The People That Know Their God

They Are Equipped with Knowledge of God’s Purposes and Plans

God revealed his plans to Daniel so that His people would be prepared for difficult times in the future.

Daniel 11:5-20 deals with specific prophecies regarding the Ptolemiac (Egypt) and Seleucid (Syria) wars between 323-175 BC.

Daniel 11:21-35 deals with Antiochus IV Epiphanes - a foreshadow of the Antichrist. Some 135 prophecies were fulfilled in the first 35 verses of this chapter.

Important because of how they related to the people of Israel in the land - caught in the middle!

Though God was not speaking through prophets during this 400 year time, He was still at work!

Two specific prophecies to show the accuracy of God’s Word:

Verse 6 - a prophecy about a treaty in 250 BC between Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Antiochus II Theos. Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy was to marry Antiochus II, but they were assassinated by his other wife.

Verse 20 - 187-175 B.C. Seleucus IV Philopator, his tax collector / prime minister poisoned him after returning from trying to tax the Jews.

God has revealed his purposes and plans to us through His Word. His prophecies are accurate and you can trust His Word!

They Are Empowered to Stand in the Face of Plots and Persecution

Daniel 11:32–33 “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.”

God didn’t promise that all of them would survive persecution, only that they would stand in the face of persecution.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the First Abomination of Desolation.

The Maccabees stood against the deception and flattery of Antiochus. Many of them were killed, but some survived to cleanse the Temple and leave a testimony, setting up the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s people are empowered to great works! John 14:12 ““Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

They key is to KNOW YOUR GOD and to LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD!

John 14:21 “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.””

They are Ensured of God’s Promise for Eternal Life

Daniel 12:1–3 - There is a future resurrection!

John 14:19–20 “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”

They that are wise will shine as the stars!

Do YOU KNOW YOUR GOD!

Timeline of Ptolemaic (Egypt) Vs. Seleucid (Syria) Wars in Daniel 11

· (v5) – 323-285 B.C. Ptolemy I Soter and Seleucus I Nicator

· (v6) – treaty in 250 B.C. between Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Antiochus II Theos. Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy was to marry Antiochus II, but they were assassinated.

· (v7-9) – 246-240 B.C. Ptolemy III Euergetes and Seleucus II Callinicus

· (v10-19) – 223-187 B.C. Antiochus III (the Great) vs. Ptolemy IV Philopator and Ptolemy V Ephiphanes.

o During this time the Syrian (North) Kingdom finally rose to prominence and maintained control over the “Beautiful Land”, Israel.

o Verse 17 references Cleopatra I

o 18-19 – Antiochus III was stopped by the Romans and was killed by a mob.

· (v20) – 187-175 B.C. Seleucus IV Philopator, his tax collector / prime minister poisoned him.

· (v21-35) Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.)

· (v36-45) The future Antichrist