SCRIPTURE; DANIEL 11
THE KINGS OF THE SOUTH AND THE NORTH (vs. 1-35)
The king of the South and the North will become allies but later they will be at wars with each other. When the king of the South subdued and invaded the king of the North, he was filled with pride. However, there came a time when many will rise against the king of the South. The king of the North will come and build up siege ramps and capture the fortified city. With his great wealth, his heart was set against the holy covenant. He will invade the south again but the ships of the western coastlands will oppose him . He will lose heart and turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
THE KING WHO EXALTS HIMSELF (vs. 36-45)
- He will do as he pleases and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. (v. 36)
- He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers but exalt himself above them all. (v. 37)
- He will honor a god of fortresses, a god unknown to his fathers and honor it with gold, silver, precious stones, and costly gifts. (v. 38)
- He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. (v. 39)
At the end time, the king of the South will engage him in battle and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries – the Beautiful Land, Egypt, Ligyans and Nubians but Edom, Moab and Ammon will be delivered from his hand. He will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many, but he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
THOUGHTS:
God revealed to Daniel a summary of what would happen to his people. It describes wars involving from the north (Syria) and south (Egypt) as well as from Greece. Then at the later part, it describes the program of Anti-Christ. This reminds believers to be strong in the Lord with firm faith despite of persecution and possible death.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENTS: (From Tyndale’s Life Application Study Bible)
Babylon was defeated by Medo-Persia, Medo-Persia was defeated by Greece under the mighty king – Alexander the Great. After Alexander’s death, the empire was divided into 4 parts. (1)-Egypt, (2)-Babylon and Syria, (3)-Asia Minor, (4)-Macedonia and Greece. The king of Syria (the north) was Seleucus . The king of Egypt (south) was Ptolemy and the king of Syria (north) was Seleucus. Ptolemy II of Egypt (the south) gave his daughter Berence in marriage to Antiochus II of Syria (the north) to finalize a peace treaty between their two lands. But Berence was murdered in Antioch by Antiochus’ former wife, Laodice. When Berence’s brother, Ptolemy II ascended the Egyptian throne, he declared war against the Seleucids to avenge his sister’s murder.
The two treacherous kings were Antiochus IV of Syria and Ptolemy VI of Egypt. Antiochus IV plundered Jerusalem, desecrated the temple and stopped the Jew’ daily sacrifices. He sacrificed pigs on an altar erected in honor of Zeus which was a worst kind of insult against the Jews. The high priest, Manelaus conspired with Antiochus against the Jews who were loyal to God. The “people who know their God” may refer to the Maccabees.
God’s message described a time of trial when even the wise believers could fall victim to persecution. If you are facing trials, recognize them as an opportunity to strengthen your faith and make you closer to God.