Book of Daniel, Part Three
(Dan 10:1 KJV) In the third year
of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed
unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing
was true, but the time appointed was long: and
he understood the thing, and had understanding
of the vision.
The final vision given to Daniel was in the third year of the reign of Cyrus. This was in 536 B.C. The seventy-year exile of the Jews to Babylon had ended, and some had returned to rebuild the temple. The vision showed Daniel that Israel would not enjoy peace and freedom for very long, for Israel was to be involved in many conflicts. There was to be a 434-year period of time that was to end in the coming of Messiah the Prince. We know this from the vision of the seventy weeks in Daniel 9. There was also to be a time period of conflict at the very end for 49 years that would also end in the coming of Messiah the Prince. The 434-year period and the 49-year period would each begin with a proclamation to return to Jerusalem and reestablish the Government. The first began in approximately 436 B.C. with the proclamation by Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem. The second apparently began on a seven-year cycle of years sometime after January 23, 1950 with the Jerusalem Proclamation for the Jews to reestablish their Government in Jerusalem. The second time period will apparently end with the Sabbatical year of the seventh seven-year cycle.
This verse establishes that there would elapse a long period of time before Israel would be established as the premier nation in the world. Daniel understood the vision and knew that he would die and be resurrected at the end to receive his reward.
(Dan 10:2 KJV) In those
days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
Daniel was seeking understanding from the Lord, and he fasted for a full three weeks. The word mourning also means lamenting, for Daniel was grieving or lamenting over the actions of the nation of Israel. Israel had been in rebellion against God and was being chastised for their rebellion. The chastisement would continue right up to the time that Israel would be reestablished in the land and receive their inheritance. The 434-year period and the 49-year period have ended, but the seven-year period is still ahead of Israel. The conflicts between Israel and other countries will continue during the seven years with a brief respite when Israel will be dwelling at peace just before she will be invaded by Russia and her allies during the first half of the tribulation period. The last half of the seven-year period will be the most devastating for Israel, and it is referred to as the time of Jacob’s trouble. Two-thirds of the Jews will perish during this last half of the seven-year period.
Daniel did not eat any choice food during the entire three-week period. The word translated “whole” literally means day and refers to three weeks of days instead of three weeks of years. The word for week literally means a period of seven and normally refers to a period of seven years, unless it specifies that it is a week of days. The word for day in this verse specifies three weeks of days and not years. The seventy weeks in chapter nine refer to seventy weeks of years or three periods of time that add up to 490 years.
(Dan 10:4 KJV) And in the four
and twentieth day of the first month, as I was
by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
After three weeks of fasting, Daniel receives a response to his request to the Lord for understanding. He receives his vision on the 24th of the first month, which would have been on the 24th of Abib (i.e., Nisan), or exactly 10 days after Passover, which occurs on the 14th of Abib. When Daniel received his vision, he was beside the Tigris River, which was a very old river going back to the time of the Garden of Eden. The Hiddekel was the third river that flowed out of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:14), and it is known as the Tigris River today.
(Dan 10:5
KJV) Then I lifted up mine eyes, and
looked, and behold a certain man clothed in
linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of
Uphaz:
Daniel looks up and sees a particular man in his vision. This individual is quite different from the angel Gabriel who appeared to Daniel in chapter 8 to explain the vision. The description of this individual clearly reveals Him as a Christophany, or a preincarnate vision of Christ. The Man is clothed in fine linen, and the High Priest’s garments were made out of fine linen (Ex. 28:6). Fine linen typifies the righteous works of man and typifies the human nature and works of Jesus Christ. The fine gold girded about His loins typifies the divine nature of Jesus Christ. Uphaz is another name for Ophir, and this was a place that traded in fine gold. Gold from Ophir was highly valued. The linen and gold symbolize the hypostatic union of both man and deity. The identity of this individual is clear.
(Dan 10:6 KJV) His body also was
like the beryl, and his face as the appearance
of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire,
and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished
brass, and the voice of his words like the
voice of a multitude.
The description of this individual continues in describing his body as being like beryl. Beryl is chrysolite or topaz, which is a gem made of quartz or crystal. Crystal in the Bible represents the innate righteousness of God, so the body of this individual shows the innate righteousness of Jesus Christ. He did not have to attain unto righteousness, but His righteousness was innate because of His divine nature. Even His human nature was untainted by sin as His virgin birth kept Him from having the fallen sin nature of Adam.
His face as the appearance of lightning shows that this individual is the Judge of all of humanity. Lightning typifies judgment from God. The lamps of fire show His omniscience and ability to judge by having complete knowledge of all of the works of every human being. His arms and feet like polished brass complete the description of Him as the future judge of mankind. Brass or bronze symbolizes judgment. Gold is deity and silver is blood atonement, but bronze is judgment. This description is the same as the description of Christ given in the Book of Revelation; both glorious and frightening.
(Dan 10:7 KJV) And I Daniel alone
saw the vision: for the men that were with me
saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell
upon them, so that they fled to hide
themselves.
Only Daniel saw the vision of the preincarnate Christ, for the men with him began to shake and tremble and they ran away. This individual was clearly more than an angel.
(Dan 10:8 KJV) Therefore I was
left alone, and saw this great vision, and
there remained no strength in me: for my
comeliness was turned in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength.
Daniel was left alone to observe the vision of the preincarnate Christ. The vision completely sapped his strength, and his stature as a man was shown to be corrupted. In the presence of Christ, all men would be shown to be completely corrupt. The closer we walk with Christ in our Christian walk, the more we see ourselves as being totally depraved and corrupt.
(Dan 10:9 KJV) Yet heard I the
voice of his words: and when I heard the voice
of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my
face, and my face toward the ground.
The presence of Christ cast Daniel into a stupor with his face toward the ground. He was unable to even look up at Him. Daniel was lying face down upon the ground.
(Dan 10:10 KJV) And, behold, an hand touched
me, which set me upon my knees and upon the
palms of my hands.
The Person of Christ puts His hand upon Daniel and raises him to his knees and the palms of his hands. The Hebrew word for “hand” means an open hand, indicating power, means or direction.
(Dan 10:11 KJV) And he said unto
me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved,
understand the words that I speak unto thee,
and stand upright: for unto thee am I now
sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I
stood trembling.
The words of Christ then tell Daniel to understand His words and He tells Daniel to stand up. Daniel then stands up and he was trembling as he stood. Christ tells Daniel that he is a man greatly loved by God.
(Dan 10:12 KJV) Then said he unto
me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day
that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten
thyself before thy God, thy words were heard,
and I am come for thy words.
The Christ tells Daniel not to fear and that Daniel’s prayers were heard from the first day that he prayed for understanding at the same time that he humbled himself before God. The appearance of Christ Himself to reveal the truth to Daniel shows how much God loved Daniel. In essence, God Himself in the Person of Christ came down to reveal the truth to Daniel about what is to happen to the Jews.
(Dan 10:13
KJV) But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but,
lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to
help me; and I remained there with the kings
of Persia.
In the process of coming through the first heaven to come to Daniel, the Christ was detained by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. The prince of the kingdom of Persia would have been one of the principalities or powers of the air that was in charge over the kingdom of Persia. The authority over him would have been Satan. The question naturally arises as to how a minion of Satan could detain the Christ for 21 days. It must be remembered that Satan was and still is the god of this earth, even though he is subject to God the Father. Christ had not yet been born and paid the price for the redemption of the earth by His death on the Cross, so Christ would have not yet had authority over the earth. Christ as a member of the Godhead certainly had the power to overcome one of Satan’s minions, but He did not yet have the authority over the earth. Consequently, negotiation was necessary for a visit to earth to talk to Daniel in Person.
Michael is one of the seven Archangels who stands in the presence of God. He is the Archangel who stands in time of conflict for the children of Israel. Christ would not have usurped the authority that Satan had been given as the god of this earth, so this is the reason that the prince of the kingdom of Persia was able to detain Him from coming to the earth. As the Archangel with authority over Israel, Michael was somehow able to assist the Christ in coming to see Daniel the prophet. We must remember that Christ had not yet died upon the cross to redeem the elect of mankind and the earth from Satan’s hold, much less been crowned to reign and rule over the earth at the appropriate time.
In the middle of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ will come to the earth and place one foot on the land and one foot on the sea, and he will take charge of the earth by force. At that time, Satan will not have the power or the legal right to resist Him from exercising dominion over the earth. Jesus Christ has already paid the price for the redemption of the earth from Satan, but he has not yet opened the seven-sealed scroll, which is the title deed to the earth.
(Dan 10:14 KJV) Now I am come to
make thee understand what shall befall thy
people in the latter days: for yet the vision
is for many days.
The Christ continues His explanation to Daniel and plainly tells him that He has come to make him understand what is to befall his people in the latter days.
At this point it is very important to understand the definition of latter days. At this time in the narrative, the latter days would have been the days just before the First Coming of Jesus Christ to announce the kingdom to the Jews. Since God knew and ordained the rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jews, the latter days would also have meant the time just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory. This is very important to understand for Chapters 11 and 12 of Daniel describe the events before the First Coming of Jesus Christ, and the events before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The failure of theologians and Bible teachers to understand this simple truth has resulted in much misunderstanding of Chapters 11 and 12 of the book of Daniel. These theologians and teachers have attempted to apply the literal fulfillment of Daniel 11 to the Antichrist, and all kinds of fanciful conclusions have been drawn from this misunderstanding.
The literal interpretations of the prophecies in Chapter 11 of Daniel were fulfilled before Jesus Christ came to earth the first time. It is in the prophetic interpretation of Chapter 11 of Daniel that describes the events just prior to the rise of Antichrist. This can be confusing, since both the literal interpretation and the prophetic interpretation are actual fulfillment of prophecy. The literal fulfillments of prophecy in the chapter serve as types or pictures for the prophetic fulfillment. When we get to Chapter 11 I will do my best to describe both the literal fulfillment and the prophetic fulfillment as we interpret each verse.
(Dan 10:15 KJV) And when he had
spoken such words unto me, I set my face
toward the ground, and I became dumb.
Daniel continues his description of the vision that he received from the Preincarnate Christ. After hearing the words of Christ, Daniel is again devoid of all strength and unable to speak. He sets his face toward the ground unable to speak.
(Dan 10:16 KJV) And, behold, one
like the similitude of the sons of men touched
my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto
him that stood before me, O my lord, by the
vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I
have retained no strength.
This verse states that the One talking to Daniel appeared as One in the likeness of man. This relates to Jesus Christ who described Himself as the Son of Man. The Christ had not yet taken on His human nature as Jesus, but the Christophany had Him appear as one like unto the Son of Man. This confirms that this vision was one of the preincarnate Christ.
(Dan 10:16 NIV) Then one who
looked like a man touched my lips, and I
opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to
the one standing before me, "I am overcome
with anguish because of the vision, my lord,
and I am helpless.
The NIV translation clarifies the verse. Daniel is completely overcome by the vision of the preincarnate Christ.
(Dan 10:17 KJV) For how can
the servant of this my lord talk with this my
lord? for as for me,
straightway there remained no strength in me,
neither is there breath left in
me.
Again, the NIV translation explains the verse very well. Notice in the following NIV translation that Daniel calls himself a servant of the One to whom he is talking, and this One does not dispute the statement. Believers are not the servants of mere angels. On the contrary, the angels are the servants of believers.
(Dan 10:17
NIV) How can I, your servant, talk with
you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can
hardly breathe."
(Dan 10:18 KJV) Then there came
again and touched me one like the appearance
of a man, and he strengthened me,
The Christ again touches Daniel and strengthens him, and it is reiterated that the One in vision is in the appearance of a man. Of course, the Man would be that of Jesus.
(Dan 10:19 KJV) And said, O man
greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee,
be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had
spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord
speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
The Christ again refers to Daniel as one greatly beloved, and it is significant that no other personage is referred to as being the one loving Daniel. It is the Christ Himself who loves Daniel so much. After being strengthened, Daniel asks Christ to speak.
(Dan 10:20 KJV) Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore
I come unto thee? and now will I
return to fight with the prince of Persia: and
when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
The Christ asks Daniel if he understands why He has come to him. The Christ then states that He will soon depart to do battle with the Prince of Persia. The word for fight means more than simply engage in battle. It means to overcome the one being battled. The meaning is that after the prince of Persia is conquered, the prince of Greece will come into power over Israel.
NOTE: There is a succession of powers that come against Israel to totally destroy Israel as a nation and a people. In Daniel’s earlier vision Babylon was the first, then Medo-Persia, and the next would be Greece.
(Dan 10:21 KJV) But I will show
thee that which is noted in the scripture of
truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in
these things, but Michael your prince.
The Christ then states that He will show Daniel the events that will take place in accordance with the Scriptures. He also states that it is Michael who stands and prevails with Christ against the powers that would otherwise destroy Israel.
(Dan 11:1 KJV) Also I in the
first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood
to confirm and to strengthen him.
The Christ states that even in the first year of Darius the Mede, He stood up to assist Michael against Darius by helping Michael to prevail. He also served as a refuge or stronghold for Michael. The Hebrew word for “confirm” means to strengthen and make strong enough to prevail, and the Hebrew word for “strengthen” means to serve as a refuge or stronghold for Michael. The Christ stood up to help and strengthen Michael in the spiritual battle against Satan’s princes. He did not stand up to strengthen Darius, as is commonly stated for this Scripture.
The
Rise and Fall of
Alexander the Great (11:2-4)
(Dan 11:2 KJV) And now will I
show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand
up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth
shall be far richer than they all: and by his
strength through his riches he shall stir up
all against the realm of Grecia.
In this verse, Christ gets to the purpose for His appearance in telling Daniel what is going to happen to Daniel’s people, the Jews. We know from Dan 10:1 that Cyrus, king of Persia, was in his third year of reigning. Cyrus became king of Persia in 559 BC, but he did not conquer Babylon until 539 BC, so Daniel would probably have received his vision in 536 BC or the third year of Cyrus’ reign over Babylon. Christ is telling Daniel that there will be three more kings from Persia to reign over Israel, and there would also be a fourth who would be more powerful and far richer than the rest of the kings.
The first of the kings to stand up after Cyrus was Cambyses, Cyrus’ son, and he came to the throne in 530 BC. Pseudo-Smerdis followed him and reigned a short period in 522 BC. He was succeeded by Darius I Hystaspes who ruled Persia from 521 to 486 BC. The first Persian invasion of Greece occurred under Darius I Hystapes in 490 BC in the Battle of Marathon, and the Persians were defeated. Darius was known as Darius the Great.
Xerxes I was the fourth Persian king to rule and he ruled from 485 to 465 BC. Xerxes was known in the Book of Esther as Ahasuerus, and he was the most powerful, influential, and wealthy of the four. During his reign, Xerxes fought wars against Greece in what is known as the Second Persian invasion of Greece in 480-479 BC. The Persians were successful in the Battle of Thermopylae, but unsuccessful in the naval battle at Salamis and the land battle at Plataea.
We know from the Book of Esther that the marriage of Esther to Xerxes (i.e., Ahasuerus) removed the threat of the Persian Empire against the Jewish people, and the Jews found favor with the kings of Persia. It was not until over a hundred years later that a king stood up who had tremendous influence over the Jews and was not favorably disposed toward them. This king would be Alexander the Great of Greece, and the following verse 3 prophesies his rise to power.
This passage of Scripture skips over the remaining kings of Persia who were descendents of Xerxes and Darius. These kings were Artaxerxes I (464 BC-423 BC), Darius II (423 BC-404 BC), Artaxerses II (404 BC-359 BC), Artaxerxes III (359 BC-336 BC) and Darius III (336 BC-330 BC). It was during the reign of Darius III that verse 3 was fulfilled when Alexander the Great destroyed the Persian Empire.
Artaxerxes I sanctioned the practice of Judaism in Jerusalem and it was during his reign that Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.
There is a time lapse between verse 2 above and verse 3 below of 133 years (465 BC-332 BC) during which time the Jews were favored by the Persian Empire.
(Dan 11:3 KJV) And a mighty king
shall stand up, that shall rule with great
dominion, and do according to his will.
The mighty king that would stand up was Alexander the Great of Macedonia. He did rule with great dominion and according to his will. He conquered the Persians in 332-330 BC while Darius III was king. The final battle was at Gaugamela (East of modern day Mosul, Iraq) on Oct. 1, 331 BC. Darius retired to Bactria, but was deposed and killed by the Bactrian satrap Bessus. Bactria was an ancient country located in countries known today as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
(Dan 11:4 KJV) And when
he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken,
and shall be divided toward the four winds of
heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to
his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall
be plucked up, even for others
beside those.
Alexander III was called Alexander the Great. He became King of Macedonia after the death of his father Philip in 336 BC. Alexander died at the height of his power in 323 BC after conquering Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Babylonia and Persia. His reign marked the beginning of the Hellenistic Age.
Verse 4 above
depicts how Alexander was broken or destroyed at
the height of his power. Since he had no heir, his
kingdom was divided up among his four Generals, Cassander who ruled
Macedonia, Ptolemy I Soter
who ruled Egypt, Seleucus
I Nicator who ruled
Babylon, and Lysimachus, who ruled Thrace. Thrace
was a region and ancient country known today as
part of Bulgaria and part of Turkey. Verse 4 was
literally fulfilled during the period 323-301 BC.
Cassander’s kingdom was the
first to succumb to Rome. He died in 293 BC and
his son was not strong enough to continue, so the
crown passed from hand to hand until Rome usurped
it in the middle of the second century BC.
Lysimachus died in
battle against Seleucus
in 281 BC, so Thrace was added to his kingdom. Seleucus was killed in the
fall of that same year when he entered Macedonia
to claim the domain of Lysimachus. The Seleucid empire continued under his
son, Antiochus I Soter.
Ptolemy lived to an
advanced age, died in 285 BC, and left his
well-organized kingdom to his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus. With the
passing of the last of Alexander’s four Generals,
a tumultuous era ended. These four Generals have
come to be known as the Diadochi
(i.e., successors) kings, and they fulfilled verse
4 above in minute detail.
The Struggle Between Ptolemies and Seleucids (11:5-20)
The
events of verses 5-20 were fulfilled during the 125
years of Jewish history in the time frame from
300-175 BC. The
verses literally depict the struggles between the
Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and the Seleucid
kingdom of Syria during the third century BC. The
king of the south refers to the ruler over the
Ptolemaic dynasty at the time, and the king of the
north refers to the ruler over the Seleucid
kingdom at the time.
A detailed analysis
of the fulfillment of the following verses would
be tedious at best, so a very brief account of the
fulfillment of each verse will be outlined. For a
more detailed account of these fulfillments,
please refer to the book In the Final
Days by Walter K. Price.
The following
verses were literally fulfilled in the struggles
between the Seleucid king of the north and the
Ptolemaic king of the south during the third
century BC. They also have a prophetic
interpretation that is currently being fulfilled
in the struggles between Russia and the U.S.A. as
antitypes of Egypt and Syria. Those third century
BC features are the same that are occurring in the
20th century, except that Egypt and
Syria are currently pawns in the struggle between
the U.S.A. and Russia vying for influence and
control in the Middle East. The U.S.A. supports
Israel in this struggle, and Russia supports
Israel’s Arab neighbors who are bent on the total
destruction of Israel.
(Dan 11:5 KJV) And the king of
the south shall be strong, and one of his
princes; and he shall be strong above him, and
have dominion; his dominion shall be a great
dominion.
“The king of the south” in this verse is Alexander’s general, Ptolemy I Soter. He ruled Egypt 321-285BC. The prince introduced in this verse who becomes stronger than Ptolemy is the Diadochi, Seleucus I Nicator. Seleucus became one of Ptolemy’s generals when Seleucus was forced to flee Antigonus I in 315 BC. Seleucus took refuge in Egypt and Ptolemy made him a general. As leader of the Egyptian army, Seleucus defeated Antigonus I at the Battle of Gaza in 312 BC, and recovered his Babylonian satrapy. Consequently, October 1, 312 BC was the beginning of the Seleucid era. From the Egyptian point of view Seleucus was indeed one of Ptolemy’s princes. Seleucus has a crowning victory over Antigonus I at Ipsus in 301 BC, and regained all of his kingdom, which extended from Asia Minor to India, except for Palestine and southern Syria which remained under Ptolemy.
Seleucus Nicator’s dominion was greater than Ptolemy’s, since it was the largest of those carved out of the empire of Alexander. Flavius Aarian describes King Seleucus I as “the most regal, and ruler of the greatest extent of territory after Alexander. As the true heir of Alexander, Seleucus and his empire are the focus of Daniel.
(Dan 11:6 KJV) And in the end of
years they shall join themselves together; for
the king's daughter of the south shall come to
the king of the north to make an agreement:
but she shall not retain the power of the arm;
neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she
shall be given up, and they that brought her,
and he that begat her, and he that
strengthened her in these times.
Thirty-one years (i.e., 280-249 BC) elapse between verses 5 and 6. This verse was literally fulfilled in the period 249-246 BC. In this fulfillment, the king of the South is Ptolemy II Philadelphus, and the king of the North is Antiochus II Theos. Wearied by the hostilities between the two houses, Ptolemy II Philadelphus gave his daughter, Berenice, in marriage to the Seleucid king, Antiochus II Theos. A large dowry went with Berenice, and Antiochus Theos agreed to divorce his wife, Laodice, and disinherit his two sons in favor of a son born of the new union. The dowry was countless thousands in gold and silver.
The agreement failed to keep the peace and the remainder of verse six recounts the consequences. Antiochus and Berenice did have a son, but within two years Berenice’s father, king of Egypt, died. Antiochus then divorced Berenice and reconciled with his first wife, Laodice. Laodice feared her husband’s fickleness, so she poisoned him. She also had Berenice and her child murdered along with all of those who accompanied her to Antioch. Verse six predicts this in precise detail as follows:
(Dan 11:6 KJV) And in the end of years (ie., after some years—31) they shall join themselves together (Egypt & Syria make an alliance); for the king's daughter (Ptolemy II Philadelphus’ daughter Berenice) of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement (i.e., marriage for a large dowry with inheritance rights): but she shall not retain the power of the arm (Berenice is divorced); neither shall he stand (Antiochus II Theos is poisoned by Laodice), nor his arm (Berenice’s son is murdered): but she shall be given up (Berenice is murdered), and they that brought her (court of Berenice is murdered), and he that begat her (king Ptolemy II Philadelphus dies in 246 BC), and he that strengthened her in these times (Antiochus also dies in 246 BC).
The following verses 7-9 are fulfilled in the period 246-240 BC. Daniel’s vision moves into the next generation and the king of the south is Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes, who followed their father on the throne of Egypt. The king of the north is Seleucus II Callinicus, son of Antiochus II Theos and Laodice
(Dan 11:7 KJV) But out of a
branch of her roots shall one stand up in his
estate, which shall come with an army, and
shall enter into the fortress of the king of
the north, and shall deal against them, and
shall prevail:
Ptolemy III Euergetes stood up in the estate of his father, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, as the branch of Berenice’s roots. Euergetes invaded Syria to avenge the murder of Berenice. He captured Seleucia, the fortified port of Antioch in Syria, and looted the fortress of the king of the north of 40,000 talents of silver, along with 2500 costly vessels and images of the Syrian gods.
NOTE:
The New American Standard Bible is also used for
the following two verses due to the more accurate
translation of these verses.
(Dan 11:8 NASB) "And
also their gods with their metal images and their
precious vessels of silver and gold he will take
into captivity to Egypt, and he on his part will
refrain from attacking the king of the North for
some years.
(Dan 11:8 KJV) And shall also
carry captives into Egypt their gods, with
their princes, and with their precious vessels
of silver and of gold; and he shall continue
more years than the king of the north.
Ptolemy III Euergetes could have defeated the whole of Syria at this time, but a rebellion in Egypt turned his attention from Syria to the home front. After a successful entrance into the kingdom of Seleucus II Callinicus, Ptolemy III Euergetes returned to his own country and was to “refrain from attacking the king of the North for some years.”
(Dan 11:9 NASB) "Then
the latter will enter the realm of the king of the
South, but will return to his own land.
(Dan 11:9 KJV) So the
king of the south shall come into his kingdom,
and shall return into his own land.
Wishing to take advantage of Ptolemy III Euergetes problems at home, Seleucus II Callinicus invaded Egypt. However, the armies of Ptolemy III Euergetes defeated Seleucus II Callinicus so badly that he was to “return to his own land.” Only a remnant of his forces remained intact. This happened in 240 BC, and was the only time that Ptolemaic rule in Coele-Syria was seriously threatened.
The following verses 10-19 were literally fulfilled in 226-187 BC, which was 14 years later. The two kings of the south are Ptolemy IV Philopator and Ptolemy V Epiphanes. The two kings of the north are Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great—the two sons of Seleucus II Callinicus. Verse 10 begins with these two sons of Seleucus II Callinicus.
(Dan 11:10 KJV) But his sons
shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a
multitude of great forces: and one shall
certainly come, and overflow, and pass
through: then shall he return, and be stirred
up, even to his fortress.
The two sons of Seleucus II Callinicus, Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great, were “stirred up” or incited to wage war with “a multitude of great forces” against the Egyptian Empire. The former only reigned two years before being murdered. He was followed on the Seleucid throne by his illustrious brother, Antiochus the Great, and succeeded in bringing the Seleucid Empire to its greatest glory until it collided head on with the Roman Empire.
“The two sons” are mentioned because Seleucus III Ceraunus led the invasion until he was killed in Asia Minor. Antiochus III the Great followed up and resumed the war with Ptolemy IV Philopator in 219 BC. His campaigns in Syria and Israel in 218 BC are described by Daniel as “a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through.”
“Then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress” refers to the renewed attack by Antiochus III the Great upon Egypt in the spring of 217 BC. This time Antiochus III the Great moved south to “his fortress”, or Ptolemy’s fortress at Gaza or Raphia.
(Dan 11:11 KJV) And the king of
the south shall be moved with choler, and
shall come forth and fight with him, even with
the king of the north: and he shall set forth
a great multitude; but the multitude shall be
given into his hand.
The attack on Ptolemy’s fortress at Gaza greatly angered Ptolemy IV Philopator, who brought his armies up from Alexandria to fight against Antiochus III the Great, the “king of the north”. Antiochus III the Great also “set forth a great multitude, but the multitude shall be given into his hand” (i.e., the hand of Ptolemy IV Philopator). The casualties of Antiochus III the Great amounted to 10,000 infantry, 300 cavalry, and 6 elephants. In addition, 4,000 of Antiochus’ men became prisoners, according to the Greek historian Polybius. Antiochus III the Great retreated with the remainder of his armies to Gaza and then to Antioch.
(Dan 11:12 KJV) And when he hath
taken away the multitude, his heart shall be
lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten
thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by
it.
Ptolemy IV Philopator had “taken away” or swept “away the multitude” and “his heart” was “lifted up” since he “cast down many ten thousands,” but he did not prevail because he failed to follow up his victory and completely overthrow Antiochus III the Great.
After the Battle of Raphia between Ptolemy IV Philopator and Antiochus III the Great, there was virtual peace between Egypt and Syria for 12 years. Antiochus was busy in the eastern section of his own empire strengthening himself in Persia, Bactria and India. His exploits in the east allowed him to amass a large army and great riches, and the following verse describes his actions at this point.
(Dan 11:13 KJV) For the king of
the north shall return, and shall set forth a
multitude greater than the former, and shall
certainly come after certain years with a
great army and with much riches.
With his larger army, Antiochus III the Great returned with “a multitude greater than the former” to do battle with Ptolemy IV Philopator. “After certain years” refers to the elapsed 12 years.
Note: Verses 14 and 15 following are also given from the New American Standard Bible because of the more accurate translation.
(Dan 11:14
KJV) And
in those times there shall many stand up against
the king of the south: also the robbers of thy
people shall exalt themselves to establish the
vision; but they shall fall.
(Dan 11:14
NASB) "Now in those times many will rise
up against the king of the South; the violent
ones among your people will also lift themselves
up in order to fulfill the vision, but they will
fall down.
At the time of Antiochus’ invasion of Israel, which was under the kingship of Ptolemy, there was a revolt in Egypt, and the Jews joined this rebellion. The Jews arose in rebellion because of a vision that was supposed to allow them to conquer Ptolemy. However, the Jews failed in their rebellion against Ptolemy.
(Dan 11:15
KJV) So
the king of the north shall come, and cast up a
mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the
arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his
chosen people, neither shall there be any strength
to withstand.
(Dan 11:15
NASB) "Then the king of the North will
come, cast up a siege mound, and capture a
well-fortified city; and the forces of the South
will not stand their ground, not even their
choicest troops, for there will be no strength
to make a stand.
The next king of the south was Ptolemy V Epiphanes and he sent the Egyptian general Scopas into Syria in 198 BC to regain territory lost to Antiochus III the Great. Antiochus defeated Scopas and Scopas fled with 10,000 of his men to the fortified city of Sidon for protection. Scopas and his men were virtual prisoners at Sidon, and Egypt sent three of its best generals to rescue Scopas and his army. However, “the forces of the South” were not able to “stand their ground”, and “even their choicest troops” had “no strength to make a stand.” King Antiochus surrounded the city and built a “siege mound” and was able to “capture a well-fortified city.”
(Dan 11:16 KJV) But he that
cometh against him shall do according to his
own will, and none shall stand before him: and
he shall stand in the glorious land, which by
his hand shall be consumed.
Ptolemaic rule in what is now Israel and Lebanon was permanently lost to Antiochus III the Great, and he was in firm control “in the glorious land.” The Seleucids maintained control even under the Maccabean revolt in 165 BC, but their dominion diminished under the Hasmonian dynasty of Jewish kings, and finally succumbed to the Romans.
(Dan 11:17 KJV) 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, corrupting her: but she
shall not stand on his side, neither be for
him.
At this point in time, Antiochus became determined to overthrow Ptolemy V Epiphanes, “He….set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom”. Before the invasion could take place, Antiochus betrothed his daughter, Cleopatra, to the Egyptian king. Antiochus intended to corrupt Cleopatra into helping him gain Egypt, but Cleopatra was more faithful to her Egyptian husband, Ptolemy V Epiphanes, than to her father, Antiochus III the Great. Cleopatra did not stand on the side of her father or work for him, as stated in this verse.
Note: This is not the same Cleopatra that had an affair with Julius Caesar and married Antony of Rome. This is Cleopatra I and that was Cleopatra VII.
The following verses 18 and 19 predict the fall of Antiochus III the Great. Note: The New American Standard Bible is also used due to its accuracy.
(Dan 11:18
KJV) After
this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and
shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf
shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease;
without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn
upon him.
(Dan 11:18
NASB) "Then he will turn his face to the
coastlands and capture many. But a commander
will put a stop to his scorn against him;
moreover, he will repay him for his scorn.
After his plan with Cleopatra failed, Antiochus captured most of Asia Minor on the coast in 196 BC, and invaded the coastlands of Greece in 192 BC. His conquests ended and he established himself north of Corinth. In 191 BC the Roman forces defeated him at Thermopylae.
The commander who “put a stop to his scorn” was General Lucius Cornelius Scipio, who roundly defeated Antiochus at the Battle of Magnesia near Smyrna in Asia Minor. The time was the autumn of 190 BC, and the Roman General Scipio defeated the 80,000 troops of Antiochus with many losses. Antiochus was humiliated in this defeat, and was required to pay great sums of money in settlement. He turned to the fortresses of his own land to obtain the necessary money for reparations to Rome. This is predicted in the following verse:
(Dan 11:19
KJV) Then
he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own
land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be
found.
(Dan 11:19
NASB) "So he will turn his face toward the
fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble
and fall and be found no more.
Antiochus III the Great looted the fortresses of his own land to secure the war reparations of 15,000 talents, but he was slain in the process of plundering a wealthy temple in Elymais. Thus, Antiochus stumbled and fell and was found no more.
Antiochus III the Great was survived by his two sons Seleucus IV Philopator and Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and both sat upon the throne of the Seleucid Empire. The first to sit on the throne was Seleucus IV Philapator, and he is described in the following verse:
(Dan 11:20 KJV) Then shall stand
up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the
glory of the kingdom: but within few days he
shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in
battle.
After the death of his father, the one to “stand up in his estate” was Seleucus IV Philopator. The story of the “exactor of taxes” is recorded in II Maccabees 3. The individual that Seleucus IV Philopator sent as the exactor of taxes was Heliodorus.
Seleucus IV Philopator was still struggling to pay the war reparations to Rome, when he learned of the great treasure stored in the Temple in Jerusalem. When Heliodorus entered within the walls of the sacred Temple, II Maccabees records the story as follows:
Note: Maccabees is not part of the canon of Scripture, but it does provide a history relevant to the fulfillment of this passage.
(2 Maccabees 3:24-28) But at the very moment when he arrived with his bodyguard at the treasury, the Ruler of spirits and of all powers produced a mighty apparition, so that all who had the audacity to accompany Heliodorous were faint with terror, stricken with panic at the power of God. They say a horse, splendidly caparisoned, with a rider of terrible aspect; it rushed fiercely at Heliodorous and, rearing up, attacked him with its hooves. The rider was wearing golden armour. There also appeared to Heliodorous two young men of surpassing strength and glorious beauty, splendidly dressed. They stood on either side of him and scourged him, raining ceaseless blows upon him. He fell suddenly to the ground, overwhelmed by a great darkness, and his men snatched him up and put him on a litter. This man, who so recently had entered the treasury with a great throng and his whole bodyguard, was now borne off by them quite helpless, publicly compelled to acknowledge the sovereignty of God.
There were several instances of this miraculous protection of the Temple during the pre-Maccabean era. Ptolemy IV Philopator was also hindered from his attempt to profane the Temple. Subsequent to his defeat of Antiochus III the Great at the battle of Raphia, Ptolemy IV Philopator went to Jerusalem before returning home. He also entered the Holy of Holies, but was miraculously stopped in his tracks, and was carried from the Temple.
These legends point to the time before Antiochus IV Epiphanes when the Temple was divinely protected. At the advent of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, restraint was lifted and Antiochus IV Epiphanes did what he wished with the holy sanctuary. Since the Temple is the dwelling place of God, this points to the current point in time when the Church is the Temple of God and the Holy Spirit divinely protects the Church from evil via the faith warriors wearing the golden armor of God. These faith warriors are the Philadelphia church filled with the Holy Spirit, restraining evil against the Church and in general. The faithful Philadelphia church is currently acting as salt and light in restraining evil and providing spiritual enlightenment to the church. Please see my exegetical discourse: The Sermon on the Mount for an in-depth discussion of entrance into the kingdom of God.
The Philadelphia church is the restrainer addressed in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Please see my article: The Great Delusion (The Lie) on the removal of the restrainer at the Firstfruits Rapture of the Philadelphia church. When the restrainer is removed at that time by the Holy Spirit, the next leader to stand up after the Raiser of Taxes will be the Vile Person described in the following verse. Of course, the literal fulfillment of the Vile Person was Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but he points to another fulfillment of this passage when Antichrist profanes the current Temple of God, which is the Church. Antichrist will be allowed to do as he pleases with the Church for a period of 42 months during the first half of the tribulation period. At the end of the 42 months, the whole Church will be raptured, and Antichrist will profane the Jewish temple by causing the sacrifice to cease, and setting himself up in the temple claiming to be God. This is the abomination of desolation addressed in the Olivet Discourse.
It is believed that the “raiser of taxes” has had its second prophetic fulfillment with the leader of Babylon the Great known as Bill Clinton. President Clinton stood up “in the glory of the kingdom”, since he presided over America during the height of its prosperity. Bill Clinton is likely the second fulfillment of the raiser of taxes, since he increased taxes more than any person in the history of America. Also, these numerous tax increases in America have taken place in the height of the glory of America. America prospered more economically in the eight-year reign of Bill Clinton than in all of its history. Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, commented toward the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency that America had had seven phenomenal years of economic prosperity. This was certainly the “glory of the kingdom”.
The struggle between Egypt and Syria for control of the Middle East during the third century BC was a portrayal of the struggle between America and Russia during the 20th century. Both have vied for influence in the Middle East with America working through Israel and Russia working through the Arabs. The struggle continued in the reign of George W. Bush with America supporting Israel and Russia supporting the Arabs. The struggle between America and Russia has intensified greatly in the War with Iraq. Please read my exegetical discourses on Isaiah 17, 18 and 19, and my exegesis of Daniel 7 in The Four Beasts out of the Sea for an in-depth description of these events.
We will not resume with the literal interpretation of Daniel 11, but we will interject the prophetic interpretation, as we envision how it will be fulfilled with our current knowledge of events, and as they appear likely in the near future. We cannot know for sure how the events will play out in the prophetic interpretation until the actual events occur.
In verse 20 above, Daniel described the destruction of Seleucus IV Philopator, the raiser of taxes, in a few days after his attempt to rob the Temple. Heliodorus poisoned Seleucus IV Philopator within a few days after his attempt to rob and desecrate the Temple of its treasures.
Just as Seleucus IV Philopator was “destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle,” the American “raiser of taxes” was destroyed in a few days after his affair with Monica Lewinsky. His impeachment by the Congress of the United States of America appears to be the second fulfillment of the destruction of the raiser of taxes. Bill Clinton will go down in history as a moral degenerate, in spite of the economic prosperity during his presidency. In the following verse 21, it appears that Antichrist will appear (i.e., stand up) in the place of the Raiser of Taxes, but verse 22 below confirms that another leader known as the “prince of the covenant” will occupy the presidency just before Antichrist appears and sweeps him away. Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfilled the literal interpretation of the “vile person” in verse 21, but Antichrist will fulfill the prophetic interpretation of verse 21 below. At present, it appears that Barack Obama may be the Prince of the Covenant, who will be swept away like a flood by the Antichrist who will appear as one returning from the dead. The Prince of the Covenant refers to the President as the upholder of the Constitution, but he will be swept out of office when Antichrist returns to reign over Babylon the Great (i.e., the USA).
NOTE: It is only speculation, but it appears that Barack Obama and his government will be swept out of office because he does not legally occupy the Office of President because of his birth in Kenya. The fraudulent birth certificate that he presented has been proven to be a forgery using a birth certificate number of an infant girl born a day later than Barack Obama, but who died a few days later. No one in the courts will listen to the overwhelming evidence of Barack’s fraudulent occupation of the White House, but this will likely change when Antichrist comes out and presents the proof. America is on the brink of economic collapse right along with the European Union, and this collapse will cause all of America to turn against Barack Obama. The true Antichrist will arise on the scene and cause Obama to be swept out of office along with all of his leadership. Since his Presidency was illegal, this means all of his appointments and everything he has done in office will be illegal. Since his government is illegal the only solution will be to allow the Shadow Government to take over the reins of government. As the Shadow President in the Shadow Government, Antichrist will be in a position to become the virtual dictator of America when the Republic fails under the leadership of Barack Obama. Since Antichrist will be presented as the “christ”, Barack Obama will likely be labeled as the Antichrist, as he is swept out of office as the usurper. Satan will likely identify Obama as the antichrist, since numerous Christians have already fallen into this trap.
We will now return to our literal interpretation of these prophecies by Daniel.
Accession
of Antiochus IV Epiphanes
to Throne (11:21)
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was the greatest precursor of the Antichrist to be identified in history. The second fulfillment of this verse points to the soon coming of Antichrist as the antitype of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
(Dan 11:21 KJV) And in his estate
shall stand up a vile person, to whom they
shall not give the honour of the
kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and
obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
In this verse, Daniel describes the unnatural accession to the throne by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. When Heliodorus murdered Seleucus IV Philopator, Heliodorus assumed the throne and attempted to reign as king regent in the place of the infant son, Antiochus, who was the rightful heir to the throne. The antitype of the infant son Antiochus—with Heliodorus reigning as king regent—would appear to be Barack Obama, as explained above. He is described in verse 22 below as the “prince of the covenant”. The prince of the covenant will be swept away by the antichrist very quickly.
When news of the death of Seleucus IV Philopator reached Antiochus IV Epiphanes, he made ready to seize the throne of Syria. Without any army to back him, he appealed to the king of Pergamum, Emuenes II. With his army, Emuenes II escorted Antiochus IV Epiphanes to Syria and seized the throne of the Seleucid Empire.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes stood up in the estate of his brother, Seleucus IV Philopator, after his death at the hands of Heliodorus. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was an extremely “vile person” committing despicable and lewd acts without restraint and shame. He was not given “the honour of the kingdom.” Instead, he came in “peaceable” “to obtain the kingdom by flatteries.” “Flatteries” means that he seized the kingdom by smooth deception. Antichrist will come in to restore peace and prosperity and take over the kingdom from the “prince of the covenant”.
The Vile Person—Type of the Antichrist
Saint Jerome wrote his Latin exposition of the book of Daniel in the fifth century AD. Jerome says:
“Since many of the details which we are subsequently to read and explain are appropriate to the person of Antiochus, he is to be regarded as a type of the Antichrist, and those things which happened to him in a preliminary way are to be completely fulfilled in the case of the Antichrist …[therefore] we should also believe that the Antichrist very properly had as a type of himself the utterly wicked king, Antiochus, who persecuted the saints and defiled the Temple.”
There
were many parallels between the rise of Antiochus
IV Epiphanes and the
rise of Antichrist. At the time of the destruction
of Seleucus IV Philopator, Antiochus IV Epiphanes was under house
arrest in Rome and had no visible presence in the
empire. Antichrist also has no visible presence in
Babylon the Great when the Raiser of Taxes was
impeached. Antiochus IV Philopator
was instrumental in gaining the release of his
brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes
by persuading Rome to switch Antiochus IV Epiphanes as hostage for
Demetrius, the eldest son of Seleucus
IV Philapator. Upon
release of Antiochus IV Epiphanes,
he went to Greece and spent some time there in
seclusion just as Antichrist spent some time in
seclusion on the Greek island of Scorpios.
When Seleucus IV Philopator was destroyed, there were three possible heirs to the throne of Syria: 1) Seleucus’ son, Demetrius—a hostage in Rome, 2) an infant son of Seleucus—also named Antiochus, and 3) Antiochus IV Epiphanes—brother of Seleucus. The Raiser of Taxes has already been destroyed, and the “prince of the covenant” has taken his place at the helm of Babylon the Great. The prince of the covenant will be in power when he is swept away by the Vile Person.
In the same vein, Antiochus was the one least likely to become the king over Syria, yet he was the one ordained by God. His accession to the throne was very similar to the method that Antichrist will ascend to the throne of Babylon the Great. Please note that the struggle between the two superpowers of ancient Syria and ancient Egypt for influence in the Middle East described in chapter 11 of Daniel also depicts the 20th century struggle between the two superpowers of America and Russia for influence in the Middle East. This will culminate in the invasion of Russia into Israel and a nuclear exchange between Russia and America. This event is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and it is the fulfillment of the Red Horseman in Revelation taking peace from the earth.
Judea During the First Years of Antiochus’ Reign (11:22-24)
The following verses describe the takeover and reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in ancient Syria, and the takeover and reign of Antichrist in America (i.e., Babylon the Great). As totalitarian leader of America, Antichrist will link America with the European Union (i.e., the Ten-Horned Beast) to become the last powerful empire in the world before Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom. Antichrist will be the leader of the unified empire of America and the European Union. This is why the empire will be so strong and no one will be able to fight against it. The link between America and the European Union is prophesied in the following verses. The European Union is the ten horns, and Antichrist is the “little horn” with “the eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
(Dan 7:7 KJV) After
this I saw in the night visions, and behold a
fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong
exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it
devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the
residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse
from all the beasts that were before it; and it
had ten horns.
(Dan 7:8 KJV) I
considered the horns, and, behold, there came up
among them another little horn, before whom there
were three of the first horns plucked up by the
roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like
the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great
things.
(Dan 7:23 KJV) Thus he
said, The fourth beast
shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which
shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall
devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down,
and break it in pieces.
(Dan 7:24 KJV) And the ten horns
out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall
arise: and another shall rise after them; and
he shall be diverse from the first, and he
shall subdue three kings.
Russia will come against this Empire by invading Israel just as the Ptolemies invaded Israel, but Russia will be defeated at the hands of Antichrist as leader over Babylon the Great and the European Union. The destruction of Russia is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. It is not until about four years later that the “kings from the East” will come against the forces of Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon. Until that time, Antichrist will be the virtual master of the world. He will be given unchecked authority during the first half of the tribulation period, but the judgments of God will fall upon him during the last half of the tribulation period, which is the wrath of God and the time of Jacob’s trouble.
NOTE: The empire of Antichrist will be pro-Israel during the first half of the tribulation period, but he will come against Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.
(Dan 11:22 KJV) And with the arms
of a flood shall they be overflown from before
him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince
of the covenant.
When Antiochus came in with Eumenes, king of Pergamum, supporting him, he came in suddenly like a flashflood (i.e., arms of a flood) and overtook the kingdom before they knew what was happening. There was little resistance as Antiochus IV Epiphanes took over the kingdom of Syria, and this included the land of Israel. Antiochus also was responsible for replacing the high priest in Jerusalem, who was Onias III (i.e., the prince of the covenant). His brother Joshua, who was more disposed to Hellenism, replaced Onias. Joshua even had a Greek name, Jason.
When Antichrist stands up in the place of the Raiser of Taxes, he will come in suddenly like a flashflood and the current government will be swept away like a flood. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. government will “be overflown from before him, and shall be broken,” or shattered into pieces. Even “the prince of the covenant” will be removed. The “prince of the covenant” is the leader and upholder of the Constitution, and it appears to be the current leader, who is Barack Obama.. A translation of the word “covenant” is “Constitution”.
(Dan 11:23 KJV) And after the
league made with him he shall work
deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall
become strong with a small people.
The second fulfillment of this verse will be by Antichrist in his association with the Bilderberger Group. He will be installed as the totalitarian dictator of America via the Shadow Government, which is formally called the Government in Waiting, and he will become strong very quickly. Right after 9-11 George W. Bush came out and explained the Shadow Government to the American people. He did so to assure Americans that if something happened to our current government, so that it would be unable to function, then there was in place a Government in Waiting ready to take over to preserve the continuity of government. Antichrist, the once and future leader of America, is presently occupying in secret the office of Shadow President. He is ready to take over the reins of government in America the moment our present government fails and is swept out of office like a flood. Antichrist has already received his mortal head wound and his mortal wound has been healed. Everything has been set for him to arise from the dead and astonish the world by the fact that he is alive and not dead.
(Dan 11:24 KJV) He shall enter
peaceably even upon the fattest places of the
province; and he shall do that which his
fathers have not done, nor his fathers'
fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey,
and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall
forecast his devices against the strong holds,
even for a time.
In this verse, Daniel indicates that Antiochus will do something unique that previous monarchs of Syria had not done. Antiochus fulfilled this prophecy by lavishing gifts upon select individuals and communities to secure their loyalty. The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus confirms this fulfillment by saying, “Antiochus, on first succeeding to the throne, embarked upon a quixotic mode of life foreign to other monarchs.” Diodorus also details the extravagances among the citizens of Antioch in his ventures among the people. S. R. Driver in The Book of Daniel states that Antiochus in these antics was “courting popularity to an excessive degree.” Antiochus was also generous with the spoils and prey among foreign provinces such as Egypt and among municipalities such as Megalopolis in Arcadia.
In the same manner as Antiochus, Antichrist will plunder the churches in America, and take away the riches of Christians, and he will distribute the spoils among his followers. Please see my exegesis on the book of Habbakuk for an explanation of the Biblical description of the persecution of Christians and churches in America during the first half of the tribulation period. Habakkuk is a detailed description of the exploits of Antichrist during the seven-year tribulation period. Antichrist will round up Christians from all over America and transport them to detention centers where they will be executed at the same time that he will plunder their bank accounts and property.
“He shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time,” means that Antichrist will devise plans against the churches for a specific period of time. That period of time is the time of testing of the Church for 42 months during the first half of the tribulation period. Just as the strongholds or fortresses were the temples during ancient Syria, they are the churches in modern times. There is much wealth in the churches of America today.
Antiochus’ First Egyptian Campaign & Aftermath (11:25-28)
The following four verses—11:25-28—describe the overthrow of the king of the South (i.e., Egypt) by military defeat and deception. The king of Egypt was Ptolemy VI Philometor, and Daniel saw Antiochus IV Epiphanes invade Egypt with a great and mighty army. First Maccabees addresses this powerful army, and describes it as consisting of chariots, elephants, cavalry and a great fleet (1 Macc 1:17). The Romans had forbidden the Syrians to use elephants in battle since Hannibal of Carthage (218-202 BC) had used elephants against the Romans. In spite of this Roman forbiddance, Antiochus used them successfully against the Egyptians. He also used them later against the Jews during the Maccabean revolt (1 Macc 6:30).
The description in the Apocrypha is written history, while the words of Daniel are a written prophecy. First Maccabees was written after the event, but Daniel was written over 350 years before the event.
(Dan 11:25 KJV) And 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 forecast
devices against him.
The verse describes the great battle on the Egyptian frontier in 169 BC, but it also describes the overthrow of the Egyptian king by deception. Cleopatra, the sister of Antiochus IV Epiphanes was the mother of Ptolemy VI Philometor, so the young king was the nephew of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus tricked his young and naïve nephew along with the help of Philometor’s advisors, Eulaeus and Lenaeus. They devised plans against Philometor that led to his military defeat. This is what is meant by “…they shall forcast devices against him.”
(Dan 11:26 KJV) Yea, they that
feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy
him, and his army shall overflow: and many
shall fall down slain.
It was Eulaeus and Lenaeus “that feed of the portion of his meat” and they assisted in the destruction of Philometor. “His army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain” describes the army of Antiochus devastating the Egyptian army.
(Dan 11:27 KJV) And both these
kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and
they shall speak lies at one table; but it
shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at
the time appointed.
Antiochus and Philometor both sat at the same table and uncle and nephew and spoke lies to each other. Neither one profited in the end as the end of both came when the Roman empire prevailed at the end of the age with the birth of Jesus Christ.
(Dan 11:28 KJV) Then shall he
return into his land with great riches; and
his heart shall be against the holy covenant;
and he shall do exploits, and return to his
own land.
After the battle Antiochus returned to Antioch with the riches of Egypt, but he first entered Jerusalem “against the holy covenant” that promised the land of Israel to the Jews. “He shall do exploits” refers to the sacrilege and carnage that Antiochus did in Jerusalem against the Jews and the temple.
This sacrilege and carnage is described in the Apocrypha as follows:
On his return from the conquest of Egypt, in the year 143 (i.e., 169 BC), Antiochus marched with a strong force against Israel and Jerusalem. In his arrogance he entered the temple and carried off the golden altar, the lamp-stand with all its equipment, the table for the Bread of the Presence, the sacred cups and bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, and the crowns. He stripped off all the gold plating from the temple front. He seized the silver, gold, and precious vessels, and whatever secret treasures he found, and took them all with him when he left for his own country. He had caused much bloodshed, and he gloated over all he had done. (1 Macc 1:20-24).
The Campaign of Antichrist against Egypt (11:25-28 Prophetic)
In addition to describing the first successful battle of Antiochus against the king of Egypt, this section points to a future war between Antichrist and Egypt.
(Dan 11:25 KJV) And 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 forecast
devices against him.
Antichrist shall stir up his power and courage against the leader of Egypt with a great army. The leader of Egypt in the prophetic interpretation shall stir up the Arab nations against Antichrist in the form of the Leopard of Daniel 7 with the four wings on its back. The Leopard is a heraldic representation of a lion and refers to the sphinx. The four wings on the back of the Leopard will almost certainly be Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Please read my article The Four Beasts out of the Sea for a full discussion of this beast. Egypt will be completely devastated by Antichrist and this is literally prophesied in Isaiah 19. Please see my exegesis of Isaiah 19 for a full discussion of the total devastation of Egypt.
(Dan 11:26
KJV) Yea, they that feed of the portion of
his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall
overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
The prophetic interpretation of this verse refers to the “burning” of the resources of Egypt’s food source, and Egypt’s leader shall be destroyed in the nuclear devastation that comes upon Egypt. Millions of Egyptians will be slain when Egypt becomes a nuclear wasteland. The Hebrew word for feed means to devour or consume by fire, and this is exactly what will happen to the food source of Egypt as described in Isaiah 19.
(Dan 11:27
KJV) And both these kings' hearts shall be
to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one
table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end
shall be at the time appointed.
Both Antichrist and the leader of Egypt will sit at the same table prior to this nuclear devastation, but the hearts of both will be intent upon evil, and they will lie to each other. Neither will profit in the end when Jesus Christ takes over the earth and establishes His kingdom.
(Dan 11:28
KJV) Then shall he return into his land
with great riches; and his heart shall be
against the holy covenant; and he shall do
exploits, and return to his own land.
After the nuclear devastation of Egypt, Antichrist will return to Babylon the Great with control over the oil wealth of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria and Jordan, the four wings on the back of the Leopard. In his heart, Antichrist will also be against the holy covenant that guarantees the land of Israel to the Jews. “He shall do exploits” means that Antichrist will have temporarily accomplished what he set out to do at the time that he returns home to America.
We will now resume with the literal interpretation at verse 29.
The
Day of Eleusis (11:29-30)
The following two verses record the second invasion of Antiochus into Egypt. Antiochus IV Epiphanes had withdrawn from Egypt just a year earlier, and had left the country divided under the rulership of Ptolemy Philometor and Ptolemy Euergetes. Both subsequently agreed to unite, and this created a threat to the sovereignty of Antiochus. His only recourse was to invade once again.
In the first invasion, the Greeks sanctioned Antiochus since it was retaliation against Egypt’s threat of aggression. Also, the Romans were too busy fighting in Macedonia to do anything about the first invasion. The second invasion was quite different as Daniel foretells.
(Dan 11:29 KJV) At the time
appointed he shall return, and come toward the
south; but it shall not be as the former, or
as the latter.
At the God-appointed time, Antiochus came back into Egypt. On the trip from Palestine into Egypt, he met envoys of Ptolemy VI Philometor who thanked Antiochus for helping him to secure the rightful king of Egypt on the throne. They also pled for him to cease his current warlike aggression toward Egypt. Antiochus issued an ultimatum and demanded the formal cession of Cyprus and Pelusium to his control. From these two points, Antiochus could control Egypt. Cyprus was an island in the Mediterranean Sea and would give Antiochus control of the sea. Pelusium would give him control of the land in Egypt. Pelusium was an ancient city on the easternmost mouth of the Nile River. Ezekiel 30:15 calls it “the stronghold of Egypt,” and names it Sin. Pelusium was the main frontier fortress and trade center in Egypt.
When the deadline passed for cession of Cyprus and Pelusium to Antiochus, he invaded Memphis and turned north with Alexandria as his target. As Antiochus marched toward Memphis, a very traumatic event took place in his life that turned him into a malevolent monster in regard to the Jews. It has gone down in history as the Day of Eleusis.
At this time the Romans had defeated Macedonia and turned their attention to the invasion of Egypt by Antiochus. Rome dispatched General Gaius Popillius Laenas with specific instructions for Antiochus. Antiochus was camped at Eleusis outside of Alexandria. Diodorus Siculus, the Greek historian, records the event as follows:
“As the Romans approached, Antiochus, after greeting them verbally from a distance, stretched out his hand in welcome. Popillius, however, who had in readiness the document in which the senate’s decree was recorded, held it out and ordered Antiochus to read it. His purpose in acting thus, it was thought, was that he might avoid clasping the king’s hand in friendship until it was evident from his decision whether he was, in fact, friend or foe. When the king, after reading the document, said that he would consult with his friends on these matters, Popillius, hearing this, acted in a manner that seemed offensive and arrogant in the extreme. Having a vinestock ready in his hand, with the stick he drew a line about Antiochus, and directed him to give his answer in that circle. The king, astonished by what had taken place, and awed, too, by the majesty and might of Rome, found himself in a hopeless quandary, and on full consideration said that he would do all that the Romans proposed. Popillius and his colleagues then took his hand and greeted him cordially.”
After the day of Eleusis, the behavior of Antiochus became erratic and his entire personality seemed to degenerate. His great frustration and disappointment at his rebuff and humiliation by the Roman General caused a rumor to circulate in Jerusalem that Antiochus was dead. The effect of this rumor on Jerusalem caused Antiochus to vent his hatred of the supreme power of Rome upon the Jews. Psychologists called this phenomenon “displaced aggression”.
(Dan 11:30 KJV) For the ships of
Chittim shall come
against him: therefore he shall be grieved,
and return, and have indignation against the
holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even
return, and have intelligence with them that
forsake the holy covenant.
“The ships of Chittim” refer to the Romans and this verse refers to the Day of Eleusis as described above. His humiliation by Rome, and the rumor of his death in Jerusalem miserably grieved Antiochus, so he hastened to Jerusalem to put down the rebellion against his authority. Antiochus killed 40,000 Jews and sold another 40,000 into slavery (2 Macc 5:14). This onslaught by Antiochus is referred to in the Dead Sea Scrolls as the Era of Anger. It has also been referred to as the Age of Wrath. This era has also been dubbed the “ring of slaughter” and “very great wrath upon Israel.” This time also points to a future prophecy called the “time of Jacob’s trouble”, and refers to the last half of the seven-year tribulation period.
Prophetic
Interpretation of The
Day of Eleusis (11:29-30)
We will now look at the prophetic interpretation of verses 29 and 30. These two verses were literally fulfilled by Antiochus, but there will be another prophetic fulfillment by Antichrist.
(Dan 11:29
KJV) At the time appointed he shall
return, and come toward the south; but it shall
not be as the former, or as the latter.
At the time appointed Antichrist will change his attitude toward Israel, and will come against Judea (i.e., the Southern kingdom of Judah). It will not be as the savior or messiah of Israel, and it will not be the same as the end of the tribulation period when all the nations will come against Judah. This verse typifies the time that Antichrist will come into Jerusalem and enter into the Great Synagogue (i.e., the temple) and claim to be God. Antichrist will have been protective towards Israel up until this point, but his heart will have changed toward the Southern kingdom of Judah.
(Dan 11:30
KJV) For the ships of Chittim shall come
against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and
return, and have indignation against the holy
covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return,
and have intelligence with them that forsake the
holy covenant.
In the middle of the tribulation period, Antichrist will be opposed by those in the Church who were left at the Firstfruits Rapture, and the 144,000 firstfruits of the Jews. The word “ships” refers to the salvation of Jesus, and Chittim refers to the western coastlands. The prophetic interpretation of the holy covenant refers to the Holy Bible, so Antichrist will have indignation against the Bible, and he will have knowledge about those in the Church who departed from obedience to the Holy Bible.
(Dan 11:31
KJV) And
arms shall stand on his part, and they shall
pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take
away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the
abomination that maketh
desolate.
(Dan 11:32 KJV) (a) And such as
do wickedly against the covenant shall he
corrupt by flatteries: (b) but the people that
do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits.
These verses were fulfilled in the period 168-165 BC. In the year 168 BC the “Evil Decrees” of Antiochus IV Epiphanes were mandated primarily for the Jews. The Temple was defiled by offering a sow on the altar and a statue of Zeus and other gods were placed in the Temple. In verse 32a Jews abandoned the covenant of circumcision by promises from Antiochus.
“Throughout his empire: his subjects were all to become one people and abandon their own laws and religion” (1 Macc 1:41)
The repercussions from these decrees greatly affected the Jews for three and one-half years during the period June 168 BC until October 165 BC. The reason for the decrees by Antiochus was to unify his empire against Rome after the embarrassment of Antiochus on the Day of Eleusis as explained above. Antiochus desired to Hellenize the whole Seleucid Empire but the uniqueness of the Jewish religion was a tremendous obstacle to him. He wanted to abolish the practice of circumcision and coerce the Jews to add the pantheon of Greek gods to their worship of Yahweh. It was okay for them to continue to worship Yahweh as long as they also worshipped the Greek gods and acknowledged Zeus as the supreme god. In verse 32a above many aristocratic Jews had already been corrupted by this attempt at Hellenizing them, but in verse 32b above there were still masses of Jewish people who resisted the evil decrees of Antiochus.
Judas
Maccabee: Israel’s
Great Deliverer (11:32b-35)
(Dan 11:32
(b) but the people that do know their God shall
be strong, and do exploits.
(Dan 11:33
KJV) And
they that understand among the people shall
instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword,
and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many
days.
(Dan 11:34
KJV) Now
when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help:
but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
(Dan 11:35 KJV) And some of them
of understanding shall fall, to try them, and
to purge, and to make them white, even to the
time of the end: because it is yet for a time
appointed.
These verses were fulfilled in 165 BC and describe the deliverance of Israel from the evil decrees of Antiochus IV Epiphanes by Judas Maccabee. The celebration of this deliverance is via Judaism’s second most popular feast of Hanukkah.
In 168 BC it was the first time since Nebuchadnezzar 400 years earlier that the Jews had been sufficiently provoked to take up arms against the tyranny of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The “little help” in verse 34 came from the beginning of the Maccabean revolt in 168 BC when Mattathias, priest and father of Judas Maccabee, revolted against a band of Seleucid soldiers in Modin, the hometown of Mattathias and his five sons. Mattathias died a short time later and was honorably buried in Modin. Judas Maccabee took up the leadership of the Maccabean revolt against the forces of Antiochus. Judas’ army was not as strong as that of Antiochus, but the Maccabeans made up the difference in their religious zeal. As stated in the above verses many Jews died and were taken captive in the Maccabean Revolt. The final battle where Judas defeated the Seleucid army was The Battle of Beth Zur described in the Apocrypha 1 Macc 428:35. The Seleucid army was defeated with the loss of 5000 soldiers. From this battle Judas and his army marched to Jerusalem where they prepared to cleanse the Temple that Antiochus has defiled three and one-years earlier. Verse 35 above literally describes the end of the defilement of the Temple by Antiochus with the Maccabean Revolt, but it also is a picture of the struggle of the Jews at the end of the seven year tribulation period under Antichrist.
The
Willful King is the Coming Antichrist (11:36-45)
The following verses literally jump over 2000 years of history (i.e., the Church Age) to the Antichrist and the seven-year tribulation period. The verses do not describe Antiochus Epiphanes. Verses 36-45 literally describe the first half of the seven-year tribulation period, and Chapter 12 literally describes the time of Jacob’s trouble, which is the last half of the seven-year tribulation period. Chapter 12 begins with the flight of the Jews into the wilderness (12:1) and the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church (12:2), which contains many of the Jews.
(Dan 11:36
KJV) And the king shall do according to
his will; and he shall exalt himself, and
magnify himself above every god, and shall speak
marvellous things against
the God of gods, and shall prosper till the
indignation be accomplished: for that that is
determined shall be done.
This verse summarizes the imagination and the actions of Antichrist during the entire seven-year tribulation period. It introduces the self-will and the irresistible might of his proceeding. He will raise himself above every god in both his imagination and in his actions. This was not true of Antiochus as he wished to render the worship of Zeus universal.
Antichrist will “exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god,” and he will speak impious and astonishing (i.e., “marvellous”) things against the One, True God. Antichrist will continue to speak these amazing statements against God and he will be successful in his exploits of Christians.
(Dan 11:37
KJV) Neither shall he regard the God of
his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard
any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
This verse emphasizes Antichrist’s complete disregard of God, including all of the Holy Trinity. The Hebrew word for “regard” means Antichrist will have no understanding, discernment or give any credence to the God of his fathers. This confirms that Antichrist will be a Jew. He will actually be a Danite, but he will give no attention to God the Father, who is the God of the Jews. Antichrist will also give no allegiance to God the Son. The “desire of women” is a periphrastic paraphrase referring to Jesus Christ. Among the Jews, it was considered a great honor to be the mother of the Messiah. Thus, Jesus is referred to as the “desire of women”. We know now that the Virgin Mary was ascribed this great honor of bearing God’s son, so she is the one who realized the “desire of women” and gave birth to the Messiah. The phrase “nor regard any god” has special reference to the third member of the Trinity, which is God the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for “any” refers to the whole of what is being addressed, which is the Holy Trinity. Thus, this verse states very simply that Antichrist will have no regard, deference, knowledge or allegiance to God the Father, God the Son nor God the Holy Spirit. The first word for God is elohiym and it is the common word for God. The second word for God is elowahh, and it is in the singular and has special emphasis on the might and power of God. Thus, this is a special reference to God the Holy Spirit. In summary, this verse states that Antichrist will show no deference or allegiance to God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit, because he will magnify and exalt himself above the Trinity.
(Dan 11:38 KJV) But in his estate
shall he honour the God of
forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall
he honour with gold, and
silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant
things.
In his position of power and authority over America (i.e., Babylon the Great) and the European Union (The Ten-Horned Beast), Antichrist will not honor the God of his fathers, but instead he will honor a god of might and force. He will have power over these nations that have great nuclear superiority, so he will trust in his might and power over the God of Israel. He will spend great amounts of money for nuclear arms, and he will have great power and authority
(Dan 11:39 KJV) Thus shall he do
in the most strong holds with a
strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and
increase with glory: and he shall cause them
to rule over many, and shall divide the land
for gain.
Antichrist will attack the mightiest countries with the help of a strange god. This god is clearly Satan, the one who will empower Antichrist and give him his power & authority. Antichrist will give honor and worship to Satan who provides his power and authority. Just as Satan promised the kingdoms of the earth to Jesus, if He would bow down and worship him, Satan has made the same offer to Antichrist, and he has agreed to the offer. Antichrist will be reigning and ruling with the power and authority of Satan, a strange god whom his fathers did not know
(Dan 11:40 KJV) And at the time
of the end shall the king of the south push at
him: and the king of the north shall come
against him like a whirlwind, with chariots,
and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he
shall enter into the countries, and shall
overflow and pass over.
The king of the south is Egypt (i.e. the Leopard of Daniel 7) and the king of the north is Russia (i.e., the Bear of Daniel 7). Both will come against Antichrist, and both will be trampled down. See my exegesis of Daniel 7 for an understanding of the destruction of the Leopard and the Bear by Antichrist as head of the Ten-Horned Beast.
(Dan 11:41 KJV) He shall enter
also into the glorious land, and many
countries shall be overthrown: but these shall
escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab,
and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Antichrist
will come to the assistance of Israel when Egypt
comes against them first, and then Russia will come
against Israel along with Libya, Ethiopia, Turkey
and Iran—among others. These areas across the Jordan
River from Israel will be protected by God, since
these are the areas where the Jews will flee in the
middle of the tribulation period when Antichrist
sets himself up in the temple claiming to be God.
Edom is in the area of Petra where the Jews will
most likely hide during the last half of the
tribulation period. Moab and Ammon
are in the area south of Damascus, and this area
will be polluted by the nuclear bomb that destroys
Damascus. See my exegesis of Isaiah 17 for an
understanding of the destruction of Damascus: The Burden of
Damascus.
(Dan 11:42 KJV) He shall stretch
forth his hand also upon the countries: and
the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Antichrist will “stretch forth his hand” or extend his power over many countries, including Libya, Ethiopia, Iran and even Egypt. Egypt is the Leopard trampled down by Antichrist in Daniel 7, and this trampling down to submission includes Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
(Dan 11:43 KJV) But he shall have
power over the treasures of gold and of
silver, and over all the precious things of
Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians
shall be at his steps.
Antichrist will have power over the treasures of gold and silver in Egypt, and the Libyans and the Ethiopians will also be in submission to him.
(Dan 11:44 KJV) But tidings out
of the east and out of the north shall trouble
him: therefore he shall go forth with great
fury to destroy, and utterly to
make away many.
The tidings out of the east and the north will be the rumors about the Russian invasion of the land of Israel, along with Togarmah (i.e., Turkey) and Persia (i.e., Iran). Both Russia and Turkey are north of Israel and Iran is east of Israel. Antichrist will go forth and trample down the Russian Bear, along with Turkey, Iran, Libya and Ethiopia.
(Dan 11:45 KJV) And he shall
plant the tabernacles of his palace between
the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he
shall come to his end, and none shall help
him.
Antichrist shall place himself in the land of Israel at the Holy Mountain of God between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. He will be here when his 42 month reign ends and there will be no one able to prevent this end, which was ordained by God. Just as Jesus Christ was given 42 months to minister with authority, Antichrist will be given 42 months to reign and rule with any intervention of check by God.
The
Time of Jacob’s Trouble (12:1-13)
(Dan 12:1 KJV) And at that time
shall Michael stand up, the great prince which
standeth for the
children of thy people: and there shall be a
time of trouble, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same time: and at
that time thy people shall be delivered, every
one that shall be found written in the book.
“At that time” refers to the end of the reign of Antichrist, which is in the middle of the tribulation period. This is the time when the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church takes place, and the whole Church will be absent from the earth. The unchecked reign of Antichrist will be over, and he will no longer be able to persecute Christians. Thus, Antichrist will turn his attention to the persecution of Jews. It is because of this shift in persecution that Michael, the great prince who has the special assignment of protecting the people of Israel, will come to his feet and pay special attention to what is about to happen to his charges. This will be an awful time for the Jews, and it is even called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”. This will be the worst persecution that the Jews have ever experienced, and Michael will literally stand up to observe the severity of this persecution.
It is at this time that the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church will take place, and there are many Jews who are saved during the Church Age, and will still be on the earth at the time of the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church. Many of these will have been persecuted during the 42 month reign of Antichrist, so their names were written in the lamb’s book of life as members of the Church. It is at this time that they will be delivered from their persecution and they will enter into heaven at this point. Thus, they will be delivered from the time of persecution that will come upon numerous Jews who are alive at this time.
(Dan 12:2 KJV) And many of them
that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt.
Not only will the living Jewish Christians be translated into their new bodies and taken to heaven at this time according to verse 1, but those Jews who were members of the Church and deceased will be resurrected at this time. Some will be resurrected to eternal life (i.e., everlasting life), but some will be resurrected to shame and everlasting contempt from the Lord Jesus Christ. The word for contempt means strong feelings of disapproval. This is not a resurrection of the unsaved dead, but a resurrection of Christians. The resurrection of the unsaved dead does not occur until the end of the millennial kingdom, which is a thousand years later. This disapproval from the Lord Jesus Christ will last forever. The failure to receive honor and glory will be forever. The loss of reward is forever, just as the receipt of reward is forever.
(Dan 12:3 KJV) And they that be wise shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament; and
they that turn many to righteousness as the
stars for ever and ever.
Those
Jewish Christians who have been among the wise
virgins shall receive honor and glory and eternal
life, and this honor and glory will be obvious and
clear to everyone, and it will last forever and
ever. This is what eternal life really means. It
means that the life a Christian lives has met the
approval of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that
Christian will receive eternal honor and glory for
that life. The loss of eternal life means the
Christian does not receive honor and glory for his
life, as his life has been a waste. An announcement
of a sermon topic on a church marquee recently
stated that the title of the message was “Don’t
Waste Your Life!” The loss of the soul at the
Judgment Seat of Christ is the loss of eternal life,
and the simple explanation is that the Christian
wasted his life.
Daniel is told to seal up the book until the time of the end. As seen above, the end is the end of the Church Age when God will judge the living and the dead. Daniel is also told that the time will be a time when travel to and fro in the world will greatly increase. This verse is certainly not an exaggeration, and humans travel to and fro at the speed of sound or close to it. America has some airplanes that travel at mach III which is three times the speed of sound. It will also be a time when a knowledge explosion will occur. The Internet is clearly the fulfillment of this prophecy, as there is instant access to virtually unlimited knowledge on any subject anyone can dream up.
Daniel looks up and he sees two more persons, one on each side of the bank of the river. There are apparently two angels who accompany this Christophany, which is a preincarnate appearance of Christ.
(Dan 12:6 KJV) And one said to
the man clothed in linen, which was upon the
waters of the river, How long shall it
be to the end of these wonders?
As stated earlier, the man clothed in linen is a preincarnate appearance of Christ, a Christophany. This is confirmed in the following verse, when the man swears by the authority of God in regard to the length of time that the miracles of God will last. Only a member of the Godhead could swear by him who lives forever and ever.
(Dan 12:7 KJV) And I heard the
man clothed in linen, which was upon the
waters of the river, when he held up his right
hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that
it shall be for a time, times, and an half;
and when he shall have accomplished to scatter
the power of the holy people, all these things
shall be finished.
The man in linen swears by the eternal God that these miraculous events will continue for three and one half years. He also states that the time will end when the power of the Jews has been completely pulverized. As stated above, the time of Jacob’s trouble will be an awful time of persecution and destruction of the nation of Israel. Two-thirds of the Jews will die in this period of time. The time period will be for three and one-half years, which is the meaning of “a time, times and an half”. He in this verse is the Antichrist and he will persecute the Jews and he will shatter, break or pulverize the power of the Jews during this period. This is the meaning of “scatter the power of the holy people.” When this has happened, the miraculous events of the last half of the tribulation will come to an end. These miraculous events are detailed in the Book of Revelation in the description of the seven trumpet judgments and the seven vial or bowl judgments. Please see my detailed analysis of these events in my verse-by-verse exegesis of Revelation at the following link: Revelation Chapter 8.
(Dan 12:8 KJV) And I heard, but I
understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what
shall be the end of these things?
Daniel heard the words, but he did not understand the meaning, so he asked the Lord “What shall be the meaning of these things? The Lord responds in the following verses.
(Dan 12:9 KJV) And he said, Go thy way,
Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed
till the time of the end.
The Lord tells Daniel to continue about his present business and life, for the meaning of these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. To be closed up means the words will remain secret and hidden until the time of the end. The word “sealed” means that God has locked up the meaning of these words, and they will not be revealed until the time of the end. We know from the details of prophecy in the Old Testament and the New Testament about the terrible persecution of the Jews during the time of Jacob’s trouble, but they will not be experientially known by the Jews until the events happen during the last half of the seven-year tribulation period.
(Dan 12:10 KJV) Many shall be
purified, and made white, and tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the
wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand.
It is during this time period that many of the Jews will be purified, cleansed of their sin and tried in the fires of tribulation. Those who have their hearts set on wickedness shall continue to live wickedly, and they shall not understand the purpose of this period of time known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. However, those Jews who have become wise will understand, and they will turn their attention to righteous living and the coming reward for this righteousness.
(Dan 12:11 KJV) And from the time
that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away,
and the abomination that maketh desolate set
up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and
ninety days.
This verse confirms the time period for the time of Jacob’s trouble to be 1290 days from the time that Antichrist takes away the daily sacrifice and sets himself up in the temple claiming to be god up until the Return of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory. The 1290 days is actually 43 months, and it fits into the time period of 3 and ½ years. There will apparently be an extra or intercalary month in the time period bringing the period to equal 3 ½ years. Note: Those years that have an intercalary month actually have 13 months instead of 12. The time of Jacob’s trouble ends with the Return of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory. This is the time of atonement for the nation of Israel. It is the time when a nation is saved in a day.
(Dan 12:12 KJV) Blessed is he
that waiteth, and cometh to
the thousand three hundred and five and thirty
days.
The word “blessed” is an interjection at this point and refers to the time period between the Return of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory and the time that He sets up the kingdom on the earth. It is during this period that the Sheep and Goat Judgment takes place. This judgment has nothing to do with the Church, nor with the judgment of Israel. It is a judgment of the saved Gentiles who will be present in the earthly aspect of the kingdom during the millennial kingdom. The saved Gentile who watches for and longs for the Return of Jesus Christ in Power & Glory, and who attains to the 1335 days without his person being destroyed in the judgment fire of God will be greatly blessed. The additional 45 day period is the time of the sheep and goat judgment that will take place after Jesus has set his foot down on the Mount of Olives. The period of 1290 days is the end of the time of Jacob’s trouble, but those Gentiles who are looking for the Return of Jesus Christ and pass through the 45 days of judgment will be greatly blessed. The sheep are the Gentiles who will be greatly blessed for the way that they treated the Jews during the last half of the tribulation period. The goats are those Gentiles who will lose their reward because of the way that they treated the Jews during the last half of the tribulation period.
The
word “waiteth” means to
long for or watch for with diligence and
expectation. The word “cometh” means to attain to or
arrive at the end of the 1335 day period intact
without perishing in Gehenna
Fire, which is the judgment fire of God. Please read
my exegesis of the Sheep and Goat Judgment at the
following link: The Olivet Discourse.
Note: The goats do not attain to the 1335 days for their souls perish in Gehenna Fire prior to the end of the Sheep and Goat Judgment. The sheep do attain to the 1335 days for their souls do not perish in Gehenna Fire and they are greatly blessed, as stated in the interjection at the end of Chapter 12 of Daniel
The Lord ends his proclamation to Daniel by telling him to continue about his business and his life. The Lord also tells Daniel that he will die before these events come to pass, but he will be resurrected and receive his reward at the end of the 1290 days. The word “rest” refers to the death of Daniel and the word “stand” refers to the resurrection of Daniel. The word “lot” refers to the portion of Daniel’s recompense of reward.