Rachel Workman: I included my reading at the end of today’s
reading. It’s a lot of commentary if you’re interested in digging a little deeper.
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John Burnett:
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. 37 He
will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by
women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a
god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and
silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He 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.[a]
40 “At
the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and
the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry
and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through
them like a flood. 41 He
will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but
Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his
hand. 42 He
will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the
treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans
and Cushites[b] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the
north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and
annihilate many. 45 He
will pitch his royal tents between the seas at[c] the beautiful holy
mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him. We
know that the king mentioned in verse 36 is the antichrist and we know the
Beautiful Land is Israel, which he will invade during the great tribulation
(last 3 1/2 years of the 7 year tribulation). Thankfully those of us who
have repented of our sins and have put our trust in Jesus Christ will not have
to face this horrible time on earth. Those who come to Christ after the
rapture will face persecution like no other time on earth at the hands of this
king described here in Daniel. The last line should remind us that Jesus
Christ has already won the victory in this battle when He returns and takes
over to reign of His kingdom.
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Allen Michaels: 21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given
the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure,
and he will seize it through intrigue. Seleucus IV
was succeeded by his brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who found favor with the
Romans. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept
away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. The “overwhelming army” refers to the way all opposition
against Antiochus IV will be broken. The “prince of the covenant” may be the
high priest Onias III, who was assassinated by Menelaus in 170 B.C. 23 After
coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few
people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces
feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor
his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his
followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.
The next king of Syria was a
very unpleasant king. He was called Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His name meant a
god who had become a man. Some of his people called him Antiochus Empimanes.
That means mad man. He became king because he cheated. And he told lies. Then
he defeated other nations for the same reasons. He was a very powerful king who
did evil things. He did worse things than the kings before him did. But God
only allowed him to do this for a certain time.
25 “With a large army
he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The
king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he
will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those
who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be
swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings,
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. These two treacherous kings were probably Antiochus IV of
Syria and Ptolemy VI of Egypt. Treachery and deceit are a power broker’s way to
position himself over someone else. When two power brokers try to gain the
upper hand, it is a mutually weakening and self-destructive process. It is also
futile because God ultimately holds all power in his hands. 28 The
king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his
heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and
then return to his own country.
29 “At the appointed
time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be
different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western
coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and
vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those
who forsake the holy covenant. 31 “His armed forces will rise
up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Antiochus IV, on his way back would plunder Jerusalem,
desecrate the temple, and stop the Jew’s daily sacrifices. The temple was
desecrated when he sacrificed pigs on an altar erected in honor of Zeus.
According to Jewish law, pigs were unclean and were not to be touched or eaten.
To sacrifice a pig in the temple was the worst6 kind of insult an enemy could
level against the Jews. Then they will set up the abomination
that causes desolation. I attached this link that
goes into great detail about “the abomination that causes desolation” as it is
mentioned three times in Daniel, and Jesus speaks of it in Matthew. http://www.compellingtruth.
33 “Those who are
wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be
burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will
receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Those who are wise will teach many, but they will also face
great persecution. Difficult times remind us of our weaknesses and our
inability to cope. We want answers, leadership, and clear direction. During
these times, God’s Word begins to interest even those who would never look at
it. We should be ready to use our opportunities to share God’s Word in needy
times. We must also be prepared to face persecution and rejection as we teach
and preach. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so
that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end,
for it will still come at the appointed time. Some people stayed loyal to God. They
tried to teach other people to be loyal too. Many people died because they were
loyal to God. God will reward these people in heaven. He only allowed Antiochus
to do his evil things for a certain time. This lasted for about 6 years.
God’s messenger described a time of trial
when even wise believers may stumble. This could mean (1) falling into sin, (2)
being fearful and losing faith, (3) mistakenly following wrong teaching, or (4)
experiencing severe suffering and martyrdom. If we persevere in our faith, any
such experience will only refine us and make us stronger. Are we facing trials?
We must recognize them as opportunities to strengthen our faith. If we remain
steadfast in these experiences, we will be stronger in our faith and closer to
God.
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Tomorrow’s reading for Daniel 12:1-13
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who
protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has
not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your
people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will
awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the
heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and
ever. 4 But
you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end.
Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
5 Then I,
Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the
river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One
of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the
river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
7 The man clothed in linen, who was
above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward
heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for
a time, times and half a time.[b] When the power of the holy people has been
finally broken, all these things will be completed.”8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
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The remainder of my reading: The king of the north mentioned in verses Daniel 11:36-45 is the same King from the North (also known as the stern-faced king or the horn power) that was introduced in Daniel 8. Notice how this point is demonstrated. Verse 35 points to the appointed time of the end, and verse 36 describes a king who will be successful until the time of wrath is completed. "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. 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." (Daniel 11:35,36)
- Who is the "king" in verse 36? Part of the answer is found in the timing of this verse. The king to whom this verse applies is the king who "is successful until the time of wrath is completed . . ." When does the time of wrath occur? We learned from Daniel 8 that the horn power from the north (the stern-faced king) will appear during the appointed time of the end, which is a time of wrath. "He [Gabriel] said: ‘I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.’ " (Daniel 8:19, italics mine) Revelation indicates the Great Tribulation will be a time of wrath for everyone. People who obey God’s Word will suffer persecution from Babylon. (Revelation 13:5) People who obey Babylon’s laws and the Antichrist will suffer God’s wrath. (Revelation 14:9,10) Therefore, the appointed time of the end is a time of wrath for everyone. The Great Tribulation consists of two segments of time. The seven trumpets will last 1,260 days. The seven-trumpet judgments of Revelation will be a time of invitation and mercy for those who have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. The seven bowls will follow the seven trumpets. They will last for seventy-five days and will contain no mercy. During the seven bowls, God’s wrath will be poured out upon all who receive the mark of the beast. When the seven last plagues are completed, God’s wrath will end. "I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues – last, because with them God’s wrath is completed." (Revelation 15:1) When these facts are aligned, we are left with one conclusion. The king mentioned in Daniel 11:36 must be the horn power of Daniel 8 (the Antichrist), because he will be successful until the time of wrath is completed. The time of wrath occurs during the appointed time of the end, which is also called the Great Tribulation. (Daniel 12:1)
- The king of the north will be successful even though he demands obedience to religious beliefs that are contrary to every religion on Earth! Remember, God empowers the stern-faced king, allowing him to have a moment of glorious deception. (Daniel 8:24; Revelation 13:14) Daniel 11:36 says, "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. . . ." Compare Daniel’s words with those of the apostle Paul: "Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4, italics mine) The Antichrist is called "the man of lawlessness" or "the man of sin" (KJV) because the Bible says, "The king will do as he pleases." He will be accountable to no one! He will be capricious, temperamental and arbitrary. No one can stop him or prevent him from saying or doing the evil he wants. The devil will stand in opposition to all religions of the world. Daniel says, "He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods." Paul says, "He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (Italics mine) Remember the comments about the stern-faced king in Daniel 8:24. "He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people." The coming Antichrist has no equal in past history. He will appear during the time of wrath, the Great Tribulation. This modern king of Babylon will successfully oppose the religions of the world because God will empower him (just as He empowered the ancient king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar) to establish a one-world government. This coming king can be none other than the Antichrist, the devil masquerading as God.
- If there is any doubt remaining on the identity of this king, notice this verse: "At the time of the end the king of the south will engage him in battle, and the king of the north will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood." (Daniel 11:40, italics mine) The king of the north will gain control over all of his adversaries at the time of the end. We know the horn power in Daniel 8 will come from the north, will appear during the appointed time of the end, will destroy many people, will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and will blaspheme the God of Heaven. Only one being can meet these specifications. That being is Lucifer, the Antichrist.
A New Series of Wars
We know this vision covers a series of great wars. The last segment of this vision focuses on the wars that will occur during the time of wrath (the Great Tribulation). The Bible predicts the king of the north will wage war against the saints and will conquer them. (Revelation 13:7) The devil will be invincible for a period of time. He will destroy those who oppose him (the kingdom of the south). God grants this authority to Lucifer for two reasons. First, God raises up a destroyer to destroy those who pass the point of no return. Second, God empowers Lucifer for a season because He wants a watching universe to see what dominion under a sinful being like Lucifer would be like. God wants the universe to see how sin affects authority. Because Lucifer is the embodiment of sin, his actions will demonstrate what any sinner would do if given enough time and power. The contrast will be profound. If God were not a God of love, His reign over the universe would resemble Lucifer’s horrible reign on Earth. If we ponder this thought for just a moment, every Christian should rejoice to know that God is nothing like Lucifer. God is love! With these things said, my commentary begins with verse 36:Daniel 11:36-39 (KJV) – Part I
"And the king [of the North] shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain." (Insertion mine)Interlaced Commentary on Part I
"Gabriel said, ‘Daniel, I must tell you more about the stern-faced king from the north; the horn power you saw in the earlier vision of Daniel 8. When the devil physically appears on Earth personating Christ, he will claim to be God. Masquerading as God, he will receive honor from the religions of the world. They will believe that he is God. [Note: Lucifer is called the king of the north in this section of the vision for two reasons. First, as a point on the compass, north symbolizes God’s dwelling place – on the sides of the north. (Isaiah 14:13, KJV) North also represents the direction from which divine destruction comes. Like Nebuchadnezzar, the ancient king of Babylon, Lucifer, the modern king of Babylon, will inflict destruction on those people who have rejected God’s truth. Second, in the first portion of this prophecy, Israel was caught between two great rivals – the kings from the north and south. In the last days, God’s people will again be caught between two great rivals; the people who believe the devil is God (followers of the king of the north) and people who refuse to submit to the demands of Lucifer (followers of the king of the south).] The opposition of men will not slow Lucifer for long. The devil will do as he pleases, for no one can stop him. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god known to man and will say unheard-of things against the Most High God. He will succeed mightily until the seven bowls are completed, for what has been predetermined by the Most High God will occur.Daniel, because of apostasy, Israel rebelled against the God of their forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Similarly, when Lucifer appears, the religious wicked will do the same thing. They will abandon the gods of their fathers and worship this new "living" god. The devil will have no regard for Christ, the Holy One of Israel, which every virgin in Israel hopes to bear. The devil will exalt himself above them all. Be warned. The king of the north will appear as a glorious god-man – subject to no law or authority created by man. He is called the man of lawlessness because he will not be subject to any law and will demand that people obey his commandments. Instead of respecting the gods of the religions that people know and trust, he will demand the establishment of a new, one-world religion. He will exalt himself as lord of lords and king of kings. He will use force when and where necessary to consolidate the world under his authority. He will demand that all people obey his laws or be killed. A one-world religion has not existed since Adam and Eve sinned, but it will come. Everyone who refuses to submit to the demands of the devil will be targets of persecution. Be prepared. At the appointed time (fifth trumpet), the devil will appear on Earth and consolidate the world’s seven religious systems into one colossal organization. He will exalt and honor himself by receiving gold and silver, precious stones, and costly gifts.
When Lucifer has gained a great following, he will fiercely attack the brave people who have remained faithful to the Most High. The 144,000 and their disciples will resist the devil’s schemes. Great numbers of people will be deceived and join the devil in rebellion against the clearest evidence of God’s truth. The world has not seen anything like this since the time of Noah’s flood. The devil will bestow great honor on the leaders of Earth who acknowledge him to be God. The devil and his angels will slaughter a third of mankind during the sixth trumpet war. When the devil dissolves the political and religious boundaries of the world, he will set up ten puppet kings over the people of Earth. Lucifer will honor people who participate in his evil ways by distributing the land to the highest bidder.’ "
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