UPDATE - DANIEL 11

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 70^th 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 4^th 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 70^th 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.  

UPDATE - DANIEL 9, PART 2

Dan. 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; 

Dan. 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

This verse implies that Daniel’s prayer of intercession was audible.  The Hebrew for the word “confessing” was very interesting:  “to use (i.e. hold out) the hand…especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)…praise, …(give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).”  It is indicative of sincerity, humility, intensity of emotion, worship, praise and thanksgiving.  That’s a sermon in and of itself.

Sometimes we have to wait patiently for God to answer our prayers, and sometimes they come quickly.  How often does the answer come while we are praying?  Daniel recognizes the messenger from God; it is again Gabriel who is sent to explain things to Daniel.  Gabriel arrives about the time of the evening sacrifice.

 

Dan. 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 

Dan. 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. 

Gabriel is sent to give further understanding and discernment to Daniel.  Gabriel lets Daniel know that the moment he started to pray, he was commanded to go and explain things to Daniel.  Why?  Because he is “greatly beloved.”  The Hebrew for that phrase implies “delight:—desire, goodly, pleasant, precious, beauty, greatly beloved.”  Oh to fulfill God’s pleasure in such a great way.  According to John in the Revelation, that is the purpose for our creation.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Many a time has my prayer been to be known as the friend of God like Abraham, as a woman after God’s own heart like David, and greatly beloved liked Daniel.

Dan. 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Seventy “weeks” = literal, sevened, i.e. a week (specifically, of years)

Adam Clarke states, “The Jews had Sabbatic years by which their years were divided into weeks of years, as in this important prophecy, each week containing seven years.”

Therefore, we are speaking of 70 weeks of years, or 490 years (70 x 7 = 490).  This timeframe of 490 years has been “decreed” (determined by God, Who is in control) regarding the Jews and Jerusalem.  

It should be noted that this timeframe is the same as what would have included the 70 sabbaths that were referenced at the beginning of the chapter.  The land was to be rested (given a sabbath) every seven years.  The 70 missed sabbaths occurred over a period of 490 years—directly corresponding to the 490 years that make up the 70 weeks.

The purpose of this timeframe:

• “to finish the transgression” – After studying the Hebrew, it seems to mean to bring an end to their rebellion to authority.  Since this is God’s decree, it would stand to reason that He is referencing their rebellion and disobedience to Him.
• “to make an end of sins” – This is referencing the fact that all Israel will be saved and living under the new covenant referenced in Jeremiah 31:33-34.  

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Once the earthly kingdom of Messiah is established, every Jewish person will follow the LORD in obedience.  Every Jewish child born during that time will place their faith in the Savior and recognize Him as LORD.  This is the truth Paul was teaching in Romans.

• “to make reconciliation for iniquity” – This is talking about atonement for sin, which would include the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God.

• “to bring in everlasting righteousness” – Although it is hard to imagine, this is referencing a time when righteousness, justice, and morality will be the norm for time without end in Israel.

• “to seal up vision and prophecy” – This is a reference to the fact that there will no longer be a need for visions, revelations, oracles, or prophecy through inspired men.  Why?  Jesus will be present on the throne.

• “to anoint the most Holy” – In the Hebrew the word for “most” and “Holy” are the same:  qodesh, ko´-desh…a sacred place or thing…consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness…saint, sanctuary. 

This would seem to allow for both the anointing of Jesus as King and the anointing of the new temple in Jerusalem from which He will reign as detailed by the prophet Ezekiel.

Note from John McArthur:  The term “most holy” is used 39 times in the Old Testament in reference to the Holy of Holies.

It is important to emphasize that the purpose for the seventy weeks is directed toward the Jewish people and Jerusalem (representative of the nation as a whole).

 

Dan. 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

One definition of the word “score” is “the number 20.”

Gabriel now gives Daniel some specific time references.  From the time of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem and the coming of Messiah will be 69 weeks or 483 years—seven weeks (7 x 7 = 49 years) + 62 weeks (3 x 20 = 60 + 2 = 62 x 7 = 434 years) (49 + 434 = 483 years or 173,880 days).  

Nehemiah 2:1-8 describes the decree signed by Artaxerxes that authorized the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem, including the walls.  Note from Jon Courson:  March 14, 445 BC.

Sir Robert Anderson, in his book The Coming Prince, goes into great detail regarding the timing of the 69 weeks.  I have read other authors who have some discrepancies with his calculations, but who basically agree—and the facts are quite convincing to me.  I am sure that whatever discrepancies may exist among scholars will disappear when we are finally able to look back from God’s viewpoint.  

Based on these calculations, they declare that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey presenting Himself publicly as their King exactly 483 years to the day after the decree referenced in this verse (April 6, 32 AD).  Note: These calculations are based on years of 360 days as used by the Jewish people.  

I think it is because this timing should have been recognized by the spiritual leaders of Jesus’ day that He chastised them for not recognizing Him as the Messiah.

Matthew 16:1–3 “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

Luke 19:38–42 “Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.”

The first seven weeks or 49 years marks the time that it took for the people to rebuild the temple and the walls of Jerusalem after returning from the Babylonian captivity.  First important marker—rebuilding the temple and the walls; second important marker—the coming and sacrifice of the Messiah.  At the end of the 70th week will be the establishment of the Messiah’s Kingdom.

History proves that this is another one of those prophecies that includes a gap of time that connects parts of the prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 61, see note at 11:36).  At this point in time, the gap has extended to almost 2000 years.

 

Dan. 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 

After this 483-year period, Messiah will be cut off (destroyed, consumed, perish).  Why?  Not because of any wrongdoing on His part—because of my sin, our sin. 

Still in the timeframe of “after” (already this indicates a gap of time before the 70^th week)—The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.  We have to continue to remember that the 70 weeks are pertaining to the Jews and Jerusalem.  This is referencing a destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary, the temple.  History tells us that Titus and his legions, as commanded by Rome, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD.  The angel is speaking to Daniel of a “coming prince” from the area of the Roman Empire that existed in 70 AD.  As we study, we need to remember that this is not the only dream Daniel has had concerning future rulers.  He was very disturbed by a dream he had in chapter 7 which references a ruler (horn) to come from the fourth beast/kingdom/empire.  It would make sense to connect this coming prince with the little horn of Daniel 7:8.

In Daniel 8:23-25 we are informed that the Antichrist will be from the Greek part of the empire that was conquered by Rome.  Antiochus Epiphanes, a type of Antichrist, further points to the area encompassed by his kingdom of Syria.  

“and the end thereof…are determined” – This phrasing leaves room for a little more discussion.  Is it still descriptive of the destruction of 70 AD or is it a more general reference to the intervening years before Jesus comes again.  It was interesting to note that the word for desolations included “to stun, devastate, stupefy, astonish, destroy, waste, wonder.”  In Matthew 24 Jesus talks of wars and rumors of wars, great tribulation, and wonders that would deceive the very elect if that were possible before He returns as King.  I tend to think that this is a general reference to events that occur before the end of the 70^th week.

I just noticed the reference to the end of “the war.”  What war?  The war of good vs. evil, Satan vs. God, the war for the governing authority abdicated by man to Satan that will be reestablished through the return of the man Jesus Christ as King of kings.

Dan. 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

“he” = the prince that shall come

“one week” = the 70^th week (the last 7 years of the 490)

“confirm” = to be strong; by implication, to prevail…confirm…strengthen…..

Webster:  to establish…to render valid by formal assent

The coming prince is evidently going to either confirm a new or strengthen an existing covenant with “many” for one week, or seven years.  Again, we have to remember that the 70 weeks is decreed for the Jews and Jerusalem.  In the middle of that week, or after 3.5 years (or 42 months or 1260 days or a time, times and half a time—all based on a 360 day year), the prince will put an end to sacrifice and oblation.  This is a direct reference to the sacrifices and offerings to God that were made at the temple in Jerusalem.  Therefore, “many” must at least include Jewish leaders. This also implies the existence of a temple and the practice of sacrificial worship in Jerusalem during the times being referenced.

“for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate” – This is the reference made by Jesus in Matthew.

Matthew 24:15 “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)….”

It is also what is being referenced by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 “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.”