Yesterday we covered biblical prophecies that were very precise predictions that already came true. They were fulfilled between 312 and 168 BC. Then Daniel’s prophetic vision overlaps with the future yet to come. We left off in verse 35. Furthermore, there’s a time gap of around 2100 years between verses 35 and 36. We will recap starting with Daniel 11:31. Let’s dig in…
Daniel 11 – For the Appointed Time is Still to Come
31 “His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration (the abomination of desolation). 32 He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
33 “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. 34 During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. 35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.
36 “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place. 37 He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the god loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all. 38 Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses—a god his ancestors never knew—and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts. 39 Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward.
40 “Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape. 42 He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians (Cushites) will be his servants.
44 “But then news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many. 45 He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.
Daniel 11:26-45 NLT
Overlapping Prophecies
- First, Antiochus Ephipanes is a type, or foreshadowing, of the coming Antichrist.
- An abomination is bringing idolatry or paganism into God’s Holy Temple. For instance, like sacrificing a pig to a pagan god inside the temple. It was filthy and disgusting.
- It brings desolation because no Jew can enter the temple until it’s been properly cleansed and sanctified. No one could enter a desecrated temple.
Jesus uses the same phrase in Matthew 24…
15 “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration (the abomination of desolation) standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)
Matthew 24:15 NLT
I love how Matthew adds a commentary: “Reader, pay attention!” Jesus was speaking of the last days — and event still in the future. Jesus lived 570 years after Daniel and 200 years after Antiochus IV. He was telling His disciples back then, and Matthew recorded it for future believers (that’s us!), to warn us of the events of the Latter Days.
Pastor Sandy Adams Comments…
Antiochus’ tyranny ended in 165 BC, but for most of Israel’s last 2000 years the Jews have felt the fires of persecution. Time and time again, antisemitism has raised its ugly head. Orchestrated by Satan, his hatred for God’s people knows no boundaries or limits. Daniel tells us in verse 35 it will last “until the time of the end.” Thus, I believe verses 36-45 speak of last days events. Like in Chapter 9, there’s a gap of at least 2180 years between verses 35 and 36. Here, Daniel’s vision focuses on the worst antisemite of all, the Antichrist.
Antiochus demanded that the Jews worship his Greek gods, and may have even claimed to be a god, but there’s no indication he ever exalted himself above all gods. This is Antiochus’ archetype… the Antichrist. In Revelation 13 we’re told the Antichrist sets himself up as god, and demands that the world worship him!
It’s likely the Antichrist will be an atheist. He’ll be the ultimate humanist. His hope is in himself…
This is a cryptic phrase, “god of fortresses” (v.38). This could mean the Antichrist will worship military might. Power and protection will be his god. He starts as a man of peace, but his ultimate goal is war.
This “foreign god” could be his cohort in crime. Revelation 13 speaks of a second beast, a religious personality, known as “the false prophet.” Together these men will rise to power…
From verse 40 to the chapter’s close, the prelude to Armageddon is mapped out. This section describes the movements of troops – and some minor skirmishes – that set the stage for the war that ends all wars…
Revelation 12 says at the midpoint of the final seven years of Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will set up his “abomination of desolation” in the Temple. At that point God will have had enough… The devil will know that his days are numbered so he brings the armies of Antichrist against Israel. Apparently Edom, Moab, and Ammon escape the Antichrist to give refuge to the Jews. We’re told in Isaiah that the Jews will flee to Bozrah or Edom.
Sandy Adams
Jesus’s next line in Matthew 24 forewarns the Jews…
16 “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 17 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.
Matthew 24:16-22 NLT
Pastor Sandy Adams continues…
Apparently, upon his invasion, the Antichrist will move his headquarters into the land of Israel – between the Mediterranean and Jerusalem. This will raise eyebrows all around the world. The nations will take note of his ambitions and aggression. He’ll have to be stopped. We’re told in Revelation 19 the armies of the world will stage for battle in a valley just north of Jerusalem, “the Valley of Megiddo.”
And it’s at that time Jesus will return. Rather than fight each other, the armies of the earth will try to fight against the Messiah, but they’d sooner hold back the tide. Christ will destroy His foes with one shimmer of His glory. Satan’s kingdom will come to a close. The Antichrist will be cast into the lake of fire, and Satan himself will be chained for one thousand years.
Finally, Satan will be busted – bankrupt. It’s fitting to me, that his bankruptcy is recorded here in Chapter 11!
Sandy Adams
Precise Predictions!
Since all the prophecies that we covered yesterday were already fulfilled, it can be believed, with assurance that the future ones will be fulfilled also!
It’s Time to Choose Sides!
First of all, saved, born-again believers will not be around when the Antichrist starts rising to power. The Rapture will happen before then. The question is, will YOU be LEFT BEHIND?
Don’t think it’ll be an exciting time! If you’d like to see what it may be like, check out my fictional series “After the Rapture“.
Left Behind After the Rapture Series
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
