The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is involved in a study of chapters 7-12 of the book of Daniel. In light of all the things that are going on in the Middle East today many Christians and others are wondering if these things are fulfillment of prophecy and a sign that the end is near. It is not my intent to prove or disprove what people are saying about whether these things are the fulfillment of prophecy or not. My goal is to equip you through study so you can make your own determinations.
Introduction
Last week, in Session 6, we started our study of chapter 10 which includes the final vision of Daniel as recorded in the Bible. That vision comes after Daniel has been praying for more than three weeks during the time of the Passover Festival in the third year of the reign of king Cyrus. He was mourning because things were not going well with the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. In that vision we learned that his prayer was heard when he first uttered it but the angel or messenger (Gabriel) we assume was held up because he had to deal with the Prince of Persia, not a man but a spiritual being. When he finally reached Daniel he gave him an understanding of what was in store for his people the Jews and later on what would happen at the end of time. We ended our time together last week with the man giving details of Israel's history under Persia and then we started talking about the breakup of Alexander the Great’s Empire which was prophesied in chapter 8 and the identification of ruler that would severely impact Israel with great persecution.Today We Will Look at Daniel 11:5-45, prophecy of Syria and Egypt in Conflict with One Another and with the Jews
Today we are going to continue with some details that the man gives Daniel about two kingdoms, one lead by the king of the North the other led by the king of the South. Both of these kingdoms will directly impact Israel and which will provide some clue to the end times.The Empire split into four kingdoms, which would retain their sovereignty. In in order from least to longest they were the Seleucids in Asia Minor and the Middle East, the Antigonids in Macedon (an area partly encompassing Greece), the Attalids in Pergamum (Asia Minor) and the Ptolemys in Egypt.
The king of the north is the Syrian Seleucid kingdom, the one that produces Antiochus Epiphanes. The king of the south is the Ptolemies kingdom of Egypt. Egypt is mentioned by name in verse 8 in such a manner as to identify it as the "king of the south". but Syria which is much larger than the country today is not named. This may be because Egypt had long been known as a kingdom in Daniel's time, but the kingdom of the Seleucids (Syria) was not yet in existence.
Here is some detail: Daniel 11:5-20 - *Notes from The Men who were Loyal to God, An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Daniel by Robert Bryce
Daniel 11:5 (HCSB)“The king of the South will grow powerful, but one of his commanders will grow more powerful and will rule a kingdom greater than his.
His name was Ptolemy and he was powerful. Another army officer became the king in the north. He was the king of Syria and his name was Seleucus. He was even more powerful.
Daniel 11:6 (HCSB) After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to seal the agreement. She will not retain power, and his strength will not endure. She will be given up, together with her entourage, her father, and the one who supported her during those times.
Antiochus II Theos, the king of Syria (North), divorced his wife Laodicea. Then he married Bernice who was the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the king of Egypt (South). But somebody murdered them. It may have been Antiochus’s previous wife or her son.
Daniel 11:7-12 (HCSB)7 In the place of the king of the South, one from her family will rise up, come against the army, and enter the fortress of the king of the North. He will take action against them and triumph.8 He will take even their gods captive to Egypt, with their metal images and their precious articles of silver and gold. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North,
Later a brother of Bernice became king of Egypt. He was called Ptolemy III Euergetes. He defeated the king of Syria, Seleucus II Callinicus, in a war and there was peace for a while.
Later, Seleucus III Soter, the king of Syria, attacked Ptolemy IV Philopator the king of Egypt. And then he returned home. Then the sons of the king of Syria gathered a large army. One of them died, but the other one led the army to attack Egypt. He was called Antiochus III. The Great.Ptolemy, the king of Egypt, was very angry. His army won the battle although it was not as strong. This made the king of Egypt very proud. He was successful in battle, but only for a certain time.
Daniel 11:13-16 (HCSB)13 The king of the North will again raise a multitude larger than the first. After some years he will advance with a great army and many supplies.14 “In those times many will rise up against the king of the South. Violent ones among your own people will assert themselves to fulfill a vision, but they will fail.15 Then the king of the North will come, build up an assault ramp, and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the South will not stand; even their select troops will not be able to resist.16 The king of the North who comes against him will do whatever he wants, and no one can oppose him. He will establish himself in the beautiful land with total destruction in his hand.
A few years passed. Then Antiochus III The Great attacked Ptolemy IV Philopator, the king of Egypt. Antiochus had a large army that had plenty of equipment. Many people, even some Jews, helped Antiochus to attack Egypt. Antiochus defeated Ptolemy the king of Egypt and Antiochus became very powerful. He did what he wanted, even in the Beautiful Country (Palestine) the home of the Jews, Daniel's people.
Daniel 11:17 (HCSB) He will resolve to come with the force of his whole kingdom and will reach an agreement with him. He will give him a daughter in marriage to destroy it, but she will not stand with him or support him.
The king of Syria, Antiochus III The Great, tried to defeat Egypt completely. He had a new plan. He gave his daughter, Cleopatra, to marry Ptolemy V Epiphanes, the new king of Egypt. But his plan failed. Cleopatra was more loyal to her husband than she was to her father.
Daniel 11:18-19 (HCSB)18 Then he will turn his attention to the coasts and islands and capture many. But a commander will put an end to his taunting; instead, he will turn his taunts against him.19 He will turn his attention back to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble, fall, and be no more.
Then Antiochus III The Great decided to attack Greece. General Scipio led an army from Rome and defeated him. Antiochus returned to his own country. His power had gone.
Daniel 11:20 (HCSB)20 “In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collector for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger or in battle.
Seleucus IV Philopator became the next king of Syria. He had large debts that he could not pay. He did not rule for very long. His officials killed him.
1. Now the man introduced as the contemptible person is introduced. What was revealed about the "contemptible person"?
Antiochus Epiphanes (175-163 b.c.) is introduced as a vile person. His wicked persecution of the Jews and desecration of the Temple are described by a contemporary witness in 1 Maccabees, which ought to be read by every student of Daniel. His action is predicted also at;
Daniel 8:13 (HCSB) Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will ⌊the events of⌋ this vision last—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”
We studied this in some detail in Session 3 when we were in chapter 8.
His deeds furnish a kind of pattern for those of the wicked "prince that shall come" (Anitchrist).
We talked about that last week.
Daniel 9:26-27 (HCSB)26 After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. 27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Here is more background on Antiochus Epiphanes revealed by the angel to Daniel from “The Men who were Loyal to God, An EasyEnglish Commentary on the Book of Daniel by Robert Bryce
Daniel 11:21-24 (HCSB)21 “In his place a despised person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.22 A flood of forces will be swept away before him; they will be shattered, as well as the covenant prince.23 After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with a small nation.24 During a time of peace, he will come into the richest parts of the province and do what his fathers and predecessors never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will make plans against fortified cities, but only for a time.
He was called Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His name meant a god who had become a man. Some of his people called him Antiochus Empimanes. That means mad man.We know about the other king, mentioned in verses 5-24, from history. The things that the man told Daniel did happen. But the man told Daniel some things about Antiochus that we do not know from history.He became king because he cheated. And he told lies. Then he defeated other nations for the same reasons. He was a very powerful king who did evil things. He did worse things than the kings before him did. But God only allowed him to do this for a certain time.
Daniel 11:25-27 (HCSB)25 “With a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will prepare for battle with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not succeed, because plots will be made against him.26 Those who eat his provisions will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain.27 The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes had a large army and he wanted to defeat Egypt. Ptolemy V Epiphanes, the king of Egypt, also had a large army, but some of his people were not loyal. So Antiochus defeated him. The two kings met trying to negotiate a treaty but they weren't able to do it because they were both deceitful men.
Daniel 11:28 (HCSB) The king of the North will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant; he will take action, then return to his own land.
On his way home, Antiochus had to pass through the country that God gave to the *Jews. He hated the real God. He also hated those who gave honor to the real God.
Daniel 11:29-35 (HCSB)29 “At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first.30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and being intimidated, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant.31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.33 Those who are wise among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will die by sword and flame, and be captured and plundered for a time.34 When defeated, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely.35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
Later, Antiochus attacked Egypt again. This time he was not successful, because the *Romans opposed him. He turned back and went into the country of the *Jews. He hated the *Jews and their God. Perhaps the *Jews had asked the *Romans to help them. Antiochus tried to stop anyone from serving the real God. He was cruel to the people who loved God. But he listened to those people who were not loyal to God. He did not allow the people to make *sacrifices to God. He made God’s holy places so that they were not holy.
Some people stayed loyal to God. They tried to teach other people to be loyal too. Many people died because they were loyal to God. He only allowed Antiochus to do his evil things for a certain time. This lasted for about 6 years as was prophesied in the vision Daniel had in chapter 8.
Daniel 8:13-14 (HCSB)13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will ⌊the events of⌋ this vision last—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”14 He said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be restored.”
2. How would the evil king meet his demise? (11:36-45)
He will be successful for a certain time. But then the time that God has planned will come. God will show his anger and he will kill this evil person.
The king of Syria, Antiochus III The Great, tried to defeat Egypt completely. He had a new plan. He gave his daughter, Cleopatra, to marry Ptolemy V Epiphanes, the new king of Egypt. But his plan failed. Cleopatra was more loyal to her husband than she was to her father.
Daniel 11:18-19 (HCSB)18 Then he will turn his attention to the coasts and islands and capture many. But a commander will put an end to his taunting; instead, he will turn his taunts against him.19 He will turn his attention back to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble, fall, and be no more.
Then Antiochus III The Great decided to attack Greece. General Scipio led an army from Rome and defeated him. Antiochus returned to his own country. His power had gone.
Daniel 11:20 (HCSB)20 “In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collector for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger or in battle.
Seleucus IV Philopator became the next king of Syria. He had large debts that he could not pay. He did not rule for very long. His officials killed him.
1. Now the man introduced as the contemptible person is introduced. What was revealed about the "contemptible person"?
Antiochus Epiphanes (175-163 b.c.) is introduced as a vile person. His wicked persecution of the Jews and desecration of the Temple are described by a contemporary witness in 1 Maccabees, which ought to be read by every student of Daniel. His action is predicted also at;
 |
| Bust of Antiochus IV at the Altes Museum in Berlin |
Daniel 8:13 (HCSB) Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will ⌊the events of⌋ this vision last—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”
We studied this in some detail in Session 3 when we were in chapter 8.
His deeds furnish a kind of pattern for those of the wicked "prince that shall come" (Anitchrist).
We talked about that last week.
Daniel 9:26-27 (HCSB)26 After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. 27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Here is more background on Antiochus Epiphanes revealed by the angel to Daniel from “The Men who were Loyal to God, An EasyEnglish Commentary on the Book of Daniel by Robert Bryce
Daniel 11:21-24 (HCSB)21 “In his place a despised person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.22 A flood of forces will be swept away before him; they will be shattered, as well as the covenant prince.23 After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with a small nation.24 During a time of peace, he will come into the richest parts of the province and do what his fathers and predecessors never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will make plans against fortified cities, but only for a time.
He was called Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His name meant a god who had become a man. Some of his people called him Antiochus Empimanes. That means mad man.We know about the other king, mentioned in verses 5-24, from history. The things that the man told Daniel did happen. But the man told Daniel some things about Antiochus that we do not know from history.He became king because he cheated. And he told lies. Then he defeated other nations for the same reasons. He was a very powerful king who did evil things. He did worse things than the kings before him did. But God only allowed him to do this for a certain time.
Daniel 11:25-27 (HCSB)25 “With a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will prepare for battle with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not succeed, because plots will be made against him.26 Those who eat his provisions will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain.27 The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes had a large army and he wanted to defeat Egypt. Ptolemy V Epiphanes, the king of Egypt, also had a large army, but some of his people were not loyal. So Antiochus defeated him. The two kings met trying to negotiate a treaty but they weren't able to do it because they were both deceitful men.
Daniel 11:28 (HCSB) The king of the North will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant; he will take action, then return to his own land.
On his way home, Antiochus had to pass through the country that God gave to the *Jews. He hated the real God. He also hated those who gave honor to the real God.
Daniel 11:29-35 (HCSB)29 “At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first.30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and being intimidated, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant.31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.33 Those who are wise among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will die by sword and flame, and be captured and plundered for a time.34 When defeated, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely.35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
Later, Antiochus attacked Egypt again. This time he was not successful, because the *Romans opposed him. He turned back and went into the country of the *Jews. He hated the *Jews and their God. Perhaps the *Jews had asked the *Romans to help them. Antiochus tried to stop anyone from serving the real God. He was cruel to the people who loved God. But he listened to those people who were not loyal to God. He did not allow the people to make *sacrifices to God. He made God’s holy places so that they were not holy.
Some people stayed loyal to God. They tried to teach other people to be loyal too. Many people died because they were loyal to God. He only allowed Antiochus to do his evil things for a certain time. This lasted for about 6 years as was prophesied in the vision Daniel had in chapter 8.
Daniel 8:13-14 (HCSB)13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will ⌊the events of⌋ this vision last—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”14 He said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be restored.”
2. How would the evil king meet his demise? (11:36-45)
He will be successful for a certain time. But then the time that God has planned will come. God will show his anger and he will kill this evil person.
The Things that Follow Antiochus Did Not Do. Who is the Man Talking to Daniel Talking About?
The man seemed to go on telling Daniel about the same king. But then he talked about things that Antiochus Epiphanes did not do. It seems that he was telling Daniel about another person. That person would come at the end of the world. Paul, who lived a long time after the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, wrote similar things (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). This person would do evil things like Antiochus Epiphanes did. But he would do even more evil things.
Since the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, many other evil men have lived. Many of them hated God and his people. The man who will come at the end of the world will be even worse. He will say that he is greater than any God, even the real God. He will set himself up in God’s holy place. He will speak against the real God. He will reward those people who do not give honour to the real God. He will attack many countries and he will have power over them. He will also attack the country of the *Jews.
Although all prophecy in Daniel down to 11:35 can easily be related to well-known events of ancient history, after that we can’t relate much of it to ancient history.
The following are the chief reasons for holding that the prophecy shifts from Antiochus to Antichrist precisely at verse 36.
a) Daniel 11:36 (HCSB) “Then the king will do whatever he wants. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, because what has been decreed will be accomplished.
This king is the same as the "son of perdition", who is to appear before Christ's second advent). His career will be short, lasting only until the indignation of God is vented upon mankind in the end time. We call him Antichrist.
 |
| Fresco of the Deeds of the Antichrist (c1501) in Orvieto Cathedral |
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (HCSB)1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him: We ask you, brothers,2 not to be easily upset in mind or troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter as if from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has come.3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For ⌊that day⌋ will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God.
Here's what it says in earlier prophecies in Daniel about this man:
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB) “I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25 (HCSB) He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.
b) Look atDaniel 11:37-39 (HCSB) 37 He will not show regard for the gods of his fathers, the god longed for by women, or for any other god, because he will magnify himself above all. 38 Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches.39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with ⌊the help of⌋ a foreign god. He will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing land as a reward.
Though the phrase may be translated, "gods of his father," surely it is to be interpreted of the Lord God of Israel, for a false Messiah (or Antichrist) of the Jews could hardly be a Gentile.
c) Daniel 11:40 (HCSB) “At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood.
Last week we talked about there being a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks with the 70th week being the end.
This verse starts talking about the time of the end. The end is the end of the events prophesied in this book—the arrival of Messiah's kingdom to replace all these others. From here to the close of the prophecies of Daniel, the final events are in view.
Observe that throughout this section this king is a different person from either "the king of the north" or "the king of the south," who both fight against him. With what nations these two opponents will be identified is difficult to say for certain.
Antichrist's success at war is prophesied here. Likely the particular engines of war—whirlwind, chariots, horsemen, ships—are to be interpreted in terms of the engines of that future day. He will have modern weapons. Daniel saw war in terms of his own day, otherwise he would not have recognized it.
3. Can you trace trace the military career of this future king? Daniel 11:40-43
Daniel 11:41 (HCSB) He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites.
This describes an attack on Palestine. Perhaps it should be connected with Antichrist's breaking covenant. We talked about that in Session 5. In review;
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB) He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Evidently the covenant is to be made between Antichrist and Israel when the Jews are back in their homeland in the last days. Or is is it spiritual Israel or the church? The exact nature of the covenant is unknown. The evil and destructive events described in the remainder of this verse
should be interpreted as summary information concerning the end;
For some thoughts on the part of that verse naming Edom, Moab and the Ammonites let’s go to another book written by a prophet who prophecies about the Messiah. Remember Isaiah also prophecies about the exile of the Jews, then the punishment of the nations around Israel and of Babylon for it’s treatment of the Jews, and then their coming Messiah.
This commentary from Wycliffe Bible Commentary
The Messianic kingdom will be ushered in by a second restoration of the Jews *(which clearly excludes reference to the return under *Zerubbabel in 537 b.c. (see note below) and yet indicates a national restoration of comparable magnitude). This time the scattered people will come from every geographical direction: east—Assyria, Elam, Shinar; west—the isles of the sea; north—Hamath; and south—Egypt, Pathros or Upper Egypt, and Cush or Ethiopia. Such diverse regions were not involved in the return of 537. Not Jews alone, but the Gentile nations (gôyîm) also will rally to the standard of the cross (v. 12), to form a Jewish-Gentile Church even in the latter days. Furthermore, in that day there will no more be a cleavage between northern tribes and southern, but the Christian Israelites will constitute one harmonious people. God's people, moreover, will triumph over all the not-yet-converted nations surrounding them (as Philistia, Edom, and Moab surrounded ancient Israel). The natural barriers of the Euphrates and Nile will be removed, and communication between all these formerly hostile regions will be easy and unimpeded when the Prince of Peace rules over them all.
*Zerubbabel returned after Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC. He conquered Babylon in 538 BC. In Ezra we read about who returned and that included Zerubbabel.
Daniel 11:42-44 (HCSB)42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission.44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many.
We can’t really identify the nations of the north south or east that are in verses 40 and 44. but it is pretty clear that there are to be at least three strong national powers contemporary with Antichrist.
4. "Reports from the east and the north" which alarm the king are apparently reports of other armies marching toward Israel ("at the beautiful holy mountain") for a final climactic battle. How would you describe the outcome of this battle from what you are told in this passage and from what you have already learned about the antichrist earlier in Daniel ?
He will have some initial success but will be destroyed. This is also prophesied earlier in Daniel.
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB)“I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25-27 (HCSB)25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.26 But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
Daniel 11:45 (HCSB) He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.
Evidently in Palestine to put an end to the perennial Jewish problem by wiping out the Jews, he himself meets his end. We can read prophecy about the consummation of Isreal’s history in the last three chapters of Zechariah.
5. All of Daniel 11 was future to Daniel. However, Daniel 11:2-35 is past to us. Looking back, we can see how precisely God's predictions came true. One scholar has calculated that, in the first thirty-five verses of this chapter, 135 specific prophecies are made that were literally fulfilled. How does this support the theme of the book—that the Lord is sovereign over history?
6. How can God's sovereign rule help us to stand firm when evil seems to triumph?
This describes an attack on Palestine. Perhaps it should be connected with Antichrist's breaking covenant. We talked about that in Session 5. In review;
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB) He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Evidently the covenant is to be made between Antichrist and Israel when the Jews are back in their homeland in the last days. Or is is it spiritual Israel or the church? The exact nature of the covenant is unknown. The evil and destructive events described in the remainder of this verse
should be interpreted as summary information concerning the end;
For some thoughts on the part of that verse naming Edom, Moab and the Ammonites let’s go to another book written by a prophet who prophecies about the Messiah. Remember Isaiah also prophecies about the exile of the Jews, then the punishment of the nations around Israel and of Babylon for it’s treatment of the Jews, and then their coming Messiah.
This commentary from Wycliffe Bible Commentary
The Messianic kingdom will be ushered in by a second restoration of the Jews *(which clearly excludes reference to the return under *Zerubbabel in 537 b.c. (see note below) and yet indicates a national restoration of comparable magnitude). This time the scattered people will come from every geographical direction: east—Assyria, Elam, Shinar; west—the isles of the sea; north—Hamath; and south—Egypt, Pathros or Upper Egypt, and Cush or Ethiopia. Such diverse regions were not involved in the return of 537. Not Jews alone, but the Gentile nations (gôyîm) also will rally to the standard of the cross (v. 12), to form a Jewish-Gentile Church even in the latter days. Furthermore, in that day there will no more be a cleavage between northern tribes and southern, but the Christian Israelites will constitute one harmonious people. God's people, moreover, will triumph over all the not-yet-converted nations surrounding them (as Philistia, Edom, and Moab surrounded ancient Israel). The natural barriers of the Euphrates and Nile will be removed, and communication between all these formerly hostile regions will be easy and unimpeded when the Prince of Peace rules over them all.
*Zerubbabel returned after Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC. He conquered Babylon in 538 BC. In Ezra we read about who returned and that included Zerubbabel.
Daniel 11:42-44 (HCSB)42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission.44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many.
We can’t really identify the nations of the north south or east that are in verses 40 and 44. but it is pretty clear that there are to be at least three strong national powers contemporary with Antichrist.
4. "Reports from the east and the north" which alarm the king are apparently reports of other armies marching toward Israel ("at the beautiful holy mountain") for a final climactic battle. How would you describe the outcome of this battle from what you are told in this passage and from what you have already learned about the antichrist earlier in Daniel ?
He will have some initial success but will be destroyed. This is also prophesied earlier in Daniel.
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB)“I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25-27 (HCSB)25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.26 But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
Daniel 11:45 (HCSB) He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.
Evidently in Palestine to put an end to the perennial Jewish problem by wiping out the Jews, he himself meets his end. We can read prophecy about the consummation of Isreal’s history in the last three chapters of Zechariah.
5. All of Daniel 11 was future to Daniel. However, Daniel 11:2-35 is past to us. Looking back, we can see how precisely God's predictions came true. One scholar has calculated that, in the first thirty-five verses of this chapter, 135 specific prophecies are made that were literally fulfilled. How does this support the theme of the book—that the Lord is sovereign over history?
6. How can God's sovereign rule help us to stand firm when evil seems to triumph?
Next week we will finish our study of the Prophecies of Daniel with chapter 12, a brilliant end for God's people.
For more study resources on the book of Daniel click these links:
I also recommend the Wycliffe Bible Commentary by Charles F. Pfieffer and Everettt F. Harrison (Editors) for a powerful handbook that walks you, phrase by phrase, through the entire text of the Old and New Testaments
No comments:
Post a Comment