Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

*2*People will be . . .

*5*having 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.