The Vision Continued: The Final Countdown of Gentile...

�1 Daniel Chapter 11 Klaus G. Schiessel © June 2006

DANIEL 11 The Vision Continued: The Final Countdown of Gentile History

The prophecies in the other dreams and visions in the book of Daniel come together in this chapter. The very importance of this chapter lies in the fact that Satan had tried to hinder the answer to Daniel’s prayer in chapter 10. Why? Because the nature of these prophecies concern Persia, Greece, Syria and Egypt – four nations that were to have an important impact on Israel and the Jews. This chapter fills in some details related to the Seventy Weeks (of years) prophecy given at the end of chapter 9. In this chapter the information that the “prince of Persia” had tried to prevent the angel from coming and revealing to Daniel is finally communicated to him. The comprehension of these prophecies would become more clear as they became historic fact {refer to Daniel 12:9, 10}. This vision is primarily comprised of prophecies concerning (a) Persia, (b) Greece, (c) the ‘king of the north’ (Syria), (d) the ‘king of the south’ (Egypt) and (e) final kingdom of anti-Christ. The historical record has already confirmed most of the prophecies given in this vision [(a) – (d)]. The future military campaigns of the anti-Christ are especially detailed (e). Another important feature of this chapter is that it bridges prophetically the Old and New Testament period known as the “Inter-testament Period” from about 400 BC to 1 AD. During this time the Jews suffered at the hands of both Syria and Egypt as they warred with one another and the land of Israel was caught in the middle. It was a time of great distress and suffering for Daniel’s people and the Holy City, Jerusalem.

Table 11-1 summarizes the prophecies related to the kingdoms described in this vision and relates them back to previous dreams and visions. Note that Babylon is not represented since that kingdom was already conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire at this time and was ‘past history’.

Table 11- 1. Cross-Correlation of the Vision in Chapter 11 with Other Visions in the Book of Daniel.

Kingdom/Nation Nebuchadnezzar’s

Dream {Daniel 2:31-45}

Daniel’s Dream {Daniel 7:1-18}

Daniel’s Vision {Daniel 8:1-27}

Persia Chest of Silver [Daniel 2:32]

Bear w/3 Ribs in Mouth [Daniel 7:5]

Ram w/2 Non-Uniform Horns

[Daniel 8:3, 4]

Greece Leopard w/ 4 Heads

[Daniel 7:6] Goat w/ 1 Horn [Daniel 8:5, 6]

Syria & Egypt

Stomach & Hips of Bronze

[Daniel 2:32] 2 Heads of Leopard

[Daniel 7:6] 2 of 4 Notable Horns

[Daniel 8:8, 22]

Roman Feet & 10 Toes of

Iron + Clay [Daniel 2:33]

Little Horn of the 10-Horned Terrible Beast w/Iron Teeth & Bronze

Claws [Daniel 7:7, 8]

Stern-faced King w/Fierce Appearance

[Daniel 8:23-25]

The prophecy in this chapter is so detailed and has been fulfilled so accurately it has caused

the skeptic and liberal scholar to deny that it was written before it happened. These individuals insist that this prophecy was written after the fact – after it was already history. This is ironic since God and the angels know that is not true and the fact that the prophecy is so detailed was intended to bear ‘proof‘ that God’s Word could be trusted. It was part of the reason Satan did not want this information revealed. For example, the prophecy in the book of Daniel was used to show Alexander the Great his place in history while it was happening and he believed. Even the skeptic cannot deny the prophecy’s accuracy so he must deny the timing of when it was written. But for those who believe in the God of miracles, these prophecies are not impossible but demonstrate God’s awesome power and sovereignty in the history of the world.


In previous chapters (e.g., 2, 7 and 8) God communicated through dreams and visions which contained some amazing and exciting images. For example (a) the marvelous colossus made of gold, silver, bronze, iron and iron mixed with clay, (b) a lion with two wings, a leopard with four heads and four wings, a bear with three ribs in its mouth and an exceedingly dreadful beast with iron teeth and bronze claws and (c) a ram with two uneven horns and the goat with one huge horn out of its forehead. However now, in this chapter, God will speak plainly, no longer using symbols of metals and animals but in distinct terms, over which there can be no sensational speculation as to their meaning.

On the other hand, the prophecies in this chapter are relatively detailed and involve historical predictions from a standpoint that most believers find obscure or too much work to understand. Most people seem to like “exciting” prophecy that is full of sensational images and lends itself to ‘wild’ speculation. At the same time, many Christians do not like to dig into the prophetical Word of God when it appears dull and unexciting—at least on the surface. But for anyone who enjoys a detailed and in-depth study of prophecy or is willing to learn from it, this remarkable section of God’s Word offers wonderful insight into God’s foreknowledge, management and sovereignty over the affairs of men and nations. This prophecy spans many centuries and even extends to the Second Coming of the Messiah – over two and a half millennia so far!

So (1) before we actually begin to study the details of these prophecies of this chapter and (2) we do not lose perspective of why a Christian should be interested in studying prophecy, we need to remember some important features about prophecy:

• The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ; prophecy demonstrates Christ’s creative and redemptive power {Revelation 19:10; 4:11; 5:9, 12}

• Prophecy and its interpretation do not originate from any one individual; it originates from God through the Holy Spirit. {2 Peter 1:20, 21}

• The purpose of understanding prophecy is to become more like Jesus Christ in attitude and behavior. {1 John 3:1-3}

• Prophecy demonstrates in no uncertain way that there really is no “chance” event; there is a plan and purpose to life that ultimately brings glory and honor to God.

WE ARE NOW FINALLY READY TO STUDY THIS CHAPTER – THE LAST VISION AND PROPHECY IN

THE BOOK OF DANIEL.


vv. 1-2 � FOUR PROMINENT KINGS OF PERSIA: ONE WILL ATTACK GREECE

[1 (Also in the first year of Darius 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.”]

[(“Also in the first year of Darius the Mede…”)] DARIUS THE MEDE, the son of Ahasuerus

was made ruler over Babylonian Chaldean kingdom after it was conquered by the Medes &

Persians [See Daniel 5:31; 9:1. Refer also to the Appendix in the Daniel chapter 6 notes.]

Evidently, he is only called Darius the Mede in the book of Daniel but historically he is

identified as Gobryas [Gubaru1] or Cyaxares II who was made ruler of the Chaldean Kingdom

when it fell in 538 BC. During his lifetime Darius the Mede reigned in conjunction with his

nephew, Cyrus II (the Great), the king of Persia2.

When his uncle, Darius the Mede, died in 536 BC Cyrus the Great married his daughter (a

cousin) and thus solidly united the Mede and Persian kingdoms. After this marriage, Cyrus

subdued all the nations between Syria and the Red Sea, and died at the age of seventy, after a

reign of thirty years [23 yrs as king of Persia and 7 yrs and king of the Chaldeans].

[(“….. I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him”)] This verse is a somewhat

confusing because of the identity of who ‘him’ is. Some believe this verse is referencing back

to the end of Daniel 10:21 (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.),

which is artificially separated from a parenthetical thought that begins there. If so, then the

‘him’ is Michael the archangel indicating that this angel was mutually upholding and

strengthening him as well.

However, if the ‘him’ refers to Darius the Mede in this verse, then it indicates that the

angel now sent to Daniel was actively engaged in affirming the faith of Darius at the

beginning of his reign over Babylon in 538 BC. This is the view of J. Vernon McGee. It is

the interpretation I favor. If this is the case it affirms in a wonderful way the ministry that

God has given to angels in the affairs of men {see Hebrews 1:7, 14}

Remember that two significant events in the life of Daniel occurred in the first year of

Darius: (1) Political intrigue that landed Daniel in the lion’s den and ended with his

miraculous rescue and the death of his accusers and their families {Daniel 6} and (2) the

revelation of the amazing prophecy of Seventy Weeks (of years) determined for the Jews and

Jerusalem {Daniel 9}.

1 Gubaru is possibly a translation of Darius. The same radical letters in Arabic mean ‘king’, ‘compeller’,

‘restrainer’. In Hebrew, derivations of the root mean "lord," "mistress," "queen"; in Aramaic, "mighty," "almighty." Gutium was the designation of the country North of Babylon associated with the Chaldeans and was in all possibility in the time of Cyrus a part of the province of Media. 2 The Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities XII. 13) says that Darius the Mede with his ally, Cyrus,

destroyed the kingdom of Babylon. Jerome assigns three reasons why Babylon is said in the Scriptures {Daniel 5:31} to have been taken by Darius the Mede: (1) He was the older of the two; (2) the Medes were at that time more famous than the Persians and (3) the uncle (the older) ought to be preferred to the nephew. The Greek writers say that Babylon was taken by Cyrus, without mentioning Cyaxares or Darius, doubtless because it was done solely by the former’s valor.


Since Daniel 10:1 tells us this vision occurred in the third year of Cyrus (the Great)

the year was 535 BC. In his commentary3 on Daniel 6 J. Vernon McGee states correctly that

Darius the Mede was Darius Cyaxares II of secular history who ruled for only 2 years.

Therefore this vision is given to Daniel a year after Darius’ death and three years after the

Seventy Weeks (of years) prophecy in chapter 9.

This reveals to us that the spiritual battle we are in takes many forms and is related to

other spiritual battles raging in places and with people we are not aware of.

[“Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia and the fourth…”] The verse here is

constructed as a ‘formula’ found elsewhere in scripture4: 3 + 1 = 4; that is, 3 kings + 1 king

making 4 kings. See Table 11-2 for a list of Persian kings.

Table 11- 2. The Kings of the Medo–Persian Empire. (Note that Cyrus the Great Ruled in Persia for 21 Years Prior to Ruling the Combined Empire).

Period of Reign Name of King Beginning Year

Years Months

Cyrus II {the Great} 538 BC 8 6

Cambyses II 529 BC 7 5

Smerdis 522 BC 0 7

Darius Hystaspis5 {Darius I} 521 BC 36 0

Xerxes I {Ahasuerus who took Esther as a wife}

485 BC 21 0

Artaxerxes Longimanus6 464 BC 40 3

Xerxes II 424 BC 0 2

Sogdianus 424 BC 0 7

Darius Nothus7 {Darius II} 423 BC 19 0

Artaxerxes Mnemon 404 BC 46 0

Darius Ochus 358 BC 21 0

Arses 337 BC 0 2

Darius Codomanus 335 BC 0 4

3 Daniel 6, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. III, Proverbs-Malachi, Thru the Bible Radio,

1982, p. 563. 4 See for example the prescription found in Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6.

5 This Persian king is mentioned in Ezra & Nehemiah. He was contemporary with the prophets Haggai

and Zechariah. See Ezra 4:5,24; 5:5-7; 6:1,12,15; Haggai 1:1; 2:10; Zechariah 1:1,7; 7:1. 6 This Persian king is mentioned in Ezra & Nehemiah and the decree to restore & rebuild Jerusalem

was issued by him in 445 BC in the month of Nisan. This is the beginning date for the Seventy Weeks of Years prophecy given in Daniel 9:25. 7 This Persian king also tried to conquer Greece, but failed. He was contemporary with the prophet

Malachi.


Since this prophecy is referring to four more Medo-Persian kings AFTER Cyrus the Great, who

was still alive at this time [refer to Appendix in Daniel chapter 10 notes], the four kings are

[refer to Table 11-2]:

• Cambyses II

• Smerdis

• Darius I, son of Hystaspis

• Xerxes I or Ahasuerus

Cyrus was succeeded in 529 B.C. by his son Cambyses II, who added first Phoenicia

and Cyprus, and afterward Egypt, to the new empire. In part because Cambyses had been

away too long on his campaigns and had lost touch with the people, Smerdis, his younger

brother, led a revolt in Persia. On hearing of this, Cambyses jumped on his horse to return and

deal with the situation and apparently wounded himself with his own dagger. When he died

from the wound, Darius, the son of Hystapis, restored order to the Persian Empire. He headed

an insurrection of the nobles against Smerdis, which succeeded in dethroning Smerdis.

An interesting bit of Biblical history is that it was the fourth Persian king after Cyrus the

Great, Xerxes I {also called Ahasuerus in the book of Esther 1:1-4}, who married Esther

{Hadassah; Esther 2:7} in the seventh year of his reign {Esther 2:16}. This would have been

in 478 BC; several months after his return from his defeat in Greece when Herodotus

specifically says he paid attention to his harem {see Esther 2:1-4}.

Xerxes I was indeed richer than all the rest for he had the combined wealth amassed by8:

• Cyrus’ conquest of Lydia and the subjugation of it’s the rich king, Croesus (of “Midas” fame).

• Cambyses increased that wealth by plundering the temples of other nations wherever he went9.

• Darius Hystaspis [or Darius I] also referred to as Darius the Great, increased the wealth further by laying heavy taxes on the people. One of his first acts as king was to divide his kingdom into provinces for the purpose of raising tribute10. So burdensome were these taxes, that he was called by the Persians the ‘merchant’ or ‘hoarder’. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the sum total of the taxation under Darius was 14,560 talents = 582.4 tons. Herodotus also enumerates a great amount of gold and silver and other valuable items, which Darius was accustomed to receive annually from the Ethiopians, from the Arabians, and from India. Contemporary with the prophets Haggai & Zechariah.

8 The second Persia king on the prophetical list, Smerdis, reigned only 7 months and did not have time

to accumulate wealth. 9 For example, on his return from Thebes, in Egypt, he caused all the temples in that city to be pillaged

and then burned to the ground. But he saved from the flames 12 tons of gold and 100 tons of silver. He is also said to have carried away the famous circle of gold that encompassed the tomb of king Ozymandias, which was reportedly 548 feet in circumference (174.4 feet in diameter), on which were represented the celestial motions of several constellations. [Universal History; iv 140]. 10

The Greek historian, Herodotus writes, "During the reign of Cyrus, and indeed of Cambyses, there were no specific tributes; but presents were made to the sovereign. On account of these and similar innovations, the Persians call Darius a merchant, Cambyses a despot, but Cyrus a parent”. [Herodotus, b. iii. lxxxix]. A full account of the taxation of the kingdom, and the amount of the revenue under Darius, may be seen in Herodotus, b. iii. xc -- xcvi.


It is well known by history students that both Xerxes I and his father, Darius

Hystaspis, had infuriated the Greeks with their invasions into that land. During the 490's BC,

Greeks in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) rebelled unsuccessfully against Persian rule. In 492

BC., a Persian attempt to invade Greece failed.

In 490 BC, Darius I sent another expedition to conquer Greece. The army landed

northeast of Athens on the plain of Marathon and the Greeks, though outnumbered, defeated

the Persians. Darius died before he could organize another invasion of Greece. His son

Xerxes I succeeded him.

All the vast wealth accumulated by the previous Persian kings was inherited by Xerxes I, the

son and successor of Darius Hystaspis, and the ‘fourth king’ referred to by this prophecy. He

needed it to organize a vast army and fund his ambitious mission to invade and conquer

Greece as the next verse prophecies.

[“….by his strength, through his riches, stir up all against the realm of Greece11

”] During

the early years of his reign, Xerxes I (or Ahasuerus) put down revolts in the Persian provinces

of Babylonia and Egypt. Then he began to assemble a huge land and sea force to invade

Greece. This army was drawn from all over the Persian Empire which then stretched as far

west as Libya, as far north as Macedonia, as far south as Egypt and as far east as the Indus

River in what is now Pakistan. The expedition of Xerxes I against Greece is well known12

and fits exactly the summary description given here.

Xerxes I spent four full years in making preparations for his renowned invasion of Greece.

His military strength was such that Herodotus13

, who lived in that time, informs us that

ultimately his vast army amounted to 5,283,220 men. Besides these, the Carthaginians

furnished him with an army of 300,000 men, and a fleet of 200 ships.

In 480 BC Xerxes I started out by leading an army against the Greeks comprised of

about 800,000 men, and 1207 ships, with three banks of rowers each. As he marched along,

he obliged all the people of the countries through which he passed to join him. He collected

and equipped probably the largest army that was ever assembled prior to World War I.

In 480 BC., Xerxes led his army against a Greek force in a mountain pass at

Thermopylae, northwest of Athens. The Greeks, led by troops from Sparta, held back the

Persians until a traitor told Xerxes I of another way through the mountains. The Persians

attacked the Greeks from the rear and defeated them. The people of Athens then abandoned

their great city. Xerxes I burned many temples and other buildings in Athens.

11

The Hebrew word translated Greece here is actually ‘Javan’ referring to Ionia; the Greek islands. 12

The forces that constituted Xerxes’ army were gathered out of all parts of his vast empire embracing, as was then supposed, the entire habitable world except Greece. According to Justin, the army was composed of 700,000 of his own, and 300,000 auxiliaries. Diodorus Siculus makes it to be about 300,000 men. Humphrey Prideaux (Anglican cleric and Oriental scholar; 1648-1724), from Herodotus and others, computes it to have amounted, putting all his forces by sea and land together, to 2,641,610; and he adds that the servants, eunuchs, provisioners, and such persons as followed the camp, made as many more, so that the whole number that followed Xerxes could not have been less than 5,000,000 [Connexions, part i.b.iv., vol. i. p.410]. Grotius (Dutch theologian and lawyer; 1583-1645) reckons his forces at 5,282,000. 13

For a full account of the amount of his forces and his preparation, refer to Herodotus, b. vii.


Soon afterward, the Greeks and Persians fought in the Bay of Salamis. The Greeks

had fewer ships but were better trained than the Persians for maneuvering in the small bay.

Xerxes watched from a hillside on shore as the Greeks crushed his fleet. Then he fled to his

western capital in Asia Minor (now Turkey).

In 479 BC., Persian forces attacked the Greeks at Plataea, west of Athens, and were

again defeated. In 467 or 466 BC., Greek soldiers and seamen defeated Persian forces again

at the mouth of the Eurymedon River, on the southern coast of Asia Minor. As a result a

group of Persian nobles murdered Xerxes.

AGAIN, THE FACTS OF HISTORY AND THE BIBLE ATTEST TO ACCURACY OF THE PROPHECY

GIVEN HERE.

We have then represented in this prophecy the Medo-Persian kingdom [Cyrus the Great +

four other kings] which correspond to:

• The CHEST OF SILVER in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream {Dan. 2:32, 39}

• The BEAR WITH THREE RIBS IN ITS MOUTH in Daniel’s visions {Dan. 7:5; 8:3-7}

The eight Persian kings after these are not in view in the prophecies of this chapter. The

prophecy ‘skips ahead’ to Greece and its first great king—Alexander the Great.

vv. 3, 4 � THE ‘MIGHTY KING’ WHO HAS A GREAT DOMINION

[3 “Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to

his will. 4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the

four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which

he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.

There is only one ‘mighty king’ that fits the description of (a) having a kingdom with

great dominion after the Persians; (b) then having it divided into four parts [“…..the four

winds of heaven.”] inferior in size and dominion and (c) having it given to others who are not

his direct heirs.

The ‘mighty king’ is none other than Alexander the Great who between 334 – 327 BC

conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and the Medo-Persian Empire. Alexander was tutored

by the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle. His father taught him that the Macedonian kings

were descended from the hero Hercules, the son of the god Zeus, and throughout his life he

carried with him a copy of the epic poem Iliad which described the exploits of Achilles. When

Alexander died at Babylon in 323 BC at age 32 from malaria with complications due to

alcoholism, his empire extended from Greece south to Egypt as far east as modern-day India.

[“…..his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.”] But Alexander’s family

had a most tragic end; indeed it was uprooted and given to others besides his own family. The

following events occurred soon after Alexander the Great’s death:


� Alexander’s brother Aridaeus, succeeded him and was made king in Macedonia.

� Alexander’s mother, Olympias, allied herself with one of his generals, Polysperchon against another general Cassander. She took in Roxana, one of Alexander’s wives, and her son Alexander AEgus who was only a few months old.

� Alexander’s other wife, Statira, and her sister were murdered soon after his death by Roxana in conspiracy with Olympias, Alexander’s mother.

� After a reign of six years and a few months Alexander’s brother Aridaeus was murdered, together with his wife Euridice, by command of Olympias, Alexander's mother.

� After Cassander’s army defeated Polysperchon, Olympias fled with Roxane and Alexander AEgus. But she was quickly captured by Polysperchon and was executed by soldiers in retaliation for all the death and misery she had caused. Polysperchon evidently was spared and continued in a lesser role.

� Alexander’s young son, Alexander AEgus, together with his mother Roxana, were executed by order of Cassander, one of Alexander’s generals who became ruler of Macedonia.

� Two years later, Alexander’s other son Hercules, with his mother Barsine, were ‘quietly’ murdered by Polysperchon.

Thus, within fifteen years after Alexander the Great’s death not one of his family or posterity

remained alive! Thus was Alexander, whose nickname was “the butcher”; and his family

uprooted by its own devices!

So Alexander the Great’s conquests and vast empire came to nothing that his family or

descendents could enjoy.

Never was the vanity of the world with its luxurious enticements shown to in a more

illustrative fashion than in the story of Alexander’s legacy. Solomon, the man with wisdom

and no slouch of a king himself when it came to riches said, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”.

{See Eccl. 1:2-4; 2:8-11 and 6:1, 2}. But Solomon also had the answer {Eccl. 12:13, 14}

Following the death of Alexander, and after much family intrigue, the expansive

World Empire that he had amassed was eventually divided up between four of his

commanders. Cassander took Macedonia; Lysimachus took Asia Minor {Turkey}; Seleucus I

Nicator (the Conqueror) took Syria, Babylon and Persia {out of which comes the a little horn’

in Daniel 8:9-14} and finally, Ptolemy I Soter {Ptolemaeus Lagus} took Egypt {out of which

Cleopatra [VII] later came}. Refer to Figure 11-1.

In the succeeding verses, vv.5-35, the families and kingdoms ensuing from two of

Alexander the Great’s generals, Seleucus I Nicator and Ptolemy I Soter, are described in

further detail. Their successors are referred to as the ‘kings of the North’ [SELEUCID dynasty]

and ‘kings of the South’ [PTOLEMY dynasty] throughout this prophecy. Refer to Figure 11-1.

This section of the vision {vv. 5-20} describes the continuous conflict between the two

dynasties during which time the land of Israel was invaded alternatively by power and then by

the other.


Figure 11- 1. Alexander the Great’s Four Generals and the Division of the Greek Empire.

THE FOUR PARTS IN THIS PROPHECY, THEN PROPERLY DESCRIBE THE DIVISION OF THE

GREEK EMPIRE BETWEEN ALEXANDER’S FOUR GENERALS AND THE PROPHECY IS

CONFIRMED BY HISTORICAL FACT.

We have represented in this prophecy the Greek kingdom and its division [Alexander the

Great + empires of his four generals] which correspond to:

• The STOMACH & HIPS OF BRONZE in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream {Dan. 2:32, 39}

• The LEOPARD WITH FOUR WINGS & FOUR HEADS in Daniel’s vision {Dan. 7:6}

• The MALE GOAT WITH PROMINENT HORN & FOUR HORNS coming from it in Daniel’s

vision {Dan. 8:8-14}

vv. 5, 6 � THE FIRST ‘KING OF THE 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 authority, and neither he nor

his authority 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.]

[“…the king of the South shall become strong…”] Directions in the Bible are relative to the land

of Israel. Therefore, the nation to the north would be Syria and to the south it would be

Egypt. Thus, we have logically and consistently identified that the “king of the north” is

equivalent to the king of Syria and the “king of the south” is referring to the king of Egypt.

In these verses and those following we have prophecies concerning the nations ruled

by two of Alexander’s generals; Seleucus and Ptolemaeus, and their successors. The rise and

power of two great kingdoms out of the remains of Alexander's conquests {v 4} are now

‘fleshed out’ in the rest of this vision. Refer to Figure 11-2 for a summary chart of the ‘kings

of the North’ and ‘kings of the South’ described in this prophecy. [Note that there were many

succeeding Seleucidae and Ptolemy kings not explicitly mentioned in this chapter].

Ptolemy I Soter {Egypt}

Alexander the Great

Cassander {Macedonia}

Seleucus I Nicator {Syria, Babylon, Persia}

Lysimachus {Asia Minor}

Kings of the “North”

Kings of the “South”


Ptolemy I Soter [323—285 BC]

Daniel 11:5

Seleucid Dynasty

‘Kings of the North’

Ptolemy II Philadelphus [285—246 BC]

Daniel 11:6

Seleucus I Nicator [312—281 BC]

Daniel 11:5

Ptolemy Dynasty

‘Kings of the South’

Antiochus I Soter [281—262 BC]

*Not in Daniel’s Prophecy

Antiochus II Theos [262—246 BC]

Daniel 11:6

Ptolemy III Euergetes [246—221 BC] Daniel 11:7-8

Ptolemy IV Philopator [221—204 BC]

Daniel 11:11-12, 14-15

Ptolemy V Epiphanes [204—181 BC] Daniel 11:17

Ptolemy VI Philometer [181—145 BC] Daniel 11:25

Seleucus II Callinicus [246—227 BC] Daniel 11:7-9

Seleucus III Soter [227—223 BC] Daniel 11:10 Antiochus III Magus

[223—187 BC] Daniel 11:10-13, 15-19

Antiochus IV Epiphanes [175—163 BC] Daniel 11:21-35

Seleucus IV Philopator [187—176 BC] Daniel 11:20

Figure 11- 2. Listing of the Kings of the North [Seleucid Dynasty] and the Kings of the South [Ptolemaic Dynasty] Referred to in Daniel Chapter 11. The Dates Designate the Years of Each Ruler’s Reign with Scriptural Reference.

The “king of the South” in verse 5 is then Ptolemaeus [also called Ptolemy I Soter] a

general in Alexander’s army who ruled Egypt from 323—285 BC. He was proclaimed ‘king

of Egypt’ in 304 BC. Ptolemy I’s father was Lagus and so he is also referred to as

Ptolemaeus Lagus and his successors are sometimes referred to as the Lagidae.

History attests to the fact that Ptolemy I Soter made Egypt a considerable power and

his dominion became great. The countries that belonged to Ptolemy I are considered to be

Egypt, Phoenicia, Arabia, Libya and Ethiopia. He founded a museum and the famous library

at Alexandria [named after Alexander the Great].


However, he also apparently founded the cult worship of a god called Serapis which

combined Egyptian and Greek mythological characteristics [Osiris-Apsis]. Ptolemy I built an

elaborate temple to honor and worship Serapis. The cult of Serapis was actively promoted

throughout the Mediterranean region by the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt.

Soon after Ptolemy took control of Egypt he invaded Judea and took control of Jerusalem on a

Sabbath day; after having come under the pretense of a friendly visit.

However, there was another ‘one of his princes’ that gained power. By identifying

‘his’ with the ‘mighty king’ in v3; we see that this is a reference to Alexander the Great.

Therefore, ‘one of his princes’ was another one of Alexander’s generals. In the context of this

prophecy, this was none other than Seleucus I Nicator, who took control of Syria [he would

be considered a ‘king of the North’]. He eventually came to rule over a much greater

dominion, the vast empire of Syria, Babylon and Persia. It was said that Seleucus I had no

fewer than seven-two smaller kingdoms under him. Thus, his empire became stronger than

that of Ptolemy I Soter’s.

Both Seleucus I and Ptolemy I fought over Judah; the affairs of which are in view in this

prophecy and which were particularly important to the Daniel’s people, the Jews.

When Ptolemy I died in 285 BC his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus became king of

Egypt and ruled from 285—246 BC.

During this time Seleucus I was murdered in 281 BC and his son, Antiochus I Soter

[who IS NOT in view in this prophecy], ruled the Seleucid kingdom from 281—262 BC.

Upon the death of Antiochus I, his son, Antiochus II Theos, ruled the Seleucid Empire from

262—246 BC.

Antiochus II and Ptolemy II were bitter enemies and constantly fought over territorial

claims relating to Palestine, Israel and Lebanon.

[“…at the end of some years they shall join forces…”] However, about 70 years after

Alexander died, the SELEUCID dynasty [‘king of the North’] and PTOLEMAIC dynasty [‘king of

the South’] attempted to make an alliance through marriage.

[“…for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an

agreement…”] The king of the North here was Antiochus II Theos and the king of the South

was Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Although they were constantly warring with one another,

around 248 BC they decided to make an alliance which was sealed when Ptolemy II, king of

Egypt, gave his daughter, Berenice, in marriage to Antiochus II, king of Syria.

[“…but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall

stand; but she shall be given up…”] But the marriage of Berenice to Antiochus Theos did not

last but was the occasion for much turmoil. The problem was that Antiochus Theos already

had a wife named Laodice whom he had divorced to marry Berenice.

J. Vernon McGee mentions the fact that although historians differ on some of the

minor details they have recorded enough of the significant details to determine what

happened. For a schematic diagram of these events, refer to Figure 11-3.


After two years of marriage Berenice’s father, Ptolemy Philadelphus died and Antiochus

Theos put away Berenice and her son, and remarried his first wife, Laodice. In gratitude,

Laodice (1) poisoned her husband Antiochus Theos, then (2) ordered the death of Berenice

and her son [‘she was given up’] and (3) made her son, Seleucus II Callinicus, king of Syria.

[“…with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened

her in those times.] Instead of producing a coalition between the Syrian and Egyptian

dynasties, the marriage resulted in tragedy for everyone involved. For those who engineered

the alliance, for Ptolemy II Philadelphus [‘him who begot her’] and for Antiochus II Theos

[‘him who strengthened her’, i.e. Berenice]. See illustration in Figure 11-3.

The Seleucidae dynasty came to an end in 65 BC when the Romans conquered the

Syrian Empire. The end of the Ptolemy dynasty began after its defeat by the Roman navy

{under the command of Octavian (Augustus Caesar)} in the battle of Actium [31 BC] and

finally by its defeat to the Roman army in 30 BC; the suicide of Queen Cleopatra VII and the

execution of her son, Caesarion. It is interesting to note that Jesus was born during the reign

of this Augustus Caesar [27 BC—14 AD] {Luke 2:1}; the first Emperor of Rome.

Obviously, the world rulers are not always righteous; the fact is that they are mostly

ungodly and evil. Corruption runs rampant even in the ‘best’ of governments. What is the

Christian’s response?

Paul gives us the answer: it is to seriously pray for our rulers irrespective of their character.

This is hard to put into practice, yet ironically it is in our best interests to do so. The Scripture

teaches us:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Notice the benefits of doing this. We need to believe that through prayer and thanksgiving for

all those who rule over us we will

• Lead a quiet & peaceable life.

• Live a life of all godliness & reverence.

• Help (and not hinder) the plan of salvation God our Savior has for all men.

• Not thwart the desire of God to impart the knowledge of the Truth (i.e., Jesus

Christ).

It is only through faith and love that a Christian can put this exhortation into practice. If

Christians would do this, the world would take Christianity a lot more seriously. See also

Romans 13:1-7.

So far we have seen some incredibly detailed prophecies accurately fulfilled. Skeptics

might attempt to cynically dismiss the prophecies of fantastic statues and wild animals as the

ramblings of a person under the influence of some ancient mind altering drugs. But the

precise, unambiguous prophecies of this chapter or not so easily ignored or dismissed.


Ptolemy II Philadelphus [285—246 BC]

Daniel 11:6

Berenice Is ordered killed by

Laodice

Antiochus II Theos [262—246 BC]

Divorces Laodice, marries Berenice then

divorces her and remarries Laodice. Is poisoned by Laodice.

Laodice

Poisons Antiochus II; has Berenice & her son

killed and makes her son, Seleucus II, king.

Seleucus II Callinicus [246—227 BC] Daniel 11:7-9

Son Is ordered killed by

Laodice

Antiochus I Soter [281—262 BC]

*Not in Daniel’s prophecy

Figure 11- 3. Diagram Depicting the Prophecy of Verses 5, 6.

vv. 7, 8 � THE VENGEANCE OF THE ‘KING OF THE SOUTH’

[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 princes and their precious articles of silver and

gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.]

It is not surprising that the political double-cross of the Antiochus II Theos [Seleucid]

and the murder of Berenice [Ptolemy] and her son by Laodice [Seleucid] did not go

unpunished by the Ptolemies to the south. This was going to be a feud on a grand scale, the

ancient version of the “Hatfield’s and McCoy’s”. This is what is here prophesied.

The “branch of her roots” was Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes

[‘Benefactor’]. After succeeding his father as king of Egypt, he came against Syria with his

army to avenge his sister’s murder. His army defeated the Syrians, captured the fortress city

of Antioch [‘fortress of the king of the North’] and routed Laodice’s son, Seleucus II

Callinicus. Laodice was captured and executed.

History records that Ptolemy III came back to Egypt with approximately160 tons of

gold, 1600 tons of silver and approximately 2500 idols as well as many captives. He reigned

over Egypt for 46 years; 6 more years than his counter-part to the north, Seleucus II. All in

perfect fulfillment of this prophecy!


After this victory the Ptolemaic Dynasty had control of all the territory north to the

borders of Syria which included the land of Israel. The historian Justin says that if Ptolemy

III’s own affairs had not called him home he would, in this war, have made himself master of

the whole Seleucid kingdom.

vv. 9, 10 � STRIFE & TURMOIL INSTIGATED BY THE SELEUCID DYNASTY

[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 and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall

return to his fortress and stir up strife.”]

[“….the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South….”] After

suffering a humiliating defeat, Seleucus II Callinicus [‘king of the North’], launched a

counter-attack against Egypt [‘king of the South’; Ptolemy III Euergetes] to regain the spoils

taken from his kingdom {refer to v.8 notes} and probably also to partially exact revenge for

the death of his mother, Laodice, by Ptolemy III Euergetes.

[“…but shall return to his own land.”] But Seleucus II was forced to return to his own land

without any success against the Egyptian army or recovering any of the ‘spoils of war’ taken

from his kingdom.

[“However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces…”]

However, the Seleucidae Dynasty did not give up the battle. When Seleucus II Callinicus died

[from a fall off of his horse], he left two sons as heirs; Seleucus III Soter [‘the Preserver’] and

Antiochus III Magnus [‘the Great’]. During each of their respective reigns [227—223 BC and

223—187 BC] these two sons tried to restore Syria's lost prestige and recover what their

father had lost by assembling large armies. By military conquest they in turn stirred up strife

throughout the Middle East; the older son by invading Asia Minor, modern Turkey

[Lysimachus’ Empire], and the younger son by attacking Egypt [Ptolemy’s Empire].

[“…and one shall certainly come…”] Here there is a change to the singular ‘one’. This

refers to one of the sons14

. And therefore the angel, though he prophecies of both sons of

Seleucus II at first, goes on with the account of only one with the implication that he will have

a greater reputation and gain more distinction. Of the two sons, history tells us this was

Antiochus III the Great.

Upon Seleucus II’s death, his elder son, Seleucus III Soter, was made king but he was

weak and was unable to rule over his army. While on a military campaign in Asia Minor he

was poisoned by some of his ‘confidants’ after a reign of only four years [227—223 BC].

14

Some Bible scholars also see a subtle reference to another one; Antiochus the Great’s younger son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who caused the Jews much grief and misery. The descriptions of his military campaigns and animosity towards the Jews will be detailed in verses 20-35 [more that the other Seleucid kings combined] for he intruded on relationship with the LORD. His judgment of God and defeat by the Jews is chronicled in the apocryphal books 1, 2 Maccabees.


One of the primary reasons Daniel received this vision is so that those who are

righteous and faithful to God would not lose heart during this time of suffering and corruption.

Knowing that the LORD already knows what’s going to happen and is in control

would give confidence to God’s people, the Jews, and cause them to persevere and be

encouraged through adversity. No wonder the prince of Persia [a Satanic angel; Dan. 10:13]

did not what this information to be made known.

The Jews incurred untold sufferings from both the kings of the North and the king of

the South as this and succeeding prophecies unfold. These kings ‘stirred up” much trouble.

An old African proverb says, “WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT IN THE JUNGLE, THE GRASS IS

TRAMPLED”. Such was the fate of Israel and the Jews during this time.

Seleucus III’s younger brother, Antiochus III who is referred to as Antiochus the

Great15

, became the ruler in 223 BC at age 18 and reigned for over 36 years [223—187 BC].

[“…and overwhelm and pass through then he shall return [lit. ‘be stirred up again’] to his

fortress and stir up strife …”] On the recommendation of the one who was his brother’s

chief minister [Hermeias] the young king Antiochus the Great authorized an attack on Judea

to put down a rebellion. Although his forces initially overwhelmed and passed through Israel,

this attack proved to be a fiasco. His militia was routed and forced to return to Syria to their

own ‘fortress’.

Antiochus the Great was agitated or ‘stirred up’ and he began to launch military expeditions

to the surrounding nations [including the fortresses of other lands]. Thus, being stirred up and

stirring up trouble. In 221 BC Antiochus the Great headed east and squashed the rebellions

that had taken place in Media and Persia. In 220 BC he rid himself of Hermeias by

assassination and returned to Syria. Meanwhile, in Asia Minor, Antiochus’ cousin [Achaeus]

revolted and assumed the title of ‘king’ but without much power.

Antiochus the Great eventually took up the ‘mantle’ of his father [Seleucus II Callinicus] in

prosecuting the war against the Ptolemaic Dynasty and regaining lost territory. He succeeded

in driving the Egyptians back to the southern borders of Israel, to almost the confines of

Ptolemaic Egypt, during a military campaign that lasted between 219—217 BC. We shall see

in the continuation of this prophecy that this culminated in the great Battle at Raphia.

15

Antiochus III, called The Great [242-187 BC] was the king of Syria from 223 to 187 BC. He was the most distinguished of the Seleucids. Having made vassal states out of Parthia and Bactria, he warred successfully against the Egyptian king Ptolemy V and in 198 BC obtained possession of all of Palestine and Lebanon. He later became involved in a conflict with the Romans, who defeated him at Thermopylae in 191 BC and at Magnesia [now Manisa, Turkey] in 190 BC. As the price of peace, he was forced to surrender all his dominions west of the Taurus Mountains and to pay costly tribute. Antiochus, who early in his reign had restored the Seleucid Empire, finally forfeited its influence in the eastern Mediterranean by his failure to recognize the rising power of Rome.


vv. 11-13 � STRIFE & WARFARE BETWEEN ANTIOCHUS III & PTOLEMY IV; V

[11 “And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with

the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into

the hand of his enemy. 12 When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted 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 provisions.”]

The ‘king of the South’ at this time was Ptolemy IV Philopator [221 BC - 204 BC]. In

a response completely uncharacteristic of his usual temperament16

; was moved with ‘with

rage’ and indignation [lit., ‘bitterness’] against Antiochus the Great [‘king of the North’] for

driving the Egyptians back to the southern borders of Israel and reclaiming the territories of

Lebanon, Gaza & during the period between 219—217 BC Israel [see comments on v.10].

[“…who shall muster a great multitude…”] Antiochus the Great came against Ptolemy IV

with an army consisting of approximately 62,000 soldiers, 6,000 horsemen and 102 war

elephants [larger Asian variety].

[“…but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy.] Ptolemy IV came to meet

Antiochus the Great with an army estimated to be approximately 70,000 soldiers, 5,000

horsemen, and 73 war elephants [mostly African variety]. Ptolemy IV was initially successful

in stopping the invasion of Antiochus by killing many thousands of the enemy’s troops17

.

In the great battle that was fought at Raphia18

in southern Israel on June 22, 217 BC, Ptolemy

IV gained the victory. 10,000 troops of Antiochus the Great’s army were slain, 4,000 taken

prisoner and Antiochus was forced to retreat to Antioch in northern Syria with the remainder

of his forces [See Prideaux, Connexions; iii. 151–153].

The expression ‘the multitude shall be given into his hand’ refers not only to the

Ptolemy IV’s victory over Antiochus the Great’s army, but also to the fact that the inhabitants

of southern Syria and Palestine territory were quick to submit themselves to Ptolemy IV.

16

The Anglican cleric and historian, Humphrey Prideaux, says of him “He was a man naturally slothful and effeminate – a most decadent and vicious prince”. [Connexions iii. 146]. 17

The Roman historian Polybius, who lived with the Roman general Cornelius Scipio and documented his military campaigns [similar to the Jewish historian Josephus who lived with the Roman general Titus], gives a particular account of this great battle that took place at Raphia, southern Gaza [where the Rosetta Stone was discovered much later in 1799]. 18

Raphia or Rafah (Arabic: حفر Hebrew: חיפר) near what is today a town in the lowermost Gaza

Strip near the most northeastern side of the Egyptian border that is part of the Sinai Peninsula. Over the ages is has been known as Robihwa by the ancient Egyptians, Rafihu by the Assyrians, Raphia by the Greeks and Romans, and now Rafah. It is the largest town in the southern strip, with a population of about 96,000, of which some 44,000 live in the two refugee camps about it, Canada Camp to the north, and Rafah camp to the south. Yasser Arafat International Airport, Gaza's only airport, is located just south of the city; the airport operated from 1998 to 2001. Rafah is the site of Gaza's only international border crossing. Formerly operated by Israeli military forces, control of the crossing was transferred to the Palestinian Authority in September 2005 as part of the larger Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. A commission of the European Union began monitoring the crossing in November 2005 amid Israeli security concerns, and in April 2006 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Presidential Guard assumed responsibility for the site.


After this great battle at Raphia, and the retreat of Antiochus, history records that the

cities of southern Syria and Palestine vied with each other in submitting themselves to

Ptolemy. They had been long under the government of Egypt and preferred that to the

government of Antiochus. They had submitted to Antiochus the Great only by force and once

his influence was removed, they returned readily to the authority of their ‘old’ masters.

In the following year [216 BC] Ptolemy IV again rallied his forces and invaded Syria, took

Gaza and the other strongholds, and subdued the whole country of Syria (including Palestine)

to himself [See Prideaux, Connexions; iii. 176,177].

[“…when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up…”] That is, after

Ptolemy IV defeated Antiochus the Great, he became extremely arrogant and presumptuous.

He went into the temple of God at Jerusalem and, in defiance of the law, entered the most

holy place.

[“but he will not prevail {or ‘be strengthened’} …”] Had Ptolemy IV possessed energy and

capacity for government, it would have been easy to have retained the control over his empire

but he could not and did not as the phrase ‘but he will not prevail’ prophesies. The Anglican

cleric and historian, Humphrey Prideaux, says of him “He was a man naturally slothful and

effeminate – a most decadent and vicious prince” [Connexions iii. 146].

Ptolemy IV was wholly given up to luxury and the ‘easy life’ and immediately after returning

from his victory over Antiochus, surrendered himself up to the enjoyment of his pleasures.

Although he destroyed many thousands he did not enjoy the victory in peace but suffered with

internal strife.

After the victory at Raphia, he brokered a truce with Antiochus and the result was that his

people, who expected much more from him and supposed that he would have prosecuted the

war to the point of destroying the Seleucid kingdom, became dissatisfied with his conduct and

broke out into rebellion. He was actually less strong in the confidence and affections of his

people, and his ability to wage a war after his triumph over Antiochus was less than it was

before. {See Prideaux, Connexions iii. 155}.

The consequence was that Ptolemy IV, by his conduct, provoked some of his people to

rebellion19

and greatly undermined himself in the affections and confidence of the rest.

But taking the prophecy “but shall not prevail” to refer to the Ptolemaic Dynasty [king of the

South] in general, a subsequent attack by Antiochus the Great would lead to an ultimate

Ptolemaic defeat and Seleucid victory.

[“For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former…”]

After successful military campaigns against Media, Persia and India, Antiochus the Great

[‘king of the North’] assembled another army [204 BC] and this time it was larger than before.

19

The arming of Egyptians in this campaign had a disturbing effect upon the native population of Egypt, leading to the secession of Southern Egypt under pharaohs Harmachis (also known as Hugronaphor) and Ankmakis, (also known as Chaonnophris) thus creating a kingdom that occupied much of the country and lasted nearly twenty years.


[“…and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much

equipment”] About 14 years after his defeat at Raphia {at the ‘end of some years’}

Antiochus the Great returned to fight against Egypt with another, much larger and better

equipped army [204/203 BC]. Much of the provisions and equipment were obtained in his

previous victorious conquests in Media and Persia.

The timing of this is significant for Antiochus the Great purposefully waits to resume his

controversy with Ptolemies. Exploiting the situation in Egypt following Ptolemy IV’s death,

Antiochus the Great makes war against his son; Ptolemy V Epiphanes [204—181 BC], who at

the time was a mere child of no more than 5 years of age.

vv. 14, 15 � THE KING OF THE SOUTH IS ATTACKED WITH A MASSIVE ONSLAUGHT

[14 “Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of

your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall fall. 15 So the

king of the North shall come and build a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the forces

of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist.]

These two verses predict what history now records as the victory of Antiochus the Great over

Egypt. It was a decisive victory, and it caused Israel to suffer immeasurably20

.

[“….. many shall rise up against the king of the South”] Antiochus the Great had some

powerful allies in his military campaign against the Ptolemaic empire such as Philip V of

Macedonia and Cornelius Scipio [general of the Roman Republic and the one who had

defeated Hannibal]. Antiochus the Great routed the Egyptians and destroyed a great part of

their army.

[“Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves…”] The Kings James version

translates the word for ‘violent men’ as “robbers”. The Hebrew word is describing men of

violence having very little human decency or kindness. We might call them hoodlums, gang

bangers/gangsters, thugs or mobsters. This is not unlike the corrupt men and women in places

of political and business leadership today.

When Antiochus the Great returned from defeating Egypt many Jews [‘your people’

as in Dan. 9:24; 10:14], who were eager to maintain the power and status they enjoyed under

Ptolemy IV, helped with providing supplies for Antiochus' army. This enabled him to

successfully besiege the Egyptian garrison in Jerusalem [Josephus, `Antiquities' xii. 3, 3].

This alliance did not last long however.

There would have been devout and righteous Jews watching this turn of events that would be

dismayed and appalled at this collaboration with the enemy. However, this vision and its

fulfillment were intended to give them forewarning and confidence in the fact that “they shall

fall”.

20

If you care to go into more detail, consult one of the larger Bible encyclopedias, such as Hastings' Encyclopedia or the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, and read in detail the secular history covered in these verses using key words such as ‘Antiochus’, ‘Ptolemy’ and ‘Scipio’. You will find that Daniel's prophecy was fulfilled in a most accurate way.


Many in the nation of Israel were slain during this time when Syria and Egypt were vying for

power and control. Those ‘violent men’ of the Jews, who helped Antiochus hoping for some

reward, were ultimately destroyed and their schemes came to nothing.

Antiochus then sought to consolidate control over Israel from which he had expelled the

Egyptians. The ‘fortified city’ appears to refer to Sidon which Antiochus captured in 203 BC,

as part of his military campaign against the Egyptians.

There is a period of about 120 years worth of prophecy that has been fulfilled in detail to this

point.

vv. 16-19 � THE SELF-WILLED KING WITH GREAT POWER & HIS DEMISE [16 But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand

against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power. 17 He shall

also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright 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, or be for him. 18 After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands [isles],

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 stumble and fall, and not be found.”]

[“He shall stand in the Glorious Land21

…”] See also Daniel 8:9; 11:41. This land is none

other than the land promised to Abraham – it is speaking of Israel. The land of Israel lay

between the two warring and powerful kingdoms of Egypt and Syria. So that in all the

struggles between these nations not only did the Jews suffer but their land did as well. Israel

was always ‘caught in the middle’. Now we have another reason why this vision was sent to

and given to Daniel—it concerns not only the people of Daniel but their land as well.

Antiochus the Great continued his occupation and by 199 BC had established himself in Israel

having and he did indeed have ‘destructive power’. By his hand the land was wasted and

consumed and with its valuable spoils he sustained his vast army.

Still not satisfied, Antiochus III considered pushing on with his military campaign against

Egypt backed by the ‘strength of his whole kingdom’.

Evidently, there were many righteous Jews who sided with him – thus was the plan of

God. Here is another Biblical illustration of the responsibility of those who trust in the LORD

and seek to serve Him {e.g., see Rom. 13:1-7 & 1 Tim. 2:1-4}.

[“…he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it…”] This brings us to about 195

BC when, instead of invading Egypt, Antiochus the Great sought to conquer Egypt through

other, more subtle means – through a young woman.

21

The NAS and NIV translate this as the ‘Beautiful Land’. This Hebrew word is sometimes translated ‘roe’ or ‘roebuck’. It indicates a delightful, graceful, ‘easy on the eyes’ kind of land. This word is actually used as a description of the Messiah in Isaiah 4:2.


He made a peace treaty with Egypt and gave his daughter Cleopatra I [not of Mark Antony

fame] to Ptolemy V Epiphanes22

in marriage when he was only 14-15 years old.

His motive was subversive in that it was planned she would be a ‘snare’ to him and destroy

his power. But Cleopatra I did not stand on her father’s side or was for him and her

affections were for her husband so that Antiochus’ plot failed.

[After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands [isles] and shall take away many...”] When

his plan to take Egypt by subversion failed, Antiochus’ attention turned to Greece

[Macedonia] and all the Greek islands [e.g., Rhodes, Samos, Delos and Euboea; where in 191

BC he married Eubia].

After Antiochus III suffered his first major defeat23

to the Romans [led by the Roman

consul Manius Acilius Glabrio] at THERMOPYLAE, Greece in 191 BC, he sailed to the

northeastern region of Greece [Thrace] to a place called Chersonesus, and fortified Sestos,

Abydos and other places.

In fact, during his military expeditions during this time, either by force or treaty, Antiochus III

obtained the mastery of a considerable part of the maritime portions [‘coastlands’] of Greece.

The prophecy was precisely fulfilled, that he should ‘take away many’ of the coastlands and

islands.

Although the famous military general advised Antiochus the Great to turn back and invade

Italy and waste it, he did not take the advice.

[But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end…”] This was fulfilled when

two SCIPIOS24

of the Roman Republic were sent with an army against Antiochus III. This is

referring to the second major defeat25

Antiochus the Great suffered at the hands of the

Romans at MAGNESIA [MANISA26

], Turkey in 190 BC.

22

In the ninth year of the reign of the Egyptian King Ptolemy V Epiphanes [196 BC], the temple priests recorded a decree that praised his royalty on a black basalt stone. It was discovered in 1799 by an officer in Napoleon's engineering corps in Rashid [or Rosetta], northeastern Egypt. Ptolemy V had the famous “Rosetta Stone” inscribed with identical text in three alphabets; hieroglyphics, demotic script [a later form of hieroglyphics that was used in everyday documents "for the people”] and ancient Greek. This stone provided the key to the oldest and most difficult Egyptian writing system, hieroglyphics. The deciphering of the stone was the work of British physician and physicist Thomas Young, who determined the direction in which certain symbols were to be read, and the French linguist Jean-Francois Champollion, who worked on the stone in 1821 and 1822. Their work enabled scholars to understand all forms of Egyptian hieroglyphics. 23

The Romans had about 22,000 men and lost about 200. Antiochus III has about 11,000 men and lost about 10,000. 24

Scipio (plural, Scipiones) is a Roman title used by a branch of the Cornelii family. Publius Cornelius Scipio [235–183 BC] was a general in the Second Punic War and statesman of the Roman Republic. He was best known for defeating Hannibal of Carthage; a feat that earned him the surname Africanus, the nickname 'the Roman Hannibal' and recognition as one of the finest commanders in military history. [Hannibal was a military advisor to Antiochus III at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC.] 25

Before the battle Antiochus III asked Hannibal, who was allied with him, whether his vast and well-armed formation would be enough for the Roman Republic, to which Hannibal replied, “Yes, enough for the Romans, however greedy they may be.” 26

This town is 20 miles northeast of Smyrna, modern Izmir.


‘A ruler’ here refers to Lucius Cornelius (Asiaticus) Scipio a general of the Roman Republic.

He, along with his brother, the famous general Publius Cornelius Scipio, came against

Antiochus III with their army and liberated these islands. Although Antiochus III had about

70,000 men and Lucius Scipio had only about 30,000, Antiochus was completely defeated. In

doing so, he brought the ‘reproach’ of Syrian occupation of Greece to an end.

[“…with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him…’] With the major defeats to the

Roman Republic and the loss of his western territory, the reproach was now turned upon

Antiochus the Great himself.

HISTORICAL NOTE:

Antiochus the Great brought into the field 70,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry, and a great number of camels, elephants, and chariots armed with scythes. To these the Romans could oppose but 30,000 men, and yet they gained a decisive victory. The Romans lost only 325 men; while, of the forces of Antiochus, 50,000, 4,000 cavalry, and 15 elephants were left dead on the field, 1500 men were made prisoners, and the king himself with great difficulty made his escape to Sardis. He now humbly sued for peace, and it was granted on the terms with which he had formerly refused compliance – that he should surrender all his possessions west of the Asia Minor, and that he should defray the expenses of the war. He further obligated himself to keep no elephants, and not more than 12 warships. To guarantee the execution of these conditions, the Romans required him to deliver up twelve hostages of their own selection, among whom was his son Antiochus IV, afterward surnamed Epiphanes [‘”the Illustrious One”]. – Jahn's Hebrew Commonwealth, pp. 248, 249.

[“…but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found…”] In 189 BC, after having been soundly

defeated by the Romans, Antiochus III was forced to abandon Greece [Macedonia] and

surrender large amounts of territory in Asia Minor.

Additionally, as a ‘price’ for peace with the Romans, Antiochus the Great had a very heavy

tribute laid on his kingdom for war reparations; approximately 600 tons of silver to Rome and

20 tons to Eumenes27

II. In this way Antiochus the Great lost his influence over the affairs in

the Middle East. Thus blow the “winds of war”.

In an effort to pay his tribute Antiochus III then mounted a fresh expedition towards the east

in a province of the Medes [Luristan]. After plundering a temple of Jupiter at Elymaïs, Persia,

in 187 BC he died at the hands of his own subjects who were greatly incensed by what he had

done. The Seleucid kingdom as Antiochus left it fell to his son, Seleucus IV Philopator.

Here, it is instructive to remember that God’s Word tells us that it is the LORD that

ultimately raises up kingdoms and brings others low. History confirms that sometimes one

side gains the advantage and sometimes the other; yet neither really does so by chance. It is

not ‘the fortune of war’, as some refer to it, but as we see here, it is according to the will and

counsel of God, who brings some low and raises others up. 27

Eumenes [(u'-me-nez), "well-disposed"]: King of Pergamus, son and successor of Attalus I (197 BC). He is mentioned in the Apocrypha (1 Maccabees 8:8) in connection with the agreement that Judas Maccabaeus made with the Romans.


How true are the words of the angel [a ‘watcher’] to Nebuchadnezzar in his vision of the

Great Tree:

“This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” – Daniel 4:17

The application in the spiritual realm is given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

vv. 20 � THE TAX & SPEND RULER TO COME

[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.]

There rose up one to take Antiochus the Great’s place, a raiser of taxes. This prophecy

was remarkably fulfilled in Seleucus IV Philopater, the older son of Antiochus the Great who

reigned from 187—176 BC.

Seleucus IV was a great oppressor of his own subjects and exacted abundance of money from

them to pay the annual tribute of 40 tons of silver owed to the Roman Republic. When he was

told he would thereby lose his friends, he said he knew no better friend he had then money.

The apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees reports that Seleucus IV likewise attempted to

raid the TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM to obtain its treasure; which was in fulfillment of ‘imposing

taxes on the glorious kingdom’. However, he was turned back by three appearances of God.

Seleucus IV was eventually poisoned by his own Prime Minister, Heliodorus, in

conspiracy with his younger brother [Antiochus IV Epiphanes] after he had reigned only

twelve years and done nothing remarkable. Thus, after 12 years [‘few days’] he was

destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle but in a conspiracy for power.

What troubles the Jews met with in the reigns of the Persian kings [who were for the

most part friendly towards them] were not foretold to Daniel in as much detail as the kings of

the North and the kings of the South. This was probably because at the time they had living

prophets with them, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage them. But the troubles in the days of

the Seleucids and Ptolemies were prophesied in greater detail because before that time the

prophetic word would be silent. The Jews would then have recourse to the written word of

God. Antiochus IV Epiphanes especially devastated the Jews and 15 verses of prophecy are

dedicated to him.


vv. 21-22 � THE WILLFUL KING: ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES – A TYPE OF ANTI-CHRIST

[21 And in his place shall 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 force of a

flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the

covenant.]

The prophecy that begins in v.21 and continues to v.35 describe the reign of Antiochus

IV Epiphanes, the little horn spoken of in Daniel 8:9-14 who became king of Syria in 175 BC

and ruled until 163 BC. He is introduced as a contemptible person by being called ‘vile’

because of his evil nature and blasphemies against God and Daniel’s people, the Jews. Other

translations for this word include ‘despised’ and ‘contemptible’. History indeed records that

Antiochus IV despised all that was godly and holy and he himself was a contemptible man.

He took to himself the name Epiphanes which means ‘the Illustrious One’ or ‘the

Shining One’. But he was considered so peculiar in his behavior28

that by a clever play on

words he was nicknamed Epimanes which means ‘the Madman’.

This one Seleucid is given as much attention as all the others before him combined.

This long section of prophecy is devoted to him not only because of the effects of his invasion

on the land of Israel, but also because he foreshadows, or serves as a prototype, for the little

horn (king) of Daniel 7:8; 8:23-25. This person is also known as the Lawless One {2 Thess.

2:8, 9}, the Man of Sin {2 Thess. 2:3} and the Son of Perdition; or more commonly anti-

Christ, who in some future day will desecrate the temple of God in Jerusalem and seek to

destroy Daniel’s people, the Jews. We will come to see that the prophecy in the rest of this

chapter, vv. 36-45, is devoted to describing him.

We shall come to see that Antiochus IV came to the throne with cunning and without a

war. The Antichrist will come to power in the same way. He will introduce the Great

Tribulation with three and one half years of peace, and the people of the world will think they

are entering the Millennium when they are really entering the GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD.

[“…he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.”] This vile person

[Antiochus Epiphanes] will come into power ‘PEACEFULLY’ or ‘QUIETLY’; without fanfare or

publicity.

This Hebrew word has also been translated ‘prosperity’ with the implication that it usually

leads to security and tranquility. But trust in affluence is misplaced and leads to a false

security where appearances are deceiving. God’s Word tells us what we should place our

trust in:

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.—Psalms 20:7

28

The secular writers describe Antiochus IV to be a bizarre individual who was rude and boisterous; depraved and sordid. He would sometimes sneak out of the court into the city and carouse with any disreputable company in disguise. In this way he made himself a companion of the immoral and depraved strangers that came to town. He had the most unexplainable whims so that some took him to be silly, others to be mad.


Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight”, says the LORD.—Jeremiah 9:23, 24

[The Bible warns against believing those who promote a false sense of peace by crying

“…‘peace, peace’ when there is no peace” {Jer. 6:14; 8:11}].

The word translated ‘INTRIGUE’ in v.21 means ‘very smooth’ or ‘slippery’ – as in a

‘smooth operator’. Figuratively, it can refer to ‘fine promises’. It is translated ‘slippery’ in

Ps. 35:6 and Jer. 23:12 in the context of being in a dangerous place.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes did not come to power by force, but ascended to the throne

through a combination of deceit, flattery, conspiracy and murder. He was ‘slippery’!

Through political intrigue he arranged for his nephew, Demetrius I Soter [Seleucus IV

Philopator’s oldest son], to be sent as hostage to Rome, in exchange for him.

This was obviously contrary to the previous terms of peace his father, Antiochus the

Great, made with the Roman Republic. This treaty stipulated that he was never to be released

as part of a prisoner exchange. But Antiochus IV was very clever [‘smooth’] and he had

almost 12 years to plan this out, using his trademarks of deceit and flattery.

Once released from his Roman prison, Antiochus IV proclaimed himself co-regent

with another of his older brother’s sons, an infant also named Antiochus, whose murder he

orchestrated a few years later. He then claimed the right of inheritance to rule in place of his

nephew, Demetrius I who was now a prisoner in Rome.

Antiochus IV then conspired with his Prime Minister, Heliodorus, to poison his older brother,

Seleucus IV Philopator [who had been reigning for 12 years] and so take control of the

kingdom. Perhaps, in his own twisted logic, he justified doing all of this because of bitterness

in having been given up as a permanent hostage to Rome by his father29

, Antiochus the Great.

The Syrians did not want to give the kingdom to Antiochus IV because they knew it

rightly belonged to his brother’s son, Demetrius, and ‘they will not give [him] the honor of

royalty’. However, that did not stop him from using treachery to establish his position.

With the help of two successive kings of PERGAMUM [Eumenes II and his younger

brother Attalus II] Antiochus Epiphanes gained popularity with the people and through

deception and smooth talk obtained the kingdom and established himself in it. The irony of

all this was that the kingdom of Pergamum had been previously allied with Rome against his

father, Antiochus the Great!

After it was discovered that Heliodorus was conspiring against him, Antiochus IV had

him poisoned. Those that opposed him were identified and methodically removed [‘with the

force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken’].

29

For more information on the subject of the influence of a ‘father figure’ on a son, see the book Faith of the Fatherless, Paul C. Vitz, Spence Publishing Company, 1999.


The ‘prince of the covenant’ refers to Onias III who was the High Priest during this time.

Even he did not escape the political ambitions of Antiochus Epiphanes for he was deposed

through assassination when Antiochus IV came to power.

Thus, Antiochus Epiphanes acquired the throne via a relatively peaceful but treacherous

manner; through process of political intrigue. He had the help and support of external powers.

He was able to do it ‘quietly’ – while most people were not aware or cared about what was

going on. It was a time of relative prosperity. It was during a time when people desired peace

and the enjoyment of the comforts of life more than virtues of integrity, honesty and sacrifice.

This is probably how the anti-Christ will do it – deceit, flattery, intimidation and political

conspiracy during a time when people have no desire to leave their “comfort zone” are happy

and self-serving. He will also have the help of an external power – Satan will give him his

throne, power and authority {Revelation 13:2}. In the book of Revelation, when the FIRST

SEAL is opened, we are told {v. 6:2}.

And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a

crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Note that there is only a bow mentioned but, no arrows, no ammunition. He will come to

power deceptively [white horse] and he will do it through peaceful means [a bow only].

History reveals that Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a sworn enemy of the Jewish religion and a

bitter persecutor of those that adhered to it. Besides ‘ANTIOCHUS THE MADMAN’, he has been

called the ‘NERO OF JEWISH HISTORY’ and the ‘GREAT PROFANER’. He was far worse than any

Pharaoh, Haman, Hitler or Stalin.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a deceiver and a flatterer and Christians especially need

to beware of that type of person. You can find them even in the ministry. They have hurt the

cause of Christ and His Church more than anything. We do not need leaders who will butter

up people for their own advantage; exploiting them for power and money. We do not need

men who will compromise their faith and deceive the people they responsible for

shepherding. Those who do are called ‘hireling shepherds’ by Jesus Himself {see John 10:1-

18}.

What we need are spiritual leaders in the Church who are faithful, humble and honest

and exude integrity; who have the ‘mind of Christ’ {1 Corinthians 2:12-16}. These are they

who will stand in the pulpit and tell it like it is – without flattery and compromise.

Unfortunately, these kinds of leaders are getting fewer and farther between but, thank God for

the ones that remain!

vv. 23, 24 � THE TREACHEROUS BEHAVIOR OF ANTIOCHUS IV

[23 And after the league is made with him he 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, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise

his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.]


After agreements had been made to accept Antiochus Epiphanes as king of Syria he

continued his pattern of deception and treachery. His avowed maxim was that “princes

should not be bound by their word any longer than it is for their self-interest”.

After his some military victories, Antiochus Epiphanes' prestige and power rose with the help

of a comparatively small but, influential and powerful, number of people whom he won over

by pretense [and who probably wanted to ‘ride his coat tails’ to power].

Antiochus Epiphanes came peacefully and took control of the vast wealth of Syria. Then he

did something that his predecessors never did, he consolidated his power and firmly

established the loyalty of the wealthy class via a process of distributing to them the riches of

his plunder. Wow—this sounds like what’s going on today!

Antiochus IV also plotted against the military garrisons to make himself more powerful and

secure. So by his generosity and flattery his authority was firmly established; but after that,

when he got control of military strongholds, he began to rule by force as those commonly do

who come into power by fraud.

There is a saying that is appropriate here: “HE WHO COMES IN LIKE A FOX, REIGNS LIKE A

LION”.

vv. 25-26 � WAR WITH THE KING OF THE SOUTH: PTOLEMY VI PHILOMETER

[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 be swept away, and many shall

fall down slain.”.]

These verses describe Antiochus IV’s first military campaign against Egypt and his

victory over them which brought him much riches and prestige.

Because the guardians of young Ptolemy VI [‘king of the South’] in Egypt were

demanding the return of territory taken from them, in 170 BC Antiochus IV decided to launch

a preemptive strike against Egypt. He invaded Egypt with a large army and was able to move

to the very border of Egypt before he was met by the Egyptian army at Pelusium, near the

Nile Delta.

Ptolemy VI was betrayed from within, by his own counselors; those that ate at his table and

who derived their sustenance from him. They were bribed by Antiochus IV to give the

Egyptian king bogus information regarding his battle strategy.

Although in this battle the Egyptians had a larger army they were defeated by a

combination of force and treachery, and ‘swept away and many were slain’. Antiochus’ army

conquered all of Egypt except the great city of Alexandria and he also captured Ptolemy VI.


vv. 27-28 � BETRAYAL OF LOYALTY & THE DECEITFUL NEGOTIATIONS OF KINGS

[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 appointed 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.”]

After his decisive victory, Antiochus IV professed friendship with Egypt and its king

of the South, Ptolemy VI. The victor and the vanquished sat at a table together as though

friendship had been established, but the goal of both to establish peace was never realized for

both kings had ulterior motives and were set on mischief. They spoke ‘…lies at the same

table’.

Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 1:9 that there is “….nothing new under the sun”. It is amazing

that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The conference tables of that day

were very much like the conference tables of our own day where nations meet and their

representatives make treaties which become meaningless scraps of paper.

Antiochus IV agreed to let Ptolemy VI continue as king of Egypt, but only as his puppet which

had the advantage of not upsetting Rome. Alexandria [the only unconquered part of Egypt]

thereupon chose Ptolemy VI's younger brother Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator as king.

Antiochus Epiphanes carried great wealth back to Syria from his conquest of Egypt.

On his return to his own land he passed through the land of Israel and, in keeping with his

character, on what appears to be a whim, he viciously attacked the cities and killed many

Jews.

After Antiochus IV left Egypt with his army and in his absence, the two Ptolemy brothers

agreed to rule jointly.

vv. 29-32 � A SECOND WAR WITH THE KING OF THE SOUTH: A DIFFERENT OUTCOME

[29 “At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the

former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus [lit. CHITTIM] 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 forces

shall be mustered by him, and 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 corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their

God shall be strong, and do <carry out great exploits>.]

Two years later in 168 BC, at a time divinely appointed by God, in the 8th year of his

reign, Antiochus IV returned to invade the king of the South [Egypt] a second time. But on

this occasion the outcome was vastly different.

Despite the fact that his fleet captured Cyprus, this time Antiochus IV was still not successful

in his conquest of Alexandria. This was due to the subsequent intervention of Rome’s navy

from Cyprus; “the ships of Chittim” [i.e., the ‘western coastlands’] which had evaded his

attack. He came again against Alexandria but this time he was met by an embassy from

Rome who had come to Egypt with the navy.


Ptolemy VI had an alliance with the Romans and he was hard-pressed for their aid against

Antiochus IV, who had besieged him and his mother Cleopatra III in the city of Alexandria.

The Roman senate therefore sent an embassy with ships from Cyprus to Antiochus IV at

Alexandria to command him to cease and desist the siege.

The Roman consul, Gaius Popillius Laenas, presented Antiochus Epiphanes with a letter from

the Roman senate forbidding him to engage in war with Egypt. Gaius also boldly told him

that he must immediately withdraw from Egypt and Cyprus.

Antiochus IV responded by saying he wanted time to discuss this demand with his

council whereupon the Roman envoy drew a circle in the sand around him and said, "Think

about it here." The implication was that, were he to step out of the circle without having

decided to withdraw his troops, it would be a declaration of war with Rome. Antiochus IV

agreed to withdraw. Touché! Antiochus Epiphanes had finally met someone who would not

be fooled by his deceit.

This was a humiliating defeat for Antiochus Epiphanes [‘he will lose heart’ or ‘be

grieved’] but he had no alternative but to return to his own land.

On the way back to Syria, in an act of pure evil and vengeance [perhaps with the

knowledge of the prophecy here in Daniel against him], he organized a military expedition

against Jerusalem which he devastated. Those Jews who would not compromise their faith or

religious practices to his pagan demands [forbidding of circumcision, forced idolatry] he put

to death in cruelest fashion30

.

In seeking to exterminate Judaism and to Hellenize the Jews [i.e., convert them to

Greek customs and beliefs] Antiochus Epiphanes forbade the Jews to follow their religious

practices including the daily sacrifices, festivals and circumcision and commanded that copies

of the Law be burned.

He took away the daily sacrifice from the Temple and had the blood of a pig sprinkled

upon the altar. On December 16, 167 BC he erected an image of Zeus/Jupiter on the altar of

burnt offering in front of the TEMPLE OF GOD31

calling it the Temple of Jupiter Olympius.

Additionally, the Jews were compelled to offer a pig on the 25th

day of each month to

celebrate Antiochus Epiphanes' birthday.

Although these acts can be considered an ‘abomination that makes desolate’ it was only a

type/foreshadowing of the ultimate ‘abomination that causes desolation’ prophesied in

Daniel 9:27 and that which our Lord Jesus refers to in His Olivet Discourse {Matthew

24:15}. This was future when Jesus Christ spoke those words here on earth and it is still

future in our day.

30

These tortures included; whipping with rods, bodies torn and dismembered, crucifixion and impalement. Women who circumcised their sons were strangled as were their sons and their strangled infants hung around their necks as they were hung on crosses. [Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XII.5.4; 1 Maccabees 1:60, 61]. 31

About two years after this, Jews began the war of independence under their Maccabean leaders, defeating the armies that Antiochus IV sent against them. Enraged at this, Antiochus IV is said to have marched against them in person, threatening to exterminate the nation but, on the way, he was suddenly stricken with a grievous disease that literally ate up his body while he was still alive; 163 BC.


There is a future ‘abomination that makes desolate’ which the Antichrist will set up.

Antiochus Epiphanes set up an image of Jupiter in the holy place but the MAN OF

LAWLESSNESS [i.e., the Antichrist] will personally set himself up to be worshipped in the

holiest place—the Holy of Holies in the rebuilt TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM. {Refer to 2

Thessalonians 2:4}.

[‘…show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant …’] “Show regard” is better

translated ‘have an understanding with’ or ‘have intelligence with’. When Antiochus IV came

against Israel he made agreements with the apostate Jews who were willing to forsake the

covenant relationship between God and His people. They consulted and conspired with a vile

and profane person. Some of these Jews that were false to their religion introduced the pagan

customs to the people and encouraged their practice. In so doing, these individuals betrayed

both God and man.

Antiochus promised apostate Jews [‘those who do wickedly or violated the covenant’]

great reward if they would set aside the God of Israel and worship Zeus, the god of Greece

[who was called Jupiter by the Romans]. Many in Israel were persuaded by his promises

[flatteries] and worshiped the false god and encouraged others to so also32

. The brother of the

high priest [Onias III] that Antiochus Epiphanes had killed was chartered to set up a school to

teach young people the beliefs and practices of pagan idolatry.

[“…but the people who know their God shall be strong {or resist him}…”] However,

a small remnant remained faithful to God, refusing to engage in the abominable practices that

Antiochus Epiphanes was forcing on the people33

. However, they did this at the cost of their

lives—during the time of Antiochus IV’s occupation of Israel [170—163 BC] it is estimated

that over one hundred thousand Jews were slain; either through war or in cold blood! They

loved not their lives to the death and the same should be true for a Christian today:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” – Revelation 12:11

[“…and do <exploits>”] To choose suffering and worshipping of the One True God rather

than sin is a great exploits. This is reminiscent of the description given in Hebrews 11:17-38

of men and women of faith. True believers are companions in suffering and tribulation:

“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ”. – Revelation 1:9

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. – 2 Timothy 3:12, 13

32

By the appointment of Antiochus one named Jason, the brother of Onias III the high priest who Antiochus IV had killed, set up a school at Jerusalem for the training up of the youth in the practices of the pagan/idolatrous beliefs {2 Maccabees 4:9}. Menelaus, who fell in with the interests of Antiochus Epiphanes and was the man that helped him into Jerusalem {2 Maccabees 4:23…}. 33

When Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, had swine's flesh thrust into his mouth to eat it, he bravely spit it out again, though he knew he would be tormented to death for so doing and was so {2 Maccabees 6:19}. A mother and her seven sons were tortured to death for adhering to their faith in the LORD {2 Maccabees 7:1}.


It was during this time of severe persecution and suffering that God raised up a family

referred to as the Maccabees [‘the Hammer’] and they were strong in the LORD [see next

section].

Indeed, history records that life for the righteous believer was, is, and continues to be,

a saga of suffering but also a time in which a faithful remnant accomplish many noble and

righteous deeds. {Heb. 10:32-33; 11:36-40; Rev. 6:9-11; 12:10-11}.

APPLICATION: Rev. 12:10-11. Never underestimate the ‘BLOOD OF THE LAMB’. For by it the

way is secured for Satan's defeat. The ‘word of their testimony’ {v.11} is based on faith.

Note what John tells us in 1 John 5:4, 5 that it is our faith that overcomes the world—and

Satan is the ‘ruler of the present age’. John also speaks of the testimony EACH believer has

in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:9-13). This testimony is based on the gospel of the Jesus' shed

blood for the forgiveness of sins: Revelation 1:2, 9.

vv. 33-35 � THE REMNANT THAT TESTIFY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

[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 intrigue. 35 And some of those of

understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of

the end; because it is still for the appointed time.”]

[“…the people who understand…”] The prophecy of this part of the vision has in view the

rise of the MACCABEAN revolt [maccabee means “hammer”] which began in 166 BC; two

years after Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the Temple at Jerusalem34

.

The phrase ‘who understand’ can be translated ‘who is wise’ or ‘who instructs’. This

Hebrew word is related to the word MASKIYL [MASCHIL] is used as a preface to several Psalms

that speak of wisdom and instruction {e.g., Psalms 32; 55; 74; 78; 142}. All true wisdom

comes from God. Therefore, the point is that those who know the Word of God and can

discern it will share it in a way that many people will be instructed.

At that time [166 BC], a Jewish priest named Mattathias refused to submit to the

awful blasphemies of Antiochus IV and the false religious system he was imposing on the

Jews. He and his five sons began a ‘grass-roots’ revolt against the Syrians that Antiochus had

left in Israel to collect taxes on behalf of pagan gods and enforce blasphemous policies.

One of Mattathias sons, Judas Maccabaeus [Judas the “Hammerer”] became well

known for refurbishing and restoring the temple in late 164 BC [the year just prior to

Antiochus Epiphanes’ death]. It was a result of this event that the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, or

HANUKKAH originated.

Mattathias and his sons eventually fled from Jerusalem to the surrounding mountains and

organized the MACCABEAN REVOLT. Their amazing exploits are recorded in the apocryphal

books of 1, 2 Maccabees.

34

For details of this period of history refer to the apocryphal books of 1, 2 Maccabees as well as the writings of Josephus.


At first only a few Jews joined them. But as their revolt gained success, the movement

became popular so that many other Jews joined them; some out of sincere motives [to see

God’s glory promoted] and some from false motives [for self-interest and gaining advantage].

APPLICATION:

Those who are spiritually mature in faith have a responsibility to impart their knowledge and

experience to others. The Apostle Paul is both an example and exhorter of this. {e.g., 1

Thessalonians 2:4-12; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; 1 Corinthians. 9:16-18}

And Paul reminds us that

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [lit. “God breathed”], and is profitable

for doctrine [‘instructional precepts’], for reproof [‘conviction/rebuke’], for

correction [lit. ‘straightening up’, i.e., “course correction”], for instruction

[‘education’ or 'training'] in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.

– 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

In this way believers are built-up and encouraged to persevere through persecution and

apostasy, retaining their joy and strengthened in the faith and maintain their worship of the

LORD. God allows this so that saints will be purged from the contamination of the world and

be spiritually matured through an increased reliance on God. The book of Acts, as well as

Church history, is a testimony to the fact that the Church is not hindered but rather is greatly

extended during times of persecution.

Trials and hardships do have their end. We bemoan the fact that "good times never

last' but how often do we remember to thank God that "bad times never last either". Our trials

and hardships have an "appointed end" - no longer and no shorter

[‘…yet for many days…’] But despite the many being instructed in the ways of righteousness

[and perhaps even by this prophecy], the persecution, suffering and tribulation of the Jews

would last longer than one would have hoped. And history tells us it indeed did. From period

beginning with 168 BC, when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM,

until almost his death in 163 BC.

The word fall {vv. 33, 34} literally means ‘stumble’ (kašal) and is referring to severe suffering

on the part of many and death for others. The righteous would die by the sword, fire,

captivity and plunder. The Jews who refused to submit to Antiochus' false religious system

were persecuted and martyred for their faith. Note; this will also be true for the Jews who

resist the antichrist during the last days Tribulation period {Daniel 12:9-10}.

Here the Word of God reaffirms that the persecution, suffering and death that faithful

believers endure serves to refine and purify them. This is meant to reassure the faithful that

their struggle is known and seen by God with the implication they will be rewarded in

Heaven. There is a time for persecution and suffering, but afterward the glorification.

Persecution of believers in God and His Son, who he sent, is not anything new or

unusual. Jesus Himself tells us that rejection and persecution by the world system against the

Christian should be expected. See John 15:18-27. The persecution is not so much against

the individual believer as it is against the God they worship and who takes things personally

{see Acts 9:1-6; 26:9-18}.


Antiochus IV died in Persia in 163 BC, on his way back to Israel to put down the Maccabean

revolt and devastate the land, after being stricken with what appears to have been an incurable

flesh eating disease. He was tormented in great pain with a grievous disease that literally

rotted his body from the inside-out with maggots eating the dead flesh while he was still alive

{2 Maccabees 9:5-9}. A clue as to what happened to him may be found in Acts 21:21-23.

It was prophesied that the ‘little horn’, Antiochus Epiphanes, will have power over the

sanctuary for 2300 days or 6 years, 4 months and 20 days {refer to Daniel 8:9-14}. This is

exactly consistent with Antiochus’ control over Jerusalem from 170—163 BC and allowing

for several months before his policies were put into effect.

Under the reign of Antiochus IV the Seleucidae Empire enjoyed a period of great

strength, but in many ways it was all in vain. Antiochus Epiphanes had been a usurper of the

kingdom, inflicted much suffering upon the Jews and left an infant son [Antiochus V Eupator]

as his successor, all which contributed to devastating wars between the Ptolemy and Seleucid

dynasties following his death.

The phrase ‘the time of the end’ is significant for it indicates a leap forward in the

timing of this prophecy. The vision now moves from the time of Antiochus Epiphanes to the

LAST DAYS and, as we will see in the next passage, to the time of the ANTICHRIST.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE WE NOW SHIFT FROM HISTORY THAT IS PAST

TO HISTORY THAT IS YET FUTURE.

vv. 36-39 � THE WILLFUL KING OF END TIMES: THE ANTI-CHRIST

[36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt 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 God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor 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 gain.”]

This passage of scripture is nestled between two verses that indicate a break in

chronological history we have been following. The previous verse {v. 35} ends with “…until

the time of the end, because it is still for the appointed time” indicating a ‘bridge’ in time.

The verse following this passage {v. 40} begins with “At the time of the end…shall attack

him….” which is referring to the person described in verses 36–39. And so many Bible

expositors believe there is a break in time between verses 35 and 36.

The pattern of prophecy in this vision follows the pattern given in chapter 8. First, the

prophecy concerning Antiochus Epiphanes [the ‘little horn’] is given {Dan. 8:9-14}. Second

the prophecy concerning the end-time man of sin [antichrist] is given {Dan. 8:23-26}.


Additionally, the context of prophecy at the end of this chapter segues into verse 1 of chapter

12 which says, “At that time…..there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there

was a nation – even to that time.” This is clearly a reference to the TIME OF JACOB’S

TROUBLE {Jeremiah 30:4-8} that Jesus mentions in Matthew 24:21 and which refers to the

final ‘week’ of years in Daniel 9:27

The person and events described in this passage therefore belong to the end times, the closing

pages of history in God’s prophetic book. This period of time is more commonly referred to

as the ‘latter days’, the Tribulation Period or Jacob’s Trouble. At this point history and its

prophetic fulfillment ends and future unfulfilled prophecy begin.

Some reputable Bible expositors35

associate the king in v.36 with Antiochus

Epiphanes as a continuation of the prophecy in vv. 21-35. However, somewhere in this vision

the scene would be expected to shift to the end times to be consistent with the other visions in

this book {Antiochus Epiphanes in Dan. 8:9-14; but the anti-Christ in Dan. 8:23-25} and in

fulfillment of the statement in Daniel 10:1, 14:

“…..the appointed time was long…..what will happen to your people in the latter

days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

Therefore, many other equally credible Bible expositors36

associate the king in v.36

with the end time ‘little horn’ of Daniel 7:8, 24, 25; the ‘stern-faced king’ in Daniel 8:23-25

and the ‘prince that will come’ in Daniel 9:26. In this case, Antiochus Epiphanes is a TYPE

OF ANTI-CHRIST; a foreshadowing of the true anti-Christ. Note that this person:

• Removes 3 out of 10 kings and wears out the saints of God.

• Stands up against the Messiah [“Prince of princes”] – Jesus Christ!

• Makes a peace covenant with many nations for seven years.

As evil and blasphemous as Antiochus Epiphanes was, his exploits do not match these

descriptions. But the descriptions do match the end time world ruler that is energized by

Satan. Starting with this verse then, the prophecy moves from the “near” to the “far”; from

the “past” to the “future”. The events recorded in vv. 36-45 occur during the final ‘week’

(seven years) of the Seventy Weeks prophecy described in Daniel 9:24-27. Note that his

power over the Saints of God will last only the latter half of this time, 3 ½ years {Daniel

7:25}.

[“Then the king shall do according to his own will”.] The end-time king, also known as the

‘willful king,’ ‘lawless one’, the ‘man of sin’ or more commonly referred to as ‘the anti-

Christ’ will be totally self-willed. He will promote himself above all authority that is

commonly esteemed, respected and worshipped. He will attempt to glorify and honor only

himself. He will show no respect to and have only contempt for every other person or thing in

authority.

35

For example, Matthew Henry and Barnes. 36

For example; Jerome, Martin Luther, Keil & Delitzsch, Wycliffe, J. Vernon McGee and J. Dwight Pentecost.


How contrary this is to the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as

I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the

Father which hath sent me” {John 5:30}.

[“He shall exalt and magnify himself”.] The ‘little horn’ [the name given to Antichrist in

Daniel 7:8] wants to be a ‘big horn’ and with Satan’s help {Rev. 13:2} he will be. We are

told in 2 Thess. 2:4 and Rev. 13:4 that Antichrist will demand sole worship of himself and in

so doing will have the world worshiping Satan vicariously. The Apostle Paul tells us

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders. – 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Again, how unlike the Lord Jesus this is! Paul wrote of Him:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:5-8.

[“…..shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods”] The RSV, KJV, NAS and NIV

respectively translate the word ‘blasphemies’ here as ‘astonishing’, ‘marvelous’, ‘monstrous’,

‘unheard of things’.

The word translated ‘blasphemies” literally means ‘TO SEPARATE’ or ‘TO DISTINGUISH’; by

implication ‘to make great/unique/wonderful’. That is to say that the anti-Christ will promote

himself above all others [sound familiar?] and speak extraordinary words to distinguish

himself from the One True God, Jehovah. In this way he speaks injuriously of God and

thereby blasphemes Him.

There have been many men and women throughout history who, through their

arrogance and pride, have taken upon themselves the attitude of “God” and sit in judgment

against the LORD. But what will make this man so utterly unique is that Revelation 13:2

tells us that Satan [the ‘Dragon’] will give this man “…..his power, throne and great

authority”. Satan is still trying to ascend above the angels in heaven and be like the LORD

God over this Universe {e.g., Isaiah 14:12-14}.

[“…he shall regard neither the God of his fathers…”] It has been assumed from this

statement that Antichrist would have to be Jewish. However, this statement could refer to a

Protestant, a Roman Catholic or a Humanist. Daniel 9:26 infers that he will be a ruler from

the Roman world, a Gentile. Against that is the argument that the Jews would never follow a

Gentile. But he will be helped to gain power and favor by another ‘beast’, who has two horns

like a lamb and who will probably be Jewish {Revelation 13:11-14}. So this statement

simply means that wherever he comes from, this king will not regard the ‘God of his fathers’.

We have examples of this in history. Charles Lee Smith, the head of the now defunct

organization founded in 1925, the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism,

was the son of a Methodist minister. Both Charles Darwin and Joseph Stalin at one time

studied in a theological seminary.


[‘…..nor the desire of women’] The usual interpretation of this phrase is that the Antichrist

will be a homosexual since he has no apparent feelings for women.

However, although this may be the case, the context of this verse; ‘do according to his own

will’ and ‘exalt and magnify himself’’; which reveals that the Antichrist has regard for no one

except his own power and glory, indicates there are perhaps other, better and more revealing

interpretations are more accurate.

First, the word translated “desire” actually means ‘PRECIOUS’ or ‘PLEASANT’. The allusion

can refer to the desire of Jewish women, motivated by the precious privilege, to be the mother

of the Seed promised to the woman—the Messiah! In Genesis 3:14, 15 we read:

So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more

than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the

woman, and between your seed and her Seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall

bruise His heel”.

Secondly, many a man has been done in by a woman’s charms, wiles and persuasions. Many

world leaders need the respect and approval of a woman (or women) to a point that borders on

worship. Evidently, the anti-Christ will not need this or care for it. He will not be

manipulated nor have his power and prestige compromised because of a woman. Ironically

enough, his administration, as evil as it is, will never be in danger of a ‘sex scandal’.

This willful king, THE LAWLESS ONE, is uncaring and unfeeling; intent on only one thing –

having supreme power, glory and being worshipped by all. Such a man indeed will be “evil

personified”.

[“…..nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.”] This includes Allah, the

Hindu gods, Buddha and the ancient gods of the Middle East [Asteroth (Sidonites),

Milcom/Molech (Canaanites & Hittites) and Chemosh (Moabites)].

[“But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses…..”] The word translated ‘honor’ here

literally means ‘TO BE HEAVY’ or ‘TO ATTACH WEIGHT’. Thus, the anti-Christ will promote,

attach great weight to and put great emphasis upon fortresses or ‘military power’.

It is also interesting to note that the goddesses Cybele and Diana are variously represented as

crowned with multi-tiered crowns which give the idols the impression of being fortified with

battle turrets. These crowns represent the power of the kingdoms of this world. All the

kingdoms of the world will be under his authority and control. Perhaps an ability to dispense

favors by distributing land will gain him a great following.

The Antichrist will honor the ‘god of fortresses’ who has the kingdoms of the world. Who is

that? Well, it was Satan who offered to Christ the kingdoms of this world, and our Lord re-

jected his offer. Apparently, Satan had a right to make that offer and the Antichrist will accept

the offer as the “10-horned beast” and become the ruler of BABYLON THE GREAT – the end-

time kingdom of the ‘feet and toes mixed with clay’ {Dan. 2:33, 41} and ‘the exceedingly

dreadful beast’ {Dan. 7:7}.


vv. 40-45 � THE MILITARY CONFLICT OF ANTI-CHRIST’S KINGDOM

[40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North

shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and

he shall enter 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: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand

against the countries, and the land of Egypt 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 at 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 the glorious holy mountain; yet he

shall come to his end, and no one will help him.”]

Verse 40 tells us that Egypt [‘king of the South’] and Syria [‘king of the North’] will

come, in a pincher type military action, to attack the antichrist’s forces in Israel [‘Glorious

Land’].

The antichrist will also come to the Glorious Land to personally resist this attack by launching

a counter-offensive. In doing so he will overthrow many countries [perhaps Syria, Lebanon,

Gaza]; but Jordan appears to be spared. Egypt will also be conquered and he will take much

spoil from that land; with Libya and Ethiopia ready to pick up the ‘scraps’ he leaves behind.

This is very similar to what happened when Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Egypt.

However, the antichrist will be concerned about alarming news coming from the north and

east. Perhaps this refers to the Muslim countries of southern Russia [and perhaps Turkey] in

the north and most probably the Asian powers of China and/or Japan in the east for

Revelation 16:12 tells us:

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was

dried up so that the way of the kings from the east [‘anatole helios’ = lit. ‘rising sun’]

might be prepared.

This alarming news may have to do with a massive army of 200 million soldiers {cp. Rev

9:16} from the Far East [China] that will cross over the Euphrates River after it is

supernaturally dried up. It is prophesied in Rev. 9:15 that this army will be used to kill 1/3 of

mankind!

One hundred and more years ago, this many troops in a single army was ridiculed and

used as ‘proof’ that the Bible was just made up of stories, nothing based on reality. However,

China has boasted of a standing army using the same number, 200 million troops37

, since the

early 1970's! [This represents about 1/5 of their total population]. The skeptics have been

silenced once again.

37

To get some idea of how vast an army this is, consider that if this army lost 100,000 men each day, and none of these men were replaced, an army of 200 million men would last almost 5 ½ years at this death rate! By contrast, at a death rate of 100,000 men per day the length of fighting would be only ½ day for Vietnam, 4 days for World War II and 6 days for the Civil War to attain the total number of troops killed in each of those wars.


Enraged at this pending attack, the Antichrist will set out to ‘devastate/exterminate’ and

‘neutralize’ many of the invaders.

Then he will occupy Israel and will pitch his royal tents between the seas, that is, between the

Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, at the beautiful and glorious holy mountain, Zion where

Jerusalem sits.

[“…..yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.”] This harkens back to and is

consistent with the previous visions in Daniel:

• Nebuchadnezzar’s dream where “…..the stone was cut out of the mountain without

hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the

gold” {Daniel 2:45}.

• Daniel’s vision where “He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he

shall be broken without human means.” {Daniel 8:25}

This antichrist will be supernaturally destroyed as described in Revelation 19:16-20 in

fulfillment of what Daniel’s vision in Daniel 8:23-25 and the apostle Paul tells us in 2

Thessalonians 2:8 that the antichrist will be destroyed by personally by Jesus Christ.

And then the lawless one will be revealed; whom the Lord will consume with the

breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

Jesus Christ will return to this earth and establish His righteous rule for 1000 years. {See

Zechariah 14:4, 17; Revelation 12:5; 19:11-16; 20:4, 7

Here Daniel’s vision would reassure the faithful Jews that this persecution would run its

course and then be lifted, for its end will still come at the appointed time.

Continued in chapter 12 …………………………


Bibliography

(1) New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.

(2) Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee, Proverbs-Malachi, Vol.3; The Book of Daniel, J.

Vernon McGee, pp. 524-607, copyright © 1982.

(3) Antiquities of the Jews, Flavius Josephus (translated by William Whiston).

(4) Apocrypha, I, II Maccabees.

(5) Matthew Henry’s Commentary, Daniel notes.

(6) Adam Clarke Commentary.

(7) Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament, Cook Communications Ministries;

Commentary on Daniel, J. Dwight Pentecost, 2000.

(8) Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright © 1986.

(9) Barnes Notes.

(10) 1998 World Book Encyclopedia, articles on Alexander the Great and Darius I.

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