This chapter begins with a description of history that begins with the division of the Greek empire after the death of Alexander the Great. The focus narrows to the wars between Egypt, the king of the south, and Syria, the king of the north. During the narrative of the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes, I believe the narrative jumps to the end times and the rule of the Antichrist. Antiochus was a type of the coming Antichrist, and they have many characteristics in common. They are both very prideful and adept in the use of deceit and propaganda. They both begin their rules with a pretense of promoting peace. They both eventually show their true colors as as they persecute the Jews. They both desecrate the temple of God. I think the focus definitely switches to the Antichrist in verse 36.
Dan. 11:36 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.
“the king” - At this point I believe we definitely jump to the time of The Antichrist, the little horn of Daniel 7:8, and the time of the 70th week.
It is not unusual for a particular prophecy to make reference to great spans of time in its declaration. Jesus pointed this out in His reading of Isaiah 61 as He declared His fulfillment of the first part of that prophecy at that time. The last part of that prophecy is yet to come.
Isaiah 61:1-7 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. (Beginning at “the day of vengeance,” it is all yet future.)
“magnify himself above every god” – This is the same description that Paul gives of the coming Antichrist.
2Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
“shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods” – This affirms the words of the apostle John in the book of Revelation in reference to the Antichrist.
Revelation 13:5-6 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
“shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished” – Again, this is referenced in the last half of verse 5 in Revelation 13. The time is predetermined according to God’s plan; Antichrist will only have complete control for 42 months, 3.5 years.
“that that is determined shall be done” – God’s purpose will be accomplished.
Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
Isaiah 46:9-11 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Dan. 11:37 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.
“God” – The article “the” is not in the Hebrew. The Hebrew word means “gods.” If used with the article, it is often a reference to the Supreme God.
I have heard this taught as indicating that the Antichrist will be a Jew. I agree with this thought because of the words of Jesus in reference to the false Messiah.
John 5:43 “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
The Greek for the word “another” in the above verse in John is “allos,” meaning another of the same kind. I believe Jesus is saying that the people of Israel are going to accept the Antichrist as their Messiah. I don’t believe any Jew would accept anyone that is not Jewish as their Messiah.
Some argue the fact that in chapter 9, we are told that the people of the prince that shall come, the Antichrist, are identified as those who would destroy the city of Jerusalem and the temple. This could just be a reference to the people through whom he rises to power or it could just mean he is a Jew born in the area that we identify with the Romans of Jesus’ day. There are many Jewish leaders today who identify with the world political system and could be possibilities.
It would seem that he won’t be able to be influenced or charmed or deceived by women, as were Adam and Samson. His whole focus appears to be on himself. He will not acknowledge any authority as valid over him. He will be full of pride and consider himself as “God.”
Jack Kelley made the following observation: “It was the dream of every Jewish woman to be the mother of the Messiah, so the phrase ‘the desire of women’ refers to Jesus.”
As I read through this section again, it made sense that this truth is being referenced here. “Neither shall he regard God…or Jesus…or any god.”
“nor regard any god” – This is a phrase that eliminates Antiochus as the one being referenced here, since he sacrificed a pig to Bel/Zeus at the temple in Jerusalem.
Frankly, I like the ESV translation of this verse: “He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.”
Dan. 11:38 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.
The Antichrist will recognize his position to be a result of his empowerment through Satan. In Revelation, John tells us that the dragon (Satan) gives the beast (Antichrist) his power, seat and authority. “And they worshipped the dragon” (Rev 13:4) means he is acknowledging Satan as his power source, his “god.”
Revelation 13:2&4 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority….And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
I think the reason that this idea of his acknowledging Satan does not contradict with his not regarding any god, is because he chooses to be indwelt by Satan to have the power to put himself in position as “God.” He literally sells his soul to the devil.
“the god of forces” – a reference to military might
“honor with gold, silver, and precious stones” – will use his wealth to invest in military might
Dan. 11:39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
This verse goes on to affirm the fact that Antichrist will acknowledge a “strange god.” This affirms that he will cause this “god” to be honored, “increase with glory.” I think the following verses identify this “strange god.”
Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
“Strongholds” is a reference to fortified cities, places of strength. It would seem to be saying that those who choose to follow him will be rewarded by being given additional land over which to exercise their authority. This would seem to be a reference to the ten kings/kingdoms represented by the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream image (ch 2) and the ten horns of the 4th beast in Daniel’s vision (ch 7).
“shall divide the land for gain” – Remembering that the focus of Daniel’s vision is regarding the Jews and Jerusalem, this could be a reference to the dividing of the land of Israel “for gain,” to accomplish his purposes. There is a reference in Joel that declares God’s displeasure at anyone that divides the land of Israel.
Joel 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Dan. 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
Although Antichrist (the king of the north) will basically control most of the world through economic and military power, there will still be those that resist yielding to him. This would seem to be supported by the fact that the spirits of devils will have to be sent to work miracles and convince the kings of the whole world to join Antichrist in battle against God Almighty.
Rev. 16:13-14 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Evidently, the king of the south (Egypt) will try to break free from his hold at some point, but will not be successful.
Dan. 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
The “glorious land” is a reference to Israel, so Israel will be one of the countries conquered by the Antichrist. The land of Edom, Moab and most of Ammon will not fall victim to Antichrist at this time; this would equate to the current day land of Jordan. God may be supernaturally protecting Jordan, if, as many believe, Petra is the place of safety in the wilderness where He provides for His people during the last 3.5 years of the 70th week.
Dan. 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Antichrist will make many conquests in this campaign, and Egypt, the land of the king of the south, will be one of them.
Dan. 11:43 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.
In conquering Egypt the Antichrist will acquire great wealth, including gold, silver and all its other desirable goods.
“at his steps” – The commentators are mixed as to whose side the Libyans and Ethiopians are on. I think we can infer that this references northern Africa southward to a point. The word “his” is not in the Hebrew, and the word “steps” indicates “companionship.” Only the future will tell, but it sounds like they are allies of the Antichrist.
Dan. 11:44 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.
In the midst of this campaign the Antichrist will get news from the east and north that will trouble him. Maybe this is a reference to the kings of the East referenced in Revelation.
Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
This will cause the Antichrist to respond in great fury as he sets out to destroy these invading armies.
I think it is significant to note that the “west” does not even merit mention. I tend to think they will be hand in glove with or in complete submission to the Antichrist and obviously do not pose a threat to his authority.
Dan. 11:45 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.
Eventually, the Antichrist will make his headquarters between the Mediterranean and Dead Seas on the holy mountain of Zion in Jerusalem. Although it may look like he is invincible, Antichrist will “come to his end.” When Jesus returns as King of kings to planet earth, he will be cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 19:19-20 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
No comments:
Post a Comment