I will endeavor to explain each step of the multi-faceted prophecy by Daniel in chapters 11 and 12. Its a tedious project to be sure, but I got tired of telling everyone who asked me what Daniel chapter 11 meant and having to tell them it was too complex, so I went to studying and matching each verse with history as best I could. I found Daniel chapter 12 is an extension of Daniel chapter 11, so they kind of go hand and hand. This will be a tad long, but its a valuable thread.
DANIEL CHAPTER 11 & 12 AN EXEGESIS OF SORTS:
Daniel 11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
The first verse in chapter 11 is seemingly a direct continuation of chapter 10. Gabriel is still uttering unto Daniel things to come. Gabriel states that back in the first year of Darius (same year Daniel ch. 9 was given us) that he "stood to confirm and strengthen him". So what does this even mean? Who are the players here? Micheal, Gabriel, Darius and Daniel, so who stood to confirm and strengthen? I proffer that its Darius who is being strengthened by Gabriel and I get that by looking at the next few verses in contextual sequence. It seems Gabriel comes against certain world powers and sometimes strengthens other world powers, according to Gods will. The powers of the spiritual world and their behind the scenes back and forth is indeed fascinating.
2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
This seems to be the whole history of Persia in one verse, just a filler of history so to speak.
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
This of course is about Alexander the great of Grecian lore.
4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
After Alexander the Great died there stood up four Kings in his stead, this is not the norm to say the least. Succession of Kingdoms are usually passed from father to son or some close kin and thus this prophetic uttering was spot on, the Kingdom was divided unto his four Generals.
5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
The King of the south as mentioned here is of course Ptolemy I (First) this is still speaking about the Greek Empire. The southern most kingdom became very strong and powerful as did the northern kingdom. Basically these two were the "super powers" of the region, while the other two diminished in power. This is the era of the First Syrian War being described.
(Inset: Timeline & Map of the Syrian Wars.)
6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
We have moved ahead here to the last part of the Second Syrian War. Ptolemy II, the king of the south, sent his daughter Berenice unto Antiochus II, the king of the north hoping their marriage would bring peace. It however did not work as planned, Antiochus II, Berenice and their son were all murdered by Antiochus II's ex-wife.
7 But out of a branch of her roots (Berenice's brother) shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: 8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. 9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
The above describes the Third Syrian War. Ptolemy III, the brother of Berenice invaded the north victoriously. He recovered a number of statues and many valuables and returned them to Egypt. He of course outlived the king of the north by a few years, hence the prophetic uttering in verse 8 comes to pass.
10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. 11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
This of course is the Forth Syrian War. Antiochus III tried to invade the south but Ptolemy IV defeated him despite having a lesser army, but this manged to weaken both of them somewhat.
13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. 14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. 15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. 16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
This of course is the Fifth Syrian War. Antiochus III returned some years later with a much larger army and took the land of Israel by force.
17 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, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
Antiochus III gave his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V for a wife, but she ended up siding with Ptolemy V over her father. Blood is not always thinker than water it seems !!
18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Antiochus III ventured to take more lands, against the will of the Romans. He angered his former ally Macedonian king Philip V also, and was eventually killed in his homeland while plundering a pagan temple.
20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
Antiochus III's son Seleucus IV became king and had to raise taxes because Rome was forcing him to have to pay for all his fathers wars, he was soon poisoned to death it seems.
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Antiochus IV then became king, he is called a vile person. He became king via a series of maneuvers which included flattering the king of Pergamum to gain his allegiance and by the death of the heir to the throne.
22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
The High Priest (prince of the covenant) was replaced via a conspiracy involving the high priests brother and Antiochus Epiphanes but his brother was also double crossed when another priest bribed Antiochus Epiphanes with even more money, it seems he was for sale at all times for a price.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
Antiochus Epiphanes wanted to conquer Egypt in a bad way. He took a "small army" down to Egypt feigning to be their protector of Ptolemy VI who was his nephew. He was of course trying to deceive them whereas he could eventually conquer them. This was seemingly his master-plan.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
Antiochus Epiphanes gained Egypt's trust and loyalty via spreading his bounty from his wars amongst the public. He visited Egyptian strongholds to get a better understanding on how to conquer them, he was quite cunning.
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. 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.
This is the Sixth Syrian War. (the last of the lot). This was Antiochus Epiphanes against Ptolemy VI. Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Egypt and prevailed over them and many of the Egyptians were by him and betrayed Ptolemy VI. He was a corrupter of people no doubt, he knew how to divide and conquer.
27 And both of 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.
Watching Antiochus Epiphanes operate must have been enthralling back in the day. He pretended to support Ptolemy VI his blood kin, and he pretended to have his best interest in mind, but the truth is he was pitting him against his own brother Ptolemy VII the whole time. Ptolemy VII was of course made king of Egypt by the Alexandrians who did not trust Ptolemy VI any longer.
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.
Antiochus Epiphanes returned north it seems because of a rumor that he had died. That rumor seemingly caused a war to breakout in Jerusalem. Antiochus Epiphanes plundered the temple of God, killed many people, then journeyed north to Antioch. (his homeland)
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. 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.
Antiochus Epiphanes soon returned to Egypt with the intention of conquering Alexanderia. The Egyptians however sent a message to Rome asking for help. Three Roman senators were sent by ship to inform Antiochus Epiphanes that he was not to invade Egypt and to demand that he retreat immediately. This of course made him angry and he seems to have taken it out on the Jewish believers. He killed them but allowed the Hellenistic Jews to live as long as they forsook the Holy Covenant !! He was indeed a vile man, seemingly a forerunner to the coming Anti-Christ/Beast in some of his mannerisms.
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.
Antiichus Epiphanes defiled the temple of God, stopped the daily sacrifices and even built a pagan alter unto Zeus and sacrificed pigs on it. This was an Abomination unto God, but its not the Abomination that Jesus and Daniel is speaking about of course. This desecrated the temple while it was there.
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. 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.
This of course created a schism so to speak amongst the Jewish peoples, which is what Atniochus was good at, divide and conquer tactics. So many Jews forsook their God and many refused to do so and paid the price with their lives. This of course is a likeness unto the coming end time events in many ways.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 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.
I think this is referring to the Maccabean Revolt and/or right around that time. It seems we need to look at this prophecy here in segments. A historical segment that has already been fulfilled (Dan. 11:1-35) and an eschatological segment where the prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Of course when Daniel received this prophetic uttering none of it had basically come to pass, now all of it has come to pass except for Dan. 11:36-45 and Dan. 12:1-12. So, it seems after verse 35 we can say that we fast forward so to speak into eschatology.
We get the historical lessons via the prophecy of all the Grecian Kingdoms and the Syrian Wars which are detailed unto the nth degree, then Rome became the Fourth Beast and Greece seems to have faded into the background so to speak until the last King/Little Horn arrives, which comes from their lineage. We know this via Daniel chapter 8. We are told of this end time king starting in verse 36 and running unto the end of Daniel chapter 12. Notice in verse 34 and 35 above, it speaks of the time of the end as a yet to be appointed time and states that basically from Antiochus Epiphanes on, there will continue to be persecution and troubles and many who fall will be helped but others will heed the lies of the wicked one or his (flatteries). Some who understand will fall OR BE TRIED and PURGED !! Think of Paul, Peter and the Saints of the Church Age....to make them WHITE (pure), even to the END OF TIME !! Very, very exciting stuff !!
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.
The king here has to be the end time Anti-Christ/Beast of Daniel 7:11. He is of course not called the king of the north or south here for a specific reason, the Sixth Syrian War ended the Syrian Wars. Rome came between Greece and Egypt putting a halt to Antiochus Epiphanes plans for good. Rome of course eventually conquered both Egypt and Greece thus becoming the Fourth Beast of the region over Israel.
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.
This verse insinuates he is an Atheist, and that he takes no heed of the thoughts of women, or it may mean he takes no heed unto an observance of the women's gods, what-soever that might entail. He listens not to women is the inference I take from this, their desires affect him on no wise. Like modern day Muslims, hes oblivious to their thoughts. He then magnifies himself or elevates himself to the equal of God. He of course demands to be worshiped as God.
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. 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.
This European King who is born in Greece will be a man of war, he rules by brute force. I think the god his fathers knew not will himself, he will of course place an image of himself in the temple of God. Thus he divides the land of Israel and the spoil thereof.
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 will come (push at) against the king of the north. This means the king being mentioned in verse 36 is the King of the North. I think the reason it was not mentioned there is Gabriel/God did not want to confuse us as to that king still being a pat of the Syrian Wars, we have moved on unto the end times. Now that Gabriel has made that clear in verse 36 he needs to describe these kings as per who they are again. The king of the north was of the Syrian part of the Greek Empire which of course eventually became a part of the Roman Empire (Fourth Beast). The Egyptian part of the Greek kingdom was the king of the south. I think the king of the south here is more than just Egypt however, my thinking is the king of the south here is all of North Africa along with maybe Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Qatar Yemen well you all get the point, its those nations who seemingly pushes at or comes against the king of the north or European Union and the Beast.
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.
The Anti-Christ (King of the North here) enters into the Holy land, and many countries shall be overthrown. I think this infers he conquers Israel and the many nations he entered into peace/security agreements with, I think it will be the king of the south or all the Arab nations I mentioned above plus or minus some here or there more no doubt. Once he conquers Israel and these other nations he becomes the Beast of the region course. But God says Edom, Moab and Ammon will escape out of his hands, these three are just east of Israel. So basically Jordan is not touched, seemingly this is where Israel flees unto and God protects them in this Wilderness for 1260 days.
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 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.
This seems to confirm my understanding above, he conquers all of North Africa and thus hes the Mediterranean Sea Region Beast like all the ones that came before him. (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome) He is the last of the Beasts, he will never pass his kingdom to another thus he is known as the Beast himself, a man.
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.
We can not know for certain what this verse means, we can of course make an educated guess. The east tidings could mean Iran and Iraq or it could mean China. The north tidings could be Russia. Remember he is the king himself of the European Union thus its natural that if he invaded Israel and a bunch of oil rich nations he might very well get push back from China and Russia, both nations with great prestige and a vested interest in these oil rich nations themselves.
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 Glorious holy mountain is most certainly Jerusalem. You have the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea on either side of Jerusalem, so that could be what the verse is implying as per the "between the seas". I think we all know tabernacles means dwelling place, thus he will dwell in Jerusalem, seemingly in a grand palace.
Daniel 12 King James Version (KJV)
12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
I think Micheal is the Angel God has chosen to protect Israel at the end times thus he stands up meaning he wields his authority/power at the appointed time. Some think he allows the Anti-Christ to come forth, but I see that as Jesus Christ opening of the Seals in Rev. ch. 6. At this time, at the end times, Daniel is basically told this will be when the resurrections of the Saints will happen. I do not think Daniel is told any specific time as per the resurrections, its just a general timing, "at the end". So at this great time of troubles, Micheal will deliver the Jewish peoples from their despair, I think he delivers them unto Petra in Jordan and protects them for 1260 days. Everyone who makes it to heaven however has to do it via faith !!
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
That was the end of the vision Gabriel gave to Daniel. It spanned from Daniels time on earth, both the Persian and Grecian Empires and all the way to the end of time and the resurrection of the Saints and even tells of a future eternity. Gabriel told Daniel of Babylon and coming Beast systems. It was not easily understood, especially before all of these events came to pass, even now many people still have problems understanding these complex prophesies of God. But Gabriel must have sensed Daniels confusion, thus he seemingly tries to explain it somewhat, thus Dan. ch. 12 is extended a wee bit for Daniel.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Daniel sees two more "people" besides Gabriel. One is a man clothed in linen on the water, this would seem to me to be Jesus Christ even though Daniel had no concept of exactly who he was it seems. Gabriel or another Angel then asks Jesus how long shall it be until the end of these wonders. I think he sensed Daniels confusion and tried to give him some further understanding.
He then proceeds to swear by Him that lives forever, that when the holy peoples shall be scattered there will be a time, times and a half [time] and everything will have been accomplished, or these wonders will have ceased. Meaning that from the time Israel are scattered or flee Judea until all of these prophesies are fulfilled there will be 1260 days. (time, times and half time) In other words Jesus returns and buttons up all of these prophesies exactly 1260 days after the Israel people flee Judea (are scattered). Daniel then asks for more understanding because he had no clue what he was being told SEE BELOW:
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Daniel begs for more clarity, but Gabriel tells him to go his way, he basically tells him it will take future events coming to pass in order for people to understand these prophetic uttering's. At the time of the end these prophesies will start to become clear via our understandings of history and via the word of God. He then tells Daniel many shall be purified and made white (Jesus' blood) and tried, but the wicked will still do wickedness and will never understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
This is of course the end time Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Jesus and Daniel here in in this book of Daniel in several places. This is being spoken of as an event that happens 1290 days from the end of these wonders or prophesies. So just like its 1260 days from the time the Jews flee Judea until the end of all these prophesies, likewise its 1290 days from the time the Abomination of Desolation is set up until the end or until what we now know is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which will fulfill all prophetic uttering's. The wonders will then cease. The Abomination of Desolation has to come before the Jews flee Judea, thus the 1290 event must come before the 1260 event. Thus the 1335 event would have to come before both the 1260 and the 1290 events. Its just mathematical logistics.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Gabriel is telling Daniel things he knows he will never understand in his lifetime. But Gabriel understands that Israel will reject Jesus the Messiah, he understands they will be dispersed all over the world and that God will turn His back on Israel for almost 2000 years. He understands that even when God starts blessing Israel again (1948) they still do not believe in God/Jesus as their Messiah. Then Gabriel (My Understanding) tells Daniel blessed is he that comes to the 1335 days. Meaning in my understanding, that is the day Israel turns back to God and accepts their Messiah Jesus Christ. (1335 days before Jesus returns). This is why they know to flee Judea when they see the Abomination of Desolation. This is why they know to flee to Petra. This is why they understand who the Anti-Christ is when they see the events unfolding. Israel have repented before the Day of the Lord comes just like Malachi 4:5-6 says they will do. God sends Elijah to turn Israel back unto God before the Great a Dreadful Day of the Lord comes.
Then Daniel is told he will stand with the Saints at the end.
I hope everyone enjoys this. I spent a lot of time on this, watching a lot of videos on Youtube, researching Wikipedia, and history. I have no problem understanding Daniel chapter 11 now, I went ahead and added Daniel ch. 12 because I believe they both are one and the same vision.
Everything this Image says on it is wrong !! But the Graphics depict the Events as happening in the time-frame I see them happening in, thus everyone can understand my point of view.
Substitute this below for whats in the time-lines above !!
1.) 1335 Days from the time Israel repents until Jesus' Second Coming.
2.) 1290 Days from the Abomination of Desolation until Jesus' Second Coming.
3.) 1260 Days from the time Israel flees Judea until the Jesus' Second Coming.
Also, I see the Day of the Lord as 3.5 years not as this shows.
DANIEL CHAPTER 11 & 12 AN EXEGESIS OF SORTS:
Daniel 11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
The first verse in chapter 11 is seemingly a direct continuation of chapter 10. Gabriel is still uttering unto Daniel things to come. Gabriel states that back in the first year of Darius (same year Daniel ch. 9 was given us) that he "stood to confirm and strengthen him". So what does this even mean? Who are the players here? Micheal, Gabriel, Darius and Daniel, so who stood to confirm and strengthen? I proffer that its Darius who is being strengthened by Gabriel and I get that by looking at the next few verses in contextual sequence. It seems Gabriel comes against certain world powers and sometimes strengthens other world powers, according to Gods will. The powers of the spiritual world and their behind the scenes back and forth is indeed fascinating.
2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
This seems to be the whole history of Persia in one verse, just a filler of history so to speak.
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
This of course is about Alexander the great of Grecian lore.
4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
After Alexander the Great died there stood up four Kings in his stead, this is not the norm to say the least. Succession of Kingdoms are usually passed from father to son or some close kin and thus this prophetic uttering was spot on, the Kingdom was divided unto his four Generals.
5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
The King of the south as mentioned here is of course Ptolemy I (First) this is still speaking about the Greek Empire. The southern most kingdom became very strong and powerful as did the northern kingdom. Basically these two were the "super powers" of the region, while the other two diminished in power. This is the era of the First Syrian War being described.
(Inset: Timeline & Map of the Syrian Wars.)
6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
We have moved ahead here to the last part of the Second Syrian War. Ptolemy II, the king of the south, sent his daughter Berenice unto Antiochus II, the king of the north hoping their marriage would bring peace. It however did not work as planned, Antiochus II, Berenice and their son were all murdered by Antiochus II's ex-wife.
7 But out of a branch of her roots (Berenice's brother) shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: 8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. 9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
The above describes the Third Syrian War. Ptolemy III, the brother of Berenice invaded the north victoriously. He recovered a number of statues and many valuables and returned them to Egypt. He of course outlived the king of the north by a few years, hence the prophetic uttering in verse 8 comes to pass.
10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. 11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
This of course is the Forth Syrian War. Antiochus III tried to invade the south but Ptolemy IV defeated him despite having a lesser army, but this manged to weaken both of them somewhat.
13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. 14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. 15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. 16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
This of course is the Fifth Syrian War. Antiochus III returned some years later with a much larger army and took the land of Israel by force.
17 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, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
Antiochus III gave his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V for a wife, but she ended up siding with Ptolemy V over her father. Blood is not always thinker than water it seems !!
18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Antiochus III ventured to take more lands, against the will of the Romans. He angered his former ally Macedonian king Philip V also, and was eventually killed in his homeland while plundering a pagan temple.
20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
Antiochus III's son Seleucus IV became king and had to raise taxes because Rome was forcing him to have to pay for all his fathers wars, he was soon poisoned to death it seems.
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Antiochus IV then became king, he is called a vile person. He became king via a series of maneuvers which included flattering the king of Pergamum to gain his allegiance and by the death of the heir to the throne.
22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
The High Priest (prince of the covenant) was replaced via a conspiracy involving the high priests brother and Antiochus Epiphanes but his brother was also double crossed when another priest bribed Antiochus Epiphanes with even more money, it seems he was for sale at all times for a price.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
Antiochus Epiphanes wanted to conquer Egypt in a bad way. He took a "small army" down to Egypt feigning to be their protector of Ptolemy VI who was his nephew. He was of course trying to deceive them whereas he could eventually conquer them. This was seemingly his master-plan.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
Antiochus Epiphanes gained Egypt's trust and loyalty via spreading his bounty from his wars amongst the public. He visited Egyptian strongholds to get a better understanding on how to conquer them, he was quite cunning.
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. 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.
This is the Sixth Syrian War. (the last of the lot). This was Antiochus Epiphanes against Ptolemy VI. Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Egypt and prevailed over them and many of the Egyptians were by him and betrayed Ptolemy VI. He was a corrupter of people no doubt, he knew how to divide and conquer.
27 And both of 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.
Watching Antiochus Epiphanes operate must have been enthralling back in the day. He pretended to support Ptolemy VI his blood kin, and he pretended to have his best interest in mind, but the truth is he was pitting him against his own brother Ptolemy VII the whole time. Ptolemy VII was of course made king of Egypt by the Alexandrians who did not trust Ptolemy VI any longer.
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.
Antiochus Epiphanes returned north it seems because of a rumor that he had died. That rumor seemingly caused a war to breakout in Jerusalem. Antiochus Epiphanes plundered the temple of God, killed many people, then journeyed north to Antioch. (his homeland)
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. 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.
Antiochus Epiphanes soon returned to Egypt with the intention of conquering Alexanderia. The Egyptians however sent a message to Rome asking for help. Three Roman senators were sent by ship to inform Antiochus Epiphanes that he was not to invade Egypt and to demand that he retreat immediately. This of course made him angry and he seems to have taken it out on the Jewish believers. He killed them but allowed the Hellenistic Jews to live as long as they forsook the Holy Covenant !! He was indeed a vile man, seemingly a forerunner to the coming Anti-Christ/Beast in some of his mannerisms.
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.
Antiichus Epiphanes defiled the temple of God, stopped the daily sacrifices and even built a pagan alter unto Zeus and sacrificed pigs on it. This was an Abomination unto God, but its not the Abomination that Jesus and Daniel is speaking about of course. This desecrated the temple while it was there.
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. 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.
This of course created a schism so to speak amongst the Jewish peoples, which is what Atniochus was good at, divide and conquer tactics. So many Jews forsook their God and many refused to do so and paid the price with their lives. This of course is a likeness unto the coming end time events in many ways.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 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.
I think this is referring to the Maccabean Revolt and/or right around that time. It seems we need to look at this prophecy here in segments. A historical segment that has already been fulfilled (Dan. 11:1-35) and an eschatological segment where the prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Of course when Daniel received this prophetic uttering none of it had basically come to pass, now all of it has come to pass except for Dan. 11:36-45 and Dan. 12:1-12. So, it seems after verse 35 we can say that we fast forward so to speak into eschatology.
We get the historical lessons via the prophecy of all the Grecian Kingdoms and the Syrian Wars which are detailed unto the nth degree, then Rome became the Fourth Beast and Greece seems to have faded into the background so to speak until the last King/Little Horn arrives, which comes from their lineage. We know this via Daniel chapter 8. We are told of this end time king starting in verse 36 and running unto the end of Daniel chapter 12. Notice in verse 34 and 35 above, it speaks of the time of the end as a yet to be appointed time and states that basically from Antiochus Epiphanes on, there will continue to be persecution and troubles and many who fall will be helped but others will heed the lies of the wicked one or his (flatteries). Some who understand will fall OR BE TRIED and PURGED !! Think of Paul, Peter and the Saints of the Church Age....to make them WHITE (pure), even to the END OF TIME !! Very, very exciting stuff !!
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.
The king here has to be the end time Anti-Christ/Beast of Daniel 7:11. He is of course not called the king of the north or south here for a specific reason, the Sixth Syrian War ended the Syrian Wars. Rome came between Greece and Egypt putting a halt to Antiochus Epiphanes plans for good. Rome of course eventually conquered both Egypt and Greece thus becoming the Fourth Beast of the region over Israel.
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.
This verse insinuates he is an Atheist, and that he takes no heed of the thoughts of women, or it may mean he takes no heed unto an observance of the women's gods, what-soever that might entail. He listens not to women is the inference I take from this, their desires affect him on no wise. Like modern day Muslims, hes oblivious to their thoughts. He then magnifies himself or elevates himself to the equal of God. He of course demands to be worshiped as God.
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. 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.
This European King who is born in Greece will be a man of war, he rules by brute force. I think the god his fathers knew not will himself, he will of course place an image of himself in the temple of God. Thus he divides the land of Israel and the spoil thereof.
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 will come (push at) against the king of the north. This means the king being mentioned in verse 36 is the King of the North. I think the reason it was not mentioned there is Gabriel/God did not want to confuse us as to that king still being a pat of the Syrian Wars, we have moved on unto the end times. Now that Gabriel has made that clear in verse 36 he needs to describe these kings as per who they are again. The king of the north was of the Syrian part of the Greek Empire which of course eventually became a part of the Roman Empire (Fourth Beast). The Egyptian part of the Greek kingdom was the king of the south. I think the king of the south here is more than just Egypt however, my thinking is the king of the south here is all of North Africa along with maybe Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Qatar Yemen well you all get the point, its those nations who seemingly pushes at or comes against the king of the north or European Union and the Beast.
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.
The Anti-Christ (King of the North here) enters into the Holy land, and many countries shall be overthrown. I think this infers he conquers Israel and the many nations he entered into peace/security agreements with, I think it will be the king of the south or all the Arab nations I mentioned above plus or minus some here or there more no doubt. Once he conquers Israel and these other nations he becomes the Beast of the region course. But God says Edom, Moab and Ammon will escape out of his hands, these three are just east of Israel. So basically Jordan is not touched, seemingly this is where Israel flees unto and God protects them in this Wilderness for 1260 days.
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 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.
This seems to confirm my understanding above, he conquers all of North Africa and thus hes the Mediterranean Sea Region Beast like all the ones that came before him. (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome) He is the last of the Beasts, he will never pass his kingdom to another thus he is known as the Beast himself, a man.
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.
We can not know for certain what this verse means, we can of course make an educated guess. The east tidings could mean Iran and Iraq or it could mean China. The north tidings could be Russia. Remember he is the king himself of the European Union thus its natural that if he invaded Israel and a bunch of oil rich nations he might very well get push back from China and Russia, both nations with great prestige and a vested interest in these oil rich nations themselves.
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 Glorious holy mountain is most certainly Jerusalem. You have the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea on either side of Jerusalem, so that could be what the verse is implying as per the "between the seas". I think we all know tabernacles means dwelling place, thus he will dwell in Jerusalem, seemingly in a grand palace.
Daniel 12 King James Version (KJV)
12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
I think Micheal is the Angel God has chosen to protect Israel at the end times thus he stands up meaning he wields his authority/power at the appointed time. Some think he allows the Anti-Christ to come forth, but I see that as Jesus Christ opening of the Seals in Rev. ch. 6. At this time, at the end times, Daniel is basically told this will be when the resurrections of the Saints will happen. I do not think Daniel is told any specific time as per the resurrections, its just a general timing, "at the end". So at this great time of troubles, Micheal will deliver the Jewish peoples from their despair, I think he delivers them unto Petra in Jordan and protects them for 1260 days. Everyone who makes it to heaven however has to do it via faith !!
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
That was the end of the vision Gabriel gave to Daniel. It spanned from Daniels time on earth, both the Persian and Grecian Empires and all the way to the end of time and the resurrection of the Saints and even tells of a future eternity. Gabriel told Daniel of Babylon and coming Beast systems. It was not easily understood, especially before all of these events came to pass, even now many people still have problems understanding these complex prophesies of God. But Gabriel must have sensed Daniels confusion, thus he seemingly tries to explain it somewhat, thus Dan. ch. 12 is extended a wee bit for Daniel.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Daniel sees two more "people" besides Gabriel. One is a man clothed in linen on the water, this would seem to me to be Jesus Christ even though Daniel had no concept of exactly who he was it seems. Gabriel or another Angel then asks Jesus how long shall it be until the end of these wonders. I think he sensed Daniels confusion and tried to give him some further understanding.
He then proceeds to swear by Him that lives forever, that when the holy peoples shall be scattered there will be a time, times and a half [time] and everything will have been accomplished, or these wonders will have ceased. Meaning that from the time Israel are scattered or flee Judea until all of these prophesies are fulfilled there will be 1260 days. (time, times and half time) In other words Jesus returns and buttons up all of these prophesies exactly 1260 days after the Israel people flee Judea (are scattered). Daniel then asks for more understanding because he had no clue what he was being told SEE BELOW:
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Daniel begs for more clarity, but Gabriel tells him to go his way, he basically tells him it will take future events coming to pass in order for people to understand these prophetic uttering's. At the time of the end these prophesies will start to become clear via our understandings of history and via the word of God. He then tells Daniel many shall be purified and made white (Jesus' blood) and tried, but the wicked will still do wickedness and will never understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
This is of course the end time Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Jesus and Daniel here in in this book of Daniel in several places. This is being spoken of as an event that happens 1290 days from the end of these wonders or prophesies. So just like its 1260 days from the time the Jews flee Judea until the end of all these prophesies, likewise its 1290 days from the time the Abomination of Desolation is set up until the end or until what we now know is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which will fulfill all prophetic uttering's. The wonders will then cease. The Abomination of Desolation has to come before the Jews flee Judea, thus the 1290 event must come before the 1260 event. Thus the 1335 event would have to come before both the 1260 and the 1290 events. Its just mathematical logistics.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Gabriel is telling Daniel things he knows he will never understand in his lifetime. But Gabriel understands that Israel will reject Jesus the Messiah, he understands they will be dispersed all over the world and that God will turn His back on Israel for almost 2000 years. He understands that even when God starts blessing Israel again (1948) they still do not believe in God/Jesus as their Messiah. Then Gabriel (My Understanding) tells Daniel blessed is he that comes to the 1335 days. Meaning in my understanding, that is the day Israel turns back to God and accepts their Messiah Jesus Christ. (1335 days before Jesus returns). This is why they know to flee Judea when they see the Abomination of Desolation. This is why they know to flee to Petra. This is why they understand who the Anti-Christ is when they see the events unfolding. Israel have repented before the Day of the Lord comes just like Malachi 4:5-6 says they will do. God sends Elijah to turn Israel back unto God before the Great a Dreadful Day of the Lord comes.
Then Daniel is told he will stand with the Saints at the end.
I hope everyone enjoys this. I spent a lot of time on this, watching a lot of videos on Youtube, researching Wikipedia, and history. I have no problem understanding Daniel chapter 11 now, I went ahead and added Daniel ch. 12 because I believe they both are one and the same vision.
Everything this Image says on it is wrong !! But the Graphics depict the Events as happening in the time-frame I see them happening in, thus everyone can understand my point of view.
Substitute this below for whats in the time-lines above !!
1.) 1335 Days from the time Israel repents until Jesus' Second Coming.
2.) 1290 Days from the Abomination of Desolation until Jesus' Second Coming.
3.) 1260 Days from the time Israel flees Judea until the Jesus' Second Coming.
Also, I see the Day of the Lord as 3.5 years not as this shows.
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