Daniel 13 Daniel Ch 11 Notes
SERMON NOTES
Subject: “Prophetic Perfection”
Speaker: Dr. A. Burge Troxel
Date: April 1, 2007
Scripture: Daniel 11:1-45
Introduction:
Interest in Prophecy – Glenn Beck (CNN)
Once again, Daniel prophesies to perfection!
I. Daniel’s Prophecy of Israel’s History Under Greek Influence before the First Coming of Christ was Fulfilled to Perfection – Dan 11:1-35
A. The Liberal “Scholars” admit Daniel’s prophecy is so accurate that he couldn’t have written it!
Liberal “Scholar”
“Daniel is one of the few OT books that can be given a fairly firm date. In the form in which we have it (perhaps without the additions of 12:11, 12), the book must have been given its final form some time in the years 167-164 b.c. This dating is based upon two assumptions: first, that the authors lived at the latter end of the historical surveys that characterize Daniel 7-12; and second, that prophecy is accurate only when it is given after the fact, whereas predictions about the future tend to run astray.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be . . . 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
B. The Key to Interpreting Dan 11:5-35
1. Kings of the “South” (Egypt) – Ptolemies
“Key” to Daniel 11:5-35
1. Kings of the “South” (Egypt) – Ptolemies
2. Kings of the “North” (Syria) – Seleucids and Antiochus’
Kings of “South” (Egypt)
Ptolemy I Soter 323-285
Ptolemy II Philadelphus 323-246
Ptolemy III Euergetes 246-221
Ptolemy IV Philopator 221-204
Ptolemy V Epiphanes 204-161
Ptolemy VI Philometer 181-145
2. Kings of the “North” (Syria) – Seleucids and Antiochus’
Kings of “North” (Syria)
Seleucus I Nicator 312-281
Antiochus I Soter 281-262
Antiochus II Theos 262-246
Seleucus II Callinicus 246-227
Seleucus III Soter 227-223
Antiochus III the Great 223-187
Seleucus IV Philopater 187-176
Antiochus IV Epiphanes 175-163
C. The Perfection of Dan 11:5-35
Daniel 11:1-2
1And in the first year of Darius the Mede [539], I took my stand to support and protect him.) 2“Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will appear in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. [Cambyses (529-522), Pseudo-Smerdis (522-521), Darius I Hystaspes (521-486), Xerxes I (486-465)] When he [Xerxes] has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece [Alexander the Great].
Xerxes=Ahasuerus in Esther
Daniel 11:3-4
3Then a mighty king [Alexander the Great] will appear, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.
4After he [Alexander the Great] has appeared, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven [Four generals – not sons – Seleucus, Ptolemy, Lysimacus, Cassander]. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
Daniel 11:5
The king [Ptolemy I] of the South [Egypt] will become strong, but one of his commanders [Seleucus I] will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom [Syria] with great power.
Daniel 11:6
After some years, they [Egypt & Syria] will become allies. The daughter [Berenice] of the king of the South [Ptolemy II] will go to the king of the North [Antiochus II] to make an alliance [in marriage], but she [Berenice] will not retain her power, and he [Antiochus II] and his power will not last. In those days she [Berenice] will be handed over [killed by Laodice], together with her royal escort and her father [Ptolemy II] and the one who supported her [Antiochus II].
Daniel 11:7
One from her family line will arise to take her place [Ptolemy III, Berenice’s brother]. He [Ptolemy III] will attack the forces of the king of the North [Seleucus II] and enter his fortress; he [Ptolemy III] will fight against them and be victorious.
Daniel 11:10
His [Seleucus II’s] sons [Seleucus III and Antiochus III] will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress [Ptolemy’s Raphia].
Daniel 11:21
He [Seleucus IV] will be succeeded by a contemptible person [Antiochus IV] who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom [Syria] when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes = Little Horn of Dan 8
Daniel 11:22-23
22Then an overwhelming army [Egyptians?] will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed [High Priest Onias III]. 23After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.
Daniel 11:25
“With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South [Egypt]. The king of the South [Ptolemy VI] will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he [Ptolemy VI] will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.
Daniel 11:27
The two kings [[Antiochus IV &Ptolemy VI], with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.
Daniel 11:29-30
29“At the appointed time he [Antiochus IV] will invade the South [Egypt] again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30Ships of the western coastlands [from Rome – Popillius Laenas] will oppose him, and he will lose heart. 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 holy covenant [Jewish rebels].
Point: Daniel’s Prophecy of Israel’s History Under Greek Influence before the First Coming of Christ was Fulfilled to Perfection
The reason that God put this kind of detailed prophecy in the OT is so that Jewish people would realize that their prophets were really from God and that they had better pay attention to their prophecies because they really were going to come true. Especially the Jews who were living at the time of the First Coming of Christ.
Another reason is so that we who are living in the times preceeding the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ would be alert to what was going to happen so they we could be ready (ie receive forgiveness personally and help others to take the Bible seriously!!!!
Because the next part of the prophecy does not apply to the First but to the Second Coming. And, especially the Antichrist.
II. Daniel’s Prophecy of Israel’s History under Antichrist’s Influence before the Second Coming of Christ will Also be Fulfilled to Perfection – Dan 11:36-45
A. The Profile of the “Antichrist” – Dan 11:35-39
Daniel 11:36
The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.
Self-Willed, Prideful, Blasphemous, Victorious for a while, but by the end of the Great Tribulation (last 3½ years) the Antichrist will become history.
Daniel 11:37
He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.
Abandon his religious heritage, no regard for Christ (or no desire for women – sexual preference), considers himself=God=Christ.
Daniel 11:38-39
38Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.
God of fortresses=trust in military strength – Invests in armament.
Foreign God=Allah?=Terrorism?
Distribute land at a reduced price or “bargain.”
B. The Campaign of Armageddon – Dan 40-45a
Daniel 11:40-41
40“At the time of the end [second half of Tribulation] the king of the South [Egypt] will engage him in battle, and the king of the North [Russia?] will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He [Antichrist] will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.
Scenario – Ezekiel 38-39. Russia & Egypt attack Israel and Antichrist races to protect Israel because of the Covenentt that Antichrist had made with Israel guaranteeing their safety (Dan 9)
Antichrist could move across N. Africa.
Daniel 11:41-43
41He [Antichrist] will also invade the Beautiful Land [Israel]. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon [Jordan] will be delivered from his hand. 42He [Antichrist] will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission.
Daniel 11:44
But reports from the east [the Chinese army] and the north [Russia?] will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many [mostly Israel].
East - A 200 million man army – Rev. 9:16
North – Destruction of King of the North by God???
C. The Second Coming of Christ – Dan 45:b
Daniel 11:45
He will pitch his royal tents between the seas [between Dead Sea & Mediterranean] at the beautiful holy mountain [Jerusalem]. Yet he will come to his end [at the Second Coming of Christ], and no one will help him.
This passage has the antichrist occupying Jerusalem and setting himself up as Christ. But, eventually it all comes to naught because of Christ’s Second Coming.
This amazing prophecy in Dan 11 is parallel to a number of passages in the Book of Revelation and Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. I want you to see how other passages complete the picture clearly.
Revelation 16:16
“Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
Matthew 24:30
“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”
Revelation 19:11
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.”
Revelation 19:13-14
13 “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”
Revelation 19:16
“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”
Revelation 19:19
“Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.”
Revelation 19:20
“But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
Conclusion:
The Bible is Truly the Word of God
The Bible can be trusted. This is not the time to be ignoring Biblical truth.
The Bible is true when it comes to fulfilled prophecy/history.
The Bible is true when it comes to unfulfilled prophecy.
The Bible is true when it comes to everything.
This is the issue of our day. Where do you look to find authoritative answers to anything. Used to be priests (ministers), then it was the Professors, today it’s Oprah.
But the Christian’s answer is the Bible. Whatever question, the Bible has the answer.
Benediction
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25