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More Daniel commentaries
Daniel 8:1-14
Daniel’s Vision of a Ram And a Goat
Daniel 8:15-27
Gabriel Interprets The Vision
Daniel 9:1-10
Daniel Prays For The People
Daniel 9:11-19
Daniel Cries Out to God For Mercy
Daniel 9:20-27
The Seventy Weeks Prophecy
Daniel 10:1-9
Daniel’s Terrifying Vision of a Man
Daniel 10:10-21
Prophecies Concerning Persia And Greece
Daniel 11:1-20
The Kings And Their Successors
Daniel 11:21-39
The Evil King From The North
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The Evil King From The North
Daniel 11:21–39
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Hitler imprisoned a German pastor, Martin Niemoeller, for eight years. He spent some time in prisons and concentration camps, including Dachau. Hitler realized that if Niemoeller, a First World War hero, could be persuaded to join his cause then much opposition would collap … More
The successor to the throne was Antiochus IV Epiphanes who succeeded his brother, a worthless nobody who gained control of the kingdom by treachery (Seleucus IV) (vv. 21-22). The next few verses describe how he destroyed armies and removed God’s chosen high priest but in the end he lost the battle because he was betrayed by members of the royal court (vv. 23-28). Later he invades the south but had to retreat and on his way desecrated the temple (vv. 29-32). Wise leaders instruct many of the people but many of their followers are treacherous (vv. 33-34). God’s messenger described a time when even wise believers may fall (v. 35).
The first part of this chapter has described events that are past. There is a time interval between verse 35 and 36 and now we move from Antiochus to Antichrist (vv. 36-39). The events described here will occur during the Tribulation period. The king here is the same as the “little horn” of Daniel 7 and 9. This part of the prophecy in Daniel’s vision has to do with Anticochus Ephiphanes who ruled for only about eleven years. He has been called the Antichrist of the Old Testament. He hated Israel and Jehovah and was known among the people as a very “vile” and contemptible person.
Those who are wise will teach many, but they may also face great persecution. Difficult times remind us of our weaknesses and our inability to cope. Often, we want answers, leadership, and clear direction. During these times, God’s Word often begins to interest even those who would never look at it.Application
If persecution should come to the Christians in our country how do you think you would stand? I should be ready to look for opportunities to share God’s Word in these needy times.
Daniel 11:21-39 (English Standard Version)
In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant. And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people. Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers' fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed. And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land. "At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. "And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. 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. He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price."
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