These first 20 verses of Daniel 11 are clearly historical to our generation. They can all be very specifically matched to events in history with uncanny detail.

Now we come to a section of the prophecy that applies partially to history, yet will also apply in a strange repetition of events to a future leader.

Daniel 11:21

He will be succeeded by a vile person to whom has not been given the honor of royal position. He will come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by flattery and deceit.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes was not the rightful heir to the throne. The brother of Seleucus IV Philopator, he had been held in Rome as a hostage to ensure that Seleucus would pay his tribute. After 12 years he had himself trade places with Seleucus' son Demetrius and was released. On his way to Antioch, his brother Seleucus IV was murdered. There were rumors that Heliodorus was actually working for Antiochus IV when he committed that murder. Antiochus IV, through various flatteries and bribes, took hold of the throne.

He was indeed contemptible, having the goal of converting Jerusalem into a center for Greek culture. He also established a co-regency with his nephew who was still a minor, then had him murdered.

The passages that relate well to Antiochus IV are also a foreshadowing of the coming world leader, who will have many of the same characteristics and will take the same actions described here. In that sense these verses relate to two people at the same time, one in our past and one in our future.

Daniel 11:22-23

They will be swept like a flood from before him, and will be destroyed. Yes, even the prince of the covenant.

After making an agreement with him, he will work deceitfully, for he will rise to power and become strong with only a small number of people.

These passages refer to Antiochus' dealings with the priesthood. They appear to refer to the Jewish religious adherence being swept away, as Antiochus would later eliminate all Jewish practices. The "prince of the covenant" probably refers to the high priest Onias III. First he had been deposed peacefully. But then his brother Jason offered Antiochus a bribe and was installed as high priest. Later another brother, Menelaus, offered a larger bribe and became high priest instead. In the fall of 171 Onias was murdered.

Daniel 11:24

He will invade on the pretense of peace even the richest provinces and he will do things that neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute among his followers the prey, plunder, loot and wealth. Yes, he will plot the overthrow of fortresses, but only for a time.

Antiochus IV robbed the richest places of the countries under his control, and was known for distributing the loot to gain political power. He also attacked his enemies when they least expected it, after making peace agreements with them.

Daniel 11:25-26

He will stir up his power and courage against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south will be stirred up to battle with a very great and powerful army, but he will not stand because of the plots devised against him.

Yes, those who eat from his own provisions will destroy him. His army will be swept away and many will die in battle.

After Cleopatra died, Ptolemy VI Philometer (a nephew of Antiochus IV) received bad advice by two officials who were trying to undermine him and was unable to withstand an attack from Antiochus in 169BC. Antiochus took the city of Memphis and Ptolemy surrendered.

Daniel 11:27

Both these kings' hearts will be bent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table. But their plans will not succeed, for the end will still be at the appointed time.

Because Ptolemy VI Philometer was a nephew, he ate at the same table with Antiochus IV as they discussed politics and military strategy. Antiochus, of course, wanted to control all of Egypt and was only using his nephew to gain information he could use to win. Meanwhile, the citizens of Alexandria made Ptolemy's younger brother Ptolemy Physcon king instead. Antiochus tried to break the revolt but was unsuccessful and returned to Syria. Ptolemy VI then disavowed his loyalty to Antiochus and was reinstated with his brother in a co-regency of Egypt.

Daniel 11:28

Then he [the king of the north] will return to his land with great riches, but his heart will be against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own land.

Antiochus IV was unhappy with the events in Egypt and raided the temple treasury. Sources disagree on exactly when this took place. It probably happened between the first and second Egyptian invasions, as implied in this account given to Daniel in advance.

Daniel 11:29

At the appointed time he will return and invade the south again; but the outcome will not be as it was the previous times.

In the spring of 168 Antiochus again headed for Egypt with an initial siege of Memphis. He again took control of lower Egypt and turned his attention on Alexandria, the city that had defied him on his last attempt. This time the outcome was quite different, as the city appealed to a young upstart military power with a naval base just up the cost at Cyprus.

Note the reference that this happened at "the appointed time." No doubt Antiochus IV thought he was calling the schedule of events, but in fact it was entirely under the control of God.

Daniel 11:30

For ships of Chittim [Cyprus] will come against him. Therefore he will be grieved and will turn back, and will vent his rage against the holy covenant. So will he do; he will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

Roman ships from Cyprus (also called Kittim or Chittim) arrived just as Antiochus approached Alexandria. Roman consul Gaius Popillius Laenas met him by the walls of Alexandria and commanded him to leave Egypt. When Antiochus replied that he had to consult with his advisors, the Romans drew a circle in the dirt around him and declared that he had to give his answer before stepping out of the circle. This was probably in July 168. Humiliated by this event, he headed home and turned his fury on the Jews.

Daniel 11:31

His armed forces will rise up and they will desecrate the sanctuary of strength, and will take away the daily sacrifice. Then they will place the abomination that causes desolation.

There was a rumor in Jerusalem that Antiochus IV had been killed in battle. Jason took the opportunity to rise up against Menelaus in an attempt to gain back his position. This further enraged Antiochus IV, who went about his attack in his usual deceitful style. He sent Apollonius with a contingent of soldiers into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, apparently on a peace mission. But the men suddenly began a merciless slaughter of thousands of Jews.

Antiochus IV then abolished the daily sacrifice and all religious observances, including the reading of Scripture. He slaughtered a pig on the altar. On December 25, 167BC he set up an idol of Zeus in the Holy of Holies and declared the temple officially a temple to the Greek god Zeus. This is known as the "abomination that causes desolation."

Although we focus on Antiochus IV because it is so clearly represented here, we must also keep in mind that this refers also to the actions of a world leader who is yet to come. That ruler will act in the same way and will also set up an idol in the Holy of Holies exactly 3-1/2 years after enforcing a peace treaty with Israel. He will also abolish religious observances and slaughter thousands of Jews.

Daniel 11:32

Those who have violated the covenant he will corrupt by flatteries, but the people who know their God will be strong, and will take action against him.

There were many non-religious Jews who supported this movement towards Hellenization (converting to Greek culture). In today's world a majority of Jews are non-religious and since this relates both to past and future events, it is not hard to see how the future world leader will corrupt many Jews at that time to his way of thinking.

next: The Coming Leader

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