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Before you read: This article is part of a larger series that builds upon itself from the foundation up, with each study building on the last. If something in this article does not make sense to you or if you believe it to be incorrect, please ensure you have read the entire series before passing final judgment. Also, be sure to visit this page’s FAQ And Objections Page
Even though the book of Revelation gets the most publicity the book of Daniel can tell us so much! There is actually a play by play story of the world empires listed in the book of Daniel. The visions he has about the subjects are not understood by Daniel though. So in chapter 11 we see an angel come to explain these things.
Before we get into what the angel said we need to understand one thing. Many people seem to miss the fact that God has given a period of time to be known in which everything on earth will happen. This includes the seven year tribulation. But this time line is not without a break.
God has declared that everything will happen in 70 periods of 7 years each. The time starts counting down from the time the command was given to rebuild Jerusalem. The time this happened is found in Nehemiah 2:1-8. The time line ends with the end of the 7 year tribulation.
But if the time for all of this was to be a total of 490 years why has the end not come? Why also did Daniel only know about 4 empires? Haven’t there been many more and much more time? The answer is in understanding that this time line was for the Jews and Jerusalem. If God turns His attention away from Israel and onto the gentiles this timeline pauses.
That is why after the first 69 weeks we see Jesus come and die on the cross (which was the subject of the 69th week) and then the gentiles are suddenly the ones God is focused on. Now obviously He still cares for Israel, but to provoke them to jealousy (to bring them back to Him) He shifts focus.
The 70th week is on hold. It all starts again at the time when Jerusalem becomes the capital city of the Jews again, the temple is once again in place, and the Antichrist confirms a covenant of peace that is stated to be for 7 years.
Why would God have 69 “weeks” happen in succession and not have the 70th week come right after it? Why not? There is no rule saying He must continue in the same pattern. Especially when you consider He shifts focus from Jews to Gentiles for a while.
I am going to give you a verse by verse history of the world starting in Chapter 11 of the book of Daniel. You will see how amazing God is at telling the history of the world before it happens. This one chapter alone is proof that the Bible is the word of God and not men!
This is going to get a little intense for those of us that don’t find history to be very exciting. But taking Daniel 11 verse by verse shows how accurate Bible prophecy is. So hang in there.
Daniel 11:2
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.
Darius was viceroy under Cyrus 2, which is when Daniel prophesied. After Cyrus 2 came Cambyses 2, then Smerdis, then Darius 1, then the 4th king Xerxes went to war with Greece (Xerxes is also called Ahasuerus in the language of Persia (read Book of Ester).
Daniel 11:3
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
Alexander the great (of the Greeks) conquered Medo Persia.
Daniel 11:4
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.
Alexander dies and instead of his children taking the kingdom (because they were murdered) his kingdom was divided among 4 generals during a civil war known as Diadoci wars. These generals commanded the nations of Greece, Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt. Soon wars would turn it into only a north and south kingdom.
King of south (Egypt) was Ptolemy 1
King of north (Syria) was Seleucus 1
Daniel 11:5
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.
The king of the south (Egypt) was Ptolemy 1. During the Diadoci wars Seleucus 1 served as a prince of Ptolemy until he took over Syria as his throne. Syria was the greatest of the divided kingdom.
Daniel 11:6
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.
Ptolemy 2nd who was the king of the south after Ptolemy 1st gave his daughter Berenice in a marriage to Antiochus 2nd who himself was the king of the north after the deaths of Seleucus 1st and his sons death Antiochus 1st. It may seem strange the kings spoken of in this verse are not the same men as before. This does not matter though since they are still kings of the two nations. The Bible isn’t focused on the particular individuals so much as with the office of the king.
After her father Ptolemy 2nd dies Antiochus 2nd leaves Berenice for his ex wife Laodice (whom he had divorced to marry Berenice). Laodice then murdered Berenice and her child as well as Antiochus 2nd so that her son Seleucus 2nd the son of Antiochus 2nd could be king.
Daniel 11:7
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:
Ptolemy 3rd Berenices brother (of Egypt) launches a war against Seleucus 2nd who flees to Asia Minor.
Daniel 11:8-9
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.9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
Ptolemy looted Syria and then returned to Egypt at which time Seleucus 2nd regains Syria. (Verse 9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom “Into the kingdom of Seleucus 2nd”, and shall return into his own land “Then returns into his own land which means he “who is Ptolemy” returns to Egypt).
Now in verse 10 we talk again about the king of the north.
Daniel 11:10
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.
Seleucus 2nd gave way to Seleucus 3rd as the king of the north and raised an army and attacked the Attalid dynasty. But after 2 years was assassinated.
Daniel 11:11
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.
Antiochus 3rd ruled in place of Seleucus 3rd now as king of the north then he attacked Egypt (Ptolemy 4th)…he was not successful.
Daniel 11:12
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.
Ptolemy 4th was proud of his victory and wanted to enter into the Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple. The Jews did not let him and because of that he was angry with them and killed tens of thousands.
Daniel 11:13
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.
Meanwhile Antiochus 3rd had a few other military victories in other areas to the east and 20 years after the first defeat in Egypt he returned to wage war on Egypt.
Daniel 11:14
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.
During this war Egypt rebelled against Ptolemy 4th and they continued to rebel through the next Ptolemy 5th. That is when Antiochus 3rd made an alliance with Philip 5th of Macedon to distract Ptolemy 5th. This rebellion was put down.
Daniel 11:15
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.
Finally Antiochus 3rd defeats Egypt.
Daniel 11:16
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.
Antiochus 3rd now rules over Palestine which is called the beautiful land.
Daniel 11:17
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.
Antiochus 3rd makes peace with Ptolemy 5th and gave his daughter Cleopatra to be married to Ptolemy 5th. This was to take over Egypt without a fight. Instead Cleopatra turned against Antiochus 3rd her father.
Daniel 11:18
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 3rd turned his attention to Asia minor and attacked all the way to the coast (Greece). Finally Rome stopped him (a prince from another land).
Daniel 11:19
19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Antiochus 3rd was killed before he made it home.
Daniel 11:20
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.
Rome forced them to pay taxes after Antiochus 3rd and ruled in Syria more as a tax collector than a government. This was the way of Rome. They taxed the people but let them govern themselves for the most part.
During the reign of Rome God turns his attention to the gentiles to make the Jews jealous. Because Israel is scattered at this time and God focuses on reaching the gentiles instead, Daniel’s final 70th week has to wait until Israel comes back, is no longer scattered again, and the time of God dealing mainly with the gentiles ends.
In Luke 21:24 Jesus mentions the time of the gentiles. Jesus spoke of the time of the gentiles as being a time when Jerusalem and the temple would be under gentile control. Which it has been since the temple was destroyed. But the time He was mentioning is more specifically during the first 3 and a half years of the 7 year tribulation according to Revelation 11:2.
The timeline is paused for the Jews because the gentiles are now the ones God is reaching out to. That is why we see a break in the 70 weeks. This is also why we see God stop talking about the natural time line and skips in the next verse to the last 7 years in which the antichrist comes. Even then, during the first 3 and 1 half years God lets the gentiles carry on in Jerusalem.
Many have said that the scriptures bring in the antichrist in later verses… this is because they mistakenly believe that the next ruler of the north was the one who set up an abomination of desolation. This however falls through because he did not fulfill all of the prophecy. There was no 7 year covenant, no breaking of said covenant, and no destruction of that ruler at the return of Jesus. Instead verse 21 is the antichrist because God skips over the time in which He deals mainly with gentiles between these two verses.
Also note that though Rome ruled the area the people still called themselves Syrian. Rome simply imposed taxes over other nations. Rome did not itself absorb these nations into itself but made them territories and provinces.
Another important thing to note is that the band of Romans that destroyed the temple and Jerusalem were from Syria. This is important because the Bible tells us the people of the Antichrist would do this. So “his people” were a combination of Rome and Syria. But more importantly Syria is the nation of the king of the north.
Daniel 11:21
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.
God now turns his attention back to Israel after provoking them to jealousy through the gentiles and we see the final man of sin… antichrist come out of Syria. This man of sin is not in line to rule but because of flattery and talk of peace he is going to rule anyway.
Daniel 11:22
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 people will make him their leader. He will then lead over the kingdom and even the creator of the covenant (which he confirms) is under his control. Note that it says they are broken but it does not say they are no longer in existence. So he rules his nation and has other nations under his control.
Daniel 11:23
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.
A league is made with this vile antichrist… (In Daniel 9:27 Daniel is explained the meaning of this several times. In these verses we see the angel showing what this league is) this league made with many including Israel allows him free access into the land. That is how he will be able to pass through Israel in the next verses.
Daniel 11:24
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.
He divides the wealth of the nations among his followers. (Boosts the economy)
Daniel 11:25
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.
He attacks Egypt
Daniel 11:26
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.
He wins through a rebellion in the kingdom of his enemy (in Egypt).
Daniel 11:27
27 And both of 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.
Egypt and he will make an uneasy truce. This truce will be full of lies.
Daniel 11:28
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.
He pulls out of Egypt and abuses Israel in some way while doing so.
Daniel 11:29
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.
He will once again seek to invade Egypt. But this time he will not win.
Daniel 11:30
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.
He is driven back by a navy from Chittim (the area of the mediterranean sea…most likely a navy from europe or even the west) and because of this he is angered. Now he will begin to actively seek Israel’s destruction by making an alliance with those who are against God (potentially Islamic nations).
Daniel 11:31
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.
An army on his behalf will now take away the sacrifices from the temple and set up the abomination that causes desolation. This is normally thought to be an idol. But, it can also be the man himself.
Daniel 11:32
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.
He draws the wicked men of the world under his power. But Christians will become stronger than ever.
Daniel 11:33
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.
Those who know God instruct many. Therefore he will make war with them. The saints will be under the greatest attack Satan can give.
Daniel 11:34
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
The Christians will not see much help and there will be those who pretend to befriend them only to betray them.
Daniel 11:35
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.
The Christians will be killed in order to make them so much stronger in their faith. This is a trial by fire where the hot will get hotter and the cold will grow colder!
Daniel 11:36
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.
Antichrist will seem to be victorious.
Daniel 11:37
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.
He shall not claim any god but he himself will say that he is a god.
Daniel 11:38
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.
Though he does not claim a god to be over him he will honor the god of forces…this may seem strange that he could not regard any god and yet honor this one, but he is basically becoming one with his god. Who is the god of forces? It is none other than Satan himself. This is the only logical answer I have found since Satan and the antichrist are of the same spirit.
Daniel 11:39
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.
He divides the land among the strongholds that he has taken. He is basically setting up provinces in his kingdom.
Daniel 11:40
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.
Finally at the time of the end Egypt attacks him but fails. This attack however is met with such a strong and swift retaliation that the antichrist not only defeats Egypt but also other countries that may try to get in his way.
Daniel 11:41
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.
Many countries fall to him during this war. There are some however that do not.
Daniel 11:42
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Egypt is no match for him.
Daniel 11:43
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.
He takes the wealth of Egypt and he controls Libya and Ethiopia.
Daniel 11:44
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.
News from the east and north alarms him so he goes out to make war with the whole earth.
Daniel 11:45
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.
He sets up his camp in Israel in the holy mountain. But this is where God then comes and makes an end of him.
WOW, that’s a lot packed into one chapter! But there is so much more to learn about world history, empires, and this man of sin himself. In our next study we will talk about a “one world government.”
Continue To Unit 6B:5 – What Does The Bible Say About A One World Government OR
Return To Christianity 101 Unit 6B – The Latter Days – A Detailed Look
July 14, 2015 at 12:01 am | | No comment
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