Daniel 11:21-35

Daniel 11, Part 2

 

Introduction: The first 20 verses of Daniel 11 gave us prophecy that was so detailed liberal thinkers could not imagine that this was prophecy. It had to be history. We believe, of course, that God is omniscient and as such that He knows what will happen before it will happen.

Tonight, we will meet another ruler. We ended last time with the successor of Antiochus the Great, Seleucus IV Philopator (187-175 B.C.) He, as God said he would do, raised taxes on the Jews (20). The result was that he was poisoned by the tax collector Heliodorus. The next ruler will be Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He is very important in history because he is a type of the antichrist. We have already met him in chapter 8:9-14, 23-25. He is the “little horn.” The coins in his day had his image and the inscription “Theos Epiphanes” (God made manifest). [Boice, pg.99]

 

I.            Who is he? (21)

A.   He is the 8^th king in the Syrian dynasty (Walvoord, pg.185). This is known as the Seleucid Dynasty (McGee, pg.136).

B.   He will rule from 175-164 B.C.

C.   The Bible tells us that he is a contemptible (NIV) or vile (KJV) person.

D.  We also discover that he “…has not been given the honor of royalty…” (21)

E.   He will seize the kingdom “through intrigue.”

F.   How did Antiochus IV Epiphanes become king? God is still providing “prophecy by the angstrom.”

1.   When Seleucus IV was murdered by Heliodorus, Daniel 11:20 was fulfilled. He was killed “…not in anger or in battle.” Heliodorus wanted the throne.

2.   Seleucus IV had two sons:

a.    Demetrius, held in Rome as a prisoner

b.   Antiochus, a baby in Syria

3.   When Antiochus IV heard that his brother Seleucus IV had been murdered he came “as the guardian of Antiochus” the baby.

4.   The baby was murdered!

5.   Antiochus IV became king “through intrigue” since he was not “given the honor of royalty.” He was indeed a vile person. The reason this is so important is because he is a type of the antichrist.

 

II.          His military exploits (22-28)

A.   We are told that two things will be destroyed by Antiochus (22).

1.   An overwhelming army. In 170 B.C. the Egyptians set out to attack Antiochus. In turn he invaded and won a great victory.

2.   A prince of the covenant. The high priest of Israel bore the title “prince of the covenant.” This is because “…he was de facto the head of the theocracy at that time” (Walvoord, 265). The high priest was Onias III and Antiochus had him murdered in 172 B.C.

B.   We are also told that he will enter into an agreement “with him” (23). This is probably his nephew Ptolemy Philometor who Antiochus help become king of Egypt over his other nephew Ptolemy Evergetes. What is important to note is the deception. He comes to an agreement with his nephew but will act deceitfully. The result will be that Antiochus will gain greater power! Remember he is a type of the antichrist. What we know so far is vile, intrigue, murder and deception.

C.   We are told that he will invade the richest areas of his country and distribute the wealth unlike his fathers (24). What was his goal? To buy favor!

D.  Antiochus continues to advance against Egypt. The king of Egypt will not be able to stand against Antiochus because “…of the plots devised against him” (25). Those at the king’s table will try to destroy him (26). Many Egyptians will fall in battle!

E.   “These verses teach that in the early years Antiochus Epiphanes would advance his career by deceit and intrigue, which is what he did” (Boice, 121).

F.   Since the Egyptian ruler was his nephew, he probably thought he could trust his uncle! The Egyptians had become lax. Antiochus was able to come and go in his invasions of Egypt.

G.  Much like today the two kings would meet (27). Their hearts were evil! The would sit at a peace table and lie to each other! But God had a plan- the end would come- at the appointed time!

H.  As Antiochus grew in power and wealth (28) we discover what is in his heart “…but his heart will be set against the holy covenant.” Remember, he is a type of the antichrist. He is vile, a man of intrigue, a murderer, deceptive, a liar and a man who has his heart against the holy covenant.

 

III.        His humiliation (29-30a)

A.   As he did other times Antiochus decides to invade Egypt. It has been easy so far. But now “…this time the outcome will be different from what it was before” (29).

1.   Remember this was written in 539 B.C.

2.   Daniel is speaking of an event that will occur in 168 B.C.

B.   The Bible says “ships of the western coastlands will oppose him…” (30). The KJV has “For the ships of Chittim shall come against him…” Chittim (also written Kittim) refers to Cyprus which was west of Antiochus. The Septuagint translates Chittim as Romans!

C.   Here is what happened: On June 22, 168 B.C. (Walvoord, 268) the Roman fleet of ships under Roman consul Gaius Popillius Laenas sailed for Egypt. They had just had a victory over Perseus of Macedon near Pydna south of Thessalonica. Antiochus was in Egypt but this time the “outcome was different.” Laenas the Roman told Antiochus the Greek to go home to Palestine. Antiochus wanted time to think about it and consult his advisors. Laenas drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus and told him to bring his advisors into the circle. If they left the circle without a decision Laenas would declare war against him. Antiochus decided to go home. So Daniel was right: “ships of western coastlands (Kittim) will oppose him, and he will lose heart…” (30). Daniel prophesied this 371 years before it happened! This is prophecy by the angstrom!

 

IV.        His fury (30b-32a)

A.   Daniel prophecies that as a result of his humiliation Antiochus will “turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant…” (30).

B.   We know in his heart he was against the covenant (28).

C.   Antiochus will show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant (30).

D.  His army will

1.   desecrate the temple. They offered a pig on the altar.

2.   abolish the daily sacrifice

3.   establish the abomination that causes desolation. He erected an idol “probably the image of Zeus” (Walvoord, 268).

E.   Jesus mentions this in Matt.24:15. Daniel has already referred to it in 8:23-25.

F.   Jesus is describing the beginning of the Great Tribulation- the last 3 ½ years of the 7 years of tribulation. Remember, Antiochus is a type of the antichrist.

G.  Notice “with flattering” he corrupts those who violate the covenant. What a word of warning: The antichrist will be deceptive- a man of flattery, a man of lies (27) who has hatred in his heart for God and God’s people (22).

 

V.          The Resistance (32b-35)

A.   The true believers “…the people who know their God will firmly resist him” (32b) will resist Antiochus. Who are they? A rebellion against the evil Antiochus was led by Judas Maccabeus.

B.   As indicated this will be a time of great persecution against the faithful (33).

C.   This will also be a time when they will be “…refined, purified and made spotless…” (35).

D.  Starting in 167 B.C. Judas’s father Mattathias, a priest, led the uprising against Antiochus. After his father’s death, Judas took the lead.

E.   Judas retook the desecrated temple. He restored it and dedicated it. The Israelites thought this should be remembered annually and it still is! It is called Hanukkah which means “to dedicate.”

F.   Then we read “…until the time of the end, for it will come at the appointed time” (35). This now jumps us to the future!

 

Conclusion:

1.   Verses 21-35 deal with Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of the antichrist. 5 times the word “covenant” is used. 3 times the phrase “appointed time” is used. There is an “appointed time” when the antichrist will come against God’s covenant people.

2.   The antichrist, following the description of Antiochus, will be a man who is vile, who uses intrigue, murder, deception, lies and force to get his way. In his heart he will be against God’s holy covenant. We also note from Daniel 8:12 that he will prosper in all that he does, and that truth will be thrown to the ground!

3.   The first 35 verses of chapter 11 contain approximately 135 prophecies that have now been fulfilled! (Walvoord, 269). Only God can do this! He is omniscient. He is sovereign. The Bible is definitely “The Book of Truth” (10:21).

4.   Finally, if God can keep these promises made through Daniel, you and I can count on His promises! “We should be encouraged by prophecy that nothing is too hard for God…God is not afraid to make promises to His people because He know that He can and will keep them” (Boice, 122).