Daniel 11-12

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuSYiEDS8fc

REVIEW

The Ram and the Goat (Daniel 8)
- Occurred 2 years after the vision of Daniel 7 and 12 years before the Fall of Daniel 5
- The Ram is defeated by the Goat from the West
- The “notable horn” of the Goat divides into 4 (i.e., Alexander’s 4 Generals)
- A “Little Horn” has a key role at the end
- Daniel interprets the vision: A Leader from the West (Alexander) will subdue the Persian Empire
- Daniel 8:1-8: Alexander the Great
- Daniel 8:20-22: Daniel interprets Daniel 1-7
- Daniel 8:9-14: Antiochus Epiphanes
- Daniel 8:23-25: Draws parallels between Antiochus Epiphanes, showing how he foreshadows Antichrist

Alexander’s 4 Generals
- Cassander: Macedonia & Greece
- Lysimacus: Thrace, Bithynia, most of Asia Minor
- Ptolemy: Israel, Egypt, Cyrene, Arabia, Petraea – The Septuagint was translated under Ptolemy’s reign in 270 BC
- Seleucus: Babylon, Syria, and lands to the East all the way to India (Antiochus Epiphanes appears as the “Little Horn”)


OVERVIEW OF DANIEL 11

Daniel 11:1-2: Persian Empire
Daniel 11:3-4: Greece Empire
Daniel 11:5-35: Seleucid-Ptolemy Rivalry (The Silent Years between the Old and New Testaments)
Daniel 11:36-39: The Willful King (Satan)
Daniel 11:40-45: End Time Scenario

Persian Empire (Daniel 11:1-2)
539-530 BC: Cyrus (Daniel 5; Isaiah 45)
529-522 BC: Cambyses 
522 BC: Artaxerxes 
521-486 BC: Darius I Hystaspes
486-465 BC: Xerxes I (Esther)
465-425 BC: Artaxerxes Longimanus (Daniel 9; Nehemiah 2)
Greece Empire (Daniel 11:3-4) 
334-323 BC: Alexander the Great (Cf Daniel 8:8) -- This period also includeed the 4 Generals who divided Alexander the Great’s Empire

Seleucid-Ptolemy Rivalry (Daniel 11:5-35) 
Israel was caught in the middle of it – Their land was between the two great powers. The war was 150 years, and it trampled through Israel.


THE 400 SILENT YEARS (Daniel 11:1-35)

Daniel 1, 8-10 were written in Hebrew (language of the Jews), whereas Daniel 2-7 were written in Aramaic (language of the Gentiles). This is one of the many clues that Daniel 11-12 deals specifically with the Jews, not the Church.

Scholars call the period of time that received no message from God between the New and the Old Testaments the Silent Years. However, we see here that these years are not silent at all since the events are detailed in advance in Daniel 11. 

The Angel supported and protected Darius the Mede (Daniel 11:1) 
The "I" in the narrative is the Angel of Daniel 10. The Angel is still speaking here, continuing his explanation of the vision that has been given to Daniel. This is the same angel that spent 21 days fighting the prince of power of Persia to get to Daniel. 

Note what the Angel says: "I took my stand to support and protect him." Who is "him"? Darius! Not only did the Angel fight through the spiritual battleground to reach Daniel, he was also responsible for strengthening Darius!

God is behind every power. EVERY power -- even if that power seemed to strengthen the "enemy." God's plan is bigger than us. God's plan is not just to make my life awesome. God's plan is not just to make your life awesome. God's plan is the COMPLETE and PERFECT redemption of mankind. What is an enemy in our eyes is just another tool in the tool box for God.

The Launch against Greece in 480 BC (Daniel 11:2)
Xerxes: 486-465 BC
He accomplished many things: brought tax reforms; trained over 2 millions warriors in 4 years; built special barges; attacked Greece in 480 BC -- This laid the basis for the vendetta that Alexander the Great would capitalize on to go after Persia years later. 

Rise and fall of the Grecian Empire (Daniel 11:3-4)
These two verses summarize Daniel 8 (see review above). 

"Not to his posterity": Alexander the Great did not leave his kingdom to his heir. Instead, those who were loyal to him divided up the kingdom. 

Daniel 11:5-35 focuses on the history of Seleucus and Ptolemy.


PTOLEMIES VS. SELEUCIDS (Daniel 11:5-35)

Ptolemies (Kings of the South) 
323-285 BC: Ptolemy I Soter (Daniel 11:5) 
285-246 BC: Ptolemy II Philadelphus (Daniel 11:6) 
246-221 BC: Ptolemy III Euergetes (Daniel 11:7-8) 
221-204 BC: Ptolemy IV Philopater (Daniel 11:11-12) 
204-181 BC: Ptolemy V Epiphanes (Daniel 11:17) 
181-145 BC: Ptolemy VI Philometer (Daniel 11:25)

Seleucids (Kings of the North) 
312-281 BC: Seleucus I Nicator (Daniel 11:5) 
281-262 BC: Antiochus I Soter (Daniel 11:5) 
262-246 BC: Antiochus II Theos (Daniel 11:6) 
246-227 BC: Seleucus II Callinicus (Daniel 11:7-9) 
227-223 BC: Seleucus III Soter (Daniel 11:10) 
223-187 BC: Antiochus III the Great (Daniel 11:10-19) 
187-176 BC: Seleucus IV Philopater (Daniel 11:20) 
175-163 BC: Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21-35)

Under Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the Septuagint (LXX) was translated
Most of the Jews in Ptolemy that lived in the capital city of Alexandria spoke Greek rather than Hebrew and wanted a Greek translation of the Bible (only the Old Testament existed at the time).

In 285-270 BC, the Bible was translated from Hebrew into Greek. The project took 15 years and was completed nearly 3 centuries before the Christian era. Most quotes of the Old Testament found in the New Testament were quoted from the Septuagint (Greek version of the Bible), not the original Hebrew text -- That is, the Septuagint became the Christian's bible.

Daniel 11:6
A political marriage was arranged between Antiochus II Theos (262-246 BC) and Ptolemy II Philadelphus's daughter, Bernice. 

Daniel 11:7
This is an allusion to Ptolemy III Euergetes, brother of Bernice. He invaded Syria, seized the port of Antioch and took his empire as far as Babylon.

Daniel 11:9-10
Seleucus marched south against Egypt and got clobbered. In 219 BC, a large army led by Ptolemy IV defeated Antiochus III that led to the signing of peace treaty between the two. Ptolemy celebrated his victory by a tour of eastern Mediterranean and provinces, including Jerusalem which prevented Jews from entering the Holy of Holies because of traffic paralysis. 

Daniel 11:11-12
South: Egypt 
North: Syria 
Ptolemy IV dies. His son, at the time only 4 y/o, Ptolemy V, succeeds him. 12 years after the war of Rafia, Antichus III attacks Egypt with an even bigger army. None is able to withstand against Antichus III, and hence he's also known as Antiochus the Great. 

Daniel 11:16
"Glorious Land": Israel, Judea (Daniel 8:9; Jeremiah 3:19, etc)

Daniel 11:17
197 BC: Antiochus III sets out with a fleet to attack Seleucia but is defeated by Rome. He marries his daughter, Cleopatra, off to Ptolemy, a political move to gain control of Egypt. Cleopatra, however, sided with Ptolemy and his new ally Rome, and this plan was thwarted.

Daniel 11:18-19
196 BC: Antiochus III turned toward Greece and Turkey (Asia Minor). In 190 BC, Antiochus III was defeated by Romans near Smyrna.

Daniel 11:20
Seleucus IV Philopater succeeded Antiochus III.

Daniel 11:21-28
Antiochus IV Epiphanes gained the throne through flattery and murder. Unlike his father, Antiochus IV robbed the rich (not the poor) and attacked his enemies when they least expected it.

After the death of his mother, Ptolemy IV Philopater received bad advice about Antiochus Epiphanes.

Daniel 11:29-30
In his second campaign against Egypt, Antiochus Epiphanes was less successful and failed to take Alexandria. Worse, his army also encountered the Roman Navy, which was a force to be feared. His humiliating encounter with the Roman Navy and failure led him to look for someone to blame—And he blamed the Jews. And boy did he know how to attack the Jews.

"Chittim": Defined in the Dead Sea Scrolls as the general reference to the people of the Mediterranean.

Daniel 11:31-35
Antiochus Epiphanes made life extremely difficult for the Jews. Reading the Bible was against the law, for example. He deliberately slaughtered a pig on the holy altar, for another example. Antiochus Epiphanes sought to destroy anything and everything that was related to Judaism. What finally pushed the Jews over the edge, leading to the Maccabean Revolt, was when Antiochus Epiphanes erected an idol of Zeus in the Holy of Holies. This revolt lasted 3 years, and the Jews were successful in throwing off the yoke of the Seleucid Empire. The Temple was then rededicated, and the Jews celebrate this re-dedication to this day as Hanukkah.

We have just gone through 135 prophetic verses. These verses are now history to us, but they also set the stage for what is going to happen that have yet to happen to this day.


THE ANTICHRIST (Daniel 11:36-45) 

The following verses describes Antiochus Epiphanes. However, we soon catch a hint that these verses go beyond describing Antiochus Epiphanes. They hint at the final dictator to come -- The Antichrist.

Daniel 11:36
The Antichrist will always be shooting off his mouth -- a huge brag.

The Antichrist is two persons: Beast of the Sea and Beast of the Land (Daniel 11:37)
Some scholars suggest that the Antichrist may be Jewish based on the verse, "He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers." However, there are also plenty of other scripture passages that could support him being a Gentile.

Additionally, we learn from Revelation 13 that the Antichrist is two persons: Beast of the Sea and Beast of the Land.

The Antichrist will have no regard for God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit (Daniel 11:37)
"He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women..."

Some scholars conclude that the Antichrist will be a homosexual based on the verse, "He will show no regard... for the one desired by women." That is a literal understanding of the text, and we have no other clues to disregard that.

However, in Hebrew, this verse is a messianic title. It speaks of the dream of every Jewish mother up until the day Jesus was born. That is, many rabbis believe this messianic phrase speaks of the Jewish woman's desire to bear the Messiah. Taking this into consideration, this verse is better read as, "He will show no regard... for the Messiah."

Hence, reading Daniel 11:37 in full, this verse makes more logical sense: The Antichrist will have no regard for God the Father or God the Son. (It doesn't make as much sense reading it as, "He will have no regard for God the Father or women.")

To fully understand these passages (and just the whole book of Daniel in general), it's important to realize the Jewishness of it all. Here, we are hearing a Jewish God speaking to His Jewish people through Jewish scribes and scholars. 

The Antichrist will not worship any God (Daniel 11:37)
"... nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all."

The Antichrist will not worship any God. It is probable that he will take over religious leadership of the world.

The Antichrist will honor a god that no one knows (Daniel 11:38)
"Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts."

Instead of honoring God, the Antichrist will honor a god not known to anyone. 


ARMAGEDDON (Daniel 11:40-45) 

King of the South: Egypt
King of the North: Traditionally, it's Syria. Some scholars believe it points to Russia

Some believe this is the same war as the war of Ezekiel 38. The tricky thing about prophecy is, we don't know it is fulfilled until it is fulfilled. That is, whether Armageddon is the war of Ezekiel 38 or not are differences in views. Be aware of them, do our own homework, reach our own conclusions, but do not let that divide us.

Edom, Moab, and Ammon escape the Antichrist (Daniel 11:41)
The area that escapes the wrath of the Antichrist is known today as Jordan, Petra. No one knows why or how this area will be able to remain a safe haven for God's people during the end times -- The Bible does not elaborate. However, today, Jordan has signed a lasting peace treaty with Israel. 


SUMMARY OF THE END (Daniel 12)
Cf. Revelation

Daniel 12 summarizes the following:
World Ruler 
World Religion 
World War 
A time of Tribulation for Israel 
Resurrection of the Dead
Judgement of the Wicked
Reward of the Righteous 

In Matthew 24:15, Jesus quoted Daniel 12:1 by calling the second half of the Tribulation, the Great Tribulation

The Great Tribulation lasts 3 1/2 years and is a Time of Jacob's Trouble
Daniel 12:5-7
Daniel 7:25
Revelation 11:2
Revelation 13
Matthew 24:21
Mark 13:19
Revelation 7:14

3 1/2 years = 42 months = 1260 days

Deuteronomy, Jeremiah, and Joel all speak of this period of time as a Time of Jacob's Trouble. This time period is parallel to Daniel 11:40-45. The effects of God's end-time judgments are worldwide, but the purpose is aimed at the sons of Jacob. 

Ezekiel 20 
Israel will be passed under the Rod -- a time for the "spoiled brats" to be punished. 

Ezekiel 22 
This period is also called a furnace of affliction. 

Hosea 5:15 
Jesus will remain at His place in Heaven UNTIL Israel admits her offense. Note that offense is singular and specific -- The failure to accept Jesus as their Messiah! 

One of the purposes of the Tribulation is to drive Israel to the wall and purge them of their sins, to have them earnestly seek God amid their affliction. Only one out of three Jews will be spared through the Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8-9). As a comparison, the Nazis murdered many, many Jews. And during that horrific era, two out of three Jews were spared. The Tribulation will be a time of horror the world has yet seen.

Israel will be judged, but she will also be delivered
God's repeated promises to Israel is found throughout the Bible: Thy people shall be delivered (Daniel 7, Zechariah 12-13, Jeremiah 30, Isaiah 14, Job 1-2, Zechariah 3, Revelation 12).

This is the great promise of hope that will the Jews through their judgment.

The dead will be resurrected (Daniel 12:2-3)
Cf. Psalm 16:10, 40:9, Isaiah

Daniel's book is sealed until the end of days (Daniel 12:4)
Contrast it to Revelation, which is a book that is unsealed (Revelation 22:10). 

The two books are similar in that they both discuss end times. However, the Book of Daniel was told to be sealed UNTIL the end times. 

There are many things that have taken place since Daniel's time, including Biblical knowledge and historical events that fulfill Daniel's prophecies. 

"Many will go here and there to increase knowledge" (Daniel 12:4)

This verse, in Hebrew, mentions not just the increase of knowledge in general but the increase of THE knowledge. That is, knowledge of God's Word will increase in the end times.

As historical and current events pave the way for us to increase knowledge of God's Word, it also makes us aware of the fact that we are getting closer and closer to the end, to welcome the return of our King, Jesus!

"Seal" means preserve until the end. In the last few decades, more and more of Daniel's writing are opening up. That in itself is a fulfillment of prophecy (Daniel 12:9). 

Daniel doesn't understand what he's been told (Daniel 12:8) 
Those who say we need to interpret Scripture the way the writer intended it to be understood have clearly not read this verse.

God's prophets do not just write what they want to write. They are guided by the Holy Spirit.

Here, we see Daniel writing faithfully as he was led. He did not understood, but he wrote down what he heard.

We understand the Scripture not because we can put ourselves in the writer's shoes or "get inside the writer's head." We understand because we are guided by God. Let the Holy Spirit guide our studying of the Word, and stop guessing what the writer is trying to say -- because, as we see in this case, sometimes, the writer may not even understand what he's trying to say!