History in Advance… (4 things)

• 1^st – The rise of Alexander… vs. 1-4
  • 1^st – The fall of Medo-Persia… vs. 1
    • Chapter 11 picks up right where chapter 10 left off – with the angel still speaking to Daniel…
      • That in the first year of Darius – when power passed from Babylon to the Medo-Persian…
      • He stood by Michael – until he succeeded in turning Persian favor toward Israel….
      • Speaking of God influencing Cyrus to send the Jews back to rebuild the Temple – Ezra 1
    • The angel goes on to give Daniel a detailed survey of the history of Israel in advance…
      • His staring point is a little later on than the visions of chapter 2 and chapter 7…
      • But he starts at the same point as the vision of the ram and the goat in chapter 8…
      • But this vision would not use symbols (beasts) – it would instead be full of vivid details!
    • There would be 4 more Kings (prominent – not complete list) who would rule Persia…
      • Cambyses (Ahasuerus) – Ezra 4:6 / False Smerdis the Magian (Artaxerxes) – Ezra 4:7
      • Darius I – Haggai 1:1 – Ezra 4:24 / and Xerxes (Ahasuerus) – book of Esther
      • The climax of Persian rulers (though not the last) came with Xerxes…
      • He used his riches to gather a great army amounting to hundreds of thousands of men…
      • Then launched a war in 480 B.C. against Greece that was disastrous (300 Spartans)…
      • Allowing for the rise of Alexander the Great – the ‘mighty king’ who did ‘according to his will’
      • Who conquered the Persian Empire to repay Xerxes for attacking Greece!
    • The kingdom of Alexander would be broken and divided to the four winds…
      • At the death of Alexander – the cingdom was divided among his four generals…
      • Greece (west) went to Cassander / Asia Minor (east) to Lysimachus…
      • Egypt (south) went to Ptolemy / while Babylon (north) went to Seleucus!
      • The empire was not given to his posterity – his sons Hercules / Alexander – were murdered!
      • Amazingly this was written in 539 B.C. – and fulfilled 200 years later in 323 B.C.!
      • People are fascinated by prophecy – they want to know what will happen in the future…
      • It makes the works of men like Nostradamus – and his 1000 quatrains – famous…
      • But where Nostradamus is vague – and far more often than not inaccurate…
      • Biblical prophecy – like this chapter – gives us unprecedented details and 100% accuracy!
      • Because ONLY God has the ability to see the future – Isaiah 46:10
      • Meaning if we want to know how the story end – go to the one who has seen it!

• 2^nd – The Kings of the North and South… vs. 5-20 (read one section at a time)
  • 1^st – The rise of the Ptolemy and Seleucus… vs. 5
    • Beginning in verse 5 – the angel lays out the struggle between kings of the South and North…
      • The south refers to Egypt (General Ptolemy) – the north refers to Syria (General Seleucus)…
      • Seleucus I Nicantor (conqueror) – 312-281 B.C. – conquered from Asia Minor to India
      • So he became more powerful than Ptolemy in Egypt – ‘He shall gain power over him’
      • This laid the basis for two lines of rulers who would battle over almost two centuries!
    • Jerusalem – located between these two warring kingdoms – was in the middle…
      • It has often been asked why did God choose Israel to be His Land…
      • It is nothing special to look at – no natural resources / just a bunch of rocks…
      • But God does not do anything by accident – His Land has a strategic purpose…
      • Israel is the center of the world – crossroads of 3 continents – Africa / Asia / Europe…
      • It allowed for the message of the Gospel to go out into the whole world in Acts!
  • 2^nd – Marriage gone wrong… vs. 6-8
    • The daughter of the King of the south will make an agreement with the king of the north…
      • Ptolemy II Philadelphus (loves his brother) – was the 2^nd king of the south…
      • He forced his daughter Bernice to marry Antiochus II Theos (god) the king of the north…
      • But to do so Antiochus II had to divorce his first wife Laodicea first!
    • She will not retain her authority – and he will not retain his authority…
      • Shorty after the marriage Ptolemy II died – and Antiochus II took back his first wife…
      • But his first wife then murdered him / Bernice / as well as their infant son!
    • But from the branch of her roots – one will arise with an army – and prevail against the north…
      • Ptolemy III (good) – brother of Bernice – defeated Seleucus II Callinicus (beautiful)…
      • He entered ‘into the fortress of the king of the north’ – carried off to Egypt their princes…
      • As well as their idols – and their precious vessels of silver and gold!
  • 3^rd – Be careful who you side with… vs. 9-14
    • The king of the north (Seleucus II) will come to the king of the south – and return (defeated)…
      • However his sons will stir up strife – and the king of the south with be moved with rage…
      • Seleucus II had several sons – Seleucus III Ceraunus (thunderbolt) who died in battle…
      • But his other son Antiochus III (the Great) mounted several campaigns against Egypt…
      • But the Egyptian army under Ptolemy IV Philopator (Father loving) defeated Antiochus III…
      • Antiochus lost his entire army and was almost captured as he fled to the desert!
    • The heart of the king of the south will be lifted up – but the king of the north will return…
      • Antiochus III turned his attention to conquests in the east – gathering strength and wealth… 
      • He advanced east to the borders of India and as far north as the Caspian Sea…
      • Ptolemy IV died and was succeeded by his infant son Ptolemy V Epiphanes (God manifest)…
      • Then Antiochus III assembled another great army and began a series of attacks on Egypt
    • At that time many will rise against the king of the south…
      • A large number of Jews supported Antiochus III – against Ptolemy V…
      • But the angel describes them as violent (criminal) – because they were helping a pagan king!
      • I am sure there was a lot of debate in those days – which king was better…
      • Are you for Antiochus (north) or are you for Ptolemy (south)…
      • It turns out in the politics of God – neither was the right answer – both were criminals!
      • A powerful picture – because we get caught up in which side are we on (elephant or donkey)!
      • The best answer is neither – we do not stand with men – we are on Gods side! 
  • 4^th – Antiochus the great… vs. 15-19
    • The king of the north will take a fortified city…
      • Antiochus III conquered Sidon – resulting in the occupation of Israel (Glorious Land)…
      • Egyptian leaders tried to rescue the besieged city of Sidon from Antiochus III…
      • But their ‘choice troops shall have no strength’ and were unsuccessful…
    • He will give the daughter of women to destroy – but she shall not stand with him…
      • Threatened by Rome Antiochus III offered a diplomatic settlement with Egypt…
      • He married his daughter Cleopatra to the young Egyptian king Ptolemy V in 192 B.C. 
      • This is not Cleopatra VII – from the time of Julius Caesar / Mark Anthony.
      • His plan to marry his young daughter to the 7-year-old Ptolemy V was to ruin his ally!
      • The strategy failed because Cleopatra sided with her husband over her father!
    • He will turn his face towards the coastlands…
      • Having defeated Egypt – Antiochus III tried to conquer Greece but was defeated…
      • As a result instead of going down in history as a great conqueror…
      • He had to ‘turn his face towards his own land’ – defeated and broken…
      • And he ‘stumbled and fell’ – he was killed trying to plunder a temple in Elam!
  • 5^th – No more taxes… vs. 20
    • One will rise in his place that imposed taxes – Seleucus IV Philopator (Father loving)…
    • Because of the rise of Rome – Seleucus IV was forced to pay a tribute of 1000 talents annually…
    • To pay it he had to tax all the lands under his domain – including special taxes from the Jews… 
    • He was mysteriously killed-possibly poisoned by the tax collector Heliodorus – II Maccabees 3:7
       
• 3^rd – Antiochus Epiphanes… vs. 21-35
  • 1^st – The rise of Antiochus IV… vs. 21-28
    • In his place will rise a vile person – whom they will not give the honor of royalty…
      • He will come in peace – and seize the power the kingdom by intrigue…
      • Verse 21-33 are devoted to a ruler of the north – Antiochus Epiphanes…
      • The ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8:9-14 – who reigned in the decline of the Greece / rise of Rome…
      • He seized the throne rather than obtaining it honorably (by royal succession)…
      • When Seleucus IV died he had several sons who should have ascended to the throne… 
      • Demetrius was the first son of Seleucus IV – but he was being held in Rome as a prisoner… 
      • Antiochus the younger son of Seleucus IV – was still a baby….
      • But Antiochus IV – brother of Seleucus IV – posed as the guardian of young baby son…
      • Shortly after the young baby was murdered – and Antiochus Epiphanes secured the throne!
    • With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken… vs. 22
      • Antiochus launched several campaigns against Egypt – with the force of a flood…
      • In other words he was victorious over his enemy – sweeping them away!
      • The ‘prince of the covenant’ refers to his murder of the high priest Onias…
      • He had the title ‘prince of the covenant’ because he was the head of the theocracy of Egypt 
    • After the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully… vs. 23
      • There was a contest for power between two of Antiochus’ nephews in Egypt…
      • His sister Cleopatra had married Ptolemy V – and their 2 sons were battling for control…
      • Antiochus supported Ptolemy VI Philometor (mother loving) – but only for his own gain!
    • He will enter peaceably into the richest places… vs. 24-26
      • Always seeking to enlarge his kingdom – either by military devices or intrigue…
      • Antiochus robbed the richest places of the country already under his control… 
      • Unlike his father he used his wealth to buy favor /secure the cooperation of others…. 
      • He dispersed among them the spoils and riches – and devised plans against strongholds… 
      • I Maccabees 3:30 – “He feared that he might not have such funds as he had before for his expenses and for the gifts which he used to give more lavishly than preceding kings.” 
      • Antiochus used that influence to ‘stir up a great army against the king of the South’…
      • The outcome of the battle was that the king of Egypt was defeated – ‘he shall not stand’!
    • Both the kings hearts will be bent on evil… vs. 27-28
      • The struggle between Syria and Egypt led to various agreements that never lasted…
      • Neither the rulers of Egypt nor Syria were honorable in their agreements…
      • And returning to his land with great riches – Antiochus heart was against the Holy Covenant
      • In spite of all he had – he was jealous of the faith he found in the Jews!
      • Because nothing in this world will ever be enough for us…
      • We can try to eat to be happy – but we will only be hungry the next day…
      • We can be pretty to be happy – but the new clothes will wear out and fade…
      • We can try to be rich to be happy – but there will always be something more to buy!
      • Because we were not created by God to be fulfilled by the things of this world…
      • We were created by God to know Him – worship Him – John 17:3
      • And only when we use our life for the purpose God intended for it…
      • Worshiping and getting to know our Lord – will we find we are satisfied – John 4:14
  • 2^nd – Abomination of Desolation… vs. 29-31
    • He shall return to the south – but it shall not be like the former or the latter…
      • At the appointed time Antiochus invaded Egypt in 168 B.C. – but Rome demanded he leave…
      • The ships of Cyprus are thought to be a reference to Roman power that came from the west! 
      • The Romans were reported to have drawn a circle around him – choose before you step…
      • Rather than risk a war with Rome – he left Egypt and conceded Egypt to Roman power! 
    • Grieved he will return in rage against the holy covenant…
      • The history of the period is recorded for us in 1 and 2 Maccabees…
      • Disgruntled by his defeat in Egypt – Antiochus vented his wrath upon the Jews…
      • Antiochus defiled the temple by offering a pig on the altar – I Maccabees 1:44-54
      • He also set an image of Zeus in the Holiest of All – the abomination of desolation…
      • The parallel prophesy in Daniel 8:23-25 covers the same series of events!
      • This was just AN abomination of desolation – but not THE one spoken of by Jesus…
      • Because Jesus spoke of it as an event that had yet to take place – Matthew 24:15
  • 3^rd – The revolt against Antiochus Epiphanes… vs. 32-35
    • Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery…
      • While those who understand shall fall for many days – 2300 days – Daniel 8:14 
      • But the people who know their God shall be strong – speaking of the Maccabean revolt…
      • In the resulting conflict many were killed – but it also caused a spiritual revival!
      • While some of the Jews were corrupted by the flattery of the king…
      • It was a time of purging – separating those who were really loyal to the Lord!
      • Antiochus attempted to annihilate those devoted God – but succeed only in purifying them!
    • To refine them – purify them – and make them white – until the time of the end…
      • We live in an era of political correctness – the world would love to corrupt us…
      • Making it a lot is easier to blend into the crowd – then it is to stand up for the truth…
      • But that persecution has a purpose – it separates the wheat from the chaff…
      • Showing who will endure the fire – knowing the reward that waits for them in the end!
      • Revelation 3:5 – “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life…”

• 4^th – The Anti-Christ… vs. 36-45
  • 1^st – Unfulfilled prophecy…
    • The amazingly detailed prophecies of the first 35 verses  – contain 135 prophetic statements…
      • The fact all of them are now fulfilled give an impressive introduction the final 10 verses…
      • But these last 10 verses are quite controversial – with 2 main interpretations…
      • The first is that they are a continuation of the prophecy concerning Antiochus Epiphanes…
      • Yet unlike the first 35 verses – there are no historical events that match these last 10!
    • Therefore it is more likely they refer to events that have yet to be fulfilled…
      • These verses are the parallel of Daniel 2 – the stone striking the feet of the statue…
      • The destruction of the little horn of Daniel 7 / and the events in Revelation 6-19!
      • We see this introduced in verse 35 with the expression – ‘the time of the end’!
      • There is a 2000-year gap between verse 35 and 36 – when a ‘new king’ comes to power!
  • 2^nd – The king who shall come – the Anti-Christ… vs. 36-39
    • He will do his own will – magnify himself above every god – speak blasphemy against God…
      • And he will prosper till his wrath is accomplished / what is determined is done…
      • This is none other than the big mouth – Daniel 7:8  – the man of sin – II Thessalonians 2:3
      • Who will be a leader that will rise out of the Revived Roman Empire – to rule the world…
      • He will present himself as the Messiah – raised from the dead – Revelation 13:3
      • But only for as long as God allows it – till what is determined is done – 3 ½ years…
      • Revelation 13:5 – “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.”
      • How frustrating it must be for satan – even his greatest rebellion has a pre-determined end!
      • Which should give us peace – because no matter how crazy things get – God is in control…
      • It also gives us hope – because we know everything will unfold according to His plan!
    • He will not worship the God (ellohim) of his fathers… vs. 37
      • This could mean he will just not worship any gods – he will reject all religions…
      • But the phrase God of his fathers is a very Jewish phrase…
      • Likely meaning he will have Jewish heritage – to be received as the Jewish Messiah!
    • Nor the desire for women – couple of views…. vs. 37
      • It is possible that this refers to the fact he will be Homosexual (not likely)…
      • More likely it refers to his rejection of the Hope of the Messiah to save the world…
      • It was the desire of every Jewish girl to be privileged to bear the Messiah…
      • So he will not share the desire of women to see the world saved by Jesus…
      • Note the end of the verse: ‘Nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.’
    • This king will ‘honor the God of fortresses’… vs. 38-39
      • The sole confidence of the final world ruler will be in military might…
      • He will be a materialist – rather than a man who trusts in the divine… 
      • And those cooperating with him are given the opportunity ‘to rule over many!
      • Our enemy would love to try get us to trust in our might / the things of this world…
      • But nothing the devil says is true – everything that comes from him is a lie – John 8:44
      • Cause if we trust in the world – though it make work for a while – it takes our eyes of Jesus!
  • 3^rd – Armageddon… vs. 40-43
    • At the time of the end the king of the South and North shall attack him…
      • Notice that both kingdoms now come against this final king…
      • The Anti-Christ will be at war with many countries – but he will ‘overwhelm them’…
      • He will overthrow many countries – including Israel / Egypt / Libya / Ethiopia…
      • But Edom / Moab / and Ammon – modern day Jordan – will escape…
      • Jordan will not be taken – because the Jews will flee there for protection – Isaiah 16:1-5
      • To the rock city of Petra (Sela) – where they will be preserved by God for 3 ½ years!
    • But news from the east and the north shall trouble him… vs. 44
      • After conquering Egypt – the Anti-Christ will get word of a gigantic army coming…
      • Probably referring to the gigantic invasion described in Revelation 9:13-21…
      • An army of 200 million men that cross the Euphrates and descend upon the Holy Land…
      • China today claims to have a militia numbering two hundred million!
    • He shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain…
      • Speaking of Armageddon – yet he shall come to his end – and no one will help him!
      • The Antichrist will gather his army to the Valley of Megiddo – Revelation 19:11-21
      • It will be the place where the nations come to battle – armies of the North / East / West
      • Joel 3:2 – “I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.”
      • Then Jesus will come out of Heaven on a white horse – King of Kings / Lord of Lords…
      • With one word he will defeat the Antichrist and his army – II Thessalonians 2:8!
      • And the Antichrist will be the first to be thrown into the Lake of Fire – Revelation 19:20!
      • An amazing prophesy – both in historical accuracy – and future revelation…
      • There is no doubt about what happened – or what is about to take place…
      • The only question we are left with – what are we going to do with the time we have left…
      • We tend to fill our days with things that in the end – mean absolutely nothing…
      • We ‘waste’ our time ‘foolishly’ on being mindlessly entertained by TV / games…
      • When there is a world full of people who do not know Jesus – a world going to hell…
      • Seize the moment – use every day – to tell people about Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 5:16 – “Redeem the time, because the days are evil.”