DANIEL LESSON 13
We will continue in Daniel 11:25 "And he shall stir up his power
and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and
the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great
and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast
devices against him."
The king of the south is; again probably, speaking of the king of
Egypt. The leader of the war against Egypt, here, is, probably,
Epiphenes {Antiochus}. In this battle, they advance as far as Memphis.
Ptolemy was the leader of the Egyptians.
Daniel 11:26 "Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat
shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall
down slain."
It seemed, that treachery within their own ranks caused their
great defeat. Ptolemy was taken prisoner by his uncle, and his brother
took over the reign.
Daniel 11:27 "And both these kings' hearts [shall be] to do
mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not
prosper: for yet the end [shall be] at the time appointed."
It appears, the two kings mentioned, here, dine at the same
table. They both lie to each other. They, both, will soon face the
Romans. They were unsuccessful with all their lies.
Daniel 11:28 "Then shall he return into his land with great
riches; and his heart [shall be] against the holy covenant; and he
shall do [exploits], and return to his own land."
It was Epiphanes that plundered the temple, and carried the
treasures home.
Daniel 11:29 "At the time appointed he shall return, and come
toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the
latter."
It appears as if, Ptolemy and his brother have settled their
differences this time, and the Syrians find a different situation than
they expected.
Daniel 11:30 "For the ships of Chittim shall come against him:
therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation
against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and
have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant."
This has suddenly mentioned the Romans. They are opposed to
Epiphanes going any further into Egypt. Rome has, at this time, become
very powerful, and the Syrians listen to them, and go no further into
Egypt. About this time, there was a systematic attempt to destroy the
Jews and Judaism. They all believed, if they could destroy the
religion of the Jews, they could completely take them over.
Daniel 11:31 "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall
pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily
[sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh
desolate."
This was an attempt to stop the worship of God. They would
immediately stop the daily sacrificing and worshipping of the One True
God. Antiochus had forbidden daily sacrifices. They, probably, erected
an altar of Jupiter in the place, where the daily sacrifices had
previously been made.
Daniel 11:32 "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall
he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall
be strong, and do [exploits]."
The people of God shall become even stronger, because of this
persecution. Some of the priests had been influenced wrongly by the
flatteries.
Daniel 11:33 "And they that understand among the people shall
instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by
captivity, and by spoil, [many] days."
Those who truly knew God instructed others one on one. Even their
great faith did not save them from being killed by the sword. Those
the sword did not get, the fire did.
Daniel 11:34 "Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with
a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries."
Even those who had been influenced by the flattery, helped those
who were fallen. The things that happened immediately, prior to the
coming of Messiah, are actually a shadow of things in the end time. We
might say that Epiphanes was a type of the little horn {antichrist}.
Daniel 11:35 "And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to
try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time
of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed."
This has jumped to the time of the end. Those who are tried here,
are speaking of the Christians. "White" indicates righteousness. I
Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than
of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found
unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" In
this life, we have tribulation as we read in the next verse. Acts
14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter
into the kingdom of God." The word "purge" means examine, select, or
cleanse. It, also, means to make pure. Jesus is coming back for a
bride [church} that is without spot or wrinkle. Our prayer should be,
"Oh Lord, purge me and make me white as snow".
Daniel 11:36 "And the king shall do according to his will; and he
shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall
speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper
till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined
shall be done."
This is speaking of that evil ruler, we call the antichrist. He
will obtain power for a very short 7 years. He will proclaim himself
god, and demand all to bow down and worship him. He is in rebellion
against God and all of God's followers. God determines all things. God
allows him to do all of this for a short period. It is part of God's
plan. The great tribulation is divided into two 3 1/2 year periods.
The first 3 1/2 years are tribulation, and the last 3 1/2 years are
spoken of as the wrath of God. Christians are saved from the wrath.
Daniel 11:37 "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."
The fact that the God of his fathers is mentioned, leads me to
believe he is of Hebrew descent. He is either a eunuch, or a
homosexual, or just a woman hater. The woman symbolizes the church
throughout the Bible. This could, also, mean he does not regard
Christianity. He is centered on self. He has no regard for any god.
He proclaims himself god. II Thessalonians 2:4 "Who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;
so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that
he is God." He is not God. He just wants to be God. He is
antichrist. He is opposed to Christ. I John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he
that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth
the Father and the Son."
Daniel 11:38 "But in his estate shall he honour the God of
forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold,
and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things."
He places his trust in force and power. He is not a man of faith.
Material things mean a great deal to him. The antichrist system is a
counterfeit of God. Just as God the Father, God the Word, and God the
Holy Spirit make up the One in God; the antichrist, false prophet, and
the beast make up the antichrist system. His power comes from great
wealth and power to cause people to take the mark of the beast. The
antichrist will be a man of great financial connections. The false
prophet will be someone pretending to be representing the church. The
beast is something that gives the antichrist power to number the
people. There is a master computer, today, that has the power to keep
track of all worldly transactions. Strangely enough, it is named the
beast.
Daniel 11:39 "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."
There will be great alliances with this antichrist. In fact, the
first 3 1/2 years, it will seem as if he is the answer to the world's
problems. Most people believe the world's problems are financial. If
he were to release great wealth into the land, he could momentarily
cause prosperity. It would seem to be the answer to the problems. This
man will have to be someone who controls the greatest part of the
money in the world. There will come a time, when it will not be
necessary to have paper money. Everyone will have a number, and can
transact with that number. Revelation 13:16 "And he causeth all, both
small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand, or in their foreheads:" Revelation 13:17 "And that
no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of
the beast, or the number of his name." The transfer of value could be
handled electronically by the computer.
Daniel 11:40 "And at the time of the end shall the king of the
south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him
like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many
ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and
pass over."
The king of the south could be Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, or any
other country south of Israel. The king of the north, here, could be
the area we used to call Russia, or any other country north of Israel.
Notice, it appears the king of the north and the king of the south are
both against the same man. This reminds me very much of the army in
Ezekiel chapter 38.
Daniel 11:41 "He shall enter also into the glorious land, and
many [countries] shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of
his hand, [even] Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of
Ammon."
Notice, this centers in the holy land {Israel}.
Daniel 11:42 "He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the
countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape."
This powerful ruler that has set himself up as god in the temple
in Jerusalem, has control over many armies and many countries. At one
point, they will all be subject to him.
Daniel 11:43 "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold
and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the
Libyans and the Ethiopians [shall be] at his steps."
We had mentioned earlier, that this was a man of great wealth and
power. Nothing will be withheld from him. This ruler is against
Christ, and all the believers in Christ. Many nations feel the same
way he does about the Christians and Christ.
Daniel 11:44 "But tidings out of the east and out of the north
shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to
destroy, and utterly to make away many."
Any hint of any country being opposed to him, would bring their
sudden destruction. He will set himself up to be ruler of the whole
earth.
Daniel 11:45 "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace
between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to
his end, and none shall help him."
The palace of the antichrist will be in Israel. Specifically
here, it speaks of it being just away from the Mediterranean. The holy
mountain is in Jerusalem. God will fight this antichrist. He will be
overthrown by God.
Daniel 13 Questions
1. The king of the south, in verse 1, is speaking of the king of
__________.
2. Who was the leader against Egypt?
3. How far into Egypt did they advance?
4. What does verse 26 indicate was going on?
5. What happened to Ptolemy?
6. What do the two evil kings' lies accomplish?
7. Who plundered the temple, and took the treasures home?
8. What caused the Syrians to have a more difficult time against
Ptolemy?
9. Who is verse 30 speaking of?
10. Why did the Syrians turn back, and not go deeper into Egypt?
11. About this time, there was a systematic attempt to destroy the
_____ and __________.
12. ____________ had forbidden daily sacrifices.
13. What false god did they erect an altar to?
14. What made the people of God even stronger than they had been?
15. Their great faith did not keep them protected from what?
16. Verse 35 jumps to what time?
17. Who are the tried in verse 35?
18. White indicates _____________.
19. Quote 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 7.
20. Quote Acts chapter 14 verse 22.
21. What does "purge" mean?
22. What should be the prayer of Christians?
23. Quote Daniel chapter 11 verse 36.
24. Who is this speaking of?
25. How long will he be in power?
26. The great tribulation is divided how?
27. What does the statement "God of his fathers" indicate?
28. This antichrist is either a _________, _________, or a woman
hater.
29. Who could be the woman he hates?
30. He is centered on _______.
31. Quote 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 4.
32. Quote 1 John chapter 2 verse 22.
33. What does he place his trust in?
34. What, or who, make up the antichrist system?
35. Who will the antichrist be?
36. Who will the false prophet be?
37. What will the beast be?
38. What will the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation be like?
39. Quote Revelation chapter 13 verses 16 and 17.
40. Quote Daniel chapter 11 verse 43.
41. Where will the palace of the antichrist be?
42. Who will overthrow the antichrist?
Home