"God’s Hand in Human History"

Sermon Title: "God’s Hand in Human History"

Text: Daniel 11

Subject: God’s sovereignty over the rise and fall of empires

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): Daniel 11 records an incredibly detailed prophecy of future events, demonstrating that God rules over the kingdoms of men.

Proposition: God is in control of history—even when it feels chaotic or oppressive.

Objective: The hearers will trust God’s providence and be faithful in turbulent times, knowing He directs history toward His redemptive purpose.

Main Point of the Sermon (MPS): What looks like geopolitical chaos is under divine control.

Opening Prayer (Mother’s Day & Worship)

Gracious and Sovereign Lord,

We come into Your presence this morning with hearts full of gratitude and awe. You are the God who reigns over the nations and holds history in Your hands—and yet, You are also the God who sees us, loves us, and walks with us day by day.

On this beautiful Sunday morning, we especially thank You for the gift of mothers. We thank You for their strength, their sacrifice, their tenderness, and their faith. For every mother, grandmother, adoptive mother, spiritual mother, and mother-to-be, we ask for Your richest blessing today. Strengthen them with Your grace. Refresh them with Your Spirit. And remind them that their labor in the Lord is never in vain.

We also pray for those who find this day difficult—those who grieve the loss of a mother, long to become a mother, or carry wounds from a broken relationship. Be near to them. Be their comfort, their peace, and their hope.

And now, Lord, as we open Your Word, we ask that You quiet our hearts and sharpen our minds. Show us through the book of Daniel that even when the world seems unstable, You are still on the throne. Teach us to trust Your hand in human history—and in the details of our lives.

Be glorified in every word, every prayer, every song, and every heart today.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

I. Introduction: The God Who Writes History Before It Happens

A morning of worship, a lifetime of grace.

Daniel 11 is often described as the most detailed predictive prophecy in the Bible. It reads like a history textbook—except it was written before the events occurred. When you read it, you might feel overwhelmed by the parade of kings, battles, alliances, betrayals, and conquests. But don’t miss the big picture: this chapter reveals that God is not a spectator of history—He is its author.

When we look at our own times—wars, elections, political scandals, and instability—it’s easy to feel that the world is spinning out of control. Daniel 11 assures us that nothing is out of God’s hands. In this chapter, God pulls back the curtain and shows Daniel what will happen in the centuries after him. It's a reminder that God's people may suffer, but His purposes never fail.

II. God Knows the Future in Detail (Daniel 11:1–20)

Explanation: The first section of the chapter (vv. 1–20) outlines a complex history involving Persian kings, Alexander the Great, and the successors of his empire—the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria. This includes specific details such as royal marriages, betrayals, and military campaigns. Remarkably, historians have verified these events occurred just as foretold—often centuries later.

Expanded Scripted Explanation:

Let’s begin with the first twenty verses of Daniel 11. This section reads like a historical timeline—and that’s exactly what it is. But what makes it so remarkable is that it was written before the events ever happened. In verse 2, God tells Daniel that three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, far richer than the rest—likely referring to Xerxes I. After that, in verse 3, we’re introduced to a “mighty king” who will rule with great dominion—this is clearly Alexander the Great, who conquered vast territory at lightning speed, only to die at a young age with no clear successor.

Then in verse 4, Daniel sees that Alexander’s kingdom will be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven. Historically, we know that after Alexander’s death, his empire didn’t pass to his sons. It fractured and was divided among his generals—most notably resulting in two major power blocs: the Seleucid Empire in the north (based in Syria) and the Ptolemaic Empire in the south (based in Egypt). These two kingdoms fought back and forth for control over the land of Israel, which sat right between them like a tug-of-war rope.

From verse 5 through verse 20, the prophecy zooms in on these two dynasties. The “king of the south” and the “king of the north” are mentioned repeatedly. Marriages are arranged to create peace—like when Ptolemy II gave his daughter Berenice in marriage to Antiochus II—but those alliances collapse. Armies rise, wars rage, thrones are seized and lost, and in all of it, God's sovereign plan moves forward.

Now, if you're thinking, “This is a lot of names and battles to keep track of,” you're not alone. But here’s what you need to see: God is not giving Daniel vague predictions. He’s giving detailed, accurate, verifiable prophecy. And it all happened exactly as God said it would. This is more than history—this is theology. This is about trusting a God who is not reactive, but proactive. He knows what will happen before it happens because He ordains it. Nothing surprises Him—not in Persia, not in Greece, and not in your life.

Argumentation: Why does God include so much detail here? Because it shows He’s not just making vague predictions. He’s demonstrating that His knowledge of the future is absolute. It validates His sovereignty. If God can forecast hundreds of years of geopolitical shifts, then He can certainly manage our lives.

Application: When you are uncertain about your future—your job, your health, your children—remember this: the same God who foretold empires knows your name and has numbered your days. Trust Him with the details of your life.

Illustration: Imagine reading tomorrow’s newspaper today—how would that change your confidence? Daniel had that privilege. He saw God's plan unfolding before it even began.

III. God's People Will Suffer—But Not Be Forgotten (Daniel 11:21–35)

Explanation: This section introduces a particularly cruel ruler—Antiochus IV Epiphanes—who persecutes the Jewish people, desecrates the temple, and tries to erase their faith. Verses 31–32 describe the "abomination that causes desolation" and the persecution of the faithful. Yet, verse 32 says, "The people who know their God will stand firm and take action."

As we move into verses 21 through 35, the tone of the chapter shifts from broad political events to personal, painful persecution. This section introduces us to one of the most infamous figures in Jewish history: Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He didn’t come to power by rightful succession, but through flattery and manipulation—just as verse 21 says: “He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”

Antiochus was known for his cruelty and hatred toward the Jewish people. He didn’t just want to rule them—he wanted to erase their identity and destroy their faith. Verse 31 describes what he did: “Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.” This refers to the horrific moment when Antiochus entered the temple in Jerusalem, erected an altar to Zeus, and sacrificed a pig on it—defiling the sanctuary.

But he didn’t stop there. He outlawed the reading of the Torah. He banned circumcision. He tortured and killed those who refused to eat pork or worship pagan gods. He used fear as a weapon to try to force the Jews into abandoning their covenant with God. Many did fall away. Verse 32 says, “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant.” But that’s not the end of the verse. The rest of it says, “but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”

You see, in the darkest of times, God always preserves a faithful remnant. This is the era when the Maccabees rose up—Judas Maccabeus and his brothers refused to bow. They led a resistance, rededicated the temple, and inspired a movement of courage and purity. The suffering was intense. The cost was high. But God was not absent. He was present—strengthening the faithful and preserving His name through them.

This reminds us that suffering is not a sign that God has failed. It’s often a sign that the world is resisting His rule. But God does not forget His people in persecution. He walks with them in it—and through them, He accomplishes His purposes.

Argumentation: This part of Daniel 11 moves from world events to personal suffering. God does not hide the fact that His people will face trials. But He does promise that some will rise up, endure, and shine brightly in the darkness. Faithfulness in suffering is not a detour from God’s plan—it’s part of how He displays His glory through us.

Application: Don’t interpret your suffering as God’s absence. He sees. He knows. And He strengthens those who remain faithful. Like the Maccabees who resisted Antiochus, today’s believers must courageously resist spiritual compromise.

Illustration: It’s said that the stars shine brightest when the night is darkest. In the same way, God’s people often shine most when the world turns hostile.

IV. God’s Kingdom Will Outlast Every Empire (Daniel 11:36–45)

Explanation: Verses 36–45 shift from Antiochus to what many scholars believe is a picture of a future Antichrist—a final evil ruler before the end. This figure exalts himself above every god, oppresses many, and seems unstoppable. But in verse 45, “he shall come to his end, with none to help him.”

Now we come to the final section of Daniel 11, verses 36 through 45. The identity of the ruler in these verses is debated. While some scholars see it as a continued description of Antiochus IV, others believe the prophecy moves beyond him to a future figure—a coming Antichrist who will emerge in the last days. Either way, what we see here is the rise of a blasphemous, arrogant leader who exalts himself above every god and acts as if he is invincible.

Verse 36 says, “He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods.” This man worships military power. He trusts in the “god of fortresses,” verse 38 tells us. He is ruthless, greedy, and self-glorifying. He conquers lands and gains wealth. People fear him. Nations fall before him. From a human perspective, it looks like no one can stop him.

But then we come to verse 45, and in just a few quiet words, the illusion of power is shattered: “Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.” No battle. No war. No dramatic overthrow. Just... the end. Why? Because God has determined it. The proudest ruler in the world is still a pawn in the hands of the Most High.

This is the message of Daniel 11: no matter how strong evil appears, its days are numbered. No matter how secure tyrants seem, their thrones will crumble. No matter how loud the voices of rebellion against God grow, they will one day be silenced by the shout of the returning King. God's kingdom will outlast them all.

So don’t be afraid when the world seems dark. Don’t be shaken when evil leaders rise. They will fall. And Christ will reign forever.

Argumentation: The arrogance of tyrants is no match for the justice of God. They may rise quickly, but they fall just as swiftly. God always has the last word. Daniel 11 ends with this unnamed king falling—not because of a rival army, but because God ends his story.

Application: We may live under the shadow of corrupt leaders, unjust systems, or oppressive cultures—but God has set a limit. Evil will not win. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.

Illustration: No matter how impressive a sandcastle looks, it cannot withstand the rising tide. The tide of God's kingdom is coming—and every earthly power will bow.

V. Conclusion: Trust the Writer of History

Sermon Conclusion Script:

As we bring this message to a close, let’s step back and remember what Daniel 11 has shown us. It’s not just a chapter filled with ancient kings, complex timelines, and military strategy. It’s a divine declaration that God is in charge. Every throne that rises, every kingdom that falls, every leader that boasts—none of them are outside the scope of His sovereign hand.

Daniel 11 may read like a history book, but it was written before the history happened. God laid it out in detail so that Daniel—and we—would know: nothing surprises our God. He rules over presidents and kings, nations and empires, times of peace and times of war. He sees the proud, and He humbles them. He sees the faithful, and He strengthens them. He sees you—and He has not forgotten you.

So what do we do with this truth?

We trust Him in uncertainty. When you feel overwhelmed by world events, remember that the God of Daniel 11 is still on His throne. He is not panicked. He is not reacting. He is ruling.

We stand firm in hardship. When suffering comes—and it will—don’t take it as a sign that God is absent. Remember that even in the reign of Antiochus, the people who knew their God stood firm and took action. You are called to do the same.

We look forward to His kingdom. The rulers of this world will not last. But the King of kings is coming. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. And His kingdom will have no end.

And then we look ahead just one more chapter, to Daniel 12, where we’re given this glorious promise: “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Church, that’s your calling. Not just to survive history—but to shine in it.

So shine, church. Shine in the classroom. Shine in the workplace. Shine in the hospital room. Shine in your suffering. Shine in your joy. Shine in your weakness. Shine in your witness. Because when you trust the One who writes history, your life becomes a testimony that endures into eternity.

Daniel 11 may feel like a maze of ancient wars and kings, but at its heart is this truth: God is sovereign over all history. He rules over the rise and fall of nations, and He watches over His people in every era. The same God who foretold Alexander and Antiochus knows every chapter of your life.

So what should you do?

Trust Him in uncertainty.

Stand firm in hardship.

Look forward to His kingdom.

And remember the promise of Daniel 12, which follows: "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above." When you trust in the Lord of history, you shine with eternal purpose.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of reverence and awe. Thank You for reminding us today through Your Word that You are not just the God of the past—you are the Lord of history itself. You write the future with precision, and You reign over every nation, every leader, and every season.

In a world that often feels unstable and unpredictable, we rest in the unshakable truth that You are sovereign. Help us to trust You more deeply, especially when life doesn’t make sense. Give us courage like those who stood firm in Daniel’s day. Strengthen us to be faithful in hardship, pure in our witness, and bold in our obedience.

Lord, as we go into a new week, may we shine like lights in a dark world. Help us to live with wisdom, speak with grace, and walk in confidence—not because of who we are, but because of who You are.

And when the kingdoms of this world fade away, may we be found faithful, standing firm in Christ, ready to enter the eternal kingdom that will never end.

We love You, we trust You, and we give You all glory.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

A Mother’s Heart

A mother’s heart is gentle, Yet strong enough to bear, The weight of love unmeasured, Poured out in daily care.

She wakes before the sunrise, She prays when all is still, She teaches by example, To follow God’s good will.

Her hands have held the broken, Her knees have known the floor, Her voice has sung the lullabies, And whispered, “God is more.”

She walks through joy and sorrow, With courage not her own, For every step she takes in faith, She knows she’s not alone.

Her crown is made of kindness, Her robe is strength and grace, And one day she will hear well done, When she sees Jesus face to face.

So today we thank the mothers, Both near and gone before, For the echoes of God’s love in them, That lead us to the Lord.