---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 11-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

34 BC: The Interpretation of Daniel’s Vision from the Persian Empire to Alexander’s Death

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


-“...I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.” refers to Michael the archangel helping Gabriel as it regards the conflict in question. We see from all this that force has to be used to remove certain satanic rulers (fallen angels) regarding particular nations, so that another fallen angel can take their place even as it was with the Grecian empire taking over the Medo-Persian empire. All of this happens in the spirit world and is unseen with the natural eye. However, the effects can definitely be felt. All of this tells us that there is always conflict in satan’s kingdom which is here made obvious.


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.


-These three Persian kings were Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius I. The fourth was Xerxes, who fulfilled this verse according to riches. Actually, there were six Persian kings after the four mentioned in this verse. However, the conflict against Greece began with Xerxes, who Gabriel said would “…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.


-This pertains to Alexander the Great who gained the throne when he was only 19 years old.


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.


-“And when he shall stand up,…”means that he was at the height of his power and refers to Alexander the Great. “…his kingdom shall be broken,…” has to do with his sudden death at 32 years old and to the breaking up of the Grecian empire into 4 divisions which were taken over by four of his generals. “…and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled:…” speaks of his son, who should have gotten the throne but did not. It must be remembered that these prophecies were given by Daniel nearly 200 years before they actually came to pass.


Wars between the Ptolemies and Seleucids

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.


-“…and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion;…” refers to Seleucus called Nicator the Conqueror. He founded the Seleucid empire 312 to 280 B.C. To the unspiritual mind, this chapter is without interest, but to the skeptical and critical mind, untruthful, for it is contended that these were pretended prophecies, were written after the events took place. But students of history know that these prophecies were written before they began to come to pass and that their most important predictions yet await fulfillment (verses 35-45). Further, the heart that is in fellowship with God takes an intense interest in all this history, both past and future because it concerns God’s dearly loved people and His Pleasant Land.


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.


-“…for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement:…” refers to Ptolemy II, the king of the south, Antiochus, the king of the north. The king’s daughter was Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy. The agreement pertains to Syria and Egypt agreeing to terminate their differences. However, the agreement was based on the marriage of Berenice to Antiochus II, king of Syria. It did not work out in as much as she and her brother were murdered.


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:


-The brother of Berenice, who had just been murdered, was Ptolemy III who had just succeeded to the Egyptian throne. The king of the north was Seleucus II. Ptolemy invaded Syria and defeated Seleucus.


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.


-“And shall also carry captives in to Egypt their gods,…” referred to Ptolemy carrying back to Egypt the gods which Cambyses, king of Persia, had taken from Egypt nearly 300 years before, along with much booty.


9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.


-Even though he won many victories elsewhere, Ptolemy was having problems back in Egypt, his home base.


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.


-“But his sons shall be stirred up,…” refers to the sons of Seleucus II. They were determined to receive their father’s dominion, which had been taken by Ptolemy III, king of the south, Egypt. Antiochus III was the only one who actually did war with Egypt with his brother, Seleucus III, and was poisoned by two of his own generals.


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.


-The king of the south was Ptolemy Philopater, and he defeated Antiochus, the king of the north, thereby fulfilling the prophecy. 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.


-The pronoun “he” refers to the king of the south, Ptolemy Philopater, who was greatly lifted up by his victory and oppressed many in his own land, especially the Jews. Irrespective, his kingdom suffered a steady decline.


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.


-The king of the north is Antiochus III, called The Great. He ruled from 223 to 187 BC. “…shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former,…”pertains to him returning some 14 years later to fight the Egyptians. And with a greater army than ever before, he would be victorious.


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.


-The first phrase refers to Antiochus the Great and Philip of Macedonia uniting in order to conquer Egypt. He won, however, Rome stepped in and forced him to surrender his conquest. “…also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vison;…” refers to the Jews who thought by helping Antiochus, they would bring about the fulfillment of prophecy and therefore, the independence of Judah. But the results were that they all perished at the hand of the Egyptians, fulfilling the prophecy, “…but they shall fall.” Had they read the prophecy correctly to begin with, they would not have suffered this defeat.


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.


-Egypt would be defeated by the king of the north, i.e., Syria.


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.


-“…and he shall stand in the glorious land,…” refers to Judea and the Jews attempting to help Antiochus the Great defeat Ptolemy, which he did. Even though Antiochus showed the Jews great favor, still Israel’s dependence was not on The Lord, but instead, on man. Consequently Judea was greatly reduced to poverty through the long wars, fulfilling the phrase “…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.


-This verse speaks of Antiochus the Great making a treaty with Ptolemy V. That is a treaty of peace fulfilling the phrase “…and upright ones with him;…” The conditions were that Antiochus’s daughter, Cleopatra, aged 11, should marry Ptolemy. The Holy Spirit here describes her as “the daughter of women” denoting her beauty. The phrase “corrupting her” means that her father, Antiochus the Great, ordered her to be a spy in the Egyptian court in his interests, but she ultimately sided with her husband and defeated her father’s plans by inviting the protection of the Romans, fulfilling the prophecy, “…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.


-Antiochus attached Asia Minor and Greece, but the Roman General, Lucius Scipio, defeated him and restored the prestige of the Roman name, which had suffered reproach because the Roman senate had failed to protect Egypt and Greece. Scipio turned the reproach from the Romans onto Antiochus by offering him great conditions of peace.


19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.


-In trying to raise money demanded by Rome, he plundered a popular temple. The enraged worshipers then killed him, fulfilling the prophecy, “…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.


-“Raiser of taxes” referred to Seleucus IV mainly engaged in raising money to satisfy the Roman tribute. Concerning “…the glory of the kingdom:…” this speaks of him sending Heliodorus into Judah to plunder the temple. On his return, Heliodorus poisoned him and thus he died, “…neither in anger, nor in battle.” fulfilling that prophecy.


Persecution of Israel by Antiochus Epiphanes

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.


-In his estate refers to the kingdom of Syria including the ancient Assyria and even the modern Armenia. The “vile person” refers to Antiochus IV called Epiphanes the Illustrious. Verses 21-34 refer to him. Antiochus Epiphanes, in his character, actions, and cruelties, illustrates the closing predictions of this chapter but does not fulfill them. Despite the claims of some, Antiochus Epiphanes was not the antichrist.


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.


-The pronoun “they” refers to his opponents who were overthrown in their attempt to take the throne. Also, the “prince of the covenant” concerns the High Priest of Israel who was deposed with Antiochus installing Jason in his place (Judah was a small part of his kingdom).


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.


-“…he shall work deceitfully:…” refers to the fact that the league was broken with Jason when he put the wicked Menelaus in the office of High Priest. Menelaus offered him more money than Jason.


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.


-“And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south…” refers to his making war on Egypt and being victorious. He had crowned himself king of Egypt.


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.


-The amazing detail of these prophecies actually staggers the imagination. Only God could forecast, and in such detail, the actual events which would take place concerning great nations, kings, and mighty armies, with every detail coming to pass exactly as predicted.


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.


-The two kings spoken of here are Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria and Ptolemy Philometor of Egypt “…for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.” means that it was not God’s will that Antiochus Epiphanes take Egypt at this time. This would come later, at least after a fashion.


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.


-“…and his heart shall be against the holy covenant;…” pertains to him turning against the Jews because he heard there had been rejoicing in Jerusalem because they thought he had been killed. This angered him greatly, and he made the decision to break his covenant with Judah.


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.


-The phrase “At the time appointed he shall return,…” has to do with the latter portion of verse 27 which now has come of time. He will take a second expedition into Egypt, but it will not be as successful as before.


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.


-“For the ships of Chittim shall come against him:…” refers to the coming of the Romans, demanding his discontinuance of his war on Egypt. “…therefore he shall be grieved, and return…” specifies the reason for the grief as he was within 7 miles of Alexandria, the great city of Egypt. He then turned against Jerusalem, killing some 40,000 Jews and selling many as slaves. “…and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.” refers to the apostate Jews who helped him pollute the temple and place within it the abomination of desolation, which was a sow on the temple altar, as well as doing away with temple sacrifices.


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.


-“And arms shall stand on his part,…” refers to him having military power to take Jerusalem and to carry out his will. “…and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.” refers to offering the sow, as mentioned on the altar, thereby greatly polluting it, as would be obvious.


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.


-“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries:…” refers to his old method of deceit and some Jews being led into apostasy, thereby helping him because he flattered them. The latter phrase refers to the Jews under Maccabees.


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.


-This proclaims the constant struggle by God’s people from Daniel’s day forward to the birth of Christ. As we have attempted to outline, especially the activity of Maccabees, their situation, at times, was perilous. “And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:…” refers to a terrible spiritual drought from Malachi’s time to John the Baptist when Israel, for some 400 years, would not hear the voice of a prophet. However, there would be some, although not of prophetical status, who would labor faithfully, attempting to get the people to obey the law of Moses.


34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.


-“Now when they shall fall,…” refers to many Jews falling by the sword in the many conflicts that took place. The phrase “…but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.” refers to an inducement to apostatize regarding Jews who faithfully follow The Lord. Satan had two weapons against faithfulness to Truth. One is violence. The other is flattery.


Wars Between Syria and Egypt In The Last Days

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.


-With this verse begins, the account of the end time which will continue through the twelfth chapter. Therefore, the entirety of the time, now totaling nearly 2,000 years, is omitted in Scripture which includes the entirety of the Church Age because Gabriel told Daniel these prophesies only pertain to your people, and more particularly, in the latter days (Daniel 10:14).


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.


-“And the king shall do according to his will;…” refers to the antichrist who will largely have his way until the Second Advent of Christ. “…and magnify himself above every god,…” actually refers to him deifying himself (2 Thessalonians 2:4). At this time, and according to Daniel 9:27, he will take over the newly built temple in Jerusalem, do away with the Jewish sacrifices, which have not long since begun, and will set up an image of himself (Revelation 13:15). “…and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods,…” means that he will literally declare war on Christ. His campaign of declaring himself god will, of necessity, demand that he will blaspheme the true God as no one has ever blasphemed. “…and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished:…” means that much of the world will accept his claims, joining with them in their hatred of the God of the Bible.


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.


-“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,…” no doubt, refers to him being a Jew. He will not regard the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “…nor the desire of women,…” probably refers to him turning against the Catholic church, and thereby, the virgin Mary. “…nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” refers to all the religions of the world, all of which will be outlawed, at least where he has control, demanding that worship be centered upon him.


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.


-“…and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour…” refers to a strange god mentioned in the next verse who was actually the fallen angel who empowered Alexander the Great. He is called the prince of Grecia, which does not refer to a mortal but instead, a fallen angel according to Daniel 10:20. This god his fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did not know.


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.


-“Thus shall he do in the most strong holds…” refers to the great financial centers of the world which will be characterized by rebuilt Babylon. This “strange god”, as stated, is a fallen angel, therefore, he will probably think he is giving praise and glory to himself, when in reality, he is actually honoring this fallen angel. “…and he shall cause them to rule over many,…” refers to the many nations he will conquer because of the great power given to him by this fallen angel instigated by satan.


The King of the North: Syria - Antichrist Victorious over King of the South: Egypt - The Eighth Empire Revived: Greece Formed in the Middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week

40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south (Egypt) push at him: and the king of the north (the antichrist, Syria) 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 phrase, “And at the time of the end…” refers to the time of the of the fulfillment of these prophecies which, in fact, is just ahead. It is known that the king of the south refers to Egypt, as referred to at the beginning of this chapter, which spoke of the breakup of the Grecian empire. As well, the king of the north proves that the antichrist will come from the Syrian division of the breakup of the Grecian empire. So, the antichrist will, more than likely, be a Syrian Jew.


41 He shall enter also into the glorious land (Israel), and many countries shall be overthrown (those in the Middle East): but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.


-Edom, Moab, and Ammon comprise modern Jordan. His entering into the “glorious land” refers to his invasion of Israel at the midpoint of the seven-year non-aggression pact with them, therefore, breaking his covenant according to Daniel 9:27. The countries listed comprise modern Jordan, where ancient Petra is located, to which Israel will flee upon the antichrist entering into the glorious land (Revelation 12:6).


42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.


-Egypt refers to the king of the south of verse 40, as stated.


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.


-“the precious things of Egypt” no doubt, refer to the ancient mysteries of Egypt regarding the tombs, the pyramids, etc. He will, no doubt, claim to unlock many of these mysteries. He very well could do so regarding the supernatural power given to him by the powers of darkness.


Adversaries to the North and East

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.


-After the antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, actually entering into the glorious land, he will be prevented from further destroying her by the tidings out of the east and out of the north that shall trouble him. No doubt, these will be nations, probably led by Russia in the north, Japan and China to the east, forming a union against him, but which will have no success.


King of the North: Syria - Antichrist sets his Throne in the Temple in Jerusalem

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.


-“And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace…” refers to him taking over the newly built temple and stopping the sacrifices as prophesied in Daniel 8:9-12. The phrase “between the seas in the glorious holy mountain” refers to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The “glorious holy mountain” is Mount Moriah where the temple is located. “…yet, he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” is tied to the first part of this verse which speaks of him desecrating the temple. This ensures his destruction by The Lord which will take place at the Second Coming.

Key:

Scripture is in BLACK FONT

Words of Jesus in RED FONT

Notes in BLUE FONT