The Kings of the North and South; the Great Warfare— Conflicts and Conquests Daniel 11

The Kings of the North and South; the Great Warfare—Conflicts and Conquests

Daniel 11

Daniel 11:1

“Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I,

even I, stood up to confirm and

strengthen him.”

Time Period

“And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in

Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all

against the realm of Greece.”

Daniel 11:2

Three Kings of Persia

Speaker Helping Michael

• Verse 1 really belongs at the end of chapter 10.

• Reconfirming that the things revealed are truth—and what is coming also is.

• Explaining how he had helped Michael, the archangel, in the first year that Darius was on the Persian court.

Three Persian Kings

• Three kings will follow Cyrus.

• The fourth will be richer than the others.– Cyrus: 539—530 B.C. (in power now)– Cambyses: 530-–522 B.C. (1st)– Smerdis: 522—521 B.C. (2nd)– Darius Hystaspis: 521—486 B.C. (3rd)

(Darius I)– Xerxes: 486—465 B.C. (4th)

(Xerxes I or Ahasuerus)

• This king would “become strong.”– He would spend his wealth on building and

maintaining an army.– He would stir up (all) against Greece..– He, in so doing, sounds the death knell of

the Persian Empire.– Alexander the Great, from Greece will

stand up!

King Xerxes

“Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.”

Daniel 11:3

A Mighty King

“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.”

Daniel 11:4

Kingdom Defeated

Alexander the Great

• Grecian King is unmistakably Alexander the Great (356—323 B.C.).– Mighty—one of the greatest military minds– Ruled with great dominion– “Do according to his will”– Would conqueror much of the known world– Would die at an early age--32– Died at the height of his power– Died of fever after a ten-day battle

• He left no heir.• Sons, Hercules and Alexander, along with his

wife, were killed shortly after Alexander’s death.• He had many generals.• “Divided into four winds”—3-5 years later

– Antigonus—Mediterranean to central Asia– Cassander—ruled Macedonia– Ptolemy—ruled Egypt and Southern Syria– Lysimachus—ruler of Thrace

Following Alexander’s Death

• The kingdoms into which Alexander’s empire was divided would not have the same sovereignty that he held.

• Rulers would have leadership inferior to his.

• The four-fold kingdom, and the petty dynasties that would arise from them would be plucked up.

• “Other kingdoms”—other than these four

• Consider again Daniel 8:1-8.

Following Alexander’s Death

“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.”

Daniel 11:5

King of the South

King of the South

• The “king of the south” was Ptolemy I.

• He was a Macedonian.

• One of Alexander’s capable generals

• He obtained Egypt after Alexander’s death.

• Ruled as satrap from 322—305 B.C.

• The “prince” shall be stronger—Prince of Ptolemy—Seleucus Nicator—first of the Seleucids

• Seleucus was an officer in Alexander’s army.

• He received the satrapy of Babylonia in 321 B.C.

• He fled from Babylon when Antigonus took Babylonia from him.

• Seleucus then came to Ptolemy and appointed him as a general.

• Seleucus recovered Babylon from Antigonus in 321 B.C.; thus, began the era of the Seleucids.

King of the South

“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...”

Daniel 11:6

King of the South/North

“... 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.”

King of the North/South

Daniel 11:6

• Ptolemy I succeeded by his son, Ptolemy II, in 283 B.C.

• Seleucus Nicator was murdered in 281 B.C.

• Succeeded by his son Antiochus I

• Reference in verse probably to Ptolemy II (Philadelphus) and Antiochus II (Theos)

• “Some years”—35 years after the death of Seleucus

Kings of the North/South

• The daughter of Ptolemy, Bernice, went to Antiochus II as his wife.

• Thus, in carrying out the terms of the agreement, she would “right” things.

• However, Bernice “shall not retain the strength of her arm.”

• She, by her marriage contract, will not be able to maintain herself against her rival.

The Agreement

• Antiochus II (Theos); grandson of Seleucus married Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus for political purposes.

• However, Antiochus II was already married to Laodice, who had given him two sons, Seleucus Callinicus and Antiochus.

• After Ptolemy’s death, two years after the political marriage, Antiochus II divorced Bernice and went back to Laodice.

The Agreement

• Laodice, fearing her husband would return to Bernice, poisoned him.

• Laodice also entreated her son, Seleucus Callinicus, to murder Bernice and her infant son, thus obtaining the throne for himself!

• Therefore, she (Bernice) and “Neither shall he (Antiochus II) stand.”

• “She shall be given up.” (to death by her rival, Antiochus II) also by death.

The Agreement

“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.”

Daniel 11:7

Branch of Her Roots

“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.”

Daniel 11:8

Branch of Her Roots

His Vengeance• This one comes “out of the shoot from her roots.”

• From out of Bernice’s roots (ancestry) will stand one in the place of Ptolemy Philadelphus.

• According to history-Ptolemy Euergetes (III) 246—241 B.C. Third Ptolemy in Egypt.

• Bernice’s brother.

• He goes up against the army and fortress of the king (kingdom) of the North.

• When he entered the territory of the king of the North, he did according to his will.

• On this expedition, he avenged the death of his sister, Bernice, by putting Laodice to death.

• Conquest of Ptolemy (Euergetes) and powerful successes are noted in vs.8.

• Into Egypt, he carried:– Their gods– Their goodly vessels of silver and gold

• Continued more years than the king of the North

His Avenging Power

“Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to

his own land.”

Daniel 11:9

Kings of the North

“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.”

Sons Stir up Strife

Daniel 11:10

“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.”

Daniel 11:11

King’s Anger

“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.”

Daniel 11:12

King’s Anger

His Anger

• The “he” refers to the king of the “North,” Seleucus II. After two years, he regained lost territories as far south as Damascus.

• Made an unsuccessful attack against Ptolemy. (240 B.C.) Soundly defeated.

• His sons made war.– Seleucus– Antiochus the Great– Refer to Antiochus the Great alone– Ceraanus fell in battle in Asia Minor

War Between North and South• Peace was made in 240 B.C., and there were no

further attacks.

• Ptolemy III died in 221 B.C. and was succeeded by Ptolemy IV (Philopater), the worst in the house of Ptolemy.

• This is who is referred to in verse 11.

• In his rage, he goes forth to meet Antiochus III, the Great. (18 when he comes into power)

• A great multitude was assembled.

Ptolemy Philapater• The multitude was taken from him by Ptolemy

Philapater.

• Ptolemy’s heart was lifted and filled with pride because of the victory; tens of thousands fell.

• History records that the Syrians lost:– 10,000 infantry--300 calvary--5 elephants– 4,000 captives

• Yet, Ptolemy would not prevail!

• He returned to his “easy living” and never strengthened or built up his imperial fortifications.

“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.”

King of the North

Daniel 11:13

• Meanwhile Antiochus was busy in the east.• Making plans to annex Palestine• Gathered a bigger army and attacked again• Ptolemy Philopater was dead, and his son was only

four years old.• Antiochus finally won a decisive victory in the Battle of

Panion. “He shall come on at the end of the times, even of years…” not the Antichrist coming at the end of the world, but the years intervening between Antiochus’ defeat by Ptolemy IV and his victory in the Battle of Panion!

Return of the North

“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.”

Daniel 11:14

King of the South

“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.”

Daniel 11:15

King of the North

• Antiochus III made a league with Philip of Macedon—along with some rebels from Egypt.

• Antiochus also had the support of certain violent and factious Jews, who brought trouble upon their country.

• Fulfills troubled times prophesied in Daniel 9:25

• Forces of the South will not stand.

• Full surrender brought about at Sidon

King of the South

“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.”

Daniel 11:16

Standing in the Glorious Land

“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.”

Daniel 11:17

King of the North

• Antiochus III comes to Jerusalem—the inhabitants welcome him.

• Doesn’t destroy the land but has complete control of it.

• Antiochus plots to throw all the power of his kingdom at Egypt to destroy her.

• Antiochus III gives his daughter to Egypt.

• “Equitable condition” treaty in which his daughter Cleopatra is betrothed to Ptolemy V (Epiphanes).

• Marriage consummated five years later—he was only seven years old at the time!

King of the North

• Antiochus hoped this would gain him an advantage over the king of Egypt.

• He trusted that his daughter would be an ally of her father instead of her husband.

• History reveals that Cleopatra constantly sided with her husband over her father!

• A fulfillment of the words, “She shall not stand, neither be for him.”

King of the North

“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.”

Daniel 11:18

King of the North

“Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall stumble and

fall, and not be found.”

King of the North

Daniel 11:19

“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.”

Daniel 11:20

King of the North

• Antiochus turns his attention to the isles (coast lands) of the Mediterranean.

• Hannibal, defeated by Romans at Zama, took refuge in the court of Antiochus III.

• Hannibal encouraged Antiochus to invade Greece.

• Rome then declared war on Antiochus.

• Romans, under Cornelius Scipio, defeated Antiochus in 190 B.C.

King of the North

• Antiochus had to pay an enormous indemnity:– 15,000 talents or more—surrender his war

elephants and navy.

• His younger son, later to rule as Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) was taken to Rome as a hostage.

• Antiochus marched against the revolted Aremenians in 187 B.C.

• In order to replenish his exhausted treasury, he plundered a temple. Soldiers and Antiochus slain by Elamites. He died in disgrace and violence.

King of the North

• Following the death of Antiochus the Great, there was a new king—Seleucus IV (Philopator) (187—175 B.C.)

• Son of Antiochus III (the Great) and brother of Antiochus IV (in Rome as a hostage)

• Seleucus will collect money from the kingdom.

• Heliodorus, special tax collector, was sent to appropriate the rich treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Another Rises up

Seleucus IV

• After a short period of time (within a few days) Seleucus Philopator is destroyed and broken.

• History shows he was suddenly and mysteriously removed—”neither in anger or battle.”

• Some believe he was poisoned by Heliodorus.

• Please note the exactness of the details known to Daniel—200 years of history, 300 years before it takes place!

“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.”

Daniel 11:21

New Player

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

prince of the covenant.”

New Player

Daniel 11:22

“And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully,

for he shall come up and become strong with a small

number of people.”

Daniel 11:23

New Player

“He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall

devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.”

Daniel 11:24

New Player

Antiochus IV--Epiphanes

• Continuation of the Seleucids and the kings of the North

• Contemptible person—Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) 175—164 B.C.

• Epiphanes means “illustrious one”—gave himself this name

• Jews called him “Epimanes,” which means “mad-man.”

• Kingdom did not actually belong to him—but he was going to take it dishonestly!

• When he assumed authority in Syria, three aspired to the throne:– Demetrius I (Soter), son of Seleucus IV– Brother Antiochus, a baby in Syria– Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), brother of late king– He had been hostage for 14 years and was in Athens

when his brother died.

• The kingdom did not go to him by right of succession—he took it!

• Done by deceit and intrigue—flattery and secret maneuverings.


• “Overwhelming forces”—armies of the Syrians and Ptolemys surged back and forth in the land.

• Reference to the Egyptians who also fell before him.

• One—not identified—enters into a “covenant relationship” with Epiphanes.

• According to history, the high priest Onias was ordered slain by Epiphanes and replaced with his brother Jason in 172 B.C.


• He encouraged the Hellenizing of Palestine.

• Gymnasium built in Jerusalem

• Jewish lads exercised there in the nude!

• The people adopted Greek names for cities, in the place of Jewish names.

• Hebrew ways and doctrines were looked at as being “behind the times.”

• Resistance movement called Hasidim, which became fanatical, swore to follow the ways of their fathers-even to death!


• By demonstrating friendliness to the Egyptians, they won their confidence.

• He penetrated their country before they even began to realize what he was doing.

• Even during one of the battles, he showed kindness to the enemies by checking the slaughter of the soldiers—thus winning the hearts of his foes.

• Forced to return to Syria to quell a revolt in Cilicia.


• Another device of Epiphanes was to lavish upon his troops the distribution of the plunder taken in conquest.

• By this squandering, he purchased loyalty and influence.

• While Epiphanes was fighting in Egypt, Jason mounted an attack against Jerusalem.

• Menelaus beat off that attack. Epiphanes understood the Jews’ still-large opposition to Hellenism and Syrian control of Palestine.


• When Epiphanes returned from Egypt, Menelaus welcomed him into Jerusalem.

• Leftovers of the temple treasures were placed at his disposal.

• Of course, this made Menelaus even more unpopular with the Jews.

• All this made Epiphanes feel safe and secure with his power and rule.

• Yet, it all played into God’s hands!


“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 devise plans against him.”

Daniel 11:25

King of the South

“Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be

swept away, and many shall fall down slain.”

Daniel 11:26

King of the South

“Both these kings' hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall

speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end

will still be at the appointed time.”

Daniel 11:27

King of the South

• Epiphanes will raise up a great army and go against Egypt—first formal campaign.

• King of Egypt made elaborate plans for his defense; he would be defeated by intrigue and treason.

• Ptolemy (either Physcon or Philometer) would be swept away—because of the deceit of some of his own people!– Maccabees 1:18


• Antiochus and Ptolemy plotted evil against each other.

• Each showed the other hospitality, but behind their masks, there were lies.

• History records their “mutual deceit.”

• Antiochus and Philometer claimed friendship and planned together to take over Egypt.

• Antiochus “pretended” friendship to get Ptolemy’s help with conquering Egypt.

Plotting Against One Another

• Philometer “pretended” to believe Antiochus.

• The decisive victory, of this second Egyptian campaign, was Epiphanes’ victory over Physcon and Cleopatra in massive naval action.

• Lying “deals” to overthrow Physcon did not “prosper.”

• Physcon retained control of Alexandria, and Philometer had to be content with half of the kingdom to rule!


• “For yet the end shall be at a time appointed.”

• The God-determined end of the conflict between Syria and Egypt had not yet arrived.

• God has His own timetable!

• Destinies were in His hands—not the lying deceitful, flattering hands of Antiochus Epiphanes!


“While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be

moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do

damage and return to his own land.”

Daniel 11:28

Sacrilegious

• Antiochus Epiphanes returned from Egypt with great booty and substance.– 1 Maccabees 1:19,20– 1 Maccabees 1:20-28

• He set his heart against the holy land and its people.

• He would accomplish the will and design of his heart in this persecution.

• In his heart, he harbored burning hatred for the Jews.

• This would strengthen the Jews’ later understanding; it would be temporary!

He Is Sacrilegious

“At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the

south; but it shall not be like the

former or the latter.”

Daniel 11:29

Different Outcome

• Antiochus Epiphanes returned to Egypt in 168 B.C. (made one more trip, but this one not mentioned by Daniel)

• Within God’s providential schedule, Antiochus would be dealt with.

• In the third campaign, his effort did not fare as well as before.

• He was humiliated.

• Two Ptolemy brothers, Philometer and Physcon, joined forces.

A Third Expedition into Egypt

“For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be

grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he

shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy

covenant.”

Daniel 11:30

Roman Help

• The Romans sailed to Egypt to prevent Syria from taking the country. Matter of historical record.

• Old Testament expression “kittim” (Chittim) denotes the inhabitants of Cyprus—therefore Rome.

• Historians say Antiochus was “stupefied” and “weighed down” at the sight of the Romans.

• Unable to take out his wrath on the Egyptians, he turned his rage against the holy covenant.

A Third Expedition into Egypt

• The people of Palestine would be his “whipping post.”

• He sent his general, Appolonius, to occupy Jerusalem.

• In a Sabbath attack, knowing the Jews would not fight, he slaughtered large numbers.

• City walls destroyed and a new fortress, Akra, was built on the citadel site.

• Assisted by Menelaus and his apostate followers– 1 Maccabees 1:11-15; 2 Maccabees 4:4-17

Rage Against Palestine

“And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary

fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the

abomination of desolation.”

Daniel 11:31

Defiling the Sanctuary

“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know

their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

Great Exploits

Daniel 11:32

• Antiochus’ armed forces stood guard at the temple in Jerusalem.

• Women and children were taken prisoners.

• Houses were overthrown.

• The object was to obliterate every trace of Jewish religion and introduce Hellenic culture.

• Continual offering taken away

• “Abomination of desolation set up”—heathen altar sat up at the place of the altar of burnt offering.

Rage Against Palestine

“And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity

and plundering.”

Daniel 11:33

Great Suffering

"Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help;

but many shall join with them by intrigue.”

Little Help

Daniel 11:34

“And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and

make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the

appointed time.”

Daniel 11:35

Appointed Time Coming

• Faithful remnant “knew their God.”

• Would not succumb to the lies or favors of the “contemptible one”

• Left examples of courage and faith

• Epiphanes enforced his plan with brutal cruelty…

• Flogged some to death for refusing to eat swine flesh

• Mothers were thrown off the wall for circumcising their children.

• Refusal to pay homage to the images resulted in a mother and her children being killed in the governor’s presence!

Knew Their God

• Upholders of true faith point the way for others.

• Known as the “godly ones”

• Their godliness came at great cost.

• Suffering and persecution…– By the sword– By flame– By captivity– By spoil

Faith and Courage

• Endure for “days”—until deliverance comes

• “Little help” in future tense; evidently refers to Judas Maccabaeus who relieved a little of the distress.– 1 Maccabees 3:1ff; 4:14ff

• Many hypocrites would align themselves with Epiphanes. Purifying always separates the dross, wood, hay, and stubble.– Hebrews 11:32-40

Faith and Courage

• A testing time—some would fail this test!

• Last until the “end”—appointed time when these troubles will begin—and end!

• Probably with the Roman occupation and Syrian domination defeated.

• While many similar events could be associated with Rome’s end, and her persecution of Christians, these will be for another study—not this one!

Faith and Courage

“Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify

himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods,

and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been

determined shall be done.”

Daniel 11:36

Self-Exaltation

• Who is “the king?”– Constantine the Great– Omar ibn El_Khattab– Roman Empire– Little horn of Daniel 7 (unknown apostate)– The Antichrist (Jewish)– The pope of Rome and papal system– Herod the Great– Antiochus Epiphanes

The Self-Exalted One

• Contextually and historically—Antiochus Epiphanes

• Where does the context indicate that a new person is under consideration?

• Whose actions are described in vs. 21-35?

• Why would it be the so-called “Antichrist” whose deeds 2500 years hence, do not relate to the present Jews.

• Can’t be the “little horn” of Daniel 7; that was from the Roman Empire


• This “king” grew out of the “he-goat,” which was identified as Greece.

• Same “notable horn” grew great from the “four horns” of the he-goat of Daniel 8.

• King of North—Epiphanes

• Reread Daniel 8:19—Antiochus IV!


“He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of

women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above

them all.”

Daniel 11:37

Description…

“But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god

which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver,

with precious stones and pleasant things.”

Description…

Daniel 11:38

“Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge,

and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and

divide the land for gain.”

Daniel 11:39

Description…

The Self-Exalted One’s Description

• He is called the “king.” (36a)

• He “shall do according to his will.” (36b)

• “He shall exalt and magnify himself against every god.” (36c)

• “He shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods. (36d)

• “He shall prosper (but only until the indignation be accomplished—determined).”

• “He will not regard the gods of his fathers.” (37)

• “Shall not regard the desire of women” (37)

• “Shall not regard any god” (37)

• “Shall magnify himself above all” (37)

• “Shall honor the god of fortresses” (38)

• “Shall honor a god whom his fathers knew not (with gold, etc.) (38)

• “Shall deal with the strongest fortress with the help of a foreign god” (39)


• “Shall increase with glory those who acknowledge him” (39)

• “Shall cause them to rule over many” (39)

• “Shall divide the land for a price” (39)

• FACTS:– Epiphanes, lived some years in Rome; despised the

Syrian gods.– Preferred Jupiter, Olympius ,and Xenias, gods of

Romans and Greeks.– Secretly had contempt for all religion except the

religion of “military power.”


• FACTS:– “The desire of woman” title to one of the

goddesses of nature, Astarte, Artemis, or Nanaea

– Antiochus inflicted a gross indignity on the worship of the great goddess by attempting to plunder a temple of Artemis (Aphrodite) in Elymais.

– In general, Antiochus had no “gods;” he tended to trust in and worship fortifications and war.


• FACTS:– He will regard no god--only war.– His god will be the taking of fortresses.– Devote great treasures--gold, silver, jewels, and

even people– All strong fortresses and stratagems of war will

receive his adoration and worship.– All who worship warfare and fortification will gain

his support.– Will elevate such persons to positions of rule


• FACTS:– Arrogantly defied every god—known and unknown—

except military power (Rome)– Blatantly, he even blasphemed the God of heaven.– Worshipped war– Attempted to paganize the world– Crafty, deceitful, and capable of treachery to serve his

own purposes– Finally—a personification of the enemy of God– Surely, he would be considered a mad man!


“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the

North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and

with many ships; and he shall enter the countries,

overwhelm them, and pass through.”

Daniel 11:40

Exalted One’s Destructiveness

“He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be

overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom,

Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.”

Daniel 11:41


“He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not

escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all

the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his

heels.”

Daniel 11:42, 43


“But news from the east and the north shall trouble

him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.”

Daniel 11:44


“And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy

mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will

help him.”

Daniel 11:45

His End

• These verses are a general summarization of the whole war-like career of Antiochus Epiphanes—especially against Egypt and Israel.

• Recapitulation of the life of the Contemptible One (Antiochus Epiphanes)

• He will pass through countries and overthrow them—even though the king of the South contends with him.

The Self-Exalted One’s Destructiveness

• Why do Edom, Moab, and the chief people of Ammon escape his hand?

• At the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, these nations no longer existed.

• Enters the “Glorious Land” and overthrows many.

• Land of Egypt shall not escape.

• He will have power over the treasures of Egypt—gold, silver, and all precious things


• The Libyans and Ethiopians shall be his footsteps.

• Insurrection was spreading in the east and north of his empire—he was busy putting down the Maccabean revolt.

• Judas Maccabeaus inflicted such a defeat upon Gorgias that the Syrian troops fled the country.

• In 165 B.C., Lysias led a larger army against Judas—completely defeated.


• On December 25, he regained the temple and removed all signs of paganism installed there.

• Took down the altar to Jupiter and replaced it with an altar to the God of Israel.

• Epiphanes retired to Babylon and moved from there to Tabae in Persia, where he became mad and died in 164 B.C.

• Maccabean struggle lasted another 29 to 30 years—with much blood being shed.

The End Would Come

• Uneasy peace came to the Holy Land in 134 B.C.

• We see that God’s word did come true.

• Epiphanes died; rule came to an end; and no one lifted a finger to help him!

The End Would Come

Documents

The Kings of the North and South; the Great Warfare— Conflicts and Conquests Daniel 11