CHAPTER 11

1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

Here is yet more proof that God is behind the scenes conducting the affairs of nations.

Darius was no doubt inclined to release the Jews because of the prodding of God's spiritual forces. However, we are quite sure that the people whom Darius commanded opposed the release of those Jews. But God's spiritual forces guided the implementation of His plan.

2 And now will I shew 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. 3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 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.

Following historical accounts, there were three kings of note who followed Darius. They led the former Babylonian empire, which had been developed into the empire of the Medes and Persians. Many are the commentaries on WHO these kings were. Barnes holds that these should be noted: Cambysis, Smerdis, and Darius Hystapis. Ryrie notes: Xerxes (Ahasuerus - who married Esther), Artaxerxes, and Darius 2. Henry says they were: Cyrus, Artaxerxes and Ahasuerus.

Confusing! But let us not lose the meaning of God's prophecy in the confusion of history.

Keep in mind that the events here described support the truth that God is working out the details of history for His own glory and for the benefit of His people.

That God could, through His prophets, tell history before it happened is proof that God IS! It is also proof that God is omniscient. And it is proof that God is "working all things together for good to" those that love Him and are "called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Then, the "..fourth.." king arose who "..stirred up.." the Greeks. That fourth king was indeed "..far richer than they all.." because he commanded some 800,000 men!

The defeat of Xerxes by the Grecian army is well documented as a shameful disgrace to the Medes and Persians. And his kingdom was "..plucked up.."

There were several kings after him, but the effectual begginning of the empire of the Greeks began with "..a mighty king.."(verse 3),Alexander, who defeated the Persians.

The kingdom of Alexander was divided into four portions after his death.

5 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. 6 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. 7 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: 8 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. 9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. 10 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. 11 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. 12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 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. 17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. 18 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. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. 20 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.

Please keep in mind that this is a BRIEF study of the Bible. I must maintain a simple approach.

After Alexander died and his kingdom was divided, several successions to those kingdoms took place. There are many sordid details about how these kingdoms fought against one another and tried to become allies with one another. One king married his daughter to another trying to form an alliance. However the plan backfired.

Suffice it to say that the "king of the North" (Antiochus the Great) was defeated (verse 9). He left two sons, one of which is important to note. The two sons were Seleucus and Antiochus. Antiochus managed to raise a great army and fight against the "king of the South" (verse 10).

Back and forth the two kings (North and South) fought (verses 10-17), including the shameful acts of Celopatra and how she deceived her father.

Eventually, Antiochus the Great (Antiochus III) defeated the Egyptian army (verses 15-16). Then he began a campaign against Greece which failed (verse 18).

In 190 B.C. he was defeated by the Romans and soon died (verse 19).

However, he was followed by Seleucus IV (his son) who levied tremendous taxes upon the Jews (verse 20). This man was poisoned by one of his own servants.

Keep in mind that the events here described support the truth that God is working out the details of history for His own glory and for the benefit of His people.

21 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. 22 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. 23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 24 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 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.

Antiochus IV (the Antiochus Epiphanes of 175-164 B.C.) gained the throne by deceipt (see verse 21). The "prince of the covenant" probably refers to his brother's son who should have taken the kingdom. But he conspired to have his brother's son sent as a hostage to Rome. Then he took the kingdom presuming to rule in the place of the rightful heir.

Antiochus conducted several campaigns against Egypt defeating and scattering the armies of Ptolemy. And then Antiochus turned his attention toward Israel (see verse 28). While he was fighting in Egypt, the Roman government ("..ships of Chittim..") sent forces against him and defeated him.

Then he took out his rage upon the Jewish nation and surrounded Jerusalem with armies. He declared their religious ceremonies illegal (see verse 31). He erected a statue of Zeus in the temple in Jerusalem. These three things were certainly an "abomination" which made the temple "desolate."

Some Jews resisted (verse 33) but were slain.

Many of the Jews grew in their relationship to God because of this persecution by Antiochus (verses 34-35). The Maccabees were part of that resistance. Also, this is the time when the "Pharisees" came into existence. The name originally meant "separatists" because they separated themselves from the heathen practices of the Greek gods, and believed wholly in God.

Hear and understand: persecution can be used of God to build better character in His people.

36 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. 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.

What Daniel has heard before has already been recorded in history. However, what Daniel hears now, has NOT been recorded in history. Thus, many theologians believe that this is prophecy concerning the "Antichrist" to come. I tend to agree with that understanding.

This king spoken of in verse 35 will accomplish "indignation" which is "determined." Isaiah 26:20 says that people will "hide" until this "indignation be overpast."

Perhaps Paul's statement in 2Thessalonians 2:4 has relevance here. "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, shewing himself that he is God."

This king, on the OUTSIDE, neither worships nor cares for anything other than himself! (see verse 37) He calls himself "god." But he is brought into power by the devil himself (Revelation 13:4).

AND - his time is LIMITED! His time is KNOWN by God and is USED by God to accomplish God's own "indignation" upon unbelievers. At present, this king is being "withheld" by the power of God (2Thessalonians 2:6), even though the "mystery of iniquity doth already work" (2Thessalonians 2:7).

But when it is "time," he will arise to power.

38 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. 39 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.

This king is a big fake! While he pretends before people to worship nothing, and claims to be "god," he is a "devil worshipper!" He worships the "god of forces."

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. 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. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 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. 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. 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 "time of the end" (verse 40) is when Christ comes the second time and places an "end" to all earthly kingdoms. Jesus will set up the "millenial kingdom," and rule over the earth Himself (see Isaiah 11:4 and Revelation 19:11).

But BEFORE Jesus comes the second time, the "antichrist" king will fight wars with the "king of the north" and "the king of the south." He will make a place in the "glorious kingdom" (Judaea?) and seek to rule from there.

But then "The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel." (Joel 3:16) (See also Revelation 14:14-20)

Antichrist will be destroyed by Jesus' second advent!

My friends, all times are SET by our Lord!
All times are USED by our Lord.
Nothing escapes Him, and He will always arrive "ON TIME!"

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.