Daniel 11.36c-The Prophecy of the Antichrist Speaking Against the God of gods
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Wednesday July 2, 2014
Daniel: Daniel 11:36c-The Prophecy of the Antichrist Speaking Against the God of gods
Lesson # 356
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 11:36.
Daniel 11:36 “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done.” (NASB95)
“Monstrous things” is the verb pā·lā(ʾ) (פָּלָא) (paw-law´), which when used of men in the Old Testament, conveys the idea of something hard to accomplish or comprehend and here in Daniel 11:36, it expresses the idea of something hard to comprehend.
It is in the plural meaning “extraordinary statements” and is used of the unique king who will achieve absolute power and as a result will exalt and magnify himself above every deity.
Therefore, the word refers to this king speaking “extraordinary statements” against the God of gods.
“Against the God of gods” is composed of the preposition ʿǎl (עַל) (al), “against” and its object is the masculine singular construct form of the noun ʾēl (אֵל) (ale), “the God of” and then we have the masculine plural form of the noun ʾēl (אֵל) (ale), “gods.”
The first time the noun ʾēl appears it is in the singular and in the construct state and is used of the God of Israel whereas the second time it is in the plural and refers to the heathen gods who are worshipped by unregenerate members of the human race.
The construct state of the noun means it governs the plural form of the word and is expressing a genitive relation between the two.
Here the genitive relation is superlative which combines with the construct term to mean the greatest of something.
This construction indicates the superiority of the God of Israel in comparison to the heathen gods since He is living and the heathen gods are inanimate objects.
We could translate this expression “the supreme God” or “the true God” or even “the real God.”
The construct state of the noun ʾēl is the object of the preposition ʿǎl which means “against” since it is functioning as a marker of opposition indicating that this unique king will oppose the God of gods by issuing extraordinary statements.
Daniel 11:36 “Then, a unique king will do according to his desire. Consequently, he will exalt himself so that he will magnify himself above every deity. Consequently, he will exalt himself so that he will magnify himself above every deity. He will also issue extraordinary statements against the true God.” (My translation)
The third prophetic statement in Daniel 11:36 continues to describe the character and actions of the unique king.
The first prophetic statement reveals that this unique king will achieve absolute power for himself militarily and politically.
The second reveals that as a result of this power he will exalt himself so that he will magnify himself above every deity.
Based upon a comparison of the prophetic statements recorded in Daniel 7, Matthew 24-25, 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13, we can conclude that the first prophetic statement in Daniel 11:36 that “a unique king will do according to his desire” is a prophecy of Antichrist’s absolute power over the world during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week.
The second prophetic statement corresponds to the prophetic statements in Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Revelation 13:14-15 that the Antichrist will deify himself.
The third prophetic statement in Daniel 11:36 corresponds to the prophetic statements recorded in Daniel 7:8, 20, 25 and Revelation 13:5-6 since these passages reveal that the Antichrist will issue statements against God.
In Daniel 7, the little horn refers to the Antichrist since it is identified with the Revived Roman Empire and in Daniel 7:19-26, he is described as waging war against God’s people up to the time of the Second Advent of Christ, which corresponds to the depiction of the Antichrist in Revelation (Daniel 7:11, 20-26; 8:25; Revelation 13:1-10; 19:20).
In Daniel 7:25, the interpreter tells Daniel that the little horn will speak out against God Himself so when Daniel says that the little horn was speaking boastfully in Daniel 7:8 and 20, it is in relation to God.
The angel informs Daniel that this king will issue statements against the Most High.
This interprets the statement in Daniel 7:8 and 20 that the little horn spoke boastfully and this corresponds to Revelation 13:6.
Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar’s, Babylon’s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. 2 Daniel began to speak and said, “I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven’s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. 3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. 4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle’s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. 5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird’s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. 7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. 8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being’s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. 9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. 10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. 11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. 12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. 13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. 14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed.” 15 As for me, Daniel, my soul was distressed in the midst of my body. Specifically, the visions in my mind caused me to be terrified. 16 I went up to one from those standing nearby in order to request from him the truth regarding all this. Consequently, he spoke to me in order to make known to me the interpretation of these events. 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings, who will arise from the earth’s inhabitants. 18 However, the saints belonging to the Most High will receive the kingdom. Indeed, they will possess the kingdom throughout eternity, yes throughout eternity, the ages.’ 19 Then, I desired to know the meaning concerning the fourth beast which was different from all the others, extraordinarily intimidating, its two rows of teeth composed of iron as well as its claws composed of bronze. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. 20 Also, I desired to know the meaning concerning the ten horns which were on its head as well as the one which emerged and in addition three fell by being in the presence of it. Specifically, that horn possessing eyes as well as a mouth making it a habit of speaking boastfully. Indeed, its appearance was more distinguished than its contemporaries. 21 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them 22 until the One Ancient in Days intervened. Specifically, He rendered judgment in favor of the Most High’s saints. Then, the moment arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. 23 Thus, he said, ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all these kingdoms in the sense that it will devour the entire earth. Specifically, it will trample it down so that it crushes it. 24 Also, the ten horns are ten kings who will arise from this kingdom. Then, another will arise after them. However, he will be different in comparison to the previous ones. Specifically, he will conquer three kings. 25 Furthermore, he will issue statements against the Most High. Also, he will make it his habit of persecuting the Most High’s saints as well as attempting to change the times, yes even the Law. Indeed, they will be given into his power for a period of a time, times and a half a time.” (My translation)
Revelation 13:1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (NASB95)