7/05/2023 – Daniel 11:41-45
Most commentaries continue to go astray here by interpreting “He” as Antiochus IV. However, Matthew Henry says: “11:31-45 The remainder of this prophecy is very difficult, and commentators differ much respecting it. From Antiochus the account seems to pass to antichrist. Reference seems to be made to the Roman empire, the fourth monarchy, in its pagan, early Christian, and papal states.” Once again, though, we see that the antichrist interpretation is permitted but only if it refers to the papacy of the catholic church.
Because we are dealing with future prophecy, there may be some guesswork involved in places, due to not knowing the future until we get there. I am assuming today’s passage to be discussing the antichrist, leading up to his occupation of the temple at the mid-point of the 7-year tribulation. (“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.”) It is when he sits on the throne in the temple to be worshipped as God that he discovers that this isn’t really the answer at all. The antichrist sits in the temple in order to be worshipped by God’s people; this appears to be his driving ambition, to be their god and they be his people. God says in Ezekiel 37:27 – My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. If only satan could just take God’s place here ….. but once he's on the throne, Israel disappears into the wilderness for the 3˝ years that he sits there waiting for them to come to him. It’s when he sits on that throne that he realises that, without Israel to worship him, his victory is hollow, without meaning.
At the end of that 3˝ years there’s a 3˝ day period during which the 2 witnesses are killed, lie in the streets of Jerusalem, and then rise up into heaven (Revelation 11:3-12). And, though we are not told how it happens, the antichrist and his gentile armies are out of Jerusalem and Israel has somehow returned; there’s “a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Revelation 11:13); clearly Israel is back in Jerusalem now. The lead up to Armageddon (probably 30 days – Revelation 16) and its consequences follow on, with the antichrist desperately trying to capture Jerusalem with Israel inside, clearly desiring to force them to worship him, as a captive audience, so to speak. All that matters to the antichrist is that Israel worships him as his people and thus he will be their god. This seems to be the ultimate desire of satan and his antichrist.
Daniel 11:41 – 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.
the glorious land – Israel
many – Here it could refer not necessarily to countries or nations, but possibly provinces, cities or places of habitation.
shall be overthrown – shall be made feeble; made to totter; made to stumble. Note that “countries’ isn’t in the original.
shall escape – escape;
slip away; be delivered
shall escape out of his hand – shall escape from being controlled by another, shall escape from the authority or power of someone. In Vs 42 below, “stretch forth his hand” has the idea of reaching out to take control or authority over another.
the chief – first; beginning; best; chief; choice part; choice ones. Here it probably means the best (choice ones) of Ammon, perhaps their leaders.
Edom – The land of Esau, brother of Jacob (Israel). Capital Bozrah. Isaiah prophesies the destruction of Edom (Idumea).
Isaiah 34:6 – The sword
of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with
the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord
hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea (Edom).
This may have occurred in about 110 BC when Hasmonean leader John Hyrcanus I
conquered Idumaea. (Mattathias was also a Hasmonean.) History records that John
Hyrcanus then forced them to become Jews if they wanted to continue living.
However, the destruction of Edom also appears to be associated as a foreshadow
or forerunner of the final judgment at Armageddon, with Christ coming from the
judgment of Edom to the treading of the winepress (symbolising extreme
slaughter).
Isaiah 63:1-6 – 1Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed
garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling
in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
2Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments
like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress
alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them
in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled
upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of
vengeance [is] in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5And
I looked, and [there was] none to help; and I wondered that [there
was] none to uphold: therefore mine own arm
brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6And I will
tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will
bring down their strength to the earth.
The winepress of judgment is also mentioned in Joel 3:13 and Revelation 14:20 where it deals with Armageddon where the antichrist is defeated and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Both Israel and Jordan today share what used to be Edom.
Moab – The land of Moab, son of
Lot (nephew of Abraham) and his elder daughter. Half-brother of Ammon. Capital Dibon.
Zephaniah 2:8-9 – 8I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the
children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified [themselves]
against their border. 9Therefore [as] I live, saith the
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the
children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and
saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil
them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
Ammon – The land of Ammon, son
of Lot (nephew of Abraham) and his younger daughter. Half-brother of Moab.
Capital Rabbath Ammon.
(Wikipedia)
Jordan (capital Amman) covers much of Ammon and
Moab today.
It is clear that these
three nations (Edom, Moab and Ammon) were all settled by close relatives of the
Hebrews. They also are 3 countries which are on land that was from the
beginning promised to Israel (Genesis 15:18). There is no historical record
of Antiochus IV having anything to do with these 3 nations, clearly indicating
this to be the future antichrist.
Because these 3 nations have seemingly already been
judged in the past, it is therefore possible that the above reference to them
may refer to those dwelling in the lands formerly ruled by these nations.
By his treacherous covenant (defence treaty) with Israel (Daniel 9:26-27), the antichrist will be able to enter, in fact, will be welcomed into “the glorious land” (Israel), apparently intending to take some measure of control. He will use this control of Israel as a springboard from which he will take many other neighbouring countries. However, not all those countries will be taken; “Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon” will escape. For the first 3˝ years of this peace covenant or defence treaty, Israel will happily accept his leadership, not aware of his planned treachery until the middle of that 7 years when he causes their sacrifices to God to cease, and sits in the temple to be worshipped (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15).
It is interesting that it is believed by many that when Israel sees the abomination spoken of by Daniel (Matthew 24:15), they are permitted God’s protection for 3˝ years at Petra (which used to belong to Edom) in the SW of Jordan (Revelation 12:14-16). This might explain why these nations (especially Edom and Moab – or nations/lands represented by these names) are permitted to escape. It is possible that the reference to these nations may actually symbolically refer to God’s preparation of a place of refuge for Israel when the antichrist sits in the temple as god to be worshipped by God’s people who won’t be there to worship him during this time.
Revelation 12:6 – And
the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place
prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and]
threescore days (3˝ years).
The antichrist will be furious when Israel escapes (by going into hiding in the wilderness). He sends armies (“flood”) after them to bring them back but isn’t able to get to them. Effectively they “shall escape out of his hand”.
Revelation 12:15-17 – 15And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Note that “flood” can refer to overwhelming numbers of people (such as in a large army).
“And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken” (Daniel 11:22) where it refers to an army or forces that overflow like a flood.
“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” (Daniel 11:10) where this huge army will literally overflow like a flood. (Note “shall overflow and pass over” – Daniel 11:40)
Daniel 11:42 – He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
shall stretch forth his hand – in order to seize them. An expression referring to having the power (authority) to act, the power of his hand.
the countries – ‘erets (land; earth; world; country;
territory; inhabitants; ground; soil)
shall not escape – or shall not be delivered. While a different
term from “escape” in Vs 41 above, is used, it seems that this is in contrast to those who do escape (or are delivered) in
Vs 41 above.
He will also stretch forth his hand (send his armies) to take other countries including Egypt which Antiochus IV, his foreshadow, was unable to take. He will finally be able to say that he has achieved that which his forefathers were unable to achieve.
While the antichrist is actually the ruler (“prince” – see Daniel 9:26) of the revived Roman empire, he is also foreshadowed by the Syrian Antiochus IV whose great aim appears to have been to take complete control of Egypt such that Egypt was effectively part of his empire. It is significant that it is Egypt that is singled out here, noting that in Vs 43 below that he not only captures Egypt, but he takes control over (has power over; takes possession of) the treasures of Egypt. And, not only does he capture Egypt, but this then gives him direct access to its neighbouring countries of Libya and Ethiopia. He will achieve that goal that Antiochus IV failed to gain.
Ellicott says that he seizes the countries through which he passes, mentioning Egypt in particular as the most powerful of them. However, this is dependent upon this verse referring to Antiochus IV, but, because it actually refers to the future antichrist, then Egypt is no longer the most powerful of countries any more, and this comment is irrelevant. Most commentaries do assume that it refers to Antiochus IV which means that their interpretations of this passage are significantly skewed and cannot be relied upon at all.
Daniel 11:43 – 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.
power – rule; dominion
But he (the antichrist) shall have power (dominion; they will be under his control; he will take possession of them) over the treasures of gold, silver and other precious things pertaining to Egypt.
Libyans – a people of northern Africa west of Egypt.
Ethiopians – Kuwshiy derived from Kuwsh (Cush = “black”)
at his steps – Possibly “follow on” or “are in his company” or “shall join him”
It could mean that the antichrist follows on through Egypt to Libya and Ethiopia, or that these countries’ armies join in with Egypt to oppose the antichrist, or even that they join with the antichrist to defeat Egypt. All of these are suggested by various commentaries. Certainly their assumption that this refers to Antiochus IV would strongly influence their opinions here.
But assuming that this is the future antichrist, then it would probably mean that after he takes Egypt, then he follows on (or plans to follow on) to take Libya and Ethiopia as well. Vs 44 below commences with “But” which might suggest that he may have been interrupted in following through with his plans because of bad or urgent news (or tidings) from the east and from the north (see vs 44 below).
Like his foreshadow, Antiochus IV, he will plunder the riches of the lands he conquers. Greed is one of the sure signs of those strongly influenced by satan.
Daniel 11:44 – 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.
tidings – reports; news; rumours;
tidings.
We have to interpret this in light on it being in the final seven years and therefore Revelation would be a good start here. The antichrist is not going to be universally loved or even respected by all people on earth. (Even out of the ten the kings who give him authority to rule (Revelation 17:12-13), three will be removed by the antichrist (Daniel 7:8). In particular, there will be rulers and their nations who want their share of the victory and glory along with the antichrist.
There is no clear indication as who these tidings refer to. If it occurred toward the end of the 7-year tribulation, then it might refer to “the kings of the east” (Revelation 16:12) (China?) who begin to move toward the antichrist. But these “tidings” in vs 44 above would seem to come before antichrist sets up his residence at Jerusalem to be worshipped in the temple (see Vs 45 below), thus in the first half of the tribulation period.
Or, Revelation 9:12-19 describes the 2nd woe (of the punishments decreed by God during the tribulation 7 years. It is not certain when this woe commences but it certainly involves at least some of the antichrist’s sitting in the temple period. A huge army of 200,000,000 comes from the east, with 4 angels (who are bound at the Euphrates River) set loose; together they will kill a third of mankind (by smoke, fire and brimstone). This woe ends following the death and resurrection of the 2 witnesses in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:14 says “The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” This occurs just after the antichrist’s time of sitting in the temple is over, the 2 witnesses are killed and then rise up to heaven 3˝ days later, and the massive earthquake occurs in Jerusalem, with only one more woe (the 3rd woe) to follow, leading up to Armageddon and its aftermath.
Note that China is currently the only country in the world that could easily raise that number of soldiers. This huge army apparently slaughters a third of mankind, suggesting that it may intend taking control of much of Asia, noting that India alone has a population of over 1.4 billion (over one sixth of the world’s population); thus the equivalent of double India’s population would be more than enough.
Once again, though, this is likely to take place after the antichrist sets himself up in the temple to be worshipped, and therefore probably not referred to here either.
It is not clear just who he thinks is threatening him. Perhaps “the north” refers to some insurrection in Europe from those who do not support the antichrist’s actions. Perhaps “the east” refers to India or Pakistan etc who might think they have the numbers to take their share of the booty. It doesn’t really matter who it is, the fact is that it is yet to happen, but when it does happen, it will fit in perfectly with prophecy.
It is possible that whoever they are may intend to oppose him at first, but by the time the antichrist gathers his forces at Armageddon, at the end of the tribulation, it seems that much of the world’s armies have joined together to oppose Israel which is by now in Jerusalem defending their city to the end.
Revelation 16:12-14 – 12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Could these tidings refer to Russia? But much of the military strength of Russia might well have been destroyed at the beginning of this 7-year period (see Ezekiel 38-39), so perhaps it refers to another nation to the north of Israel. However, when the antichrist hears these rumours, he appears to be in northern Africa, so perhaps the north could refer to opposition facing Israel itself.
In the end, it really doesn’t matter who these rumours refer to, as the whole political map will have altered drastically since Russia and the Arab confederacy will have dropped out of the power games of the world. The important thing to note here is that the antichrist will not be able to sit back and enjoy any victories because he will be forever reacting to those who consider that they have rights to rule as well.
And, like all bullies, the antichrist will have low self-esteem. People of low self-esteem have a driving need to affirm their position in society and constantly need to be able to push others around to help them feel better. Control is really the name of the game here. Bullies just cannot put up with anyone else being better than themselves. Those whom they cannot bully (and therefore cannot control) are a threat to their self-esteem. And the antichrist is a master of controlling others.
Of course, he’s learned well from satan, for satan’s big sin was to do with this problem of control, when he attempted (and failed) to take control of heaven itself. We read about it in Isaiah 14:14-15 where satan declares: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” and God replies: “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Satan just couldn’t accept being told what to do; his pride at his own great abilities wouldn’t let him humble himself under God. His self-esteem was rock-bottom; he had desperately wanted to control heaven to make himself feel better.
And satan always finds his best disciples among those who likewise have low self-esteem and thus a need to control others. The antichrist will be the ultimate servant of satan with a desperate need to be able to control all others, and thus, even a hint of opposition to his rule and he hits the panic button. “Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.” He will be the evil of Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin (of Uganda) and all other dictators, all put together in the one person.
Daniel 11:45 – 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.
between the seas – It does appear to mean between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea; Jerusalem could be described as such. The antichrist’s main ambition will be to sit in the temple and be worshipped as God by the people of Israel. It was that which was denied him so long ago when he tried to “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14) and failed, and he is determined to not fail next time. Some translations say between the seas and the glorious holy mountain, but this doesn’t seem logical. Where would this be and how would it be significant? And, according to the Hebrew, “the glorious holy mountain” is preceded by a preposition, thus “in” or “on” or even “at”.
He will place (set up) his tents (or places of residence) in
the holy temple mountain: Mt Zion as depicted in Psalm 48:1-2 – 1Great [is] the
Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the
mountain of his holiness. 2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the
whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the
city of the great King.
After all, satan/antichrist desires to be worshipped as God and where better to
do this but on the holy temple mount.
Thus this would refer to him (or his image) sitting in the temple to be worshipped as God, yet in the end, when he makes his final effort at Armageddon to take Israel and force them to worship him as God (something he never actually achieves!), Christ their Messiah returns to rescue Israel and to completely wipe out all the huge army the antichrist has assembled at Armageddon to take Jerusalem.
It is at the mid-point of the final 7-year period when the antichrist really meets serious trouble. He has always desired the worship of especially God’s people, Israel, and therefore his covenant with Israel was aimed at making this happen. But Israel “disappears” into the desert somewhere and the antichrist is left sitting on the throne with no-one to worship him. Until the 2 witnesses are killed, and the antichrist and his armies leave Jerusalem, and Israel returns from their exile (how this happens is unclear but within that 3˝ days between the death of the 2 witnesses and when they rise again to heaven – Revelation 11:12), the antichrist goes and Israel is back again in Jerusalem when the earthquake of Revelation 11:13 hits with devastation upon Jerusalem. Then follows the 30-day extra period and the final (3rd) woe (the final 7 vials of wrath poured out on the earth) leading up to and including Armageddon and the winepress of judgment.
yet he shall come to his end – Yet, in spite of all his fury and power, the antichrist will come to his end at the time and place appointed by God; the antichrist will not be able to extend his days past this point. Once he sits in the temple wanting to be worshipped as God, his plans will begin to come undone. It is this move to be worshipped in the temple as God that will seriously commence his final defeat and total downfall.
It is interesting that Ellicott (who consistently appears to interpret this passage as being about Antiochus IV) then writes: “It is to be remarked that the end of this king is placed in the same locality which is elsewhere predicted by the prophets as the scene of the overthrow of Antichrist (Ezekiel 39:4; Joel 3:2; Joel 3:12; Zechariah 14:2).”
and none shall help him – And there will be no-one who is able in any way to assist him. There is nothing anyone can do! Who can fight Christ the Messiah when He comes to deliver His people from the enemy at Armageddon (Revelation 14:20; Revelation 19:11-21)?
Note “and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.” (Daniel 8:7) where Alexander the Great defeats the Persian empire and there is no-one at all who can come to the rescue of Persia; none shall be able to help him! Likewise, with the antichrist, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, can never put Humpty Dumpty together again!
At Armageddon, the antichrist will assemble the greatest army ever (possibly even half a billion soldiers); if he cannot win this, then he never will. But just when the antichrist must think that he might succeed in taking Jerusalem and its people captive (Zechariah 14:2), Christ the Messiah returns to wipe this huge army off the map, with blood flowing over a metre deep down an ultra-wide valley for almost 300 km.
Revelation 14:20 – And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs (1600 stadii = approx. 296 km).
(This is approximately the distance from Jerusalem down to the Gulf of Aqaba, following down through the Dead Sea which may have risen at this time due to earthquakes. Others note that this could refer to the length of Israel itself.)
The antichrist is captured along with the false prophet and thrown into the lake of fire. His huge army will be unable to help him because it will be slaughtered, and all the birds of the air will gorge themselves with the flesh of these slaughtered ones.
Revelation 19:19-21 – 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
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