Daniel Chapter 11b Series

Daniel – Chapter 11b

Chapter 11 Outline

I. A Chronology of Atheistic kings (11:2-20)

a. 4 Persian Kings (11:1-2)

b. 1 Powerful King – Alexander (11:3-4)

c. 2 Perverse Kings – South & North (11:5-9)

1. The Egyptian Prince (11:5)

2. The Egyptian Princess (11:6)

3. The Egyptian Protest (11:7-9)

d. 1 Pernicious King – Antiochus III (11:10-20)

1. His First Campaign (11:10-12)

2. His Further Campaign (11:13-17)

3. His Final Campaign (11:18-20)

II. A Chronology of Antiochus (11:21-35)

a. His Craftiness (11:21-24)

b. His Conquests (11:25-27)

c. His Cruelty (11:28-35)

III. A Chronology of Antichrist (11:36-45)

a. His Wickedness (11:36-39)

b. His Warfare (11:40-44a)

c. His Wrath (11:44b-45)

Message

II. A Chronology of Antiochus (IV) (11:21-35)

We have already met this wicked man in chapter 8, his character and activities are a picture of the future Antichrist. He gave himself the name “Epiphanes” which means “glorious one” but Gabriel calls him a vile person.

a. His Craftiness (11:21-24)

Verse 21

Various ancient historians agree that Antiochus IV Epiphanes was indeed “vile,” as the text declares. Often his behaviour was eccentric, if not mad, some even called him “Epimanes” which is a play on his name and it means – mad man.

The honour of the kingdom was not his, it belonged to his nephew Demetrius, who was the rightful king. Antiochus had made some influential friends and he had joined them in a conspiracy against Rome. The king of Pergamum put up the money and the troops to secure the Syrian throne. Heliodorus was put to death and Antiochus won the Syrians over with clemency and flattery, coming to the throne peaceably.

Verse 22

The Prince of the covenant is said to have been the Jewish high priest Onias III. Antiochus disposed of him because he opposed the pro-Syrian Hellenised party in Jerusalem and because he was a supporter of Egypt. His brother Jason paid a bribe to obtain the office of high priest.

Verses 23-24

Antiochus was crafty in all his dealings. With an expected war with Rome on the horizon, he signed a treaty with The king of Pergamum who had helped him secure the throne. He had no problem, however, breaking that treaty to secure links with Rome which he also intended to break when he was strong enough to do so.

Antiochus had his eyes set on Egypt, he signed another treaty with the youthful Egyptian king to lull Ptolemy into a false sense of security. Still mouthing assurances of goodwill, he made his way up the Nile as far as Memphis. His army was small, but it enabled him to build up his strength. He entered peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province.

Antiochus invaded Galilee and lower Egypt and achieved something none of his predecessors had been able to do. He also did something else uncharacteristic of those who sat on the throne before him, he distributed his booty lavishly, hoping to make friends and influence people.

Look at the last few words of Verse 24 even for a time this final expression shows that God had already drawn the line beyond which this crafty, evil man would not be allowed to go – God is STILL in control.

b. His Conquests (11:25-27)

Verses 25-26

Antiochus mobilised a large army and marched against Ptolemy, but by this time the Egyptian king was well aware of his adversary’s treachery and he hastily mobilised an army to match the size of his enemy. Ptolemy however, was defeated. Antiochus captured Pelusium, Memphis and conquered most of Egypt, with the exception of the key city of Alexandria.

Many of Ptolemy’s woes resulted from the treachery of some of his most trusted advisers, who, as Verse 25 says they shall forecast devices against him.

Verse 27

Unable to take Alexandria, Antiochus returned to Memphis and sat down at the conference table with his youthful nephew Ptolemy Philometer. He promised to help establish him on the throne and acknowledge him as Egypt’s king if he could help him overthrow Philometer’s brother Physcon who was held up in Alexandria.

Philometor had learned from experience by now and had adapted some of his uncles craftiness. He agreed to the proposels set out by Antiochus and was just waithing for him to return to Syria thereby outwitting his uncle – As verse 27 says they shall speak lies.

c. His Cruelty (11:28-35)

Verse 28

As Antiochus was returning home news came to him that caused his temper to boil over. Rumours were going through Israel that he was dead and there were mass celebrations. So his heart was against the holy covenant. He went to Jerusalem and killed 40,000 and sold another 40,000 into slavery.

He shall do exploits He horrified most of the Jews by sacrificing a sow on the brazen altar in the temple court and he made a broth of swine flesh and sprinkled it all over the temple. No wonder Antiochus Epiphanes is regarded as one of history’s major types of the coming Antichrist. After desecrating the temple he returned to his homeland