Daniel 11:1-45

Daniel’s vision from chapter ten continues with a very full and complete description of the coming events of the world.  These events have been seen before in the form of visions and illustrations of metals and beasts.  However, this time there are no allegories there is simply a description of what will happen in the future.  Special attention is given to the coming reign of the Greeks.  There are many more details given as to how all of these things would play out in history.  The accuracy of these prophecies is astounding.  However, the interpretation is not without difficulty.  The final section of the chapter seems to be talking about events that have not yet taken place, but there does not seem to be an indication of a huge gap in the action within the text.  This is certainly a cause for caution in being dogmatic about the interpretation of the last portion of the chapter.  But no matter how one interprets the end of this chapter, the revelation of God to Daniel is a clear indication of His foreknowledge and control over the universe in which we live.

A TIME OF TRANSITIONS: Daniel is told that there will be four Persian kings but that after that period of time there would be a transition from Persian rule over Israel and the world to Greek rule.  The details of Alexander the Great’s rule and his early death are given as well as the division of the leadership between his four generals.  This has been seen in previous passages and is clearly described in this passage.  God is truly in charge of setting up authorities as well as tearing them down.  For this reason God calls us to respect the people He places in authority over us.  We must be careful not to displease the Lord by disrespecting those who God has chosen to exercise authority in this world.  Transitions in leadership are all a part of God’s plan for this world.

A TIME OF TESTINGS: The main section of this chapter is dedicated to the exploits of the various kings of Greece and their conflicts with one another.  The bulk of the information seems to be about the military movement of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.  This vile king would try to make various wars with neighboring nations that were mostly unsuccessful.  When he would return in defeat he would take out his frustrations on the Jewish people by persecuting them and defiling the temple.  He hated the Jews and tried to impose Greek culture and worship on them.  He is often considered to be a type of the Anti-Christ who is to come during the tribulation period.  Eventually he was overthrown by the Roman Empire together with all of the rest of the kingdom.

A TIME OF TRIBULATION: The final section of this chapter seems to jump ahead a couple thousand years to the future reign of Anti-Christ during the tribulation period described in Revelation.  The events described in this portion do not match anything about which we are aware in the past but when compared to the description of the Tribulation they seem to fit well.  Again this is not something that is worth argument, but it does seem to indicate that there are still times of significant persecution ahead for the nation of Israel and there will be great blasphemy taking place during this time.  However, as is often the case, God will use this time of tribulation to bring many to Himself as He prepares to regenerate the nation of Israel, fulfill His promises and establish His kingdom.  God truly is in control of the events of this world.