The Prophecies of Daniel
Part 15: The First 42 Months (Daniel 11:29-35;44-45)
This morning is week 15 of our study of the Prophecies found in the Old Testament book of Daniel. Presently we are working our way verse by verse through the last half of Daniel chapter 11. If you brought your handouts back with you of the map and the parallel verses in the eleventh chapter of the book of Daniel that is great. If you weren’t here or don’t have a copy of them there are copies on the vestibule table should you wish to pick them up for yourself.
Before we begin, just a brief reminder. Daniel 11:21-45 are revealing to us the activities of the Antichrist during the first 42 months of the seven-year Tribulation period. References to the king of the North are speaking about the Antichrist and references to the king of the South are mentioning Egypt and the surrounding territories.
We are also interpreting these verses on the premise that the Antichrist will be a Muslim who will arise from the Middle East, most likely from within the Shiite branch of this religion. I also showed you how I believe that when the Antichrist does appear, he will be the long awaited Islamic prophet of the end times, their Mahdi. Because the Islamic beliefs concerning their Mahdi are eerily similar to the Bible’s prophecies concerning the final evil world ruler known as the Antichrist.
The verses we are going to look at this morning are verses 29-35 and verses 44-45. Looking at your handouts you will see that they are across from each other or side-by-side in opposing columns. Again this is because I believe they are prophecies referring to the same end time event or events. They compliment each other and give us greater detail concerning a single prophecy. Having said that let’s start with verses 29-30.
Daniel 11:29-30, “At the appointed time he [the Antichrist] will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. [30] Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart….”
Round Two
Okay, last week we saw a major battle take place between the king of the North [the Antichrist] and the king of the South [Egypt and the immediate surrounding areas]. In that battle Egypt was defeated because of traitors working within its own government or military. The Antichrist will be able to gain control of the treasures of the country and the important shipping lanes. With these two verses that we just read, we can see that there is going to be another battle between these two only the outcome is going to be much different.
At The Appointed Time
The first phrase we need to take note of is the phrase “at the appointed time.” This is a phrase that can be seen frequently in Bible prophecy. It denotes that God has a certain time in mind for all of the things He has revealed to come to pass. What that exact time is, is not often revealed to us, but we may be able to gain a clue from the Hebrew origin of this phrase. “At the appointed time” comes from the Hebrew word moed (mo – ade), which means “a designated time, season, or the tent of meeting.”
The Tent of Meeting was the Hebrew Tabernacle that traveled with the Israelites while they were wandering in the wilderness. It was the place of worship and sacrifice. It was the place where God came at moed, “appointed times” or festivals to meet with the people. The tent of the meeting was later replaced by the permanent Temple on Mt. Moriah and has never been used again. But the term moed is still closely associated with the Jewish feast days, because they all occur on appointed days, during certain season.
So, while we don’t know an exact timing of this second invasion of Egypt, I believe we can speculate that it will happen on one of the major Jewish feast days. Since moed is also associated with the Temple as a place of meeting, it may also be telling us that it has some connection with the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. In fact, it may occur about the time that the Temple is finished and just about ready to start receiving sacrifices again. This would be at the halfway point of the Tribulation. This theory can be supported in the next few verses, as we will soon see.
Ships of the West
But continuing with verse 30 we see that this battle isn’t going to go the way it did last time. In fact there may not be an actual battle at all when the Antichrist realizes that this time Egypt has reinforcements. It says that, “ships of the western coastlands will oppose him.” The KJV and the ESV are a bit more specific. They use the phrase the “ships of Kittim.” Kittim is the Biblical name for the present-day island of Cyprus. (I believe you can see it on your maps.)
Cyprus, today is controlled half by Greece and half by Turkey but there is a strong British military presence on this island. In fact there are two British military bases on Cyprus and because the United States and Great Britain are such close allies we also have a presence there. Remember in 2006 when Hezbollah attacked Israel from within Lebanon and the world embassies were all trying to safely transport their citizen out of Lebanon? Where did most of the evacuated citizens land first? The island of Cyprus where there was military protection.
What I believe this verse is implying is that when the Antichrist decides to come against Egypt again, about halfway through the Tribulation, the western nations of the world including Great Britain and the U.S. are going to stop him. After all Egypt has been a member of the UN since its beginning in 1945. It’s been a major player within the UN, especially in reference to the Middle East peace process. So, this time when the Antichrist threatens Egypt, its western allies are going to step in and keep it from happening.
Now I don’t know why the Antichrist would feel the need to come against Egypt again. I don’t know why the west would come to Egypt’s aid this time and not the first time. All I know for sure is what the Bible says and that is that at the appointed time, he will try to invade Egypt again and the West won’t let him.
Turning His Attention to Israel
The end of verse 30 and then verses 44-45 tell us what happens next. “[30]…Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant [Israel]. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the covenant.” Then verses 44-45, “But reports out of the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. [45] He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain [Mt. Moriah, Jerusalem, Temple Mount]. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.”
So, the Antichrist is thwarted by the West in his attempt to invade Egypt the second time for whatever reason. But while he is there he receives reports out of the east and the north that alarm him. Now the Bible doesn’t tell us what those reports are, so while we can speculate, we don’t know for sure what they are.
The East
Let’s look to the east first and see if we can come up with a possible scenario. Most commentaries and prophecy teachers believe this reference to something alarming from the east is speaking of the kings of the east that are supposed to come across the Euphrates River to join the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation period right before Christ returns. This prophecy is found in the book of Revelation 16:12 (NIV), “The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.”
There is much speculation about who these kings of the East are which we are not going to get into this morning. But the main thing about this verse that should help us with its interpretation is the timing.
Almost all prophecy teachers agree that the kings of the East will not come across the Euphrates River until the end of the 7-year Tribulation to join the Battle of Armageddon. This is because Revelation 16 goes on to say in verses 13 and 14, “Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] They are the spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.”
So when the river Euphrates is dried up for the kings of the east to cross it then these demon spirits gather them and the rest of the nations of the world to battle. This is the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation. But as we have said throughout our study of this chapter of Daniel, Daniel 11 is talking about the first 42 months of the Tribulation, not the last 42 months. So, the reports of the east that alarm the Antichrist are occurring near if not at the halfway point of the Trib., not at the end. So the alarming report can’t be about the kings of the East coming across the Euphrates River.
Then what is the report from the east about? Well, here is where speculation comes into play. I believe he is hearing reports about what is happening back in Babylon where he set up his headquarters and built up his power. The entire 18th chapter of the book of Revelation talks about the destruction of the great city of Babylon, which occurs suddenly. In one day Babylon will be gone.
Now most scholars place the destruction of Babylon occurring near the end of the Tribulation period. But although I haven’t completely followed this line of thinking out to the end yet, and I could be wrong, I believe Babylon is going to be destroyed at the halfway point of the Tribulation and this is what the reports coming from the east are about that are alarming to the Antichrist. He is stopped from invading Egypt again by the ships from the west, it may be possible that this same force from the west also destroys Babylon at the same time. A few well-guided missiles from an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf could easily take care it.
I get this theory because Daniel 11:45 says that the Antichrist will then, “pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain….” This is the area of Jerusalem. Between the seas refers to the Dead Sea on the east and the Mediterranean Sea on the west. The beautiful holy mountain is the mountain on which the Temple Mount is, Mount Moriah, in the city of Jerusalem. So, why would the Antichrist pitch his royal tents or move his base of power or headquarters to Jerusalem unless Babylon, his former headquarters, no longer exists?
Verse 30 and 44 tell us that the Antichrist is going to vent his fury on Israel not just because he was stopped from attacking Egypt again, but also because of reports he receives from the east and the north. I believe the report from the east is that his headquarters in Babylon has been destroyed.
The North
Verse 44 also mentions reports from the north. What could these be? Well, if we are halfway through the Tribulation period, it has to be about something that will happen at that time. Also if the Antichrist has tried to invade Egypt again only to be stopped, then he hears news from the north, we need to know what is north of Egypt. I believe this has something to do with what will be happening in Israel or more specifically Jerusalem, during mid-Trib.
Remember, last week we saw that the Antichrist would gain control of Israel, but not Jerusalem or the Temple Mount. But Daniel 9:27 tells us that halfway through the Tribulation period he will cause the sacrifices and offerings to cease and set up an abomination on the Temple Mount. So we know that he will gain control of the Temple at this point. Revelation 11 also tells us that at this same time the two witnesses who have been rebuilding the Jewish Temple and protecting it from invasion will be killed by the Antichrist.
So, here is what I speculate could happen. While in Egypt the Antichrist hears from the north or Israel, that the Temple has been completed and that the Jews are getting ready to start sacrifices and worshiping their God. He has just been stopped from invading Egypt by the west and his headquarters in Babylon has just been destroyed (perhaps also at the hands of the west?).
So, in a fury he turns to Israel and Jerusalem. He decides to vent his anger upon the Jews especially those who have so far escaped his control and are usurping his power and blaspheming the Islamic religion by building a Temple on the Temple Mount either next to or on top of the sacred Dome of the Rock.
This time when he invades Jerusalem, he will be able to kill the two witnesses, Elijah and Enoch. Revelation 11:7 confirms this, “Now when they [the witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss [the Antichrist] will attack them, and overpower and kill them.”
After killing them their bodies will lay in the streets for three and a half days without benefit of burial. This is an insult to the Jews who treat their dead with great respect and sanctity and bury them as quickly as possible after death.
Revelation 11 goes on to day that there will be great rejoicing everywhere at their deaths. This reminds me of the pictures of the radical Muslims who were dancing in the streets on 9/11 after the World Trade Towers in New York City had been destroyed and over three thousand people died.
But three and a half days later, God will raise these two witnesses from the dead with the whole world watching on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, or NBC and call them into heaven. Then Jerusalem will experience an earthquake so great that a tenth of the city will be destroyed and seven thousand people will be killed.
There is a prophecy in Revelation 13 verses 3 and 4 that tells us that the Antichrist will experience death. He will be wounded, I believe in the head so gravely that he will die. But then Satan will indwell or take over his physical body and bring him back to life, and the world will see this and marvel and worship the Antichrist. I don’t know exactly how this will happen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is during this massive earthquake in Jerusalem.
Daniel 11:30-32, “…He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. [31] His armed forced will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. [32] With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
With the witnesses out of the way and indwelled by the devil, the Antichrist will then be able to gain control of the newly built Temple, the Temple Mount, and Jerusalem as a whole and will make this city his new headquarters to rule from for the final 42 months of the Tribulation.
The Believers
The final verses then tell us what is going to happen to the faithful who are still living at the time the Antichrist gains control. Daniel 11:33-35, “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. [34] When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. [35] Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.”
There are going to be what many scholars refer to as Tribulation saints. These are those who did not accept Christ before the Rapture of the church, but after the beginning of the Tribulation. They could be Christians, Muslims, or Jews. Many of them had probably heard the Truth of the Gospel but had either rejected it or put off making a decision about it until this period of time in history. We don’t know what exactly will make them come to a decision for Christ, but something will and they will more than likely have to pay for this decision with their lives.
During this time period those who have come to know God and understand what is really happening are going to teach others the truth. And because of this they will be killed by the sword, burned, taken captive and looted. Revelation 6:9-11, “When he opened the fifth seal, I [John] saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. [10] They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ [11] Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.” The Antichrist will not stand for anyone who worships the God of Israel.
Verse 34 tells us that those who fall will receive a little help. The KJV says they “shall be helped.” That phrase, “shall be helped,” is the Hebrew word azar (aw-zar) from which comes the name Ezra, which means “helped.”
Ezra was an Old Testament priest who returned with some of the Jews to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. He oversaw the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple and conducted a religious reformation among the Hebrews. Ezra was instrumental in putting a stop to religious compromise and heathenism and re-establishing the old form of worship.
I think this verse is telling us that those who follow God at this critical point in history are going to face great persecution and pressure. If the stumble or become confused or think about giving up because of the persecution there will be those like the old priest Ezra who will be there to instruct, and encourage and point them in the right direction.
Verse 34 also says, “many who are not sincere will join them.” The NKJV gives us a better idea of the meaning of this phrase by interpreting the words as, “many shall join with them by intrigue.”
This is a time of great danger for believers. They will probably be forced underground or into secrecy like Christians today in countries like China. It wouldn’t take much to realize that the Antichrist would send spies to infiltrate secret churches in order to put a stop to them. This verse is a warning about wolves in sheep’s clothing among God’s children during this time.
And finally in verse 35 we see the reason why God will allow this persecution to come upon believers. “…so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless…”
This is something that God does with His children all the time. He is constantly changing us, purifying us, and refining us to be more like Him. The trials that we face, the illnesses, the losses, the pain that we experience in this life all play a part in remaking us into spotless treasures God delights in.
This is why those who come to the saving knowledge of Christ during the Tribulation will face hardships, and persecution and death, so that they too can be made spotless treasures of God.
Revelation 7:9, 14, shows us these persecuted saints in heaven. “After this I looked and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands… [14]…These are they who have come out of the great tribulation, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
This finishes our study of the verse-by-verse interpretation of chapter 11. There is one more chapter left in Daniel to cover. So read chapter 12 in preparation for next week. I’d also appreciate your prayers as I try to understand what the Lord is telling us in this final chapter.
Sermon Sources:
The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, King James Version. Edited by Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. AMG Publishers. Chattanooga, TN. Copyright 1991.
The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, New International Version. Edited by Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. AMG Publishers. Chattanooga, TN. Copyright 1996.
The Holy Bible. English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL. Crossway Bibles. Copyright 2002.
Larkin, Rev. Clarence. The Book of Daniel. Clarence Larkin Estate, Glenside, PA. Copyright 1929.
Stone, Dr. Perry. The Antichrist Fact File. Two-hour VHS teaching. Copyright 2003. www.perrystone.org.
Stone, Dr. Perry. Israel and the Battle of Gog and Magog. Two-hour VHS teaching. Copyright 2007. www.perrystone.org.
Stone, Dr. Perry. Daniel:Unlocking the Secrets of the Scroll. Two-hour VHS teaching. Copyright 2007. www.perrystone.org.
Stone, Dr. Perry. Unleashing the Beast. Book. Cleveland, TN. Pathway Press and the Voice of Evangelism. Copyright 2003.
Strong, James. Abingdon’s Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with the Exclusive Key-Word Comparison. Nashville, TN. Copyright 1980.
www.un.org.eg. “The UN System in Egypt.” April 30, 2008.
www.uscj.org/guide_to_jewish_fune6211.html. “Guide to Jewish Funeral Practice.” May 1, 2008.
