Daniel Chapter 11

Daniel

chapter 11: Earthly Kings at War

The verses that follow move away from clear relation to Antiochus IV and seem to refer exclusively to the actions of the future leader, the one often called the Antichrist.

This section is open to much debate because, even with the help of visions like these, the future is unknown territory except what we can connect to other passages of Scripture. Similarity to other prophetic passages such as 2 Thessalonians 2 are striking.

Daniel 11:33-35

Those who have understanding among the people will instruct many. Yet they will fall by the sword, be burned or captured or plundered for many days.

When they will fall, they will be receive little help, but many will deceitfully come to their side.

Some of the wise will fall, so they may be refined and purged and purified until the time of the end, because it will still come at the appointed time.

These events refer equally well to the time of the Maccabean revolt and the final actions of the Jews opposing the Antichrist.

Daniel 11:36

The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and will speak unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will prosper until the time of wrath is completed, for what was determined will be done.

Although it is true that Antiochus referred to himself as "god manifest" (it was even on his coins), the passages that follow do not relate well to Antiochus. He did honor Zeus.

The reference that he will say unheard-of-things means that his blasphemies and accusations against God will go beyond anything a leader of the past would have dared to utter. He will not control his tongue in order to meet standards of public decency.

Daniel 11:37-38

He will show no regard for the God of his fathers, nor the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, for he will magnify himself above them all.

But in his estate he will honor a god of fortresses, and a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, and with precious stones and pleasant things.

Some scholars believe he will be a Jew because of this passage and others.

Some Bible translations say he will "not desire women" but this is a poor interpretation. The NIV is much more accurate than the KJV on this passage. This reference means that he will not have a regard for the "one desired by women" which is a reference to women expecting to bear the anticipated Messiah as their son (the role that was eventually fulfilled by Mary). It is not a reference to homosexuality as some claim.

The reference to "god of fortresses" is interesting for two reasons. First, the word "god" is apparently in the feminine rather than masculine form (though I haven't been able to confirm that). Second, if you look closely at statues or images of Artemis or Diana of Ephesus, their crown is actually a fortress. Could this be a reference then to a goddess? The sentence structure in the Hebrew language also suggests that there are possibly two different gods that will be honored, one the god of fortresses and the other a god unknown to his ancestors. This is not certain, but a possibility.

Daniel 11:39

He will engage the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god, whom he will acknowledge. He will increase in glory and will assign people as rulers over many, and will divide up the land for financial gain.

Like Antiochus IV, he will have military success and will gain power through political maneuvering. However, there are no historical records about Antiochus putting others in positions of significant rule over kingdoms, though he did play political games in which he assigned power to people to get them on side. This seems to refer more to the coming leader than it did to Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Daniel 11:40

At the time of the end the king of the south attack him in battle, and the king of the north will storm against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and horsemen and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries, and sweep over them like a flood.

None of this relates to Antiochus IV and his battle against the Ptolemys. His final defeat at Alexandria ended any attempt to conquer Egypt. The battle between Syria and Egypt appears to be a continuing one in the future, according to this verse. For this reason and others (including earlier references by Daniel that he will arise out of the third empire), some scholars believe this coming world leader will be of Syrian birth.

Antiochus never had a great fleet. This leader has a large naval force. This battle happens in the very end times ("at the time of the end"). The navy may be the result of his conquest of the three nation states described in other parts of Scripture.

Some people wonder about the references to "chariots" and "horsemen." It's a fair question. After all, we know that a future battle is likely to use far more sophisticated modern weapons. We must recognize that Daniel wasn't shown exact history but a vision designed by God that represents history. It would have made no sense for God to explain or show Daniel battle tanks and F-15 fighter jets, because Daniel would have no frame of reference for such things. He wouldn't have known what to do with them and it would have set his description on a distracting and potentially disastrous side road trying to explain them. Such descriptions might even have ruined his credibility, causing Jewish leaders to dismiss his prophecy instead of embracing it. So it makes perfect sense for God to show the events in terms that Daniel could understand -- chariots instead of tanks.

Daniel 11:41

He will also invade the glorious land. Many countries will be overthrown, but these will escape out of his hand: Edom, Moab, and the leaders of Ammon.

This man will then invade Israel. Remember that earlier he enforced a peace treaty. Now he ignores it to create his own military conquest of Israel.

The Bible states that the "remnant" of Israel that is faithful to God through the Great Tribulation will be given protection in Petra. This is in Jordan, related directly to the territories described here. Some scholars believe that this reference explains how that area will be kept free for the Israelites to flee to after the persecution begins.

Daniel 11:42-43

He will stretch forth his power over many countries. Even the land of Egypt will not escape.

He will gain control over the treasures of gold and of silver and over all the precious things of Egypt, with the Libyans and the Ethiopians in submission to him.

Antiochus IV never did conquer deep into Egypt, and certainly not even close to Libya or other parts of Africa. The extent of his victories over Egypt were the region around the city of Memphis. The future leader will obviously conquer other areas including Libya and North Africa.

Daniel 11:44

But reports out of the east and out of the north will trouble him. Therefore he will set out with great fury to destroy and utterly annihilate many.

Reports from the east and north may represent possibly China and Russia, or a combined Russian-Iranian alliance. Several prophecies refer to an attack from the "far north" (the region of Russia). When arranging to sell arms to Iran in the 1990's, Russia had to sign an agreement that they would protect Iran in a future invasion of Israel. Russia and China have also signed a mutual agreement. The Bible also talks about an invasion of 200 million soldiers from the far east (almost certainly China). Are these the kind of reports referred to here? Scholars aren't sure. In any case, this will enrage the man we commonly refer to as "the Antichrist" into furious evil activity to annihilate all who oppose him.

Daniel 11:45

He will pitch the tents of his royal palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

There are two views of this verse. Some say it refers to Jerusalem (between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee). Others say it refers to a different location, probably in the Jezreel valley where the battle of Armageddon will take place (between the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee). The reference to the mountain may be Moriah, but some suggest that it means Armageddon (literally "the mountain of Megiddo").

The Hebrew for this passage implies that the Antichrist will come to his end here. The location seems to point to Megiddo, the location of the final battle of Armageddon. Here the Messiah will come in glory to end the war before all life is destroyed and will put an end to sin, taking the throne of David for the millennial rule of peace.

Jew or Gentile?

There is much debate about whether the coming world leader will be a Jew or a Gentile.

There are good reasons to believe he may be Jewish, but the evidence is inconclusive.

Jesus made a reference to the coming world leader in an interesting context. He said, "another will come in his own name and him you will receive" (see John 5:43). Since Jews would never receive a Gentile, this is another reason some scholars believe the coming world leader will be Jewish.

Daniel 11:37-38 points out that he will not honor the one true God but place himself above God. It is also possible that he will be a Gentile, but if he shows no regard for any gods of his ancestors, yet honors a god unknown to his fathers this becomes somewhat more complex. Antiochus did hold the god Zeus above himself despite his claims of divinity. If the future leader were not a Jew then any gods he honors will have been recognized in some form by pagan ancestors.

Other passages that seem to point to a Jew include Ezekiel 21:25-27; 28:2-10; and Psalm 55.

Remember that the book of Revelation points out that there are two figures involved. One will call for people to worship the other. One will certainly be Jewish, but we can't be sure which one and it may even be both.