Daniel 11

Introduction and Review

Throughout Daniel we see an outline of prophecy from Daniel’s day to the end of history. The first outline was given in Daniel two and enlarged upon in Daniel seven. More information was given in chapters eight and nine. In chapter ten through twelve, God covers the same ground giving even greater detail. The same outline of kingdoms is followed–but now individual kings and their actions will be seen. Though there is much detail, the essential outline is easily discerned.

The most important detail we will discover in this lesson will pertain to Messiah the Prince. As we see the events surrounding His entrance into human history described, our hearts will be touched. His love goes far beyond a mere depiction of detail. His willingness to enter human history and give His life for lost humanity provides hope and healing.

Read

Daniel 10:21 NKJV

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.

Daniel 11:1–2 ESV

“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. “And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.

1. What do we see Michael the Prince doing?

Note: In Daniel ten, Michael had strengthened and assisted the angel Gabriel in a behind-the-scenes battle concerning God’s prophetic time line. Not only did He strengthen Daniel, he also moved on the heart of Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem. This chapter finds Him strengthening Darius who also was instrumental in assisting His people.

2. Who are the Persian kings pictured in verse two?

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of the kings of Persia, but rather a list of important key players as they relate to God’s prophetic time line.

• Cambyses (530-522 BC)

• Bardiyya or False Smerdis (522 BC)

• Darius I Hystaspes (522-486 B.C).

• Xerxes (486-465 BC)

(known in the Bible as Ahasuerus, the husband of Queen Esther)

Note: Xerxes was very rich and used his wealth in architecture, art and military pursuits. He “stirred up” the Greeks humiliating them in the famous battle of Salamis (480 BC). They never forgot this humiliation. Over a hundred years later they would seek revenge.

Read Daniel 11:3-4

Daniel 11:3–4 NKJV

Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.

3. Who was the “mighty king” that overcame the Medo-Persian Empire?

Daniel 8:21–22 NKJV

And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.

Alexander the Great

overcame the Persians in a series of battles.

Verse four describes the breakup of Greece. Alexander was “broken” (same word seen in Dan. 8:8,22) and his kingdom wasn’t given to his “posterity” (his family) but rather, after twenty-five years of struggle, it was divided among his four gen-erals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus.

A military genius, Alexander effectively utilized his own Greek forces as well as soldiers from other nations. He organized them according to their own nationality, communicating with them by his own physical presence and bravery.

The core of his war machine was the “Greek Phalynx” first developed by his father. The Phalynx was an innovative infantry unit that utilized multiple rows of infantry equipped with long spears. The front line of this unit would engage the enemy, plunging their spears into opponents. Immediately the next line of infantry would make its way to the front doing the same thing. The Phalynx would literally walk over enemies. In addition, because the spears were so long, they were especially effective against horsemen who had in the past wrecked havoc on infantrymen.

Read Daniel 11:5

Daniel 11:5 NKJV

“Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion.

4. Which of these four generals eventually became the most powerful?

The Ptolemaic empire of Egypt in the south and the Seleucid empire in the north eventually became the most powerful of the four kingdoms.

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The terms “king of the north” and “king of the south” thus appear frequently in Daniel eleven.

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They designate those countries or kingdoms in power, which were physically located to the north or south of Palestine, the dwelling place for God’s people.

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Here the angel portrays God’s people caught between the great struggles of opposing powers that Satan manipulates for his own ends. They could literally see God’s plan for history fulfilled as the opposing sides passed before them.

Let’s take a closer look at the details of verse five.

Ptolemy I Soter (323-280 BC) was strong right from the start.

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The prince who would become strong was Seleucus I Nictator, who was driven out of the north.

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Seleucus I, who was originally a captain in the army of Alexander the Great, was forced to flee to Egypt where Ptolemy I Soter helped him.

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Seleucus I Nictator was outfitted with another army and eventually retook the Seleucid Empire, making himself “king of the north” and master of most of Alexander’s original empire dominating Babylon, Media, Macedonia and Thrace.

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This is why the text says that he had “great dominion” and that he was “strong above him.”

Read Daniel 11:6

Daniel 11:6 NKJV

And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.

5. How did they “join forces?” What can we learn from this history?

Around 250 BC, King Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt (king of the south) tried to guarantee peace by having King Antiochus II marry his daughter Berenice. The problem with this was that Antiochus II was already married. He had to divorce his wife, Laodice, to marry Berenice.

6. Did this divorce and remarriage really solve problems?

When Ptolemy II died, Antiochus divorced Berenice, and took back Laodice his original wife.

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However, Laodice was bitter, so she had Antiochus, Berenice, their son, and Berenice’s attendants, all killed. This fulfilled what the angel had told Daniel some 300 years in advance.

Read Daniel 11:7-8

Daniel 11:7–8 NKJV

But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail. And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.

7. How did Berenice’s relatives relate to this injustice?

In response to what Antiochus II had done, King Ptolemy III Eurgetes (246-221 BC), Berenice’s brother (“from the branch of her roots”), invaded Syria to avenge his sister’s death.

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He took his army all the way to Babylon (“the fortress of the king of the North”) before voluntarily pulling back. His navy occupied Selecia the capital city, and for some time Egypt dominated eastern Mediterranean ship-ping.

In the process of winning, Ptolemy III Euergetes recaptured some 2,500 gold and silver Egyptian images or “gods” from the king of the north returning them to Egypt. This is where Ptolemy III got the name “Euergetes” which literally means “great benefactor.”

Read Daniel 11:9

Daniel 11:9 NKJV

“Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.

Seleucus II, the king of the north came down and attacked Ptolemy III Euergetes, but he wasn’t successful, and had to return to his land.

Read Daniel 11:10-12

Daniel 11:10–12 NKJV

However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife. “And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy. When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.

Now read these verses again with the explanation included in the text:

“His sons [Seleucus II’s sons were: Seleucus III, Ceraunus, and Antiochus III Magnus] shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall come on and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his [Ptolemy IV] fortress.

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Then the king of the south [Ptolemy IV] moved with anger, shall come out and fight with the king of the north [Antiochus III]; and he [Anti-ochus III] shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his [Ptolemy’s] hand [at the Battle of Raphia].

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And when the multitude is taken [that is, Antio-chus’s army is defeated], his [Ptolemy’s] heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.”

Interesting facts about the Battle of Raphia (alluded to in verse 12):

Antiochus III came well equipped to the battle with about 70,000 foot soldiers, 6,000 cavalry, and 180 trained war elephants. However in the battle he lost 10,000 men and had 4,000 of his troops taken captive. His opponent, Ptolemy, lost by comparison only 1,500 of his men. As you might imagine, this victory caused Ptolemy’s heart to be “exalted” (verse 12).

As a result of this pride, Ptolemy decided to celebrate by entering the temple in Jerusalem and offering sacrifices. The Jews however, would not allow him into the holy place. He became extremely angry and as a result, on his return to Egypt killed 60,000 Jews in Alexandria. He did indeed literally “cast down tens of thou-sands” (verse 12).

You would think that after his great success, Ptolemy would have gone back and finished Antiochus III off for good–thus becoming the king of the south and north. But instead he went home and indulged himself in many lusts and he died at the age of 37. Often, selfish pursuits become the downfall of powerful men and women throughout history.

8. According to history, what did Antiochus III do after this?

“After a lengthy period of Seleucud weakness and decline, Antiochus III enjoyed comparative success in his military campaigns against his neighbors. From 212 to 205 BC, he successfully reduced the Parthian king to vassaldom, thereby earning for himself a title of ‘Great.’”

(William H. Shea, “The Abundant Life Bible Ampli-fier, Daniel 7-12”, 1996, pg. 129.)

Read Daniel 11:13-14

Daniel 11:13–14 NKJV

For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment. “Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall fall.

As verse 13 indicates, Antiochus III, the king of the north eventually raised a great army well provisioned with “abundant supplies” and again attacked Egypt. The Battle of Paraeus occurred in 198 BC. Antiochus III completely overwhelmed Ptolemy V.

9. Why was Antiochus so successful?

Note: The first part of verse 14 provides the answer:

“In those times many shall rise against the king of the south.”

The reasons for the fall of Ptolemy:

• Ptolemy V, a boy of six years of age, was on the throne as “king of the south.” As you might imagine, it was next to impossible for a six-year-old to effectively keep track of the kingdom.

• According to the Rosetta Stone, there was great civil unrest in Egypt, with the Egyptians openly rebelling against the regents of the boy king. (Regents were those who were to rule the kingdom until the young king matured.)

• A secret confederacy with Philip V of Macedonia allowed Antiochus III to at-tack Egypt without fear of being attacked by Philip from the rear. They agreed to a division between them of the spoils of war.

• While this victory was most certainly satisfying to Antiochus III, it also got the attention of another major power that was beginning to influence the world. This was the power of Rome.

Read Daniel 11:14-15

Daniel 11:14–15 NKJV

“Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall fall. So the king of the North shall come and build a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist.

10. Who were the “violent men of your people” described in these verses? Who was it that drove them out of Judea?

Note: According to the Hebrew scholar Bill Shea,

this verse should be literally translated:

“the sons of the breakers of your people were taken away.”

11. Who were the “breakers” of Daniel’s people? What would Daniel have said?

The Egyptians, who had oppressed and “broken” God’s people, were re-moved from Syria and Judea by Antiochus III at the battle of Paneas (198 BC).

In addition, verse 15 seems to describe the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In 169 BC he fought against Egypt and was successful in conquering Pelusium and the eastern half of the delta. He returned to Syria for the winter of 169 BC plan-ning to return and continue his campaign in the spring.

Read Daniel 11:16

Daniel 11:16 NKJV

But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power.

12. Who responded to the unwise action of Antiochus Epiphanes?

Who is the next major power we’d expect to see in Daniel 11?

We’ve seen Medo-Persia and we’ve seen Greece. The next power would be Rome. How did Rome enter the political picture?

Dr. Bill Shea brings another interesting detail to our attention: “He who comes [or ‘the invader’ in the NIV] against [unto] him shall do according to his own will” [Rome].

Antiochus IV Epiphanes’ activities had brought him into disfavor with Rome. Knowing of his plans to again attack Egypt, they sent a diplomat by the name of C. Popilius Laenas. He came “unto” him (as a diplomat), not “against” him (with an army). Those that contend that Antiochus IV Epiphanes was such a great power must deal with the fact that he was driven out of Egypt as a result of the simple diplomatic pressure of a single Roman ambassador.

13. We have seen that Rome first entered the political landscape through diplomacy. How did they become physically involved in the region?

The Roman general, Pompey, made a conquest of “the glorious land” (Palestine) some years later.

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In 63 BC, Pompey attacked and besieged Jerusalem for three months attacking only on the Sabbath. He found that they would not defend their city on the seventh day Sabbath. Finally the city fell.

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Upon entering the city, he was encouraged by his troops to enter into the Most Holy Place of the temple. This he did, but to his astonishment and chagrin he found nothing there. However, as a result of this desecration the Jews hated the Romans. Just as prophecy had predicted, Rome had come and was now standing in the “glorious land.”

Read Daniel 11:17-19

Daniel 11:17–19 NKJV

“He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, or be for him. After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him. Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

14. Who was the next major Roman general described after Pompey?

These verses portray Julius Caesar and his affair with “the daughter of women,” Queen Cleopatra of Egypt.

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His later exploits in frontier areas of “the coastlands” (Bosporus, North Africa & Spain) are described. Julius Caesar was insufferably insolent. Though he was a military genius, he could be a butcher.

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He alienated the Roman senate by attempting to replace the Roman republican form of government with a dictatorship.

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Verse 19 refers to his assassination in 44 BC at the hands of fellow Romans lead by G. Crassius Longinus. After the demise of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra fled back to Egypt where she later died of a snakebite. In this way she would “not stand” just as the Scriptures indicated.

Read Daniel 11:20

Daniel 11:20 NKJV

“There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.

15. Who was the ruler in Rome who imposed taxes on Israel?

Caesar Augustus followed Julius Caesar. As predicted, he was a “raiser of taxes.” “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cae-sar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed” Luke 2:1-3. This taxing was first done when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

As a result of his charismatic leadership, registration, and light taxation–Caesar Augustus established the “Pax Romana,” or the Roman peace. Just as Scripture predicted, he died of old age, and not in battle.

Read Daniel 11:21-22

Daniel 11:21–22 NKJV

And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.

16. Who is the ruler who is described as a “vile person?”

Tiberius Caesar came after Caesar Augustus.

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History indicates that he was a pedophile (“a vile person”), who ended up becoming the adopted son of Augustus Caesar.

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He manipulated his way to the throne and was in power when Jesus was baptized (see Luke 3:1) and when Jesus was crucified. Rome hated him, and he eventually moved out of Rome and spent his final days on a secluded island ruling through letters and messengers.

The first part of verse 22 adds an additional detail concerning the life of Tiberius: “And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him and shall be broken.” Tiberius Caesar was famous for a number of military conquests. His enemies were often swept away in the face of his withering attacks.

Read Daniel 11:22

Daniel 11:22 NKJV

With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.

17. Who is the Prince of the covenant?

The word used for “prince,” “nagid” in this passage is the same one that is used in Daniel 9:24-27.

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In those passages we’ve see that it applied to none other than Messiah the Prince (Jesus) who “confirmed” the covenant with humanity and was “cut off” or “broken” for you and for me.

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Of all the details we’ve covered in this chapter, this is by far the most important detail we’ve found in the entire prophecy.

18. How does our Prince tie the entire prophecy together?

Commitment Questions

We have seen in the book of Daniel that God has portrayed the events of history in both broad strokes as well as revealing the details of world affairs which affected His people.

a. Do you desire to turn over the details of your life to your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?

God foretold in detail, the brokenness of human history. As Messiah the Prince He would enter human history and be broken for each person, individually. As a result, our Prince will again stand for His people.

b. Do you desire to commit your life fully to Him?

Next Time

In our next study we will conclude our fascinating study of the book of Daniel. We will see the sanctuary theme continued into the book of Revelation. We will also see a picture of the end of time and the conclusion of the great controversy, which is so much the theme of Daniel.