A Rebellious Kingdom (pt. 1)

We start to look at Daniel chapter 11 as a continuation of the dream that began in chapter 10. Gabriel begins to explain the vision addressing both the present and future. There are two figures that show up consistently in verses 1-35 and they are “the king of the North (Seleucus)” and the “king of the South (Ptolemy)” taking a closer look at the monarchs of Egypt and the monarchs of Syria from the time of Daniel’s vision to the death of Antiochus Epiphanes. Verse 1 indicates the time of the dream in the first year of Darius the Mede. Most believe that verse 1 is a continuation of chapter 10 verse 21. Verses 2-4 talks of a three kings rising and the fourth king much greater than the first three. A ruler will rise with great dominion and to do his will. Once he gets power his kingdom will get broken up and divided towards the four winds of heaven and his kingdom shall be uprooted. Verses 5-6, the king of the South becomes strong and the daughter of the king of the South goes to the king of the North to make an alliance with them. Verse 7-8 tells that a branch of her roots shall arise who comes with an army. He carries their gods captive to Egypt and continues more years than the king of the North. Verses 9-10 the king of the North goes to the king of the South and then returns to his own land, but his sons stay and stir up trouble and strife. Verses 11-13 describe how both kings are fighting against each other one rising against each other. The king of the North musters up a great multitude but does not prevail and he will not prevail. The king of the North returns with a greater army and much equipment. Ptolemy Philopater is full of rage and wins the battle. Verse 14 tells us that the apostate Jews joined the Syrians to fight the Egyptians with the early battles being fought in northern Palestine. Verse 15-16 it seems likely that the fortified city is Sidon on the Mediterranean Sea. The Syrians are now moving south to conqueror the Beautiful land. We see in verse 17 an alliance to the South being made by Antiochus to gain political control over Egypt. Verse 18-19 show Antiochus turned his attention to the coastland by conquering and controlling Greece. Greece then seeks help from the Romans and Macedonians to help fight against Antiochus. In verse 21-24 Antiochus gains control and becomes the king of the North he then employs a policy of taking from the rich and distributing to the poor. In this process the Jewish high priest Onias III was killed by Menelaus a priest under Onias III. Verses 25-28 describe the final major conflict of Antiochus Epiphanes against Egypt east of the Nile River delta. The little horn has marched the full length of Palestine. Antiochus for the first time shows hostilities against the Jews. Verses 29-30 Antiochus again heads south to face the Egyptians, this time Rome steps up to get involved. Rome puts serious conditions on Antiochus to stay within the bounds that they have established. Verse 31-32 Antiochus goes into to Jerusalem which sets up the abomination that causes desolation. The belief is that a Statue of Jupiter or Zeus was put in the temple and the temple could have been renamed Zeus Olympus. Verse 33-35 indicate that the spiritual leaders will either fall by the sword or burned or captured. Verse 35 is the transition to the future prophecy.

We see in Daniel 11:1-35 the battle between evil to determine who is the most evil. Antiochus Epiphanes comes out the winner for a short time. He turns his hatred towards the Jews and the temple. We not only see a physical battle but a spiritual battle beginning to rear its head. Power which turns to hatred has always been the key component in fighting wars and it has occurred in ancient times through modern times.

We see a parallel today that same hatred being thrust against Israel and the Jews. As we know History does repeat itself and throughout time we are seeing that the world view is laser focused on blaming Israel for just about every civil unrest or war across the globe. We as Christians need to stand up and remember that when God stands for His people we should also stand for His people. We can no longer stand idle for what we are hearing or seeing in this country and across the Globe. The only way to defeat the enemy abroad and within is through the strength and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. We as believers need to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Jesus to intervene on our behalf. To fight the spiritual battle that is taking place. Today we see that time is short as indicated by the increasing of vitriol against Israel and we know that it will get worse and that vitriol will spill into the Christian community. Jesus is our only hope and prayer is the mechanism we are given to fight and to call on our Lord and Savior to lead the charge.

I pray that we come together in one voice to call out to our Lord and Savior to pray for His divine intervention to smite the enemy in its place. We pray for protection over Israel and this nation as we stand and fight for what is righteous and what is pure. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray Amen! Amen!