Book of Daniel
Chapter 11

Daniel Chapter 11
Commentary by Ron Beckham

Verse 1.  "And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be an encouragement and a protection for him,"

The speaker here is an angel of God, and He sends His Holy angels to encourage and protect each one.  If you hold office, low or high, in the home, or in a job, whatever; His angels will be there for you.  If everything goes wrong and life is a disaster, He will bring you through.  If you simply LOVE Him, that is, if you "dwell in the shelter of the Most High" (Psalm 91:1), He watches over you continually.  I encourage you to read that Psalm.  Included is verse 11, where it is promised "He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."

An area of angelic helpfulness is encouragement as in this verse.  When you feel better than you did a little while ago, it may be more than simply a beautiful sunset or some lovely music or that "Tums for your tummy" – it actually may have been literally the touch of angel’s wings, sent by God, because He loves you.

God also sends people, for the blessing and benefit of one another.  Daniel was sent to Darius the Mede.  You and I are sent to one another.  Yes, you will be sent, for each one of us has a good PURPOSE in the body of Christ.

Verse 2.  "And now I will tell you the truth.   Behold, three more kings are going to arise in Persia.  Then a fourth will gain far more riches than all of them; as soon as he becomes strong through his riches, he will arouse the whole empire against the realm of Greece."

This chapter is so accurate about the future (future from the time of Daniel) that "higher critics" (who tend to not believe the Word of God), assign this book a much later date than it actually was written.  It is so specific that they must either give the late date (on no real evidence at all), or become believers in God (which they refuse to do).  If indeed these words were written long before the events occurred, we are inescapably drawn to believe 1) God is real, and 2) He is in control of human events.  (Just like YOUR situation right now – He WILL bring you through).

The three kings are thought to be Cambyses (529 BC), Pseudo-Smerdis (522 BC), and Darius Hystaspis (521 BC).  The "fourth" is Xerxes, who invaded Greece in 480 BC.  J. Vernon McGee advanced the interesting idea that this "Xerxes" was the Ahasuerus of the Book of Esther, a very rich man, as this verse said he would be.

(My children are Jenni, Chris, and Jon – It makes me sad that, as parents, we did not know about excellent names like "Pseudo-Smerdis" when we had the opportunity).

Verse 3.  "And a mighty king will arise, and he will rule with great authority and do as he pleases."

The "mighty king" is Alexander the Great, who came to power is 335 B.C., ruling over Macedonia and Greece.  He was to race through Persia like fire through feathers – and as this verse indicates, he did as he pleased.  Certainly he was "mighty" and this verse could speak of no one else.  We wonder, how could God raise up a man like this, who would kill so many?  The answer is that God has a will for this world, that we only dimly understand.  He is arranging everyone’s lives, so that we might always be in the best possible place, where we might possibly choose faith in Him.  (IF you go to hell; you will never doubt that God gave you EVERY opportunity to choose faith in Him).  We may be rich or poor, healthy or crippled; in all sorts of "good" or "bad" circumstances, but the purpose of life is that we might turn to God.

He will use men like Alexander, who become like "tools" that accomplish His will (though their hearts may personally be far from Him).  We are never "free agents" in this world, and we are always rebounding from one supernatural event or another, that we do not see or even perceive, most of the time.  I would rather be God’s man, that I might be free to serve Him.  I choose the Lord, and have found FREEDOM in Him.

Verse 4.  "But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded; for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them."

Just about the moment that Alexander was getting that feeling "I’ve done it", he died in a drunken stupor.  There were no children who inherited his throne, and so the western portion of his vast empire was parceled out to four of his generals.  Cassander took Macedonia, Lysimachus got Asia Minor (Turkey), Seleucus Nicator managed to get Syria, and the rest of the Middle East; Ptolemy took Egypt.   All four houses warred among themselves and had little power, compared to that of Alexander.  And so very soon (in a few hundred years), they lost their power altogether, when the Romans marched to the east.

It is so hard to have something, and then lose it.  We become accustomed to a job, a marriage, money at a certain level, prestige of some sort, health, or whatever.   All too often, these are suddenly gone.  For Alexander, existence did not end when his body "gave up the ghost."  As we see in the rich man of Luke 16:19-31, a sort of "life" goes on, even after the body of the person who does not know Christ is dead.  We must turn to Jesus, as He is the only Insurance Who pays an Everlasting Benefit after death.

Verse 5.  "Then the king of the South will grow strong, along with one of his princes who will gain ascendancy over him and obtain dominion; his domain will be a great dominion indeed."

All of this (the vision) is from the perspective of Palestine, or Israel.  The place "south" of Israel, is Egypt, as reflected in verse 8.  The angel’s reference to the "king" here is Ptolemy Nicator.  This "one of his princes" is Seleucus Nicator.  I think it’s interesting that God knew precisely the relationship of these people to one another, hundreds of years before any of this took place.  Someone might think, "Wow, it’s Friday, I’ll call my wife and tell her I’m working late, and then go to…"   All of our thoughts, our decisions, good or bad, are known to God, and have been expected, since before the foundation of the world.  There is no place you might be, nothing you might do, that will surprise God.  He knows in advance where you will go and what you will do.

The astonishing news is that He loves us – anyway.  He proved that over- whelmingly, "for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).   We tend to like people who like us, but God operates in a totally different manner.   We were His enemy, and while the representatives of the human race were making fun of the Lord on His cross, He was dying for our sine.  He loves us; and without doubt a more beautiful love could never be produced, for His love is not based in any selfish motive at all.  He simply loves you and me.

Verse 6.  "And after some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement.  But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power, but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in, and the one who sired her, as well as he who supported her in those times."

This "alliance" between two warring groups, involved Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt, who gave his daughter Berenice in marriage, to Antiochus Theos of Syria.   Antiochus was already married but he thought this was a good idea.  So he divorced his wife and married the young lady from Egypt.  After two years, Ptolemy Philadelphus died, and Antiochus had another "good" idea: he put away Berenice and her son, and took back his first wife, Laodice.  She promptly poisoned Antiochus Theos, killed Berenice (she was "given up"), killing the child also, and put her own son, Seleucus Callinicus, on the throne.  A lot of malicious things happen in soap operas, but nothing can compare with real life.  And God knows what things we will do, even before we get the idea to do them.

Verse 7. "But one of the descendants of her line will arise in his place, and he will come against their army and enter the fortress of the king of the North, and he will deal with them and display great strength."

Our evil thoughts and attitudes become much like boomerangs, which turn back and hit us in the face. The vicious intrigues of the Syrians actually led to the destruction of their country. Ptolemy Euergetes was the brother of Berenice, and he came with a great army to attack Syria. He seized the key fort of that place, which at that time was Antioch, and took the whole country. The house of Ptolemy did indeed "deal with them and display great strength."

Verse 8. "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."

It is well to remember this Scripture, if we tend to make "gods" out of anything in this world. People can become "gods" to us, as can jobs, TV, the internet, alcohol, some other person – things of this world can become so absorbing, can take so much of our attention, they become like "gods" to us, as we give our devotion to them. If we spend the day with our eyes and emotions "glued" to a TV set, has it not become like a "god" to us? Now, all these "gods" can be lost to us in a moment, and to devote ourselves to them in that manner, is simply foolishness.

This, by the way, was Ptolemy Euergetes, who took 2,500 major idols back to Egypt, along with 4,000 talents of gold, and 40,000 talents of silver. In the value system of that time, he took a lot of loot – a real setback to Syria. We need to devote our lives to God, for we can never lose Him. If we give ourselves to the acquisition of month, we might not survive its loss – no matter how shrewd we might think we are, it can all be gone in a moment of time. And the talent we have for making that money can also be gone in an instant. You can keep doing the same things as before; but it does not work this time. Let us place our trust in God, Who Made heaven and earth, and Who loves you and me. He is the One who "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). He’s the One we need.

Verse 9. "Then the latter will enter the realm of the king of the South, but will return to his own land."

There’s always someone invading the territory of another person. This happens in marriage, and every possible kind of relationship. Sometimes a person will only feel invaded, and counter-attack when no harm was intended by the other person. Paul said "be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also given you" (Ephesians 4:32). If we live like that verse, we will not feel invaded by others, but instead welcome them into our hearts and lives.

As to this verse, it describes only a minor skirmish from Syria into Egypt, but can you imagine the feelings of those who lived in the area of this "minor" event. Note that even in the tiniest trouble we have, God knows it in advance, though others may not even care. And He who loves you, will bring you through.

Verse 10. "And his sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress."

G. H. Lang, among others, argued that verses 5-36 refer to the end times (future to us), and to the antichrist. However, in verse 8, the king of the South is identified with "Egypt" which strongly tends toward the position that these verses relate to the time between Daniel and the Maccabees . This was a time of repeated wars between the Grecian rulers of Syria and Egypt, with most of the fighting on the soil of the holy land.

The phrase "his sons" in this verse, are the sons of Seleucus Callinicus (Laodice’s boy – see verse 6), Seleucus III and Antiochus III. The sons were angered by their father’s defeat and vowed to fight until they were victors.

Seleucus III was a weak man, who soon was dead, and Antiochus is the "one of them" in this verse, who kept on coming to "overflow & pass through" (the land of Israel). Antiochus killed a lot of people and took a lot of plunder, before he victoriously returned north to Syria.

Verse 11. "And the king of the South will be enraged and go forth and fight with the king of the North. Then the latter will raise a great multitude, but that multitude will be given into the hand of the former."

Egypt, through Ptolemy, was now the aggressor. He was "enraged" or "moved with choler", which means he became "embittered" about all that had happened. There is a point where wars in marriage, or in the schoolyard, or the corporate boardroom, or on the battlefield, acquire a momentum based on feelings that do not quickly go away. Such "wars" do not stop until one of the parties is utterly "victorious" over the other. We see shootings in our schools and divorces in our courts, as a result of a bitterness that has grown up in our very sinful land. It will only grow worse, until we let prayer and Christ back in to our lives.

Verse 12. "When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail."

To continue verse 11 into verse 12, the people of Egypt rallied around Ptolemy, and marched toward Syria. Two great armies met and the Egyptians defeated Syria at Raphia, not far from the Gaza fortress. (As we shall see, most of this fighting was on the soil of what had been Israel). As a result of this victory, Ptolemy’s "heart" was "lifted up" with pride. He killed tens of thousands in these battles, and yet he ultimately would "not prevail." He returned to celebrate his victory, which stretched into a celebration of years and ultimately to an actual lifetime of sensual pleasures and dissolution.

Note that, as Matthew Henry observes, this current leader was Ptolomaeus Philopater. This "lifted up" one, was the one who went into the temple of God in Jerusalem, and in defiance of the law, entered the most holy place. (Antiochus Epiphanes would later do much the same thing.) This man’s decision to lose interest in the war he had been winning, was an indicator of God’s displeasure with him, because he defiled God’s Holy Place. He did not perceive it, but the moment he entered God’s temple, his momentum toward ultimate victory was gone from his future.

Verse 13. "For the king of the North will again raise a greater multitude than the former, and after an interval of some years he will press on with a great army and much equipment."

For about thirteen years, there were no open hostilities of any significance, and Ptolomy of Egypt was lulled into his life of dissolution, thinking the war had been ended by his victory. But the Syrian king used those years to build an army greater than either side had known, up to that time. To be proud and embarrassed is a very dangerous combination. Husbands don’t embarrass your wives; wives don’t embarrass your husbands, for the human weakness is pride, and burning resentment becomes a hidden snake that will bite the future of your marriage.

This "brief" thirteen years of "peace" was really just a staging time, leading to an amazing 130 years of open war. You might wonder in marriage, "why is she (or he) so angry at me?" The answer is often from the far past, sometimes so deeply buried in time, that both of you have forgotten what started it all.

Verse 14. "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."

The battles of verses 14-20 took place during the reigns of Antiochus III (called the "Great") of Syria (224-187 BC) and Ptolomy Philopater of Egypt (225-205 BC). Palestine (the land of Israel) was the battlefield, throughout this horrible 130 years. Philopater was succeeded by Ptolemaeus, a child, which further weakened Egypt at the top, during a time they could not afford to be weak. Syria also had powerful allies, including Philip of Macedonia (not the same Philip that was the father of Alexander), and, as this verse intimates, many of the Jews joined Syria against Egypt – Many, many were killed.

Verse 15.  "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."

Matthew Henry confidently expresses the historical references in these verses, identifying this particular "king of the North" as "Antiochus Magnus" (the III, or the "Great").  Henry goes on with a very interesting statement:  "See how dubious and variable the scales of war are; like buying and selling, it is winning and losing; sometimes one side gets the better and sometimes the other; yet neither by chance; it is not, as they call it, the ‘fortune of war,’ but according to the will and counsel of God, who brings some low and raises others up."

We can certainly see Matthew Henry’s point clearly, here in this Book of Daniel.   God obviously knows the future, and what we see as "chance" is often the carrying out of His Will, in the lives of men.  Note again that "trouble" is God’s opportunity, and His aim is not that you have a gentle life, but that you find faith in Him.  No matter what the outward circumstance, He loves you.

Verse 16.  "But he who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to withstand him; he will also stay for a time in the Beautiful Land, with destruction in his hand."

You see a guy like Donald Trump, or Bill Gates, and you wonder, "What do they got that I don’t?"  You might feel more than a little envious, thinking, "I’m smart; why didn’t I do that?"   You see, it wasn’t just Antiochus that was planned, hundreds of years before he was even born.  It’s the same with Donald, Bill, and you.  Each of us, including you, believe it or not, is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14).  Antiochus, Donald, and Bill were each allowed to prosper, in ways that draw envy from other people.  But to be powerful or rich is not the blessing it seems.   Jesus is likely advising Donald and Bill, as He did the "rich young ruler" to "Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Luke 18:22).   To have money but not have Jesus is to lose all that matters in life.

As in this verse, can you imagine living in the middle of a war?  (Many children live in the center of a marriage that is like a war zone).  I knew a woman (an employee of mine) who was a child in France, during World War II.  She told about how difficult it was to get water – they were "thirsty all the time."  The hundred year war in Europe of centuries ago, was a time of intense suffering for the people of that place.  This time was worse, if that is possible.  The Syrians really didn’t like the Jews, by the way, and neither did the Egyptians (they remembered David & Solomon).  To be in a war zone and to be disliked by both sides, is to live the life of a deer in hunting season – Never, would any of the people think of that place as "the Beautiful Land" - life was just ugly for them.  Many of the Jews did side with Antiochus, because he simply was a "winner" and such people always draw unlikely allies.

Verse 17.  "And he will set his face to come with the power of his whole king- dom, bringing with him a proposal of peace which he will put into effect; he will also give him the daughter of women to ruin it.  But she will not take a stand for him or be on his side."

This is the "king of the North", and he continues to press with great success in warfare, and he was still finding allies among the Jews (who should have known better).   Ptolemy Epiphanes (V) of Egypt was still a child, and Antiochus took full advantage of this fact.  In that connection, an interesting historical event was to occur.   He offered his daughter in marriage to the child king of Egypt, thinking she would control the little Greco/Egyptian king from within.  You’ll recognize her name, from the movies, if not from history – It was Cleopatra!  The Greco/Syrian king’s intention was much like Saul’s, when he gave his daughter to David, hoping she would become a snare to him.  Antiochus’ plot failed, because Cleopatra sided with her young husband, turning against Syria and her father.

Verse 18.  "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."

Antiochus the Great (III) of Syria then attacked the "coastlands" (as in Genesis 10:5), which were small islands belonging (sometimes) to Greece and now some to Italy (Rome).  He actually took many of these bits of land, which had names such as Rhodes, Samos, and Delos, winning them both by war and by treaty.  But he made a big mistake here, because he angered Rome, and his "scorn" (reproach) was now to fall upon him.

The two Scipios were sent with an army to fight Antiochus.  Hannibal was then in Syria, and advised him to handle the Roman problem by invading Italy.  He did not take that advice and instead met the Scipian army of 30,000 men, thinking he had no problem, because he had 70,000 men.  He was totally routed by the Scipios, had to abandon Europe altogether, and was turned back to his own land.  Keep in mind that all of this was prophesied in this Book of Daniel, hundreds of years before it happened.  We see it as history – to Daniel, it was the future.  And Daniel understood it better than we do, because he was so close to the Lord.

Verse 19.  "So he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be found no more."

On turning back to his own land (he was a Greek but Syria had become the home of his line), he did not know how to deal with a Roman demand – they required him to pay a very large tribute to Rome (it was pay or be destroyed).  Then he made his decision and plundered a temple of Jupiter, destroying the garrison which offered protection to the religious site.  This angered his own subjects so much, that they grabbed Antiochus, and after some discussion about what should be done – killed him!  He stumbled and fell, and was, of course, found no more on the national or international stage of this world and its nations.

We need to have loftier aims in life, than just money or power.  You can imagine the feelings of Antiochus "the Great" who quickly went from feeling he was "someone," to disgrace, fear, and death.  Put your trust in Christ - for no one else will satisfy; nothing else will last.

Verse 20.  "Then in his place one will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, through neither in anger nor in battle."

"Jewel" is literally "adornment" and refers to Jerusalem and more particularly its temple.  The High Priest was selected by Syria in those days, and was quickly replaced at the whim of the Syrian king.  Such a system would make the person of the High Priest become like an oppressor to "his" people.  But the real oppressor was Syria.

The successor of Antiochus Magnus (the Great, or III), was Seleucus Philopater, his oldest son, who saw the failure of his father and had a similar idea (temple plundering), but he applied the thought outside of Syria.  To pay the Roman tribute and also finance the cost of raising another army, he began heavily taxing the people of the land of Israel.  In particular, he demanded very high taxes from the temple in Jerusalem.  As one historian put it, "he robbed the temple through heavy taxation."  He was poisoned by his servant Heliodorus, when he had reigned only 12-years and had done nothing remarkable ("he was shattered, though neither in anger nor in battle").

Some translations use this phrase "an oppressor" and others have it as "raiser of taxes," which, because of the heavy tribute owed to the Romans, the new Syrian regent indeed did become – a large scale tax collector.  Typically, when people pressure us, our tendency is to pass that pressure on to others, like they did.  But that is not good, because it damages the people, and also it can rebound and kill us.  What we really need is to learn to pray in times of trouble.

Verse 21.  "And in his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquillity and seize the kingdom by intrigue."

Antiochus Epiphanes was this "despicable" or "vile" person, who came to the throne of Syria, in 175 BC.  These prophesies fit him life a glove, and he is a "type" of antichrist, an illustrative and figurative picture of the man of sin who is to come.  Antiochus is the "little horn" of Daniel 8:9, a sworn enemy of the Jewish religion and people.  "Epiphanes" means "illustrious" but he was only so in his own eyes, though he flattered many.

Writers of his day, called him "odd-humored, rude & boisterous, base and sordid."  Much like Peter the Great of Russia, many centuries later, he would "steal out of the court in disguise and run with the basest strangers that came to town" (Henry).  Some thought him to be a fun guy; others felt he was nuts (the latter, in a play on words, called him "Epimanes" or "the madman", but not to his face).  He was long a hostage at Rome, after his father lost that great battle, and he was still considered a prisoner at large by the Romans.

He got the crown by a trick – he had his eldest brother’s son, Demetrius, sent as a hostage to Rome, in exchange for him.  And when his brother was killed by Heliodorus, he took the crown for himself.  He came in peaceably (as this verse prophesied), pretending to be a regent for Demetrius, who remained as a hostage in Rome.   There were no serious negotiations for his release.

Verse 22-23.  "And the overflowing forces will be flooded away before him and shattered, and also the prince of the covenant.  And after an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people."

The "overflowing forces" was an army raised by this Heliodorus, murderer of Philopater, Antiochus’ brother – Antiochus simply crushed him ("shattered" him) in battle.  McGee felt the "prince of the covenant" was Onias III, who indeed was murdered by the devices of Antiochus, when he came to power.  Henry makes, I think, a better argument that this "prince" is Demetrius, who lawfully would be king (as "lawful" as most kings, anyway).   Antiochus was ostensibly the "regent" for the rightful prince, who was his nephew.  But he shattered any dreams of Demetrius’ return, by not making any real effort to get him back.

If we are in any position of leadership (in a job, marriage, parenting situation, or whatever), we have a covenant relationship with those we "rule."  We must always remember (Philippians 2), the "leader" is really the servant, who looks to the needs of those he serves.  We are not in this life any longer for what we can get out of it, if Christ is truly in us.  Our job is to serve one another.

At first, Antiochus Epiphanes had only a small number of people, but he solidified his position and became strong.  (He was a master at making treaties he never intended to keep).  Bold leaders often have less resources initially than they seem to have, and we should question the worth of our leaders early, before they become strong.  The time to stop a Hitler, is when he starts.

Verse 24.  "In a time of tranquillity he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty, and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time."

Unlike his predecessors, Antiochus Epiphanes did something different – He distributed the ill-gotten riches of the kingdom among the people (or the local leaders of the people, anyway).  Yes, they owed a lot of money to Rome, and yes, his financial position was precarious.  But he gave much to the people so they would follow him – His purpose was to make himself master over them.  His generosity would only last for a time, and when all the garrisons in the nation were in his hands, the money stopped flowing – He now ruled by force.

You’ve heard the phrase "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" which actually refers to the siege of Troy, but it was also true of this man.  The same will be the case with the "antichrist" who is to come.  He will seem to be generous and wise for a time, but his purpose will be to make himself master over the people of the earth.  We, as a country, have to find discernment, that we may learn to elect those who really care about the people.  This is another way of asking for "revival," for such "discernment" only comes from God.

Verse 25-26.  "And he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him.   And those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain."

One mark of an insecure leader who is in difficult circumstances, is that he will look outside of domestic problems and select an enemy for his people.  It tends to divert them (us) from inept leadership.  Rome would have been an extremely interesting target for Syria (the revenge factor) but they were too strong.  How then to solidify the people under Antiochus’ leadership? – Why, let’s attack Egypt!

The young King Ptolemy Philometer of Egypt, had a similar idea, and raised an extremely large army of his own.  These battles, of course, were fought mostly in the land which had been Israel, and thousands were killed.  The leadership of the royal houses of both Egypt and Syria, were former Greeks, descended from the Generals of Alexander.   It is thought that Antiochus had paid spies in the employ of Ptolemy, who ate" his choice food" and then betrayed him.  The utilization of spies as a national strategy of battle, is nothing new.  Many seem to feel the "art" of espionage came to fruition in the 20th century, and grew out of the 2nd World War.  Not true.  Sophisticated clandestine activities have been associated with warfare (and treaties) from the beginning.

Verse 27.  "As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time."

Machiavelli (of more modern times, in Italy, the author of "The Prince") would have loved these guys and their trickery.  It’s good, by the way, to pause and remember we are looking at ALL these events, hundreds of years BEFORE they happened, and even more amazing, we are looking at human affairs through the eyes of God.   These passages study the MINDS of those men and also gives us an interesting truth – though we might lie our hearts out to our boss, our spouse, subordinate, or whoever, the OUTCOME of things will not be changed.  God has an appointed outcome in history, whether in the history of nations or the history of your immediate family; in your life, and in mine.

Like the song of a few years ago, "He Knows Your Name".  He certainly does, and He knows your thoughts, as well.  He knew about you, before the world began, and the good news is that He loves you so much that Christ died for you.  Let Him in, and He will give you - joy.

Verse 28. “Then he will return to his land with much plunder; but his heart will be set against the holy covenant, and he will take action and then return to his own land.”

Antiochus did well and his armies actually devastated the Egyptians.  They took
a LOT of plunder, and having pretty much all they could carry, returned to Syria.  Of course, the route from Egypt to Syria, was through the (former at that time) Israel, land of the covenant of God.  As stated previously, this man hated God, the people of God, and the things of God.  He should have under- stood (as we should) that we were created by God, for His purposes, and we do well to honor Him Who created us.

Jerusalem was angrily sacked on the way back from Egypt.  80,000 of the Jews were killed, and 40,000 more were taken into captivity (initially used to carry the additional loot back to Syria) at that time.

When we turn against God and His people, we may seem to prosper for awhile.  The frustrating news for the enemies of God, is that they ultimately carry out His purposes, even while attempting to subvert His will.  That will be clear at the final Judgment of mankind – all that has happened, no matter how obscure and difficult it seemed, has served to bring many to Christ.  To those of the holy land of that time, it must have seemed as if the time of Antiochus would never end.  But as we shall see in the next verse, there IS an appointed time for each and every one.

Verse 29.  “At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before.”

“At the appointed time.” There was an “appointed time” for the end of Hitler, for Napoleon, for Ghengis Khan, and for that matter, there is one for you and me. 
We have relative sovereignty (every one of us – even the one who chooses to appear “weak”, often does so out of strength) for awhile, and then, unexpec- tedly, the war, the marriage, our employment, and our lifetime, is over.  This may seem cruel, but it’s not – to leave this “vale of tears” is indeed an act of mercy.  If we have faith in God (and the love He gives), we will be with Him. Those who do not have that trust in Him, will no longer be able to harm those who do.

Things did not turn out for Antiochus as they did before.  This man had received blessings from God, as does every one of us, but his response had consistently been to slap the Hand of mercy away.  In his anger at God, he “went to the well once too often” and this time, it did “not turn out the way it did before.”   He would not die at the time, but just like Hitler’s end could be foreseen at the time of the successful invasion of Normandy, the end of Antiochus was now in sight.

Verse 30.  “For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will be disheartened, and will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action; so he will come back and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.”

“Kittim” or “Chittim” is the Island of Cyprus, the place mentioned in the prophesy of Balaam (Numbers 24:24), and this is the Roman fleet, which staged in Cyprus, during that time.  Antiochus was just a short distance from Alexandria,
when a Roman leader confronted him and ordered him to leave Egypt.  He stalled to gain time but the Romans demanded an immediate decision.  He was REALLY upset but had learned the strength of Rome first hand, and finally agreed to leave Egypt at once.   All the powers at that time had to give way to the rise of the 4th Empire, the Roman “legs of iron” (Daniel 2:33, 40).

Antiochus Epiphanes was very angry and now showed anew his hatred of God and His people.  (There were apostate Jews who incredibly took sides with their enemy). Sometimes you wonder, “Why does that person (you fill the blank of who they are) HATE so much?”  Or, “Why are they so angry?”  The true answer is – it is really God they hate.  People tend to hate God, Who places limits on our lives, and invites us to place HIS sovereignty ahead of our own. Antiochus hated God’s limits, and would now aim his hatred at the people of God.

Verse 31.  “And forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice.  And they will set up the abomination of desolation.”

On his way back from Egypt, Antiochus came against Jerusalem, in 170 BC, at which time, over 100,000 Jews were slain. He took away the daily sacrifice from the Temple, and offered the blood and broth of a pig on the altar.  He also set up an image of Jupiter, to be worshipped in the holy place of the Temple of God.  This was indeed an “abomination of desolation”, and it is important to recall once again that Antiochus is a “type” of someone worse who is to come.
Initially, he flattered the Jews, and then viciously turned against them.  A man is coming to this world; indeed he likely is already here – and Antiochus is a “picture” of how this man shall be.

Verse 32.  “And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”

We can’t miss this, for Antiochus was a smooth talker, much like the Antichrist will be.  Don’t let people persuade you by the smoothness of their words, but instead look to God in prayer.  Some did turn away from God, through the words and actions of Antiochus Epiphanes, but others trusted in the Lord, and many died because of their decisions.  In 2 Maccabees 6:17***, we read about Eleazar, who spit out the pork which had been forced into his mouth, and then was tortured to death.  The mother and her 7-sons were put to death for sticking with God (2 Maccabees 7).   It’s important to recall at such times that there is permanence for us when we trust in God, and IMpermanence with all else in life.  The things people covet do not last or offer permanent satisfaction.

(***The books of Maccabees are historical and will be quoted here).

This “people who know their God will display strength and take action” was to be led by Judas Maccabaeus, a very interesting and heroic man.

Verse 33.  “And those who have insight among the people will give under-  standing to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days.”

There is a difference between truth and lies, good and evil.  We often don’t see that difference, or rather, people often live like they don’t see the difference. The “insight” we have, comes from God; from a personal relationship with Him.
Upon receiving Him, we should be quite naturally drawn to speak of Him.  One of my relatives doesn’t like it that I speak about Jesus.  Now, my Lord is just as much a part of my life as my children are.  When you love Someone, you just naturally want to talk about them.  I like to talk about my children; and I like to talk about my Lord.

To have this “insight” given by God, is much like having sight in a world of the blind.  We do not need to harangue people – we simply need to be as willing to speak of our Lord, as we are about that beautiful sunset over there.  We should share our “sight” with those who cannot see.

Those in this verse who suffered, included those who were killed in horrible ways, for Who they believed in.  Women were murdered for having their children circumcised, and their babies were hanged around their necks (1 Maccabees 1:60-61).  We in this place have paid such a small price (usually), compared to theirs.  What will we do, if the price of serving Him, goes up?

Verse 34-35. " Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy.  And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time."

Notice the phrase "end time" in verse 35.  It’s important to understand that even the ungodly, have their purpose in the outcomes of God.  Just like Babylonia served a purpose in the Judgment upon Israel, so Antiochus Epiphanes had his usefulness also.  He too was used to take God’s Israel from complacency to faith, but he did something even more – Antiochus became like a parable, a historical "picture" of the "man of sin" who is to come at the time of the end.

You can look at the historical Antiochus, the one prophesied here, and learn much about the future one who may already on the scene of this world.  The lost inadvertently serve to purify those who have faith.  "All things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). It must be really annoying to someone like Antiochus, to try so hard to be evil, and yet God’s purposes will ultimately be done.  The antichrist will have the same problem.

Why so much trouble in the world? – It defines who we are.  Those among us who are not of Him, will ultimately turn away from Him.  The tares will leave the wheat field.  Real trouble in our lives will actually INCREASE the faith of those who are truly His.  Note, by the way, that there is an appointed TIME for all things, for your life and for mine.  We don’t need to worry, for our lives are safe in He who loves us.

Verse 36.  "Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done."

Prophesy (this was all written hundreds of years before any of it happened) has an interesting way of leaping from one place and one time, to another, often right in the middle of what we call a "sentence."  A good example is Ezekiel 28, a prediction of the destruction of the king of Tyre.  The narrative lapses suddenly into a revelation of the power BEHIND his throne – Satan himself.  The king of Tyre was never in Eden (verse 13) but Satan was.  He was never a "cherub" (a pre-humanity race of beings – verse 14), or "blameless" (verse 15) as Satan had previously been.  The prophesy switches suddenly from the king of Tyre to Satan, with no warning, right in the middle of the text.

Something similar occurs here.  What I have concluded are the best expositors (from Jerome onward), see a great jump in time here (over 2000 years), and a switch in people – from Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria, to the antichrist, at the time of the end.

Antiochus magnified himself and so will the antichrist.  What a contrast between them and our Lord, who said "I can of My own Self do nothing; as I hear I judge; and My judgment is just, because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which sent Me" (John 5:30).  J. Vernon McGee expressed the antichrist as the "final and logical extension of humanism" – that which exalts itself.  I have kept wondering, through the years, how could God allow such men to exist?  Part of the answer is that He only allows them for a set time (that which is "decreed").  The troubles (and troublesome people) in your life have set limits, and your problems, whatever they are, have a purpose.  God is good; God loves you; and His ultimate aim is to bring a good, satisfying FAITH, into your life.

Verse 37.  "And he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all."

The phrase "he will show no regard for the ‘elohim’ (gods) of his fathers" has suggested to some (in conjunction with other Scriptural references) that the antichrist will be a Jew, and hold himself out to the people of Israel, as their Messiah.  The same plural word "elohim" is used in Genesis 1:1, as to the creator God (Elohim) of all mankind.  However, "his fathers" could have been Roman Catholic, or Protestant, or Buddhists, for that matter.  The verse does indicate he will come from some kind of religious background.  Note that many expositors (with good arguments) see the antichrist as two men – one a European political leader, and the other a Jewish messiah-pretender.  It may be, however, that the "two" are actually going to be one talented man of sin.

Dr. Strauss relates the phrase "desire of women" to the "desire of Hebrew women to be the mother of the Messiah" but I just see a man who magnifies himself over every human feeling and every other person.  This man (the antichrist) will be sin personified, and the secret ugliness of sin is self- magnification.  When we sin, we do not love anyone except ourselves.  The thief steals because he regards himself worthy of your possessions (and has contempt for you, the owner of them).   Antiochus placed himself in the temple calling himself "god", and the antichrist will do something very much the same.

Verse 38.  "But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones, and treasures."

"Fortresses" as it is here, is the more correct translation (the KJV says "forces" which is less accurate).  The false gods Cybele and Diana are represented as crowned with multi-tiered crowns, depicting the fortresses (fortified nations) of the world.  Satan offered Christ the kingdoms of this world (Matthew 4) but our Lord turned him down.  As J. V. McGee says, "antichrist will accept the offer and become a world dictator."  His ultimate aim (2 Thessalonians 2:4) will be seen finally, when he is "displaying himself as being god."  This, as previously stated is the ultimate aim of humanism – deification of self.

 Verse 39.  "And he will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him, and he will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price."

What an interesting (but loathsome) man.   Antiochus was something like Jacob’s brother Esau, a "man’s man" who would have been admired by those around him.  The "strongest of fortresses" was likely Jerusalem itself, and the "foreign god" would be "Jupiter."  It’s interesting that, since he thought that he was Jupiter, he was really worshipping – himself.  Often the "gods" we as people worship, are really extensions of ourselves.  This Esau-like person was a genuine politician, by the way, who knew how to give to others in order to achieve his own purposes.  He parceled-out land, in order to buy favor with the people.

The power behind him was not really "Jupiter" of course, but Satan himself, and it will be the same with the antichrist.  Notice the motive, by the way, in giving.  We do not give to get; rather we give out of love – whatever the Lord gives is just fine, for we trust in Him that He loves us, more than we could ask or think.

Verse 40.  "And at the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through."

McGee and Strauss see this verse as a continuation of the time of the end and a description of the end of time as we know it.  Matthew Henry sees it as a return back in time to Antiochus Epiphanes, and continued war with Egypt.  Dr. McGee (and Dr. Strauss) sees this "king of the North" as Russia, and the "king of the South" as Egypt (or an African confederacy of nations), attacking the antichrist.   The phrase "history repeats itself" comes to mind and it is especially true when you consider that God has His Hand on the events of history.

I continue to lean toward the position that these verses are a blending of the description of two men, thousands of years apart, both indwelt by Satan, and each of them haters of God.  There is a spirit of warfare in the heart of man, and this future monster will bring out the heart of war that is in our race, much like his predecessor did, so long ago.  The world is facing an all-out war, and many will die.

Verse 41.  "He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon."

These areas (Edom, Moab, & Ammon), are essentially today’s Arab nations, and largely stemmed from one guy - Ishmael, the half-brother of Isaac.  This is the man about whom the angel of the Lord said (Genesis 16:12), "he will be a wild donkey of a man."  Reading Ezekiel 38, in comparison with this section, is like a strong argument that this prophetic blending of Antiochus Epiphanes and the future antichrist, includes a prophesy of modern Russia.  This "HE" who will enter the "Beautiful Land" in the future, is represented in Ezekiel 38 as "Gog", an ancient name for Russia.  This is a brief mention here of all-out war, but the Arabs will escape both Gog and the antichrist for a time.

Verse 42.  "Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape."

Matthew Henry continues to regard this event as a foray of Antiochus Epiphanes into Egypt, but Antiochus never took Egypt at that time, so the better rendering is that we are now completely reading about the future - and the "Egypt" of this verse, is the country of the same name, existing right now.  Antichrist will do what Antiochus could not.  He may not subdue the Arabs, but this man of sin will find dominance over Egypt, and possibly a confederacy of nations, based in North Africa.  He will seem "invincible" for a time, but we must not be fooled by this, for as we shall see, his rule will suddenly be over.

Verse 43.  "But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels."

Like other despots of history, the antichrist will need money to fuel his ambitions.   He will strip whatever wealth he finds in Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia (North Eastern and West Central Africa) and these areas will follow him like hyenas after prey.  His dominance will include the continent of Africa.

When you think about it, what is the POINT of accumulating wealth and power over people?  As we shall see in these verses, his money will not last and neither will his power.  Same with ours.

Verse 44.  "But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many."

To the theologians of the 19th century, these "rumors" pertain to the rise of Judas Maccabeus in Israel.  Indeed Antiochus did "go forth in great wrath" and many were certainly killed.  Those I consider valid theologians of this century (who believe Scripture is God’s creation, through men) tend to view "North" as Russia, and "East" as China.  The latter interpretation ties in with Revelation 16:12, where recent expositors have consistently seen the "kings of the East" as a confederation of peoples under the leadership of a determined Chinese leader.  Still, I think the most interesting possibility remains that Antiochus is such a clear picture of what antichrist will be, that these Scriptures are not complete for us, unless we recognize that BOTH situations are fulfilled by these verses.

Verse 45.  "And he will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him."

Both Antiochus Epiphanes in our past, and the antichrist of the near future, will ultimately make their headquarters in the land of Israel, between the Mediterranean Sea and Jerusalem.  And there, they shall die alone.  No help will come to them.   No deliverance is possible for these men.

This is the end of those who reject Christ – they become - alone.  The opposite of faith in God is unbelief (in Him).  The opposite of love, is to be self-absorbed.  Certainly Satan himself, if he was forced to be honest, would admit that he "believes" in the existence of God (James 2:19 – "Even the demons believe; and tremble").  The issue with fallen man, who flirts with religion (as did Antiochus and as will the antichrist) but rejects a personal relationship with God through Christ, is more than mere belief or the lack of it.  People do not believe, because they do not WANT to.

The sad ending for these men (and others like them), is that they will be like the one(s) described in this verse – alone.  They will go to the "hell" they previously did not believe in, sent by the God they rejected.  Hell will not be a place where we find "all of my friends", as some say.  Actually, just the opposite. By choosing the opposite of love (selfishness), viewing others only as objects to be manipulated, men like Antiochus and the antichrist will become utterly alone, out of the company of others – this is the place "where the worm does not die and their fire is not quenched."  The only company of those in hell will be the demons that torment them.

On the other hand, to receive Christ is to be satisfied – forever.  Jesus is the "Bread of life" (John 6:48), Who will fill you, and the "living water" (John 4:10) Who will satisfy your soul.  That ache you feel, deep inside, the emptiness you keep trying to fill but cannot, can only find healing and satisfaction – in Him.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org