30/04/2023 Daniel 11:36-40
Many commentaries teach that this passage merely continues to refer to Antiochus IV (until at least the end of Ch.11 although many say Ch.12 also refers to him). However, there are problems with trying to line these verses up with the history of Antiochus IV. For example, Vs 40 below discusses what could appear to be a battle involving the king of the south and the king of the north, yet there is no such battle recorded in history around this time other than the ones we have already dealt with. Barnes says it must be a recap of previous fights (a recapitulation, or a summing up), and others say it must refer to a 3rd battle with Egypt that isnt recorded officially in history. At first glance Benson appears to get it right, yet he fails to see Israel as part of this vision: The want, however, of a certain knowledge of this transaction of Antiochus, has been considered by some as an additional reason for applying this, and the whole paragraph from the 36th verse, to antichrist, and the great apostacy of the middle ages of the Christian Church. Hence, by the king of the south here, Mr. Mede understands the Saracens, and by the king of the north, the Turks, who should both at different times afflict the western parts of the world, where he supposes the seat of antichrist to be. The Saracens he supposes to be called the king, or kingdom, of the south, because that people were inhabitants of Arabia Felix, which lay southward of Palestine, whereas the Turks were originally Tartars or Scythians. This fallacy is due to the calvinist interpretation of the Pope being the antichrist, with Revelation being applied to the wars associated with the catholic church, including the wars of the crusaders. (And the millennial reign of Christ being sidelined as a non-event for the physical world; thus they call it amillennialism.)
There are other problems as well. While Vs 37 below seems to say that he will not be bothered with the desire of women, Antiochus IV was known to be licentious with women. The only logical inference to be gained from this passage is that it actually refers to an even worse and more evil man than Antiochus IV: the future antichrist who is indwelt by satan himself who appears to be obsessed with homosexuality.
At the very least, this passage is where the life of Antiochus IV merges into the life of the future antichrist. Some of the following passage could certainly apply to Antiochus IV, yet not all of it. The future antichrist will be Antiochus IV and more, much more, in fact.
Also note that in Ch.11 we are told twice that things will happen at the time appointed by God.
for yet the end [shall be] at the time appointed. (11:27)
[even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed. (11:35)
And that what has been determined by Gods decree will be done as decreed.
for that that is determined shall be done (11:36)
Clearly this vision is not only just prophesied by God but in fact is ordained or decreed by God.
Daniel 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.
shall do according to his will This king will do whatever he wants to do with no-one to stop him. The same Hebrew phrase is used in Daniel 11:3 (of Alexander the Great) & 11:16 (Antiochus III). It is clear that this vision deals with rulers who are arrogant dictators. This, of course, could easily apply to Antiochus IV, but while many commentaries interpret this as such, todays passage is more likely to be referring to the future antichrist of whom Antiochus IV is but a foreshadow, a type of what is to come.
he shall exalt himself or shall magnify himself; declare himself great. He will claim to be greater than anyone else, including all other gods.
Note Yea, he magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host (Daniel 8:11) which is clearly about the times of Antiochus IV. While some commentaries would say that the prince of the host referred to Onias the high priest, others say that it referred to God Himself. It is possible that it actually referred to both, to Onias as Gods representative, and ultimately to God also.
magnify himself above every god He will consider himself above and therefore exempt from the law of every god. He rules, not them! In fact, in Vs 37 below, he shall magnify himself above all, not just every god but all. Antiochus IV certainly had little problem in plundering the riches of whatever gods temple he could, but he may have stopped short of doing so to his Greek gods, the worship of which he tried so desperately to impose upon Judaea. And he certainly failed to magnify himself above the Romans who opposed him. every god does seem to apply to a more ruthless dictator who doesnt care about any god at all.
marvellous things or extraordinary things; saying things that one would marvel at. Here it would have the idea of saying things that would greatly shock those who heard.
shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods
This is not referring specifically to Antiochus IV for, while he might well
have done so, the Bible points to another who will do this and more: the future
antichrist. The following was said of Antiochus IV in Daniel 8:25: he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by
peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince
of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. But note Daniel 7:7-8
7After
this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and
terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and
brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse
from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns. 8I
considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little
horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots:
and, behold, in this horn [were] eyes like the eyes of man, and a
mouth speaking great things. which clearly refers to the coming antichrist, ruler over the
ten-nation revived Roman empire (Revelation 17:12-13).
The beast / antichrist of Revelation 13:1 also speaks great things and blasphemies, and speaks blasphemy against God note Revelation 13:4b-6 and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
the
indignation or
anger; wrath. In the OT this generally refers to Gods righteous anger
against sinners and sin. Note Isaiah 10:25 For
yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in
their destruction.
shall
prosper or be
successful
shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished In this case, this has to apply to Gods righteous anger against the sins of His people, Israel. God will pour out His wrath upon Israel until He has accomplished the indignation according to His decree. God said similar to Ezekiel regarding the sin of Israel: Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them (Ezekiel 22:31)
for that
that is determined shall be done What God has decreed will surely come to pass. It will happen just as
God has determined (decreed). That is, this king (in this case, the
antichrist) will be successful in achieving his goals until Gods wrath against
His nation Israel is completed as per Daniel 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.
This indignation could be applied to both Antiochus IV and the future antichrist, noting that Daniel 8:19 actually said this (see below) of Antiochus IV who really represented a lot of the behaviour of the future antichrist in any case, although Antiochus was really only a foretaste of the reality of this coming satan-possessed antichrist.
Daniel 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end [shall be].
There will be a seven-week period yet in the future (Israels final week of years Daniel 9:24-27) during which Gods wrath will be poured out upon His people to cleanse them by literally taking them through the fires of purification, culminating in their everlasting righteousness (that is, forever).
Daniel 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.
Neither shall he regard Nor shall he respect or want to have anything to do with.
the God of his fathers While some commentaries say that this suggests that the antichrist may be a Jew, the phrase can also say the god or gods of his fathers. It is uncertain as to which may be correct. Daniel 9:27 says that the antichrist shall confirm the covenant with many for one week, that is, he will confirm a covenant with Israel for that final week of years remaining on Israels timeline. It is unlikely that the Jews would consider a covenant with a goy, a non-Jew; therefore it is probable that the antichrist would have to at least seem to be an acceptable Jew to Israel when he comes upon the world political scene as ruler of the 10-nation revived Roman empire. Many believe that he will come from the apostate tribe of Dan.
However, while Antiochus IV may have had no such regard for gods in general, he did appear to regard the Greek gods (especially Zeus) as worthy of worship, noting that he tried so hard to force the Jews to worship Zeus in particular. The end-times antichrist will not have any such regard for any gods of any sort, for he will be the embodiment of satan. Revelation 13:4 says that they worshipped the dragon (satan) who gave power unto the beast (who is the antichrist). Satan will take control of the antichrist who will then become possessed by satan who will be the real power and authority of the antichrist.
the desire pleasant; precious; that which is desirable.
nor the desire of women The antichrist will not find women desirable or pleasant to his way of thinking. He will not consider them precious; thus he is likely to treat them like worthless dirt. Many think this means that the antichrist will be homosexual, something that is quite likely, given the state of the world today and the politically correct reverence which the world now gives to such an abomination. While most sins are in some way logical, homosexuality is one sin that is entirely illogical. It serves no logical purpose; it cannot reproduce without the combination of man and woman somewhere; and therefore if all the world became homosexual with no heterosexuality aspects at all, then the human race would die out completely within a few generations. But note that satan would destroy man if he could, if it werent for the fact that satan and his demons cannot have anything to do with the world except via the dominion of man which satan is forced to buy with worldly pleasures in order to control.
Romans 1:21-32 clearly describes the connection between homosexuality and extreme rebellion against God (especially noting Vss 26 & 27). It is extremely likely, based upon past societies, that as this society disintegrates (as is happening today) the sin of homosexuality will increase. It is clear that when Paul wrote to the Romans, this was an outstanding sin that he was effectively warning the Christians to stay well away from. The Roman Caesar at the time of Jesus ministry was Tiberias Caesar; he loved little boys, having them executed by having them thrown over the cliff into the sea when he finished with each one. Therefore, as we approach the 7-year time of reckoning, we should expect to observe an increase of the sin of homosexuality and its approval ratings in the world today.
for he shall magnify himself above all For this man of sin, the son of perdition will put himself upon the throne in the temple of God at Jerusalem, proclaiming to the whole world that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). That is, he will magnify himself (and boast of his greatness) over all the world, including its Creator. No-one may dare to exalt himself above the antichrist who will want himself to be worshipped as the king of kings and lord of lords. Like satan of whom Isaiah wrote 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14) This is satans dream, if only he could be as God! But he will fail when his time is ended according to Gods decree, at the end of that 7-year rule of terror known as the Great Tribulation.
Daniel 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.
his estate or office; place; jurisdiction; that over which he rules.
shall he honour or he shall cause to be honoured.
the God of forces the God of strongholds or fortresses. This does not refer to God but to that which the antichrist worships: power, might and dominion are his god. Some desire money, others authority, but the antichrist will desire power, might and dominion over all else, for he shall magnify himself above all Vs 37 above).
Some commentaries suggest that this refers to Jupiter (the chief god of the Romans), but if the antichrist is to worship any god, it will be satan himself who will demand that all worship him (or his image, via the false prophet).
Revelation 13:15 And he had
power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the
beast should be killed.
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.
a god whom his fathers knew not This may refer to the image of the beast that the false prophet caused all to worship or be killed (Revelation 13:15; 19:20). All mankind will be ordered to worship this image of antichrist; thus this god whom his fathers knew not may be this image. The antichrist will sit in the temple requiring that all worship him, just as they worship his image; some have suggested that it is this image that speaks like a person that actually sits in the temple to be worshipped. Whatever this god, he will not be as the gods of the past, for he will effectively be satan himself on the throne. Satan tried to sit on the throne as God once before, (Isaiah 14:13) and failed; now he will appear to succeed, but only for a short time.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
(He will only appear to succeed because the moment he sits in the temple to be worshipped as God by Gods people, Israel literally disappears (Revelation 12:6;14-17; Matthew 24:15-21) into the wilderness for the 42 months (1260 days; 3½ years) that the antichrist sits (as the gentiles tread Jerusalem under foot (Revelation 11:2)
The antichrist will honour (give glory to) this god whom his fathers knew not by giving to him gold, silver, precious stones and pleasant (precious; desirable) things.
Daniel 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.
Thus shall he do Thus he shall act
in this makes more sense if it is translated against
the most strong holds the fortresses of strength
a strange god or foreign; alien god.
shall acknowledge pay attention to; recognise (as god); acknowledge with honour.
whom he shall acknowledge (and) increase with glory
He will acknowledge the assistance of that god (in taking the strong
fortresses), increasing that gods glory (giving all glory to that god).
Cambridge says it means he whom he recognizes, will increase glory
his favourites will be loaded by him with honours. That
is, those of mankind. However, while possible, it does seem that it applies to
the god himself here who assists the antichrist to have victory.
Thus
shall he act (or take action) against the fortresses of strength (the strong or
even strongest fortresses) with (the help of) a strange (foreign; alien) god.
The Berean Bible says: Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. This translation is possible.
But it is satan who gives antichrist his power to take victory over the strong fortresses; this does suggest that acknowledgement would be of his god (satan) who helped him to victory.
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?
he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain This would refer to those who have fought with him to gain the victories and therefore are entitled to their share of the spoils. This has been common practice for many kings who win the battle: the spoils of war are theirs for the taking, and have often been used by kings to reward those who faithfully supported them. It could well be seen as bribery also, with the king saying that the spoils and glory may be theirs if they do what he tells them to do. He can give them positions of authority as he chooses, and can divide the conquered lands among them also. All this could be seen as a means of retaining control over those leaders especially in fighting battles.
While Antiochus IV may have given honour to his gods for winning battles, this ruling over many and dividing the land for gain cannot be found in his reign and thus has to be referring to the coming antichrist.
Thus shall he act against the strong fortresses with the help of a foreign or strange god whose assistance he will acknowledge and to whom he increases glory; and he will reward those who helped him to win by giving them rule over others, plus a share of the lands which he conquered. This appears to be the best option.
Note that whom he will increase with glory could apply to those leaders who faithfully supported him in his battles, such that it could read: Thus shall he act against the strong fortresses with the help of a foreign or strange god whose assistance he will acknowledge; and he will cause those who helped him to win to be increased with glory, by giving them rule over others, plus a share of the lands which he conquered.
Or even Thus shall he act against the strong fortresses with the help of a foreign or strange god; He will acknowledge the assistance of those who helped him by giving them increased glory (such as praising them in front of others; giving them honours) and he will give them rule over others, plus a share of the lands which he conquered.
The first option appears to be most logical and consistent.
Daniel 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.
at the time of the end This would have to refer to the end-times of this vision; the vision is coming to its prophesied end.
This can only refer to the final 7-year period left remaining on Israels timeline: the Great Tribulation. In fact, this is what appears to trigger this final week of years. This would seem to refer to that great battle in Ezekiel Ch.38 where the armies from the north come down upon Israel. him here would refer to the antichrist who will make a defence covenant with Israel at this time. (him could possibly refer to Israel itself but this battle will also involve the antichrists forces at some stage. In any case, him can refer to the antichrist only if he is associated with Israel somehow at this time. We will then assume that him means the antichrist involved with a defence treaty or covenant with Israel at the time see Daniel 9:27.)
God will draw the armies from the north; I will .. put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army (Ezekiel 38:4) This army will most likely involve nations from Russia and the provinces around Ukraine, plus an Arab confederation which may include Ethiopia (and/or Egypt) from the south toward Israel where ultimately this huge army opposing Israel will be decimated with only one out of every six soldiers returning home again; the rest will die in Israel.
Ezekiel 39:1-2; 7 1Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and
say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I [am] against
thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 2And I will turn
thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up
from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
7So will I make my holy name known in
the midst of my people Israel; and I will not [let them] pollute
my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I [am] the Lord,
the Holy One in Israel.
push to engage in thrusting; wage war
whirlwind to storm against; come as a storm
shall overflow and pass over shataph abar. To overflow like a flood and run all over the place. The same words are used in Daniel 11:10 ( and [one] shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through.) It has the idea of being so large an army that it is impossible to count it all.
Thus the king of the north will be something like a Russian confederation allied with a number of Arab nations which would be termed the king of the south. In the final 7-year end-times tribulation, both the northern armies plus southern Arab allies will push at Israel like a whirlwind (like a storm) with our modern-day equivalent of chariots, horsemen and many ships. These are all countries with a hatred of Israel, especially the fundamentalist muslim arab nations. This will be a huge army, probably larger than any other army before it. Its aim is to wipe out Israel for good once and for all time. Countries have tried to wipe out Israel already in its short history since 1948, including the Six Day War of 1967 when Israel defended itself against Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq, regaining much of Jerusalem in the process, and the 1973 war when Israel successfully defended itself against Egypt and Syria who attacked on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over Who is he here? If it is the king of the north, or maybe the two kings combined, then, on their way to Israel, they will enter into and pass through nations like an overflowing flood.
But, if he refers to the same person as him in this verse, then he will be the antichrist who, after making a defence treaty with Israel, now comes to her aid (passing through countries, overflowing like a flood) intending to wipe out the armies that have declared war on her. Or he overflows like a flood spreading out in Israel, effectively overwhelming the kings of the north and south.
In this future war, Israel at first looks certain to be wiped out, except that she makes a defence treaty or covenant with the revived Roman empire under the leadership of the future antichrist. It is unlikely that he will be revealed as the antichrist until this conflict occurs, noting that he will not be revealed until the great apostasy of the church occurs (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and that which restrains him is taken away (2 Thessalonians 2:7-9).
When Israel is threatened with annihilation, she makes a treaty with the European leader (who will be revealed as the antichrist). The antichrist will be seen as an acceptable Jew or, at the very least, one who is in full support of their beliefs. In exchange for his military protection he will promise the rebuilding of their temple in order to re-establish their sacrificial laws. Note that Daniel wrote in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease (Daniel 9:27) which would assume that the temple would be rebuilt to enable their sacrifices to be carried out sometime before the mid-point of that final seven years. Of course, the temple would have to exist to enable the antichrist to sit in it, demanding to be worshipped.
The antichrist makes this treaty with Israel in order to get what he (or rather, what satan who possesses him wants) to gain that which has been denied to him: to sit in the temple as the god whom Israel worships. Its the classic bait and switch situation: give them the temple to use as they have desired, then switch their God for himself to be worshipped as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He is prepared to sacrifice a great many of his soldiers in order to get this prize so dear to his heart. He uses his resources to assist Israel to defeat the forces of the kings of the north and south gathered against her and slaughters five out of every six of the enemy (Ezekiel 39:2 where it could mean one sixth left at home with five sixths destroyed in Israel, or five sixths of the army slaughtered and only one sixth returning back to their countries).
Effectively the kings of the north and south are no more from this time on, it seems.
In making this covenant with Israel, the antichrist aims to take control of Israel, not by defeating them in war, but by an agreement with their leaders, achieving something that Antiochus IV was never able to achieve, either by warfare or smooth-talking bribery.
In order to rebuild their temple, Israel would have to somehow have the muslim mosque removed first (at least partly), as it appears to cover some of the required temple site. This year there have been ongoing conflicts that involve the muslim mosque and permissions that are needed in order to visit the mosque. News reports suggest that this could easily reach a flashpoint where open warfare erupts over this site.
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