Daniel 11:
Jesus revealed the future to Daniel as recorded in this chapter and preserved by the Jews. “The remarkably accurate prophecies of this chapter are so true, so astounding, and so wonderfully accurate that the whole critical world for centuries have never questioned a single one of them. The only allegation that Bible enemies have ever been able to bring against this chapter is that it is so exactly accurate that it had to be written after the events prophesied had already occurred. This slander against the Book of Daniel has existed a long time.” (Burton Coffman)
1 Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
"Also in the first year of Darius the Mede," (1a) “In view was the first year of his reign as king of Babylon, namely, 539 B.C. Almost immediately, in 538 B.C., Darius (Cyrus) had issued his decree allowing the Jews to return from exile.” (Dr. Thomas B. Constable)
“I, even I, [Jesus] stood up to confirm and strengthen him [Darius].” (1b) in his “good intentions to let the people of Israel go free and give them full liberty and encouragement to go into their own land, and rebuild their city and temple” (John Gill) “Thus, the point of this verse, is that the good fortune that the Israelites now experienced under Darius, had been the result of successful angelic warfare in the heavenly realms...” (Joseph Benson)
2 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.
Gabriel had already spoken of Cyrus the Great, who as a type of Messiah, delivered Israel from Babylon. “And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, (2a) ‘of which Cambyses II [530-522 BCE] that now reigned was the first, the second [Gaumata the Magian also known as] Smerdes [an imposter] [522BCE], the third Darius I [the Great] the son of Hystaspis [522-486 BCE], and the fourth Xerxes [486-465 BCE], who all were enemies to the people of God, and stood against them. '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.’ (2b) For he raised up all the east countries to fight against the Grecians, and even though he had in his army 900,000 men, yet in four battles he was defeated, and fled away with shame.” (Geneva Study Bible)
“Xerxes' mother was Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. His father, Darius the Great, left him the task of punishing the Greeks for their part in the Ionian rebellion (499-494 BCE) and their defeat of the Persian army at the battle of Marathon (490 BCE). Xerxes began extensively preparing for his expedition against the Greeks in 483 BCE by raising money and accumulating provisions. He had a channel dug through the isthmus of the peninsula of Mount Athos, stored supplies along the road through Thrace, and had two bridges constructed across the Hellespont. In preparation to punish the Greeks, Xerxes also entered into an alliance with Carthage. Even many of the smaller Greek states sided with the Persians. A large fleet and a vast army (numbered by some at over two million men) were gathered. He certainly did ‘stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.’ In the spring of 480 BCE, Xerxes set out from Sardis. At first, he was victorious. But when Xerxes attacked the Greek fleet under negative conditions at the Battle of Salamis (September 28, 480 BCE), he lost, even though his fleet was more than three times as large as the Greek navy (1,207 ships to 371). This battle decided the war; Xerxes was forced to retire to Sardis, and the army which he left in Greece was finally beaten the next year. The Delian League (also known as the Athenian Empire), was formed in 477 BCE as an offensive and defensive alliance of the Greek city-states against the Persians. The Greek empire had begun its rise.” (Bryan T. Huie)
3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
“This was Alexander the Great, the he-goat, who, moved with choler for the Persian invasion, run down the ram and stamped on it, and got a golden fleece from him by that, and after many victories; afterward he did according to his will, even what he would without controlment, by any.” (Matthew Poole)- “So far as the language here is concerned, it is not said whether this would be in Persia, as a successor of the ‘fourth king’ Daniel 11:2, or whether it would be in some other part of the world. The next verse, however, shows that the reference is to Alexander the Great - for to no other one is it applicable. There were several monarchs of Persia, indeed, that succeeded Xerxes before the kingdom was invaded and subdued by Alexander…, there was no necessity in the prophetic history of referring to the acts of these intermediate kings of Persia, since they did not contribute at all to the result - it being well known that the reason alleged by Alexander for his invasion of the Persian empire was not anything which they had done, but the wrongs sustained by Greece in consequence of the invasion by Xerxes and his predecessor. The real succession of events in the case was that last invasion of Greece by Xerxes, and the consequent invasion of the Persian empire by Alexander.” (Albert Barnes)
4 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.
“And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven.“ (4a) "This has been explained to mean the sudden collapse of the Greek empire after the death of Alexander.— ‘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.’ (4b) —The kingdom disappears without the members of the king’s family reaping any benefit from it. It is ‘plucked up for others besides these’—i.e., to the exclusion of his lawful heirs—and strangers shall possess the fragments of his empire. This is explained of the partition of Alexander’s empire among his generals, and of the murder of his two sons, Hercules and Alexander… The revelation directs our attention to a self-willed king, whose large empire is to come to a sudden and unexpected end; the ruins of it are not to benefit his posterity, but apparently two strangers, who are designated king of the north and king of the south respectively.” (Charles John Ellicott)
5 “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.
Alexander’s four generals fought for the area around Israel. One— Ptolemy I Soter— became strong in the area of the South of Israel. And another— Seleucus I Nicator— gained authority in the northern area to rule Babylon in 321 B.C. “However, in 316 B.C, another [the third] of Alexander’s generals, Antigonus, attacked Babylon. Seleucus sought help from Ptolemy I, and with Ptolemy’s sponsorship and superior power was able to retain control of Babylon. He was in this sense Ptolemy’s prince; he submitted to him to gain his military support against Antigonus. Seleucus I eventually ruled all of Babylonia, Media, and Syria, a territory much larger than Ptolemy’s. He assumed the title ‘king’ in 305 B.C, and was ‘the king of the North’ (Syria) referred to in this verse. His dynasty lasted until 64 B.C… [It was not until 304 B.C. that Ptolemy I Sote proclaimed himself king of Egypt.] “He was an ambitious monarch who sought to extend his holdings north into Cyprus, Asia Minor, and Greece. His dynasty ruled Egypt until 30 B.C.” (Dr. Thomas B. constable)
“The enemies of Israel, such as Babylon and Egypt, always attacked from the north and the south. Thus ‘The King of the North’ and ‘The King of the South’ came to symbolize the adversaries of God’s people. This entire vision depicts these enemies as warring powers whose battles adversely affect God’s people.” (Amazing Discoveries— http://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception-king-Egypt-daniel-11-commentary )
6 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, 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.
“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;” (6a) The successors to these general-kings sought a league. They were Ptolemy Philadelphus [of Egypt- South] and Antiochus Theus the son of Soter [of Syria- North]. At the hand of Ptolemy Philadelphus, “Bernice shall come from Egypt and marry with Antiochus Theus… for her father brought her…with an infinite sum of gold and silver for her dowry. Here was nothing sincere on either side, for each gaped after the other’s kingdom, and covered all with a league and a marriage; for Antiochus put away his lawful wife Laodice, by whom he had two children, that he might take her sister to wife. Thus sacred wedlock and leagues were violated. ‘But she shall not retain the power of her authority'; she continued not in favour and authority, for Antiochus now put away Bernice, and took Laodice again.— ‘ and neither he nor his authority shall stand’; for Laodice made away Antiochus by poison, and set up her son Seleucus Callinicus in his stead, who slew Bernice. From hence many cruel wars and tragedies arose between those two kings.” (Matthew Poole)
7 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. 8 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. 9 Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.
Berince’s brother— Ptolemy Euergetes, “to avenge his sister's death, marched with a great army against Seleucus Callinicus, took some of his best places, indeed all Asia, from Mount Taurus to India, and returned to Egypt with an immense booty, forty thousand talents of silver, precious vessels, and images of their gods two thousand five hundred, without Callinicus daring to offer him battle… And he shall continue more years than the king of the north.’ - ‘Seleucus Callinicus died (an exile) by a fall from his horse; and Ptolemy Euergetes survived him four or five years.’ - Bp. Newton.” (Adam Clarke) The grass withers the flower fades but the Word of God stands forever.
10 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.
However Seleucus Callinicus’ sons — who, one after the other, succeeded him on the throne— stirred up strife, and assembled a great army. They were “incensed with the deeds of Ptolemy Euergetes, and his son Ptolemy Philopater” (John Gill) And this they “sought to restore Syria's glory.” (Dr. Thomas B. Constable) First, Seleucus III Ceranus ruled as King of the North (226-223 B.C.). He invaded Asia Minor to recapture territory. But after he was poisoned, Antiochus III ruled as King of the North (223-187 B.C.) And he passed “through Syria, and recover what the king of Egypt took from his father.” (Matthew Poole)
“Then shall he return, and be stirred up, [even] to his fortress." (Geneva Study Bible)
11 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.
Now Ptolemy Philopater moved with rage and go out “to Raphia-- and fight with him--the king of the North, Antiochus III— “who set forth a great multitude, amounting to sixty-two thousand foot, six thousand horse, and one hundred and two elephants;” (Adam Clarke)
But yet the multitude was given into Ptolemy Philopater’s hand. “Ptolemy gained a complete victory. Raphia, and other neighbouring towns, declared for the victor; and Antiochus III was obliged to retreat with his scattered army to Antioch…” (Adam Clarke)
12 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.
Ptolemy Philopater "returned home in triumph but was not very welcome when passing through Judea and Jerusalem. Thus, he killed tens of thousands of Jews- "his heart being lifted up" against the Most High before retiring to the Egyptian city of Alexandria. "But he will not prevail" neither shall any who touch the apple of God's eye, even his church.
13 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.
And after about fourteen years, "Antiochus did return, Philopater being dead, and his son Ptolemy Epiphanes being then a minor. He brought a much larger army and more riches; these he had collected in a late eastern expedition." (Adam Clarke)
14 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.
"Antiochus was now in league with Philip of Macedon, and may well have been in touch with Egyptian dissidents and foreign mercenaries in Egypt… ‘The sons of those who make a breach among your people’ were possibly Hellenizers or dissenters among Israel who were keen to support Antiochus, hoping for his support in return. Their aim was probably to make their vision of a Hellenised Israel a reality." (Peter Pett) They wanted "to build a temple like that of Jerusalem, in Egypt, hoping thereby to fulfil a prediction of Isaiah, Isaiah 30:18-25, which seemed to intimate that the Jews and the Egyptians should be one people. They now revolted from Ptolemy, and joined Antiochus; and this was the means of contributing greatly to the accomplishment of prophecies that foretold the calamities that should fall upon the Jews." (Adam Clarke) ‘But they never achieved their vision.’ This plot also failed. Antiochus in fact was welcomed by the people of Jerusalem and renewed all the old rights.” (Pett's Bible Commentary) under the dominion of the grecian general.
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.
“‘The king of the north shall come.’ Remember that in verse 13, Antiochus III was preparing for a second attack against Egypt… Verse 14 describes conditions during this time [and the mustering of support], and verse 15 continues with the aggression of Antiochus III, who defeated a well-trained Egyptian army and besieged the remaining Egyptian forces at Tyre.” (The Un-Manifestation of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Daniel 11:1-22 by Roy E. Gane of Andrews University)
“And the arms of the south shall not withstand, ‘neither his chosen people’, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.” He came and recovered what was lost, even Judea.
16 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.
“Verse 16 most naturally describes the conquest of Palestine (‘the land of beauty’) by Antiochus III. ” (The Un-Manifestation of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Daniel 11:1-22 by Roy E. Gane of Andrews University) “He shall stand in the glorious land “with destruction in his power.” But instead of destroying, he build up Jerusalem. He “showed the Jews great favor: he brought back those that were dispersed, and reestablished them in the land; [he] freed the priests and Levites from all tribute, etc.” (Adam Clarke)
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 to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, or be for him.
Antiochus foolishly gave his daughter Cleopatra in marriage to Ptolemy Epiphanes of Egypt. “He had previously charged her that she should, after her marriage, act for her father’s interests in everything. But it was written, ‘she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him’ Cleopatra proved a faithful wife to Epiphanes, supporting him against her father, who was naturally disappointed that his well-laid plans had completely miscarried.” (H. A. Ironside)
18 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. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Antiochus determined now to conquer Greece. “First the isles of the Aegean sea were subjugated to his sway, and then he crossed over with his armies… [192 B.C.]. At that point a most unexpected event took place. The iron kingdom (the Roman empire) was at this time just beginning to make its presence felt. It was destined to be the fourth and last on earth, before the establishment of the kingdom of the Son of man. The Grecians had entered into an alliance with the Romans, so they at once notified their powerful allies of the danger to which they were exposed. The Roman senate commissioned Lucius Scipio Asiaticus to go to their relief with an army of tried warriors. He met Antiochus in battle and utterly defeated him [Thermopylae 191.B.C.], and on the most ignominious terms sent him back to his home. Scipio is undoubtedly ‘the prince’ or as some versions render it, ‘commander,’ referred to in verse 18. Thus Antiochus, humbled and in deep distress, turned his face toward ‘the fort of his own land,’ But… he was ‘TO STUMBLE AND NOT BE FOUND’ (19). This was fulfilled when, in his need and desperation, he attempted with a band of soldiers to plunder the temple of Jupiter at Elymais. He and his warriors were slain by the infuriated populace, incensed at what they considered a grave act of sacrilege.” (H. A. Ironside)
20 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. 21 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.
Those of the counter reformation, wanting to take the eyes of the world off of the system of Catholicism with a vicar of Christ as its head, point to Antiochus IV Epiphanes here. But “Seleucus IV and Antiochus IV, the sons of Antiochus III who succeeded him, do not match the descriptions in verses 20 and 21, respectively [— as many modern theologians say] Not coincidentally, it is precisely Antiochus III [his father] who loses to Rome, the next emerging power, just as the Persian Xerxes had lost to Greece, the power that would succeed Medo-Persia. Just as Daniel 11 skips the remaining Medo-Persian rulers after Xerxes and goes immediately to Hellenistic Alexander the Great and his successors, so the chapter skips the remaining Seleucid kings after Antiochus III and goes immediately to Rome in verses 20 and following. Since Rome takes the place of Antiochus III, it becomes successor to the role of ‘king of the North’ in the following verses of Daniel 11.This explains why the chapter emphasizes the career of Antiochus III: to solidly identify Rome, the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8, as the next great power.” (The Un-Manifestation of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Daniel 11:1-22 by Roy E. Gane of Andrews University)
Rome as a Republic lead by the Roman Senate “reduced Macedon into a Roman province about one hundred and sixty-eight years before Christ; the kingdom of Pergamos about one hundred and thirty-three years; [AND] Syria about sixty-five….” (Adam Clarke) thus becoming the King of the North.
“And besides the remains of the Macedonian empire, it subdued many other provinces and kingdoms; so that it might, by a very usual figure, be said to devour the whole earth, to tread it down, and break it in pieces; and become in a manner what the Roman writers delighted to call it, ‘The empire of the whole world.’” (Thomas Coke)
There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom (20a) The Roman Senate was this powerful one. It ““was the supreme authority in all matters of finance, but as the state itself did not occupy itself with collecting the taxes, duties, and tributes, the censors were entrusted with the actual business. These officers, who in this respect may not unjustly be compared to modern ministers of finance, used to let the various branches of the revenue to the publicani for a fixed sum, and for a certain number of years. [Censor, Publicani.]” (Vectigalia, Article by Leonhard Schmitz, Ph.D, F.R.S.E, Rector of the High School of Edinburgh)
The Republic was run by the Roman Senate, which ruled ancient Rome (founded in 753 BC) from the time of its first king, Romulus. “The word ‘senate’ derives from the Latin word ‘senex’, which means ‘old man’; the word thus means ‘assembly of elders’. The prehistoric Indo-Europeans who settled Italy in the centuries before the legendary founding of Rome in 753 BC were structured into tribal communities, and these communities often included an aristocratic board of tribal elders. The senate of the Roman kingdom held three principal responsibilities: It functioned as the ultimate repository for the executive power, it served as the king's council, and it functioned as a legislative body in concert with the people of Rome. During the years of the monarchy, the senate's most important function was to elect new kings. While the king was technically elected by the people, it was actually the senate who chose each new king.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Senate
“By 167 B.C. the Republic had enriched itself greatly through a series of conquests. Gains such as the silver and gold mines in Spain created an excellent source of revenue for the state, and a much larger tax base through its provincial residents. By this time, Rome no longer needed to levy a tax against its citizens in Italy and looked only to the provinces for collections.” http://www.unrv.com/economy/roman-taxes.php
The Senate was destroyed not in anger or battle but by a vile person— a series of dictators over the old Roman republic. Julius Caesar began his rise to power in 60 B.C.E. by forging an alliance with another general, Pompey, and a wealthy patrician, Crassus. Together, these three men assumed control of the Roman Republic, and Caesar was thrust into the position of consul. Historians have since dubbed the period of rule by these three men the First Triumvirate. Over time, however, the triumvirate broke down. Crassus was killed in battle, and Pompey began entertaining ideas of ruling without the dangerously popular Caesar. While Caesar was fighting in Gaul (modern-day France), Pompey and the Senate ordered Caesar to return to Rome without his army. But when Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in northern Italy, he brought his army with him in defiance of the senate's order. This fateful decision led to a civil war. Caesar defeated Pompey's forces and entered Rome in 46 B.C.E., triumphant and unchallenged. Upon his return, Caesar made himself dictator and absolute ruler of Rome and its territories. During his rule, he enacted several reforms. Caesar founded many colonies in newly conquered territories and provided land and opportunity for poor Romans who chose to migrate there. He reduced the number of slaves and opened citizenship up to people living in the provinces.” http://www.ushistory.org/civ/6b.asp JULIUS CEASAR WAS EVENTUALLY ASSASSINATED as the result of a conspiracy by many Roman senators, but the position lived on for a time.
Here is a summary of the aftermath of his assassination: “Led by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus, they stabbed Julius Caesar to death in a location adjacent to the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC.” Civil war ensued and the Republic was soon to die also , as the title of vile person was passed on to successive Emperors. The Roman Senate survived but only in formality. They never recovered the spirit of the old republic. "Civil wars and executions continued, culminating in the victory of Octavian, Caesar's adopted son, over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and the annexation of Egypt. Octavian's power was now unassailable and in 27 BC the Roman Senate formally granted him overarching power and the new title Augustus, effectively marking the end of the Roman Republic. The imperial successor to the Republic lasted approximately 1400 years. The first two centuries of the Empire's existence were a period of unprecedented political stability and prosperity known as the Pax Romana, or 'Roman Peace'. Following Octavian's victory, the size of the Empire was dramatically increased." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.
“It is stated that Caesar fought and won fifty battles, took one thousand cities, and slain one million one hundred ninety two thousand men…He is the one who issued that famous statement ‘Veni, vidi ,vice’ I came, I saw , I conquered… “ But this verse speaks of his crushing of God's people-- Israel. Roy Ganes says that verse 22a “is linguistically linked to 9:26, which refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple: ‘And its end [will come] with a flood’… This destruction occurred in 70 A.D.” And not only was Jerusalem and the temple swept away under this kingdom, but so was “the prince of the covenant” (22b)— the Lord Jesus Christ— in in 30 A.D.
23 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. 24 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.
This is Imperial Rome’s means of conquering. During it’s rise to power, the monarchs offered treaties and pacts to various kingdoms throughout the world. “After these kingdoms have reached a friendly agreement with Rome and spared themselves from deadly conflict, Rome will act deceitfully and betray them. With only a few people controlling its great army, the Romans will become dominant over the world and no one will be able to defend themselves against them. When the richest provinces feel secure, Rome will invade them and either destroy or dominate them. Rome’s authority will extend far beyond that of earlier kingdoms. Rome will finance its conquests by distributing the spoils of war to mercenary soldiers. Consequently, its army will become large and powerful. Rome will plot the overthrow of kingdoms everywhere, but only for a time. As with all other nations, Rome’s dominion will come to an end.’" https://www.wake-up.org/end-times-prophecy/daniel-prophecy/daniel-101-1135-israels-prophetic-destiny.html
25 “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. 26 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. 27 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. 28 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.
After subduing Syria in 65 BC, this new Roman government is already King of the North. And specifically, this is how he became King of the South, as well. ”The Roman ruler, Augustus Caesar, will raise a large army with strength and courage to attack Antony, the king of the south. At the Battle of Actium (31 B.C.), Antony will wage war with a large and powerful army, but will not be able to endure the plots devised against him. Some people who are very close to Antony, even the ones who eat with him, will attempt to destroy him. Antony’s army will be ruined. However, Antony will remain in power for a little longer. Augustus and Antony, with evil in their hearts, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail. Both men want to control the world, but neither of them will attain world dominion.… Augustus Caesar, the king of the north, will return to his own country after the Battle of Actium with great wealth from Egypt. Years later, the Jews, who are trustees of God’s holy covenant, will anger Caesar. Vespasian will be sent to attack many cities and he will specifically target Jerusalem for destruction. However, news about the death of Nero will cause him to lift the siege and return to his own country without subduing Jerusalem. This will be the sign to flee Jerusalem.’" https://www.wake-up.org/end-times-prophecy/daniel-prophecy/daniel-101-1135-israels-prophetic-destiny.html
29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 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. 31 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.
At the appointed time, Rome under Titus will turn his fury toward the south or southward toward Jerusalem, “because of his hatred for the Jews. When Titus resumes the siege of Jerusalem which his father began, he will spare the lives of the Jews who will forsake their religion and join forces with him against Israel. Eventually, the forces of Titus will level the city and completely destroy the temple complex which the Jews think is impregnable. The Jews will not be able to conduct the daily temple services again after Titus destroys the temple in A.D. 70.” https://www.wake-up.org/end-times-prophecy/daniel-prophecy/daniel-101-1135-israels-prophetic-destiny.html
32 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. 33 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.
Those who know their God in this context are those who know Jesus. They shall wait upon the Lord and thus renew their strength and rise up with healing their wings, carrying out great exploits. And those with understand of the purpose of His first coming “shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.”
34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.
“Now when they shall fall - when the storm of the tenth persecution under Diocletian, which lasted ten years, fell upon them, they were sorely oppressed. They shall be holpen with a little help - by Constantine; who, while he removed all persecution, and promoted the temporal prosperity of the Christian Church, yet added little to its spiritual perfection and strength. For many, now seeing the Christians in prosperity cleave to them with flatteries - became Christians because the Emperor was such.” (Adam Clarke)… not being converted.
35 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.
“And some of them of understanding shall fall.” Bad doctrine will overcome the church. ”Disputes on certain points of religion soon agitated the Christian Church; and now, having no outward persecution, they began to persecute each other. And many excellent men, men of understanding, fell victims because they would not embrace erroneous doctrines, when professed by the state. But this was permitted: - to try them, and to purge, and to make them white - to bring all to the pure profession, possession, and practice of Christianity. 'Because it is still for the appointed time’- the time that God shall cause pure and undefiled religion every where to prevail. But when is the time appointed for this?” (Adam Clarke)
"Suffering and martyrdom are not proofs of God’s forgetfulness. This is the refining fire which comes 'to test and purify' the saints. Blessed is he that shall endure to the end — which end God knows and the time of which He has fixed." (Whedon's Commentary)
36 “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.
Papal Rome emerges with a man who claims apostolic succession from Peter and continues the kingdom of Rome as the Roman Catholic Church with the Pope— the Vicar of Christ — as its head. It is the kingdom of the north and its head “shall do according to his own will" exulting and magnifying himself above every god, and speaking blasphemies against the God of gods. His office shall prosper till the wrath [of Jesus upon His enemies] has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. These are those whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19) They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) They will, in the destruction of the earth, also be destroyed. (2 Peter 2:12) for they revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. (Jude 1:10)
The predicted king will have the power to do as he pleases. His very words will be equal to Scriptures. “Heapparently he will not be subject to a higher human authority (cf. Daniel 7:23; Revelation 13:1-10; Revelation 17:12). He will exalt himself higher than any other god; which implies that he will demand worship (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:11-18; Revelation 17:12-13). He will also repudiate the true God (cf. Daniel 7:25; Revelation 17:14). He will succeed for a time, until God's indignation... has run its course (cf. Daniel 8:19; Isaiah 10:25; Isaiah 26:20; Revelation 17:15-17). All of this will happen under the sovereign authority of God, however." (Dr. Thomas B. Constable)
37 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. 38 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.
The “little horn” of Daniel chapter 7 and Daniel chapter 8 shall not regard the God of his fathers - “that God who sent the evangelists and apostles to preach the pure doctrine. These true fathers of the Christian Church, and their God, this Church has not regarded, but put councils, and traditions, and apocryphal writings in their place.” (Adam Clarke)
Neither shall he regard—the desire of women. “By consequence, Daniel, under the figure of this profane man, glanced on popery, which has filled the world with superstitious solitaries. Millions of monks and nuns have lived and died in a state of celibacy, construing the breach of the divine law into an argument of superior sanctity.” (Joseph Sutcliffe)
“But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses… or forces… the god Mahuzzim. The word occurs in Psalms 43:2. the God of strength.” (Joseph Sutcliffe) “The marginal note to the Authorized Version of (Daniel 11:38 ) ‘the god of forces,’ gives as the equivalent of the last word ‘Mauzzim, or gods protectors, or munitions.’ There can be little doubt that mauzzim is to be taken in its literal sense of ‘fortresses,’ just as in ( Daniel 11:19 Daniel 11:39 ) ‘the god of fortresses’ being then the deity who presided over strongholds. The opinion of Gesenius is that ‘the god of fortresses’ was Jupiter Capitolinus, for whom Antiochus built a temple at Antioch. Liv. xli. 20.” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
The object of worship may not overtly be Jupiter Capitolinus, but mainstream Christianity today may worship this false god. They use biblical language but changing its meaning. The subjects of this ruler trusts in walls and military might to take down strongholds, trusting in a “god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things”— “How literally does this apply to the Church of Rome! See the house of our lady at Loretto; the shrines of saints; the decorated images, costly apparel, gold, jewels, etc., profusely used about images of saints angels, and the blessed virgin, in different popish churches. This superstition began to prevail in the fourth century, and was established in 787, by the seventh general council; for in that the worship of images was enacted.” (Adam Clarke) They ought to rusting in the Word of God, even that very Word made flesh..
39 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.
He will use “all art and authority to propagate his worship." (Wesley) Unfortunately Protestantism has embraced his false Jesus with his doctrines which make up this false god including the Trinity, cheap grace and eternal torment. Mixed in with these are false ideas of good that we now see permeating America and the world, even Christiandom. In the face of persecution and martyrdom, Christians should be counting themselves as sheep for the slaughter, not seeking to protect or revenge themselves against the enemy but allowing rather themselves to be killed all the day long, considering their testimony to be more important. America should be welcoming the stranger into our country for the opportunity to share Jesus with them by Word and deed. But instead, we have hooked into the ideologies of the god of national loyalty, military might and strong walls.
The defenders of Mauzzim today are “the monks, priests, and bishops; of whom it may be truly said, ‘They were increased with honor, ruled over many, and divided the land [of Christiandum] for gain.’ They have been honored and reverenced almost to adoration; their jurisdiction was extended over the purses and consciences of men; they have been enriched with the noblest buildings and largest endowments, and the choicest lands have been appropriated for Church lands.” (Adam Clarke)
40 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. 41 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. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 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.
44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 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.
Perhaps: ”While the 'king of the north' stands for spiritual power, the king of the south represents secular powers that use reason as their weapon." (Zdravko Stefanovic)
These verses depict the events leading up to the destruction of the Papacy, as well as all its it faithful cronies even those in protestant churches. Here is one take on the two powers at work: The pope “is portrayed as ‘the king of the north.’ The rise and fall of this same power, at the end of time, under the symbolism of Babylon the Great, is portrayed in Revelation 17:7-11. What we know from the text is that ‘the King of the North’ will face an adversary symbolized by ‘the King of the South,’ and God’s faithful people are caught in the middle. This indicates that Catholicism will be attacked in some manner by ‘the King of the South’ at ‘the time of the end.’
Some scholars believe that the ‘King of the South,’ who opposes Catholicism at the time of the end, is atheism and/or its philosophical offspring, communism. They believe it could be atheism because, like Egypt in the Old Testament, it declares, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice?’ They think it might be communism because of its power and atheistic views.
In verse 45 the Papacy is said to place ‘his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain.’ In scripture ‘Holy Mountain’ refers to both God’s true Church on Earth and to heaven itself, where Jesus carries on His high priestly ministry today. Ezekiel 28:12-15; Isaiah 65:25; Daniel 9:16; Zechariah 8:3; Joel 3:17. Thus, scholars see in these verses a picture of Satan, through the Papacy, putting itself between the “seas” (the people) and the ‘glorious holy mountain’ (God’s true church and Christ’s sanctuary ministry in heaven).”
http://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception-king-Egypt-daniel-11-commentary
These shall escape destruction— “Edom, Moab and the prominent people of Ammon.” (41b) Yahweh did not allow the children of Ammon to be hurt, “because they helped Him against the Jews."(John Wesley) “Their lands were located to the east of Judea (Deut. 2:4-23) Their mention here reminds the reader of God’s acts of grace extended to non-Israelites (a spiritual Israel, rather than physical one) in Old Testament times (Rahab, Ruth, Namaan, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, etc.). The land of Egypt will be occupied, and its riches or ‘costly things’ plundered, while the lands to the west and south of Egypt will be subjugated…” (Zdravko Stefanovic) by Papal Rome. The friends of Israel today are friends of the the universal church. “Yet he [anitchrist] shall come to his end, and no one will help him.” (45b) Neither shall any help any of His enemies. But the Lord Himself will deal with them. "Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8)