Daniel Chapter 11 Continued
Daniel 11:25 "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 king of the south is speaking of the king of Egypt. The leader of the war against Egypt, here, is Epiphanes (Antiochus). In this battle, they advance as far as Memphis.
Antiochus attacked Philometer, who had become an enemy. The latter fell due to treachery by trusted supporters (verse 26a), and became Antiochus’ captive.
Daniel 11:26 "Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain."
Betraying counselors whom Philometer fed, led him to attack Syria to secure his defeat and death for him and his men.
It seemed that treachery within their own ranks caused their great defeat. Ptolemy Philometer was taken prisoner by his uncle, and his brother took over the reign.
Daniel 11:27 "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."
It appears the two kings mentioned here dine at the same table. They both lie to each other. They, both, will soon face the Romans. They were unsuccessful with all their lies.
Daniel 11:28 "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."
It was Epiphanes that plundered the temple, and carried the treasures home.
Daniel 11:29 "At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter."
It appears as if Ptolemy and his brother have settled their differences this time, and the Syrians find a different situation than they expected.
Daniel 11:30 "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."
This has suddenly mentioned the Romans. They are opposed to Epiphanes going any further into Egypt. Rome has, at this time, become very powerful, and the Syrians listen to them and go no further into Egypt.
About this time, there was a systematic attempt to destroy the Jews and Judaism. They all believed if they could destroy the religion of the Jews, they could completely take them over.
Daniel 11:31 "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."
This was an attempt to stop the worship of God. They would immediately stop the daily sacrificing and worshipping of the One True God. Antiochus had forbidden daily sacrifices.
They probably erected an altar of Jupiter, in the place where the daily sacrifices had previously been made.
Daniel 11:32 "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits]."
The people of God shall become even stronger, because of this persecution. Some of the priests had been influenced wrongly by the flatteries.
Daniel 11:33 "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."
Those who truly knew God instructed others one on one. Even their great faith did not save them from being killed by the sword. Those the sword did not get, the fire did.
Daniel 11:34 "Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries."
Even those who had been influenced by the flattery helped those who were fallen. The things that happened immediately, prior to the coming of Messiah, are actually a shadow of things in the end time.
We might say that Epiphanes was a type of the little horn (antichrist).
Daniel 11:35 "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."
This has jumped to the time of the end. Those who are tried here, are speaking of the Christians. "White" indicates righteousness.
1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
In this life, we have tribulation, as we read in the next verse.
Acts 14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
The word "purge" means examine, select, or cleanse. It, also, means to make pure. Jesus is coming back for a bride (church), that is without spot or wrinkle. Our prayer should be, "Oh Lord, purge me and make me white as snow".
Daniel 11:36 "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done."
This is speaking of that evil ruler, we call the antichrist. He will obtain power for a very short 7 years. He will proclaim himself god, and demand all to bow down and worship him. He is in rebellion against God and all of God's followers.
God determines all things. God allows him to do all of this for a short period. It is part of God's plan. The great tribulation is divided into two
Christians are saved from the wrath.
Daniel 11:37 "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."
The fact that the God of his fathers is mentioned, leads me to believe he is of Hebrew descent. He is either a eunuch, or a homosexual, or just a woman hater. The woman symbolizes the church throughout the Bible. This could, also, mean he does not regard Christianity. He is centered on self. He has no regard for any god.
He proclaims himself god.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."
He is not God. He just wants to be God. He is antichrist. He is opposed to Christ.
1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
Daniel 11:38 "But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things."
He places his trust in force and power. He is not a man of faith. Material things mean a great deal to him. The antichrist system is a counterfeit of God. Just as God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Spirit make up the One in God; the antichrist, false prophet, and the beast make up the antichrist system.
His power comes from great wealth and power to cause people to take the mark of the beast. The antichrist will be a man of great financial connections. The false prophet will be someone pretending to be representing the church. The beast is something that gives the antichrist power to number the people.
There is a master computer, today, that has the power to keep track of all worldly transactions. Strangely enough, it is named the beast.
Daniel 11:39 "Thus shall he do in the most strongholds 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."
There will be great alliances with this antichrist. In fact, the first
This man will have to be someone who controls the greatest part of the money in the world. There will come a time, when it will not be necessary to have paper money. Everyone will have a number, and can transact with that number.
Revelation
The transfer of value could be handled electronically by the computer.
Daniel 11:40 "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 could be Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, or any other country south of Israel. The king of the north here, could be the area we used to call Russia, or any other country north of Israel.
Notice, it appears the king of the north and the king of the south are both against the same man. This reminds me very much of the army (in Ezekiel chapter 38).
Daniel 11:41 "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."
Notice, this centers in the holy land (Israel).
Daniel 11:42 "He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape."
This powerful ruler that has set himself up as god in the temple in Jerusalem, has control over many armies and many countries. At one point, they will all be subject to him.
Daniel 11:43 "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."
We had mentioned earlier, that this was a man of great wealth and power. Nothing will be withheld from him. This ruler is against Christ, and all the believers in Christ. Many nations feel the same way he does about the Christians and Christ.
Daniel 11:44 "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."
Any hint of any country being opposed to him, would bring their sudden destruction. He will set himself up to be ruler of the whole earth.
Daniel 11:45 "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."
The palace of the antichrist will be in Israel. Specifically here, it speaks of it being just away from the Mediterranean. The holy mountain is in Jerusalem. God will fight this antichrist. He
will be overthrown by God.
Daniel 11 Continued Questions
1.The king of the south in verse 1, is speaking of the king of __________.
2.Who was the leader against Egypt?
3.How far into Egypt did they advance?
4.What does verse 26 indicate was going on?
5.What happened to Ptolemy?
6.What do the two evil kings' lies accomplish?
7.Who plundered the temple, and took the treasures home?
8.What caused the Syrians to have a more difficult time against Ptolemy?
9.Who is verse 30 speaking of?
10.Why did the Syrians turn back and not go deeper into Egypt?
11.About this time, there was a systematic attempt to destroy the _____ and _________.
12.____________ had forbidden daily sacrifices.
13.What false god did they erect an altar to?
14.What made the people of God even stronger than they had been?
15.Their great faith did not keep them protected from what?
16.Verse 35 jumps to what time?
17.Who are the tried in verse 35?
18.White indicates _____________.
19.What does "purge" mean?
20.What should be the prayer of Christians?
21.Who is this speaking of?
22.How long will he be in power?
23.The great tribulation is divided how?
24.What does the statement "God of his fathers" indicate?
25.This antichrist is either a _________, _________, or a woman hater.
26.Who could be the woman he hates?
27.He is centered on _______.
28.What does he place his trust in?
29.What or who, make up the antichrist system?
30.Who will the antichrist be?
31.Who will the false prophet be?
32.What will the beast be?
33.What will the first
34.Where will the palace of the antichrist be?
35.Who will overthrow the antichrist?