Keep Calm And Carry On | Daniel 11:36–45

Opening Remarks: We’re back in Daniel 11 tonight after spending last Sunday night looking at the first half.

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Daniel 11 is an overview of world history broken into two parts.

Verses 1-35 were a future prophecy to Daniel but are history to us.

Verses 36-45 were a future prophecy to Daniel and they are still future for us.

And they focus on a major character that we’ll be studying tonight called the antichrist.

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Introduction: In 1939, the UK introduced a slogan to the people of England as they prepared for the impending arrival of WW2. As the possibility of air raids increased, the government created a poster that said, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” You’ve probably seen t-shirts with some adaptation like, “Keep Calm And Drink Coffee.”

I imagine Daniel would have needed one that said “Keep Calm And Trust God,” especially after understanding what this current vision meant for Israel’s future.

The first part of Daniel 11 is prophetic, with some 135 predictions that have already been fulfilled. Most of these were fulfilled in the years following the Babylon empire as it was overthrown by the Persians and then the Greeks and Alexander the Great.

But the last ten verses, from vs. 36 on, describe a series of events that aren’t paralleled in history. Details that haven’t yet taken place. Most scholars are confident these verses give a description of a person we know as the Antichrist.

Who Is The Antichrist?

A. The title “Antichrist” refers to one opposed to or the opposite of Christ.

He will seek to claim the role of Christ. He will appear on the world scene in the last days during Daniel’s 70th week.

He will come as a dynamic, charismatic, and visionary leader. 2 Thess. and Rev. 13 give more details, although we won’t look at those tonight.

The antichrist’s empire will cross every continent. He will have worldwide influence. He’ll come claiming to be a man of peace but will eventually instigate world war.

He will control the global economy. He will force people to receive a mark on their hands or foreheads in order to buy or sell, but those that don’t will be hunted down and killed.

He will exalt himself to God status. Eventually, He will be so full of pride that he’ll launch an attack on Jesus Christ at a place called Megiddo in the valley of Jezreel in Israel. That’s also known as the Battle of Armageddon.

We know that Jesus Christ will suddenly and thoroughly destroy him, but not before the Antichrist leads many to their destruction.

B. This section, then, deals with the events that will take place at the end of time.

It will be a time of indignation (vs. 36), or wrath

Vs. 40 says it’s the “Time of the end.”

Daniel 12:1 says it will be a time of trouble worse than anyone has ever seen. Daniel’s 70th week from Daniel 9 is that seven year Tribulation Period, which will culminate in one final Battle of Armageddon, which will be followed by the resurrection of the dead and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.

C. The antichrist is described in other passages.

He is the little horn of Daniel 7:8.

He is the prince of the people that will come in Daniel 9:27.

He is the Beast in Revelation 13.

He is the man of sin and son of perdition in 2 Thessalonians.

As we saw in Daniel 9, the Antichrist will promise peace with Israel and then break the covenant halfway through the 7 year tribulation.

So who is he actually?

Well, there have been lots of suggestions:

People have said he’s anyone from Napoleon to Hitler to Gorbachev to Donald Trump. Most major powerful world leaders have been called the antichrist.

I read even recently that some believe Barney the Dinosaur is the antichrist. That one gets my vote.

We don’t know who he is. It’s all speculation until he’s revealed.

What Is The Antichrist is Like?

A. His character and actions are described in Daniel 11:36–45

Vs. 36a - “And the king shall do according to his will” He will be arrogant and self-willed.

36b - “He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and speak marvellous things against the God of gods.”

He will be self-promoting. He’ll never stop talking and boasting about himself. If you’ll remember, Daniel 7 stated that the “Little Horn” with a big mouth wouldn’t stop talking about himself. He’ll be an egomaniac. Even worse, he’ll be a blasphemer against God.

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.”

He’ll reject his own spiritual heritage. Some think this means he’ll be Jewish, but Daniel 7 says he comes out of the fourth beast, which represents the Roman Empire. Revelation 13 pictures a Beast (the symbol for the antichrist), rising out of the sea of the Gentile nations. It seems to me he’s a Gentile, but the Bible isn’t explicit. Whatever his background, he rejects it entirely. He will oppose organized religion, it seems.

He will magnify himself above all others. And initially he’ll be very successful. This verse is saying, in essence, “He won’t care about the God of his father, or the God that women desire to worship, or any god.” That seems to be the context of that phrase.

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.”

“God of forces” points to military might. He’ll invest great financial resources in developing a powerful military. His thirst for blood will lead him to kill millions of people in his drive for world domination.

A “god who his fathers knew not” could refer to Satan. Satan will empower him and help him, and he will honor Satan in return.

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.”

He will advance those who help his cause and reward them handsomely.

What Will The Antichrist Accomplish?

Verses 40-44 describe a series of military maneuvers that will take place during the last few years of the Tribulation period.

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.”

He will take many lands, although he will be opposed by other military forces. He will be attacked from the south by Egypt and others. He will be attacked from the north as well. This may be in reference to Syria, Russia, or others.

At this current time, Israel covers over 8,000 square miles and is home to over 9 million citizens. It is surrounded by millions of square miles of territory that is home to well over 300 million people who are predominately Muslim.

A leader who will promise peace and protection under those odds will be greatly appreciated by those who live in Israel. Israel will be thankful for it.

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.”

He will make Jerusalem his headquarters.

42-43 - “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 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.”

He will conquer many peoples and lands.

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.”

He will receive reports of attacks in the east and the north. Middle Eastern countries could be involved. Russia could be involved. China and others could as well. We don’t know for sure where they’re from, but this is referring to the Armageddon Campaign, which includes many armies, many battles, and Revelation 9 speaks of 200 million soldiers. The result will be a slaughter that causes blood to flow as high as horse’s bridles, according to Revelation 14.

What Will Become Of The Antichrist?

45 - He will make his final stand in Jerusalem and die in the final battle of Armageddon.

Verse 45 doesn’t give many details, but one thing is clear - the antichrist’s demise will be sudden, swift, and unexpected.

In Daniel 2, this is pictured by a great stone that flew and destroyed the great statute.

Daniel 7:11 states, “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”

He will ultimately be cast into a burning fire.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

Just imagine the scene:

Millions of soldiers are converging between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. They’re armed with the latest high-tech weaponry. They have enough firepower to destroy all of civilization several times over. They fully intend to use everything they have to win.

As the battle rages, something strange becomes visible in the sky. Someone or something catches their attention. They stop fighting each other and all turn their fury and attention onto this one coming from the heavens. These armies of unbelievers begin an all out assault on Jesus Christ Himself. And as He descends from Heaven, an order is given to fire every weapon they have at Him. Rockets, missiles, maybe atomic warheads, laser beams or whatever the technology is at that point - it all flies directly toward this man on a white horse.

And before they get to Him, like 2 Thessalonians says, “The Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”

Jesus Christ will open His mouth and destroy the greatest and most powerful attack mankind an come up with. The battle will end before it starts. In the end, Jesus wins. He always wins.

So What Does The Antichrist Have To Do With Me?

Well, believe it or not, whether or not the antichrist is alive today, the spirit of antichrist is alive and well.

John warned about it in 1 John. I think back to our series in 1 John about family traits a few years ago. John said there were already those in that day who had a spirit to oppose Christ and deceive His people.

Illustration: Visiting with someone recently and they were talking about someone who once claimed to know Christ now calling Him a nameless energy. Almost saying, “Don’t talk about Him anymore. God can mean many things to many people.”

The antichrists John was talking about claimed to be believers. But they were spreading lies amidst the truth. The issue John said we must be ready for is the ability to discern between truth and error. God’s people have got to know the truth well enough to spot the errors in false teaching.

First Application:

How seriously do you take knowing truth?

We may not be around for the real antichrist, but there is a spirit of antichrist right now.

People teaching that Jesus isn’t God. That sin is okay. That a person can be saved if they try their best. That you don’t have to go through Jesus to get to God.

And the problem is this: How can we as God’s people protect ourselves against what is false if we are biblically illiterate regarding what is true?

Do you have answers for the falsehoods swirling all around us?

Are you biblically literate?

If someone was to ask you a question about one of our core doctrines, how well could you answer it?

The Jews are going to be deceived by the antichrist, and we say, “How could they not know what is going on?”

But we are just as susceptible to deception if we don’t know this book.

I can tell you this, the spirit of antichrist has never been stronger. But I would also submit to you that the Bible knowledge of the average believer has never been weaker.

Knowing that, how well do you know truth?

Are you walking in the light of God’s Word?

Are you consistently reading and applying it?

Is there an area of your life that you aren’t obeying it?

If you’re not walking in this light, be ready to trip in darkness.

Here’s another angle: What influences in your life are weakening your commitment to Christ? Do you have friends pulling you away from the Lord? Do you have things in your life hindering your walk with Him?

If someone or something keeps you from Christ, that’s the spirit of antichrist. Get In God’s Word. Protect yourself from those things.

Second Application:

Are you ready for the end of things?

There is nothing preventing the next event in God’s timeline. The rapture could take place at any moment. Are you ready?

Sometimes we think we have all the time in the world. But how do know the end won’t come tonight? If that’s the case, here are three closing applications to consider:

Get Right

In 1 John 3:2–3 John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

The point is, the end of time should motivate you to get right and stay right. You don’t want to be ashamed when He appears. Can you imagine standing before God in shame because you didn’t take His coming seriously?

Stand Strong

There’s never been a more important time for God’s people to be committed disciples.

We’re approaching the end of times. We will soon stand before God. What have you done to prepare for that?

How committed are you to standing for the Lord?

How many people have you reached for Him?

How strong is your testimony right now? Have you let things slip?

Stay Calm

“Keep Calm And Carry On.” I know it’s scary. The unknown is hard. But remember, even though the antichrist is strong, he’s nothing compared to Jesus.

Let’s say it this way: “Easy days are over. But great days are ahead.”

Why? We know who wins. Even when it seems like Jesus isn’t winning, remember the end.

Old song, “I’ve read the back of the book, and we win.”

The end is near, so get right, stand strong, and stay calm, because Jesus Christ wins.