8)

We Gentile believers are an integral part of true, elect Israel. We need to learn how the Lord God will deal with those who belong to Him whether they are Jewish or Gentile by physical birth.

We have mentioned that the issue is one of judgment. God's saints must be obedient to Him until He is satisfied they no longer will be condemned along with Satan.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (I Corinthians 11:32)

We have said also that Antichrist's strategy for the last days is to cause the saints to feel so secure they do not seek the Lord as they should. One tactic that is part of his strategy is the doctrine of the pre-tribulation "rapture" of the saints.

The pre-tribulation-rapture error has spread amazingly, given its lack of scriptural foundation, and has succeeded in persuading the Christians in the wealthy nations they will not suffer—this in spite of the record of suffering of the Christian Era and the vicious persecution of the saints that continues to the present hour in some countries of the world.

Let us proceed to examine some further comments by Daniel concerning the second half of the seventieth week. The latter part of the seventieth week is, as we have stated, the time of the great tribulation, the hour of temptation, and the overcoming of the saints.

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)

Antichrist will deceive people by flattery. This work of deception is taking place today as pastors and teachers are flattering and coddling the believers. Any individual who speaks of the role of suffering in the Christian redemption is not received by many Christian churches.

Here and there one may find strong saints who are warning the Christians that much suffering is ahead—suffering that will purify the Bride of the Lamb and separate her from the babylonish (manmade, man-centered, man-directed) confusion of the ecclesiastical organizations. But the majority of believers are flocking to hear smooth words, positive statements concerning how much God loves them and will never allow them to suffer. The current "positive" thinking and preaching is of Antichrist and the False Prophet.

The true Christian Gospel contains much that is positive and much that is negative. The teacher who presents only what is positive is seeking his own glory. The teacher who presents only what is negative is emotionally ill.

The believers are being corrupted by the flattery of preachers who are seeking their own profit. However, in the time of darkness those who truly know the Lord will increase in strength and perform works of faith.

To be continued.